Low profile induction cook top with heat management system

• US 8,872,077 B2
• Filed: 12/23/2009
• Issued: 10/28/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 08/01/2005
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Haier US Appliance Solutions, Inc. DBA GE Appliances (Haier Group Company)
• Original Assignee: Western Industries Incorporated (B-G Western Incorporated)
• Inventors: Gagas, John M., Jonovic, Scott A., Hochschild, Richard C. Jr.
• Primary Examiner(s): Yuen, Henry
• Assistant Examiner(s): Nguyen, Hung D
• Application Number:
  US12/645,944
• Publication Number:
  US 20100163549A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,770 Days
• Field of Search: 219/620, 219/621, 219/622, 219/623, 219/677, 219/452.11, 219/676, 219/624, 219/627, 219/452.12, 219/632, 126/21.R, 126/21.A, 126/22, 126/218, 126/214.A, 126/211, 126/299.D, 126/299.R, 99D/IG.14
• US Class Current: 219/623
• 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 may include a heat management system. 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 comprising a closed loop temperature controller providing at least one signal to a thermoelectric device to regulate the temperature within the housing, wherein the thermoelectric device is sized to provide sufficient cooling within the housing such that no venting is required within the housing; and

a separate electronic control system in communication with the cooling device, wherein the cooling device is the thermoelectric device having a first side mounted within the housing and a second side mounted outside the housing;

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; and

wherein

the thermoelectric device is a solid-state heat pump that utilizes the Peltier effect to provide cooling.

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 are packaged in an induction unit assembly and wherein the cooling device comprises a fan operably connected to an induction unit assembly.

3. 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, wherein the housing comprises a frame member configured to fit under a glass cooking surface and on top of a counter top, and wherein the frame member has a plurality of vents to communicate air movement through at least 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 a cooling device is a fan located at a bottom of the induction cook 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;

a touchpad controller operably connected to the upper surface;

a plurality of 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.

4. The cook top appliance of claim 3, further comprising:

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

5. The induction cook top appliance of claim 3 further comprising a forced convection cooler, an electronic heat sink, a thermoelectric cooling device, a cold plate, a copper spreader, a plurality of electronic heat pipes, and a plurality of thermal vias.

6. The induction cook top appliance of claim 3 wherein the fan is in air flow communication with the plurality of vents and configured to draw air across the heating elements.

7. The induction cook top appliance of claim 3 wherein the fan is operably connected such that air is generally drawn into the base through an opening in the lower surface and expelled out through the vent in the side of the base.