Low Profile Induction Cook Top with Heat Management System

• US 20100163549A1
• Filed: 12/23/2009
• Published: 07/01/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 08/01/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Haier US Appliance Solutions, Inc. DBA GE Appliances (Haier Group Company)
• Original Assignee: Western Industries Incorporated (B-G Western Incorporated)
• Inventors: Hochschild, Richard C. JR., Jonovic, Scott A., Gagas, John M.
• Granted Patent: US 8,872,077 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 219/622
• CPC Class Codes: F24C 15/2042 Devices for removing cooking fumes structurally associated with a cooking range e.g. downdraft F24C15/2007 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 6/1209 induction cooking plates or the like and devices to be used in combination with them
• CPC Class Codes: Y02B 40/00 Technologies aiming at improving the efficiency of home appliances, e.g. induction cooking or efficient technologies for refrigerators, freezers or dish washers

Abstract

An induction cook top with a heat management system is disclosed. The heat management system controls heat produced both internally by the electronic components within the cook top as well as heat produced above the cook top when cooking. The heat management system provides improved air flow past and around the internal electronic components. The cook top features an efficient removal of generated heat and may optionally provide a vented housing and direct airflow into and out of the housing or provide a thermoelectric cooling device which permits a ventless housing.

Claims

1. An induction cook top appliance comprising:

a housing;

a cooking surface having at least one bracket connected to a bottom side of the cooking surface to attach the cooking surface to the housing;

an induction coil in the housing and below the cooking surface;

an induction generator operatively connected to the induction coil;

a cooling device for cooling the coil; and

an electronic control system in communication with the cooling device.

2. The induction cook top appliance of claim 1 further comprising:

at least one additional induction coil in the housing and below the cooking surface; and

at least one additional induction generator, each additional induction generator operatively connected to one of the additional induction coils, wherein each induction coil and induction generator is packaged in an induction unit assembly and wherein the electronic cooling device comprises a fan operably connected to an induction unit assembly.

3. The induction cook top appliance of claim 1 further comprising:

a metal plate extending generally parallel to the cooking surface and configured to support the induction coil;

a fan supported by the metal plate; and

a fan cover extending below a lower surface of the housing and extending generally around a periphery of an air intake positioned in the lower surface of the housing.

4. The induction cook top appliance of claim 3 further comprising a gasket extending substantially around the periphery of the air intake.

5. The induction cook top appliance of claim 1 further comprising a plurality of bosses extending into the housing toward a metal plate, the plurality of bosses generally spaced around the periphery of the housing and engaging the metal plate such that an air gap between the housing and the metal plate is formed between successive bosses.

6. The induction cook top appliance of claim 1 wherein the electronic cooling device is one of a forced convection cooler, an electronic heat sink, a thermoelectric cooling device, a cold plate, a copper spreader, a plurality of electronic heat pipes, or a plurality of thermal vias.

7. The induction cook top appliance of claim 6 wherein a fan is mounted to establish air flow across the electronic cooling device.

8. The induction cook top appliance of claim 1 wherein the electronic cooling device is a thermoelectric device having a first side mounted within the housing and a second side mounted outside the housing.

9. The induction cook top appliance of claim 8 wherein the thermoelectric device is a solid-state heat pump that utilizes the Peltier effect to provide cooling.

10. The induction cook top appliance of claim 8 further comprising a closed loop temperature controller providing at least one signal to the thermoelectric device to regulate the temperature within the housing.

11. The induction cook top appliance of claim 8 wherein the thermoelectric device is sized to provide sufficient cooling within the housing such that no venting is required within the housing.

12. The induction cook top appliance of claim 1 wherein an opening extends through a lower surface of the housing and at least one vent extends through a side of the housing further comprising a fan operably connected such that air is generally drawn into the housing through the opening in the lower surface of the housing and expelled out through the vent in the side of the housing.

13. The induction cook top appliance of claim 12 further comprising an element connected to the lower surface of the housing between the side of the housing having the vent and the opening in the lower surface of the housing wherein the element directs air flow from the vent in the side of the housing to substantially prevent the air expelled through the vent in the side of the housing from returning to the opening in the lower surface of the housing.

14. The induction cook top appliance of claim 13 wherein the element is pivotally connected to the lower surface of the housing such that it may lie generally flat against the lower surface or hang down generally perpendicular to the lower surface.

20. The induction cook top of claim 1, wherein the cooking surface is glass, wherein the housing comprises a frame member configured to fit under the glass and on top of a counter top;

wherein the frame member has a plurality of vents to communicate air movement through at least one of a back of the induction cook top, a left side of the induction cook top, and a right side of the induction cook top, wherein the cooling device is a fan located at a bottom of the induction cook top for drawing air into the cook top and circulating the air within the cook top, and further comprising air holes which are below the induction cook top and the counter top.

15. A cook top appliance comprising:

a housing having an upper surface, a lower surface, and a plurality of side surfaces, wherein at least one bracket is affixed to the upper surface to connect the upper surface to the plurality of side surfaces;

a touchpad controller operably connected to the upper surface;

a plurality of cooking surfaces arranged on the upper surface of the housing;

a plurality of heating elements, each heating element positioned below one of the cooking surfaces;

a metal plate extending generally parallel to the upper surface and substantially between each of the side surfaces configured to support the heating elements;

an insulation layer positioned below the metal plate and extending substantially between each of the side surfaces;

a fan connected to a lower surface of the metal plate;

a fan cover extending below the lower surface and extending generally around a periphery of an air intake, the air intake extending through the lower surface;

a gasket extending substantially around the periphery of the air intake; and

a plurality of bosses protruding into the housing from the plurality of side surfaces at a height on the side surfaces generally in line with the metal plate.

16. A cook top appliance comprising:

a base;

a first induction heating element affixed to the base;

a second induction heating element affixed to the base;

a cooking surface affixed to the base generally above the first and second induction heating elements, wherein the base, the first induction heating element, the second induction heating element, and the cooking surface all form an integrated unit;

a ventilation passage communicating air through a cavity in the base containing the induction heating elements; and

an element in communication with the base and oriented to control air flow from the ventilation passage.

17. The cook top appliance of claim 16 further comprising a plenum that slidably passes through a cook top vent, and a heat management system that regulates air from above the cooking surface independently of the air passing through the ventilation passage to cool the heating elements.

18. The cook top appliance of claim 16 wherein the element is connected to the lower surface of the base to substantially prevent the air expelled from the base from returning to an intake opening of the ventilation passage.

19. The cook top appliance of claim 18 further comprising:

a regulator to control electrical current to each of the heating elements such that a power output can be changed, as needed; and

a fan to circulate air and to reduce heat buildup.