Patent Application
20100108053
The present disclosure relates to a heating cooking appliance.
A heating cooking appliance is a kitchen appliance that can cook food over a heat. Particularly, the present disclosure relates to a gas cooktop that can cook food over heat generated by gas combustion. The cooktop may also be called a hot plate or hob, which has been increasingly used in recent years.
The heating cooking appliance includes a burner system that combusts gas. A plate is heated by the combusted gas to cook the food lying on a top surface thereof. The heating cooking appliance using gas combustion requires improvements in combustion efficiency.
In the burner system, a control unit for, for example, the gas combustion and the like is provided on a side portion of the burner system. Here, the control unit may be easily damaged or malfunction due to the heat generated from the burner system. Therefore, there is a need to prevent damage to the control unit from high heat.
Embodiments provide a heating cooking appliance that is designed to prevent damage of a control unit by a high heat.
In one embodiment, a heating cooking appliance includes a case, a plate covering a top of the case, a burner system generating heat by combusting mixture gas in the case, a control unit controlling operation of the burner system, and a temperature increase preventing unit preventing a temperature of the control unit from increasing by the heat generated from the burner system. The temperature increase preventing unit is installed on the case. The temperature increase preventing unit includes a barrier and a fan.
As the internal space of the case is divided by the barrier, the heat transmission to the control unit is blocked, thereby preventing the control unit from malfunctioning or being damaged.
Furthermore, since the control unit is cooled by the air flowing by means of the fan, the malfunctioning and damage of the control unit can be further prevented.
In addition, the barrier blocks the air flowing toward the burner system by the fan so as not to affect the flow of the air to the mixing pipe unit.
Referring to
The heating cooking appliance an exhaust grill 31 that is formed on a rear portion of the heating cooking appliance to exhaust combusted gas and a switch 29 that is formed on a front portion of the ceramic plate 1 to control an on/off of the gas combustion.
The locations and structures of the exhaust grill 31 and the switch 29 may be varied. However, it will be understood that an exhaust portion for exhausting the combusted gas and a switch portion for controlling the on/off of the gas combustion must be provided.
A plurality of components for controlling operation of the heating cooking appliance, such as the gas combustion, the exhaust of the combusted gas, and the like, are disposed in an inner space defined by the case 2 and the ceramic plate 1. The following will describe an internal structure of the heating cooking appliance.
First, three burner pots 4 in which gas and air are sufficiently mixed to realize uniform combustion are provided. A mixing pipe unit 6 is disposed on a side surface of each of the burner pots 4 to supply mixture gas through the side surface of the burner pot 4.
A nozzle unit 5 is disposed at a predetermined distance from an inlet of the corresponding mixing pipe unit 6 to inject the gas toward the inlet of the mixing pipe unit 6.
Burner frames 11 are disposed above the respective burner pots 4. Each of the burner frames 11 secures the disposed position of the corresponding burner pot 4 and defines an exhaust passage of the gas combusted in a corresponding glow plate 12.
Disposed in rear of the burner frames 11 are an exhaust unit 10 for exhausting the combusted gas to an external side and the exhaust grill 31 disposed above the exhaust unit 10.
The glow plates 12 are disposed on the opened top of the burner pot 4. The glow plates 12 are heated by a high heat generated by the combustion of the mixture gas. When the glow plate 12 is heated, a radiant energy having a frequency band corresponding to a physical property of the glow plate 12.
In more detail, the radiant energy from the glow plate 12 includes a frequency of at least a visible light band that allows a user to identify that the heating cooking appliance is operating. Needless to say, it can be understood that the food is heated by the glow plate 12 as well as the conduction heat of the ceramic plate 1.
Sub-heating units 15 are provided above the respective burner frames 11 to radiate radiant energy by being heated by the heat from the respective glow plates 12, thereby increasing total radiant energy. The sub-heating units 15 will be described in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawings later.
The following will describe a gas supplying structure to each of the nozzle units 5.
The gas is supplied into the heating cooking appliance through a main gas supply unit 8 and the gas supply to each of the burner systems is controlled by gas valves 7 controlled by the respective switches 29. In addition, the gas is supplied to respective gas supply pipes 9.
Here, the burner system is a portion where the mixture gas is supplied and combusted. The burner system includes the nozzle unit 5, the mixing pipe unit 6, the burner pot 4, the glow plate 12, and the sub-heating unit 15.
Referring to
The mixture gas is supplied to the relatively small burner pot 4 in a front-to-rear direction of the heating cooking appliance so as to perfectly mix the air and gas with each other through a secondary mixing process. The mixture gas is exhausted toward the exhausting unit 10 on the glow plates 12 after being combusted.
On the other hand, the mixture gas is supplied to the relatively large burner pots 4 in a rear-to-front direction of the heating cooking appliance. The mixture gas is secondarily mixed in the burner pots 4 and combusted on the glow plates 12, after which the combusted mixture gas is exhausted rearward of the burner pot 4.
Such an arrangement of the burner pots 4 is for realizing an optimal arrangement of the heating burner systems. The arrangement of other components can be identified through
In more detail, the case 2 is provided with a temperature increase preventing unit for preventing the increase in temperatures of the components disposed in the case 2.
The temperature increase preventing unit includes a barrier 20 for dividing the inner space of the case 2 into a first space 2a where the burner systems are disposed and thus a high heat is generated and a second space 2b where non-heating components are disposed and thus a low heat is generated.
The barrier 20 functions to prevent the heat generated in the first space 2a from being transferred to the components disposed in the second space 2b. Therefore, the barrier 20 may be called a heat blocking unit.
Disposed in the second space 2b defined by the barrier 20 are the main gas supply pipe 8, a plurality of connecting pipes 8a connected to the main as supply pipe 8, and a plurality of individual gas supply pipe 9 connected to the respective connecting pipes 8a. The gas valves 7 are connected to the respective connecting pipes 8. An ignition transformer 17 applying a current for igniting the mixture gas is disposed in the second space 2b.
The temperature increase preventing unit includes a fan 19 for cooling the components disposed in the second space 2b. The fan 19 is disposed at a side of the ignition transformer 17. An air current generated by the fan 19 is introduced through a hole (not shown) formed through the case 2 corresponding to a portion where the fan 19 is located.
Since the components disposed in the second space 2b are comprised of the gas valves 7, the ignition transformers 17, and the like, these may be generally referred to as control unit. Since the components disposed in the first space 2a are the burner systems generating the high heat, these may be called heating unit.
Further, a lamp unit 18 is provided at a side of the control unit to let a user know, when the burner system generate a heat higher than a predetermined temperature, the fact. That is, the lamp unit 18 lets the user know the fact that the ceramic plate 1 is heated by the operation of the burner system, thereby preventing the user from being injured by the heat transmitted to the ceramic plate 1.
Meanwhile, a spark plug 16 for igniting the mixture gas protrudes into the internal space of each of the burner frame 11. The spark plugs 16 generate sparks by a current supplied from the ignition transformer 17.
That is, the mixture gas is ignited by the ignition spark generated by the spark plug 16 and combusted on the glow plate 12. Then, the glow plate 12 is heated to emit radiant energy.
As described above, as the internal space of the case 2 is divided by the barrier 20, the heat transmission to the control unit is blocked, thereby preventing the control unit from malfunctioning or being damaged.
Furthermore, since the control unit is cooled by the air flowing by means of the fan 19, the malfunctioning and damage of the control unit can be further prevented.
In addition, the barrier 20 blocks the air flowing toward the burner system by the fan 19 so as not to affect the flow of the air to the mixing pipe unit 6.
Referring to
In more detail, the bather 20 includes a first barrier rib 201 for preventing the high temperature heat in the first space 2a from being transferred to the second space 2b, a second barrier rib 202 for preventing the high temperature heat in the first space 2a from moving upward, and a third barrier rib 203 for preventing the high temperature heat in the first space 2a from being transferred sideward.
The first barrier rib 201 is provided with through holes 205 and 206 through which the connection pipe 8a and the individual gas supply pipes 9 pass. A seating rib 204 is formed on a lower end of the first barrier rib 201 so that the barrier 20 can be securely disposed on the case 2.
The second barrier rib 202 is provided with a switch hole 207 through which a portion of the switch 29 pass and a lamp hole 208 through which the lamp unit 18 pass. Contacting portions 209 are formed on both side surfaces of the second barrier ribs 202 so that the barrier 20 can closely contact the case 2 when the barrier 20 is disposed on the case 2.
Meanwhile, the third barrier rib 203 extends from the first barrier rib 201 toward the second space 2b. At this point, the third barrier rib 203 extends to a location spaced apart from the front end 202a of the second barrier rib 202 by a predetermined distance so as not to interfere with the main gas supply pipe 8.
Here, the through holes 205, 206, and 207 function to allow the components disposed in the second space 2b to pass therethrough and to allow the air generated by the fan 19 to cool exposed portions to the first space 2a.
Referring to
Accordingly, the mixture gas passing through the glow plate 12 is ignited by sparks generated by the spark plug 16.
The spark plug 16 is designed such that the sparks are generated between the pair of the ignition rods by the current applied to one of the ignition rods.
Thermal detecting rods 22 are disposed between the spark plugs 16 to detect the heat generated from the glow plates 12. The thermal detecting rod 22 is inserted from an outer side of the burner frames 11 into the burner frames 11 and disposed between the pair of the ignition rods. Here, the thermal detecting rods 22 are formed of metal having high thermal conductivity.
The thermal detecting rod 22 extends to the outer side of the burner frame 11 in a state where it is inserted in the burner frame 11. A support 23 for coupling a thermostat 24 is installed on an extending end portion of the thermal detecting rod 22.
Therefore, the heat generated from the glow plate 12 is transferred to the support 23 along the thermal detecting rod 22 and is subsequently transferred to the thermostat 24.
The thermostat 24 has a first end connected to the power supply source and a second end connected to the lamp unit 18 and the fan 19. When the heat detected by the thermostat 24 reaches a predetermined temperature, electric power is supplied to the lamp unit 18 and the fan 19.
That is, when the heat is generated from the glow plate 12 by the operation of the burner system, the heat is transferred to the thermal detecting rod 22. The thermostat 24 detects the heat transferred from the thermal detecting rod 22 to the support 23. When the heat detected by the thermostat 24 is greater than or equal to the predetermined temperature, the electric power is supplied to the lamp unit 18 and the fan 19. That is, when the heat above the predetermined temperature is transferred to the thermostat 24, the lamp unit 18 and the fan 19 operated.
The thermal detecting rod 22 is grounded to the case 2. That is, a ground wire 32 is connected to the thermal detecting rod 22 and is coupled to a grounding member 33 coupled to the case 2. At this point, a screw may be used as the grounding member 33.
Here, the current flows to one ignition rod to the other ignition rod. Since the thermal detecting rod 22 is disposed between the ignition rods, the current may partly flow to the thermal detecting rod 22, for which the thermal detecting rod 22 is grounded to the case 2.
In this embodiment, three thermal detecting rods 22 are provided and all of the thermal detecting rods 22 are commonly grounded to the grounding member 33. Needless to say, the thermal detecting rods 22 may be individually grounded to different grounding members.
According to the position relationship between the thermal detecting rods 22 and the thermostat 24, the following advantages may be obtained.
First, as the thermal detecting rod 22 inserted to the burner frame 11 so as to directly receive the heat generated from the glow plate 12, the thermostat 24 can more sensitively and quickly detect the temperature variation of the glow plate 12.
In addition, the thermostat 24 is designed to detect the temperature of the support 23 coupled to the thermal detecting rod 22 extending to the outer side of the burner frame 11. The support 23 is cooled by the air around the burner system and thus the temperature of the support 23 is reduced to be lower than that of the thermal detecting rod 22. Therefore, the temperature of the support 23 becomes lower than an internal temperature (about 300° C.)of the thermostat 24, thereby preventing the thermostat 24 from being damaged.
Here, since the thermostat 24 is associated with the burner frame 11, therefore, three thermostats 24 are provided in this embodiment. Therefore, the lamp unit 18 and the fan 19 may operate when at least one of the thermostats 24 detects the predetermined temperature.
Although the lamp unit 18 and the fan 19 operate in accordance with the temperature detected by the thermostats 24 in this embodiment, the lamp unit 18 and the fan 19 may be designed in response to the operation of the switches 29.
That is, a micro-switch is provided under the switch 29. When the switch 29 is turned on, the switch 29 presses a terminal of the micro-switch to operate the lamp unit 18 and the fan 19.
Referring to
The nozzle unit 5 is formed in a straight shape since the inlet of the mixing pipe unit 6 is disposed inline. Therefore, the burner system can be designed to be more compact.
The mixing pipes 61 are horizontally arranged in parallel with each other in the mixing pipe unit 6, an amount of air that is introduced together with the gas injected from the nozzle unit 5 and the air introduced can be increased.
That is, a large amount of the air is introduced together with the gas through the mixing pipes 61. That is, the amount of the air is greater than a case where the gas is introduced through a single mixing pipe.
For example, when the gas is supplied through the single mixing pipe, a low pressure environment is formed around on the single mixing pipe. However, when the plurality of the mixing pipes is provided, the space through which the air can be introduced is increased and thus the total amount of the air introduced can be increased.
The mixing pipes 61 are arranged at an identical horizontal plane. Needless to say, although centers of the mixing pipes 61 may be slightly misaligned by a predetermined distance in a vertical direction, they are substantially arranged in parallel with each other. As the mixing pipes are arranged in parallel with each other, the mixture gas introduced into the burner pot 4 collides to generate turbulent current and thus the mixing rate between the gas and air is increased. Therefore, the combustion efficiency can be improved. Since levels where the mixing pipes 61 can be located are limited within a range where the openings 42 can be formed, the level variation of the mixing pipes 61 is limited within a predetermined range.
Meanwhile, the mixing pipes 61 may extend in an identical direction. That is, extending lines of the respective mixing pipes 61 may not meet each other so as to increase the turbulent current generation between the gases discharged from the mixing pipes 61 and simplify the manufacturing process of the mixing pipe unit 6. In addition, the manufacturing process of the nozzle unit 5 aligned with the mixing pipe unit 6 becomes also simplified.
Further, the number of the mixing pipes 61 of the mixing pipe unit 6 is 5. In this case, the mixing pipes 61 are equally spaced apart from each other within a diameter of the burner pot 4. At this point, the mixing pipe 61 that is disposed on one outermost side is disposed corresponding to an end of the diameter of the burner pot 4. In this case, since the turbulent current generation in the burner pot 4 is enhanced, the mixing efficiency of the mixture gas introduced into the burner pot 4 can be improved.
Referring to
Therefore, when the mixing pipe unit 6 is coupled to the burner pot 4, the five mixing pipes 61 are automatically aligned with the openings 42. The distance between the inlets of the mixing pipes 61 and the nozzle unit 5 is not varied and thus the inflow amount of the air and gas is uniformed for each mixing pipe 61. That is, since the mixing pipes 61 are integrally formed as the mixing pipe unit 6, a lot of advantages can be obtained as compared with the case where the mixing pipes are individually mounted.
The advantages of the mixing pipe unit 6 can be more clearly identified when considering that the space where the low pressure can be formed by the injected gas is significantly reduced when centers of the outlet of the nozzle unit 5 is slightly misaligned with the inlet of the mixing pipe 61.
As the mixing pipe unit 6 is coupled to the burner pot 4 with the above-described structure, the manufacturing and assembling process can be effectively realized. Furthermore, the mixing pipe unit 6 closely contacts the burner pot 4 and the manufacturing cost can be reduced.
The mixing pipes 61 may be coupled to the mixing pipe unit 6 in a state where they are supported by a jig. Alternatively, the mixing pipes 61 may be integrally formed with the mixing pipe unit 6.
Since the inlets of the mixing pipes 61 can be aligned inline by the jig during the coupling of the mixing pipes 61 to the mixing pipe unit 6, distances from the nozzle unit 5 to the inlets of the mixing pipes 61 can be uniformly maintained.
Referring to
In more detail, the sub-heating unit 15 is heated by the heat generated from the glow plate 12 to radiate the radiant energy. Therefore, the overall radiant energy of the heating cooling appliance increases.
Furthermore, the sub-heating unit 15 secondly combusts the mixture gas that is not combusted while passing through the glow plate 12.
That is, the sub-heating unit 15 is provided in a path along which the mixture gas flows so that it can contact the mixture gas, thereby combusting the mixture gas.
That is, the sub-heating unit 15 generates a turbulent current in the combustion gas flowing rearward, thereby secondly combusting the non-combusted gas contained in the combustion gas.
The sub-heating unit 15 includes a heating element 156 that is heated by the heat generated from the glow plate 12 and a supporting member 152 that supports the heating element 156 such that the heating element 156 is spaced apart from the glow plate 12.
In more detail, a seating portion 112 on which the supporting member 152 is disposed is formed around the opening of the burner frame 11. The supporting member 152 is coupled to the burner frame 11 by a coupling member in a state where it is disposed on the seating portion 112. To realize this, the supporting member 152 is provided with a through hole 155 through which the coupling member passes. Likewise, the burner frame 11 is also provided with a through hole through which the coupling member passes.
In order to prevent the supporting member from interfering with the spark plug 16 when the supporting member 152 is disposed on the burner frame 11, the supporting member 152 has a cut-away portion corresponding to the spark plug 16.
That is, the supporting member 152 is formed in a C-shape where a portion corresponding to the spark plug 16 is cut away.
The supporting member 152 is provided with a plurality of catching portions 153 extending upward from the supporting member 152 and coupled to the heating element 156.
Here, the height of the catching portion 153 is set to disallow the heating element 156 to contact the glow plate 12 in a state where the sub-heating unit 15 is disposed on the burner frame 11.
Further, the height of the catching portion 153 is set to disallow the heating element 156 to contact the glow plate 12 even when the heating element 156 expands by being heated.
However, the height of the catching portion 153 is set within a range where the heating element 156 can be heated by the heat generated from the glow plate 12.
Here, one of the catching portions 153, which is close to the exhaust portion 10, is formed in a direction in which the combustion gas flows.
That is, in
Coupling grooves 154 are formed on both sides of each of the catching portions 153 to wound the heating element 156 around the catching portion 153. That is, the heating element 156 is wound around the catching portion 153 in a state where it is inserted in the coupling grooves 154.
Meanwhile, the heating elements 156 may be wires. When the heating element 156 is wound around at least a pair of the catching portions 153, the heating element 156 maintains predetermined tension.
When viewed from a top, the sub-heating unit 15 has a mesh-shaped top. Therefore, it can be understood that a plurality of apertures through which the combustion gas can pass are formed in the sub-heating unit 15.
Here, the arrangement of the heating elements 156 is not specifically limited. That is, the arrangement of the heating elements 156 can be varied in accordance with the catching portions 153 by which they are supported. For example, the heating elements 156 may be arranged in a star-shape or in a zigzag pattern.
Since the sub-heating unit 15 functions to secondly combust the mixture gas passing through the glow plate 12, the glow plate 12 may be referred to as a first combustion unit and the sub-heating unit 15 may be referred to as a second combustion unit.
As described above, by winding the heating elements around the catching portions 153, the sub-heating unit is completed. However, the present disclosure is not limited to this process. For example, after winding the heating elements 156 in a mesh pattern, the assembly of the heating elements 156 may be coupled to the supporting member 152.
Referring to
In the graph, a horizontal axis indicates a wavelength and a vertical axis indicates an intensity of the radiant energy.
As shown in the graph, it can be noted that, when the sub-heating unit is additional provided, the total radiant energy increases. For example, when the wavelength is about 2500 nm, the total radiant energy in a case where the sub-heating unit 15 is additional provided increases by 1.5 times as compared with a case where only the glow plate 12 is provided.
Further, the increase of the total radiant energy means the increase of the radiant energy radiated to an external side of the ceramic plate. Therefore, the user can easily identify the fact that the heating cooking appliance is operating by the radiant energy.
The following table 1 shows an amount of carbon monoxide and combustion efficiency in accordance with where the sub-heating unit is provided or not.
The results shown in the table 1 are obtained using an identical structure under an identical test condition.
Referring to Table 1, it can be noted that, when the sub-heating unit 15 is provided, an amount of the carbon monoxide is reduced. Here, the carbon monoxide is generated when the mixture gas is not perfectly combusted.
That is, by providing the sub-heating unit 15, the mixture gas is secondly combusted and thus an amount of the carbon monoxide is reduced.
In addition, it can be also noted that, when the sub-heating unit 15 is provided, the combustion efficiency is improved as the mixture gas is secondly combusted.
Here, the amount of the carbon monoxide may be varied in accordance with a measuring location and a size of the burner system. However, when an identical burner system is used and measurement of the carbon monoxide is done at an identical location, the results shown in the table 1 can be obtained.
Referring to
As described above, since the turbulent current is sufficiently generated by the collision between the mixture gases in the burner pots 4. Therefore, the flow rate component of the mixture gas frontward is eliminated and thus the air and gas is uniformed mixed in the burner pots 4. Further, the mixture gas flows upward through the glow plate 13 and is combusted. The flow of the combustion gas is effectively realized.
Therefore, although the flow directions of the gas at the inlet side and the outlet side with reference to the burner systems are completely different from each other, the burner systems disposed at both sides of the heating cooking appliance allow the fluids to effectively flow without the flow resistance.
A second embodiment is identical to the first embodiment except for a structure of the spark plug. Therefore, like parts will not be described in detail in the second embodiment.
Referring to
In more detail, an ignition rod 27 protrudes toward the burner frame and a thermal detecting rod 27 for detecting a temperature of the glow plate 12 protrudes to a location spaced apart from the ignition rod 26.
When the current is applied to the ignition rod 27, the spark plug 26 ignites the mixture gas by generating sparks between the thermal detecting rod 28 and the ignition rod 27.
The thermal ignition rod 28 is inserted in the burner frame 11 and extends to an external side of the burner frame 11. A support 23 supporting a thermostat 24 is installed on an extending end of the thermal detecting rod 28.
Here, since the thermal detecting rod 28 functions as one of the ignition rods, the thermal detecting rod 28 is grounded to the case 2. Since the ground method of the thermal detecting rod 28 is identical to the first embodiment, detailed description will be omitted herein.
A third embodiment is identical to the first embodiment except for a structure of the heating elements. Therefore, like parts will not be described in detail in the third embodiment.
Referring to
Therefore, after the heating elements 356 are heated, the heating elements 356 is not drooped but horizontally tensioned, thereby not contacting the glow plate 12.
The heating element is formed in a coil shape to have the elastic force in this embodiment. However, the catching portions of the supporting member, to which the heating elements are coupled, may be designed having elastic force.
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.
| Number | Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10-2007-0007099 | Jan 2007 | KR | national |
| 10-2007-0007356 | Jan 2007 | KR | national |
| Filing Document | Filing Date | Country | Kind | 371c Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| PCT/KR2007/006041 | 11/27/2007 | WO | 00 | 1/8/2010 |
