Abstract:
A microwave range having a hood for removing contaminated air includes a chamber having an inner chamber configured to receive items to be heated; an electric component room containing electric components; and at least one vent fan and a cooling fan that are driven by a common fan motor to generate air current for introducing and exhausting contaminated air and for cooling the electric components.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
       [0001]    The present disclosure relates to subject matter contained in priority Korean Patent Application No. 2007-0000139, filed Jan. 2, 2007, which is herein expressly incorporated by reference in its entirety. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0002]    The present disclosure relates to a microwave range, and more particularly, to a microwave range having a hood that exhausts contaminated air generated during a cooking operation of a cooking appliance installed under the microwave range. 
         [0003]    A microwave range is a cooking appliance for heating food using microwaves or heat from a heater. An available microwave range includes a hood that purifies contaminated air such as an exhaust gas generated during a cooking operation of a cooking appliance installed under the microwave range and exhausts the purified air to an indoor space or an outdoor space. 
         [0004]    However, a related art microwave range having the hood has the following drawbacks. 
         [0005]    In order to perform the venting function, the microwave range includes a vent fan for exhausting the contaminated air generated during the cooking operation at the cooking appliance installed under the microwave range and a cooling fan for cooling electric components which generate microwaves. The vent fan and the cooling fan are separately provided, and a separate driving motor is provided for each. This complicates the structure of the microwave range. 
         [0006]    Further, since the vent fan for providing the venting function and the cooling fan for cooling the electric components are produced separately, the number of parts required to produce the microwave range having the hood increases. This causes an increase of the manufacturing costs. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0007]    Embodiments provide a microwave range having a hood, which is configured to drive a vent fan and a cooling fan using only one fan motor, thereby having a simplified structure, and reduced manufacturing costs. 
         [0008]    According to an aspect of the present invention, a microwave range having a hood for removing contaminated air includes a chamber having an inner cooking room; an electric component room containing electric components; and at least one vent fan and a cooling fan that are driven by a common fan motor to generate air current for introducing and exhausting contaminated air and for cooling the electric components. 
         [0009]    The at least one vent fan may include first and second vent fans provided at both sides of the fan motor; and the cooling fan may be coupled to one of the first and second vent fans in such a manner as to be rotated relative to the vent fan. 
         [0010]    The cooling fan may be coupled to the vent fan in such a manner as to be rotated relative to the vent fan. Each of the vent and cooling fans may include a fan housing and a fan provided in the fan housing; and a path covered by the relative rotation of one of the fan housing of the vent fan and the fan housing of the cooling fan about the relative rotational axis may encompass the path covered by the relative rotation of the other of the fan housing of the vent fan and the fan housing of the cooling fan about the relative rotational axis. The relative rotational axis of the vent fan and the cooling fan may be eccentric with respect to a central axis of the fan housing of the vent fan and the fan housing of the cooling fan. 
         [0011]    An air exhausting direction of the cooling fan may be adjustable relative to an air exhausting direction of the vent fan. 
         [0012]    According to another aspect of the present invention, a microwave range having a hood for removing contaminated air includes an electric component room containing electric components; a fan motor; first and second vent fans driven by the fan motor for introducing and exhausting contaminated air; and a cooling fan coupled to one of the first and second vent fans in such a manner as to be rotated relative to the vent fan, the cooling fan being driven by the fan motor for generating air flow for cooling the electric components. 
         [0013]    The first and second vent fans may be located at both sides of the fan motor; and the cooling fan may be located on an outer side of the one of the first and second vent fans. 
         [0014]    The first and second vent fans may be located at both sides of the fan motor to introduce the contaminated air in a lateral direction; a lateral width of an outlet of the first vent fan may be wider than that of an outlet of the second vent fan; and the air that is introduced through an air inlet for venting, which is formed on a base plate located at a lower portion of a chamber, may be introduced into the first and second vent fans along passages provided at the lower portion of the chamber and one side of the chamber. 
         [0015]    The first and second vent fans may be located at both sides of the fan motor to introduce the contaminated air in a lateral direction; a lateral width of an outlet of the first vent fan may be wider than that of an outlet of the second vent fan; and the cooling fan may be located on a side of the second vent fan opposite to the fan motor. 
         [0016]    The electric component room may be located between a chamber and one side of an outer case located on an upper portion and both sides of the chamber. The cooling fan may be located on a rear end of a top surface of a top bracket that extends from one end of a top surface of the chamber toward an inner surface of one side of the outer case, the top bracket forming a top of the electric component room; and the top bracket may include a communication opening through which air introduced through an inlet provided on a front surface of the chamber is directed to the electric component room. 
         [0017]    A demarcation member that divides the flow of air introduced through the inlet and the flow of air directed to the electric component room through the communication opening may be located between the inlet and the communication opening. 
         [0018]    Each of the first and second vent fans and the cooling fan may have a fan housing and a fan installed in the fan housing; and a path covered by the relative rotation of one of the fan housings of the vent fans and the fan housing of the cooling fan about the relative rotational axis may encompass the path covered by the relative rotation of the other of the fan housings of the vent fans and the fan housing of the cooling fan about the relative rotational axis. The relative rotational axis of the vent fans and the cooling fan may be eccentric with respect to a central axis of the fan housings of the vent fans and the fan housing of the cooling fan. 
         [0019]    The fans of the first and second vent fans may have substantially identical diameters; and a sum of lateral widths of air outlets formed on fan housings of the first and second vent fans may range from 68% to 87% of the diameter of the first and second vent fans. 
         [0020]    According to another aspect of the present invention, a microwave range having a hood for removing contaminated air includes an air intake passage for venting, along which contaminated air is directed toward first and second vent fans when the first and second vent fans are driven; and an air exhaust passage for venting, along which the contaminated air is exhausted to the outside by the first and second vent fans; wherein the first and second vent fans are driven by a fan motor that also drives a cooling fan that generates air flow for cooling electric components installed in an electric component room. 
         [0021]    The air intake passage for venting may include a first air intake passage located on a lower portion of the chamber; and a second air intake passage located on a side of the chamber and having a lower end communicating with an end of the first air intake passage and an upper end communicating with the air inlets of the first and second vent fans. 
         [0022]    The microwave range may further include an air intake passage for cooling, along which air for cooling electric components is directed toward the cooling fan when the cooling fan is driven; and an air exhaust passage for cooling, along which air is exhausted to the outside when the cooling fan is driven, after passing through a cooking room. The air exhaust passage for venting, the air intake passage for cooling, and the air exhaust passage for cooling may be located on an upper portion of the chamber and separated by a pair of air guides extending on the top surface of the chamber in a front-rear direction. 
         [0023]    An indoor exhaust hole through which the contaminated air is exhausted to an indoor space when the first and second vent fans are driven may be formed on a front surface of a chamber that corresponds to a front portion of the air exhaust passage for venting; and an outdoor exhaust hole through which the contaminated air is exhausted to an outdoor space when the first and second vent fans are driven may be formed on a top surface of an outer case located on an upper portion and both sides of the chamber, which corresponds to an upper portion of the air exhaust passage for venting. 
         [0024]    Each of the first and second vent fans and the cooling fan may have a fan housing and a fan installed in the fan housing; and a path covered by the relative rotation of one of the fan housings of the vent fans and the fan housing of the cooling fan about the relative rotational axis may encompass the path covered by the relative rotation of the other of the fan housings of the vent fans and the fan housing of the cooling fan about the relative rotational axis. The relative rotational axis of the vent fans and the cooling fan may be eccentric with respect to a central axis of the fan housings of the vent fans and the fan housing of the cooling fan. 
         [0025]    According to the above embodiments, since the vent fans and the cooling fan are driven by only one common fan motor, the structure of the microwave range can be simplified and the manufacturing costs can be reduced. Further, the space efficiency can be improved. 
         [0026]    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 
         [0027]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a microwave range having a hood according to a first embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0028]      FIG. 2  is an exploded perspective view of the microwave range of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0029]      FIG. 3  is a perspective view of a fan assembly of the microwave range of  FIG. 2 . 
           [0030]      FIG. 4  is a side view of a fan assembly of a microwave range having a hood according to a second embodiment of the present invention. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS 
       [0031]    Reference will now be made in detail to the embodiments of the present disclosure, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. 
         [0032]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a microwave range having a hood according to a first embodiment,  FIG. 2  is an exploded perspective view of the microwave range of  FIG. 1 , and  FIG. 3  is a perspective view of a fan assembly of the microwave range of  FIG. 2 . 
         [0033]    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. 
         [0034]    A microwave range  100  having a hood (hereinafter, referred to as “microwave range  100 ”) is installed above the gas oven range  10 . The microwave range  100  has a function of cooking food using microwaves, and a function of purifying contaminated air including an exhaust gas generated during a cooking operation of the gas oven range  10  and exhausting the purified 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 an upper surface with an outdoor duct  500  for exhausting contaminated air to the outside. 
         [0035]    Referring to  FIG. 2 , a front plate  220  forms the front side of a chamber  210  of 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, left and right sides, and rear surface of the chamber  210 , respectively. 
         [0036]    The front plate  220  is provided at an upper end with an indoor air outlet  221  for a hood, an air inlet  223  for cooling, and an air outlet  225  for cooling. The indoor air outlet  221  for the hood functions to exhaust contaminated air to an indoor space. The air inlet  223  for cooling and the air outlet  225  for cooling introduce and exhaust air for cooling electric components, respectively. 
         [0037]    A vent grill  227  (see  FIG. 1 ) is provided on the front upper end of the front plate  220  to correspond 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. 
         [0038]    One of the side plates  250  and the top plate  230  are respectively provided with a plurality of air intake holes  251  and a plurality of air exhaust holes  231  which allow a cooking chamber  211 , an electric component room  213 , and exhaust passages  357  for cooling to communicate with each other. 
         [0039]    The cooking room  211  is provided inside the chamber  210 . The cooking room  211  is a portion where food is heated. The cooking room  211  is selectively opened/closed by the door  400 . 
         [0040]    Top and bottom brackets  261  and  263  extend rightward from respective upper and lower ends of one of the side plates  250 , i.e., the right side plate  250  in this embodiment. At this point, front and rear ends of the top and bottom brackets  261  and  263  closely contact surfaces of the front and back plates  220  and  280 . Right ends of the top and bottom brackets  261  and  263  closely contact an inner surface of one of the sides  293  of an outer case  290  that will be described later. The top bracket  261  is provided at a side with a communication opening  262  through which the electric component room  213  communicates with the air intake passage  355 . 
         [0041]    The top and bottom brackets  261  and  263  form substantially a ceiling and a bottom of the electric component room  213 , respectively. That is, the electric component room  213  is formed by the side plate  250 , the top and bottom brackets  261  and  263  and a side  293  of the outer case  290 . A variety of electric components generating microwaves, such as magnetrons, a high voltage capacitor, a high voltage transformer, and the like are installed in the electric component room  213 . 
         [0042]    A pair of air guides  265  and  267  is provided on the top plate  230 . The air guides  265  and  267  are formed to extend in a front-rear direction on the top plate  230 . The air guides  265  and  267  divide a passage formed between the top plate  230  and a top  291  of the outer case  290  into an air intake passage  355  for cooling and an air exhaust passage  357  for cooling. The air guides  265  and  267  are respectively located on portions of the top surface of the top plate  230 , which correspond respectively to a portion between the air outlet  221  for the hood and the air inlet  223  for cooling and a portion between the air outlet  221  for the hood and the air outlet  225  for cooling. Front ends of the air guides  265  and  267  closely contact one surface of the front plate  220  and rear ends of the air guides  265  and  267  are spaced apart from the surface of the back plate  280 . This configuration provides space for installing a fan assembly  300  that will be described later. The air guides  265  and  267  will be respectively referred to as first and second air guides. In this embodiment, the first air guide  265  is substantially provided on a boundary portion between the top plate  230  and the top bracket  261 . 
         [0043]    A demarcation member  266  is provided on the first air guide  265  between the air inlet  223  for cooling and the communication opening  262 . The demarcation member  266  prevents the air flowing directly into the air intake passage  355  for cooling through the air inlet  223  for cooling from entering directly into the communication opening  262  with the air flowing from the air intake passage  355  for cooling to the electric component room  213 . The demarcation member  266  may be integrally formed with the second air guide  267 . 
         [0044]    A demarcation rib  268  is provided on the second air guide  267 . The demarcation rib  268  extends from the rear end of the second air guide  267  toward the air exhaust passage  357  for cooling, i.e., leftward in the drawing. The demarcation rib  268  functions to separate the air exhaust passage  357  for cooling from a second air intake passage  351 B that will be described later. 
         [0045]    A base plate  270  is installed at a lower portion of the chamber  210 . The base plate  270  forms substantially an outer appearance of the bottom of the main unit  200 . The base plate  270  is formed on the lower portion of the chamber  210  such that a top surface thereof is spaced apart from a bottom surface of the bottom plate  240 . Therefore, a predetermined space is formed between the bottom plate  240  and the base plate  270  and a first air intake passage  351 A for the hood is provided in the predetermined space. 
         [0046]    The base plate  270  is provided with an air inlet  271  for the 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 inlets may be of any suitable shape, such as a rectangular shape extending in a horizontal direction. The air inlet  271  for the hood functions as an inlet through which the contaminated air is introduced. A filter  271 F is provided in the air inlet  271  for the hood. The filter  271 F filters off foreign matter contained in the contaminated air introduced through the air inlet  271  for the hood to purify the contaminated air. 
         [0047]    The back plate  280  is installed at a rear end of the chamber  210 . The back plate  280  forms an outer appearance of the rear surface of the main body  200 . The back plate  280  has a front surface closely contacting the rear plate of chamber  210 . That is, a space for forming a passage is not formed between the rear plate and the back plate  280 . 
         [0048]    An outer case  290  is installed at a upper portion and both sides of the chamber. The outer case  290  substantially includes a top  291  forming the top appearance of the main unit  200 , and two side surfaces  293  forming both side appearances of the main unit  200 . The top surface  291  and both side surfaces  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 the hood is formed at the rear end on the top surface  291  of the outer case  290 . The outdoor air outlet  292  for the hood is configured to exhaust the contaminated air to the outside through the outdoor duct  500 . 
         [0049]    A fan assembly  300  is installed on a rear end of the top surface of the chamber  210 . The fan assembly  300  is provided for a hood function and providing driving force for cooling the electric components. In other words, the fan assembly  300  includes a fan motor  310 , a pair of vent fans  320  and  330 , and a cooling fan  340 . With the fan assembly  300  installed on the rear end of the chamber  210 , the vent fans  320  and  330  and the fan motor  310  are located at a rear end of the air exhaust passage  353  for the hood, which corresponds to a portion directly under the outdoor outlet for the hood. The cooling fan  340  is located at a rear end of the air intake passage  355  for cooling when the fan assembly  300  is installed at the rear end of the chamber  210 . 
         [0050]    Referring to  FIG. 3 , the fan motor  310  includes a motor housing  311  forming an appearance of the fan motor  310 , and a stator (not shown) and a rotor (not shown) that are installed in the motor housing  311 . A motor shaft  313  provided on the rotor extends out of both sides of the motor housing  311 . 
         [0051]    The vent fans  320  and  330  are provided on both side ends of the fan motor  310 . The vent fans  320 ,  330  include fan housings  321 ,  331  forming the outer appearance of the vent fans  320 ,  330 . The vent fans  320 ,  330  may be formed in any suitable shape, such as a polygonal body having a semi-oval shaped cross-section. The fan housings  321  and  331  of the respective vent fans  320  and  330  are fixed on both sides of the motor housing  311 , respectively. 
         [0052]    The left and right vent fans  320  and  330  in  FIG. 3  will be referred to as first and second vent fans, respectively. The fan housing  321  of the vent fan  320  is provided at both ends with air inlets  323 . The fan housing  331  of the second vent fan  330  is provided at an end near the fan motor  310  with an air inlet  333 . The air inlets  323  and  333  of the first and second vent fans  320  and  330  function as inlets through which the contaminated air flowing along the air intake passages  351 A and  351 B is introduced. The air inlet  323  of the first vent fan  320 , provided at the end near the fan motor  310 , and the air inlet  333  of the second vent fan  330  function as inlets through which contaminated air cools the fan motor  310 . The contaminated air for cooling the fan motor  310  is introduced through the air inlet  323  of the first vent fan  320 , provided at the end near the fan motor  310  and the air inlet  333  of the second vent fan  330  along passage (not shown) provided below the fan assembly  300 . The passage is provided between the top plate  230  and the fan assembly  300  or between the top plate  230  and a plate (not shown) forming a ceiling of the cooking chamber  211 . Air outlets  325  and  335  are formed in surfaces of the fan housings  321  and  331  of the first and second vent fans  320  and  330 , which are perpendicular to the air inlets  323  and  333  of the first and second vent fans  320  and  330 . The air outlets  325  and  335  of the first and second vent fans  320  and  330  function to exhaust the contaminated air introduced through the air inlets  323  and  333  of the first and second vent fans  320  and  330  to the air exhaust passage  353 . The front surface of the fan housing  321  of the first vent fan  320  is spaced apart from the rear end of the second air guide  267  and the demarcation rib  268  so that the contaminated air can be effectively introduced through the air inlets  323  and  333  of the first and second vent fans  320  and  330 . 
         [0053]    As shown in  FIG. 2 , in a state where the fan assembly  300  is installed on the top surface of the chamber  210 , the air inlets  323  and  333  of the first and second vent fans  320  and  330  face the side surfaces of the chamber  210 . The outlets  325  and  335  of the first and second vent fans  320  and  330  face a front portion of the chamber  210  (i.e., the indoor outlet  221  for the hood) or can be adjusted to a position in which they face an upper portion of the chamber  210  (i.e., the outdoor outlet  292  for the hood). That is, the contaminated air is selectively exhausted to the indoor space or the outdoor space through the outlets  325  and  335  of the first and second vent fans  320  and  330 . 
         [0054]    In this embodiment, a left-right lateral width L 1  of the outlet  325  of the first vent fan  320  and the left-right lateral width L 2  of the outlet  335  of the second vent fan  330  are different from each other. In more detail, the left-right lateral width L 1  of the outlet  325  of the first vent fan  320  is wider than the left-right lateral width L 2  of the outlet  335  of the second vent fan  330 . At this point, the relative ratio of the widths L 1  and L 2  is not limited to a specific range. The sum of the widths L 1  and L 2  may range from 68% to 87% of a diameter φ of the first and second vent fans  320  and  330 . This design range is obtained through a test. When the sum of the widths L 1  and L 2  ranges from 68% to 87% of a diameter φ of the first and second vent fans  320  and  330 , the efficiency of the first and second vent fans  320  and  330  becomes maximized. 
         [0055]    A rotational plate  327  and a fan  329  and  339  are provided in each of the fan housings  321  and  331  of the first and second vent fans  320  and  330 . The rotational plates  327  of the first and second vent fans  320  and  330  is coupled to the motor shaft  313  and the fans  329  and  339  of the first and second vent fans  320  and  330  are coupled to the rotational plates  327  of the first and second vent fans  320  and  330 . Therefore, when the motor shaft  313  rotates, the fans  329  and  339  of the first and second vent fans  320  and  330  rotates to introduce and exhaust the contaminated air. 
         [0056]    The cooling fan  340  is fixed on an outer end of the fan housing  331  of the second vent fan  330 , which is furthest from the fan motor  310 . The cooling fan  340  includes a fan housing  341  forming an appearance of the cooling fan  340 . Like the fan housings  321  and  331  of the first and second vent fans  320  and  330 , the fan housing  341  of the cooling fan  340  may be formed in any suitable shape, such as a polygonal body having a semi-oval cross-section. 
         [0057]    An air inlet  343  is formed on an outer end of the fan housing  341  of the cooling fan  340 , which is furthest from the second vent fan  330 . The air inlet  343  of the cooling fan  340  functions to introduce air flowing along the air intake passage  355  for cooling. Further, an air outlet  345  is formed on a surface of the fan housing  341  of the cooling fan  340 , which is perpendicular to the air inlet  343  of the cooling fan  340 . The air outlet  345  of the cooling fan  340  functions to exhaust the air introduced through the air inlet  343  of the cooling fan  340  toward the electric component room  213 . 
         [0058]    A rotational plate (not shown) is provided in the fan housing  341  of the cooling fan  340 . The rotational plate of the cooling fan  340  is coupled to the motor shaft  313  to rotate by the rotation of the motor shaft  313 . A fan  349  is coupled to the rotational plate of the cooling fan  340 . Therefore, by the rotation of the rotational plate of the cooling fan  340 , the fan  349  of the cooling fan  340  rotates and thus the air introduced through the air inlet  343  of the cooling fan  340  is exhausted through the outlet  345  of the cooling fan  340 . 
         [0059]    The fan housing  341  of the cooling fan  340  is coupled to the fan housing  331  of the second vent fan  330  to be capable of relatively rotating so as to adjust an air exhausting direction by the cooling fan  340  regardless of the installation orientation of the first and second vent fans  320  and  330  in accordance with the contaminated air exhausting direction. That is, the cooling fan  340  is configured to exhaust the air toward the electric component room  213  through the air outlet  345  regardless of the air exhausting direction (frontward or upward) through the air outlets  325  and  335  of the first and second vent fans  320  and  330 . 
         [0060]    A relative rotational axis (that is substantially the motor shaft  313 ) of the cooling fan  340  and the first and second vent fans  320  and  330  is identical to those of the fan housings  321 ,  331  of the first and second vent fans  320  and  330  and the fan housing  341  of the cooling fan  340 . By the relative rotation of the first and second vent fans  320  and  330  and the cooling fan  340 , an overall shape of the fan assembly  300  may be varied while allowing for common use of the components. That is, the overall shape of the fan assembly, particularly, a cross-section of the fan assembly  300  varies by the rotation of the first and second vent fans  320  and  330  and the cooling fan  340 . Therefore, a fan assembly installation space, i.e., a height of a space formed by the top plate  230  and the top of the outer case  290  should vary, and it would appear that a variety of cavities  210  having different sizes would be required. However, since the relative rotational axis that is the relative rotational center of the first and second vent fans  320  and  330  and the cooling fan  340  is eccentric with respect to the central axes of the fan housing  341  of the cooling fan  340  and the fan housings  321  and  331  of the first and second vent fans  320  and  330 , the common use of the components is possible even when the cross section of the fan assembly  300  varies. This will be described in more detail in the description of a second embodiment. 
         [0061]    Referring to  FIG. 2 , the chamber  210  is provided with a plurality of passages including intake passages  351 A and  351 B for the hood, an exhaust passage  353  for the hood, an intake passage  355  for cooling, and an exhaust passage  357  for cooling. The contaminated air flows along the intake passages  351 A and  351 B for the hood and the exhaust passage  353  for the hood. The air for cooling the electric components flows along the intake passage  355  for cooling and the exhaust passage  357  for cooling. 
         [0062]    The intake passages  351  for the hood include first and second intake passages  351 A and  351 B, respectively. The first intake passage  351 A is provided on a bottom of the chamber  210  between the bottom plate  240  and the base plate  270  and both sides  293  of the outer case  290 . The contaminated air introduced through the air inlet  271  for the hood flows along the first intake passage  351 A for the hood. The second intake passage  351 B is formed on a side surface of the chamber  210  between the left side plate  250  and one of the sides  293  of the outer case  290 . A lower end of the second intake passage  351 B communicates with an end of the first intake passage  351 A. An upper end of the second intake passage  351 B communicates with inlets  323  and  333  of the first and second vent fans  320  and  330 . The contaminated air flowing along the first intake passage  351 A flows toward the inlets  323  and  333  of the first and second vent fans  320  and  330  along the second intake passage  351 B. 
         [0063]    The exhaust passage  353  is provided on the top surface of the chamber  210  between the first and second air guides  265  and  267 , i.e., between the top plate  230  and the top  291  of the outer case  290 . The contaminated air exhausted through the outlets  325  and  335  of the first and second vent fans  320  and  330  flows along the exhaust passage  353  for the hood. 
         [0064]    The intake passage  355  for cooling is provided between the top bracket  261  and the top  291  of the outer case  290 , i.e., between the first air guide  265  and one of the sides  293  of the outer case  290 . The air introduced through the inlet  223  for cooling flows along the intake passage  355  for cooling. 
         [0065]    The exhaust passage  357  for cooling is provided on a portion formed between the top plate  230  and the top of the outer case  290 , which corresponds to a portion formed between the second air guide  267  and one of the sides  293  of the outer case  290 . The air that passes through the cooking chamber  211  after cooling the electric components flows along the exhaust passage  357  for cooling. The air exhaust holes  231  are formed on a side of the top plate  230 , which corresponds to an inside of the exhaust passage  357  for cooling. 
         [0066]    An operation of a microwave range having a hood will be described below according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. 
         [0067]    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. 
         [0068]    When a user operates the microwave range, the first and second vent fans  320  and  330  are driven. When the first and second vent fans  320  and  330  are driven, contaminated air including an exhaust gas generated during a cooking operation in the gas oven range  10  is introduced through the air inlet  271  for the hood to flow along the first air intake passage  351 A, in the course of which the foreign matter contained in the contaminated air is filtered off by the filter  271 F. 
         [0069]    The air flowing along the first air intake passage  351 A for the hood flows along the second air intake passage  351 B by the driving of the first and second vent fans  320  and  330  and is introduced through the air inlets  323  and  333  of the first and second vent fans  320  and  330 . The air introduced through the air inlet  323  of the first vent fan  320 , provided at the end near the fan motor  310  and the air inlet  333  of the second vent fan  330  is used to cool the fan motor  310 . Also, air introduced through the air inlets  323  and  333  of the first and second vent fans  320  and  330  is exhausted through the air outlets  325  and  335  of the first and second vent fans  320  and  330 . 
         [0070]    Air exhausted through the air outlets  325  and  335  of the first and second vent fans  320  and  330  flows along the air exhaust passage  353  for the hood, and is exhausted to an indoor space through the indoor air outlet  221  for the hood and the vent grill  227 . Needless to say, when the air outlets  325  and  335  of the first and second vent fans  320  and  330  of the fan assembly  300  are positioned to face toward the outdoor air outlet  292  for the hood, the air exhausted through the air outlets  325  and  335  of the first and second vent fans  320  and  330  will be exhausted to the outdoor space through the outdoor air outlet  292  for the hood and the outdoor duct  500  (see  FIGS. 1 and 2 ). 
         [0071]    Next, a process of circulating air for cooling the electric components will be described according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. 
         [0072]    As descried above, when the fan motor  310  is driven to drive the first and second vent fans  320  and  330 , the cooling fan  340  operates. When the cooling fan  340  operates, air introduced through the air inlet  223  for cooling flows along the air intake passage  355  for cooling. 
         [0073]    The air flowing along the air intake passage  355  for cooling is introduced to the air inlet  343  of the cooling fan  340  and subsequently exhausted frontward through the air outlet  345  of the cooling fan  340 . Further, as described above, even when the first and second vent fans  320  and  330  are installed to exhaust air toward the outdoor air outlet  292  for the hood, the air can be exhausted frontward through the air outlet  345  of the cooling fan  340  by rotating the cooling fan  340  relative to the first and second vent fans  320  and  330 . 
         [0074]    The air exhausted through the outlet  345  of the cooling fan  340  is directed to the electric component room  213  through the communication opening  262 . At this point, the flow of air along the air intake passage  355  for cooling toward the air inlet  343  of the cooling fan  340 , and the air exhausted through the air outlet  345  of the cooling fan and directed to the electric component room  213  through the communication opening  262  are divided by the demarcation member  266 . That is, the air exhausted through the air outlet  345  of the cooling fan  340  flows frontward and changes its flowing direction downward, i.e., toward the communication opening  262 . 
         [0075]    The air directed to the electric component room  213  through the communication opening  262  is used to cool the electric components. The air used for cooling the electric components is directed into the cooking room  211  through the air intake holes  251  by the continuous operation of the cooling fan  340 . 
         [0076]    The air directed into the cooking room  211  circulates through the inside of the cooking room  211 , in the course of which a variety of foreign matter generated during the cooking operation of the food are mixed with the air. 
         [0077]    The air circulating through the cooking chamber  211  is directed to the air exhaust passage  357  through the air exhaust holes  231 . The air directed to the air exhaust passage  357  is exhausted to the indoor space through the air outlet  225  for cooling and the vent grill  227 . 
         [0078]      FIG. 4  is a front view of a fan assembly of a microwave range having a hood according to a second embodiment of the present disclosure. 
         [0079]    Referring to  FIGS. 4 , a fan assembly  600  includes a fan motor, first and second vent fans  620  and  630 , and a cooling fan  640 . A motor housing and motor shaft of the fan motor, fan housings  621  and  631  and fans of the first and second vent fans  620  and  630 , and a fan housing  641  and rotational plate, and fan of the cooling fan  640  are identical to those of the first embodiment. 
         [0080]    However, in this embodiment, a relative rotational axis C 1  of the first and second vent fans  620  and  630  (which corresponds to the motor shaft), is eccentric with respect to a central axis C 2  of the fan housings  621  and  631  of the first and second vent fans  620  and  630 . Further, the fan housing  641  of the cooling fan  640  is designed such that a track drawn by a rotation of the fan housings  621  and  631  of the vent fans  620  and  630  relative to the vent fans  620  and  630  about the relative rotational axis C 1  encircles a track drawn by a rotation of the cooling fan  640  relative to the cooling fan  640  about the relative rotational axis C 1 . Therefore, even when the first and second vent fans  620  and  630  and the cooling fan  640  rotate relative to each other about the relative rotational shaft C 1 , the cross-section of the fan assembly  600  has a maximum track formed by the first and second vent fans  620  and  630  and the fan housings  621  and  631 . Therefore, a chamber  210  having a current size can be used even when the cross-section of the fan assembly varies by the relative rotation of the first and second vent fans  620  and  630  and the cooling fan  640 . 
         [0081]    As described above, according to the microwave range of the present invention, a pair of vent fans for the venting function and a cooling fan for cooling are driven by a common fan motor. That is, the need for an additional motor is eliminated. Therefore, the number of components of the microwave range is reduced and thus the structure can be simplified. 
         [0082]    Further, the reduction in the number of the components reduces the manufacturing costs and the number of the required manufacturing processes. 
         [0083]    Furthermore, the reduction in the number of the components increases an internal space of the microwave range. Therefore, the volume of the cooking room can be relatively increased. 
         [0084]    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. 
         [0085]    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. 
         [0086]    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. 
         [0087]    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. 
         [0088]    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. 
         [0089]    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.