COOKING APPARATUS

The present disclosure relates to a cooking apparatus including an outer housing, an inner housing positioned inside the outer housing to provide a cooking chamber, a door provided in front of the inner housing to open and close the cooking chamber, a vent fan positioned in a separation space formed between the outer housing and the inner housing and including a discharge port to flow air through the discharge port, an electrical component located on a route along which air flowing by the vent fan moves, and an electrical component cover including an electrical component cover body provided to surround the electrical component to protect the electrical component from the air flowing by the vent fan.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates to a cooking apparatus. More specifically, the present disclosure relates to a cooking apparatus including an electrical component cover for protecting electrical components from external contaminants.

BACKGROUND ART

Cooking apparatuses are apparatuses for cooking by heating a cooking object such as food, and refer to apparatuses capable of providing various functions related to cooking, such as heating, thawing, drying, and sterilization of a cooking object. Cooking apparatuses include, for example, an oven such as a gas oven and an electric oven, a microwave heating device (hereinafter referred to as a microwave oven), a gas range, an electric range, a hood combined microwave oven (Over the Range; OTR), a gas grill or an electric grill, and the like.

The Over the Range is a microwave oven with a hood function that is responsible for ventilation in a kitchen, in which an installation space is minimized while cooking food more conveniently and efficiently. This Over the Range may be located above a cooking apparatus such as a gas range and a cooktop.

Because the Over the Range among cooking apparatuses functions as a hood, oil vapor generated from a lower side may be introduced into a cooking apparatus. An electrical component positioned on a route along which oil vapor moves may easily break down due to coming into contact with the oil vapor. In particular, there is a risk of fire occurring when the electrical component coming into contact with oil vapor is a connector.

DISCLOSURE

Technical Problem

The present disclosure is directed to providing a cooking apparatus capable of protecting electrical components from contaminated air moving inside the cooking apparatus.

The present disclosure is directed to providing a cooking apparatus capable of reducing a possibility of fire occurring when oil vapor flows into the cooking apparatus.

The present disclosure is directed to providing a cooking apparatus in which an electrical component cover for protecting electrical components may be installed in a convenient method.

Technical Solution

An aspect of the present disclosure provides a cooking apparatus including an outer housing, an inner housing inside the outer housing and including a cooking chamber, a door in front of the inner housing to open and close the cooking chamber, a vent fan including a discharge port and positioned in a separation space between the outer housing and the inner housing, wherein the vent fan is configured to draw air into the cooking apparatus and discharge the air through the discharge port so that the air flows from the discharge port along a route inside the cooking chamber, an electrical component positioned on the route, and an electrical component cover including an electrical component cover body surrounding the electrical component to protect the electrical component from the air flowing along the route.

The electrical component cover body may include a blocking wall between the electrical component and the discharge port of the vent fan to prevent air discharged from the discharge port of the vent fan toward the electrical component from directly coming into contact with the electrical component, and a plurality of walls extending from the blocking wall to cover a periphery of the electrical component, and the plurality of walls may include an upper wall extending upward at a predetermined angle to guide the air flowing by the vent fan.

The cooking apparatus may further include a vent plate between the vent fan and the electrical component to reduce a flow of air to the electrical component and to partition a space in which the electrical component is located and a space in which the vent fan is located.

The electrical component cover may be spaced apart from the discharge port of the vent fan to reduce contact of the air flowing along the route with the electrical component, and the vent plate may include a plate opening positioned to correspond to the discharge port of the vent fan, and a plate guide bent and extending from an edge of the plate opening to guide air discharged from the discharge port of the vent fan.

The vent plate may include a base plate on one side of which the plate opening is formed, and a plate wall bent and extending from an other side of the base plate spaced apart from the plate opening, and the electrical component cover may be coupled to the plate wall to reduce contact of air discharged from the discharge port with the electrical component.

The vent fan may include a first vent fan and a second vent fan positioned at the rear of the first vent fan, the plate opening may include a first plate opening formed to correspond to the first vent fan and a second plate opening formed to correspond to the second vent fan, and the electrical component cover may be between the first plate opening and the second plate opening to reduce direct contact with air discharged from the first vent fan and the second vent fan.

The plate wall may include a plate recess recessed in a direction toward the inner housing at a position where the electrical component is provided.

The plate wall may include a plate fitting protrusion provided by a portion of the plate wall being bent and extending, and the electrical component cover may include, in order to couple the electrical component cover to the plate wall, a cover flange bent and extending from one side of the electrical component cover body facing the plate wall and having an end accommodated in the plate fitting protrusion.

The plate fitting protrusion may include a fitting support part provided by a portion of the plate wall bent and extending, and protruding in a direction in which the electrical component cover is coupled, and a fitting separation prevention part bent from an end of the fitting support part and extending at a determined angle in a direction in which the cover flange is inserted so that the cover flange is smoothly fitted into the plate fitting protrusion.

The plate wall may include a locking opening, and the electrical component cover may include, in order to couple the electrical component cover to the plate wall, a cover protrusion formed at a position corresponding to the locking opening to be accommodated in the locking opening.

The cover protrusion may include a locking support part provided to extend in a direction toward the plate wall to be accommodated in the locking opening, a locking separation prevention part provided to be bent and extend from an end of the locking support part to prevent the cover protrusion from being separated from the locking opening when the cover protrusion is accommodated in the locking opening, and a locking insertion part provided to be bent from an end of the locking separation prevention part and extend toward a base plate to smoothly accommodate a cover locking part in the locking opening.

The plate wall may be positioned adjacent to one side of the inner housing, the plate wall may include a plate cutout piece bent and extending at a predetermined angle in a direction opposite to a direction toward the inner housing, the electrical component cover may include a cover cutout piece at a position corresponding to the plate cutout piece, and the cooking apparatus may further include a coupling member provided to penetrate and be coupled to the plate cutout piece and the cover cutout piece, so that the coupling member is prevented from penetrating the inner housing.

The electrical component cover may include a coupling guide adjacent to a position where the coupling member is to be coupled to guide the coupling of the coupling member and extending beyond a height of the plate cutout piece.

The outer housing may include a circulation air intake port on a lower side of the outer housing to allow air to be introduced into the outer housing, and a circulation air discharge port on an upper side of the outer housing to allow the air introduced from the circulation air intake port to be discharged, the circulation air discharge port may include a first circulation air discharge port adjacent to the vent fan, and a second circulation air discharge port between the first circulation air discharge port and a control panel, the route may include a first circulation flow path along which air discharged from the discharge port of the vent fan is discharged to the first circulation air discharge port, and a second circulation flow path along which air discharged from the discharge port of the vent fan is discharged to the second circulation air discharge port, and the electrical component may be positioned on the first circulation flow path and the electrical component cover may cover the electrical component to reduce contact of air flowing along the first circulation flow path with the electrical component.

The electrical component may be a first electrical component and the electrical component cover may be a first electrical component cover, the cooking apparatus may further include a second electrical component positioned on the second circulation flow path and a second electrical component cover surrounding the second electrical component to reduce contact of air flowing along the second circulation flow path with the second electrical component, the second electrical component cover may include a cover body and a cover hood provided to open and close the cover body, the cover hood may include a hood protrusion provided to protrude toward the cover body when the cover hood comes into contact with the cover body so that separation of the cover hood from the cover body becomes difficult in a state in which the cover hood is in contact with the cover body, and the cover body may include a body protrusion provided to form at a position corresponding to the hood protrusion and protrude toward the cover hood in order to couple the cover hood to the cover body.

Another aspect of the present disclosure provides a cooking apparatus including an outer housing including a circulation air intake port and a circulation air discharge port through which air introduced from the circulation air intake port is discharged, an inner housing provided inside the outer housing to form a separation space between the outer housing and the inner housing, a vent fan positioned in the separation space to flow air introduced into the outer housing from the circulation air intake port, a fan motor connected to the vent fan to drive the vent fan, a first electrical component positioned on a route along which air flowing by the vent fan moves, and a first electrical component cover provided to surround the first electrical component to protect the first electrical component from the air flowing by the vent fan.

The cooking apparatus may further include a vent plate positioned between the vent fan and the first electrical component, the vent plate may include a plate opening positioned on one side of the vent plate to correspond to a discharge port of the vent fan, a plate guide provided to be bent and extend from an edge of the plate opening to guide air discharged from the discharge port of the vent fan, and a plate wall provided to be bent and extend from the other side spaced apart from the plate opening, and the first electrical component cover may be coupled to the plate wall to reduce contact of the air discharged from the discharge port with the first electrical component.

The outer housing may include a circulation air intake port provided on a lower side thereof to allow air to be introduced therein, and a circulation air discharge port provided on an upper side thereof to allow the air introduced from the circulation air intake port to be discharged, the circulation air discharge port may include a first circulation air discharge port positioned adjacent to the vent fan, and a second circulation air discharge port positioned between the first circulation air discharge port and a control panel, the route along which the air flowing by the vent fan moves may include a first circulation flow path along which the air flowed from the vent fan is discharged to the first circulation air discharge port, and a second circulation flow path along which the air flowed from the vent fan is discharged to the second circulation air discharge port, the first electrical component may be positioned on the first circulation flow path and the electrical component cover may cover the first electrical component to reduce contact of air flowing along the first circulation flow path with the first electrical component, the cooking apparatus may further include a second electrical component positioned on the second circulation flow path and a second electrical component cover provided to surround the second electrical component to reduce contact of air flowing along the second circulation flow path with the second electrical component, the second electrical component cover may include a cover body and a cover hood provided to open and close the cover body, the cover hood may include a hood protrusion provided to protrude toward the cover body when the cover hood comes into contact with the cover body so that separation of the cover hood from the cover body becomes difficult in a state in which the cover hood is in contact with the cover body, and the cover body may include a body protrusion provided to form at a position corresponding to the hood protrusion and protrude toward the cover hood in order to couple the cover hood to the cover body.

Another aspect of the present disclosure provides a cooking apparatus capable of being placed above a home appliance that cooks food by heating the food, wherein the cooking apparatus includes an outer housing including a circulation air intake port provided to allow oil vapor generated from the food cooked in the home appliance to be introduced and a circulation air discharge port provided to allow air introduced from the circulation air intake port to be discharged, a connector located on a route along which the oil vapor generated from the food cooked in the home appliance flows, and an electrical component cover provided to surround the connector to protect the connector from the oil vapor generated from the food cooked in the home appliance.

The electrical component cover may include a metal material.

Advantageous Effects

According to the present disclosure, electrical components can be protected by preventing contact between the electrical components and contaminated air introduced into a cooking apparatus through an electrical component cover peripheries of the electrical components.

According to the present disclosure, a possibility of fire occurring can be reduced by positioning the electrical component cover the peripheries of the electrical components to separate the electrical components from oil vapor introduced into the cooking apparatus.

According to the present disclosure, the electrical component cover installed in the cooking apparatus can be installed in a convenient method by being coupled to the inside of the cooking apparatus using a locking member and a coupling member.

MODE OF THE DISCLOSURE

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

Like reference numbers or signs in the various drawings of the application represent parts or components that perform substantially the same functions.

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

It will be understood that, although the terms first, second, etc. may be used herein to describe various components, these components should not be limited by these terms, the terms are only used to distinguish one component from another. For example, without departing from the scope of the present disclosure, a first component may be referred to as a second component, and similarly, the second component may also be referred to as a first component. The term “and/or” includes any combination of a plurality of related items or any one of a plurality of related items.

In this specification, the terms “up-down direction,” “lower portion,” “front-rear direction,” and the like used in the following description are defined with reference to the drawings, and the shape and position of each component are not limited by these terms.

FIG.1is a perspective view of a cooking apparatus1according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

As illustrated inFIG.1, the cooking apparatus1may include an outer housing10forming an exterior and a door30coupled to the front of the outer housing10.

The cooking apparatus1may include a control panel40coupled to the front of the outer housing10. The front of the control panel40may be covered by the door30. More specifically, the control panel40may be coupled to the outer housing10to be disposed between the door30and the outer housing10.

FIG.2is a perspective view of the cooking apparatus1ofFIG.1, which is viewed from below.

As illustrated inFIG.2, the outer housing10of the cooking apparatus1may include an outer housing cover11including an upper surface and opposite side surfaces of the outer housing10, and a housing plate13forming a lower surface of the outer housing10. The housing plate13may be formed separately from the outer housing cover11, but may also be formed integrally with the outer housing cover11.

The housing plate13may include a circulation air intake port14for intake of outside air.

For convenience of explanation, the present disclosure illustrates that a separate home appliance is provided below a microwave oven and the microwave oven has a hood function for discharging contaminated air generated from food cooked in the home appliance to the outside. However, the present disclosure is not limited thereto and may be applied to any cooking apparatus.

Food may be cooked separately below the cooking apparatus1of the present disclosure, and oil vapor may be generated when food is cooked below the cooking apparatus1. In this case, because the cooking apparatus1of the present disclosure may perform the hood function, in order to discharge oil vapor generated by cooking food to the outside, the cooking apparatus1may intake the oil vapor into the inside thereof. At this time, when a vent fan110(FIG.3) positioned inside the outer housing10operates, the oil vapor generated from food may be drawn into the outer housing10through the circulation air intake port14.

Because food may be cooked below the cooking apparatus1, the circulation air intake port14may be provided on the housing plate13which may be disposed at a lower side of the cooking apparatus1which may be positioned above the food.

The drawn oil vapor may flow inside the outer housing10and then be discharged to the outside of the cooking apparatus1through a circulation air discharge port11a.

The housing plate13may include a lighting unit15. The lighting unit15may be disposed in front of the circulation air intake port14. The lighting unit15may be disposed to emit light below the cooking apparatus1when a cooktop, etc. is installed below the cooking apparatus1.

FIG.3is a rear exploded perspective view illustrating that the outer housing cover11and an outer housing rear plate12bare separated in the cooking apparatus1ofFIG.1.

As illustrated inFIG.3, the outer housing10may have the upper surface and opposite side surfaces integrally formed to form the outer housing cover11. Because the outer housing cover11may be formed integrally, an assembly time may be shortened compared to a structure in which respective surfaces are formed of individual plates.

The housing may include the outer housing10and an inner housing20.

The outer housing cover11may include the circulation air discharge port11aformed on an upper surface thereof. Because the housing plate13positioned on a lower side of the outer housing10may include the circulation air intake port14, the air introduced into the cooking apparatus1through the circulation air intake port14is discharged to the outside through the circulation air discharge port11apositioned on the upper surface of the outer housing10.

Inside the outer housing10, the inner housing20may be disposed to form a cooking chamber (not shown). A separation space50may be provided between the outer housing10and the inner housing20.

An electrical component room (not shown) in which electrical components100are disposed may be provided in the separation space50formed between the outer housing10and the inner housing20. Various types of the electrical components100for operating cooking apparatus1may be disposed in the electrical component room (not shown). The electrical components100may include a magnetron, a sensor, the vent fan110, a connector130, a conducting wire140, and the like. The vent fan110may be positioned in the separation space50in addition to the electrical component room (not shown).

The vent fan110may be positioned in the separation space50provided between the outer housing10and the inner housing20. The vent fan110may be positioned above the circulation air intake port14. The vent fan110positioned above the circulation air intake port14may draw air into the cooking apparatus1through the circulation air intake port14.

The circulation air discharge port11aformed on the outer housing cover11may include a first circulation air discharge port11bpositioned adjacent to the vent fan110. The first circulation air discharge port11bmay be positioned at the front. The circulation air discharge port11amay include a second circulation air discharge port11cpositioned between the first circulation air discharge port11band the control panel40. The second circulation air discharge port11cmay be positioned adjacent to the front of an inner housing upper plate21.

On an upper side of the control panel40, a cooling air inlet41may be provided through which air is introduced to cool the electrical components100in the electrical component room (not shown). The air introduced through the cooling air inlet41may cool the electrical components100in the electrical component room (not shown).

Because the control panel40and the circulation air discharge port11amay be spaced apart from each other, the air discharged from the circulation air discharge port11amay be prevented from being introduced into the cooling air inlet41. Because the air discharged from the circulation air discharge port11amay be high-temperature air containing oil vapor generated from food cooked in the home appliance located below cooking apparatus1, when such air is introduced through the cooling air discharge port, the electrical components100in the electrical component room (not shown) may break down. However, because the circulation air discharge port11ais spaced apart from the cooling air inlet41, warm air mixed with oil vapor may be prevented from being introduced into the electrical component room (not shown).

In order to drive the vent fan110, a fan motor120coupled to the vent fan110may be provided adjacent to the vent fan110.

The electrical component room may be positioned on one side of the separation space50formed between the outer housing10and the inner housing20, and the vent fan110may be positioned on the other side thereof. Through this, a flow for cooling the electrical component room and a flow for discharging contaminated air generated from the home appliance located below the cooking apparatus1through the vent fan110may be separated.

The electrical components100may be positioned above the vent fan110. For example, the connector130may be positioned above the vent fan110in order to increase a length of an electric wire for connecting a power source of the vent fan110. Because the vent fan110is used in various devices and producing the respective different vent fans110for the various devices lowers production efficiency, a model of the vent fan110may be preset. When the length of the electric wire connecting the power source to the set vent fan110model is short, the length of the electric wire may be increased by connecting another electric wire using the connector130. In this case, because the model of the vent fan110is preset, positions where the connector130may be located may be limited. When the connector130needs to be positioned adjacent to the vent fan110, the connector130may be positioned on a flow path through which air introduced from the circulation air intake port14passes.

A home appliance capable of cooking food may be located below the cooking apparatus1, and when the home appliance cooks food, contaminated air is introduced into the cooking apparatus1through the circulation air intake port14. The introduced air may direct to the electrical components100positioned above the vent fan110.

The contaminated air may contain high-temperature oil vapor. When the contaminated air containing oil vapor comes into contact with the electrical component100, oil contained in the contaminated air may adhere to the electrical component100. Accordingly, the electrical component100may break down.

In addition, in a case in which the electrical component100is the connector130, because the connector130is connected to an electric wire, a fire may occur in a corresponding part.

In order to solve this problem, the cooking apparatus1may include an electrical component cover200provided to surround the electrical component100located on a route along which air flowing by the vent fan110moves. The electrical component cover200may include an electrical component cover body210(FIG.8) provided to surround the electrical component100to protect the electrical component100from air flowing by the vent fan110.

The vent fan110may include a discharge port111through which air drawn from the circulation air intake port14is discharged. The discharge port111may be positioned to be spaced apart from the electrical component100located on the route along which the air flowing by the vent fan110moves. Accordingly, direct contact of contaminated air with the electrical component100may be reduced. In other words, the electrical component100may have a low possibility of breaking down.

Because the electrical component cover200may be provided to surround the electrical component100, the discharge port111of the vent fan110and the electrical component cover200may be positioned to be spaced apart from each other.

The vent fan110may include a first vent fan110aprovided at a position adjacent to the door30. The vent fan110may include a second vent fan110bpositioned adjacent to the first vent fan110aat the rear of the first vent fan110a.

A vent plate300may be positioned above the vent fan110. In other words, the vent fan110may be positioned on one side of the vent plate300. The electrical component100may be positioned on the other side of the vent plate300. The vent plate300may partition the electrical component100and the vent fan110, thereby reducing contact of contaminated air flowing by the vent fan110with the electrical component100.

The vent plate300may include a plate opening311provided at a position corresponding to the discharge port111of the vent fan110. The vent plate300may include a plate guide312protruding from an inner circumference of the plate opening311in a direction in which air discharged from the discharge port111of the vent fan110flows. Accordingly, the air discharged from the vent fan110may be guided to flow further in the discharge direction toward the circulation air discharge port11a. Because the electrical component100may be positioned to be spaced apart from the discharge port111of the vent fan110, when air is guided by the plate guide312, it may be difficult to direct the contaminated air directly toward the electrical component100.

The plate guide312may have a shape of being bent and extending from the inner circumference of the plate opening311. By this shape, the plate guide312may be produced together with the plate opening311without going through a process of making and attaching a separate plate guide, so that a production time of the cooking apparatus1may be shortened.

The plate opening311formed on the vent plate300may include a first plate opening311aprovided at a position corresponding to the discharge port111of the first vent fan110a. The plate opening311may include a second plate opening311bprovided at a position corresponding to the discharge port111of the second vent fan110b.

The electrical component cover200may be coupled to the vent plate300between the first plate opening311aand the second plate opening311bso that the electrical component100is positioned between the first plate opening311aand the second plate opening311b. Accordingly, the direct contact of contaminated air with the electrical component100may be reduced.

When the conducting wire140connected to the electrical component100protected by the electrical component cover200is connected to the electrical component100at the rear, in order to prevent the conducting wire140from being twisted, the electrical component cover200may be positioned relatively toward the first plate opening311a, which is positioned further forward than the second plate opening311b.

When the electrical component cover200for protecting the electrical component100positioned above the vent fan110is referred to as a first electrical component cover200a, the cooking apparatus1may further include a second electrical component cover500to protect the electrical component100positioned on the door30side.

The electrical component100protected by the first electrical component cover200amay be referred to as a first electrical component100a(FIG.6). The electrical component100protected by the second electrical component cover500may be referred to as a second electrical component100b(FIG.6).

The electrical component100protected by the first electrical component cover200amay be the connector130. The electrical component100protected by the second electrical component cover500may be the conducting wire140.

Descriptions of other configurations illustrated in the drawing will be given later with reference toFIG.4in which flow paths are indicated.

FIG.4is a rear perspective view illustrating that flow paths are indicated in the cooking apparatus1ofFIG.3.

As illustrated inFIG.4, air outside the cooking apparatus1may be introduced into the cooking apparatus1through the cooling air inlet41positioned on the upper side of the control panel40.

The air introduced through the cooling air inlet41may be introduced into the electrical component room (not shown) through a cutout portion22provided on the upper plate of the inner housing20.

The air introduced into the electrical component room (not shown) may cool the electrical component100in the electrical component room (not shown), move inside the inner housing20, and be discharged to the outside of the cooking apparatus1through an outlet (not shown) provided on the door30side.

This may be referred to as a cooling flow path C.

Air may be drawn from below the cooking apparatus1through the circulation air intake port14of the housing plate13positioned on the lower surface of the outer housing10. The drawn air may be contaminated air.

The vent fan110may include the first vent fan110aand the second vent fan110bpositioned on one side of the separation space50, and may include a third vent fan110cpositioned on the other side of the separation space50to be spaced apart from the first vent fan110aand the second vent fan110b. The third vent fan110cmay flow air drawn through the circulation air intake port14to the rear of the inner housing20.

When air is flowed from the third vent fan110cto the rear of the inner housing20, the air may be flowed to the rear of the inner housing20through a communication portion61of a rear bracket60positioned adjacent to the discharge port111side of the third vent fan110c.

The cooking apparatus1may include a bottom bracket70, a partition bracket80, and a circulation divider90.

The bottom bracket70and the partition bracket80may be disposed between the outer housing10and the inner housing20. More specifically, the bottom bracket and partition bracket80may be disposed at the rear of the inner housing20to extend horizontally. The bottom bracket70may be disposed below the partition bracket80to face the partition bracket80.

The circulation divider90may be disposed between the outer housing10and the inner housing20. More specifically, the circulation divider90may be disposed at the rear of the inner housing20to extend horizontally. That is, the circulation divider90may be disposed to face the communication portion61of the rear bracket60.

The partition bracket80may include a communication hole81. The communication hole81may be formed by cutting a portion of the partition bracket80. The communication hole81may be provided to allow air to flow.

Accordingly, the rear bracket60, the bottom bracket70, the partition bracket80, and the circulation divider90may form a portion of the flow path through which air introduced into the circulation air intake port14flows.

The air introduced into the circulation air intake port14may pass through the third vent fan110c, pass through the communication portion61of the rear bracket60, and flow between the bottom bracket70and the partition bracket80.

In this case, the circulation divider90may be closed without an open portion and disposed between the partition bracket80and the bottom bracket70. Accordingly, the flowed air may flow to a rear upper portion of the inner housing20through the communication hole81of the partition bracket80.

The air flowed to the upper portion of the inner housing20through the communication hole81may be discharged to the outside of the cooking apparatus1through the first circulation air discharge port11band the second circulation air discharge port11cwhich are formed on a front upper side of the outer housing10. This may be referred to as a third circulation flow path V3.

As the circulation divider90is provided to be closed, the air introduced by the third vent fan110cand the air introduced by the first vent fan110aand the second vent fan110bmay flow in a separated state at a lower portion of the inner housing20and join together at the upper portion thereof.

The air introduced into the circulation air intake port14may pass through the vent fan110and then pass through the plate opening311of the vent plate300. The air passed through the plate opening311may be discharged to the outside of cooking apparatus1through the second circulation air discharge port11aof the outer housing10. This may be referred to as a second circulation flow path V2.

The air introduced into the circulation air intake port14may pass through the vent fan110, pass through the plate opening311of the vent plate300, and be discharged to the outside of the cooking apparatus1through the first circulation air discharge port11bof the outer housing10. This may be referred to as a first circulation flow path V1.

FIG.4illustrates that the second circulation flow path V2is a flow path through which the air passed through the second vent fan110band the second plate opening311bpasses through the second circulation air discharge port11c. In addition, the drawing illustrates that the first circulation flow path V1is a flow path through which the air passed through the first vent fan110aand the opening of the first vent plate300passes through the first circulation air discharge port11b. However, this is only one example, and the flow path passed through the second vent fan110bmay also form the first circulation flow path V1and the flow path passed through the first vent fan110amay also form the second circulation flow path V2.

The vent plate300may include a base plate310provided to face in a direction toward the vent fan110. Accordingly, the plate opening311may be seen as being positioned on one side of the base plate310.

The vent plate300may include a plate wall320bent and extending from the other side of the base plate310spaced apart from the plate opening311.

The electrical component cover200may be coupled to the plate wall320. Because the plate wall320is positioned to be spaced apart from the plate opening311, the electrical component100surrounded by the electrical component cover200coupled to the plate wall320may be provided to make it difficult for air discharged from the plate opening311to directly come into contact with the electrical component100.

The plate wall320may include a first plate wall321facing the inner housing20. The plate wall320may include a second plate wall322positioned adjacent to the first plate wall321and facing the door30.

The first electrical component cover200amay be positioned to be coupled to the first plate wall321.

Because the second circulation flow path V2is a flow path leading from the vent fan110positioned on one side of the inner housing20to the second circulation air outlet110cpositioned on an upper side of the outer housing10, the second circulation flow path V2may form a flow path passing through one side surface of the inner housing20. Because the first electrical component cover200ais coupled to the first plate wall321positioned on the one side surface of the inner housing20, the first electrical component cover200amay mainly serve to protect the electrical component100from contaminated air passing through the second circulation flow path V2.

The second electrical component cover500may be positioned adjacent to the second plate wall322.

Because the first circulation flow path V1is a flow path leading from the plate opening311to the first circulation air discharge port11b, the first circulation flow path V1may form a flow path passing through the door30side. Because the second electrical component cover500is coupled to the second plate wall322positioned on the door30side, the second electrical component cover500may mainly serve to protect the electrical component100from contaminated air passing through the first circulation flow path V1.

The first electrical component cover200amay have the connector130located therein, and because a moving distance of oil vapor to the electrical component cover200through the second circulation flow path V2is shorter than a moving distance of oil vapor to the electrical component cover200through the first circulation flow path V1, contaminated air flowing on the second circulation flow path V2has a high temperature and a high possibility of containing a large amount of oil vapor. Therefore, there is a high possibility of fire occurring in the electrical component100inside the first electrical component cover200a. In order to prevent a fire from spreading when the fire occurs, the first electrical component cover200amay include a metal material.

Because the conducting wire140may be located within the second electrical component cover500, the possibility of fire occurring is low. Therefore, in order to reduce a cost, the second electrical component cover500may include a plastic material.

FIG.5is a side view of the cooking apparatus1ofFIG.4, which is viewed from a side.

As illustrated inFIG.5, the first circulation flow path V1may be formed of air introduced through the circulation air intake port14positioned on the lower side of the outer housing10. The air passed through the circulation air intake port14may pass through the vent fan110and move onto the vent plate300through the plate opening311, and the moved air may be discharged through the circulation air discharge port11aprovided on the front upper side of the outer housing10.

FIG.6is an enlarged perspective view of a part X indicated in the cooking apparatus1ofFIG.4.

As illustrated inFIG.6, the vent plate300may include a connector hole360formed on the base plate310through which the conducting wire140connected to the vent fan110passes. The connector hole360may be provided between the first plate opening311aand the second plate opening311b. Accordingly, contact of contaminated air passing through the plate opening311with the conducting wire140passing through the connector hole360may be reduced.

The plate wall320may include a plate recess323provided to be recessed in a direction toward the inner housing20at a position where the electrical component100is provided. More specifically, the first plate wall321may include the plate recess323. To be recessed in the direction toward the inner housing20from the first plate wall321may mean to move away from a direction toward the plate opening311. Accordingly, the contaminated air passing through the plate opening311moves away from the electrical component100that the first electrical component cover200ais to protect, so that the contact of the contaminated air with the electrical component100may be reduced.

The second electrical component cover500may be provided to protect the electrical component100positioned on the door30side. In other words, the second electrical component cover500may be positioned adjacent to the outer housing front plate12a, which is the outer housing10positioned on the door30side.

FIG.7is a cross-sectional view taken along a line AA indicated in the cooking apparatus1ofFIG.6.

As illustrated inFIG.7, the first electrical component cover200amay include a cover cutout piece250extending from the electrical component cover body210at a predetermined angle.

The first plate wall321may include a plate cutout piece350provided in a shape corresponding to the cover cutout piece250of the first electrical component cover200a.

The cooking apparatus1may include a coupling member400provided to penetrate the cover cutout piece250and the plate cutout piece350to couple the first electrical component cover200ato the first plate wall321.

Because the cover cutout piece250may extend at the predetermined angle in a direction of being spaced apart from the inner housing20, when the coupling member400penetrates the cover cutout piece250and the plate cutout piece350, the coupling member400may be prevented from penetrating the inner housing20.

The first plate wall321may include a plate fitting protrusion330provided by a portion of the first plate wall321being bent and extending. More specifically, the plate fitting protrusion330may extend downward.

The first electrical component cover200amay include a cover flange230provided to be bent and extend from one side of the electrical component cover body210facing the plate wall320and to have an end accommodated in the plate fitting protrusion330. More specifically, the cover flange230may extend upward from the electrical component cover body210.

Because the cover flange230is fitted into the plate fitting protrusion30to fix the first electrical component cover200ato the first plate wall321, the electrical component cover200may be coupled to the plate wall320without fastening the additional coupling member400. Because when the coupling member400is used, a process of fastening the coupling member400is added when the cooking apparatus1is produced, in order to shorten a process time, the number of the coupling members400to be fastened needs to be reduced. Because the electrical component cover200is fixed by fitting the cover flange230into the plate fitting protrusion330, the production time of the cooking apparatus1may be shortened by the cover flange230and the plate insertion protrusion330.

In addition, the coupling member400penetrating the cover cutout piece250and the plate cutout piece350may be stably coupled.

FIG.8illustrates that the first electrical component cover200ais disassembled in the cooking apparatus1ofFIG.6.

As illustrated inFIG.8, the cover cutout piece250may include a cover cutout piece hole251. The plate cutout piece350may include a plate cutout piece hole351. The coupling member400may penetrate the cover cutout piece hole251and the plate cutout piece hole351to couple the body of the first electrical component cover200ato the first plate wall321.

The first electrical component cover200amay include a coupling guide252provided adjacent to a position where the coupling member400is to be coupled to guide the coupling of the coupling member400and extending beyond a height of the plate cutout piece350.

The coupling guide252may be provided to extend upward from the cover flange230. The coupling guides252may be positioned on opposite sides of the cover cutout piece250, respectively. When the cover cutout piece hole251is matched to the plate cutout piece hole351in order to couple the first electrical component cover200ato the first plate wall321, the coupling guides252come into contact with the opposite sides of the plate cutout piece350, an exact position may be easily found.

The plate fitting protrusion330may include a fitting support part331provided by a portion of the first plate wall321being bent and extending, and protruding in a direction in which the electrical component cover200is coupled. More specifically, the fitting support part331may extend in a direction opposite to the direction toward the inner housing20.

The plate fitting protrusion330may include a fitting separation prevention part332provided to be bent from an end of the fitting support part331and extend at a determined angle in a direction in which the cover flange230is inserted. More specifically, the fitting separation prevention part332may extend in a direction toward the base plate310.

The fitting separation prevention part332may extend at a determined angle in a direction away from the first plate wall321. Therefore, the cover flange230may be smoothly accommodated when inserted into the fitting separation prevention part332side.

The first plate wall321may include a locking opening340.

The first electrical component cover200amay include a cover protrusion240(FIG.9) formed at a position corresponding to the locking opening340to be accommodated in the locking opening340.

Because the first electrical component cover200ais fixed to the first plate wall321as the cover protrusion240(FIG.9) is caught on the locking opening340, the use of the additional coupling member400is not required, so that the production time of the cooking apparatus1may be shortened. In addition, the coupling member400may be stably fastened. A detailed description of this will be given later with reference toFIG.9.

The first electrical component cover200amay include a first electrical component hole260provided on a side surface thereof so that the conducting wire140may pass therethrough. Compared to a case in which the entire side surface of the first electrical component cover200ais open, less contaminated air may be introduced into the electrical component100in a case in which the first electrical component hole260is provided.

The first electrical component hole260may include a first hole protrusion261protruding from an inner circumference thereof in a side surface direction of the electrical component cover200. The first hole protrusion261may be provided by being bent from the inner circumference of the hole of the first electrical component cover200a. Accordingly, damage to the conducting wire140passing through the first electrical component hole260may be prevented.

FIG.9is a perspective view of the first electrical component cover200aillustrated in the cooking apparatus1ofFIG.8.FIG.10is a side view of the first electrical component cover200aofFIG.9.FIG.11is a front view of the first electrical component cover200aofFIG.9.

As illustrated inFIGS.9,10and11, the electrical component cover200may include an electrical component cover body210forming a body.

The electrical component cover body210may include a blocking wall213positioned between the electrical component100located on the inside and the discharge port111of the vent fan110. The blocking wall213may prevent direct contact of contaminated air flowing through the circulation flow paths V1, V2, and V3with the electrical component100. In other words, the blocking wall213may prevent air discharged from the discharge port111of the vent fan110toward the electrical component100from directly coming into contact with the electrical component100.

The electrical component cover body210may include a plurality of walls211,212, and214extending from the blocking wall213to cover a periphery of the electrical component. The plurality of walls211,212, and214may include the upper wall211provided on an upper side, the lower wall212provided on a lower side, and the opposite side walls214provided on left and right sides.

The upper wall211of the electrical component cover body210may be formed to be inclined at a predetermined angle. Considering that the second circulation flow path V2may be formed along the side surface of the inner housing20, when air moves along the second circulation flow path V2, the air may move smoothly along an inclined upper surface of the electrical component cover body210. In other words, the upper wall211may extend upward at a determined angle to guide air flowing by the vent fan110.

The first electrical component cover200amay include the cover flange230provided to be bent from an end of the upper wall211of the electrical component cover body210and extend upward. The cover flange230may be formed integrally with the upper wall211of the electrical component cover body210.

The coupling guide252may be positioned adjacent to the cover cutout piece250and formed to extend upward from the cover flange230.

The first electrical component cover200amay include a locking flange220provided to be bent from an end of the lower wall212of the electrical component cover body210and extend downward. The locking flange220may be formed integrally with the lower wall212of the electrical component cover body210.

The first electrical component cover200amay include the cover protrusion240protruding downward from an end of the locking flange220. The cover protrusion240may be accommodated in the locking opening340formed on the first plate wall321to fix the first electrical component cover200a. The cover protrusion240may be formed integrally with the locking flange220.

The cover protrusions240may be provided on opposite sides of the locking flange220, respectively. The locking openings340may be formed on the first plate wall321to correspond to the positions where the cover protrusions240are provided, respectively. Accordingly, the first electrical component cover200amay be prevented from shaking in left and right directions.

The cover protrusion240may include a locking support part241provided to extend in a direction toward the first plate wall321to be accommodated in the locking opening340.

The cover protrusion240may include a locking separation prevention part242provided to be bent and extend from an end of the locking support part241to prevent the cover protrusion240from being separated from the locking opening340when the cover protrusion240is accommodated in the locking opening340.

The cover protrusion240may include a locking insertion part243provided to be bent from an end of the locking separation prevention part242at a predetermined angle and extend toward the base plate310to smoothly accommodate a cover locking part in the locking opening340.

The locking insertion part243may be bent at a predetermined angle toward the first plate wall321. Accordingly, the cover locking part may be easily accommodated in the locking opening340.

The first electrical component hole260and the first hole protrusion261through which the conducting wire passes may be positioned on the opposite side walls214of the electrical component cover body210.

FIG.12is a perspective view of the second electrical component cover500illustrated in the cooking apparatus1ofFIG.6.FIG.13is a cross-sectional view taken along a line BB′ indicated in the second electrical component cover500ofFIG.12.FIG.14is a perspective view illustrating that a cover hood520covers a cover body510in the second electrical component cover500ofFIG.12.

As illustrated inFIGS.12,13and14, the second electrical component cover500may include the cover body510forming a main body and the cover hood520capable of covering the cover body510.

A hood hinge530may be provided between the cover hood520and the cover body510. The cover hood520may be coupled to one side of the hood hinge530, and the cover body510may be coupled to the other side thereof. The hood hinge530may be made of a flexible material.

The hood hinge530may have a hinge groove531formed therein. The hood hinge530may be folded by the hinge groove531in a direction perpendicular to a direction in which the hinge groove extends. Accordingly, the cover hood520coupled with the hood hinge530may be opened and closed.

The cover hood520may include a hood plate522and a hood contact part521protruding from the hood plate522. The hood contact part521may open and close an upper side of the cover body510while coming into contact with the body contact part511provided on the cover body.

The cover body510may include a body support part512on a lower side of the body contact part511. Because the body support part512protrudes further outward than the body contact part511, the cover hood520may cover the upper side of the cover body510only until the cover hood520comes into contact with the body contact part511. Accordingly, an angle at which the cover hood520may move may be limited.

The cover hood520may include a hood handle524provided on the opposite side of one side coupled to the cover body510. A user may hold the hood handle524to open and close the cover hood520.

The hood handle524may include a hood handle extension part524aprovided to be bent from the hood contact part521and extend toward an upper side of the hood plate522.

The hood handle524may include a hood handle hold part524bprovided to extend from an end of the hood handle extension part524atoward the front of the hood plate522. Because the hold part protrudes outside the second electrical component cover500even when the cover hood520closes the upper side of the cover body510, the user may easily hold the hood handle524.

The cover hood520may include a hood protrusion523provided to protrude from the hood contact part521toward the inside of the cover hood520. The cover body510may include a body protrusion513provided to protrude from the body contact part511toward the outside of the cover body510. Through this, when the cover hood520comes into contact with the cover body510and completely closes the upper side of the cover body510, separation of the cover hood520from the cover body510may become difficult.

More specifically, when the cover hood520closes the upper side of the cover body510, the hood protrusion523is positioned below the body protrusion513, so that separation of the cover hood520from the cover body510may become difficult.

The cover hood520includes the hood protrusion523provided to protrude toward the cover body510when the cover hood520comes into contact with the cover body510, and the cover body510may include the body protrusion513provided to form at the position corresponding to the hood protrusion523and protrude toward the cover hood520.

The cover body510may include a second electrical component hole540provided to allow the conducting wire140to pass therethrough.

A second hole protrusion541protruding toward the outside of the cover body510may be provided on an inner circumference of the second electrical component hole540. Because an area of an inner circumferential surface of the second electrical component hole540increases due to the second hole protrusion541, the conducting wire140may be prevented from being damaged by rubbing against the inner circumferential surface of the second electrical component hole540.

Because the second electrical component cover may include a plastic material, the second electrical component cover may not have a necessary strength. Accordingly, the second electrical component cover500may have a configuration to complement this.

The cover body510may include a body rib514provided to extend along a side surface from a bottom surface. The body rib514may have a height up to an upper surface of the cover body510. As the body rib514is formed, a strength of the cover body510may be strengthened. The body rib514may be formed on an inner side of the cover body510.

The cover body510may include a body entrance recess515on an outer surface thereof. As the body entrance recess515is formed, the strength of the cover body510may be strengthened. The body entrance recess515may be provided in front of the cover body510. More specifically, the body entrance recess515may be provided below the body protrusion513.

FIG.15is a perspective view illustrating that the outer housing cover11is removed from the cooking apparatus1ofFIG.1.

As illustrated inFIG.15, a power connector600may be provided at the rear of the cooking apparatus1. When water enters the power connector600side, the water may permeate into the electrical component100that may be positioned below the power connector600. Because the electrical component100may break down when water enters therein, a structure is needed to prevent this. A description of this structure is given later.

FIG.16is an enlarged perspective view of a power connector in a part Y indicated in the cooking apparatus1ofFIG.15.FIG.17is a top view of the power connector600ofFIG.16, which is viewed from above.

As illustrated inFIGS.16and17, the power connector600may include a water receiving plate610provided at the rear of the upper plate21of the inner housing. The water receiving plate610may protect the electrical component100positioned on a lower side thereof from the outside.

The conducting wire140connected to the electrical component100may be connected to the lower side of the water receiving plate610. A passing hole to allow the conducting wire140to pass through may be formed on the water receiving plate610. In order to prevent water from entering the passing hole, the water receiving plate610may include a water receiving protrusion620provided at a position where the conducting wire140passes.

A plurality of the water receiving protrusions620may be formed. The water receiving protrusions620may be referred to as a first water receiving protrusion621and a second water receiving protrusions622, respectively.

The water receiving plate610may include a water receiving recess630provided to be recessed downward. Because when water enters the water receiving plate610, the water is collected in the water receiving recess630, water may not enter the electrical component100positioned on the lower side of the water receiving plate610.

The foregoing has illustrated and described specific embodiments. However, it should be understood by those of skilled in the art that the present disclosure is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various changes and modifications may be made without departing from the technical idea of the present disclosure described in the following claims.