Microwave oven including hood

A microwave oven including a hood. The hood adapted to be withdrawn from or inserted into a hood casing. The microwave oven further including an elastic member that applies an elastic force on the hood to facilitate the withdrawal of the hood from the hood casing. The insertion of or withdrawal of the hood from the hood casing provides for a more efficient hood function.

The present application claims the benefit of priority under 35 U.S.C. 119 and 35 U.S.C. 365 to Korean Patent Application No. 10-2009-0010993 (filed on Feb. 11, 2009), which is hereby incorporated by reference for all purposes as if fully set forth in its entirety.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present disclosure relates to a microwave oven. More particularly, the present disclosure relates to a microwave oven including a slideable hood.

2. Discussion of the Related Art

A microwave oven is a cooking appliance that employs microwave radiation to heat food. Such a microwave oven may include a hood that discharges contaminated air generated while cooking food. More particularly, the hood evacuates contaminated air that is generated while cooking food and it is disposed on the lower side of the microwave oven. Furthermore, the hood discharges the suctioned air that includes contaminants to an outdoor space, or purifies the air prior to discharging the air to an indoor space.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The embodiments described herein provide a microwave oven including a hood. The hood is configured to more efficiently perform the aforementioned and other hood functions.

In one exemplary embodiment, the aforementioned and other functions are more efficiently achieved by a microwave oven having a hood function for discharging contaminated air that are generated while cooking food at a cooking device disposed on a lower side of the microwave oven, the microwave oven comprising: a cavity including a cooking chamber; a high frequency heat source providing microwaves for cooking food in the cooking chamber; a hood casing at a lower portion of the cavity, the hood casing including an intake port through which contaminated air is sucked; a drawable hood in the hood casing, the hood including an intake port through which contaminated air is sucked; an elastic member applying an elastic force to the hood to draw the hood from the hood casing; a locking member preventing the hood from being unintentionally drawn from the hood casing; and a fan providing a driving force that sucks contaminated air through the intake port of the hood casing and the intake port of the hood, or through the intake port of the hood casing when the hood is drawn from or inserted in the hood casing.

In another exemplary embodiment, the aforementioned and other functions are more efficiently achieved by a microwave oven having a hood function for discharging contaminated air that are generated while cooking food at a cooking device disposed on a lower side of the microwave oven, the microwave oven comprising: a cavity including a cooking chamber; a high frequency heat source providing microwaves for cooking food in the cooking chamber; a guide casing at a lower portion of the cavity, the guide casing including an intake port through which contaminated air is sucked; a drawable guide member in the guide casing, the guide member guiding contaminated air to the intake port, a rear end of the guide member being spaced apart horizontally from the intake port when inserted in the guide casing; an elastic member applying an elastic force to the guide member to draw the guide member from the guide casing; a locking member preventing the guide member from being unintentionally drawn from the guide casing; a rail assembly that guides the inserting and drawing of the guide member into and from the guide casing; and a fan providing a driving force that sucks contaminated air through the intake port when the guide member is drawn from or inserted in the guide casing.

In further another exemplary embodiment, the aforementioned and other functions are more efficiently achieved by a microwave oven having a hood function for discharging contaminated air generated while cooking food at a cooking device disposed below the microwave oven, the microwave oven comprising: a cavity including a cooking chamber; a high frequency heat source providing microwaves for cooking food in the cooking chamber; a casing at a lower portion of the cavity, the casing including an intake port through which contaminated air is sucked; a drawable moving member in the casing; a fan providing a driving force that sucks contaminated air through the intake port of the casing when the moving member is drawn from or inserted in the casing; and an illumination source at the moving member, the illumination source providing light for illuminating the cooking device.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE ILLUSTRATED EMBODIMENTS

Reference will now be made in detail to a number of embodiments. Examples of the exemplary embodiments are illustrated in the accompanying drawings.FIG. 1is a perspective view illustrating a microwave oven10including a hood201, according to the exemplary embodiments.FIG. 2is a perspective view illustrating various details associated with the microwave oven10.FIG. 3is a plan view illustrating additional details associated with the microwave oven10.

Referring toFIG. 1, a cooking device1is generally located in a kitchen. The cooking device1includes a gas range generally provided above an oven or on a kitchen counter, for heating food using gas. It is noted that that the cooking device1is not limited to a gas-type device and may be an alternative type cooking device. For example, the cooking device1may alternatively heat food using electricity.

The microwave oven10, including the hood201, may be disposed above cooking device1, as illustrated inFIG. 1. The microwave oven10heats food using microwaves and/or heat, and it has an air evacuation function in which contaminated air generated while cooking food using cooking device1may be discharged to an outdoor space or purified and circulated back to an indoor space. Because the cooking function of the microwave oven10, and various parts associated with the cooking function are well known, a detailed description thereof will be omitted.

The microwave oven10is provided with a cavity (not shown) that serves as a cooking chamber. The microwave oven10includes a door11for selectively opening and closing the cooking chamber. The microwave10may further include a control panel13that may receive operation signals for operating the microwave oven10and that may display information about the operation thereof. The microwave oven10may include a heat source for cooking food in the cooking chamber, e.g. a high-frequency heat source and/or a radiation heat source and/or a convection heat source.

A passageway to facilitate the air evacuation function may be disposed in the microwave oven10. More particularly, the microwave oven10may include an outdoor discharge passageway (not shown) and/or an indoor discharge passage (not shown) therein. The outdoor discharge passageway discharges contaminated air originating from an indoor space to an outdoor space. The contaminated air is introduced through a main intake port113(described below), or through both the main intake port113and an auxiliary intake port211(described below) and discharged to an outdoor space. The indoor discharge passageway may purify the air so that it may be circulated back to the indoor space. A filter (not shown) for removing contaminants from the air may be disposed at or in the indoor discharge passageway. The outdoor discharge passage, the indoor discharge passage, and the filter are generally known in the microwave oven arts to include a hood, thus, a description thereof will be omitted.

The front upper end of the microwave oven10is provided with a discharge grill15. The general location of the discharge grill15is illustrated inFIG. 1. The contaminated air flows into the indoor discharge passage and is purified by the filter. It is then discharged back into the indoor space via the discharge grill15.

A vent fan (not shown) may be disposed in the microwave oven10. The vent fan draws air through the main intake port113or both the main intake port113and the auxiliary intake port211, and causes the air to flow into the outdoor discharge passageway or the indoor discharge passageway, so the air may be discharged to an indoor or outdoor space.

The lower portion of the microwave oven10may be provided with a hood casing101and hood201to facilitate the air evacuation function. The hood casing101may be fixed to a bottom portion of the microwave oven10. The hood201may be slidably received within the hood casing101such that it is capable of back-and-forth movement in a direction toward and away from the microwave oven10.

More particularly, with reference toFIGS. 2 and 3, the hood casing101may have a substantially slim hexahedron shape with an open upper surface. The hood casing101and the microwave oven10may have the same horizontal dimensions, such that the hood casing101substantially defines both partial side surfaces and the bottom appearance of the microwave oven10.

The front surface of the hood casing101may be provided with a drawer opening111. The drawer opening111may function as an inlet through which the hood201may be inserted and removed. The drawer opening111may be formed by partially cutting the front surface of the hood casing101. Other methods known in the art may also be utilized to form the drawer opening111.

The bottom portion of the hood casing101may be provided with the main intake port113that functions as an inlet through which contaminated air, generated while cooking food using cooking device1, is drawn. The main intake port113may be formed by partially cutting out a bottom surface of the hood casing101. When the hood casing101is provided at the portion of the microwave oven10, the main intake port113may communicate with the outdoor discharge passageway and the indoor discharge passageway.

A main filter115is disposed on the main intake port113to remove contaminants from the air drawn in through the main intake port113. In addition, illumination openings116may be provided at the bottom surface of the hood casing101on both sides of the main intake port113, respectively.

Still further, air barriers119may be provided at the bottom surface of the hood casing101just in front of the illumination openings116. The air barriers119prevent contaminated air flowing in the hood casing101from coming in contact with lamp assemblies (discussed below). In the present embodiment, each of the air barriers119extend upward at a predetermined angle towards the rear of the hood casing101, as illustrated inFIG. 6.

Two first guide bars120may be disposed in the hood casing101. The first guide bars120are used to fix a first rail311(discussed below). The first guide bars120also guide contaminated air, drawn through the main intake port113and the auxiliary intake port211, towards the rear of the hood casing101such that the air may flow to the outdoor discharge passageway and/or the indoor discharge passageway.

When the hood201is inserted into the hood casing101, the front ends of the first guide bars120are adjacent to the rear end of the hood201, while the rear ends of the first guide bars120are in close contact with the rear surface of the hood casing101. The upper ends of the first guide bars120may be in close contact with the bottom surface of the cavity when the hood casing101is provided at the lower portion of the microwave oven10.

An installation bracket130may be disposed in the hood casing101. The installation bracket130is used to install a latch module320(described below). The installation bracket130may be disposed along a center line that laterally bisects the hood casing101. Thus, the installation bracket130substantially crosses the main intake port113, but does not interfere with the insertion and removal of the hood201. To this end, the installation bracket130may be disposed on the lower side of the hood201when the hood201is retracted or inserted, i.e. installed in, the hood casing101. Alternatively, the front end of the installation bracket130may be spaced rearward from the rear end of the hood201when the hood201is retracted.

The hood201may have a slim hexahedron shape, as stated above, and as suggested inFIG. 1, with an open rear surface and with a vertical section approximately corresponding to the drawer opening111. Thus, the hood201is capable of sliding back-and-forth through the drawer opening111of hood casing101in a either a direction toward or away from the microwave oven10.

The bottom surface of the hood201is provided with the auxiliary intake port211. The auxiliary intake port211functions as an inlet when the hood201is drawn out of the hood casing101, for evacuating contaminated air generated while cooking food using the cooking device1. The auxiliary intake port211may be formed by apertures through the bottom surface of the hood201, such as by cutting out a portions of the bottom surface of the hood201. However, other methods known in the art may be utilized to form the auxiliary intake port211. Thus, the auxiliary intake port211may be disposed in front of the main intake port113when the hood201is inserted into the hood casing101.

When the hood201is inserted in the hood casing101, i.e. slid back into drawer opening111, the rear end of the hood201is disposed at the rear side of the main intake port113, and the auxiliary intake port211vertically overlaps the main intake port113. In other words, when the hood201is inserted, the main intake port113and the auxiliary intake port211vertically and completely overlap each other. This prevents contaminated air drawn through the main intake port113from interfering with the hood201when the hood201is inserted in the hood casing101.

Alternatively, when the rear ends of the upper and lower surfaces of the hood201do not overlap the main intake port113when the hood201is inserted in the hood casing101, the same effect as described above can be obtained. In other words, contaminated air drawn through the main intake port113flows in the hood201through the auxiliary intake port211, thus preventing the air sucked through the main intake port113from interfering with the hood201.

An auxiliary filter213is disposed at the auxiliary intake port211. It removes contaminants from air drawn through the auxiliary intake port211, similar to the function of main filter115.

The hood201is provided with two second guide bars220as illustrated in FIGS.2and4-12. The second guide bars220guide contaminated air, drawn through the auxiliary intake port211when the hood201is removed from the hood casing101. Second rails312, described below, are fixed to the second guide bars220. The second guide bars220may have a bar shape with a longitudinal section that corresponds in size and shape to the inner space of the hood201. Second guide bars220further may have a predetermined length corresponding to the extent of the back-and-forth movement of the hood201.

One side surface of the second guide bars220faces the first guide bars120as illustrated in FIGS.2and4-12. More particularly, each of the second guide bars220is disposed between a side surface of the hood casing101and the first guide bar120. The length of the second guide bars220is designed so that there is no interference when inserting the hood201into the hood casing101. In other words, the length of the second guide bars220is at least less than the length of the hood201and less than the length of the hood casing101.

The rear surface of the hood201is provided with an installation rib230that is disposed along a line laterally bisecting the rear surface of the hood201. A latch protrusion330, be described below, is fixed to the installation rib230.

The front surface of the hood201is provided with a front panel240that substantially defines the front surface of the hood201. The front panel240has a shape that corresponds to the front portion of the hood casing101. The rear surface of the front panel240may be spaced apart from the front portion of the hood casing101when the hood201is inserted in the hood casing101. The lower end of the front panel240may be provided with a sloped part241at a downward, at a predetermined angle as illustrated inFIG. 2. The sloped part241may protect a user from colliding with a corner of the front panel240when the hood201is withdrawn from the hood casing101, and further may enable better viewing of the cooking device1.

Two rail assemblies310are provided to guide the insertion and withdrawal of the hood201to and from the hood casing101. Each of the rail assemblies310may include first, second and third rails311,312, and313. The first and second rails311and312are respectively fixed to oppositely facing surfaces of the first and second guide bars120and220respectively. The third rail313is slidable on the first and second rails311and312.

A locking device may be provided to prevent the hood201from being unintentionally withdrawn from the hood casing101. The locking device may include the latch module320and the latch protrusion330.

The latch module320may be disposed on the upper surface of the installation bracket130. The latch module320may include a latch slot321into which the latch protrusion330may be inserted, and a latch hook (not shown) that selectively engages with the latch protrusion330once it is inserted through the latch slot321.

The latch protrusion330may be provided at the rear surface of the installation rib230. When the hood201is inserted in the hood casing101, the latch protrusion330may be inserted through the latch slot321and into the latch module320, and then engaged with the latch hook (not shown). More particularly, when an external force is applied to the withdrawn hood201in a direction toward the hood casing101, the latch protrusion330passes through the latch slot321and is inserted into the latch module320so as to engage with the latch hook. When the external force is again applied to the hood201, when the latch protrusion330is engaged with the latch hook, the latch protrusion330will disengage from the latch hook and withdraw from the latch slot321. The latch module320will thus withdraw, allowing the hood201to withdraw from the hood casing101.

Referring toFIG. 3, a spring340may be provided to supply an elastic force that aids in withdrawing the hood201from the hood casing101when the latch protrusion330is disengaged from the latch hook. A front end of the leaf spring340may be fixed to the hood201while a rear end of the spring may be attached to roller351, which is rotatably provided on a spring holder350. The leaf spring340is thus wound about a longitudinal axis of roller351, as illustrated inFIG. 3. The spring holder350is provided on the hood casing101. The length along which the leaf spring340is wound around the roller351may be greater than a distance that the hood201is withdrawn from the hood casing101. Thus, when the latch protrusion330is disengaged from the latch hook, the leaf spring340has a elastic tendency to unwind from the roller351. Thus the hood201may be withdrawn from the hood casing101due to the resulting elastic force.

The bottom surface of the hood casing101may be provided with two dampers360, as illustrated inFIG. 3, that prevent the elastic force of the leaf spring340from withdrawing the hood201from the hood casing101at a high speed. Since the dampers360are well known, a description thereof will be omitted.

Lamp assemblies410may be disposed on the illumination openings116, as shown in FIGS.2and4-12. The lamp assemblies410may provide light for illuminating cooking device1, and may be composed of halogen or light emitting diode (LED) type lighting elements. The lamp assemblies410may be operated, for example, by a switch on the control panel13.

Hereinafter, the operation of the microwave oven10will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.FIGS. 4 and 5are schematic views illustrating a process where the hood201of the microwave oven10inserted in and withdrawn from the hood casing101.

Referring toFIG. 4, when the hood201is inserted in the hood casing101, the latch protrusion330may be inserted into the latch module320, through latch slot321, and engaged with the latch hook. Thus, although the elastic force of the leaf spring340is applied to the hood201, the hood201remains in the hood casing101.

As stated, when an external force in the direction of the hood casing101is applied to the hood201, the latch protrusion330disengages from the latch hook and withdraws from the latch module320through the latch slot321. When the latch protrusion330is disengaged from the latch hook, the elastic force of the leaf spring340acts to withdraw the hood201from the hood casing101. As the hood201withdraws, the second rail312slides on the third rail313, and the third rail313slides on the first rail311, so as to guide the hood201as it withdraws from the hood casing101.

Referring toFIG. 5, when the hood201is withdrawn completely from the hood casing101, the vent fan is driven. The driving of the vent fan may be performed by inputting an operation signal to the control panel13. Thus, contaminated air generated by cooking food on the cooking device1may be evacuated through the main intake port113and the auxiliary intake port211. The contaminated air then may flow along the aforementioned outdoor discharge passageway so that it may be discharged to an outdoor space. Alternatively, the air may flow along the indoor discharge passageway and the contaminants may be removed by the filter, so that purified air may be discharged to an indoor space through discharge grill15.

Once the hood201is withdrawn from the hood casing101and the vent fan is activated, the first and second guide bars120and220substantially guide contaminated air drawn into the hood casing101through the main intake port113and the auxiliary intake port211, and to the rear end of the hood casing101. Further, when the hood201is withdrawn from the hood casing101, the first and second guide bars120and220and the rail assemblies310substantially separate the space where the leaf spring340is disposed and the space where contaminated air flows through the main intake port113and the auxiliary intake port211flows. Thus, the leaf spring340is prevented from being exposed to the contaminated air drawn into the system.

A user may also operate the air evacuation function when the hood201is inserted in the hood casing101. That is, the user may turn on the vent fan300when the hood201is inserted in the hood casing101. Because the auxiliary intake port211vertically overlaps the main intake port113, contaminated air enters the system substantially through the main intake port113.

Hereinafter, the operation of a microwave oven10including a hood202will now be described in detail with reference toFIG. 6according to another exemplary embodiment. In both the embodiment ofFIG. 6and the previous embodiment ofFIGS. 1 to 3, like reference numerals denote like elements, and thus a description thereof will be omitted.

As illustrated inFIG. 6, a switch370is disposed in the hood casing102. More particularly, the switch370is disposed on the upper surface of the latch module320. When the hood202begins to withdraw from the hood casing102, the switch370is automatically turned on which generates a signal for operating the vent fan. When the hood202is completely inserted into the hood casing102, the switch370is turned off which stops the vent fan.

Thus, according to this exemplary embodiment, the vent fan turns on or turns off automatically depending on whether the hood202is inserted into or withdrawn from the hood casing102, without the user manipulating a switch on control panel13. However, it is possible to further include a manual switch at the control panel13, that may be used to override the signal from the switch370, thus allowing the user to control the operation of the vent fan whether the hood202is inserted or withdrawn from the hood casing102.

In one configuration, the switch370may be activated and deactivated, for example, by the installation rib230. Alternatively, the switch370may be activated and deactivated by a discrete member disposed on one side of the install rib230.

Hereinafter, the operation of microwave oven10including a guide member203will now be described in detail with reference toFIG. 7in accordance with another exemplary embodiment. In the embodiment ofFIG. 7and the previous embodiment ofFIGS. 1 to 3, like reference numerals denote like elements, and thus a description thereof will be omitted.

As illustrated inFIG. 7, a guide casing103and the guide member203may be provided, which replace the hood casing and the hood, respectively, of the previous embodiments. The guide casing103has the substantially same configuration as the hood casing101. The guide member203has substantially the same configuration as the hood201, except that the auxiliary intake port211is not employed, and that the rear surface is closed. The rear end of the guide member203may be disposed in front of the main intake port113when the guide member203is inserted into the guide casing103. Thus, contaminated air can be drawn through the main intake port113even when the guide member203is inserted in the guide casing103. The guide member203is capable of sliding back-and-forth in an direction towards and away from the microwave oven, allowing for the guide member203to be inserted into and withdrawn from the guide casing103. The structural components for achieving this may be the same as described above and as illustrated inFIGS. 2 to 3.

In the present embodiment, the guide member203substantially guides contaminated air, generated by the cooking of food on the cooking device1, to the main intake port113, so as to prevent diffusion of contaminated air through out the indoor space.

In this embodiment, the vent fan may be automatically or manually turned on or off when the guide member203is withdrawn from the guide casing103as described in the previous embodiments. That is, when the vent fan is driven as the guide member203is withdrawn from the guide casing103, the guide member203prevents diffusion of contaminated air, and the contaminated air may be drawn through the main intake port113. However, when the vent fan is not driven as the guide member203is withdrawn from the guide casing103, the guide member203may act to just prevent further diffusion of the contaminated air.

The operation of a microwave oven10including a hood204will now be described in detail in accordance with another exemplary embodiment.FIG. 8is a perspective view illustrating a principal part of microwave oven10according to this embodiment. In the embodiment ofFIG. 8and the previous embodiments ofFIGS. 1 to 5, like reference numerals denote like elements, and thus a description thereof will be omitted.

As illustrated inFIG. 8, the bottom front end of a hood casing104may be provided with a pass opening117that may be formed by cutting out a portion of the bottom surface of the hood casing104. Light from lamp assembly420(described below) may pass downward through the pass opening117to illuminate the cooking device1(refer toFIG. 1).

The bottom surface of the hood204may also be provided with an illumination opening215that corresponds to and vertically overlaps with the illumination opening117when the hood204is inserted into the hood casing104. The lamp assembly420may be disposed on the illumination opening215to illuminate the cooking device1.

Although not shown, a cover glass may be disposed on the illumination opening215. The cover glass prevents the lamp assembly420from being exposed to contaminates through the illumination opening215.

In the hood casing104and the hood204, the structural components for evacuating contaminated air and for inserting and withdrawing the hood204are the same as those described above in the embodiment ofFIGS. 1 to 5.

The operation of the microwave oven10including the hood204will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings according to the embodiment described above and illustrated inFIG. 8.FIGS. 9 and 10are schematic views illustrating the process of inserting and withdrawing the hood204according to this embodiment.

As illustrated inFIG. 9, when the hood204is inserted into the hood casing104, the lamp assembly420, the illumination opening215, and the pass opening117overlap vertically and align with each other. When the lamp assembly420is turned on, for example, by manipulating a switch on control panel13(FIG. 1), light from the lamp assembly420travels downward through the illumination opening215and the pass opening117. Thus, the cooking device1(refer toFIG. 1) may be illuminated by the lamp assembly420.

As illustrated inFIG. 10, the hood204may be withdrawn from the hood casing104. Because the process of withdrawing the hood204from the hood casing104is the same as the previous embodiment described above and illustrated inFIGS. 1 to 5, a detailed description thereof will be omitted. When the hood204is withdrawn from the hood casing104, the lamp assembly420is also withdrawn from the hood casing104.

When the hood204is withdrawn from the hood casing104and the lamp assembly420is turned on, light transmits downward through illumination opening215. Thus, the lamp assembly420illuminates the cooking device1.

The operation of microwave oven10including a hood205will now be described in detail with reference toFIG. 11in accordance with another exemplary embodiment. In the embodiment ofFIG. 11and the previous embodiment described above and illustrated inFIGS. 1 to 5, like reference numerals denote like elements, and thus a description thereof will be omitted.

Referring toFIG. 11, main illumination openings118A may be disposed on both side ends of the bottom surface of a hood casing105, respectively. The front end of the bottom surface of the hood casing105may provided with a pass opening118B. The main illumination openings118A and the pass opening118B may be formed by partially cutting the bottom surface of the hood casing105.

Main lamp assemblies430may be disposed on each of the main illumination openings118A, respectively. The main lamp assemblies430may illuminate the cooking device1(refer toFIG. 1).

The bottom surface of the hood205may provided with an auxiliary illumination opening217that vertically overlaps the pass opening118B when the hood205is inserted into the hood casing105. An auxiliary lamp assembly440may be disposed on the auxiliary illumination opening217. The auxiliary lamp assembly440may also illuminate the cooking device1.

Cover glass (not shown) may be disposed on the main illumination openings118A and the auxiliary illumination opening217, respectively. The cover glass would prevent the main lamp assemblies430and the auxiliary lamp assembly440from being exposed to contaminates through the main illumination openings118A or the auxiliary illumination opening217.

In the hood casing105and the hood205, the structural components for evacuating contaminated air and for inserting and withdrawing the hood205may be the same as those of the embodiment described above and illustrated inFIGS. 1 to 5. Therefore, a description of these components will not be repeated here.

The main lamp assemblies430and the auxiliary lamp assembly440may be turned on by manipulating a switch on the control panel13(refer toFIG. 1), regardless whether the hood205is withdrawn from or inserted into the hood casing105. Thus, when the hood205is inserted into the hood casing105, light generated by the main lamp assemblies430may transmit downward through the main illumination openings118A, and light generated by the auxiliary lamp assembly440may transmit downward through the auxiliary illumination opening217and the pass opening118B. Alternatively, when the hood205is withdrawn from the hood casing105, light from the main lamp assemblies430travels downward through the main illumination openings118A, and light of the auxiliary lamp assembly440travels downward only through the auxiliary illumination opening217.

The main lamp assemblies430may be turned on by manipulating a switch, as stated, such as illumination button249(SeeFIG. 2), regardless whether the hood205is withdrawn from or inserted into the hood casing105. Further, the auxiliary lamp assembly440may be turned on by manipulating a switch on the control panel13. When the hood205is inserted into the hood casing105, light from the main lamp assemblies430travels downward through the main illumination openings118A. When the hood205is withdrawn from the hood casing105, light of the main lamp assemblies430still travels through the main illumination openings118A, however light from the auxiliary lamp assembly440travels downward only through the auxiliary illumination opening217. If the auxiliary lamp assembly440is only operational when the hood205is withdrawn, the pass opening118B may be omitted.

Hereinafter, the operation of microwave oven10including a hood206will now be described in detail with reference toFIG. 12in accordance with another exemplary embodiment. In the embodiment ofFIG. 12and the previous embodiment described above and illustrated inFIGS. 1 to 5, like reference numerals denote like elements, and thus a description thereof will be omitted.

As illustrated inFIG. 12, a leaf spring341provides an elastic force on the hood206in a direction away from the microwave oven, i.e. in a direction where the hood206is being withdrawn from hood casing106. One end of the leaf spring341may fixed to one side of the installation bracket130. Thus, the leaf spring341may be disposed substantially on a line that laterally bisects the hood casing106. The rear surface of the hood206may be provided with a spring holder353. The leaf spring341is wound about a roller355, which is coupled to the spring holder353in a manner to allow rotation.

In the embodiment ofFIGS. 8 to 10and the embodiment ofFIG. 11, the lamp assembly and/or the auxiliary lamp assembly may be provided to the hood that is inserted into and withdrawn from the hood casing. However, the lamp assembly and/or the auxiliary lamp assembly may also be provided to the guide member that is inserted into and withdrawn from the guide casing of the embodiment associated withFIG. 7.

The microwave oven including a hood according to the above-identified exemplary embodiments has the following effects. Because the hood may be inserted into and withdrawn back-and-forth in a direction toward and away from the microwave oven, the area capable of evacuating contaminated air is substantially increased, or diffusion of contaminated air is substantially prevented. Thus, a user can cook food in a cleaner environment.

In addition, when the hood is inserted into the hood casing, the intake port of the hood casing does not substantially overlap the intake port of the hood in the direction in which contaminated air flows. Thus, depending on the amount of contaminated air, the air evacuation function may be performed in the state where the hood is inserted into the hood casing or in the state where the hood is withdrawn from the hood casing, thus effectively increasing the evacuation capabilities of the device.

In addition, various elements for inserting the hood are disposed in the hood casing. Thus, because only the hood is inserted into or drawn from the hood casing with the elements fixed, the microwave oven may be prevented from being damaged while inserting and drawing the hood.

In addition, the inner spaces of the hood casing and the hood may be divided into the region where contaminated air flows and the region in which the elements for inserting and drawing the hood are disposed. This prevents contaminated air from contaminating or damaging the elements.

In addition, a driving force for inserting and drawing the hood is transmitted to both the side ends of the hood. Thus, the hood is drawn and inserted at a uniform speed, as a whole, thus improving reliability during the withdrawal and insertion of the hood.