Cooking appliance

A cooking appliance includes a frame defining a cooking chamber, a a magnetron for generating microwaves to cook food received in the cooking chamber, a door connected to the frame and configured to open and close the cooking chamber, a gasket disposed at the door and configured to contact a front portion of the frame based on the door closing the cooking chamber, and a leakage prevention part that is disposed at the door and that defines a space portion for preventing leakage of the microwaves. The gasket is coupled to the space portion.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a National Stage application under 35 U.S.C. § 371 of International Application No. PCT/KR2018/003903, filed on Apr. 3, 2018, which claims the benefit of Korean Patent Application No. 10-2017-0047292, filed on Apr. 12, 2017. The disclosures of the prior applications are incorporated by reference in their entirety.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a cooling appliance.

BACKGROUND ART

In general, cooking appliances are home appliances that cook foods.

Such a cooking appliance may include a magnetron that cooks food by using microwaves according to kinds of cooking appliances.

When the cooking appliance includes the magnetron, a door of the cooking appliance includes a choke that prevents leakage of the microwaves.

A choke cover for blocking electromagnetic waves is disclosed in Korean Patent Publication No. 10-2003-0012639 that is a prior art document.

In the case of the prior art document, the choke is integrated with a choke part of a door frame. Here, a choke cover that is a dielectric is coupled to an inner peripheral portion of the choke, and a door panel and a screen are coupled to the outside of the choke.

The choke may be generally formed by bending a metal plate.

However, when the choke having the bent shape is formed on the door, the door is complicated in structure, and also, the choke cover made of a plastic material is separately provided to increase in number of components.

Also, in some cases, if it intends to additionally install a steam generator that cooks food by using steam in the cooking appliance according to the prior art document, there is a problem that the choke cover is deformed or melted by the high-temperature steam generated in the steam generator, and the choke is also deformed by the high-temperature steam and thus is deteriorated in function of blocking the electromagnetic waves.

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION

Technical Problem

The present invention provides a cooking appliance that is capable of preventing microwaves from leaking while having a simplified structure.

The present invention also provides a cooking appliance that is capable of preventing steam as well as microwaves from leaking.

Technical Solution

A cooking appliance according to one aspect includes: a frame configured to define a cooking chamber; a magnetron configured to generate microwaves so as to cook food accommodated in a cooking chamber; a door connected to the frame to open and close the cooking chamber; a gasket disposed in the door to contact a front portion of the frame in a state in which the cooking chamber is closed by the door; and a leakage prevention part disposed in the door to define a space portion configured to prevent the microwaves from leaking, wherein the gasket is coupled to the space portion.

The door may include a front panel and a rear panel connected to the front panel, the rear panel may include an installation surface which faces the front portion and on which the gasket is installed, and the leakage prevention part may be disposed on the installation surface.

The rear panel may further include an insertion part inserted into the storage chamber when the storage chamber is closed by the door, and the installation surface may extend along an outer circumference of the insertion part.

The insertion part may be provided with an inner glass so that the inside of the storage chamber is visible from the outside.

The space portion may be a groove defined by recessing a portion of the installation surface in a direction away from the front portion or a groove defined by bending the installation surface several times.

A depth of the space portion of the leakage prevention part may be set to ¼ of a wavelength of the microwave.

The space portion may be disposed between a rear surface of the front panel and the front portion.

The leakage prevention part may include: a first space portion to which the gasket is coupled; a second space portion extending from the first space portion in a first direction; and a third space portion extending from the second space portion in a second direction that is opposite to the first direction.

The first space portion may extend in a horizontal direction, the second space portion may extend from the first space portion in an outer direction of the door, and the third space portion may extend from the first space portion in an inner direction of the door.

At least a portion of the second space portion may be disposed so as not to overlap the third space portion in the extension direction of the third space portion.

A plurality of second space portions may be arranged to be spaced apart from each other in the extension direction of the first space portion, and a plurality of third space portions may be arranged to be spaced apart from each other in the extension direction of the first space portion.

A depth of the first space portion may be set within a range of ⅙ to ⅛ of a wavelength of the microwave.

The leakage prevention part may include: a first space portion to which the gasket is coupled; and a second space portion extending from the first space portion in a direction away from the front portion, wherein the second space portion may have a depth and width, which are greater than those of the second space portion.

The cooking appliance may further include a steam generator configured to generate steam that heats the food within the cooking chamber.

Advantageous Effects

According to the proposed invention, there is an advantage that the leakage prevention part additionally performs the function of the installation groove of the gasket while the door is simplified in structure.

In addition, since the gasket covers the leakage prevention part, the separate cover member that covers the leakage prevention part may be unnecessary.

In addition, since the gasket installed on the door is disposed between the door and the front portion of the frame, the steam supplied into the storage chamber may be prevented from leaking.

MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

Hereinafter, some embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. Exemplary embodiments of the present invention will be described below in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. It is noted that the same or similar components in the drawings are designated by the same reference numerals as far as possible even if they are shown in different drawings. Further, in description of embodiments of the present disclosure, when it is determined that detailed descriptions of well-known configurations or functions disturb understanding of the embodiments of the present disclosure, the detailed descriptions will be omitted.

Also, in the description of the embodiments of the present disclosure, the terms such as first, second, A, B, (a) and (b) may be used. Each of the terms is merely used to distinguish the corresponding component from other components, and does not delimit an essence, an order or a sequence of the corresponding component. It should be understood that when one component is “connected”, “coupled” or “joined” to another component, the former may be directly connected or jointed to the latter or may be “connected % coupled” or “joined” to the latter with a third component interposed therebetween.

FIG.1is a perspective view of a cooking appliance according to an embodiment of the present invention,FIG.2is a perspective view of the cooking appliance in a state in which a door is opened inFIG.1, andFIG.3is a block diagram of the cooking appliance according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIGS.1and2illustrate a state in which an outer case defining an outer appearance of the cooking appliance is removed as an example.

Referring toFIGS.1to3, the cooking appliance10according to an embodiment of the present invention may include a frame11defining a cooking chamber (see reference numeral111ofFIG.4) and a door12connected to the frame11to open and close the cooking chamber (see reference numeral111ofFIG.4).

The door12may include a handle129to be held by a user. For example, the door12may open and close the cooking chamber (see reference numeral111ofFIG.4) in a rotation manner.

The cooking appliance10may further include a magnetron30generating microwaves for cooking food, a steam generator32generating steam, and a controller20controlling the magnetron30and the steam generator32.

Also, the cooking appliance10may further include a control panel13. The control panel may include a display part131displaying various pieces of information and a manipulation part132for inputting the various pieces of information.

The food may be cooked by any one of the magnetron30and the steam generator32according to an input manner for the cooking through the manipulation part132or kinds of food.

The magnetron30and the steam generator32may be installed on the frame11. Also, a discharge hole of the steam generator32may communicate with the cooking chamber (see reference numeral111ofFIG.4) within the frame11.

In the present invention, the magnetron30generates microwaves, and the microwaves have to be prevented from leaking from the cooking chamber111. Thus, in this embodiment, the door12may include a structure for preventing the microwaves from leaking.

Also, steam may be generated from the steam generator32. Also, the steam generated from the steam generator32and supplied into the cooking chamber (see reference numeral111ofFIG.4) have to be prevented from leaking to the outside.

Thus, in this embodiment, the door12may include a structure for preventing the steam from leaking.

Hereinafter, the structure of the door, which prevents the microwaves and the steam from leaking, will be described.

FIG.4is a vertical cross-sectional view of the door according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Referring toFIG.4, the door20may include a gasket14that prevents the steam from leaking in a state in which the storage chamber111is closed.

The frame11may include a front portion extending vertically from a circumference of an inlet111aof the storage chamber111. In the state in which the door20closes the storage chamber111, the gasket14may contact the front portion111a.

Thus, in the state in which the door20closes the storage chamber111, since the gasket14is disposed along the circumference of the storage chamber111, the leakage of the steam may be prevented by the gasket14.

Although not shown, a magnet may be provided on the gasket14. Thus, the gasket14may be maintained in the state of contacting the front portion111aby the magnet.

The door20may include a front panel121and a rear panel123coupled to the font panel121.

For example, the front panel121may be made of a metal material. In this case, an opening may be defined in the front panel121, and a transparent or translucent outer glass122may be coupled to the front panel121to cover the opening.

For another example, the front panel121may be made of a glass material. In this case, an opening may not be defined in the front panel121.

The rear panel123may be coupled to a rear surface of the front panel121. In the state in which the door20closes the storage chamber111, a portion of the rear panel123may be inserted into the storage chamber111. In this embodiment, the portion of the rear panel123, which is disposed inside the storage chamber111may be called an insertion part.

When the portion of the rear panel123is inserted into the storage chamber111, the rear panel123itself may serve to reduce a passage through which the steam flows.

An inner glass127disposed to face the outer glass122may be coupled to the rear panel123. For example, the inner glass127may be disposed in the insertion part.

The user may confirm a cooked state of the food within the storage chamber111by the outer glass122and the inner glass127in the state in which the door12closes the storage chamber111.

The rear panel123may include an installation surface124on which the gasket14is installed. The installation surface124may be a surface facing the front portion112of the frame11.

The installation surface124may be disposed along an outer circumference of the insertion part.

The installation surface124may include a leakage prevention part125that prevents the microwaves from leaking. The leakage prevention part125may define a space portion for preventing the microwaves from leaking, and the gasket14may be coupled to the space portion.

For example, the leakage prevention part125may be a groove defined by recessing a portion of the installation surface124or a groove defined by bending the installation surface itself.

The space portion may be defined between the rear surface of the front panel12and the front portion112.

For example, the leakage prevention part125may be disposed in the installation surface124so as to be recessed in a direction that is away from the front portion112or a direction of the front panel121.

A portion of the gasket14may be fitted to be coupled to the leakage prevention part125. In order to fit the gasket14into the leakage prevention part125, a coupling part may be provided on the gasket14.

The feature of the prevent invention may be implemented by the known structure in which the gasket14is coupled to the leakage prevention part125, and the coupling part of the gasket14is fitted to be coupled, and thus, its detailed description will be omitted.

The structure for preventing the microwaves from leaking according to the present invention may be provided as an LC resonant circuit constituted by an inductor L and a capacitor C connected to the inductor L.

For example, an inductance may be generated by the leakage prevention part125, and capacitance may be generated by a distance between the installation surface124and the front portion112. Thus, a resonant frequency having a desired band may be generated.

Since the gasket14is coupled to the installation surface124, when the gasket14contacts the front portion112, the installation surface124may be spaced apart from the front portion112by the gasket14.

Although not limited, a horizontal length L1or a recessed depth of the leakage prevention part125may be ¼ (λ/4) of a wavelength of the microwave. Thus, the resonant frequency of the leakage prevention part125may be designed to have the same frequency as a central frequency of the microwave.

Alternatively, the horizontal length L1or the recessed depth of the leakage prevention part125may be less than ¼ (λ/4) of the wavelength of the microwave.

Alternatively, although not limited, a vertical length L2(or a width) of the leakage prevention part125may be set to 2 mm to 6 mm.

In the present invention, the leakage prevention part125may serve as an installation groove for the instillation of the gasket14. It is necessary to provide the installation groove so as to install the gasket14on the rear panel123. Thus, since the leakage prevention part125additionally performs the function of the installation groove, there is an advantage that the leakage of the microwaves is prevented while simplifying the structure of the rear panel123.

In addition, since the gasket14covers the leakage prevention part, a separate cover member that covers the leakage prevention part may be unnecessary.

FIG.5is a vertical cross-sectional view of a door according to another embodiment of the present invention.

This embodiment is the same as the forgoing embodiment except for the leakage prevention part. Thus, only characterized parts in this embodiment will be described below.

Referring toFIG.5, a leakage prevention part225according to this embodiment may include a first space portion226, one or more second space portions227extending from the first space portion226in a first direction, and a third space portion extending from the first space portion226in a second direction that is opposite to the first direction.

For example, the first space portion226may be a groove defined in an installation surface124to extend in a direction away from a front portion112. The second space portion226may extend horizontally from the door. Also, the gasket14may be connected to the first space portion226.

For example, the second space portion227may extend from the first space portion226in an outer direction of the door12. The third space portion228may extend from the first space portion226in an inner direction of the door12.

For example, the second space portion227may be arranged to be spaced apart from the first space portion226in the extension direction of the first space portion226. Also, the third space portion228may be arranged to be spaced apart from the first space portion226in the extension direction of the first space portion226.

Here, a portion or the whole of the second space portion227may be disposed so as not to overlap the third space portion228in the extension direction of the third space portion228.

Each of the second space portion227and the third space portion228may have a width (a horizontal length in the drawing) equal to or less than that (a vertical length in the drawing) of the first space portion226.

In this embodiment, an inductance may be generated by the leakage prevention part225, and capacitance may be generated by a distance between the installation surface124and the front portion112. Thus, a resonant frequency having a desired band may be generated.

Like this embodiment, according to the configuration of the leakage prevention part225, when a horizontal length (or a depth) of the first space portion226is less than ¼ (λ/4) of a wavelength of the microwave, the leakage of the microwaves may be prevented.

For example, the horizontal length (or the depth) of the first space portion226may be set within a range of ⅙ (λ/6) to ⅛ (λ/8) of the wavelength of the microwave.

Therefore, the length of the first space portion226may be reduced to reduce a size of the door12or apply the reduced length to the door having the small size.

FIG.6is a vertical cross-sectional view of a door according to further another embodiment of the present invention.

This embodiment is the same as the forgoing embodiment except for the leakage prevention part. Thus, only characterized parts in this embodiment will be described below.

Referring toFIG.6, a leakage prevention part325according to this embodiment may include a first space portion326and a second space portion327extending from the first space portion326in a direction away from a front portion112.

A horizontal length (depth) and a vertical length (width) of the second space portion327may be greater than those of the first space portion326. Thus, the second space portion327has a volume greater than that of the first space portion326.

Also, a gasket14may be connected to the first space portion326.

According to this embodiment, the leakage prevention part325itself may generate inductance and capacitance to generate a resonant frequency having a desired band.

A distance between an installation surface124and a front portion112may vary according to a manufacturing error occurring in a manufacturing process of a door12, an assembly error occurring in an assembly process of the door12, and an assembly error occurring in a process of assembling the door12to a frame11, and the like.

Thus, when the capacitance is generated by the distance between the installation surface124and the front portion112, the resonant frequency set to prevent the microwave from leaking may be different from a central frequency of the microwave to cause the leakage of the microwaves.

However, in case of this embodiment, since the leakage prevention part325itself generates the inductance and the capacitance to generate the resonant frequency of the desired band, the leakage of the microwaves may be prevented regardless of the distance between the installation surface124and the front portion112.