TWM676331U - Under-cabinet heat dissipation structure - Google Patents

Abstract

This invention provides an under-cabinet heat dissipation structure, including a cabinet body with an internal accommodating space, and having: a cabinet door, a shelf, a side panel, a first row of heat vents, a second row of heat vents, and a second row of heat fans. The cabinet door is located at the front of the cabinet body for opening or closing the accommodating space; the shelf is located at the bottom of the cabinet body, creating an enclosed space between the cabinet body and the floor; the first row of heat vents connects the accommodating space and the enclosed space; the side panel is located around the lower part of the shelf to form the enclosed space; the second row of heat vents is located on the side panel, connecting the enclosed space to the outside space; and the second row of heat fans is located on the second row of heat vents. With the heat dissipation structure under the cabinet, the heat generated by the heating device can be directly discharged into the enclosed space, so that the ambient temperature of the heating device itself will not continue to rise with the operation time, thereby reducing the overall temperature of the heating device and avoiding damage caused by long-term high-temperature operation.

Description

Under-cabinet heat dissipation structure

This work relates to the field of cabinet structure, particularly an under-cabinet heat dissipation structure that can enhance heat dissipation.

Modern kitchen design increasingly emphasizes overall aesthetics and space utilization. Therefore, it has become common practice to centrally house various appliances such as dishwashers, dryers, water filtration systems, hot water dispensers, mini-refrigerators, and stoves in under-counter cabinets (hereinafter referred to as under-counter cabinets). Installing these appliances in under-counter cabinets not only effectively utilizes previously unused cabinet space, avoiding the occupation of countertops or walls and maintaining a neat and aesthetically pleasing kitchen appearance, but also shortens pipework distances, simplifies installation, and reduces construction costs and subsequent maintenance difficulties.

Furthermore, the cabinet space under the sink is conveniently located next to the sink, drain pipe, and power supply, making it a preferred installation location for high-water-consumption or high-power appliances due to its convenient location and efficient kitchen workflow. For example, dishwashers and dryers share water inlet and drain lines with the sink, and dryers consume considerable electricity due to their high-temperature drying process using heating elements. Similarly, water purifiers combined with instant hot water functions require prolonged heating, heat preservation, or cooling via a compressor, necessitating high-power electricity and a large water supply. The compressor also generates significant waste heat during operation. Therefore, the waste heat generated by the compressor during operation can easily create a high-temperature and high-humidity environment under the sink.

However, even though the aforementioned devices require high-temperature operation, they still need heat dissipation, especially water dispensers or water purifiers, which are devices whose main body does not need to be exposed for easy use. By using an external water pipe, they can be directly installed under the kitchen countertop and completely concealed in the cabinet. On the one hand, being close to the water pipe reduces the trouble of running additional pipes, and on the other hand, it also allows the main body to be hidden, increasing the simplicity of the countertop. However, this also puts the device in a completely enclosed space.

When the aforementioned heat-generating equipment operates in this environment, the internal temperature of the cabinet will continuously rise. The high temperature environment will cause: accelerated aging of electronic components, deformation and embrittlement of plastic parts, and abnormal overheating of components, thereby shortening the life of the equipment. At the same time, high temperature and high humidity will cause wooden cabinets to absorb water and swell or grow mold and produce odors, seriously affecting kitchen hygiene and safety.

The creator of this project, recognizing the shortcomings of traditional cabinets, such as the difficulty in dissipating heat and the resulting shortened lifespan of equipment installed inside, as well as the increased rate of mold growth in high-temperature and high-humidity environments, has been actively and continuously developing designs that can improve these issues.

The main purpose of this invention is to utilize the space created by the raised shelves to assist in heat dissipation, so that the heat generated by the heating device can be transferred to another space instead of accumulating in the space where the device is located, causing the temperature to rise continuously. Furthermore, the heat is carried away by the fan, effectively removing the heat from the space while maintaining the airtightness of the space where the device is located.

The cabinet under-cabinet heat dissipation structure of this invention includes a cabinet body with an internal accommodating space, and has: a cabinet door, a shelf, a side panel, a first row of heat vents, a second row of heat vents, and a second row of heat fans. The cabinet door is located at the front of the cabinet body and is used to open or close the accommodating space. The shelf is located at the bottom of the cabinet body and creates an enclosed space between the cabinet body and the floor. The first row of heat vents connects the accommodating space and the enclosed space. The side panel is located around the bottom of the shelf to form the enclosed space. The second row of heat vents is located on the side panel and connects the enclosed space to the outside space. The second row of heat fans is located on the second row of heat vents.

In a preferred embodiment of this invention, the user can place the heating device within the enclosure, with the heat dissipation vents of the heating device aligned with the first heat outlet. When the heating device generates hot air, it is directly fed into the enclosed space through the first heat outlet, thus preventing hot air from being directly exhausted into the enclosure, causing the ambient temperature around the heating device to rise continuously and preventing heat buildup inside the heating device from cooling down. Furthermore, the hot air in the enclosed space is then drawn out to the outside environment by a second ventilation fan. The blowing process creates negative pressure, thus more effectively drawing the heat generated by the heating device into the enclosed space.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the first row of heat inlets may be provided with a first row of heat fans to assist in absorbing the heat generated by the heating device.

Preferably, a fan can also be installed inside the heat dissipation vents.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the second row of heat inlets may be equipped with an insect screen to prevent foreign objects from entering through the second row inlets and interfering with the operation of the second row of fans or damaging the blades.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the side panel that is on the same side as the cabinet door in the opening direction is the front side panel, the second row of heat vents is located on the front side panel to avoid other cabinets or walls from obstructing ventilation, and the second row of heat vents is located in front of the first row of heat vents.

Preferably, the second row of heat inlets is located in front of the first row of heat inlets, and the center of the second row of heat inlets deviates from the center of the first row of heat inlets by less than 10 centimeters to ensure heat dissipation efficiency.

The advantage of this invention is that the hot air generated by the heating device can be directly exhausted into the enclosed space, preventing the ambient temperature of the heating device itself from continuously rising over time, thus reducing the overall temperature of the heating device. Furthermore, it reduces the accumulation of hot air inside the heating device, thereby preventing damage to the compressor or other equipment within the device from prolonged high-temperature operation. During operation, the first and second rows of fans continuously extract hot air from the enclosed space, and because the cabinet door remains closed most of the time, the extracted hot air does not directly flow back into the containing space.

To facilitate understanding of this invention, a detailed description is provided below with reference to the accompanying drawings and embodiments. The accompanying drawings show only a portion, not all, of the embodiments of this invention. This invention can be implemented in many different forms and is not limited to the embodiments described herein. Rather, these embodiments are provided to provide a more thorough and comprehensive understanding of the disclosure of this invention. All other embodiments derived by a person skilled in the art based on the embodiments in this invention without any progressive effort are within the scope of protection of this invention.

Unless otherwise defined, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art. The terms used in the description of this invention are for the purpose of describing specific embodiments only and are not intended to limit the invention.

Figures 1 to 5 are schematic diagrams of embodiments of the present invention. As shown in Figure 1 (a perspective view of the embodiment of the present invention), Figure 2 (a front view of the embodiment of the present invention and the heating device 2 in application), and Figure 3 (an exploded view of the embodiment of the present invention), the under-cabinet heat dissipation structure of the present invention includes a cabinet body 1. The cabinet body 1 has an accommodating space 110 formed inside, and has: a cabinet door 10, a shelf 11, a side panel 12, a first row of heat outlets 111, a second row of heat outlets 121, and a second row of heat exchange fans 1211. The cabinet door 10 is disposed in the cabinet body 1. The front section is used to open or close the accommodating space 110; the shelf 11 is located at the bottom of the cabinet 1 and separates the enclosed space 120 between the cabinet 1 and the floor; the first row of heat vents 111 connects the accommodating space 110 and the enclosed space 120; the side panel 12 is arranged around the bottom of the shelf 11 to form the enclosed space 120; the second row of heat vents 121 is located on the side panel 12 and connects the enclosed space 120 with the outside space; and the second row of heat fans 1211 is located on the second row of heat vents 121.

As shown in Figures 2 and 4 (side view along A-A of Figure 1), in the first embodiment of this invention, the user can place the heating device 2 in the accommodating space 110, with the heat dissipation holes of the heating device 2 aligned with the first heat outlet 111. When the heating device 2 generates hot air, it is directly sent into the enclosed space 120 through the first heat outlet 111, thereby preventing hot air from being directly discharged into the accommodating space 110 and causing the ambient temperature of the heating device 2 to rise continuously. Furthermore, the hot air in the enclosed space 120 is then extracted to the outside environment by the second ventilation fan.

Specifically, the heat dissipation holes of the heating device 2 can be located below the heating device 2, or they can be connected to a duct directly to the first row of heat outlets 111. The heat dissipation fan of the heating device 2 itself blows the hot air into the enclosed space 120, preventing the hot air from stagnating in the ambient temperature of the heating device 2 in the containment space 110. Furthermore, during the process of the second ventilation fan being drawn out of the enclosed space 120, the sealed environment formed by the walls, floor, and side panels 12 will create a negative pressure in the enclosed space 120, thus effectively drawing the hot air generated by the heating device 2 into the enclosed space 120 through the first row of heat outlets 111.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the first row of heat outlets 111 may be provided with a first row of heat fans 1111 to assist in absorbing the heat generated by the heating device 2.

Specifically, when the first row of heat exchangers 1111 assists the heating device 2 in discharging hot air into the enclosed space 120, it can increase the pressure difference between the accommodating space 110 and the enclosed space 120, thereby increasing the efficiency of absorbing hot air from the accommodating space. Furthermore, when the heat dissipation holes directly correspond to the first row of heat outlets, the first row of heat exchangers 1111 can also directly assist the heating device 2 in discharging heat.

Preferably, the heat dissipation holes of the heating device 2 can also be equipped with fans to help exhaust the hot air in the heating device 2.

As shown in Figure 5, which is a side view of the second embodiment of the invention along the A-A direction of Figure 1, the air outlet direction of the first row of heat exchangers 1111 is towards the second row of heat exchangers 1211. By directing the air outlet direction of the first row of heat exchangers 1111 towards the second row of heat exchangers 1211, hot air is guided to flow directly to the second row of heat exchangers 1211 and discharged.

In detail, because the enclosed space 120 may increase in size as the number of cabinets 1 increases, if hot air is blown directly into the enclosed space 120, it will be blown vertically towards the floor and dispersed in all directions. However, hot air moving towards the second row of fans 1211 will be naturally drawn out, while hot air moving away from the second row of fans 1211 will remain in the enclosed space 120 for a longer time due to the greater distance, resulting in a decrease in the heat dissipation rate of the enclosed space 120. By using the first row of fans to guide the hot air and cooperating with the second row of fans to form an efficient heat dissipation airflow, the heat dissipation rate of the enclosed space 120 can be improved.

As shown in Figure 3, the second row of heat inlets 121 can be equipped with an insect screen 13 to prevent foreign objects from entering through the second row inlet and interfering with the operation of the second row of fans or damaging the blades.

As shown in Figure 4, the side panel 12 and the cabinet door 10 are on the same side as the front side panel 122. The second row of heat vents 121 is located on the front side panel 122 to avoid other cabinets or walls from obstructing ventilation, and the second row of heat vents 121 is located in front of the first row of heat vents 111.

Specifically, the second row of heating vents 121 is located at the front of the cabinet body 1. When users are handling food on the countertop above the cabinet body 1, their feet will be close to the front side panel 122. The insect screen 13 can prevent the user's limbs from getting caught and damaging the second row of heating fans 1211. In addition, since the cabinet body 1 is mostly installed in the kitchen, insects are prone to appear. If foreign objects, food scraps, or insects enter the enclosed space 120, it will be difficult to clean.

Preferably, the second row of heat outlets 121 is located in front of the first row of heat outlets 111, and the center of the second row of heat outlets 121 deviates from the center of the first row of heat outlets 111 by less than 10 cm, thereby ensuring heat dissipation efficiency.

The embodiments described above are merely preferred embodiments of the invention, and while the descriptions are specific and detailed, they should not be construed as limiting the scope of the invention. It should be noted that those skilled in the art can make various modifications and improvements without departing from the concept of the invention, and these modifications and improvements are all within the scope of protection of the invention.

1: Cabinet body 10: Cabinet door 11: Shelf 110: Storage space 111: First row of heat vents 1111: First row of heater fans 12: Side panel 120: Enclosed space 121: Second row of heat vents 1211: Second row of heater fans 122: Front side panel 13: Insect screen 2: Heating device

Figure 1 is a perspective view of an embodiment of the invention; Figure 2 is a front view of an embodiment of the invention and its application to a heating device; Figure 3 is an exploded view of an embodiment of the invention; and Figure 4 is a side view of the first embodiment of the invention along the A-A direction in Figure 1; Figure 5 is a side view of the second embodiment of the invention along the A-A direction in Figure 1.

1: Cabinet Body

10: Countertop Door

110: Storage space

111: First row of hot ports

12:Side panel

122:Front side panel

121: Second row of heat outlets

13: Insect-proof netting

Claims (6)

A cabinet under-cabinet heat dissipation structure includes a cabinet body with an internal accommodating space, and has: a cabinet door for opening or closing the accommodating space; a shelf located at the bottom of the cabinet body; and a first row of heat vents disposed on the shelf to connect to the external space; wherein the first row of heat vents is configured to correspond to a heat dissipation hole of a heating device disposed in the accommodating space. The under-cabinet heat dissipation structure as described in claim 1, wherein the cabinet further comprises: a side panel disposed on the side below the shelf and forming a closed space; a second row of heat vents disposed on the side panel for connecting the closed space with the outside space; and a second row of heat fans disposed on the second row of heat vents; wherein the side panel connects the first row of heat vents to the accommodating space and the closed space. The cabinet cooling structure as described in claim 2, wherein the first heat outlet is provided with a first heat fan. The under-cabinet heat dissipation structure as described in claim 3, wherein the second heat outlet has an insect-proof mesh. The under-cabinet heat dissipation structure as described in claim 4, wherein the side panel includes a front side panel on the same side as the cabinet door; wherein the second row of heat vents is located in front of the first row of heat vents, and the left and right deviation is within 10 cm. The under-cabinet heat dissipation structure as described in claim 3, wherein the airflow direction of the first row of heat exchangers is directed toward the second row of heat exchangers.