BURNER

Abstract

A burner includes a body; a cover disposed on a top of the body and coupled to the body to define a mixing tube in which gas and air flow and are mixed with each other; and a head disposed on a top of the cover and configured to generate a flame, wherein the head includes: a first flame generation portion disposed in a central area of the head and a second flame generation portion disposed in an outer area of the head. The body, the cover, and the head are configured such that: the gas discharged from the mixing tube flows through the cover and flows to the central area of the cover, and then is divided into portions in the central area of the cover, and then one thereof flows into the first flame generation portion, and the other thereof flows to the outer area of the cover and flows into the second flame generation portion.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION(S)

This application claims priority to and benefit of Korean Patent Application No. 10-2023-0165171 filed in Korea on Nov. 24, 2023, which is hereby incorporated by reference as if fully set forth herein.

BACKGROUND

1. Field

The present disclosure relates to a burner, and more specifically, a burner with a simplified flow channel structure for flow of gas.

2. Background

A burner emits a flame and generally receives gas from an external source and ignites the gas to generate a flame. The burner may be installed in a cooking appliance.

The burner may be used in a gas range or a cooktop of a combined cooking appliance that uses both gas and electricity, and may receive gas from an external source and combust the gas to generate a flame.

The burner may be composed of two flame generation portions, and each of the two flame generation portions generally generates a flame having a ring shape. The two flame generation portions may generate an inner flame in a small ring shape and an outer flame in a large ring shape surrounding the small ring shape, respectively.

In this structure, it is common that separate gas flow paths are respectively formed for the two flame generation portions to deliver combusted gas between the two flame generation portions spaced apart from each other. In this general structure, a plurality of gas flow paths independent of each other should be provided in the burner.

Furthermore, since the burner is provided with multiple gas injection holes, a plurality of pipes connecting the external source and the gas injection holes of the burner to each other should be provided.

The burner of the above-described structure has a complicated structure to form a gas flow path, making the overall structure of the burner complicated. Therefore, due to the complicated structure, the gas does not flow smoothly, burner performance deteriorates, and a manufacturing cost increases.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The embodiments will be described in detail with reference to the following drawings in which like reference numerals refer to like elements wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a burner according to one embodiment;

FIG. 2 is a side view of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a rear view of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is an exploded top perspective view of FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is an exploded bottom perspective view of FIG. 1;

FIG. 6 is a side cross-sectional view of a burner;

FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing a body and a cover of a burner;

FIG. 8 is an exploded view of FIG. 7;

FIG. 9 is a top view of FIG. 7;

FIG. 10 is a bottom view of FIG. 7;

FIG. 11 is a perspective view of a body;

FIG. 12 is a top view of FIG. 11;

FIG. 13 is a perspective view of a cover;

FIG. 14 is a bottom view of FIG. 13;

FIG. 15 is a top view of FIG. 13;

FIG. 16 is a perspective view showing a cover and a head;

FIG. 17 is an exploded top perspective view of FIG. 16;

FIG. 18 is a bottom perspective view of FIG. 16;

FIG. 19 is a top view of FIG. 16;

FIG. 20 is a perspective view of a head;

FIG. 21 is a bottom view of FIG. 20;

FIG. 22 is a top view of FIG. 20;

FIG. 23 is a view of FIG. 20 in a different direction;

FIG. 24 is an enlarged view of a portion 24 of FIG. 23;

FIG. 25 is an enlarged view of a portion 25 of FIG. 23;

FIG. 26 is a perspective view showing a state in which an outer cap and an inner cap are installed on a head;

FIG. 27 is a cross-sectional view of FIG. 26;

FIG. 28 is an enlarged view of a portion 28 of FIG. 27;

FIG. 29 is a perspective view showing an inner cap; and

FIG. 30 is a diagram for illustrating flow of gas in a burner according to one embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a burner according to another embodiment. FIG. 2 is a side view of FIG. 1. FIG. 3 is a rear view of FIG. 1. FIG. 4 is an exploded top perspective view of FIG. 1. FIG. 5 is an exploded bottom perspective view of FIG. 1.

The burner according to an embodiment may include a base 500, a cover 600, a head 700, an inner cap or a first cap 820, and an outer cap or a second cap 810.

The base 500 may form a lower core a lower body of the burner and may receive gas from an external source through a pipe. The base 500 may include a lower cylinder or cell 510. The cover 600 may include an upper cylinder 620 or cell serving as an upper section of the mixing tube 501. The lower cylinder or cell 510 may be coupled to the upper cylinder 620 serving as a lower section of the mixing tube 501. The upper and lower sections coupled together may form a mixing tube 501 in which gas and air are mixed together.

The base 500 may include a cover receiving groove 550 and an extension panel or flange 570. The cover receiving groove 550 may form a depression in the upper surface of the base 500 so that the bottom of the cover 600 may be received into the top of the base 500.

A first hole for receiving a fastener may be formed in a bottom surface of the cover receiving groove 550. A second hole for a fastener may be formed in the cover 600 to align with the first hole so that the cover 600 may be coupled to the base 500 using the fastener. Thus, the cover 600 may be accurately and securely positioned on top of the base 500.

The extension panel 570 may surround the cover receiving groove 550 and extend in a circumferential direction of the body 500. The extension panel 570 may generally be provided in a disk form. The form may not be limited to a disk, e.g., square, oblong, polygonal, etc. Holes into which the fastening means are inserted may be further formed in the extension panel 570.

Accordingly, the burner may be mounted on a gas range or a combined cooking appliance by coupling the extension panel 570 to the gas range or the cooktop of the combined cooking appliance using the fastener.

The head 700 may be disposed on a top of the cover 600. The head 700 may include an upper channel wall 740 protruding downwardly from the lower surface of the head 700. The cover 600 may include a lower channel wall 640 protruding upwardly from the upper surface of the cover 600. The upper channel wall 740 and the lower channel wall 640 may be coupled together and may form a gas channel 630 into which gas and air may flow from the cover 600 to the head 700.

The head may include a first flame burner (hereinafter an inner burner ring 710) and a second flame burner (hereinafter an outer burner ring 720). The gas flowing from the cover 600 into the head 700 may be ultimately discharged through the inner burner ring 710 and the outer burner ring 720. The inner burner ring 710 may be coupled to a first cap (hereinafter an inner cap 820). The outer burner ring 720 may be coupled to a second cap (hereinafter an outer cap 810).

A flame may be generated through the inner burner ring 710 and the outer burner ring 720. The inner cap 820 may cover a top of the inner burner ring 710 and may direct the flame outwardly in the radial direction of the head 700. The outer cap 810 may cover a top of the outer burner ring 720 and may direct the flame outwardly in the radial direction of the head 700.

FIG. 6 is a side cross-sectional view of the burner. In drawings as described below, flow of the gas is indicated using a solid arrow. Furthermore, in FIG. 40, the flow of air flowing into the burner from the surroundings is indicated using a hidden line arrow. FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing the base 500 and the cover 600 of the burner. FIG. 8 is an exploded view of FIG. 7. FIG. 9 is a top view of FIG. 7. FIG. 10 is a bottom view of FIG. 7. FIG. 11 is a perspective view of the base 500. FIG. 12 is a top view of FIG. 45. FIG. 13 is a perspective view of the cover 600. FIG. 14 is a bottom view of FIG. 13. FIG. 15 is a top view of FIG. 13.

The base 500 may include an injection portion or region 530 and a gas receiving or injection hole 531. The injection portion 530 may be formed on a side of the body 500. The gas injection hole 531 may be defined in the injection portion 530. The gas injection hole 531 may extend through the injection portion 530. The gas may flow through the injection hole 531 into the injection portion 530 and into the mixing tube or passage 501. The outlet of the gas injection hole 531 may have an orifice so that the gas flowing into the base 500 through the gas injection hole 531 may be injected at a very high speed or pressure from the outlet of the gas injection hole 531. The gas injected from the outlet of the gas injection hole 531 may flow into the mixing tube 501 without being dispersed due to its very high flow speed or pressure. The gas injected from the outlet of the gas injection hole 531 may flow through the air inlet passage or channel 540 and meet the air flowing into an air inlet channel 540. Thus, the gas injected from the outlet of the gas injection hole 531 and the air suctioned into the air inlet channel 540 may simultaneously flow into the mixing tube 501

The base 500 may include the air inlet channel 540 that may be disposed between an outlet of the injection portion 530 and an inlet of the mixing tube 501. The air inlet chamber or channel 540 may form a chamber into which air is introduced and/or stored and the air in the air inlet channel 540 may flow into the mixing tube 501.

In one example, an air guide 701 may protrude downwardly from the head 300 and may cover the space of the air inlet channel 540. More specifically, the air guide 701 may be coupled around the air inlet channel 540 and may form a “U” shaped wall into which external air may be guided and/or suctioned into the air inlet channel 540.

The mixing tube 501, the injection portion 530, and the air inlet channel 540 may be arranged in a straight line. Due to this structure, the gas having flowed through the injection channel 530 may smoothly flow through the air inlet channel 540 and the mixing tube 501.

As previously described, the gas and the air in the mixing tube 501 may mix together inside the mixing tube 501. Thus, the gas and the oxygen in the air may mix together in the mixing tube 501 and may enable combustion of the mixture when it is ignited by an igniter or a spark electrode or spark igniter, provided in a first igniter receiving hole 560.

The mixing tube 501 may be embodied as, for example, a Venturi tube. The Venturi tube may be formed so that the inlet and the outlet of the mixing tube 501 may have relatively large cross-sectional areas, whereas a central area of the mixing tube 501 may have a relatively narrow cross-sectional area.

The gas flowing through the mixing tube 501 may flow faster through the relatively narrow cross-sectional area of the central area of the mixing tube 501 such that the pressure may be lowered in the central area of the mixing tube 501. Thus, the higher-pressure air in the air inlet channel 540 may smoothly flow into the mixing tube 501 due to the pressure difference between the central area of the mixing tube 501 and the air inlet channel 540.

The base 500 may form a lower core or support of the burner and may receive gas from an external source through a pipe. The base 500 may include a lower cylinder or section 510 for the mixing tube 501. The cover 600 may include an upper cylinder or section 620 for the mixing tube 501. The lower cylinder 510 may be coupled to the upper cylinder 620 and may form a mixing tube 501 in which gas and air are mixed together.

The cover 600 may include a through-hole 610 that may be disposed at least partially above a guide tube 520. Therefore, the through-hole 610 may be connected to the guide tube 620 and the air and gas mixture may flow into the cover 200 through the through-hole 610.

The guide tube 620 may comprise two passages or chambers provided to an outlet of the mixing tube 501. The two passages extend in a circumferential direction of the body and in opposite directions.

The through-hole 610 of the cover 600 may include a pair of through-holes spaced apart from each other on the outer area of the cover 600 that extend in the circumferential direction of the cover 600. The pair of through holes 601 partially over the pair of passages of the guide tube 520. The flow direction of the gas in the first guide tube 520 may change rapidly through the through-hole 610 such that gas may flow into the space on the upper surface of the cover 600.

Therefore, in order to allow the flow of the gas between the mixing tube 501 and the gas channel 630 to be smooth, the guide tube 520 may be formed as a relatively large space, and thus a larger through-hole 610 may be possible. However, if a single through-hole 610 with a large area size is formed, the rigidity of the cover 600 may be weakened. Therefore, in accordance with an embodiment, the through-hole 610 may include a pair of through-holes spaced apart from each other in the circumferential direction, while a bridge portion may be disposed between the through-holes 610 to reinforce the rigidity of the cover 600.

Further, fastener holes may be defined in the bridge portion between the through-holes 610 such that a fastener may be inserted and fastened to the fastening holes provide on the base 500. The various other holes may be efficiently arranged in an entire area of the cover 600 for coupling between the cover 600 and the base 500 to further strengthen the rigidity of the cover 600.

The mixture of air and gas may flow through the through-hole 610 and may flow into the gas channel 630 and may rise upward and flow into the inner burner ring 710. The gas may also flow through the through-hole 610 and may flow through the space defined by the lower connecting wall 644 and the upper connecting wall 744 and to pass to upwardly flow into the outer burner ring 710.

As previously described, the gas channel 630 may be formed by combining the lower channel wall 640 with the upper channel wall 740. The lower channel wall 640 may include a lower flow channel wall 641, a lower central wall 642, a lower outer wall 643, and a lower connecting wall 644.

The lower flow channel wall 641 may be disposed in the outer area of the cover 600 and may protrude away from the cover 600 so as to surround the through-holes 610. The lower central wall 642 may be formed in the central area of the cover 600 and may protrude away from the cover 600 so as to form the gas channel 630. Thus, the lower central wall 642 may define a flow channel that may allow a portion of the gas to flow from the gas channel 630 into the inner burner ring 710. Another portion of the gas flowing into the gas channel 630 may flow to the outer area of the head 700 along the lower connecting wall 644 and may reach the lower outer wall 643.

The lower outer wall 643 may be formed between the outer area of the cover 600 and the central area of the cover 600. The lower outer wall 643 may extend away from the cover 600 so as to form a channel between the through-hole 610 and the gas channel 630. Since the lower outer wall 643 includes a pair of outer protrusions, the lower connecting wall 644 may include a pair of connecting walls respectively connected to the pair of lower outer walls 643.

The lower connecting wall 644 may define a flow channel connecting an inner space of the lower outer wall 643 and an inner space of the lower central wall 642 to each other. Since the lower outer wall 643 includes the pair of outer walls, the lower connecting wall 644 may include a pair of connecting walls respectively connected to the pair of outer walls 643.

The gas flowing into the flow lower channel-defining wall 641 may flow through the lower central wall 642 and the lower connecting wall 644 and may flow upwardly in the lower outer wall 643. In order for gas to flow smoothly, bottom surfaces of the lower channel-defining wall 641, the lower central part 642, and the lower connecting wall 644 may constitute a continuous plane.

The lower outer wall 643 may be formed at a position that overlaps a side wall 780 of the head 700 in the vertical direction. Due to this structure, the gas that has reached the lower outer wall 643 may flow smoothly to the side wall 780 and then reach the second flame burner 720.

The cover 600 may have a smaller planar area than that of the base 500. As described above, the cover 600 may be seated in the cover receiving groove 550 of the base 500 and the cover receiving groove 550 may be coupled to the cover 600 using the fastening means.

Further, the cover 600 may include the upper cell or cylinder 620 forming approximately the upper cross-sectional area of the mixing tube 501. The upper cylinder 620 may be formed to protrude downwardly toward the base 500 and may form a cylindrical cross section of an upper section of the mixing tube 501. However, the upper cylinder 620 may be inserted into a groove defined in the lower cylinder 510 of the base 500 to extend deeper into the lower cylinder 510. Thus, the upper cylinder 620 may define less than half of the cross-sectional area of the mixing tube 501.

In the illustrated embodiment, the upper cylinder 620 may be formed integrally with the cover 600. However, in another embodiment, the upper cylinder 620 may be formed as a separate structure from the cover 200. Further, in still another embodiment, the upper cylinder 620 may be formed integrally with the lower cylinder 510.

The base 500 may include a first igniter receiving hole 560. The cover 600 may include a second igniter receiving hole 650. The first igniter receiving hole 160 may be formed to overlap the cover 600. Thus, the igniter may be inserted and mounted in the first igniter receiving hole 560. In one example, the second igniter receiving hole 650 may be aligned at a position corresponding to the first spark plug receiving hole 560.

In the illustrated embodiment, the first igniter receiving hole 560 may be disposed adjacent to the inner burner ring 710 provided in the central area of the burner. In this structure, the inner burner ring 710 may be ignited first and the outer burner ring 720 may be ignited later. In an alternative embodiment, the first igniter receiving hole 560 may be disposed adjacent to the outer burner ring 720 provided in the outer area of the burner. In this structure, the outer burner ring 720 may be ignited first and the inner burner ring 710 may be ignited later.

The cover 600 may include the second igniter receiving hole 650 into which the igniter is inserted and mounted. The second igniter receiving hole 650 may be placed in a corresponding position to the first igniter receiving hole 560 of the base 500. Therefore, depending on a location of the first igniter receiving hole 560, the second igniter receiving hole 650 may be disposed adjacent to the inner burner ring 710 or adjacent to the outer burner ring 720.

The head 700 may include a flame burner. In the flame burner, the gas may be discharged outwardly from the burner and ignited by a igniter (not shown), thereby generating a flame.

FIG. 16 is a perspective view showing the cover 600 and the head 700. FIG. 17 is an exploded top perspective view of FIG. 16. FIG. 18 is a bottom perspective view of FIG. 16. FIG. 19 is a top view of FIG. 16. FIG. 20 is a perspective view of the head 700. FIG. 21 is a bottom view of FIG. 20. FIG. 22 is a top view of FIG. 20. FIG. 23 is a view of FIG. 20 in a different direction.

The head 700 may include a spreading hole 730. The spreading hole 730 may be connected to the gas channel 630 and the gas may flow from the gas channel 630 into the spreading hole 730.

The spreading hole 730 may include a pair of spreading holes disposed in the outer area of the head 700. The spreading hole 730 may be spaced apart from the through-hole 610 in the circumferential direction of the head.

A portion of the gas flowing through the through-hole 610 may flow to the gas channel 630 and then may flow upward into the inner burner ring 710 guided by the lower channel wall 641 and the lower central wall 642. The other portion of the gas may be directed to the outer area of the head 700 based on the lower connecting and outer walls 644, 643, and may flow through the spreading hole 730, and may spread in the circumferential direction in a space on the upper surface of the head 700, and then may flow into the outer burner ring 720.

As previously described, the gas channel 630 may be formed by combining the lower channel wall 640 with the upper channel wall 740. The upper channel wall 740 may include an upper flow channel wall 741, an upper central wall 742, an upper outer wall 743, and an upper connecting wall 744. The upper flow channel wall 741 may be disposed in the outer area of the head 700 and may protrude away from the head 700.

The upper central wall 742 may be formed in the central area of the head 700 and may protrude away from the head 700 so as to form the gas channel 630. Thus, the upper central wall 742 may define a flow channel that may allow a portion of the gas to flow from the gas channel 630 into the inner burner ring 710. Another portion of the gas flowing into the gas channel 630 may flow to the outer area of the head 700 along the upper connecting wall connecting and may reach the upper outer wall 743.

The upper outer wall 743 may be disposed in the outer area of the head 700, may define a flow channel connected to the outer burner ring 720, and may include a pair of the upper outer walls parts spaced apart from each other in the circumferential direction. The gas flowing into the upper outer wall 743 may flow upwardly and may flow through the spreading hole 730 of the head 700 and into a space on the upper surface of the head and may reach the outer burner ring 720.

The upper connecting wall 744 may define a flow channel connecting an inner space of the upper outer wall 743 and an inner space of the upper central wall 742 to each other. Since the upper outer wall 743 includes the pair of upper outer walls, the upper connecting wall 744 may include a pair of upper connecting walls respectively connected to the pair of upper outer walls 743.

The gas flowing into the upper flow channel wall 741 may flow to the upper central wall 742 and the upper connecting wall 744 and may flow upwardly by the upper outer wall 743. In order for gas to flow smoothly, bottom surfaces of the upper channel-defining wall 741, the upper central wall 742, and the upper connecting wall 744 may form a continuous plane.

In this example, the pair of upper outer walls 743 may be formed and arranged symmetrically with each around the center of the head 700. The pair of upper connecting wall 744 may be formed and arranged symmetrically with each around the center of the head 700.

The head 700 may include a gas spreading channel 750 and a flame propagation channel 760. The gas spreading channel 750 may extend along the circumference of the head 700. The gas spreading channel 750 may be formed by the upper surface of the head 700, the outer burner ring 720 formed by an outer circumferential wall having a plurality of openings, a spreading channel defining wall 762, and the outer cap 810.

The gas spreading channel 750 may be connected to the gas spreading hole 730 through an inclined spreading surface 761. The inclined spreading surface 761 may be formed on the upper surface of the head 700 so as to be inclined in the circumferential or radial direction. Due to the inclined spreading surface 761, a planar area size of the spreading hole 730 may increase as the spreading hole 730 extends upwardly. Accordingly, the gas that may flow through the spreading hole 730 may be guided along the inclined spreading surface 761 so as to smoothly spread into the gas spreading channel 750 and be uniformly distributed throughout the gas spreading channel 750.

The gas spreading channel 750 may be embodied as a channel or passage that may connect to the outer burner ring 720 and is provided between the outer burner ring 720 formed by an outer circumferential wall having a plurality of openings and the spreading channel wall. Thus, the gas that has flowed through the spreading hole 730 may spread along the gas spreading channel 750 and flow out of openings 721 of the outer burner ring 720 substantially uniformly in the circumferential direction of the outer burner ring 720 for a uniform flame.

The flame propagation channel 760 may occupy a partial area of the gas spreading channel 750 such that the gas spreading channel 750 may be discontinuous at the flame propagation channel 760. The flame propagation channel 760 may be embodied as a space in which the flame propagates between the inner burner ring 710 and the outer burner ring 720.

The flame propagation channel 760 may serve as a passage supplying secondary air to the inner burner ring 710. The flame propagation channel 760 may be embodied as a space extending through the outer burner ring 720 which may cause a discontinuity along the outer ring burner 720. Therefore, the secondary air outside the outer burner ring 720 may be smoothly introduced into the inner burner ring 710 through the flame propagation channel 760.

At least one flame may be generated in the flame propagation channel 760. The flame may flow from the inner burner ring 710 to the outer burner ring 720 through the flame propagation channel 760. Alternatively, the flame may flow from the outer burner ring 720 to the inner burner ring 710 through the flame propagation channel 760.

Therefore, the flame generated in the inner burner ring 710 may flow to the outer burner ring 720, or conversely, the flame generated in the outer burner ring 720 may flow to the inner burner ring 710. Accordingly, the flame may always exist in the inner burner ring 710 and the outer burner ring 720 so long as gas is supplied therein, and a flame may always be generated in the flame propagation channel 760 even when a flame is not ignited or is extinguished in one flame generation portion.

The head 700 may include a spreading channel wall 762 coupled to a propagation channel wall 763. The spreading channel wall 762 may be disposed between the inner burner ring 710 and outer burner ring 720. The spreading channel wall 762 may protrude upwardly from the upper surface of the head 700 and extend in the circumferential direction of the head 700, and may surround the gas spreading channel 750 wall the outer burner ring 720.

The propagation channel wall 763 may protrude upwardly from the upper surface of the head 700 and may define the flame propagation channel 760 and thus isolate the gas spreading channel 750 and the flame propagation channel 760 from each other. The propagation channel wall 763 may include a pair of propagation channel walls respectively disposed on both opposing sides of the flame propagation channel 760.

The propagation channel wall 763 may protrude upwardly from the upper surface of the head 700 and may include a pair of propagation channel walls respectively disposed on both opposing sides of the flame propagation channel 760 to define the flame propagation channel 760. The propagation channel wall 763 may isolate the gas spreading channel 750 and the flame propagation channel 760 from each other.

The propagation channel wall 763 may include at least one opening. The gas in the gas spreading channel 750 may be discharged to the flame propagation channel 760 through this opening. The flame may be generated at an outlet of the opening and this flame may propagate from the inner burner ring 710 to the outer burner ring 720 through the flame propagation channel 760 or vice versa.

FIG. 24 is an enlarged view of a region 58 of FIG. 23. FIG. 24 shows a portion of the inner burner ring 710. FIG. 25 is an enlarged view of a region 59 of FIG. 23. FIG. 25 shows a section of the outer burner ring 720.

The inner burner ring 710 may include a plurality of inner burner ring openings 711. The outer burner ring 720 may include a plurality of outer burner ring openings 721. A flame may be generated at the inner burner ring openings 711 and the outer burner ring openings 721.

The inner burner ring 710 may receive gas from the gas channel 630 through a central opening and may discharge the gas through the inner burner ring openings 721. The outer burner ring 720 may receive gas through the spreading channel 750 and may discharge the gas through the outer burner ring openings 711.

The inner burner ring openings 711 and the outer burner ring openings 721 may be depressed or recessed into the upper end of the inner burner ring 710 and the outer burner ring 720, respectively. The inner burner ring openings 711 and the outer burner ring openings 721 may be covered with the inner cap 820 and the outer cap 810, respectively, so that a top of each of the inner and outer rings (first and second flame rings) may be covered.

Depression depths of neighboring flame rings in the inner burner ring 710 or the outer burner ring 720 may be different from each other. For example, the inner burner ring 710 may have deeper inner burner ring openings 711a and shallower inner burner ring openings 711b arranged alternately with each other along the circumference of the inner burner ring 720. The outer burner ring 720 may have deeper outer burner rings openings 721a and the shallower outer burner rings openings 721b arranged alternately each other along the circumference of the outer burner ring 720.

The depression depth of the ring opening may be proportional to an amount of gas discharged to the outside through the ring opening. Furthermore, a size and a length of the flame may be proportional to the discharged gas amount through the ring opening. Therefore, the deeper the depression depth of the ring opening, the larger the size of the flame generated at the outlet of the ring opening. As the size of the flame increases, a likelihood at which adjacent flames merge with each other increases.

Incomplete combustion may occur when the gas inside the flame does not contact the air due to the merging of flames. Therefore, it is necessary to suppress the merging to suppress incomplete combustion. As such, in an embodiment, a relatively deep ring opening may be disposed between relatively shallow ring openings so as to increase spacing between large flames where large flames are likely to merge with each other. In other words, relatively smaller flames may be placed between relatively larger flames so as to suppress the merging of flames.

When the flame generation portion is formed with only relatively shallower ring openings, however, the gas amount discharged from the flame burner is small so that the burner may be unable to generate sufficient flames. Thus, in an embodiment, a plurality of relatively deeper ring openings may be arranged such that the gas and air mixture may be sufficiently discharged to the outside through the ring holes.

FIG. 26 is a perspective view showing a state in which the outer cap 810 and the inner cap 820 are installed on the head 700. FIG. 27 is a cross-sectional view of FIG. 26. FIG. 28 is an enlarged view of a portion 62 of FIG. 27. FIG. 29 is a perspective view showing the inner cap 820.

As previously described, the burner may include the outer cap 810 and the inner cap 820 that cover the flame generation portion. The outer cap 810 may be disposed on an upper end of the outer burner ring 720 and the spreading channel wall 762—and may cover the gas spreading channel 750. The outer cap 810 may be disposed on the head 700 and cover an upper end of the gas spreading channel 750.

Referring to FIG. 27, the outer cap 810 may have an inclined cross-sectional shape. For example, the outer cap 810 may form a cross-sectional shape that gradually inclines upward as the outer cap extends outwardly in the radial direction. In other words, the height of the spreading channel wall 762 is lower than the height of the outer circumferential wall defining the outer burner ring 720.

The inner cap 820 may be disposed on an upper end of the inner burner ring 710 defined by an inner wall having openings 711 and may cover the upper end of the inner burner ring 710 and the upper end of the space where the gas is merged and flows to the inner burner ring 710.

The head 700 may include the core 770, a side wall 780, and a core support 790. The core 770 may be disposed in the central area of the head 700, and the outer burner ring 710 may be formed at an upper end of the core. The inner cap 820 may be disposed on the upper end of the core 770.

The side wall 780 occupies the outer area of the head 700. The gas spreading channel 750 may be defined in the side wall 780. The core 770 and the side wall 780 may be arranged to be spaced apart from each other and may be connected to a first core support 791 and a second core support 792 and the pair of upper connecting walls 743 and 744.

Thus, the core support 790 (e.g. 791, 792) may connect the core 770 and the side wall 780 to each other and may support the core 770. The pair of upper connecting walls 743 and 744 and the core support 790 may be spaced apart from each other in the circumferential directions and may connect the core 770 and the side wall 780 to each other.

The inner burner ring 710 may be formed to protrude above an outer area of the core 770. The core 770 and an area inwardly of the inner burner ring 710 may define a space where portions of the gas flowing into the core 770 through the gas channel 630 are merged with each other.

The core 770 may include a plurality of guide protrusions 771 that are spaced apart from each other and protrude upwardly in the circumferential direction of the core 770. The guide protrusions 771 may allow the inner cap 820 to mount to the core 770. The inner cap 820 may include a guide ring 821 which may protrude downwardly from the bottom of the inner cap 820 and may couple to the guide protrusions 771. More specifically, the guide protrusions 771 may be located inwardly of the guide ring 821 so as to contact the guide ring and the position of the inner cap 820 may be guided along the guide protrusions 771. Due to this structure, the inner cap 820 may be stably disposed in the designed position on the upper end of core 770 and may maintain its position.

The core 770 may include a supporter 773 that may contact a lower surface of the inner cap 820 and supports the inner cap 820. The supporter 773 may be formed to gradually incline as the supporter 773 extends inwardly into the core 770. The inner cap 420 may be disposed on an upper surface of the supporter 773. The guide protrusion 771 may be formed to protrude from an upper end of the supporter 773. Each of the lower surface and the upper surface of the supporter 773 may extend in a generally straight line.

The gas discharged from the ring openings of the inner burner ring 710 or the outer burner ring 720 may be mixed with the secondary air around the flame generation portion to increase combustion efficiency. The outer burner ring 720 is disposed in the outer area of the burner. Thus, the gas discharged from the outer burner ring openings 721 may actively contact the surrounding secondary air.

However, the inner burner ring 710 may be surrounded by the outer cap 820 and other structures which may reduce the surrounding air contact area of the inner burner ring 710. Considering this problem, in accordance with an embodiment, the inner burner ring 710 may be disposed at a higher vertical level than a spreading channel wall 762 that radially surrounds the inner burner ring 710 in the circumferential direction. Due to this structure, a vertical level of the inner burner ring 710 may be higher than that of the outer cap 810. Thus, the surrounding air contact area of the inner burner ring 710 may be increased.

Therefore, the inner burner ring 710 may smoothly contact the surrounding air. Thus, the gas discharged from the inner burner ring 710 may smoothly receive the surrounding secondary air and incomplete combustion due to insufficient supply of the secondary air may be suppressed.

The core 770 may include an insert protrusion 772 protruding downwardly and inserted into the groove defined in the cover 600. The cover 600 may include a protrusion receiving groove 660 forming a depression into the upper surface of the cover.

The protrusion receiving groove 660 may be formed to correspond to the insertion protrusion 772. Thus, the insert protrusion 772 may be inserted into the protrusion receiving groove 660. The insert protrusion 772 may include at least one insert protrusion 772 and the protrusion receiving groove 660 may include at least one protrusion receiving groove 660. The insert protrusion 772 and the protrusion receiving groove 660 allows the head 700 to be stably disposed at the designed position on an upper end of the cover 600 and may maintain its position and may further allow the head 700 to be easily attached to and detached from the cover 600.

FIG. 30 is a diagram for illustrating flow of gas in a burner according to one embodiment. In an embodiment, the gas may flow through the mixing tube 501 and may be mixed with the primary air. The mixture of the gas and the air may be discharged from the mixing tube 501 and flow into the guide tube 520. The gas may flow into opposite circumferential directions through the guide tube 520 and through the through-hole 610. The gas may flow through the through hole 610 into the gas channel 630. The gas flowing into the gas channel 630 may flow to the central area of the head 700 and may be divided into the portions in the central area of the head 700.

A portion of the gas in the central area of the head 700 may flow upwardly immediately and may flow into the inner burner ring 710 and may be discharged through the first ring opening 711 and may be burned to generate a flame.

The other of the portion of the gas in the central area of the head 700 may flow to the outer area of the head 700 through the space defined by the lower connecting wall 644 and the upper connecting wall 744 and may flow upwardly and flow through the spreading hole 730.

Then, the gas may spread along the gas spreading channel 750 and may flow into the outer burner ring 720 and may flow evenly along the circumference of the outer burner ring 720 disposed in the outer area of the head 700 and may be discharged through the second ring hole 721 and may be burned to generate a flame.

In the above embodiments, the term “opening” is intended to be interpreted broadly to encompass any one or combination of recesses, depressions, grooves, slits, gaps, holes, etc.

In an embodiment, the gas discharged from the single mixing tube 501 may be divided into the portions which may be respectively supplied to the plurality of flame burners radially spaced apart from each other. Due to this structure, the flow channels for gas supply to the flame burners may be integrated with each other. The gas may be fed to the burner using a single supply pipe, and the flow channel structure in the burner may be simplified. Further, a dual burner with such a structure improves performance and saves production costs.

As can be appreciated, in the above embodiments, the scope and meaning of the term “ring” is intended to be interpreted broadly to encompass shapes other than circular shape. For example, the shape may be squarer, triangular, star shaped, etc.

A purpose of the present disclosure is to provide a burner with a structure that improves performance and saves a production cost.

Furthermore, a purpose of the present disclosure is to provide a burner with a structure that simplifies a path through which gas flows.

Furthermore, a purpose of the present disclosure is to provide a burner with a structure that smoothly guides the flow of gas.

Purposes according to the present disclosure are not limited to the above-mentioned purpose. Other purposes and advantages according to the present disclosure that are not mentioned may be understood based on following descriptions, and may be more clearly understood based on embodiments according to the present disclosure. Further, it will be easily understood that the purposes and advantages according to the present disclosure may be realized using means shown in the claims or combinations thereof.

A burner according to one embodiment may include a body; a cover disposed on a top of the body and coupled to the body to define a mixing tube in which gas and air flow and are mixed with each other; and a head disposed on a top of the cover and configured to generate a flame, wherein the head includes: a first flame generation portion disposed in a central area of the head and a second flame generation portion disposed in an outer area of the head.

The body, the cover, and the head are configured such that: the gas discharged from the mixing tube flows through the cover and flows to the central area of the cover, and then is divided into portions in the central area of the cover, and then one thereof flows into the first flame generation portion, and the other thereof flows to the outer area of the cover and flows into the second flame generation portion.

Accordingly, the burner may be configured such that the gas discharged from the single mixing tube may be supplied into the first flame generation portion and the second flame generation portion in a divided manner.

The head may include a spreading hole which connected to the second guide tube, wherein the gas may flow through the spreading hole.

The head may include a gas spreading portion through which the gas having flowed through the spreading hole spreads, wherein the gas spreading portion is embodied as a space surrounded with the upper surface of the head and the second flame generation portion, and the gas spreading portion extends along a circumference of the head.

The upper surface of the head has an inclined spreading surface disposed at a position where the spreading hole and the gas spreading portion are connected to each other, wherein the inclined spreading surface contacts each of both opposing ends of the spreading hole, and is inclined in a circumferential or radial direction of the head. The gas flowing along the inclined spreading surface may be spread uniformly throughout the gas spreading portion.

The gas that has flowed through the through-hole may flow from the outer area of the head to the central area of the head through the second guide tube and then may be divided into the portions.

One of the portions thereof reaches the first flame generation portion and is injected through the first flame hole, and is burned. The other of the portions of the gas flows from the central area of the head to the outer area of the head again through the second guide tube and flows through the spreading hole, and then, reaches the second flame generation portion, and is injected through the second flame hole and is burned.

In the burner according to the present disclosure, compared to a structure in which the external source is connected to a plurality of pipes, and a plurality of gas flow paths respectively connected to the plurality of pipes and the flame generation portions are provided independently of each other, an overall structure of the burner according to an embodiment of the present disclosure may be simplified. Furthermore, the burner according to an embodiment of the present disclosure may be connected to an external source through a single pipe. This simple structure allows for smooth flow of the gas inside the burner, improves burner performance, and saves a manufacturing cost of the burner.

Furthermore, in the burner according to the present disclosure, while the gas flowing into the gas spreading portion through the spreading hole flows further upwardly, the gas may be guided along the inclined spreading surface so as to smoothly spread into the gas spreading portion and then be uniformly distributed throughout the gas spreading portion. As a result, the second flame generation portion may receive a uniform supply of the gas in its circumferential direction and thus generate a uniform flame in its circumferential direction.

Furthermore, in the burner according to the present disclosure, the gas discharged from the single mixing tube may be divided into the portions which may be respectively supplied to the plurality of flame generation portions radially spaced apart from each other in the burner. Due to this structure, the flow channels for gas supply to the flame generation portions may be integrated with each other. The gas may be fed to the burner using a single supply pipe, and the flow channel structure in the burner may be simplified.

In addition to the above-mentioned effects, the specific effects of the present disclosure are described below along with the description of the specific details for carrying out the present disclosure.

Although the present disclosure has been described with reference to the accompanying drawings, the present disclosure is not limited by the embodiments disclosed herein and drawings, and it is obvious that various modifications may be made by those skilled in the art within the scope of the technical idea of the present disclosure. In addition, although the effects based on the configuration of the present disclosure are not explicitly described and illustrated in the above description of the embodiment of the present disclosure, it is obvious that predictable effects of the corresponding configuration should also be recognized.

It will be understood that when an element or layer is referred to as being “on” another element or layer, the element or layer can be directly on another element or layer or intervening elements or layers. In contrast, when an element is referred to as being “directly on” another element or layer, there are no intervening elements or layers present. As used herein, the term “and/or” includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items.

It will be understood that, although the terms first, second, third, etc., may be used herein to describe various elements, components, regions, layers and/or sections, these elements, components, regions, layers and/or sections should not be limited by these terms. These terms are only used to distinguish one element, component, region, layer or section from another region, layer or section. Thus, a first element, component, region, layer or section could be termed a second element, component, region, layer or section without departing from the teachings of the present disclosure.

Spatially relative terms, such as “lower”, “upper” and the like, may be used herein for ease of description to describe the relationship of one element or feature to another element(s) or feature(s) as illustrated in the figures. It will be understood that the spatially relative terms are intended to encompass different orientations of the device in use or operation, in addition to the orientation depicted in the figures. For example, if the device in the figures is turned over, elements described as “lower” relative to other elements or features would then be oriented “upper” relative to the other elements or features. Thus, the exemplary term “lower” can encompass both an orientation of above and below. The device may be otherwise oriented (rotated 90 degrees or at other orientations) and the spatially relative descriptors used herein interpreted accordingly.

The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the disclosure. As used herein, the singular forms “a”, “an” and “the” are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It will be further understood that the terms “comprises” and/or “comprising,” when used in this specification, specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements, and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof.

Throughout the present disclosure, “A and/or B” means A, B, or A and B, unless otherwise specified, and “C to D” means C inclusive to D inclusive unless otherwise specified.

Embodiments of the disclosure are described herein with reference to cross-section illustrations that are schematic illustrations of idealized embodiments (and intermediate structures) of the disclosure. As such, variations from the shapes of the illustrations as a result, for example, of manufacturing techniques and/or tolerances, are to be expected. Thus, embodiments of the disclosure should not be construed as limited to the particular shapes of regions illustrated herein but are to include deviations in shapes that result, for example, from manufacturing.

Unless otherwise defined, all terms (including technical and scientific terms) used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this disclosure belongs. It will be further understood that terms, such as those defined in commonly used dictionaries, should be interpreted as having a meaning that is consistent with their meaning in the context of the relevant art and will not be interpreted in an idealized or overly formal sense unless expressly so defined herein.

Any reference in this specification to “one embodiment,” “an embodiment,” “example embodiment,” etc., means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the disclosure. The appearances of such phrases in various places in the specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment. Further, when a particular feature, structure, or characteristic is described in connection with any embodiment, it is submitted that it is within the purview of one skilled in the art to effect such feature, structure, or characteristic in connection with other ones of the embodiments.

Although embodiments have been described with reference to a number of illustrative embodiments thereof, it should be understood that numerous other modifications and embodiments can be devised by those skilled in the art that will fall within the spirit and scope of the principles of this disclosure. More particularly, various variations and modifications are possible in the component parts and/or arrangements of the subject combination arrangement within the scope of the disclosure, the drawings and the appended claims. In addition to variations and modifications in the component parts and/or arrangements, alternative uses will also be apparent to those skilled in the art.

Claims

1. A multi-burner comprising: a base;a cover disposed on a top of the base and coupled to the base to define a mixing tube in which gas and air flow and are mixed with each other; anda head disposed on a top of the cover and configured to generate a flame,wherein the head includes: a first flame burner disposed in a central area of the head and having a plurality of first flame openings and arranged along a circumference of the central area; anda second flame burner disposed in an outer area of the head and provided adjacent to the first flame burner, wherein a plurality of second flame openings is provided in the second flame burner and are arranged along a circumference of the outer area,wherein the base, the cover, and the head are configured such that: the gas discharged from the mixing tube flows through the cover, and then flows to a central area of the cover,the gas is divided into portions in the central area of the cover, andone of the portions of the gas flows into the first flame burner, and at least one remaining portion flows into an outer area of the cover and flows into the second flame burner.

2. The multi-burner of claim 1, wherein the body includes: a lower cell recessed from an upper surface of the base to provide a lower section of the mixing tube; anda guide tube embodied as a space connected to an outlet of the mixing tube, wherein the first guide tube changes a flow direction of the gas discharged from the mixing tube into an upward direction.

3. The multi-burner of claim 2, wherein the base further includes: an injection portion provided one side of the body and having a gas injection hole defined therein; andan air receiving passage disposed between an inlet of the mixing tube and an outlet of the injection portion, wherein a space into which the air is introduced is defined in the air receiving passage.

4. The multi-burner of claim 3, wherein the body further includes: a cover receiving groove recessed from the upper surface of the base and having a shape corresponding to a shape of the cover such that the cover is seated in the cover receiving groove;a first igniter receiving hole formed at a position overlapping with the cover configured to receive an igniter electrode; andan extension panel surrounding the cover receiving groove and extending laterally of the base.

5. The multi-burner of claim 2, wherein a through-hole through which the gas flows is formed in the cover in an area thereof at least partially overlapping the guide tube.

6. The multi-burner of claim 2, wherein the cover includes an upper cell protruding downwardly toward the base, wherein the upper cell has an inner space upwardly recessed from a lower surface thereof into the upper cell, wherein the inner space constitutes an upper section of the mixing tube.

7. The multi-burner of claim 2, wherein a gas channel is defined by a combination of the cover and the head, wherein the gas channel has a space in which the gas flowing into the space from the body flows between the outer area of the head and the central area thereof.

8. The multi-burner of claim 7, wherein the cover includes: a through-hole connected to the guide tube, wherein the gas flows through the through-hole; anda lower channel wall having a portion around the through-hole, wherein the lower channel wall protrudes upwardly from an upper surface of the cover, and defines a lower portion of the gas channel.

9. The multi-burner of claim 8, wherein the through-hole includes a pair of through-holes disposed in an outer area of the cover and spaced apart from each other along a circumferential direction of the cover.

10. The multi-burner of claim 8, wherein the lower channel wall includes: a lower flow channel wall around the through-hole and defining a flow channel extending from the through-hole to the central area of the cover;a lower central wall disposed near the central area of the cover and connected to the lower flow channel wall, wherein the lower central wall defines a flow channel connected to the first flame burner;a lower outer wall disposed in an outer area of the cover, wherein the lower outer wall defines a flow channel connected to the second flame burner, wherein the lower outer wall includes a pair of lower outer walls spaced apart from each other in a circumferential direction of the cover; anda lower connection wall defining a flow channel connecting an inner space of the lower outer wall and an inner space of the lower central wall to each other.

11. The multi-burner of claim 8, wherein the cover includes a second igniter receiving hole configured to align with an igniter electrode.

12. The multi-burner of claim 8, wherein the head includes: a spreading hole overlapping with the gas channel, wherein the gas flows through the spreading hole; andan upper wall having a portion provided around the spreading hole, wherein the upper wall protrudes downwardly from a lower surface of the head and is coupled to the lower wall to define an upper portion of the gas channel.

13. The multi-burner of claim 12, wherein the spreading hole includes a pair of spreading holes disposed in an outer area of the head and spaced from each other in a circumferential direction of the head.

14. The multi-burner of claim 13, wherein the upper part includes: an upper flow channel wall provided adjacent to the through-hole and defining a flow channel extending from the through-hole to the central area of the head;an upper central wall disposed in the central area of the head and connected to the upper flow channel wall, wherein the upper central wall defines a flow channel connected to the first flame burner;an upper outer part provided around the spreading hole and disposed in the outer area of the head, wherein the upper outer wall defines a flow channel connected to the second flame burner, and includes a pair of upper outer walls spaced apart from each other in a circumferential direction of the head; andan upper connection wall defining a flow channel connecting an inner space of the upper outer wall and an inner space of the upper central wall to each other.

15. The multi-burner of claim 12, wherein the cover and the head are configured such that: the gas having flowed through the through-hole flows from the outer area of the head to the central area of the head through the gas channel,one portion of the gas having reached the central area of the head reaches the first flame burner, and is injected through openings of the first flam burner, andat least one other portion of the gas having reached the central area of the head flows from the central area of the head to the outer area of the head through the gas channel, and flows through the spreading hole and reaches the second flame burner, and is injected through openings of the second flame burner.

16. The multi-burner of claim 12, wherein the second flame burner protrudes upwardly from the upper surface of the head in the outer area of the head, wherein the head includes:a gas spreading channel through which the gas having flowed through the spreading hole spreads, wherein the gas spreading channel extends along a circumference of the head; anda flame propagation channel occupying a partial area of the gas spreading channel such that the gas spreading channel is discontinuous at the flame propagation channel, wherein the flame propagation channel is embodied as a space in which the flame propagates between the first flame burner and the second flame burner.

17. The multi-burner of claim 16, wherein the upper surface of the head has an inclined spreading surface disposed at a position where the spreading hole and the gas spreading channel are connected to each other, wherein the inclined spreading surface contacts each of both opposing ends of the spreading hole, and is inclined in a circumferential or radial direction of the head.

18. The multi-burner of claim 16, wherein the head includes: a spreading channel wall protrusion disposed between the first flame burner and the second flame burner, and protruding upwardly from the upper surface of the head, wherein the spreading channel wall extends in a circumferential direction of the head, and is provided along the gas spreading channel; anda propagation channel wall protruding upwardly from the upper surface of the head, wherein the propagation channel wall includes a pair of propagation channel walls disposed on both opposing sides of the flame propagation channel so as to define the flame propagation channel therebetween.

19. The multi-burner of claim 18, further comprising: an outer cap disposed on an upper end of each of the second flame burner and the spreading channel wall so as to cover the gas spreading channel; andan inner cap disposed on an upper end of the first flame burner.