Temperature probe for domestic oven and domestic oven using such probe

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-10801898-B2
Application number	US-201715821354-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Nov 22, 2017
Priority date	Nov 22, 2016
Publication date	Oct 13, 2020
Grant date	Oct 13, 2020

Abstract

A temperature probe is configured to be used in a domestic oven and comprises a sensing portion for inserting into food during cooking and a cable for coupling the sensing portion to a control unit of the oven. The cable is semi-rigid so that it is configured for self-supporting the sensing portion of the probe.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A temperature probe for a domestic oven, the temperature probe comprising:
a sensing portion for inserting into food during cooking; and
a cable for coupling the sensing portion to the domestic oven, the cable possessing enough stiffness to maintain the sensing portion in a set position, the cable comprising an insulation polymeric matrix, at least one semi-rigid, plastically-deformable metal core embedded in the insulation polymeric matrix, and electrical wires embedded in the insulation polymeric matrix.

2. The temperature probe of claim 1 , wherein the cable further comprises a metallic flexible sheath enclosing the insulation polymeric matrix.

3. The temperature probe of claim 2 , wherein the cable further comprises a silicone layer coated over the metallic flexible sheath.

4. The temperature probe of claim 1 , wherein the cable further comprises a connector configured to be received by a socket provided at a wall of the domestic oven and electrically connect the sensing portion to the domestic oven.

5. The temperature probe of claim 1 further comprising a connector connected to the cable, the connector comprising spaced projections extending generally parallel to the cable and in a direction away from the cable, the spaced projections configured to be received by spaced recesses of a socket provided at a wall of the domestic oven, the spaced projections and spaced recesses preventing rotation of the cable.

6. The temperature probe of claim 1 further comprising a connector connected to the cable, the connector having a prismatic shape, the prismatic shape configured to be received by an aperture of a socket provided at a wall of the domestic oven, the prismatic shape and the aperture preventing rotation of the cable.

7. A domestic oven comprising:
a control unit; and
a temperature probe comprising:
a sensing portion for inserting into food during cooking; and
a cable coupling the sensing portion to the control unit, the cable possessing enough stiffness to maintain the sensing portion in a set position, the cable comprising an insulation polymeric matrix, at least one semi-rigid, plastically-deformable metal core embedded in the insulation polymeric matrix, and electrical wires embedded in the insulation polymeric matrix.

8. The domestic oven of claim 7 further comprising:
walls defining a cavity; and
a socket provided at one of the walls of the cavity;
wherein the temperature probe further comprises a connector connected to the cable and inserted into the socket thereby electrically connecting the sensing portion of the temperature probe to the control unit.

9. The domestic oven of claim 8 , wherein the connector comprises spaced projections extending generally parallel to the cable and in a direction away from the cable; and
wherein the socket comprises spaced recesses receiving the spaced projections of the connector thereby preventing rotation of the cable.

10. The domestic oven of claim 8 ,
wherein the socket comprises an aperture; and
wherein the connector has a prismatic shape corresponding to the aperture of the socket and thereby preventing rotation of the cable.

11. The domestic oven of claim 8 , wherein the cable further comprises a metallic flexible sheath enclosing the insulation polymeric matrix.

12. The domestic oven of claim 11 , wherein the cable further comprises a silicone layer coated over the metallic flexible sheath.

13. A method of sensing food temperature in an oven comprising:
inserting a sensing portion of a temperature probe into food contained within a container positioned in an oven, the sensing portion taking an inserted position,
the oven comprising a control unit; and
the temperature probe further comprising a cable possessing enough stiffness to maintain the sensing portion in the inserted position, the cable comprising an insulation polymeric matrix, at least one semi-rigid, plastically-deformable metal core embedded in the insulation polymeric matrix, and electrical wires embedded in the insulation polymeric matrix.

14. The method of claim 13 further comprising:
coupling a connector connected to the cable of the temperature probe to a socket at a wall of the oven, thereby electrically connecting the sensing portion of the temperature probe to the control unit.

15. The method of claim 13 , wherein the cable further comprises a metallic flexible sheath enclosing the insulation polymeric matrix, and a silicone layer coated over the metallic flexible sheath.

16. The method of claim 13 , wherein the food is a soup.

17. The method of claim 14 , wherein the connector comprises spaced projections extending generally parallel to the cable and in a direction away from the cable; and
wherein the socket comprises spaced recesses receiving the spaced projections of the connector thereby preventing rotation of the cable.

Assignees

• Whirlpool Co

Inventors

• Pastore Cristiano Vito
• Giuliani Marco
• Ghiglieri Giulio
• Nava Riccardo

Classifications

• G01K2207/06

  for preparation purposes · CPC title

• G01K1/08

  Protective devices, e.g. casings · CPC title

• G01K7/023

  provided with specially adapted connectors (connectors per se H01R) · CPC title

• G01K1/14 Primary

  Supports; Fastening devices; Arrangements for mounting thermometers in particular locations · CPC title

• G01K13/00

  Thermometers specially adapted for specific purposes · CPC title