Abstract:
A microwave range having a hood for removing contaminated air includes a chamber having an inner cavity configured to receive items to be heated; an electric component room containing electric components, the electric component room being located above an upper wall of the chamber; and an outer case defining at least one passage between the chamber and the outer case through which contaminated air is received and discharged, and through which air for cooling the electric components flows.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
   The present disclosure relates to subject matter contained in priority Korean Patent Application No. 2007-0000137, filed Jan. 2, 2007, which is herein expressly incorporated by reference in its entirety. 
   BACKGROUND 
   The present disclosure relates to a microwave range, and more particularly, to a microwave having a hood that exhausts contaminated air generated during a cooking operation of a cooking appliance installed in a lower portion. 
   A related art microwave range is a cooking appliance for heating food using microwaves or heat from a heater. An available microwave range includes a hood that filters contaminated matters from air including an exhaust gas generated during a cooking operation of a cooking appliance installed below the microwave range and exhausts the filtered air to an indoor space or an outdoor space. 
   However, a related art microwave range having a hood has the following limitations. 
   First, in a related art microwave range, a cooking room in which cooking is performed, and an electric component room containing electric components for oscillating microwaves, are asymmetrically provided in a chamber. Generally, the cooking room and the electric component room are adjacently provided side by side in the chamber. Therefore, the volume of the cooking room is relatively reduced by the space occupied by the electric component room. 
   Also, since the cooking room and the electric component room are asymmetrically provided in the chamber as described above, the front appearance of the microwave range is not horizontally symmetrical. Therefore, design for the front appearance of the microwave is limited, which reduces the appealing appearance of a product. 
   Also, a high voltage transformer of the electric components generates a magnetic field during its operation. The magnetic field of the high voltage transformer can be transferred to an outer case installed above and on both sides of the chamber which generates vibration or noises. 
   SUMMARY 
   Embodiments provide a microwave range having a hood function that is configured to prevent the volume of a cooking room from being relatively reduced due to the presence of an electric component room. 
   Embodiments also provide a microwave range having a hood function that improves a front appearance of a product by permitting a symmetrical appearance. 
   Embodiments also provide a microwave range having a hood function that is configured to minimize vibration and noises caused by electric components. 
   According to an aspect of the present invention, a microwave range having a hood for removing contaminated air includes a chamber having an inner cavity configured to receive items to be heated; an electric component room containing electric components, the electric component room being located above an upper wall of the chamber; and an outer case defining at least one passage between the chamber and the outer case through which contaminated air is received and discharged, and through which air for cooling the electric components flows. 
   The microwave range may further include a divider that divides the at least one passage into a plurality of passages including an air introduction passage for venting, through which contaminated air is introduced, an exhaust passage for venting, through which the contaminated air is exhausted, an air introduction passage for cooling, through which air for cooling the electric components is introduced, and an exhaust passage for cooling, through which the air for cooling the electric components is exhausted. 
   The divider may include a top bracket extending from an edge of the upper wall of the chamber to an inner surface of a side of the outer case; and first and second air walls provided on the upper wall of the chamber and the top bracket, wherein the top bracket separates the air introduction passage for venting from the air introduction passage for cooling, wherein the first air wall separates the air introduction passage for venting from the air introduction passage for cooling, and separates the exhaust passage for venting from the air introduction passage for cooling, wherein the second air wall separates the air introduction passage for venting from the exhaust passage for cooling, and separates the exhaust passage for venting from the exhaust passage for cooling. 
   Receiving and discharging of the contaminated air may be performed by a vent fan assembly provided on the upper wall of the chamber. The vent fan assembly may be located at a rear end of the upper wall of the chamber that is adjacent to the electric component room to introduce and exhaust contaminated air flowing through the at least one passage between the chamber and the outer case. 
   Cooling of the electric components may be performed by a cooling fan assembly located in a portion of the electric component room in front of the electric components. Cooling of the electric components may be performed by a cooling fan assembly located in a portion of the electric component room behind the electric components. 
   The microwave range may further include a cover bracket positioned above the electric component room and defining an upper wall thereof. 
   According to an aspect of the present invention, a microwave range having a hood for removing contaminated air includes an electric component room located on an upper wall of a chamber and containing a variety of electric components; a vent fan assembly that intakes and exhausts contaminated air; a cooling fan assembly that provides a flow of air for cooling the electric components; a passage through which air flows by driving of the cooling fan assembly and the vent fan assembly; and a divider that separates the electric component room from the passage. 
   The divider may include a top bracket extending from the upper wall of the chamber to a side of an outer case to form a bottom of the electric component room, the outer case covering an upper portion and both sides of the chamber; an air wall located on the top bracket and forming a side surface of the electric component room; and a cover bracket located on an upper end of the air wall and forming a ceiling of the electric component room. 
   The cooling fan assembly may be installed in a fan bracket provided on at least one of the air wall and an air guide. The fan bracket may be located in a portion of the electric component room in front of the electric components. The fan bracket may be located in a portion of the electric component room behind the electric components. 
   According to an aspect of the present invention, a microwave range having a hood for removing contaminated air includes an air introduction passage for venting, through which contaminated air is introduced by driving of a vent fan assembly; an exhaust passage for venting, through which contaminated air is exhausted to outside by driving of the vent fan assembly; an air introduction passage for cooling, through which air is introduced for cooling electric components installed in an electric component room by driving of a cooling fan assembly, the electric component room being located on an upper wall of a chamber; and an exhaust passage for cooling, through which air introduced for cooling the electric components is exhausted to outside by driving of the cooling fan assembly. 
   The air introduction passage for venting may include a first air introduction passage for venting located between the chamber and a base plate located below the chamber; and a second air introduction passage for venting located between the chamber and both sides of an outer case positioned over the upper wall and both sides of the chamber, wherein contaminated air introduced via an air inlet for venting formed in the base plate flows horizontally and vertically toward an air inlet of the vent fan assembly along the first and second air introduction passages for venting. 
   The exhaust passage for venting may be located above the chamber, contaminated air exhausted from a discharge portion of the vent fan assembly being exhausted via one of an indoor air outlet for venting located in front of the chamber, and an outdoor air outlet for venting located in an upper wall of an outer case positioned over the upper wall and on both sides of the chamber. 
   The electric components may be located in the exhaust passage for cooling. The electric components may be located in the air introduction passage for cooling. 
   The exhaust passage for cooling may include a first exhaust passage for cooling, through which air exhausted from a discharge portion of the cooling fan assembly flows to a cooking room located inside the chamber; and a second exhaust passage for cooling, through which air that has circulated through the cooking room is exhausted to outside. The first exhaust passage for cooling may pass through an exhaust duct for cooling that allows the electric component room to communicate with the cooking room. 
   According to the present disclosure, the volume of a cooking room is maximized, a front appearance is improved, and vibration and noises generated during an operation of a product are minimized. 
   The details of one or more embodiments are set forth in the accompanying drawings and the description below. Other features will be apparent from the description and drawings, and from the claims. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a microwave range having a hood located above a cooking appliance according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
       FIG. 2  is an exploded perspective view of a microwave range having a hood with electric components removed from an electric component room according to a first embodiment. 
       FIG. 3  is an exploded perspective view of a microwave range having a hood with electric components installed in an electric component room according to the first embodiment. 
       FIG. 4  is an exploded perspective view of a microwave range having a hood with electric components removed from an electric component room according to a second embodiment. 
       FIG. 5  is an exploded perspective view of a microwave range having a hood with electric components installed in an electric component room according to the second embodiment. 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS 
   Reference will now be made in detail to the embodiments of the present disclosure, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. 
     FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a microwave range having a hood installed above a cooking appliance according to an embodiment of the present invention,  FIG. 2  is an exploded perspective view of a microwave range having a hood with electric components removed from an electric component room according to a first embodiment,  FIG. 3  is an exploded perspective view of a microwave range having a hood with electric components installed in an electric component room according to the first embodiment. 
   Referring to  FIGS. 1 to 3 , a gas oven range  10  is installed in a kitchen. The gas oven range  10  includes a top burner unit  20 , a grill unit  30 , an oven unit  40 , and a drawer unit  50 . The top burner unit  20  performs a food cooking operation using combustion of a gas. Also, the grill unit  30 , the oven unit  40 , and the drawing unit  50  perform a food cooking operation using a heater. Although a gas oven range is shown in  FIG. 1 , the microwave range according to the present invention can be located above any suitable type of cooking appliance. 
   A microwave range  100  having a hood (referred to as a microwave range  100  hereinafter) is installed above the gas oven range  10 . The microwave range  100  performs a cooking function of cooking food using microwaves, and a hood function of filtering contaminated matters from air including an exhaust gas generated during a cooking operation of the gas oven range  10  and exhausting the filtered air to the outside. The microwave range  100  includes a main unit  200  and a door  400 . Also, the main unit  200  is provided at its upper surface with an outdoor duct  500  for exhausting contaminated air to the outside. 
   Referring to  FIG. 2 , a front plate  220  forms the front side of a chamber  210  constituting the main unit  200 . Also, a top plate  230 , a bottom plate  240 , a pair of side plates  250 , and a rear plate form the upper and lower sides, both side surfaces, and rear surface of the chamber  210 , respectively. 
   The front plate  220  is provided at its upper end with an indoor air outlet  221  for a hood, an air inlet  223  for cooling, and an air outlet  225  for cooling. Referring to  FIG. 2 , the air inlet  223  for cooling and the air outlet  225  for cooling are provided in the right and left sides around the indoor air outlet  221  for the hood, respectively. The indoor air outlet  221  for the hood is designed for exhausting contaminated air to an indoor space. The air inlet  223  for cooling and the air outlet  225  for cooling are designed for introducing and exhausting air for cooling electric components which will be described below, respectively. 
   A vent grill  227  (refer to  FIG. 1 ) is provided to the front upper end of the front plate  220  that corresponds to the indoor air outlet  221  for the hood, the air inlet  223  for cooling, and the air outlet  225  for cooling. The vent grill  227  shields the indoor air outlet  221  for the hood, the air inlet  223  for cooling, and the air outlet  225  for cooling, and allows air to be exhausted in a predetermined direction. 
   The side plates  250  and the top plate  230  are respectively provided with a plurality of air introducing through holes  251  and exhaust through holes  231 . The air introducing through holes  251  and the exhaust through holes  231  are designed for communication with a cooking room  211 , an electric component room  213 , and an exhaust passage  337 A,  337 B for cooling. 
   The cooking room  211  is provided inside the chamber  210 . The cooking room  211  is where food is cooked. The cooking room  211  is selectively opened/closed using the door  400 . 
   A top bracket  261  extends laterally from the upper end of one of the side plates  250 , that is, the side plate on the right in the present embodiment. The front end and right end of the top bracket  261  are closely attached on the rear side of the front plate  220  and the inner surface of one of the sides  293  of an outer case  290 . The rear end of the top bracket  261  is separated a predetermined distance from the inner side of a back plate  280 . The top bracket  261  serves as a partition between air introduction passages  331 A and  331 B for a hood, and an air introduction passage  335  for cooling. 
   The top bracket  261  is provided at one side with a communication opening  262 . The communication opening  262  is configured to allow the electric component room  213  to communicate with exhaust passages  337 A and  337 B for cooling. In the present embodiment, the communication opening  262  is provided at the rear end of the top bracket, but is not limited thereto. 
   The top plate  230  and the top bracket  261  are provided on their upper sides with an air wall  263 . The air wall  263  extends horizontally along the upper sides of the top plate  230  and the top bracket  261 . A portion of the air wall  263  on the upper surface of the top bracket  261  extends along the rear edge on the upper side of the top bracket  261 . Also, in  FIG. 2 , the right end of the air wall  263  is closely attached to the inner surface of one of the sides  293  of the outer case  290 . 
   The air wall  263  is provided on one side with a fan bracket  264 . The fan bracket  264  is designed for installing a cooling fan assembly  320  therein. The fan bracket  264  is provided on one side of the air wall  263  that is adjacent to the communication opening  262 . 
   The top plate  230  is provided on its upper side with a pair of air guides  265  and  266 . The air guides  265  and  266  extend in a back and forth direction on the top plate  230  and/or the top bracket  261 . The air guides  265  and  266  substantially divide a passage surrounded by the top plate  230 , the top bracket  261 , and the upper side of the outer case  290  into the air introducing passages  331 A and  331 B for the hood, an exhaust passage  333  for the hood, the air introducing passage for cooling  335 , and the exhaust passage  337 A and  337 B for cooling. In  FIG. 2 , the air guide  265  on the right is referred to as a first air guide  265 , and the air guide  266  on the left is referred to as a second air guide  266 . 
   The first and second air guides  265  and  266  extend in a back and forth direction on upper sides of the top plate  230  that corresponds to a space between the indoor air outlet  221  for the hood and the air inlet  223  for cooling, and a space between the indoor air outlet  221  for the hood and the air outlet  225  for cooling. The front ends of the first and second air guides  265  and  266  are closely attached on the rear side of the front plate  220 . Also, the rear ends of the first and second air guides  265  and  266  are separated a predetermined distance from the inner side of the back plate  280 . This provide space for accommodating a vent fan assembly  310 . The rear end of the first air guide  265  is connected to one end of the air wall  263 . The air wall  263  and the first air guide  265  can be integrally formed. Meanwhile, the first air guide  265  is substantially provided on the upper side of the top plate  230  according to an embodiment. However, the first air guide  265  can be provided on the upper side of the top bracket  261  depending on the size of the electric component room  213 . 
   The top plate  230  and the top bracket  261  are provided on their upper side with a cover bracket  277 . The cover bracket  277  is formed in a plate shape corresponding to the shape of the top bracket  261  and a portion of the top plate  230 . In  FIG. 2 , the front end of the cover bracket  277  is closely attached on the rear side of the front plate  220 , and the right end of the cover bracket  277  is closely attached on the inner surface of one of the sides  293  of the outer case  290 . The lower edge of the cover bracket  277  is closely attached on the air wall  263  and the first air guide  265 . The top bracket  261  can be formed of any suitable material, such as a synthetic resin to prevent magnetic force generated during an operation of a high voltage transformer from being transferred to the outer case  290 , which will be described below in detail. 
   The side plate  250  on the right is provided with a first exhaust duct  267  for cooling. The first exhaust duct  267  for cooling serves as a partition between the air introduction passages  331 A and  331 B for the hood, and the exhaust passages  337 A and  337 B for cooling, and guides air into the cooking room  211  via the communication opening  262  and the air introducing through holes  251 . For this purpose, both ends of the first exhaust duct  267  communicate with the air introducing through holes  251  and the communication opening  262 , respectively. The first exhaust duct  267  for cooling is required because the air introducing through holes  251  are formed in the side plates  250 . If the air introducing through holes  251  are formed in the top plate  230  corresponding to an area inside of the electric component room  213 , the first exhaust duct  267  can be omitted. 
   A second exhaust duct  268  for cooling is provided on the upper side of the top plate  230  on the opposite side of the first and second air guides  265  and  266 . The second exhaust duct  268  for cooling serves as a partition between the air introducing passages  331 A and  331 B for venting, and the exhaust passages  337 A and  337 B for cooling, and guides air exhausted via the exhaust through holes  231  to the air outlet  225  for cooling. For this purpose, the second exhaust duct  268  for cooling is provided on the upper side of the top plate  230  such that the exhaust through holes  231  are located inside the second exhaust duct  268 . 
   The electric component room  213  is provided on the upper side of the chamber  210 . The electric component room  213  is substantially located on a portion of the air introducing passage  335  for cooling that is surrounded by the top plate  230 , the top bracket  261 , the cover bracket  277 , one of the sides of the outer case  290 , the air wall  263 , and the first air guide  265 . In other words, the bottom and the ceiling of the electric component room  213  are formed by the top plate  230 , the top bracket  261 , and the cover bracket  277 . The sides of the electric component room  213  are formed by one of the sides  293  of the outer case  290 , the air wall  263 , the front plate  220  and the first air guide  265 . A variety of electric components for oscillating microwaves such as a magnetron, a high voltage capacitor, and a high voltage transformer are installed in the electric component room  213 . Particularly, the high voltage transformer of the electric components generates magnetic force during its operation. Since the top bracket  261  is formed of a synthetic resin, the magnetic force generated from the high voltage transformer is prevented from being delivered to the outer case  290 . 
   Meanwhile, a base plate  270  is installed at a lower portion of the chamber  210 . The base plate  270  substantially forms a lower appearance of the main unit  200 . The base plate  270  is installed below the chamber  210  such that the lower surface of the bottom plate  240  and the upper surface of the base plate  270  are vertically separated a predetermined distance from each other. Therefore, a predetermined space is formed between the bottom plate  240  and the base plate  270 . The first air introducing passage  331 A is provided in the space. 
   The base plate  270  is provided with an air inlet  271  for a hood. The air inlet  271  for the hood is formed by cutting a portion of the base plate  270  in a predetermined shape. The air inlet may be of any suitable shape, such as a horizontally extending rectangular shape. The air inlet  271  for the hood serves as an entry through which contaminated air is introduced. The air inlet  271  for the hood is provided with a filter  271 F, which removes foreign substances contained in contaminated air introduced via the air inlet  271  for the hood to purify the contaminated air. 
   The chamber  210  is provided at its rear end with the back plate  280 . The back plate  280  forms the rear appearance of the main unit  200 . The back plate  280  is closely attached on the front side of a rear plate. That is, a space where a passage can be provided is not formed between the rear plate and the back plate  280 . An outer case  290  is installed at a upper portion and both sides of the chamber  210 . The outer case  290  substantially includes a top  291  forming the upper appearance of the main unit  200 , and two lateral sides  293  forming lateral appearances of the main unit  200 . The top  291  and both lateral sides  293  of the outer case  290  are separated vertically and horizontally by a predetermined distance from the top plate  230  and the side plates  250 , respectively. Also, an outdoor air outlet  292  for a hood is formed at the rear end on the top  291  of the outer case  290 . The outdoor air outlet  292  for the hood is designed for exhausting contaminated air to the outside through the outdoor duct  500 . 
   A vent fan assembly  310  is installed at the rear end on the upper side of the top plate  230 . The vent fan assembly  310  is designed for providing driving force for introducing and exhausting contaminated air. With the vent fan assembly  310  installed at the rear end on the upper side of the top plate  230 , an air inlet  311  and a discharge portion  313  of the vent fan assembly  310  respectively face both sides and the front of the chamber  210 . However, the vent fan assembly  310  can be installed at the rear end on the upper side of the top plate  230  such that the air inlet  311  and the discharge portion  313  respectively face both sides and the upper side of the chamber  210 . 
   Meanwhile, referring to  FIG. 3 , the cooling fan assembly  320  is installed inside the electric component room  213 . The cooling fan assembly  320  provides driving force for flowing of air for cooling the electric components. In an embodiment, the cooling fan assembly  320  is installed on the fan bracket  264  so that it is located to the rear of the electric components. At this point, the air inlet  321  of the cooling fan assembly  320  is located to the rear of the electric components with respect to the air inlet  223  for cooling. The discharge portion  323  of the cooling fan assembly  320  is located right above the communication opening  262  to face the communication opening  262 . Therefore, the electric components are cooled by air introduced via the air inlet  223  for cooling and introduced to the air inlet  321  of the cooling fan assembly  320 . 
   Meanwhile, the chamber  210  is provided with a plurality of passages, i.e., the air introducing passages  331 A and  331 B for the hood, the exhaust passage  333  for the hood, the air introducing passage  335  for cooling, and the exhaust passages  337 A and  337 B for cooling. The air introducing passages  331 A and  331 B for the hood, and the exhaust passage  333  for the hood are portions through which contaminated air flows. The air introducing passage  335  for cooling, and the exhaust passages  337 A and  337 B for cooling are portions through which air for cooling the electric components flows. 
   The air introducing passages  331 A and  331 B for the hood include a first air introducing passage  331 A for a hood and a second air introducing passage  331 B for a hood. The first air introducing passage  331 A for the hood is provided below the chamber  210 , that is, between the bottom plate  240  and the base plate  270 . Contaminated air introduced via the air inlet  271  for the hood flows through the first air introducing passage  331 A for the hood. The second air introducing passage  331 B is provided at both sides of the chamber  210 , that is, between the side plates  250  and both sides  293  of the outer case  290 . The second air introducing passage  331 B for the hood has a lower end communicating with one end of the first air introducing passage  331 A for the hood. Also, the second air introducing passage  331 B for the hood has an upper end communicating with the air inlet  311  of the vent fan assembly  310 . Contaminated air flowing through the first air introducing passage  331 A for the hood flows toward the air inlet  311  of the vent fan assembly  310  via the second air introducing passage  331 B for the hood. 
   The exhaust passage  333  for the hood is provided at an upper portion of the chamber  210  that is located between the first and second air guides  265  and  266 , that is, between the top plate  230  and the top of the outer case  290 . Contaminated air exhausted via the discharge portion  313  of the vent fan assembly  310  flows through the exhaust passage  333  for the hood. 
   The air introducing passage  335  for cooling is surrounded by the first air guide  265 , the cover bracket  277 , a portion of the top plate  230 , one of the sides  293  of the outer case  290 , the front plate  220  and the top bracket  261 . Air introduced via the air inlet  223  for cooling flows through the air introducing passage  335  for cooling. 
   The exhaust passages  337 A and  337 B for cooling include a first exhaust passage  337 A for cooling and a second exhaust passage  337 B for cooling. Air that has cooled the electric components and is delivered to the cooking room  211  flows through the first exhaust passage  337 A for cooling. The exhaust passage  337 A for cooling is substantially provided inside the first exhaust duct  267  for cooling. The second exhaust passage  337 B for cooling is a portion through which air that circulates through the inside of the cooking room  211  and is exhausted to the outside via the air outlet  225  for cooling flows. The second exhaust passage  337 B for cooling is substantially provided inside the second exhaust duct  268  for cooling. 
   An operation of a microwave range having a hood will be described below according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. 
   First, a process of circulating contaminated air will be described below according to the microwave range having the hood in an embodiment of the present disclosure. 
   When a user operates the microwave range, the vent fan assembly  310  is driven. When the vent fan assembly  310  is driven, contaminated air including an exhaust gas generated during a cooking operation of a gas oven range  10  is introduced via the air inlet  271  for the hood. The contaminated air introduced via the air inlet  271  flows through the first air introducing passage  331 A for the hood. While the contaminated air is introduced via the air inlet  271  for the hood, various foreign substances contained in the contaminated air are filtered by the filter  271 F. 
   Meanwhile, air flowing through the first air introducing passage  331 A for the hood flows through the second air introducing passage  331 B for the hood by continuous driving of the vent fan assembly  310  and is introduced to the air inlet  311  of the vent fan assembly  310 . Air introduced to the air inlet  311  of the vent fan assembly  310  is exhausted by the discharge portion  313  of the vent fan assembly  310 . 
   The air exhausted by the discharge portion  313  of the vent fan assembly  310  flows through the exhaust passage  333  for the hood and is exhausted to an indoor space via the indoor air outlet  221  for the hood and the vent grill  227 . Of course, in the condition that the vent fan assembly  310  is installed such that the discharge portion  311  faces upward, that is, faces the outdoor air outlet  292  for the hood, air exhausted by the discharge portion  313  of the vent fan assembly  310  may be exhausted to the outside via the outdoor air outlet  292  and the outdoor duct  500  (refer to  FIGS. 1 and 2 ). 
   Next, a process of circulating air for cooling the electric components will be described according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. 
   As described above, when a microwave range operates, the cooling fan assembly  320  is driven. Air introduced via the air inlet  223  for cooling by the driving of the cooling fan assembly  320  flows through the air introducing passage  335  for cooling. 
   The air flowing through the air introducing passage  335  for cooling is introduced to the air inlet  321  of the cooling fan assembly  320  by continuous driving of the cooling fan assembly  320 . While the air introduced via the air inlet  223  for cooling flows through the air introducing passage  335  for cooling, the electric components are cooled. 
   The air introduced to the air inlet  321  of the cooling fan assembly  320  is exhausted by the discharge portion  323  of the cooling fan assembly  320 . The air exhausted by the discharge portion  323  of the cooling fan assembly  320  is delivered to the first exhaust passage  337 A for cooling via the communication opening  262 . The air delivered to the first exhaust passage  337 A for cooling flows through the first exhaust passage  337 A, and is delivered into the cooking room  211  via the air introducing through holes  251 . 
   The air delivered into the cooking room  211  circulates through the cooking room  211 . A variety of foreign substances generated in the inside of the cooking room  211  during a cooking process is included in air while the air circulates through the cooking room  211 . 
   The air that has circulated through the cooking room  211  is delivered to the second exhaust passage  337 B for cooling via the air exhaust holes  231 . The air that has been delivered to the second exhaust passage  337 B for cooling is exhausted to an indoor space via the air outlet  225  for cooling and the vent grill  227 . 
   Hereinafter, a microwave range having a hood will be described below according to another embodiment with reference to the accompanying drawings. 
     FIG. 4  is an exploded perspective view of a microwave having a hood with electric components removed from an electric component room according to a second embodiment, and  FIG. 5  is an exploded perspective view of a microwave having a hood with electric components installed in an electric component room according to the second embodiment. In description of the another embodiment, same reference numerals of  FIGS. 1 to 3  will be used for the same elements as those of the previous embodiment. 
   Referring to  FIGS. 4 and 5 , a cooling fan assembly  320  is installed at the front end of an electric component room  213  forward or in front of the electric components. For this purpose, the fan bracket  264  in which the cooling fan assembly  320  is installed is provided on one side of a first air guide  265  adjacent to an air inlet  223  for cooling. Therefore, the electric components are cooled by air introduced via the an air inlet  321  of the cooling fan assembly  320  and discharged via a discharge portion  323  of the cooling fan assembly  320  according to the second embodiment. 
   Meanwhile, an air guide member  269  is provided in a portion of the electric component room  213  that corresponds to the front of a discharge portion  323  of the cooling fan assembly  320 . The air guide member  269  is designed for distributing and guiding air discharged by the discharge portion  323  of the cooling fan assembly  320  to allow the air to uniformly flow through the electric component room  213 . In the embodiment, the air guide member  269  allows air discharged from the discharge portion  323  of the cooling fan assembly  320  to flow toward both sides of the electric component room  213 . For this purpose, the air guide member  269  has a V shaped cross-section inclined to a predetermined angle in a direction distant away from an extension axis of the center of the discharge portion  323  of the cooling fan assembly  320 . 
   Since the rest of the construction in the second embodiment is the same as that of the first embodiment, detailed description thereof will be omitted. 
   The following effects are expected according to the above-described microwave range having a hood. 
   A microwave range having a hood function is configured to prevent the volume of a cooking room from being relatively reduced due to the presence of an electric component room. Further, a microwave range having a hood function improves a front appearance of a product by permitting a symmetrical appearance. Further, a microwave range having a hood function is configured to minimize vibration and noises caused by electric components. 
   According, the volume of a cooking room is maximized, a front appearance is improved, and vibration and noises generated during an operation of a product are minimized. 
   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. 
   The foregoing embodiments and advantages are merely exemplary and are not to be construed as limiting the present invention. The present teaching can be readily applied to other types of apparatuses. The description of the present invention is intended to be illustrative, and not to limit the scope of the claims. Many alternatives, modifications, and variations will be apparent to those skilled in the art. 
   The illustrations of the embodiments described herein are intended to provide a general understanding of the structure of the various embodiments. The illustrations are not intended to serve as a complete description of all of the elements and features of apparatus and systems that utilize the structures or methods described herein. Many other embodiments may be apparent to those of skill in the art upon reviewing the disclosure. Other embodiments may be utilized and derived from the disclosure, such that structural and logical substitutions and changes may be made without departing from the scope of the disclosure. Accordingly, the disclosure and the figures are to be regarded as illustrative rather than restrictive. 
   One or more embodiments of the disclosure may be referred to herein, individually and/or collectively, by the term “invention” merely for convenience and without intending to voluntarily limit the scope of this application to any particular invention or inventive concept. Moreover, although specific embodiments have been illustrated and described herein, it should be appreciated that any subsequent arrangement designed to achieve the same or similar purpose may be substituted for the specific embodiments shown. This disclosure is intended to cover any and all subsequent adaptations or variations of various embodiments. Combinations of the above embodiments, and other embodiments not specifically described herein, will be apparent to those of skill in the art upon reviewing the description. 
   The above disclosed subject matter is to be considered illustrative, and not restrictive, and the appended claims are intended to cover all such modifications, enhancements, and other embodiments which fall within the true spirit and scope of the present invention. Thus, to the maximum extent allowed by law, the scope of the present invention is to be determined by the broadest permissible interpretation of the following claims and their equivalents, and shall not be restricted or limited by the foregoing detailed description. 
   Although the invention has been described with reference to several exemplary embodiments, it is understood that the words that have been used are words of description and illustration, rather than words of limitation. As the present invention may be embodied in several forms without departing from the spirit or essential characteristics thereof, it should also be understood that the above-described embodiments are not limited by any of the details of the foregoing description, unless otherwise specified. Rather, the above-described embodiments should be construed broadly within the spirit and scope of the present invention as defined in the appended claims. Therefore, changes may be made within the metes and bounds of the appended claims, as presently stated and as amended, without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention in its aspects.