COOKING APPARATUS

Abstract

A cooking apparatus including a main body; a top plate to be disposed on the main body such that a cooking container is placeable on the top plate; a display to be disposed below the top plate so as to display an image on the top plate; a first inlet to be formed at an upper portion of the main body such that air is introduced into the main body through the first inlet to flow into the main body to cool the display; and a second inlet to be formed at the upper portion of the main body spaced from and above the first inlet such that air is introduced into the main body through the second inlet to flow into the main body to cool the display.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application is a continuation application, under 35 U.S.C. § 111(a), of international application No. PCT/KR2024/016584, filed Oct. 29, 2024, which claims priority under 35 U.S.C. § 119 to Korean Patent Application No. 10-2023-0193673, filed Dec. 27, 2023 and Korean Patent Application No. 10-2024-0023850, filed Feb. 19, 2024, the disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entireties.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The disclosure relates to a cooking apparatus.

Background Art

A cooking apparatus is a device for cooking by heating objects such as food. Specifically, the cooking apparatus may perform various functions related to cooking such as heating, thawing, drying, and sterilizing a cooking object.

Examples of such cooking apparatus include an oven range, a microwave heating device (hereinafter referred to as a microwave), a gas range, an electric range, a gas grill, and an electric grill.

An oven range (hereinafter referred to as a cooking apparatus) is a device that cooks food by directly transferring heat to food through a heating source such as a heater or heating the interior of a cooking chamber.

The oven range includes a cabinet-type main body, in which an oven may be provided, and a cooktop including at least one heating portion may be provided at an upper portion of the main body. A drawer may be provided at a lower portion of the main body to store food and cookware or to perform cooking functions.

The cooking apparatus uses a heating source that generates heat, and the air inside the cooking apparatus heated by the heating source may increase the temperature of the components of the cooking apparatus. For example, a heating source (e.g., a heater) in the cooking chamber and a heating source (e.g., a coil) of the cooktop may raise the temperature of a display that shows operating information of the cooking apparatus, and the display may become overheated.

DISCLOSURE

Technical Problem

One aspect of the disclosure provides a cooking apparatus capable of preventing a display from overheating.

One aspect of the disclosure provides a cooking apparatus capable of cooling a display without an additional fan.

One aspect of the disclosure provides a cooking apparatus capable of using various components regardless of operation of a heating portion and a heating source, through a simple cooling structure.

The technical objectives of the present disclosure are not limited to the above, and other objectives that are not described above will be clearly understood by those skilled in the art from the above detailed description.

Technical Solution

A cooking apparatus according to one aspect may include: a main body; a top plate to be disposed at an upper end of the main body such that a cooking container may be placed on the top plate; a display to be disposed below the top plate such that an image is displayed on the top plate; a first inlet to be formed at an upper portion of the main body such that air is introduced into the main body through the first inlet to flow into the main body to cool the display; and a second inlet to be formed in the main body spaced from and above the first inlet such that air is introduced into the main body through the second inlet to flow into the main body to cool the display.

A cooking apparatus according to an embodiment may include: a cooking chamber housing having a cooking chamber; a heat source configured to provide heat to the cooking chamber; a top plate to be disposed above the cooking chamber and above the cooking chamber housing such that a cooking container may be placed thereon; a display to be disposed below the top plate such that an image may be displayed on the top plate; an inlet to be provided between the cooking chamber housing and the cooktop to cool the display; and a heat blocking member disposed below the display to block heat flowing from the cooking chamber to the display.

A cooking apparatus according to one aspect may include: a main body having a cooking chamber; a heat source configured to provide heat to the cooking chamber; a top plate to be disposed at an upper end of the main body, the top plate including a cooking plate configured such that a cooking container may be placed thereon, and a control plate to be disposed in front of the cooking plate; a display to be disposed below the top plate such that an image may be displayed on the control plate; a fan configured to generate a suction force such that air may flow into the main body; a first inlet to be formed in the main body such that air may be guided by the fan; a second inlet to be formed in the main body above the first inlet such that air may be caused to be guided by the fan; and a heat blocking member to be disposed below the display to block heat flowing from the cooking chamber to the display.

DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a cooking apparatus according to an embodiment.

FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of a cooking apparatus according to an embodiment.

FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of a cooking apparatus according to an embodiment.

FIG. 4 is an enlarged view of a cooking apparatus according to an embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a side cross-sectional view of a cooking apparatus according to an embodiment.

FIG. 6 is an exploded perspective view of a cooking apparatus according to an embodiment.

FIG. 7 is an exploded perspective view of a cooking apparatus according to an embodiment.

FIG. 8 is an exploded perspective view of a cooking apparatus according to an embodiment.

FIG. 9 is an enlarged view of a cooking apparatus according to an embodiment.

FIG. 10 is an enlarged view of a cooking apparatus according to an embodiment.

FIG. 11 is an enlarged view of a cooking apparatus according to an embodiment.

FIG. 12 is an enlarged view of a cooking apparatus according to an embodiment.

MODES OF THE DISCLOSURE

The embodiments described in the disclosure and the configurations shown in the drawings are only examples of the disclosure, and various modifications may be made at the time of filing of the disclosure to replace the embodiments and drawings of the disclosure.

In the description of the drawings, like numbers refer to like elements throughout the description of the drawings.

The terms used herein are for the purpose of describing the embodiments and are not intended to restrict and/or to limit the disclosure. The singular expressions herein may include plural expressions, unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. In addition, the terms “comprises”, “includes”, and “has” are intended to indicate that there are features, numbers, steps, operations, elements, parts, or combinations thereof described in the disclosure, and do not exclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, numbers, steps, operations, elements, parts, or combinations thereof.

It will be understood that, although the terms first, second, etc. used in the disclosure may be used herein to describe various components, these components should not be limited by these terms. These terms are only used to distinguish one component from another. For example, a first element could be termed a second element, and similarly, a second element could be termed a first element without departing from the scope of the disclosure. The term “and/or” includes combinations of one or all of a plurality of associated listed items

Meanwhile, the terms “upper-lower direction,” “lower side,” and “front-rear direction,” as used in the following description, are defined with reference to the drawings, and the shapes and positions of the respective components are not limited by these terms.

Hereinafter, an embodiment will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a cooking apparatus according to an embodiment. FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of a cooking apparatus according to an embodiment. FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of a cooking apparatus according to an embodiment. FIG. 4 is an enlarged view of a cooking apparatus according to an embodiment. FIG. 5 is a side cross-sectional view of a cooking apparatus according to an embodiment.

Referring to FIGS. 1 to 5, a cooking apparatus 1 may include a main body 10.

The main body 10 may include a first cooking section 10a and a second cooking section 10b located below the first cooking section 10a. For example, the first cooking section 10a may be a range, and the second cooking section 10b may be an oven. The main body 10 may further include a drawer 70 provided at a lower side of the second cooking section 10b, the drawer 70 being in the form of a drawer and provided to be inserted and withdrawn in a sliding manner.

The main body 10 of the cooking apparatus 1 may include only one of the first cooking section 10a, the second cooking section 10b, and the drawer 70.

The main body 10 may include a side panel 15. The side panel 15 may form a side of the cooking apparatus. The side panel 15 may form a space in which a cooking chamber housing is disposed inside.

The first cooking section 10a may include a cooktop 10a. The cooktop 10a may be arranged to cook food. The cooktop 10a may be arranged to heat food. The cooktop 10a may be provided at an upper portion of the main body 10. The cooktop 10a may be disposed above the cooking chamber housing 80.

The cooktop 10a may include top plates 11 and 12. The top plates 11 and 12 may be disposed at a top of the main body 10. The top plates 11 and 12 may include a cooking plate 11 and a control plate 12. In the drawing, the cooking plate 11 and the control plate 12 are illustrated separately, but the cooking plate 11 and the control plate 12 may be provided as one body.

The cooktop 10a may include the cooking plate 11 on which a cooking container may be placed. The cooking plate 11 may be disposed at the top of the main body 10. For example, the cooking plate 11 may include an approximately flat plate shape. For example, the cooking plate 11 may include tempered glass such as ceramic glass. The cooking plate 11 may be a first top plate.

The cooktop 10a may include the control plate 12. The control plate 12 may be disposed at the top of the main body 10. For example, the control plate 12 may include an approximately flat plate shape. For example, the control plate 12 may include tempered glass such as ceramic glass. The control plate 12 may be provided transparently.

The control plate 12 may cover an upper portion of the main body 10. The control plate 12 may be disposed horizontally with the cooking plate 11. For example, the control plate 12 may be located at the same height as the cooking plate 11. An image may be displayed on the control plate 12 by the display 51. For example, the control plate 12 may be provided as an area in which at least a portion of the display 51 to be described below is transmitted and displayed to the user. The control plate 12 may be referred to as a control panel. The control plate 12 may be referred to as a second top plate.

The cooking apparatus may further include a user interface 14. The user interface 14 may display operation and/or various information of the cooking apparatus and may receive user input. For example, the user interface 14 may be arranged to display information related to the first cooking section 10a and the second cooking section 10b, or to receive user input for the first cooking section 10a and the second cooking section 10b. The user interface 14 may be provided on the control plate 12.

The cooktop 10a may include a display module 50. The display module 50 may be arranged to implement the user interface 14. The display module 50 may be arranged to correspond to the user interface 14. For example, the display module 50 may include a display panel, switching elements, integrated circuit elements, and a printed board assembly (PBA) including a printed circuit board (PCB) on which these components are mounted. The display module 50 may be a display assembly. The display module 50 may be disposed below the control plate 12.

The display module 50 may be disposed on a front side of the heating portion 16. For example, the display module 50 may be disposed in front of a plate coupling member 60. The display module 50 may include a display 51. Details will be described below.

The cooktop 10a may include a plate coupling member 60. The plate coupling member allows the cooking plate 11 and the control plate 12 to be coupled. The plate coupling member may be disposed between the cooking plate 11 and the control plate 12 in the front-rear direction. The plate coupling member 60 may extend in one direction. For example, the plate coupling member 60 may extend in the left-right direction. However, the cooking plate 11 and the control plate 12 may be provided as one body without a separate plate coupling member.

The cooktop 10a may include a heating portion 16. The heating portion 16 may be disposed below the cooking plate 11 to heat the cooking plate 11 and the cooking container disposed on the cooking plate 11. For example, the heating portion 16 may include a coil 16a. A current that changes in magnitude over time may be applied to the coil 16a. As current is applied to the coil 16a, a magnetic field may be formed around the coil 16a. As the current applied to the coil changes, the magnetic field formed around the coil 16a may also change. An eddy current may flow on the surface of the cooking container in contact with the cooking plate 11 due to the change in the magnetic field, and the cooking container may be heated thereby.

In the drawing, the cooktop 10a is illustrated as an induction electric cooktop, but the disclosure is not limited thereto. The cooktop 10a is not limited to a particular type as long as it can heat a cooking container. For example, the cooktop 10a may be provided as a gas range, highlight, hybrid, or oven.

The cooktop 10a may include a fixing portion 17. The fixing portion 17 may fix the heating portion 16. The fixing portion 17 may surround the heating portion 16. The fixing portion 17 may be disposed below the heating portion 16 to support the heating portion 16. The fixing portion 17 may be coupled to a cooktop housing 18.

The cooktop 10a may include the cooktop housing 18. Inside the cooktop housing 18, a heating portion control board 19, a fixing portion 17, and a heating portion 16 may be disposed. The cooktop housing 18 may accommodate the heating portion control board 19, the fixing portion 17, and the heating portion 16. The cooktop housing 18 may support the heating portion control board 19.

A heat dissipation portion 18a may be formed on the cooktop housing 18. The heat dissipation portion 18a may be arranged to discharge heat generated in the heating portion 16 and the heating portion control board 19 to the outside of the cooktop housing 18. For example, the heat dissipation portion 18a may be a hole.

The heating portion control board 19 may be arranged to supply driving current to the heating portion 16. The heating portion control board 19 may be arranged to implement a circuit for the operation of the heating portion 16. The heating portion control board 19 may include various elements and/or circuits for supplying driving current to the heating portion 16. The heating portion control board 19 may be a heating portion driving board and/or a first board 19.

The cooktop 10a may include an exhaust panel 13. The exhaust panel 13 may be disposed at the top of the main body 10. For example, the exhaust panel 13 may cover an upper portion of the main body 10. The exhaust panel 13 may be disposed at a rear portion of the main body 10. For example, the exhaust panel 13 may be disposed at a rear side of the cooking plate 11. The exhaust panel 13 may be disposed horizontally with the cooking plate 11. For example, the exhaust panel 13 may be located at the same height as the cooking plate 11.

An exhaust port 13a may be formed on the exhaust panel 13. Air inside the main body 10 may flow to the outside through the exhaust port 13a. For example, air inside the main body 10 may flow to the outside of the main body 10 through the exhaust port 13a upward.

The cooktop 10a may include a cooktop frame 10c. The cooktop frame 10c may form a structural frame of an upper portion of the main body 10. The cooktop frame 10c may have a roughly rectangular shape. The cooktop frame 10c may divide an area in which the cooking plate 11 and the control plate 12 are disposed. The plate coupling member 60 may be disposed on the cooktop frame 10c. The cooktop frame 10c may be provided in plural or may be formed as one body.

The cooking apparatus may include a cooking chamber 40. The main body 10 may have the cooking chamber 40. For example, the second cooking section 10b may have the cooking chamber 40 that forms a cooking space.

The cooking apparatus 1 may include a door 20. The door 20 may be rotatably coupled to the main body 10. The door 20 may rotate in a direction to cover the cooking chamber 40. For example, the door 20 may be coupled to a lower end of the main body 10 to open and close the cooking chamber 40. The door 20 may form a door flow path 24 through which air flows inside. The door 20 may include a door handle 25 formed to protrude toward the front of the cooking apparatus.

The door 20 may include a door opening 21 formed to communicate the door flow path 24 inside the door 20 with the outside. The door opening 21 may be formed at the top, sides, and/or bottom of the door 20. The door openings 21 may be formed at predetermined intervals. Air may be introduced into or discharged from the inside of the door 20 through the door opening 21, circulating the air inside the door flow path 24.

The cooking apparatus 1 may include an electrical component chamber 90 disposed adjacent to the cooking chamber 40 and having a space independent of the cooking chamber 40, in which various electrical components such as circuit boards are provided. For example, the electrical component chamber 90 may be provided below the cooking chamber housing 80.

The cooking apparatus 1 may include a second cooking section 10b. The second cooking section 10b may include a heating source 41 configured to heat the interior of the cooking chamber 40. The heating source may include a heater 41. For example, the heating source 41 may be provided in plural, and one of the plural heating sources 41 may be disposed at the upper portion of the cooking chamber 40 to provide heat into the cooking chamber 40. In addition, another one of the plural heating sources 41 may be disposed below the cooking chamber 40 to provide heat into the cooking chamber 40.

When food is accommodated in the cooking chamber 40 and the cooking chamber 40 is sealed by the door 20, the heating source 41 of the second cooking section 10b may generate heat, and the generated heat may be transferred to the cooking chamber 40 to cook the food by dry heat.

Air inside the cooking chamber 40 may be circulated. For example, during cooking, air inside the cooking chamber 40 may circulate. Hot air inside the cooking chamber 40 may circulate to heat the food accommodated in the cooking chamber 40 from multiple directions.

The cooking apparatus 1 may include a blowing fan 30. For example, the cooktop 10a may include a blowing fan 30. The blowing fan 30 may be disposed above the cooking chamber housing 80 to discharge air introduced into the main body 10 through inlets 10e and 104 to the outside. The blowing fan 30 may be disposed at a rear portion of the main body 10. The blowing fan 30 may include a centrifugal fan or turbo fan that draws air in the axial direction and discharges the air in the radial direction.

The cooking apparatus 1 may include a circulation fan 42. The circulation fan 42 may circulate air in the cooking chamber 40 such that food in the cooking chamber 40 is evenly heated. The circulation fan 42 may be disposed at a rear of the cooking chamber 40. For example, the circulation fan 42 may be coupled to a rear wall of the cooking chamber housing 80.

The cooking apparatus 1 may include a front frame 10d. The main body 10 may include the front frame 10d. The front frame 10d may be disposed at a front portion of the main body 10. For example, the front frame 10d may be disposed at a front of the cooking chamber housing 80 to reinforce the strength of the cooking apparatus. A first inlet 10e may be formed in the front frame 10d. The first inlet 10e may be provided in plural along the front frame 10d. For example, the plurality of first inlets 10e may be arranged in the left-right direction. Air introduced into the main body 10 through the first inlet 10e may flow rearward along a guide flow path. Air introduced into the main body 10 through the first inlet 10e may cool the display 51, the heating portion 16, the first board 19, the second board, and the like. In addition, the first inlet 10e may be formed between a cooktop panel 120 and a guide panel 130 (see FIG. 11).

The cooking apparatus 1 may include a front panel 100. The main body 10 may include the front panel 100. For example, the cooktop 10a may include the front panel 100. The front panel 100 may be disposed at a front upper portion of the main body 10. The front panel 100 may cover the front of the cooktop 10a. In the drawing, the front panel 100 covers only part of the upper portion of the main body 10, but in a cooking apparatus without the second cooking section 10b or the door 20, the front panel 100 may cover most of the front of the main body 10. An inlet 104 is formed on the front panel 100, and air may be introduced into the main body 10 through the inlet 104 to cool the display module 50.

FIG. 6 is an exploded perspective view of a cooking apparatus according to an embodiment. FIG. 7 is an exploded perspective view of a cooking apparatus according to an embodiment. FIG. 8 is an exploded perspective view of a cooking apparatus according to an embodiment. FIG. 9 is an enlarged view of a cooking apparatus according to an embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view seen from the bottom, FIG. 8 is an exploded perspective view of the display module, and FIG. 9 is an enlarged perspective view of FIG. 7.

Referring to FIGS. 6 to 9, the cooking apparatus may further include a heat blocking member 110.

A heat blocking member 110 may block heat flowing from the cooking chamber 40 to the display module 50. For example, the heat blocking member 110 may be disposed below the display module 50 to block heat in the cooking chamber 40 from being transferred to the display 51 and the second board 52 (convective heat). The heat blocking member 110 may be referred to as a partition wall and/or a blocking member.

The heat blocking member 110 may be disposed below the display module 50 to guide the air introduced into the main body 10 from the second inlet 104 toward a rear portion of the main body 10. For example, the heat blocking member 110 may guide air to a guide flow path 180 provided between the cooktop housing 18 and a first guide panel 130 (see FIGS. 10 to 12). The heat blocking member 110 may be referred to as a guide member 110.

The guide member 110 may be inclined downward toward the rear. For example, the guide member 110 may form a cooling flow path 190 between the guide member 110 and a second case 54, and the area of the cooling flow path 190 may become wider toward the rear (see FIGS. 10 to 12).

The heat blocking member 110 may extend in one direction. For example, the heat blocking member 110 may extend in the left-right direction. The heat blocking member 110 may include a coupling portion 111 and a blocking portion 112.

The coupling portions 111 may be formed at both ends of the guide member 110 along the length direction. The coupling portions 111 may allow the first case 53 to be coupled to the guide member 110. For example, the first case 53 and the guide member 110 may be hook-coupled.

The blocking portion 112 may be disposed below the second board 52 to block heat flowing to the display 51 and the second board 52. The blocking portion 112 may guide the air introduced into the housing through the second inlet 104 toward the rear of the housing. The blocking portion 112 may be referred to as a guide portion 112. The guide portion 112 may be arranged to be inclined downward. The guide portion 112 may be referred to as an inclined portion 112.

The guide member 110 may include a strength reinforcement rib 110a. The strength reinforcement rib 110a may include a honeycomb shape 110a. For example, a lower surface of the guide member 110 may have the honeycomb shape 110a.

The cooking apparatus 1 may include a cooktop panel 120. The main body 10 may further include the cooktop panel 120. The cooktop panel 120 may be disposed below the display module 50 and the cooktop housing 18. The cooktop panel 120 may be disposed below a fan cover 140 and coupled to the fan cover 140. The cooktop panel 120 may be coupled to the guide panel 130. The cooktop panel 120 may be disposed above the guide panel 130. The cooktop panel 120 and the guide panel 130 may be coupled to form the guide flow path 180. The cooktop panel 120 may be a second guide panel 120.

The cooktop panel 120 may include a communication hole 121. The communication hole 121 may be formed to pass through the cooktop panel 120. Air introduced into the main body 10 through the second inlet 104 may pass through the cooling flow path 190 and flow through the communication hole 121 to the guide flow path 180 provided between the cooktop panel 120 and the guide panel 130.

The cooktop panel 120 may include a tapered portion 122. The tapered portion 122 may protrude obliquely upward. The tapered portion 122 may become higher toward the rear. The tapered portion 122 may allow the guide flow path 180 to have a larger area toward the rear while the cooktop panel 120 and the guide panel 130 are coupled to each other. A rear end area of the guide flow path 180 may correspond to an area of a suction port of the circulation fan 42.

The cooktop panel 120 may include a coupling hole 123. The coupling hole 123 may be formed to pass through the cooktop panel 120. As a coupling protrusion 131 of the guide panel 130 may be inserted into the coupling hole 123 of the cooktop panel 120, the cooktop panel 120 and the guide panel 130 may be coupled to each other. The coupling hole 123 may be provided in plural. The plurality of coupling holes 123 may be arranged in the front-rear direction.

The cooking apparatus 1 may include a guide panel 130. The main body 10 may further include the guide panel 130. The guide panel 130 may be disposed below the cooktop panel 120. The guide panel 130 may be coupled with the cooktop panel 120 to form the guide flow path 180. The guide panel 130 may guide air introduced into the guide flow path 180 through the communication hole 121 to the blowing fan 30. The guide panel 130 may be a first guide panel 130. The fan housing 150 and the fan cover 140 may be disposed at a rear end of the guide panel 130. The guide panel 130 may be coupled to the fan housing 150.

The front frame 10d may be disposed in front of the guide panel 130. Since the first inlet 10e is formed in the front frame 10d, air introduced between the cooktop panel 120 and the guide panel 130 through the first inlet 10e may flow to the rear portion of the main body 10 by the blowing fan 30.

The guide panel 130 may include a coupling protrusion 131. The coupling protrusion 131 may protrude toward the cooktop panel 120. The coupling protrusion 131 may be provided in plural. The plurality of coupling protrusions 131 may be arranged in the front-rear direction. The coupling protrusion 131 and the coupling hole 123 may correspond to each other.

The cooking apparatus 1 may include a fan housing 150 and a fan cover 140. The main body 10 may further include the fan housing 150 and the fan cover 140. The fan housing 150 and the fan cover 140 may be coupled to have the blowing fan 30 disposed in an internal space thereof. The blowing fan 30 may be mounted on the fan housing 150. The fan housing 150 and the fan cover 140 may be disposed at the rear portion of the main body 10. The fan cover 140 may be coupled to the cooktop panel 120, and the fan housing 150 may be coupled to the guide panel 130. In addition, the fan cover 140 may be disposed above the fan housing 150. The fan housing 150 and the fan cover 140 may be coupled to each other. Although the fan housing 150 and the fan cover 140 are illustrated separately, the fan housing 150 and the fan cover 140 may also be formed as one body.

The cooking apparatus 1 may further include a cover panel 170. The main body 10 may further include the cover panel 170. The cover panel 170 may be disposed at a front end of the main body 10. The cover panel 170 may be coupled to the cooktop frame 10c. The cover panel 170 may cover the front of the front panel 100 and the control plate 12. The cover panel 170 may extend in one direction. For example, the cover panel 170 may extend in the horizontal direction.

The cooking apparatus may further include a light-emitting member 160. The light-emitting member 160 may be disposed at the rear of the cover panel 170. The light-emitting member 160 may be disposed between the cover panel 170 and the front panel 100 in the front-rear direction. The light-emitting member 160 may display information about the operation of the first cooking section 10a and/or the second cooking section 10b. For example, the light-emitting member 160 may display different colors when the first cooking section 10a is operating and when the second cooking section 10b is operating. In addition, the light-emitting member 160 may perform an ambient light function.

The cooking apparatus 1 may further include a front panel 100. The main body 10 may further include the front panel 100. The front panel 100 may be disposed at a front portion of the main body 10. The front panel 100 may be connected to the cover panel 170 to form the front surface of the main body 10. The front panel 100 may include a curved shape. The front panel 100 may include a cover portion 101 and an extension portion 102.

The cover portion 101 may extend vertically. The cover portion 101 may cover components inside the main body 10. For example, the cover portion 101 may cover the front of the cooktop panel 120 and the cooktop housing 18.

The extension portion 102 may extend from the cover portion 101. For example, the extension portion 102 may extend from the cover portion 101 toward the front. The extension portion 102 may have a curved shape.

The cooking apparatus may include a second inlet 104. The second inlet 104 may be formed in the front panel 100. For example, the second inlet 104 may be formed at one end of the extension portion 102 adjacent to the cover panel 170. When the cooking apparatus is viewed from front to rear, the second inlet 104 may not be visible to the user. Therefore, the aesthetics of the cooking apparatus may be improved.

Air may be introduced into the main body 10 through the second inlet 104. The air that has passed through the second inlet 104 may cool the display 51 and the second board 52 and then be guided through the guide member 110 to flow toward the rear portion of the main body 10.

The second inlet 104 may be spaced apart from the first inlet 10e. For example, based on the vertical direction, the first inlet 10e may be located between the lower end of the front panel 100 and the upper end of the door, and the second inlet 104 may be located in the upper portion of the front panel 100.

The cooking apparatus may further include the display module 50. The display module 50 may include a display 51. The display 51 may be arranged to correspond to the user interface 14 to implement the user interface 14. The display 51 may display the operation and/or various information of the cooking apparatus and may receive user input. The display 51 may be referred to as a display panel.

The display module 50 may further include a display control board 52. The display control board 52 may be arranged to supply driving current to the display 51. The display control board 52 may be arranged to implement a circuit for the operation of the display 51. The display control board 52 may include various elements and/or circuits for supplying driving current to the display 51. The display control board 52 may be a display driving board and/or a second board 52.

The display module 50 may further include a case. The case may accommodate the display control board 52. The display 51 may be seated on the upper portion of the case. For example, a seating portion may be formed on the upper surface of the case, and the display 51 may be disposed on the seating portion of the case. The case may be coupled to the main body 10. For example, the case may be coupled to the cooktop frame 10c.

The case may be provided in plural, and the plurality of cases may include a first case 53 and a second case 54. The first case 53 and the second case 54 may be coupled to each other. An accommodation space may be formed between the first case 53 and the second case 54, and the second board 52 may be accommodated in the accommodation space. However, the case may also be formed as a single case.

The first case 53 may be disposed above the second board 52 and the second case 54. The display 51 may be disposed on a part of the upper surface of the first case 53. The first case 53 may support the display 51. The first case 53 may be referred to as a support member. The first case 53 may be coupled to the cooktop frame 10c. In addition, the first case 53 may be disposed above the guide member 110 and may be coupled to the guide member 110.

The first case 53 may extend in one direction. For example, the first case 53 may extend in the horizontal direction.

The first case 53 may include a seating portion 53a. The display 51 may be seated on the seating portion 53a. The seating portion 53a may accommodate the display 51. The seating portion 53a may be formed to be recessed from the upper surface of the first case 53.

The first case 53 may include a connecting portion 53c. The connecting portion 53c may be opened in the first case 53 such that the second board 52 and the display 51 are electrically connected. For example, the connecting portion 53c may be formed to pass through the seating portion 53a. A connector may be disposed in the connecting portion 53c or a wire may pass through the connecting portion 53c.

The first case 53 may include coupling portions 53b. The coupling portions 53b may be provided at both ends of the first case 53 in the length direction. The coupling portion 53b of the first case 53 and the coupling portion 111 of the guide member 110 may be coupled to each other.

The second case 54 may be disposed below the second board 52 and the first case 53. The second board 52 may be disposed inside the second case 54. The second case 54 may accommodate and/or support the second board 52. The second case 54 may form an accommodation space 54a that accommodates the second board 52. The second case 54 may be referred to as an accommodation member.

The cooking apparatus may further include a light-emitting member 160. The light-emitting member 160 may emit light to the outside of the main body 10. The light-emitting member 160 may be disposed at the rear of the cover panel 170. The light-emitting member 160 may have its front covered by the cover panel 170, and may emit light downward. The light-emitting member 160 may be disposed between the cover panel 170 and the extension portion 102 of the front panel 100.

FIG. 10 is an enlarged view of a cooking apparatus according to an embodiment. FIG. 11 is an enlarged view of a cooking apparatus according to an embodiment. FIG. 12 is an enlarged view of a cooking apparatus according to an embodiment.

Referring to FIGS. 10 to 12, the second inlet 104 may be formed in the extension portion 102. The extension portion 102 may include a first extension portion 102a and a second extension portion. The first extension portion 102a may extend upward from a front end of the second extension portion 102b. The first extension portion 102a may extend vertically. The first extension portion 102a may be disposed at the rear of the light-emitting member 160. The first extension portion 102a may be in contact with a rear surface of the light-emitting member 160. The second extension portion 102b may be connected to the cover portion 101 and may protrude forward. The second extension portion 102b may be formed in a curved manner. The second extension portion 102b may be rounded. The second extension portion 102b may be bent. The second inlet 104 may be formed in the second extension portion 102b. The second inlet 104 may be formed in a portion of the second extension portion 102b adjacent to the first extension portion 102a. The second inlet 104 may be provided at the upper end of the second extension portion 102b. Air passing through the second inlet 104 may flow from below to above. When the cooking apparatus is viewed from front to rear, the second inlet 104 may not be visible to the user. Therefore, the aesthetics of the cooking apparatus may be improved.

Air outside the main body 10 may flow into the main body 10 through the first inlet 10e and the second inlet 104. For example, air outside the main body 10 may flow from the front of the main body 10 toward the rear and enter the main body 10.

Air introduced into the main body 10 through the first inlet 10e may pass between the front panel 100 and the door, and flow between the cooktop panel 120 and the guide panel 130. For example, air that has passed through the first inlet 10e may flow to the guide flow path 180. Air that has passed through the first inlet 10e may cool the display 51, the heating portion 16, the first board 19, the second board 52, and the like.

Air introduced into the main body 10 through the second inlet 104 may pass between the guide member 110 and the cases 53 and 54 and flow between the cooktop housing 18 and the cooktop panel 120. For example, air that has passed through the second inlet 104 may flow to the cooling flow path 190 between the cases 53 and 54 and the guide member 110, and then flow to the communication hole 121. Since the guide member 110 is inclined downward toward the rear, the area of the cooling flow path 190 may increase toward the rear, and the air in the cooling flow path 190 may flow downward while moving toward the rear. The cooling flow path 190 may include a space between the second case 54 and the guide member 110 and a space between the cooktop housing 18 and the cooktop panel 120.

Air flowing through the cooling flow path 190 may cool the display 51 and the second board 52. Air that has passed through the communication hole 121 may flow to the guide flow path 180 between the cooktop panel 120 and the guide panel 130.

Air flowing into the main body 10 through the first inlet 10e and the second inlet 104 may be drawn into the main body 10 by the blowing fan 30. Air that has flowed to the guide flow path 180 may be drawn in by the blowing fan 30, and then flow to the outside of the main body 10 through the exhaust port 13a. The guide flow path 180 may include a space between the cooktop panel 120 and the guide panel 130. The guide flow path 180 may communicate with a space between the fan housing 150 and the fan cover 140.

The cooking apparatus may be overheated due to use of the heater 41 and the heating portion 16. However, air outside the main body 10, which is at a lower temperature than the main body 10, may be introduced into the main body 10 through the first inlet 10e and the second inlet 104, and the introduced air may cool the display 51 and the display control board 52 . . . Therefore, the cooking apparatus according to an embodiment may prevent the display module 50 from overheating even without an additional cooling fan.

In addition, even when boards and/or display panels that are vulnerable to high temperatures are used, the cooking apparatus according to an embodiment may efficiently cool the boards and/or display panels, thereby allowing a wider range of components to be used in the cooking apparatus. According to an aspect of the present disclosure, a cooking apparatus capable of preventing overheating of a display by cooling the display without an additional fan can be provided by including an inlet adjacent to the display.

According to an aspect of the present disclosure, a cooking apparatus having improved aesthetics can be provided since the inlet is hidden.

According to an aspect of the present disclosure, a cooking apparatus capable of using various components regardless of operation of a heating portion and a heating source can be provided through a simple cooling structure.

The effects of the present disclosure are not limited to those described above, and other effects that are not described above will be clearly understood by those skilled in the art from the above detailed description and drawings.

A cooking apparatus according to an embodiment may include: a main body 10; a top plate 11, 12 disposed at an upper end of the main body such that a cooking container may be placed thereon; a display 51 disposed below the top plate such that an image is displayed on the top plate; a first inlet 10e formed in an upper portion of the main body to allow air to flow into the main body to cool the display; and a second inlet 104 formed in the main body above the first inlet to allow air to flow into the main body to cool the display.

The cooking apparatus may further include: a cooking chamber 40 formed inside the main body; a door 20 coupled to the main body to open and close the cooking chamber; and a front panel 100 provided above the door; wherein the first inlet may be provided at a front portion of the main body between the door and the front panel, and the second inlet may be provided in the front panel.

The front panel may include: a cover portion 101 extending vertically to cover a front side; and an extension portion 102 extending in a horizontal direction from the cover portion; wherein the second inlet may be provided in the extension portion.

The cooking apparatus may further include a cover panel 170 configured to cover a front side of the extension portion, wherein air passing through the second inlet may flow in a direction from below to above.

The cooking apparatus may further include a light source member 160 disposed between the cover panel and the extension portion, wherein the extension portion may include a plurality of extension portions, including: a first extension portion 102a in contact with a rear surface of the light source member and extending in the vertical direction; and a second extension portion 102b connecting the cover portion and the first extension portion, extending in a rounded shape, and having the second inlet formed at an upper end portion of the second extension portion.

The cooking apparatus may further include: a fan 30 configured to generate a suction force such that air may be introduced into the main body through the first inlet and the second inlet; and a guide member 110 inclined to guide air introduced into the main body through the second inlet toward the fan.

The cooking apparatus may further include: a display control board 52 electrically connected to the display and disposed below the display; and a support member 53 disposed below the display to support the display; wherein the support member may form, between the support member and the guide member, a cooling flow path 190 connected to the second inlet to cool the display and the display control board.

The top plate may include: a cooking plate 11 on which the cooking container may be placed; and a control plate 12 disposed in front of the cooking plate and disposed above the display such that the image of the display may be displayed; wherein the guide member may be disposed below the display and may be inclined downward toward a rear side such that air in the cooling flow path flows downward.

The cooking apparatus may further include: a cooking chamber housing 80 forming a cooking chamber; a first guide panel 130 disposed above the cooking chamber housing and configured to guide air introduced into the main body through the first inlet toward the fan; a second guide panel 120 disposed between the top plate and the first guide panel to form, in combination with the first guide panel, a guide flow path 180 that may guide air introduced into the cooling flow path through the first inlet toward the fan; and a communication hole 121 formed in the second guide panel such that air introduced into the main body through the second inlet may flow to the fan after cooling the display.

The cooking apparatus may further include: an exhaust panel 13 disposed at a rear side of the top plate at the upper end of the main body; and an exhaust port 13a formed in the exhaust panel and communicating with the fan.

The fan may be disposed at a rear portion of the main body, and air introduced into the main body through the second inlet may pass sequentially through the communication hole, the guide flow path, and the fan, and may be discharged to the outside of the main body through the exhaust port.

The cooking apparatus may further include: a heater 41 configured to heat the cooking chamber; and a cooktop 10a disposed at an upper portion of the main body and including the top plate.

The cooktop includes: a heating portion 16 configured to heat a cooking container placed on the top plate; and a heating portion control board 19 configured to control the heating portion.

A cooking apparatus according to an embodiment may include: a cooking chamber housing 80 having a cooking chamber 40; a heating source 41 configured to provide heat to the cooking chamber; a top plate 11, 12 disposed above the cooking chamber and above the cooking chamber housing such that a cooking container may be placed thereon; a display 51 disposed below the top plate such that an image may be displayed on the top plate; an inlet 10e, 104 provided between the cooking chamber housing and the cooktop to cool the display; and a heat blocking member 110 disposed below the display to block heat flowing from the cooking chamber to the display.

The cooking apparatus may further include: a front panel 100 disposed in front of the heat blocking member; and a door 20 configured to open and close the cooking chamber and disposed below the front panel; wherein the inlet may include: a first inlet 10e provided between the front panel and the door to cool the display; and a second inlet 104 formed in the front panel to cool the display.

The cooking apparatus may further include a fan 30 configured to generate a suction force such that air may flow through the first inlet and the second inlet, wherein the heat blocking member may include an inclined portion 112 inclined downward toward a rear side to guide air having passed through the second inlet toward the fan.

The front panel may include: a cover portion 101 configured to cover a front side; and an extension portion 102 extending in a horizontal direction from the cover portion; wherein the second inlet may be provided in the extension portion.

The cooking apparatus may further include: a display control board 52 electrically connected to the display and disposed below the display; a support member 53 disposed below the display to support the display; and a cooling flow path 190 formed between the support member and the guide member and connected to the second inlet to cool the display and the display control board.

A cooking apparatus according to an embodiment may include: a main body 10 having a cooking chamber 40; a heating source 41 configured to provide heat to the cooking chamber; a top plate 11, 12 disposed at an upper end of the main body, the top plate including a cooking plate 11 configured such that a cooking container may be placed thereon, and a control plate 12 disposed in front of the cooking plate; a display 51 disposed below the top plate such that an image may be displayed on the control plate; a fan 30 configured to generate a suction force such that air may flow into the main body; a first inlet 10e formed in the main body such that air may flow by the fan; a second inlet 104 formed in the main body above the first inlet such that air may be caused to flow by the fan; and a heat blocking member 110 disposed below the display to block heat flowing from the cooking chamber to the display.

The blocking member may include an inclined portion 112 inclined toward a rear side to guide air having passed through the second inlet toward the fan.

While the disclosure has been shown and described with reference to various embodiments thereof, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes in form and details may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the disclosure as defined by the appended claims and their equivalents.

Claims

1. A cooking apparatus comprising:

a main body;

a top plate to be disposed on the main body such that a cooking container is placeable on the top plate;

a display to be disposed below the top plate such that an image is displayable on the top plate;

a first inlet to be formed at an upper portion of the main body such that air is introduced into the main body through the first inlet to flow into the main body to cool the display; and

a second inlet to be formed at the upper portion of the main body spaced from and above the first inlet such that air is introduced into the main body through the second inlet to flow into the main body to cool the display.

2. The cooking apparatus of claim 1, further comprising:

a cooking chamber to be disposed inside the main body;

a door to be coupled to the main body to open and close the cooking chamber; and

a front panel to provided above the door;

wherein the first inlet is provided at a front portion of the main body between the door and the front panel, and the second inlet is provided in the front panel.

3. The cooking apparatus of claim 2, wherein the front panel comprises:

a cover portion to extend vertically along the cooking apparatus to cover a front side; and

an extension portion to extend along a horizontal direction from the cover portion;

wherein the second inlet is provided in the extension portion.

4. The cooking apparatus of claim 3, further comprising:

a cover panel configured to cover a front side of the extension portion;

wherein air passing through the second inlet flows in a direction from below to above.

5. The cooking apparatus of claim 4, further comprising:

a light source member to be disposed between the cover panel and the extension portion;

wherein the extension portion includes a plurality of extension portions and the plurality of extension portions include a first extension portion that is in contact with a rear surface of the light source member and extends along a vertical direction, and

a second extension portion that connects the cover portion and the first extension portion, extends in a rounded shape, and has the second inlet formed at an upper end portion of the second extension portion.

6. The cooking apparatus of claim 1, further comprising:

a fan configured to generate a suction force such that air is introduced into the main body through the first inlet and the second inlet; and

a guide member that is inclined to guide the air introduced into the main body through the second inlet toward the fan.

7. The cooking apparatus of claim 6, further comprising:

a display control board to be electrically connected to the display and be disposed below the display; and

a support member to be disposed below the display to support the display;

wherein the support member forms, between the support member and the guide member, a cooling flow path to the second inlet to cool the display and the display control board.

8. The cooking apparatus of claim 7, wherein the top plate comprises:

a cooking plate on which the cooking container is placeable; and

a control plate to be disposed in front of the cooking plate and disposed above the display such that the image of the display is displayed, wherein the guide member is disposed below the display and is inclined downward toward a rear side such that air in the cooling flow path flows downward.

9. The cooking apparatus of claim 8, further comprising:

a cooking chamber housing to form a cooking chamber;

a first guide panel, disposed above the cooking chamber housing, configured to guide the air introduced into the main body through the first inlet toward the fan;

a second guide panel disposed between the top plate and the first guide panel to form, in combination with the first guide panel, a guide flow path that guides air introduced into the cooling flow path through the first inlet toward the fan; and

a communication hole formed in the second guide panel such that the air introduced into the main body through the second inlet flows to the fan after cooling the display.

10. The cooking apparatus of claim 9, further comprising:

an exhaust panel to be disposed at a rear side of the top plate at the main body; and

an exhaust port to be formed in the exhaust panel such that air guided by the fan flows through the exhaust port.

11. The cooking apparatus of claim 10, wherein the fan is disposed at a rear portion of the main body, and air introduced into the main body through the second inlet passes sequentially through the communication hole, the guide flow path, and the fan, and is discharged outside of the main body through the exhaust port.

12. The cooking apparatus of claim 5, further comprising:

a heater configured to heat the cooking chamber; and

a cooktop disposed at an upper portion of the main body and including the top plate.

13. The cooking apparatus of claim 12, wherein the cooktop includes:

a heating portion configured to heat the cooking container which is placed on the top plate; and

a heating portion control board configured to control the heating portion.