U.S. patent application number 12/448593 was filed with the patent office on 2010-07-15 for built-in cooking appliance.
This patent application is currently assigned to LG Electronics Inc.. Invention is credited to Jung-Ho Bae, Soo Cheol Yi.
Application Number | 20100175678 12/448593 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 39588715 |
Filed Date | 2010-07-15 |
United States Patent
Application |
20100175678 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Yi; Soo Cheol ; et
al. |
July 15, 2010 |
BUILT-IN COOKING APPLIANCE
Abstract
A built-in cooking appliance is provided. The built-in cooking
appliance includes a body frame of a main body, a heating body, a
top plate, a cabinet, a support in a contact space between the
cabinet and the top plate, and a plurality of channels provided in
the support. The top plate is disposed in an upper portion of the
body frame to support a dishware to be heated. The cabinet supports
the top plate. The plurality of holes are provided in the support
to discharge air flowing out from the body frame. A size of each of
the channels is small enough to prevent flow of water while
allowing flow of air. Accordingly, cooling efficiency, safety and
convenience of the built-in cooking appliance in using and cleaning
it can be improved.
Inventors: |
Yi; Soo Cheol; (Changwon,
KR) ; Bae; Jung-Ho; (Changwon, KR) |
Correspondence
Address: |
MCKENNA LONG & ALDRIDGE LLP
1900 K STREET, NW
WASHINGTON
DC
20006
US
|
Assignee: |
LG Electronics Inc.
Seoul
KR
|
Family ID: |
39588715 |
Appl. No.: |
12/448593 |
Filed: |
November 15, 2007 |
PCT Filed: |
November 15, 2007 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/KR2007/005755 |
371 Date: |
April 2, 2010 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
126/1R |
Current CPC
Class: |
F24C 15/101 20130101;
H05B 6/1263 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
126/1.R |
International
Class: |
F24B 1/00 20060101
F24B001/00 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Dec 29, 2006 |
KR |
10-2006-0138429 |
Jan 9, 2007 |
KR |
10-2007-0002602 |
Claims
1. A built-in cooking appliance comprising: a body frame of a main
body; a heating body in the body frame; a top plate disposed in an
upper portion of the body frame to support a dishware to be heated;
a cabinet configured to support the top plate; a support in a
contact space between the cabinet and the top plate; and a
plurality of channels provided in the support to discharge air
flowing out from the body frame, a size of each of the channels
being small enough to prevent flow of water while allowing flow of
air.
2. The built-in cooking appliance according to claim 1, wherein the
support contacts the cabinet and the top plate.
3. The built-in cooking appliance according to claim 1, wherein the
support contacts a top surface of the cabinet and a bottom surface
of the top plate.
4. The built-in cooking appliance according to claim 1, wherein the
support contacts at least a side surface of the cabinet and a side
surface of the top plate.
5. The built-in cooking appliance according to claim 4, wherein the
support contacts a bottom surface of the top plate.
6. The built-in cooking appliance according to claim 1, wherein the
channels are provided inside the support.
7. The built-in cooking appliance according to claim 1, wherein the
channels are provided in an outer surface of the support.
8. The built-in cooking appliance according to claim 1, wherein the
channels extends horizontally or vertically.
9. A built-in cooking appliance comprising: a top plate; a cabinet
configured to support the top plate; and a support configured to
support at least a portion of the top plate, the support including
at least one airflow hole through which air flows, the airflow hole
formed up and down.
10. The built-in cooking appliance according to claim 9, wherein at
least one through hole through which air flows is provided in a
body frame.
11. The built-in cooking appliance according to claim 9, wherein
the air flowing through the airflow hole contacts the top plate or
the cabinet.
12. The built-in cooking appliance according to claim 9, wherein
the support has a cross section of an unevenness shape.
13. The built-in cooking appliance according to claim 9, wherein
the body frame comprises at least one through hole through which
air flows.
14. The built-in cooking appliance according to claim 9, wherein
the airflow hole comprises a micro-channel.
15. A built-in cooking appliance comprising: a body frame of a main
body; a top plate disposed in an upper portion of the body frame;
and a support configured to support a lower side of the top plate,
wherein the support includes a close adhesion unit having one
surface contacting the top plate and the other surface contacting
the cabinet, and the close adhesion unit includes at least one
airflow hole through which air flows.
16. The built-in cooking appliance according to claim 15, wherein
the air flows horizontally through the support.
17. The built-in cooking appliance according to claim 15, wherein
the close adhesion unit has a cross section of an unevenness
shape.
18. The built-in cooking appliance according to claim 15, wherein
the top plate covers at least a portion of a top surface of the
cabinet.
19. The built-in cooking appliance according to claim 15, wherein
the body frame comprises at least one through hole through which
air flows.
20. The built-in cooking appliance according to claim 15, wherein
the airflow hole comprises a micro-channel.
21. The built-in cooking appliance according to claim 15, wherein
the support comprises an extended portion of the body frame.
Description
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] The present invention relates to a built-in cooking
appliance, and more particularly, to a built-in cooking appliance
with a top plate on which food is cooked.
BACKGROUND ART
[0002] A built-in cooking appliance is a kitchen appliance
installed on a cabinet (a kind of a built-in case). That is, the
built-in cooking appliance is associated with kitchen furniture so
that a user can conveniently use the same. The built-in cooking
appliance makes the interior of the kitchen beautiful.
[0003] In recent years, a built-in cooking appliance having a top
plate, which can cook the food using heat transmitted to the food
through the top plate, has been developed. Such a built-in cooking
appliance having the top plate is called a hot plate, a hob, a
range, or a cook-top. Regardless of the name, a concept of the
present invention may be applied to any cooking appliances having
the top plate. In the following description, a terminology of a
cooking appliance means a cooker having the top plate.
[0004] In order to operate components of the cooker under a
thermally stable state, a typical cooking appliance is designed
such that air flows in and out of the cooking appliance. To realize
this, the top plate is mounted protruding above the top surface of
the top plate by a predetermined height. In this case, it is
difficult to clean a portion around the top plate and an outer
appearance is deteriorated.
[0005] In the typical cooking appliance, water may flow into a main
body of the cooking appliance through an air passage hole formed on
the top plate or a portion around the top plate. The water flowing
into the main body of the cooking appliance may cause a short
circuit or malfunction of the cooking appliance. This problem must
be most considered in designing the cooking appliance as the
cooking appliance is used in the kitchen where the water is
frequently used. In addition, the cooking appliance such as a hot
plate has a heating element therein. Accordingly, such a cooking
appliance is designed to resist to heat. However, when the
temperature is raised too high, the cooking appliance may overwork,
which may be a cause of malfunction of the cooking appliance. To
resolve this, a cooking appliance has been developed that has a
cooling channel connecting an inner part of the cooking appliance
to the outside for discharging hot air in the cooking appliance to
the outside. However, when water flows into the cooking appliance
through the cooling channel, it may be another cause of malfunction
of the cooking appliance.
[0006] Further, since the cooking appliance is designed to cook
food in a state where a dishware such as a cook pot is disposed on
a flat surface of the top plate, the dishware must be stably
secured on the flat surface. However, although a location where the
dishware will be located is graphically marked on the top plate,
the cooking appliance does not have any means for physically
securing the dishware on the top plate. Therefore, when the top
plate is slippery due to, for example, oil, the dishware disposed
on the top surface of the top plate may inadvertently move to an
undesired location or fall down from the top plate to the
cabinet.
DISCLOSURE OF INVENTION
Technical Problem
[0007] Embodiments provide a built-in cooking appliance that is
configured to effectively cool an inside of the cooking appliance
without protruding the top plate above the cabinet. Embodiments
also provide a built-in cooking appliance that can be used safely
and is free from the possibilities that the cooking appliance is
damaged by internal heat and water flows into the cooking
appliance.
[0008] In short, embodiments provide a built-in cooking appliance
that is configured to improve operation reliability and user's
convenience in using and cleaning it.
Technical Solution
[0009] In one embodiment, a built-in cooking appliance includes a
body frame of a main body; a heating body in the body frame; a top
plate disposed in an upper portion of the body frame to support a
dishware to be heated; a cabinet configured to support the top
plate; a support in a contact space between the cabinet and the top
plate; and a plurality of channels provided in the support to
discharge air flowing out from the body frame, a size of each of
the channels being small enough to prevent flow of water while
allowing flow of air.
[0010] In another embodiment, a built-in cooking appliance includes
a top plate; a cabinet configured to support the top plate; and a
support configured to support at least a portion of the top plate,
the support having at least one vertical airflow hole through which
air flows.
[0011] In further another embodiment, a built-in cooking appliance
includes a body frame of a main body; a top plate disposed in an
upper portion of the body frame; and a support configured to
support a lower side of the top plate, and wherein the support has
a close adhesion unit with one surface contacting the top plate and
the other surface contacting the cabinet, and the close adhesion
unit has at least one airflow hole through which air flows.
Advantageous Effects
[0012] According to the embodiments, a cooling efficiency of the
cooking appliance can be improved and safety and convenience in
using the cooking appliance can also be improved.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0013] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a built-in cooking appliance
according to an embodiment of the present invention, when a cooker
is being installed.
[0014] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the built-in cooking
appliance of FIG. 1, when the cooker is completely installed.
[0015] FIG. 3 is a partly broken perspective view of the built-in
cooking appliance of FIG. 1.
[0016] FIG. 4 is a sectional view taken along line I-I' of FIG.
2.
[0017] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a support illustrated in
FIG. 4.
[0018] FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a modification of the
support illustrated in FIG. 5.
[0019] FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a built-in cooking appliance
according to another embodiment of the present invention, when a
cooker is completely installed.
[0020] FIG. 8 is a partly broken perspective view of the built-in
cooking appliance of FIG. 7.
[0021] FIG. 9 is a sectional view taken along line II-II' of FIG.
7.
[0022] FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a support illustrated in
FIG. 9.
[0023] FIG. 11 is a perspective view of a modification of the
support illustrated in FIG. 10.
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
[0024] Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention
will be described in detail with reference to accompanying
drawings.
First Embodiment
[0025] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a built-in cooking appliance
according to an embodiment of the present invention, when a cooker
is being installed, and FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the
built-in cooking appliance of FIG. 1, when the cooker is completely
installed.
[0026] Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, a built-in cooking appliance
according to this embodiment includes a cabinet 1 installed in a
kitchen, a depressed portion 2 formed on a surface of the cabinet
1, and a cooker 5 having a first portion received in the depressed
portion 2 and a second portion seating on a top surface of the
cabinet 1.
[0027] In more detail, the depressed portion 2 is depressed to a
predetermined depth from the top surface of the cabinet 1 to
receive the first portion of the cooker 5.
[0028] The depressed portion 2 is smaller than an area of the top
surface of the cooker 5. Therefore, when the cooker 5 is received
in the depressed portion 2, an edge portion of the cooker 5 seats
on the top surface of the cabinet 1. In more detail, a top plate
(51 in FIG. 3) provided on an upper end of the cooker 5 seats on
the top surface of the cabinet 1.
[0029] Therefore, since the top plate 51 seats on the top surface
of the cabinet 1, only the top plate 51 protrudes above the top
surface of the cabinet 1. Accordingly, the protruding height of the
cooker 5 above the cabinet 1 can be minimized. Here, when the
cooker 5 is installed on the cabinet 1, a rear end portion of the
top plate 51 seats on a support (7 in FIG. 3) provided on the top
surface of the cabinet 1. A portion of the top surface of the
cabinet 1 may be depressed to receive the support 7 on which the
rear end portion of the top plate 51 seats.
[0030] In this case, a front edge portion and both side edge
portions of the top plate 51 seat on the top surface of the cabinet
1 and a rear edge portion of the top plate 51 seats on the support
7, thereby sealing up the depressed portion 2. Then, heat inside
the cooker 5 cannot be discharged to the outside.
[0031] Therefore, the support 7 according to this embodiment is
provided with a structure for discharging heat inside the cooker 5
to the outside, which will be described later.
[0032] As the top plate 51 seats on the cabinet 1 as described
above, dishware can be stably set on the top surface of the top
plate 51. In addition, since only the top plate 51 protrudes above
the top surface of the cabinet 1, an outer appearance of the
cooking appliance can be improved.
[0033] Meanwhile, although a bottom of the depressed portion 2 is
closed, air may be introduced into the depressed portion 2 through
other clearances of the cabinet 1 and the introduced air may be
directed into the cooker 5.
[0034] FIG. 3 is a partly broken perspective view of the built-in
cooking appliance of FIG. 1, FIG. 4 is a sectional view taken along
line I-I' of FIG. 2, and FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a support
illustrated in FIG. 4.
[0035] Referring to FIGS. 3 through 5, the cooker 5 includes a top
plate 51 functioning as a support plate on which a dishware is
located and a main body 52 disposed under the top plate 51.
[0036] Outer appearance of the main body 52 is defined by a body
frame. A heater 54 for generating heat and a fan 53 for discharging
the heat generated in the main body 52 to the outside are provided
inside the main body 52. Any types of heaters such as a direct
heating type or an induction heating type may be used as the heater
54.
[0037] As described above, since the front and side edge portions
of the top plate 51 seat on the top surface of the cabinet 1, only
the top plate 51 protrudes above the cabinet 1.
[0038] On the other hand, the rear edge portion of the top plate 51
is supported by the support 7 installed on the cabinet 1. In more
detail, the support 7 has a plate-like shape and is coupled to the
cabinet 1 at the portion of the top surface of the cabinet 1 on
which the rear end portion of the top plate 51 is placed.
[0039] Therefore, a top surface of the support 7 is coupled to a
bottom surface of the top plate 51 and a bottom surface of the
support 7 is coupled to the top surface of the cabinet 1.
[0040] A coupling member may be used to couple the support 7 to the
top plate 51 and the cabinet 1. However, the present invention is
not limited thereto. For example, an adhesive may also be used.
[0041] A plurality of airflow holes 72 may be formed horizontally
in the support 7 to discharge heat inside the cooker 5 to the
outside. The plurality of airflow holes 72 are horizontally
arranged at predetermined intervals.
[0042] Preferably, the size of the airflow hole 72 is small enough
to prevent the entry of foreign materials, especially fluid, while
permitting air to be discharged. Accordingly, the airflow hole 72
may also be regarded as a kind of micro-channel.
[0043] Although the support 7 is described to have a plate-like
shape in the above description, the present invention is not
limited thereto. For example, the support 7 may also have a .GAMMA.
shape such that a horizontal portion of the support 7 contacts the
top surface of the cabinet 1 and a vertical portion of the support
7 contacts a surface of the cabinet 1 that is formed by the
depression. In this case, the horizontal portion of the support 7
may serve to support the top plate 51 and the vertical portion of
the support 7 may serve to couple the support 7 to the cabinet
1.
[0044] Although the support 7 may have a variety of shapes, it is
preferable that a top surface of the support 7 contacts the top
plate 51, a bottom surface of the support 7 contacts the cabinet 1,
and the plurality of airflow holes are formed between the
contacting surfaces to minimize a protruding height of the cooker
5.
[0045] The following will describe an airflow process for cooling
the inside of the cooker 5.
[0046] First, when the fan 53 operates, cool air is introduced into
the cooker 5. The cool air may be introduced through an air inlet
55 formed on a bottom of the main body 52 aligned with the fan
53.
[0047] The cool air introduced through the air inlet 55 may be
sucked through the clearance of the cabinet 1, which is formed on a
front portion of the depressed portion 2. Needless to say, when the
bottom of the depressed portion 2 has an opening, the cool air may
be sucked through the bottom of the depressed portion 2.
[0048] The air sucked by the fan 53 flows into an air outlet 56
formed on the rear portion of the main body 52 via a control unit
(not shown) and the heater 54.
[0049] The air flowing out through the air outlet 56 is discharged
to the outside through the airflow hole 72.
[0050] In order not to direct the air flowing out through the air
outlet 56 to other spaces in the depressed portion 2 but to the
airflow hole 72, an airflow guide 65 may be further provided on a
rear portion of the main body 1.
[0051] In the drawing, a plurality of the airflow guides 65 are
provided corresponding to a plurality of the air outlets 56.
However, the present invention is not limited thereto. For example,
only one airflow guide 65 extending toward the airflow holes 72 may
also be provided.
[0052] As described above, since the airflow holes 72 are provided
in the support 7, the air heated in the cooker 5 can be discharged
to the outside through the airflow holes 72. The size of the
airflow hole 72 is small enough to prevent the entry of foreign
materials while permitting air to be discharged
[0053] In addition, since the airflow holes 72 are too small to be
seen by the naked eye, the airflow holes 72 do not disfigure the
cooking appliance.
[0054] The following will describe relationship between the cooker
according to this embodiment and fluid around the cooker 5.
[0055] First, since the cooker 5 is installed in a place such as
the kitchen where the water is frequently used, it must be
considered to prevent the water from flowing into the cooker 5. To
realize this, the bottom surface of the top plate 51 and the
corresponding surface of the cabinet 1 are sealed together at front
and both sides of the top plate 51 by a sealing member. Therefore,
only the support 7 in which the airflow holes 72 are formed is a
weak point through which the external fluid may be introduced into
the cooker 5.
[0056] However, since the airflow holes 72 are so small that the
external fluid cannot substantially flow through them. In addition,
the external fluid around the airflow holes 72 may evaporate by
heat emitted from the cooker 5 itself or air discharged through the
airflow holes 72. Even though a great quantity of water is poured
around the airflow holes 72 especially when upsetting a kettle, for
example, penetration of the water into the airflow holes caused by
capillary effect can also be prevented. Therefore, the external
fluid never flows into the cooker 5.
[0057] FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a modification of the
support illustrated in FIG. 5.
[0058] Only different features from the foregoing embodiment will
be described with reference to FIG. 6.
[0059] Referring to FIG. 6, the support 8 includes a plurality of
airflow holes 82 provided on a top surface or a bottom surface of
the support 8, which is different from the support 7 of FIG. 5
including the plurality of airflow holes 82 provided through the
support 7.
[0060] That is, the airflow holes 82 are depressed to a
predetermined depth from the top or bottom surface of the support
8. Accordingly, the top or bottom surface of the support 8 has an
unevenness shape, which makes the support 8 to be more easily
manufactured in comparison to the support 7 having through airflow
holes 72.
[0061] Although the airflow holes 82 are illustrated to be provided
on a surface of the support 8 contacting the cabinet 1 in FIG. 6,
the airflow holes 82 may also be formed on a surface of the support
8 contacting the top plate 51.
[0062] Furthermore, the supports 7 and 8 may also be formed by
bending a plate-like member up and down a number of times to form a
channel (not shown). In this case, the ridges and valleys formed by
the bendings contact the top plate and the cabinet to support them
and the airflow holes are formed between the ridges and
valleys.
[0063] The following will describe modifications of the above
described embodiment.
[0064] First, the support 7 is described to be exposed to the
surroundings in the above embodiment, the present invention is not
limited thereto. For example, a separate top frame can be provided
around the support 7 to cover the support 7 and improve the outer
appearance of the cooking appliance. In this case, the top frame
includes an opening through which air discharged through the
airflow holes can flow further to the outside.
[0065] Although the airflow holes are described to have square
cross sections in the drawings, they may also have semicircular or
circular cross sections to reduce resistance to air flow.
[0066] In addition, the rear edge of the main body may extend to
the top surface of the cabinet to replace the support. In this
case, airflow holes are formed in the extended portion of the main
body and include a vertical portion and a horizontal portion
extending from the vertical portion to facilitate airflow.
[0067] Although the support is described to be provided between the
top plate and the cabinet in the drawings, the present invention is
not limited thereto and the invention may be embodied in many
different forms. The following will describe modifications of the
support in detail. The same elements as those of the above
described embodiment are referred to by the same reference numerals
and detailed descriptions thereof are omitted.
Second Embodiment
[0068] FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a built-in cooking appliance
according to another embodiment of the present invention, when a
cooker is completely installed.
[0069] Referring to FIG. 7, the built-in cooking appliance includes
a cabinet 1 installed in a kitchen, a depressed portion 2 depressed
downward from a surface of the cabinet 1 to provide a space for
receiving a cooker, a seating portion 3 stepped from edges of the
depressed portion 2, and a cooker 5 at least a portion of which is
seated on the seating portion 3.
[0070] In detail, the seating portion 3 is depressed downward from
edges of the depressed portion 2 to support at least a portion of
edge portions of the cooker 5.
[0071] In more detail, the seating portion 3 supports hot top plate
(51 in FIG. 3) provided on an upper top end of the cooker 5.
[0072] The depth of the seating portion 3 depressed downward from
the edges of the depressed portion 2 is substantially the same as
the thickness of the top plate 51. Accordingly, a top surface of
the top plate 51 is at a level with a top surface of the cabinet
1.
[0073] The seating portion 3 is provided on a portion on which a
front edge portion and both side edge portions of the cooker 5 seat
except a portion on which a rear edge portion of the cooker 5
seats. This is because a space through which internal heat of the
cooker 5 is discharged should be provided between the rear edge
portion of the cooker 5 and the cabinet 1. In other words, this is
because the top surface of the cooker 5 is substantially at a level
with the top surface of the cabinet 1 and therefore there is no
channel to discharge the internal heat of the cooker 5 to the
outside if even the rear edge portion of the cooker 5 seats on the
receiving portion 3.
[0074] As the top surface of the top plate 51 is at a level with
the top surface of the cabinet 1 as described above, a dishware can
be stably set on the top surface of the top plate 51. Furthermore,
since the top plate 51 does not protrude above the top surface of
the cabinet 1, outer appearance of the cooking appliance can be
improved.
[0075] Meanwhile, although a bottom of the depressed portion 2 is
closed, air may be introduced into the depressed portion 2 through
other clearances of the cabinet and the introduced air may be
directed into the cooker 5.
[0076] FIG. 8 is a partly broken perspective view of the built-in
cooking appliance of FIG. 7, FIG. 9 is a sectional view taken along
line II-II' of FIG. 7, and FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a
support illustrated in FIG. 9.
[0077] Referring to FIGS. 8 through 10, since the front and side
edge portions of the top plate 51 seat on the seating portion 3 and
the seating portion 3 is depressed to a predetermined depth from
the top end of the cabinet 1 as described above, the top surface of
the top plate 51 is at a level with the top surface of the cabinet
1.
[0078] On the other hand, the rear edge portion of the top plate 51
is supported by the support 7 provided on the cabinet 1. In more
detail, the support 700 is coupled to a surface of the cabinet 1
that is formed by the depression. The rear edge portion of the top
plate 51 seats on the support 700 such that a side surface of the
rear edge portion of the top plate 51 contacts the support 700. In
other words, one surface of the support 700 contacts the side
surface of the rear edge portion of the top plate 51 and the other
surface of the support 700 contacts the cabinet 1.
[0079] Therefore, since a space between the top plate 51 and the
cabinet 1, if any, is occupied by the support 700, foreign
materials can be prevented from being introduced into the cooker
5.
[0080] In this case, through airflow holes are provided in the
support 700 so that internal heat of the cooker 5 can be discharged
to the outside.
[0081] The following will describe the support 700 in more
detail.
[0082] Referring to FIG. 10, the support 700 has a .right brkt-bot.
shape including a coupling portion 720 coupled to the cabinet 1 and
a supporting portion 740 supporting a portion of the top plate
51.
[0083] In more detail, the coupling portion 720 contacts a side
surface of the rear edge portion of the top plate 51 to prevent
foreign materials from being introduced into the cooker 5.
Therefore, the coupling portion 720 may also be regarded as a close
adhesion unit.
[0084] The coupling portion includes a plurality of airflow holes
730 for discharging air heated in the cooker 5. The airflow holes
730 vertically pass through the coupling portion 720 so that air
can flow therethrough.
[0085] That is, since the coupling portion 720 is a vertical
portion of the .right brkt-bot. shaped support 700 which is coupled
to the cabinet 1, the airflow holes should be formed vertically to
discharge air heated inside the cooker 5 to the outside.
[0086] Preferably, the size of the airflow hole 72 is small enough
to prevent the entry of foreign materials while permitting air to
be discharged. Accordingly, the airflow hole 72 may also be
regarded as a kind of micro-channel.
[0087] The coupling portion 720 further includes a plurality of
coupling holes 750 to which coupling members are coupled. Although
substantially numerous airflow holes 730 can be provided through
the coupling portion 720, the number of airflow holes 730 are
preferably restricted so as not to cause interferences between the
airflow holes 730 and the coupling holes 750.
[0088] Meanwhile, the supporting portion 740 extends horizontally
from the coupling portion 720 to support the rear edge portion of
the top plate 51. Since the seating portion 30 can provide
substantially sufficient support to the top plate 740, there is
substantially no limitation on a length of the supporting portion
740 as far as it can provide any support to the top plate 740.
[0089] The following will describe an installing process of the
cooker 5.
[0090] First, the support 700 is installed on the cabinet 1. At
this point, the support 700 is installed at a location where the
rear portion of the cooker 5 is supported. In more detail, the
coupling members are coupled to the coupling holes 750. Then, one
surface of the coupling portion 720 contacts a surface of the
cabinet 1 that is formed by the depression.
[0091] In this state, a lower portion of the cooker 5, i.e., the
main body 52 of the cooker 5, is inserted into the depressed
portion 2. Then, the front and both side edges of the top plate 51
seat on the seating portion 3 and the rear edge portion seats on
the support 700, thereby completing the installation of the cooker
5.
[0092] The following will describe an airflow process for cooling
the inside of the cooker 5.
[0093] First, when the fan 53 operates, cool air is introduced into
the cooker 5. The cool air may be introduced through an air inlet
formed on a bottom of the main body 52 aligned with the fan 53.
[0094] The cool air introduced through the air inlet 55 may be
sucked through the clearance of the cabinet 1, which is formed on a
front portion of the depressed portion 2. Needless to say, when the
bottom of the depressed portion 2 has an opening, the cool air may
be sucked through the bottom of the depressed portion 2.
[0095] The air sucked by the fan 53 flows into an air outlet 56
formed on the rear portion of the main body 52 via a control unit
(not shown) and the heater 54.
[0096] The air flowing out through the air outlet 56 is discharged
to the outside through the airflow hole 730.
[0097] In order not to direct the air flowing out through the air
outlet 56 to other spaces in the depressed portion 2 but to the
airflow hole 730, an airflow guide 65 may be further formed on a
rear portion of the main body 1.
[0098] In the drawing, although a plurality of the airflow guides
65 are formed corresponding to a plurality of the air outlets 56,
only one airflow guide 65 extending toward the airflow holes 730
may also be provided.
[0099] As described above, since the airflow holes 700 are provided
in the support 700, the air heated in the cooker 5 can be
discharged to the outside through the airflow holes 730. The size
of the airflow hole 72 is small enough to prevent the entry of
foreign materials while permitting air to be discharged.
[0100] In addition, since the airflow holes 730 are too small to be
seen by the naked eye, the airflow holes 730 do not disfigure the
cooking appliance.
[0101] As the airflow holes 730 are provided in the support 700,
the top surface of the top plate 51 is at a level with the top
surface of the cabinet 1, improving an outer appearance of the
cooking appliance.
[0102] The following will describe relationship between the cooker
according to this embodiment and fluid around the cooker 5.
[0103] First, since the cooker 5 is installed in a place such as
the kitchen where the water is frequently used, it must be
considered to prevent the water from flowing into the cooker 5. To
realize this, the bottom surface of the top plate 51 and the
corresponding surface of the seating portion 3 are sealed together
at front and both sides of the top plate 51 by a sealing member.
Therefore, only the support 700 in which the airflow holes 730 are
formed is a weak point through which the external fluid may be
introduced into the cooker 5.
[0104] However, since the airflow holes 730 are so small that the
external fluid cannot substantially flow through them. In addition,
the external fluid around the airflow holes 730 may evaporate by
heat emitted from the cooker 5 itself or air discharged through the
airflow holes 730.
[0105] FIG. 11 is a perspective view of a modification of the
support illustrated in FIG. 10.
[0106] Only different features from the foregoing embodiment will
be described with reference to FIG. 11. Referring to FIG. 11, the
support 800 includes a plurality of airflow holes 810 provided on
one surface of the support 800, which is different from the support
700 of FIG. 10 including the plurality of airflow holes 730
provided through the support 7.
[0107] That is, the airflow holes 810 are depressed to a
predetermined depth from the one surface of the support 800.
Accordingly, the one surface of the support 800 has an unevenness
shape, which makes the support 800 to be more easily manufactured
in comparison to the support 700 having through airflow holes
730.
[0108] Although the airflow holes 810 are illustrated to be
provided on a surface of the support 800 contacting the cabinet 1
in FIG. 11, the airflow holes 810 may also be provided on a surface
of the support 800 contacting the top plate 51.
[0109] The following will describe modifications of the above
described embodiment.
[0110] First, although the seating portion 3 is described as a
continuously stepped portion of the cabinet 1 itself in the
drawings, the present invention is not limited thereto. For
example, the seating portion 3 can be a separate member coupled to
the cabinet 1 or a plurality of members fixed to the cabinet 1 with
predetermined intervals.
[0111] In addition, the support is described to be exposed to the
surroundings in the above embodiment, the present invention is not
limited thereto. For example, a separate top frame can be provided
around the support to cover the support and improve the outer
appearance of the cooking appliance. In this case, the top frame
includes an opening through which air discharged through the
airflow holes can flow further to the outside.
[0112] In addition, it is also possible to couple the support 700
to all of the four depressed side surfaces of the cabinet to
support the cooker instead of forming the seating portion 3. In
this case, the installation process may be more complicated,
however, manufacturing of the cabinet may be more convenient
because the seating portion need not to be formed and operation
thereof may also be more convenient.
[0113] In this case, it is preferable to form airflow holes only in
a support coupled to a rear edge of the top plate as described in
the embodiment, instead of forming them in all of the supports.
[0114] While the present invention has been described and
illustrated herein with reference to the preferred embodiments
thereof, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that
various modifications and variations can be made therein without
departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Thus, it is
intended that the present invention covers the modifications and
variations of this invention that come within the scope of the
appended claims and their equivalents.
INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY
[0115] According to the built-in cooking appliance of the present
invention, the cooker can be effectively cooled while the top plate
does not protrude above the cabinet. Therefore, reliability and
outer appearance of the built-in cooking appliance and safety
thereof in using and cleaning it can be improved. Furthermore, heat
inside the cooking appliance can be effectively discharged to the
outside.
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