WO2004041036A1

WO2004041036A1 - Electric cooker

Info

Publication number: WO2004041036A1
Application number: PCT/KR2003/002343
Authority: WO
Inventors: Jong-Bong Kim; Sung-Man Hwang; Yong-Ho Lee
Original assignee: Lg Electronics Inc.
Priority date: 2002-11-05
Filing date: 2003-11-04
Publication date: 2004-05-21
Also published as: AU2003276733A1

Abstract

In an electic cooker including a main body (2) for housing an oven; a lid (4) for opening/closing the main body (2); a hinge unit (6) for supporting the lid (4) to the main body (2) rotationally and providing a certain elastic force toward a direction in which the lid (4) is open; and a damping unit for absorbing impact when the lid (4) is open, by absorbing impact occurred in opening of the lid (4), it is possible to improve reliability and durability of the electic cooker. In addition, it is convenient to use.

Description

ELECTRIC COOKER

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to an electric cooker, and in particular

to an electric cooker having a damping unit capable of easing an impact in

opening of a lid of the rice cooker.

BACKGROUND ART

Generally, an electric cooker performs cooking by using electricity as

a heating source, and the cooking process is performed quickly by

maintaining the inside of an oven as a high pressure state and performing

heating at a higher temperature.

Figure 1 is a sectional view illustrating an electric cooker in

accordance with the conventional art.

As depicted in Figure 1 , the conventional electric cooker includes a

main body 102 housing an oven 104; an electric heating unit 106 installed

inside the main body 102 so as to heat the oven 104; and a lid 108

connected to the top of the main body 102 with a hinge shaft 108 in order to

open/close the main body 102 by being rotated centering around the hinge

shaft 108.

The electric heating unit 106 includes a working coil for generating

induced electricity in cooking; and a heater, etc. for performing comparatively

weak heating operation so as to keep warmth. In the electric cooker, by heating the oven 104 with the electric

heating unit 106, cooking operation is performed. In the cooking operation,

the inner portion of the lid 110 is tightly contacted to the top of the oven 104,

a vapor discharge valve (not shown) is maintained as a closed state, when

rice water is boiled, because of vapor generation, pressure inside the oven

104 is higher than air pressure.

And, according to rise of the pressure, a temperature of rise water

rises above the boiling point (100°C), and accordingly rise can be cooked

quickly. When the cooking process is finished, a well-cooked process, in

which pressure inside the oven 104 is maintained as it is while heating by the

electric heating unit 106 is stopped, is performed for a certain time. After

finishing the well-cooked process, by the operation of the vapor discharge

valve, vapor inside the oven 104 is discharged to the outside, and

accordingly pressure is lowered. At that state, a warmth-keeping process for

heating the oven 104 weakly at a certain temperature by the electric heating

unit 106 is performed.

In the meantime, a locking unit (not shown) is installed at the front of

the lid 110 in order to be locked with the main body 102, and a hinge bracket

112 is installed at the rear of the lid 110 so as to be rotationally supported by

the top of the main body 102 and receive the hinge shaft 108. And, a hinge

spring 116 is installed at the hinge shaft 108 in order to provide a certain

elastic force when the lid 110 is open.

As depicted in Figure 2, the hinge spring 116 includes a coil portion 118 wound around the hinge shaft 108; a first engaging portion 120 extended

from an end of the coil portion 118 and engaged with an engaging protrusion

124 formed at the lid 110; and a second engaging portion 122 extended from

the other end of the coil portion 118 and engaged with a stopper 126 formed

at the main body 102.

The operation of the hinge spring 116 will be described. When the lid

110 closes the main body 102 by rotating it in a closed direction centering

around the hinge shaft 108, the lid 110 is locked with the main body 102 by

the locking unit formed between the lid 110 and the main body 102. Herein,

the first engaging portion 120 of the hinge spring 116 has a certain elastic

force while being rotated together with the lid 110.

In that state, when the lid 110 is open, when locking between the

main body 102 and the lid 110 is released, by the elastic force of the hinge

spring 116, the lid 110 is released from the main body 102. Herein, when the

lid 110 is open above a certain angle, because the elastic force of the hinge

spring 116 acts in the reverse direction, the hinge spring 116 prevents the lid

110 from being open more. Finally, the hinge bracket 112 is engaged with the

top of the main body 102, and accordingly it is possible to prevent the lid 110

from being open above a certain angle.

However, in the conventional electric cooker, in order to make the lid

110 open smoothly, the hinge spring 116 has a certain elastic force. In

opening of the lid 110, an over lifting phenomenon in which the lid 110 is

open excessively may occur by an inertia power of the hinge spring 116. By the over lifting phenomenon, the lid 110 may be rebound, rebounding of the

lid 110 may be transmitted to the main body 102, because of that, the whole

cooker may be impacted, and accordingly durability of the cooker may be

lowered and usage may be inconvenient.

TECHNICAL GIST OF THE PESENT INVENTION

In order to solve the above-described problems, it is an object of the

present invention to provide an electric cooker capable of improving quality

thereof and convenient to use by preventing an over lifting phenomenon

occurred in opening of a lid.

In order to achieve the above-mentioned objects, an electric cooker

in accordance with the present invention includes a main body for housing an

oven; a lid for opening/closing the main body; a hinge unit for supporting the

lid to the main body rotationally and providing a certain elastic force toward a

direction in which the lid is open; and a damping unit for absorbing impact

when the lid is open.

The damping unit is arranged in a space between hinge brackets

formed at the rear of the lid.

The damping unit includes a damping plate formed at the rear of the

lid; and a damping member installed at the top of the main body in order to

perform a buffing operation by being rubbed against the damping plate when

the lid is open.

The damping member is installed at the top of the main body and is formed as an elastic body facing the damping plate with each other.

The damping member includes a front portion facing with the damping plate when the lid is closed; a top portion contacted tot he damping

plate when the lid is closed; and a friction portion rubbed against the damping

plate when the lid is half-open.

A distance form the front portion of the damping member to the

center of the hinge shaft inserted into the through hole is less than a distance

from the top portion of the damping member to the center of the hinge shaft.

The damping member is constructed as a plate spring for providing a

certain elastic force in contacting of the damping plate.

The damping member is formed as a plate spring curved certain

times, an end is placed at the rear, and the other end is placed at the front.

An electric cooker in accordance with the present invention includes

a main body for housing an oven; a lid for opening/closing the main body; a

hinge unit fixed to the lid in order to support the lid to the main body

rotationally; and a damping unit installed at the hinge shaft in order to absorb

impact when the lid is open.

The damping unit includes a cam fixed to the hinge shaft so as to be

rotated together with the hinge shaft when the lid is open; a friction member

tightly contacted to the outer circumference of the cam so as to be rubbed;

and an elastic member for providing a certain elastic force o the friction

member so as to generate a frictional force between the friction member and the cam. The damping unit further includes a housing fixed to the main body in

order to support the friction member so as to perform a linear reciprocating

motion and house the elastic member.

The cam is formed as a circular plate shape eccentrically fixed on the

hinge shaft.

The damping unit includes a cam fixed to the hinge shaft so as to be

rotated together with the hinge shaft when the lid is open; and a plate spring

rubbed by being tightly contacted to the outer circumference of the cam and

supported by the main body.

An electric cooker in accordance with the present invention includes

a main body for housing an oven; a lid for opening/closing the main body; a

hinge shaft fixed to the lid so as to support the lid rotationally to the main

body; a link bracket projected toward the rear of the lid so as to be rotated

downwardly when the lid is open; a piston connected to the link bracket by a

link rod; and a' cylinder installed at the rear of the main body so as to receive

the piston and generate pneumatic resistance when the piston is descended.

The link bracket is projected as a certain distance from the center of

the hinge shaft toward the rear of the lid. The cylinder has the open top, a

chamber and an air flowing hole at the lower portion so as to generate

pneumatic resistance when air passes.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings, which are included to provide a further understanding of the invention and are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate embodiments of the invention and together with the description serve to explain the principles of the invention.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a longitudinal-sectional view illustrating an internal structure of the conventional electric cooker;

Figure 2 is a partial-perspective view illustrating a hinge unit of the

conventional electric cooker;

Figure 3 is a perspective view illustrating an electric cooker in

accordance with a first embodiment of the present invention;

Figure 4 is an exploded-perspective view illustrating a damping unit

of the electric cooker in accordance with the first embodiment of the present

invention;

Figure 5 is a perspective view illustrating a damping member of the

damping unit of the electric cooker in accordance with the first embodiment of

the present invention;

Figures 6~8 illustrate an operational state of the damping unit of the

electric cooker in accordance with the first embodiment of the present

invention;

Figure 9 is an exploded-perspective view illustrating a damping unit

of an electric cooker in accordance with a second embodiment of the present

invention;

Figure 10 is a perspective view illustrating a damping member of the damping unit of the electric cooker in accordance with the second embodiment of the present invention;

Figures 11~13 illustrate an operational state of the damping unit of

the electric cooker in accordance with the second embodiment of the present

invention;

Figure 14 is a perspective view illustrating a damping member of a

damping unit of an electric cooker in accordance with a third embodiment of

the present invention;

Figures 15~17 illustrate an operational state of the damping unit of

the electric cooker in accordance with the third embodiment of the present

invention;

Figure 18 is a partial-perspective view illustrating a damping unit in

accordance with a fourth embodiment of the present invention;

Figure 19 is a sectional view taken along a line V-V in Figure 18;

Figures 20 and 21 illustrate an operational state of the damping unit

in accordance with the fourth embodiment of the present invention;

Figure 22 is a sectional view illustrating a damping unit in accordance

with a fifth embodiment of the present invention;

Figure 23 is a sectional view illustrating a damping unit in accordance

with a sixth embodiment of the present invention;

Figure 24 is a sectional view illustrating a damping unit in accordance

with a seventh embodiment of the present invention; and

Figures 25 and 26 are sectional views illustrating modified examples of an air flowing hole of a damping unit in accordance with the present

invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Hereinafter, the preferred embodiments of an electric cooker having

a damping unit in accordance with the present invention will be described

with reference to accompanying drawings.

There can be plural embodiments, hereinafter the preferred

embodiment will be described.

Figure 3 is a perspective view illustrating an electric cooker in

accordance with a first embodiment of the present invention, Figure 4 is an

exploded-perspective view illustrating a damping unit of the electric cooker in

accordance with the first embodiment of the present invention.

As depicted in Figure 3, the electric cooker includes a main body 2

housing an oven (not shown); and a lid 4 hinge-connected to the open top of

the main body 2 in order to open/close the main body 2.

And, a hinge unit 6 is installed at the rear of the lid 4 and the main

body 2 so as to support the lid 4 rotationally, and a locking unit (not shown)

for locking the lid 4 and he main body 2 is installed at the front of the lid 4 and

the main body 2.

The hinge unit 6 includes a hinge bracket 8 extended from the rear of

the lid 4; a hinge shaft 10 rotationally inserted into the hinge bracket 8 and

supported by the main body 2; and a hinge spring 12 installed on the hinge shaft 10 in order to provide a certain elastic force when the lid 4 is open. And, a cover 14 installed at the rear of the main body 2 covers the hinge unit 6 in

order to protect it.

The hinge bracket 8 is formed as two plates extended from the rear

of the lid 4 at regular intervals and has a hinge hole 16 for receiving the hinge

shaft 10.

The hinge spring 12 includes a coil portion 16 placed between the

hinge bracket 8 and inserted into the hinge shaft 10; a first engaging portion

18 extended from an end of the coil portion 16 and engaged with an

engaging protrusion 22 formed at the lid 4; and a second engaging portion 20

extended from the other end of the coil portion 16 and engaged with the main

body 2. Herein, the lid 4 consists of an inner member 24 having the

protrusion portion 22 and an outer member 26 covering the inner member 24.

A damping unit is installed at the hinge unit 6 in order to release

impact occurred by the elastic force of the hinge spring 12 in opening of the

lid 4.

The damping unit includes a damping plate 28 formed at the rear of

the lid 4; and a damping member 30 for absorbing impact in opening of the

lid 4. Herein, the damping member 30 is fixed to the main body 2 by the

supporting bracket 32.

The damping plate 28 is installed at the rear of the lid 4 or is formed

at the rear of the lid 4 as one body, and it has a flat front shape so as to be

contacted with the damping member 30. And, as depicted in Figure 5, the damping member 30 includes a rear portion 34 supported by the supporting bracket 32; a front portion 36 facing a

damping plate 28 with a certain distance when the lid 4 is closed; a top

portion 38 contacted to the damping plate 28 when the lid 4 is fully open; and

a friction portion 40 curved-formed between the front portion 36 and the top

portion 38 in order to perform a buffing operation by generating a frictional

force at the damping plate 28 when the lid 4 is open at a certain degree. And,

a groove 42 is formed at the damping member 30 so as to pass the hinge

shaft 10. Herein, as depicted in Figure 6, in the damping member 30, a

distance L2 from the enter of the hinge shaft 10 to the top portion 38 is

greater than a distance L1 from the center of the hinge shaft 10 inserted into

the groove 42 to the front portion 36. Accordingly, when the lid 4 is rotated

centering around the hinge shaft 10, the front portion 36 of the damping

member 30 and the damping plate 28 are not contacted with each other and

maintain a certain interval L3, and the tip portion 38 of the damping member

30 and the damping plate 28 are contacted with each other.

The damping member 30 is formed as an elastic body having a

certain elastic force capable of absorbing impact by being contacted tot he

damping plate 28. Particularly, it is preferable for the damping member 30 to

be made of a rubber substance.

And, because the damping member 30 has the groove 42 receiving

the hinge shaft 10 and is installed between the hinge bracket 8, an additional space for installing the damping unit is not required, and accordingly space usability can be improved.

An assembly process of the damping unit will be described.

First, the hinge shaft 10 is passed through the hinge hole 16 formed

at the hinge bracket 8, and the coil portion 16 of the hinge spring 12 is

inserted into the outer circumference of the hinge shaft 10. And, the first

engaging portion 18 of the hinge spring 12 is engaged with the engaging

protrusion 22 formed at the top of the lid 4, and the second engaging portion

20 is fixed tot he main body 2.

In that state, the damping member 30 is inserted into a space

between the hinge bracket 8 so as to face the damping plate 28 formed at

the lid 4. Herein, the hinge shaft 10 is inserted into the groove 42 of the

damping member 30, the supporting bracket 32 is installed at the rear of the

damping member 30, and accordingly the damping member is fixed to the

main body 20.

Afterward, the rear of the main body 20 is covered with cover 14, and

accordingly the assembly is finished.

The operation of the damping unit of the electric cooker in

accordance with the first embodiment of the present invention will be

described.

Figures 6~8 illustrate an operational state of the damping unit of the

electric cooker in accordance with the first embodiment of the present

invention. In more detail, Figure 6 illustrates an operation of the damping unit when the lid is closed, Figure 7 illustrates an operation of the damping unit when the lid is half-open, Figure 8 illustrates an operation of the damping unit

when the lid is fully open.

First, as depicted in Figure 6, when the lid is closed, the damping

plate 28 and the damping member 30 maintain the faced state with a certain

interval L3.

In that state, when the locking between the main body 2 and the lid 4

is released and the lid 4 is open, by the elastic force of the hinge spring 12,

the lid 4 is rotated centering around the hinge shaft 10, and accordingly the

damping plate 28 formed at the rear of the lid 4 is rotated together with it.

When the lid is half-open, as depicted in Figure 7, the damping plate

28 is rubbed against the friction portion 40 of the damping member 30, and

accordingly it is possible to prevent the lid 4 rotated by the elastic force of the

hinge spring 12 from being open rapidly. In more detail, because the front

surface of the damping plate 28 is rubbed against the friction portion 40

having the curved shape, the rotational force of the lid 4 is reduced, and

accordingly the lid 4 is open smoothly.

And, when the lid 4 is fully open, as depicted in Figure 8, the

damping plate 28 is contacted to the top portion 38 of the damping member

30. Herein, the damping plate 28 presses the top portion of the damping

member 30, the damping member 30 absorbs impact acted by the damping

plate 28 while being pressed, and accordingly impact occurred in opening of

the lid 4 can be reduced. As described above, when the lid 4 is half-open, first the damping

plate 28 is rubbed against the friction portion 40 of the damping member 30,

impact is absorbed firstly, when the lid 4 is fully open, the damping plate 28 is

contacted to the top surface of the damping member 30, impact is absorbed

secondly, and accordingly impact occurred in opening of the lid 4 can be

reduced.

Figure 9 is an exploded-perspective view illustrating a damping unit

of an electric cooker in accordance with a second embodiment of the present

invention.

The damping unit in accordance with the second embodiment of the

present invention includes a damping plate 28 formed at the rear of the lid 4;

and a damping member 50 installed at the top rear of the main body 2 in

order to absorb impact occurred in opening of the lid 4 by being contacted tot

he damping plate 28. Because the damping plate 28 is same with the

damping plate in the first embodiment, description about that will be abridged.

As depicted in Figure 10, the damping member 50 is formed as a

plate spring curved plural times in order to provide a certain elastic force

when the damping plate 28 is contacted. In more detail, the damping member

50 is fabricated by curving a flat plate having a certain elastic force certain

times at regular intervals.

The damping member 50 is described in more detail. The damping

member 50 includes a supporting portion 52 fixed to the main body 2 by

being supported by the supporting bracket 32; a front portion 54 facing the damping plate 28 with a certain interval when the lid 4 is closed; a top portion

56 for performing a buffing operation by being contacted to the damping plate 28 when the lid 4 is closed; and a friction portion 58 formed as a certain

curved shape between the front portion 54 and the top portion 56 in order to

perform a buffing operation by being contacted tot he damping plate 28 when

the lid 4 is half-open.

And, in the damping member 50, an inwardly-curved hinge shaft

insertion portion 59 is formed at a side of the front portion 54 in order to pass

the hinge shaft 10.

Herein, as the both ends in which the plate type damping member is

curved plural times and is placed at the rear, the supporting member 52 is

fixed tot he main body 4 by being supported by the supporting bracket 32.

Herein, a distance S1 from the front portion 54 to the center of the

hinge shaft 10 inserted into the hinge shaft insertion portion 59 is less than a

distance S2 from the top portion 56 tot he center of the hinge shaft 10, when

the lid 4 is closed, the front portion 54 and the damping plate 28 maintain a

certain distance S3, when the lid 4 is closed, the damping plate 28 performs

the buffing operation by being contacted to the top portion 56,

The operation of the damping unit of the electric cooker in

accordance with the second embodiment of the present invention will be

described.

First, when the lid 4 is closed, as depicted in Figure 11 , the damping

plate 28 formed at the lid 4 faces the front portion of the damping member 50 installed at the main body 2 with a certain interval.

In that state, when the lid 4 is half-open, as depicted in Figure 12, the

damping plate 28 is rotated while being contacted to the friction portion 58 of

the damping member 50, and accordingly impact occurred in opening of the

lid 4 can be absorbed firstly.

And, when the lid 4 is fully open, as depicted in Figure 13, the

damping plate 28 presses the top portion of the damping member 50, herein,

the top portion 56 is pressed by the elastic force thereof, and accordingly

impact occurred in contacting with the damping plate 28 can be absorbed.

Figure 14 is a perspective view illustrating a damping member of a

damping unit of an electric cooker in accordance with a third embodiment of

the present invention.

The damping member 60 in accordance with the third embodiment of

the present invention is a plate spring type same with the damping member

50 in accordance with the second embodiment. Only but, it is curved as a

shape different from the damping member 50 in accordance with the second

embodiment.

In more detail, when the damping member 60 having a certain

thickness is curved, because the plate spring generating a certain elastic

force is curved four times, respectively one space is formed at the front and

the rear, the end is placed at the rear, and the other end is placed at the front.

As described above, the damping member 60 includes a supporting

portion 68 having a flat surface contacted to the supporting bracket 32; a front portion 62 facing the damping plate 28 with a certain distance; a top portion 64 performing a buffing operation in contacting with the damping plate

28; and a friction portion 66 formed as a curved shape between the front

portion 62 and the top portion 64 so as to be rubbed against the damping

plate 28.

Herein, the front portion 62 is formed so as to be slant, and the

friction portion 66 is projected toward the front.

And, the hinge shaft 10 is inserted into a space portion 67 open

toward the rear between the supporting portion 68 and the top portion 64.

In the damping unit in accordance with the third embodiment, when

the lid 4 is closed, as depicted in Figure 15, the damping member 60 and the

damping plate 28 face with each other by having a certain interval, when the

lid 4 is half-open, as depicted in Figure 16, the damping plate 28 is rubbed

against the friction portion 66 of the damping member 60 by being rotated

together with the lid 4, impact occurred in opening of the lid 4 is reduced

firstly, when the lid 4 is fully open as depicted in Figure 17, the damping plate

28 is contacted to the top portion 64 of the damping member 60, herein, the

top portion 64 of the damping member 60 is pressed, and accordingly impact

occurred in opening of the lid 4 can be reduced secondly.

Figure 18 is a partial-perspective view illustrating a damping unit in

accordance with a fourth embodiment of the present invention, and Figure 19

is a sectional view taken along a line V-V in Figure 18.

In the electric cooker in accordance with the fourth embodiment of the present invention, a hinge bracket 72 is formed at the rear of the lid 4, the

both ends of the hinge shaft 73 are fixed between the hinge bracket 72, and the hinge shaft 73 is rotationally connected to the main body 2. And, a

damping unit 70 is installed at the hinge shaft 73 in order to reduce impact

occurred in opening of the lid 4.

The damping unit 70 in accordance with the fourth embodiment of

the present invention includes a cam 74 fixed to the hinge shaft 73 and

rotated together with the hinge shaft 73 when the lid 4 is closed/open; a

friction member 75 tightly contacted/rubbed against the outer surface of the

cam 74; and an elastic member 77 for providing a certain elastic force in

order to make the friction member 75 tightly contacted to the surface of the

cam 74.

Herein, the cam 74 has a circular flat plate shape so as to be

eccentrically fixed to the hinge shaft 73, and the friction member 75 is tightly

contacted to the outer circumference of the cam 74 by the elastic force of the

elastic member 77.

In the friction member 75, in order to be contacted to the outer

circumference of the cam 74, a groove 78 having the same outer diameter

with the cam 74 is formed. And, the friction member 75 is inserted into the

housing 76 installed to the main body 2 so as to be movable up and down.

It is preferable for the elastic member 77 to be made of a coil spring

77 for providing a certain elastic force to the fraction member 75 by being

inserted between the bottom of the housing 76 and the bottom of the friction member 75.

In the housing 76, the top is open so as to receive the friction

member 75, and an air discharge hole 78 is formed at a side in order to

discharge air inside the housing 76 to the outside when the friction member

75 is descended. The housing 76 is fixed to the main body 2.

The operation of the damping unit in accordance with the fourth

embodiment of the present invention will be described.

First, as depicted in figure 19, when the lid 4 closes the main body 20,

as depicted in Figure 19, in the cam 74, a point P having the shortest

distance from the center of the hinge shaft 73 to the outer circumference is

placed at the center of the groove 78 of the friction member 75, the friction

member 75 is placed at the top dead center. Herein, because the elastic

member 77 is relaxed, force pressing the friction member 75 is weak.

In that state, when the lid 4 is gradually open, as depicted in Figure

20, the hinge shaft 73 is rotated together with the lid 4, and accordingly the

cam 74 fixed to the hinge shaft 73 is rotated. Then, the friction member 75 is

gradually moved downwardly, the elastic force of the elastic member 77

gradually acts on the friction member 75, and accordingly a frictional force

between the friction member 75 and the cam 74 is gradually increased.

Accordingly, by the frictional force between the friction member 75 and the

cam 74, the lid 4 is gradually open, and impact does not occur.

And, when the lid 4 is fully open, as depicted in Figure 21, in the

outer circumference of the cam, because a point Q having the longest distance from the center of the hinge shaft to the outer circumference is

placed at the center of the groove 78 of the friction member 75, the elastic

force of the elastic member 77 acts to the utmost, the frictional force between

the friction member 75 and the cam 74 acts to the utmost, the lid open state

can be maintained, and impact occurred in opening of the lid 4 can be

reduced.

As described above, in opening of the lid 4, because the friction force

between the cam 74 and the friction member 75 is increased gradually, the

lid 4 is open slowly, and accordingly impact occurred in opening of the lid 4

can be reduced.

Figure 22 is a sectional view illustrating a damping unit in accordance

with a fifth embodiment of the present invention. A plate spring is contacted

to the outer circumference of the cam 74 in accordance with the fourth

embodiment of the present invention and is rubbed against the cam 74.

In more detail, the damping unit in accordance with the fifth

embodiment of the present invention, on the outer circumference of the cam

74 on which the hinge shaft 73 is eccentrically fixed, a plate spring 80 is

contacted, and the both ends of he plate spring 80 are supported by a

supporting protrusion 82 respectively formed at the main body 2.

Herein, the both ends of the plate spring 80 are inserted-fixed to the

supporting protrusions 82, the plate spring 80 has the curved (projected)

center surface, and the curved center of the plate spring 80 is tightly

contacted to the outer circumference of the cam 4. In the damping unit in accordance with the fifth embodiment of the

present invention, when the lid 4 is open, the cam 74 is rotated, the outer

circumference of the cam 74 is tightly contacted to the plate spring 80, the

frictional force is generated. According to the rotation of the cam 4, the

frictional force is gradually increased, and accordingly it is possible to prevent

the lid 4 from being open rapidly and relieve impact occurred in opening of

the lid 4.

Figure 23 is a sectional view illustrating a damping unit in accordance

with a sixth embodiment of the present invention.

In the electric cooker in accordance with the sixth embodiment of the

present invention, the lid 4 is connected to the top of the main body 2 through

a hinge shaft 86 so as to be open/closed, and a damping unit is installed

between the main body 2 and the lid 4 in order to absorb impact occurred in

opening of the lid 4.

The damping unit in accordance with the sixth embodiment of the

present invention includes a link bracket 87 projected-formed at the rear of

the lid 4; a cylinder 88 installed at the rear of the main body 2; a piston 89

inserted into the cylinder 88 so as to perform a linear reciprocating motion;

and a link rod 90 hinge-connected between the piston 89 and the link bracket

87.

The link bracket 87 is projected from the center of the hinge shaft 86

toward the rear of the lid 4 as a certain distance, when the lid 4 is open

centering around the hinge shaft 86, it is moved downwardly. Accordingly, when the lid 4 is open, the link bracket 87 is moved downwardly, and the link

rod 90 is pushed downwardly.

The cylinder 88 has the open top and a chamber 93, and an air

flowing hole 94 for generating pneumatic resistance while air is passed is

formed at the lower portion of the cylinder 88. In more detail, when the piston

89 is moved downwardly, air inside the chamber 93 is discharged to the

outside through the air flowing hole 94 by the pushing force of the piston 89.

Herein, because a diameter of the air flowing hole 94 is small, pneumatic

resistance occurs in flowing air, and accordingly the piston 89 is slowly

descended.

The piston 89 is movably installed inside the cylinder 88, and a hinge

portion 92 hine-connected to the link rod is formed at the upper portion of the

piston 89. And, a hinge portion 9 hinge-connected to the link bracket 87 is

formed at the upper end of the link rod 90.

The operation of the damping unit of the electric cooker in

accordance with the sixth embodiment of the present invention will be

described.

When the lid 4 is closed, because the link bracket 87 is horizontally

placed at the rear of the lid 4, the piston 89 is placed at the top dead center

inside the cylinder 88.

In that state, when the lid 4 is open, the link bracket 87 is rotated

downwardly centering around the hinge shaft 86, by the rotation of the link

bracket 87, the link rod 90 is linearly moved downwardly, and the piston 89 connected to the link rod 90 is descended inside the cylinder 88. Then, air

inside the cylinder 88 is discharged to the outside through the air flowing hole

94 by the pushing power of the piston 89.

Herein, when the air inside the chamber 93 passes through the air

flowing hole 94, pneumatic resistance occurs, according to that, when the

piston 89 is descended, the lid 4 is slowly open by generating resistance, and

accordingly impact occurred in opening of the lid 4 can be absorbed.

Figure 24 is a sectional view illustrating a damping unit in accordance

with a seventh embodiment of the present invention.

The damping unit in accordance with the seventh embodiment of the

present invention has construction and operation same with those of the

damping unit in accordance with the sixth embodiment of the present

invention. Only but, the operation of the piston 89 is operated by a rack and

pinion method.

In more detail, a pinion gear 95 is formed at the rear of the lid 4, and

a rack gear 96 engaged with the pinion gear 95 is connected to the piston 89.

In the damping unit in accordance with the seventh embodiment of

the present invention, when the lid 4 is open, the pinion gear 95 is rotated

centering around the hinge shaft 86. According to that, the rack gear 96

engaged with the pinion gear 95 is linearly moved downwardly, according to

the movement of the rack gear 96, the piston 89 is moved downwardly, air

inside the chamber 93 of the cylinder 88 generates pneumatic resistance

while passing the air flowing hole 94. Herein, as depicted in Figure 25, the air flowing hole 97 can be

formed at a side of the piston 89. In addition, as depicted in Figure 26, the air

flowing hole 98 can be formed at the outer circumference of the piston 89 in

order to make air pass between the piston 89 and the cylinder 88.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY

In an electric cooker in accordance with the present invention, by

installing a damping unit between a lid a main body, impact occurred in

opening of the lid can be absorbed, and accordingly reliability and durability

of the electric cooker can be improved. In addition, it is convenient to use.

Claims

1. An electric cooker, comprising:

a main body for housing an oven;

a lid for opening/closing the main body;

a hinge unit for supporting the lid to the main body rotationally and

providing a certain elastic force toward a direction in which the lid is open;

and

a damping unit for absorbing impact when the lid is open.

2. The electric cooker of claim 1 , wherein the damping unit is

arranged in a space between hinge brackets formed at the rear of the lid.

3. The electric cooker of claim 1 , wherein the damping unit

includes:

a damping plate formed at the rear of the lid; and

a damping member installed at the top of the main body in order to

perform a buffing operation by being rubbed against the damping plate when

the lid is open.

4. The electric cooker of claim 3, wherein the damping plate is

formed at the rear of the lid as one body and has a flat front surface.

5. The electric cooker of claim 4, wherein the damping plate is

arranged in a space between hinge brackets formed at the rear of the lid.

6. The electric cooker of claim 3, wherein the damping member

is installed at the top of the main body and is formed as an elastic body

facing the damping plate with each other.

7. The electric cooker of claim 6, wherein the damping member

includes a front portion facing with the damping plate when the lid is closed; a

top portion contacted tot he damping plate when the lid is closed; and a

friction portion rubbed against the damping plate when the lid is half-open.

8. The electric cooker of claim 7, wherein the damping member

has a through hole in which the hinge shaft for supporting the lid to the main

body rotationally is inserted.

9. The electric cooker of claim 7, wherein the front portion of the

damping member is arranged so as to have a certain distance from the

damping plate.

10. The electric cooker of claim 7, wherein the friction portion is

formed as a curved shape having a certain radius curvature between the

front portion and the top portion of the damping member.

11. The electric cooker of claim 8, wherein a distance form the

front portion of the damping member to the center of the hinge shaft inserted

into the through hole is less than a distance from the top portion of the

damping member to the center of the hinge shaft.

12. The electric cooker of claim 7, wherein the damping member

is fixed to the top surface of the main body by a supporting bracket.

13. The electric cooker of claim 7, wherein the damping member

is made of a rubber substance.

14. The electric cooker of claim 3, wherein the damping member

is constructed as a plate spring for providing a certain elastic force in

contacting of the damping plate.

15. The electric cooker of claim 14, wherein the damping

member is formed by curving a flat plate having a certain elastic force certain

times at regular intervals.

16. The electric cooker of claim 14, wherein the damping

member includes:

a front portion facing the damping plate with a certain distance when the lid is closed;

a top portion performing a buffing operation by being contacted to the

damping plate when the lid is closed; and

a friction portion formed as a certain curved shape between the front

portion and the top portion so as to perform a buffing operation by being

rubbed against the damping plate when the lid is half-open.

17. The electric cooker of claim 16, wherein the damping

member includes an inwardly-curved hinge shaft insertion hole formed at a

side of the front portion in order to pass the hinge shaft.

18. The electric cooker of claim 17, wherein a supporting portion

supported by the main body is formed at the rear of the damping member,

and the supporting portion is the both ends of the damping member.

19. The electric cooker of claim 3, wherein the damping member

is formed as a plate spring curved certain times, an end is placed at the rear,

and the other end is placed at the front.

20. The electric cooker of claim 19, wherein the damping

member includes a front portion facing the damping plate with a certain

distance; a top portion performing a buffing operation in contacting with the

damping plate; and a friction portion formed as a curved shape between the front portion and the top portion so as to be rubbed against the damping plate.

21. The electric cooker of claim 20, wherein the front portion is

slant so as to make the friction portion be projected toward the front.

22. The electric cooker of claim 20, wherein a space portion

open toward the rear is formed between the supporting portion and the top

portion, and the hinge shaft is inserted into the space portion.

23. An electric cooker, comprising:

a main body for housing an oven;

a lid for opening/closing the main body;

a hinge unit fixed to the lid in order to support the lid to the main body

rotationally; and

a damping unit installed at the hinge shaft in order to absorb impact

when the lid is open.

24. The electric cooker of claim 23, wherein the damping unit

includes:

a cam fixed to the hinge shaft so as to be rotated together with the

hinge shaft when the lid is open;

a friction member tightly contacted to the outer circumference of the

cam so as to be rubbed; and an elastic member for providing a certain elastic force o the friction

member so as to generate a frictional force between the friction member and

the cam.

25. The electric cooker of claim 24, wherein the damping unit

further includes:

a housing fixed to the main body in order to support the friction

member so as to perform a linear reciprocating motion and house the elastic

member.

26. The electric cooker of claim 24, wherein the cam is formed

as a circular plate shape eccentrically fixed on the hinge shaft.

27. The electric cooker of claim 25, wherein the friction member

includes a groove formed at the top which has a radius curvature same with

that of the cam so as to be contacted to the outer circumference of the cam,

and the friction member is inserted into the housing so as to be linearly

movable.

28. The electric cooker of claim 25, wherein the elastic member

is formed as a coil spring interposed between the bottom of the housing and

the bottom of the friction member so as to provide a certain elastic force to

the friction member.

29. The electric cooker of claim 23, wherein the damping unit

includes:

a cam fixed to the hinge shaft so as to be rotated together with the

hinge shaft when the lid is open; and

a plate spring rubbed by being tightly contacted to the outer

circumference of the cam and supported by the main body.

30. The electric cooker of claim 29, wherein the both ends of the

plate spring are supported by supporting protrusions respectively formed at

the main body, and the center of the plate spring is projected as a curved

shape in order to provide an elastic force to the outer circumference of the

cam.

» 31. An electric cooker, comprising:

a main body for housing an oven;

a lid for opening/closing the main body;

a hinge shaft fixed to the lid so as to support the lid rotationally to the

main body;

a link bracket projected toward the rear of the lid so as to be rotated

downwardly when the lid is open;

a piston connected to the link bracket by a link rod; and

a cylinder installed at the rear of the main body so as to receive the piston and generate pneumatic resistance when the piston is descended.

32. The electric cooker of claim 31, wherein the link bracket is

projected as a certain distance from the center of the hinge shaft toward the

rear of the lid so as to be downwardly moved when the lid is open centering

around the hinge shaft.

33. The electric cooker of claim 31, wherein the cylinder has the

open top, a chamber and an air flowing hole at the lower portion so as to

generate pneumatic resistance when air passes.

34. The electric cooker of claim 31 , wherein the top end of the

link rod is hinge-connected to the lick bracket, and the bottom end of the link

rod is hinge-connected to the top of the piston so as to perform a

reciprocating motion up and down when the link bracket is rotated in order to

make the piston perform a reciprocating motion.

35. The electric cooker of claim 31, wherein the link bracket is

formed as a pinion gear, the link rod is formed as a rack gear, when the rack

gear performs the linear reciprocating motion according to the rotational

movement of the pinion gear, the piston performs the linear reciprocating

motion.

36. The electric cooker of claim 33, wherein the air flowing hole d-formed at a side of the piston.

37. The electric cooker of claim 33, wherein the air flowing hole

d at the outer circumference of the piston.