Patent Description:
In general, a cooking appliance is a household appliance equipped with a cooking chamber, a heating device for applying heat to the cooking chamber, and a circulation device for circulating heat generated by the heating device in the cooking chamber and cooks food.

As a device for cooking by heating food in a sealed state, the cooking appliance may be classified into an electric type cooking appliance, a gas type cooking appliance, and an electronic type cooking appliance according to a heating source of the heating device.

For example, an electric oven may use an electric heater as a heating source, a gas oven may use heat generated by gas as a heating source, and a microwave oven may use frictional heat of water molecules due to high frequency as a heating source.

The cooking appliance may be provided with a control panel at one of front and upper surfaces of a main body. The control panel may be provided with a number of buttons, a keypad, a knobs, etc. configured to set a cooking mode desired by a user or set various conditions required for cooking. In addition, in order to improve the design, the cooking appliance may include a knob holder surrounding the knob, and may include a glass panel forming the front surface of the control panel.

<CIT> discloses a cooking oven configured to cool the exterior surface of the oven.

<CIT> discloses a cooking stove configured to discharge heated cooling air upwards from the cooking area.

It is an aspect of the disclosure to provide a cooking appliance capable of efficiently cooling electric components on an upper portion of a case.

It is another aspect of the disclosure to provide a cooking appliance having an improved design.

It is another aspect of the disclosure to provide a cooking appliance that includes a cooking chamber with an increased stiffness.

According to the present invention, there is provided a cooking appliance according to claim <NUM>.

The cooking appliance can be provided with improved air fluidity at an upper portion of a case for efficient cooling of electric components disposed on the upper portion of the case.

The cooking appliance can be provided with an enhanced aesthetic sense by improving the shape of a discharge portion through which air flowing from an upper portion of a case is discharged.

The cooking appliance can secure the stiffness of a cooking chamber by improving a welding structure of the cooking chamber, and improve the quality of enamel on the cooking chamber.

The embodiments set forth herein and illustrated in the configuration of the disclosure are only the most preferred embodiments.

The terms including ordinal numbers like "first" and "second" may be used to explain various components, but the components are not limited by the terms. The terms are only for the purpose of distinguishing a component from another. Thus, a first element, component, region, layer or section discussed below could be termed a second element, component, region, layer or section without departing from the teachings of the disclosure. Descriptions shall be understood as to include any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items when the items are described by using the conjunctive term "~ and/or ~," or the like.

The terms "front", "rear", "upper", "lower", "top", and "bottom" as herein used are defined with respect to the drawings, but the terms may not restrict the shape and position of the respective components.

<FIG> is a view illustrating a cooking appliance according to an embodiment of the disclosure. <FIG> is a view illustrating a state of the cooking appliance shown in <FIG> in which a door is open. <FIG> is a side cross-sectional view illustrating the cooking appliance shown in <FIG>.

A cooking appliance <NUM> according to an embodiment of the disclosure will be described with reference to <FIG>.

Referring to <FIG>, the cooking appliance <NUM> includes a main body <NUM> including an inner case <NUM> in which a cooking chamber <NUM> is formed and an outer case <NUM> coupled to the outside of the inner case <NUM> to form the external appearance of the cooking appliance <NUM>.

The inner case <NUM> and the outer case <NUM> may each have a substantially box shape with an open front.

The outer case <NUM> may include a front panel <NUM> forming the front surface of the main body <NUM>, a side panel <NUM> forming the side surface of the main body <NUM>, and a rear panel <NUM> forming the rear surface of the main body <NUM>.

The front panel <NUM> may be formed with a main body opening 13a, and the main body opening 13a may allow a front surface of the cooking chamber <NUM> provided inside the main body <NUM> to be opened. The front panel <NUM> may be provided at a front upper portion thereof with a control panel <NUM> that covers a front surface of a machine room <NUM>.

The cooking chamber <NUM> may be formed by a top plate <NUM>, a bottom plate <NUM>, both side plates <NUM> and a rear plate <NUM>. The cooking chamber <NUM> is a cooking space that has a front surface openable through the opening of the front panel <NUM> so that food may be put in and out.

The both side plates <NUM> may be provided with a plurality of supports 23a formed on inner surfaces thereof. At least one detachable rack <NUM> on which food may be placed may be mounted on the plurality of supports 23a.

Rails (not shown) may be installed on the plurality of supports 23a so that the rack <NUM> is slidable. A user may move the rack <NUM> through the rail (not shown) to take out or place food.

A divider (not shown) capable of dividing the cooking chamber <NUM> into a plurality of cooking chambers may be detachably mounted on the plurality of supports 23a. The plurality of cooking chambers <NUM> divided by the divider do not need to have the same size, and each size may be different from each other.

With such a configuration, the user may utilize the divided spaces of the plurality of cooking chamber <NUM> in various uses according to the intention. The divider may be formed of an insulating material to insulate each cooking chamber <NUM>.

The cooking chamber <NUM> may be provided with a first heating device <NUM> for heating food, and the first heating device <NUM> may be provided as a heater. In detail, the first heating device <NUM> may be an electric heater including an electric resistor. However, the disclosure is not limited thereto, and the first heating device <NUM> may be a gas heater that generates heat by burning gas. Accordingly, the cooking appliance <NUM> may include an electric oven and a gas oven.

The rear plate <NUM> of the cooking chamber <NUM> may be provided with a circulation fan <NUM> that circulates air in the cooking chamber <NUM> so that food is evenly heated, and a circulation motor 28a that drives the circulation fan <NUM>.

The circulation fan <NUM> may be provided on a front side thereof with a fan cover 28b that covers the circulation fan <NUM>, and the fan cover 28b may be formed with a cover opening 28c formed to allow air to flow therethrough.

Electric components for driving the cooking appliance <NUM> may be disposed in the machine room <NUM>. The machine room <NUM> may be disposed above the cooking chamber <NUM>.

A heat insulating material <NUM> that insulates the machine room <NUM> and the cooking chamber <NUM> may be provided between the machine room <NUM> and the cooking chamber <NUM> to prevent heat from the cooking chamber <NUM> from being transmitted to the machine room <NUM>. The heat insulating material <NUM> may not only cover a region between the machine room <NUM> and the cooking chamber <NUM>, but also entirely cover the outer side of the cooking chamber <NUM> so that heat from the cooking chamber <NUM> is not transmitted to the outside of the cooking appliance <NUM>.

The open front of the cooking chamber <NUM> is opened and closed by a door <NUM>, and the door <NUM> may be coupled to the main body <NUM> by a hinge <NUM> provided at a lower portion the main body <NUM> so as to be rotated with respect to the main body <NUM>. The door <NUM> rotatably coupled to the front surface of the main body <NUM> to open and close the cooking chamber <NUM> may be formed of a plurality of glasses.

A handle <NUM> to be gripped by a user may be provided on a front upper portion of the door <NUM> to open and close the cooking chamber <NUM> by the door <NUM>.

The cooking appliance <NUM> may include a cooktop <NUM> provided on the upper portion of the cooking appliance <NUM> to heat a container containing food and placed thereon. The cooktop <NUM> may include a cooking surface <NUM> horizontally formed on an upper side of the cooktop <NUM>.

At least one heating portion <NUM> may be provided on the cooking surface <NUM>. The container containing the cooking object may be placed in the heating portion <NUM> to thereby be directly heated.

The cooktop <NUM> may include a second heating device <NUM> disposed below the cooking surface <NUM> and providing heat to the heating portion <NUM>. The second heating device <NUM> may be provided corresponding in number to the number of the heating portions <NUM>.

The second heating device <NUM> may be disposed inside the machine room <NUM> below the cooktop <NUM>.

The second heating device <NUM> may be provided as a heater. In detail, the second heating device <NUM> may be an electric heater including an electric resistor. However, the disclosure is not limited thereto, and the cooktop <NUM> may be provided as an induction range, and in this case, the second heating device <NUM> may be provided as a high frequency induction heating device.

The control panel <NUM> may be configured to control the first and second heating devices <NUM> and <NUM>. The control panel <NUM> may be disposed on at least a portion of the main body <NUM>. According to an embodiment of the disclosure, the control panel <NUM> may be disposed on the upper end of the front surface of the main body <NUM>. However, the disclosure is not limited thereto, and the control panel <NUM> may be disposed on the upper surface of the main body <NUM> or may form one surface of the main body <NUM>.

The control panel <NUM> may include an exterior panel <NUM> forming the external appearance thereof. The exterior panel <NUM> may be formed of a glass material, but is not limited thereto.

The control panel <NUM> may include a knob <NUM> capable of operating the cooking appliance <NUM>. The knob <NUM> may be configured to operate the cooktop <NUM>. The knobs <NUM> may be provided corresponding in number to the number of heating portions <NUM> of the cooktop <NUM>.

The control panel <NUM> may include an input device <NUM> capable of operating the cooking appliance <NUM>. The input device <NUM> may be configured to operate the heater <NUM> of the cooking chamber <NUM>. According to an embodiment of the disclosure, the input device <NUM> may be provided as a type that operates by being rotated, similar to the knob <NUM>. Alternatively, the input device <NUM> may be provided as a button type input device that operates by being pressed, and as a touch screen type input device.

A display module (not shown) may be mounted on the control panel <NUM>. The display module may be provided to enable a touch input.

The knob <NUM>, the input device <NUM>, and the display module (not shown) may be disposed on the exterior panel <NUM>.

The machine room <NUM> may have a temperature rise by heat from various electric components (electric components except for a component denoted by a reference numeral <NUM> are omitted in the drawing) accommodated therein or from the second heating device <NUM>, or may receive heat directly transferred from the cooking chamber <NUM>. Accordingly, the cooking appliance <NUM> includes a blower device <NUM> capable of cooling the machine room <NUM> by circulating air around the machine room <NUM> and an intermediate flow path <NUM> formed to allow external air introduced through the blower device <NUM> to move therethrough.

The intermediate flow path <NUM> is formed between the machine room <NUM> and the cooking chamber <NUM>. Accordingly, heat generated in the cooking chamber <NUM> is prevented from being transferred to the machine room <NUM>.

The blower device <NUM> is disposed on the intermediate flow path <NUM> to circulate external air. Accordingly, heat generated in the cooking chamber <NUM> is provided to flow together with the external air circulating in the intermediate flow path <NUM> and prevented flowing to the machine room <NUM>.

The intermediate flow path <NUM> includes a first suction port 80a formed at the front end thereof. The blower device <NUM> is disposed at the rear end of the intermediate flow path <NUM>. As the blower device <NUM> is driven, external air is caused to flow into the intermediate flow path <NUM> through the first suction port 80a and then flows into the blower device <NUM> along the intermediate flow path <NUM> to the outside of the cooking appliance <NUM>.

The first suction port 80a may be disposed between the upper end of the door <NUM> and the lower end of the machine room <NUM>.

The machine room <NUM> includes a second suction port <NUM> provided to circulate the air inside the machine room <NUM> to prevent the temperature of the electric component <NUM> from rising by the heat generated inside the machine room <NUM>. The technical characteristics of air flow inside the machine room <NUM> will be described in detail below.

The blower device <NUM> includes a blower fan <NUM> that causes air to flow. The second suction port <NUM> may be disposed on the control panel <NUM>.

The outside air introduced through the second suction port <NUM> cools the electric components <NUM> of the machine room <NUM> and flow into the intermediate flow path <NUM> and then into the blower device <NUM> along the intermediate flow path <NUM>.

With such a configuration, the cooking appliance <NUM> according to the embodiment of the disclosure may efficiently cool the electric components <NUM> of the machine room <NUM>.

The blower fan <NUM> may suction air in the axial direction and discharge the suctioned air in the radial direction. That is, the blower fan <NUM> according to the disclosure may be a centrifugal fan. Alternatively, the blower fan <NUM> may include an axial fan.

The blower device <NUM> includes a discharge port <NUM> through which air introduced by the blower fan <NUM> is discharged.

The discharge port <NUM> may be provided to be opened upward of the cooking appliance <NUM>. Accordingly, the outside air introduced through first and second suction ports <NUM> and <NUM> flows into the intermediate flow path <NUM> or the machine room <NUM> to thereby be mixed on the intermediate flow path <NUM> and discharged outside of the cooking appliance <NUM> through the discharge port <NUM>.

Hereinafter, technical characteristics of outside air circulating inside the cooking appliance <NUM> through the machine room <NUM> and the intermediate flow path <NUM> will be described in detail.

<FIG> is an enlarged view showing a portion of <FIG>, and <FIG> is a cross-sectional perspective view illustrating the machine room and the intermediate flow path shown in <FIG>.

The second suction port <NUM> may be formed at an approximately central portion along the length direction of the control panel <NUM>. The second suction port <NUM> may be located at an upper side of the input device <NUM>.

The second suction port <NUM> may be formed on a cutout region formed on the exterior panel <NUM>. In detail, the exterior panel <NUM> may be formed by assembling an upper exterior panel 53a to a front exterior panel 53b, and the second suction port <NUM> may be formed at a separation between the upper exterior panel 53a and the front exterior panel 53b.

The second suction port <NUM> may be positioned to correspond to the electric component <NUM> mounted on the control panel <NUM>. Accordingly, air introduced through the second suction port <NUM> may efficiently cool the electric component <NUM>.

The second suction port <NUM> may be formed to face in the direction of gravity. The second suction port <NUM> may be formed to face downward. Accordingly, the inlet may be provided without being exposed to the user.

As the blower fan <NUM> of the blower device <NUM> is operated, air introduced through the second suction port <NUM> is introduced into the machine room <NUM>. The air introduced into the machine room <NUM>, while flowing along the direction of gravity, performs heat exchanges with the electric component <NUM> mounted on the control panel <NUM> to thereby easily cool the electric component <NUM>. Air introduced into the machine room <NUM> may cool the electric components <NUM> adjacent to the control panel <NUM>.

However, the disclosure is not limited thereto, and the second suction port <NUM> may be formed in another portion of the control panel <NUM> or may be disposed at one side of the front part of the machine room <NUM> rather than on the control panel <NUM>.

In addition, although not shown in the drawings, the second suction port <NUM> may cool the electric components <NUM> while heat-exchanging with other various electric components (not shown) arranged inside the machine room <NUM>.

In addition, heat generated from the second heating device (<NUM> in <FIG>) arranged inside the machine room <NUM> may be moved by the outside air introduced through the second suction port <NUM> and thus the heat generated from the second heating device <NUM> may be prevented from being transferred to the electric components <NUM> adjacent to the control panel <NUM> and other various electric components (not shown).

The cooking appliance <NUM> includes a partition plate <NUM> that divides the machine room <NUM> from the intermediate flow path <NUM> in the upper side and lower side direction.

The upper surface of the partition plate <NUM> may form a lower portion of the machine room <NUM>, and the lower surface of the partition plate <NUM> may form an upper portion of the intermediate flow path <NUM>. The partition plate <NUM> may form parts of each of the machine room <NUM> and the intermediate flow path <NUM>.

Accordingly, the partition plate <NUM> may be considered as a part of the machine room <NUM> or a part of the intermediate flow path <NUM>.

The partition plate <NUM> includes an opening portion <NUM> through which external air suctioned from the second suction port <NUM> flows into the intermediate flow path <NUM>.

The opening portion <NUM> is provided to communicate the machine room <NUM> with the intermediate flow path <NUM>. An intake airflow generated from the blower device <NUM> may be transmitted to the machine room <NUM> through the opening portion <NUM>.

Since the machine room <NUM> is not separately provided with a blower fan for suctioning air to introduce outside air from the second suction port <NUM>, the intake airflow generated from the blower device <NUM> is moved through the opening portion <NUM> into the machine room <NUM> so that air may be suctioned through the second suction port <NUM>.

The air suctioned through the second suction port <NUM> flows into the machine room <NUM> and performs heat exchange with the electric component <NUM> and then flows into the intermediate flow path <NUM> through the opening portion <NUM>.

The air flowing to the intermediate flow path <NUM> is moved together with air suctioned through the first suction port 80a and discharged to the outside of the cooking appliance <NUM> through the blower device <NUM>.

Hereinafter, the opening portion <NUM> of the partition plate <NUM> will be described in detail.

<FIG> is an exploded perspective view illustrating some components of the cooking appliance according to the embodiment of the disclosure, and <FIG> is a perspective view illustrating the interior of the machine room of the cooking appliance according to the embodiment of the disclosure.

As described above, the intermediate flow path <NUM> may be disposed above the cooking chamber <NUM> and below the machine room <NUM>.

On the upper side of the cooking chamber <NUM>, electric components (not shown) and the like electrically connected to components disposed inside the cooking chamber <NUM> may be disposed. Accordingly, the intermediate flow path <NUM> may extend in a laterally asymmetrical shape in a front side and rear side direction.

In detail, when a forward direction, that is, a direction in which the first suction port 80a of the intermediate flow path <NUM> is opened is referred to as a first direction A, and a left side and right side direction perpendicular to the first direction A is referred to as a second direction B, the intermediate flow path <NUM> may be formed asymmetrically with respect to a center X in the second direction B when viewed from the center X in the second direction B inside the intermediate flow path <NUM>.

This is because the intermediate flow path <NUM> may not be formed in the entire area on the upper side the cooking chamber <NUM> due to the components of the cooking appliance <NUM> disposed on the upper side the cooking chamber <NUM> as described above.

According to the embodiment of the disclosure, since the cooking chamber <NUM> is provided at the upper side thereof with a cooking chamber discharge flow path <NUM> including a cooking chamber discharge port <NUM> through which air inside the cooking chamber <NUM> is discharged, the intermediate flow path <NUM> is formed asymmetrically with respect to the center X in the second direction B.

Since the cooking chamber discharge flow path <NUM> is disposed at one side of the upper portion of the cooking chamber <NUM> in the second direction B, the intermediate flow path <NUM> may be formed to extend in the first direction A so as not to overlap the position where the cooking chamber discharge flow path <NUM> is disposed.

Accordingly, the flow area of air in the intermediate flow path <NUM>, that is, the area inside the intermediate flow path <NUM> in the first direction may be provided to increase or decrease in the second direction. That is, the intermediate flow path <NUM> is provided to extend from a front end in the first direction A at which the first suction port 80a is formed to a rear end in the first direction A at which the blower device <NUM> is disposed, and the flow area of air inside the intermediate flow path <NUM> increases or decreases in the second direction B as the intermediate flow path <NUM> extends in the first direction A.

The flow area of air inside the intermediate flow path <NUM> at the front end in the first direction A may be larger than the flow area of air inside the intermediate flow path <NUM> at the rear end in the first direction A.

In an implementation, the flow area of air inside the intermediate flow path <NUM> may gradually decrease from the front end to the rear end in the first direction A.

In this case, the flow area of air inside the intermediate flow path <NUM> may decrease in an asymmetrical manner in the second direction B with respect to the center X in the second direction B.

Assuming that the inner space of the intermediate flow path <NUM> is divided based on the center X in the second direction B, the intermediate flow path <NUM> may include a first region <NUM> and a second region <NUM> arranged at one side and the opposite side with respect to the center X in the second direction B.

The first suction ports 80a communicating with the outside may be disposed at a front end of the first region <NUM> and a front end of the second region <NUM>, respectively. Outside air introduced from the first suction ports 80a may pass through the first region <NUM> and the second region <NUM> into the blower device <NUM>.

In this case, the total flow area of air in the first region <NUM> may be provided to be larger than the total flow area of air in the second region <NUM>. This is because the cooking chamber discharge flow path <NUM> is disposed at a position corresponding to the second region <NUM> when viewed in the first direction A as described above, the second region <NUM> has a reduced area in the second direction B.

In addition, the blower device <NUM> may be disposed on the first region <NUM>. This is because, when viewed in the first direction A, the upper side of the cooking chamber <NUM> in the first region <NUM> does not have auxiliary components, the blower device <NUM> may be easily disposed on the first region <NUM>.

However, the disclosure is not limited thereto, and when auxiliary components are disposed on the upper side of the cooking chamber <NUM> in a region corresponding to the first region <NUM> when viewed in the first direction A, the blower device <NUM> may be disposed on the second region <NUM>, and the total flow area of air in the first region <NUM> may be provided to be smaller than the total flow area of air in the second region <NUM>.

In other words, the sizes of the total flow areas of air in the first region <NUM> and the second region <NUM> and the location where the blower device <NUM> is disposed may vary depending on the arrangement of components on the upper side of the cooking chamber <NUM>.

The first region <NUM> may be provided to have a constant flow area of air in the intermediate flow path <NUM> in the first direction A.

The second region <NUM> may be provided to have a flow area of air inside the intermediate flow path <NUM> in the first direction A that decreases as being directed toward the rear end in the first direction A.

The intermediate flow path <NUM> may include a first wall <NUM> forming one side of the first region <NUM> and a second wall <NUM> forming one side of the second region <NUM>. The first wall <NUM> and the second wall <NUM> may be provided to extend in the first direction A.

The inclination angle of the first wall <NUM> with respect to the first direction A may be provided to be smaller than the inclination angle of the second wall <NUM> with respect to the first direction A. Accordingly, the flow area of air inside the second region <NUM> may be provided to be smaller than the flow area of air inside the first region <NUM>.

As described above, since the second region <NUM> is provided to have a cross-sectional area that decreases toward the rear side in the first direction A, the blower device <NUM> may be disposed at the rear end of the first region <NUM>.

Accordingly, the distance between a front part 81a of the first region <NUM> and the blower device <NUM> may be formed shorter than the distance between a front part 82a of the second region <NUM> and the blower device <NUM>.

The inner space of the machine room <NUM> may also include a first region <NUM> and a second region <NUM> arranged at positions corresponding in a third direction C to the first region <NUM> and the second region <NUM>, in which the third direction C is an upper side and lower side direction perpendicular to the first direction A and the second direction B.

The first region <NUM> and the second region <NUM> of the machine room <NUM> may be provided to suction air from the second suction ports <NUM> respectively formed at the front sides thereof, and the air flowing in the respective regions <NUM> and <NUM> may be discharged to the intermediate flow path <NUM> through the opening portions <NUM>.

The opening portion <NUM> includes a first opening portion <NUM> disposed in the first region <NUM> of the machine room <NUM> and a second opening portion <NUM> disposed in the second region <NUM> of the machine room <NUM>.

The first opening portion <NUM> and the second opening portion <NUM> are formed at the partition plate <NUM>. The first opening portion <NUM> may be disposed at one side with respect to the center X in the second direction B, and the second opening portion <NUM> may be disposed at the opposite side with respect to the center X in the second direction B.

The first opening portion <NUM> may be disposed at a position corresponding in the third direction C to the first region <NUM> of the intermediate flow path <NUM>. The second opening portion <NUM> may be disposed at a position corresponding in the third direction C to the second region <NUM> of the intermediate flow path <NUM>.

Accordingly, the first opening portion <NUM> may be provided to allow the first region <NUM> of the machine room <NUM> and the first region <NUM> of the intermediate flow path <NUM> to communicate with each other in the third direction C. In addition, the second opening portion <NUM> may be provided to allow the second region <NUM> of the machine room <NUM> and the second region <NUM> of the intermediate flow path <NUM> to communicate with each other in the third direction C.

Air introduced through the second suction port <NUM> disposed at the front of the first region <NUM> of the machine room <NUM> flows into the first region <NUM> of the machine room <NUM>, and then through the first opening portion <NUM>, flows into the first region <NUM> of the intermediate flow path <NUM>, flowing outside of the cooking appliance <NUM> through the blower device <NUM>.

Air introduced through the second suction port <NUM> disposed at the front of the second region <NUM> of the machine room <NUM> flows into the second region <NUM> of the machine room <NUM>, and then through the second opening portion <NUM>, flows into the second region <NUM> of the intermediate flow path <NUM>, flowing outside of the cooking appliance <NUM> through the blower device <NUM>.

As described above, the distance between the front part 81a of the first region <NUM> and the blower device <NUM> is shorter than the distance between the front part 82a of the second region <NUM> and the blower device <NUM>.

Accordingly, the distance between a front part 45a of the first flow path <NUM> of the machine room <NUM> corresponding in the third direction C to the front part 81a of the first region <NUM> of the intermediate flow path <NUM> and the blower device <NUM> may be shorter than the distance between a front part 46a of the second flow path <NUM> of the machine room <NUM> corresponding in the third direction C to the front part 82a of the second region <NUM> of the intermediate flow path <NUM> and the blower device <NUM>.

Accordingly, the suction force delivered to the air flowing at the front part 46a of the second flow path <NUM> of the machine room <NUM> may be smaller than the suction force delivered to the air flowing at the front part 45a of the first flow path <NUM> of the machine room <NUM>.

That is, the air pressure on the front part 45a of the first flow path <NUM> of the machine room <NUM> and the air pressure on the front part 46a of the second flow path <NUM> of the machine room <NUM> are different from each other. As a result, the intake airflow of air is unevenly generated, which cause imbalance in the cooling of inside of the machine room <NUM>.

The amount of air heat-exchanged with electric components (not shown) disposed on the front part 46a of the second flow path <NUM> of the machine room <NUM> is less than the amount of air heat-exchanged with electric components (not shown) disposed on the front part 45a of the first flow path <NUM> of the machine room <NUM>, so that the cooling efficiency of the electric components (not shown) disposed on the front part 46a of the second flow path <NUM> of the machine room <NUM> is lower than the cooling efficiency of the electric components (not shown) disposed on the front part 45a of the first flow path <NUM> of the machine room <NUM>, so that the electric components (not shown) disposed on the front part 46a of the second flow path <NUM> may be damaged.

Accordingly, a larger amount of intake airflow needs to be transmitted to the front part 46a of the second flow path <NUM> of the machine room <NUM> than that transmitted to the front part 45a of the first flow path <NUM>.

Therefore, the area of the second opening portion <NUM> formed in the second flow path <NUM> of the machine room <NUM> is provided to be larger than the area of the first opening portion <NUM> formed in the first flow path <NUM>.

As the area of the second opening portion <NUM> is formed to be larger, the amount of intake airflow supplied to the front part 46a of the second flow path <NUM> of the machine room <NUM> increases, and the air pressure in the front part 45a of the first flow path <NUM> and the air pressure in the front part 46a of the second flow path <NUM> of the machine room <NUM> are compensated for each other, so that cooling efficiency in the second direction B is balanced.

That is, the intermediate flow path <NUM> having an irregular structure in the second direction B may cause an imbalance in flow velocity between some regions <NUM> and <NUM> inside the machine room <NUM> disposed at positions corresponding in the third direction C to the intermediate flow path <NUM>, so that cooling may be performed unevenly.

However, according to the embodiment of the disclosure, in order to compensate for the imbalance of the flow velocity between the regions <NUM> and <NUM> inside the machine room <NUM>, the opening portions <NUM> communicating with the machine room <NUM> are formed in an asymmetric manner in the second direction B, and the asymmetrical opening portions <NUM> may adjust the flow velocities of the regions <NUM> and <NUM> inside the machine room <NUM> to be uniform, so that the cooling efficiency in the second direction B inside the machine room <NUM> may be kept constant.

The opening portion <NUM> may be disposed so that heat generated by the second heating device <NUM> flows out of the machine room <NUM> together with air suctioned through the second suction port <NUM>.

That is, the opening portion <NUM> may be provided so as not to be disposed further away from the second suction port <NUM> in the first direction A than the second heating device <NUM> is disposed away from the second suction port <NUM>.

Such a configuration is provided because when the opening portion <NUM> is disposed excessively far away from the second suction port <NUM> in the first direction A compared to the second heating device <NUM>, heat generated from the second heating device <NUM> may be directly transferred to the electric components (not shown) disposed in the machine room <NUM> rather than being moved to the opening portion <NUM> by the air introduced through the second suction port <NUM>.

In an implementation, the opening portion <NUM> may be disposed at an approximately central portion of the machine room <NUM> in the first direction A, or forward of the central portion of the machine room <NUM> in the first direction A.

Hereinafter, a discharge cover <NUM> of the cooking appliance <NUM> according to the disclosure will be described in detail.

<FIG> is an exploded perspective view illustrating a state of the cooking appliance according to the embodiment of the disclosure in which a discharge cover is disassembled, <FIG> is an enlarged view showing a portion of <FIG>, and <FIG> is a view illustrating a discharge cover of the cooking appliance according to the embodiment of the disclosure, which is viewed from the rear side.

Referring to <FIG>, the discharge cover <NUM> may be disposed at a rear side on the upper portion of the main body <NUM>. In detail, the discharge cover <NUM> may be disposed behind the cooking surface <NUM>.

The discharge cover <NUM> may be provided to correspond to the discharge port <NUM> in the upper side and lower side direction. The discharge port <NUM> may be disposed behind the cooking surface <NUM>. Accordingly, the discharge cover <NUM> may be disposed behind the cooking surface <NUM> to correspond to the discharge port <NUM>.

In addition, the discharge cover <NUM> may be disposed to correspond to the cooking chamber discharge port <NUM> in the upper side and lower side direction. According to an embodiment of the disclosure, the discharge port <NUM> and the cooking chamber discharge port <NUM> may be disposed adjacent to each other, so that both of the discharge port <NUM> and the cooking chamber discharge port <NUM> are covered by a single discharge cover <NUM>.

However, the disclosure is not limited thereto, and when the discharge port <NUM> and the cooking chamber discharge port <NUM> are spaced apart from each other, the discharge cover <NUM> may be provided in a plurality of units thereof to cover the discharge port <NUM> and the cooking chamber discharge port <NUM>.

In an implementation, the discharge port <NUM> and the cooking chamber discharge port <NUM> may be disposed on the rear side of the cooking appliance <NUM> to prevent hot air from being discharged directly to the user who uses the cooking appliance <NUM>.

Accordingly, the discharge port <NUM>, the cooking chamber discharge port <NUM>, and the discharge cover <NUM> may be disposed on the rear side of the cooking surface <NUM>.

The discharge cover <NUM> may be provided to cover the discharge port <NUM> and the cooking chamber discharge port <NUM> to prevent a part of the user's body from being inserted into the discharge port <NUM> or the cooking chamber discharge port <NUM>.

The following description will be made on a configuration of the discharge cover <NUM> disposed adjacent to the discharge port <NUM>. Although the discharge cover <NUM> further includes a configuration disposed adjacent to the cooking chamber discharge port <NUM>, the configuration is the same as that disposed adjacent to the discharge port <NUM> described below, and thus descriptions thereof will be omitted.

The discharge cover <NUM> includes a first through hole <NUM> provided so that air discharged from the discharge port <NUM> is discharged to the outside of the cooking appliance <NUM>, a second through hole <NUM> disposed spaced apart from the first through hole <NUM>, and an intermediate portion <NUM> disposed between the first through hole <NUM> and the second through hole <NUM>.

The discharge cover <NUM> may include an upper surface <NUM> formed to face upward of the cooking appliance <NUM>. The first through hole <NUM>, the second through hole <NUM>, and the intermediate portion <NUM> may be formed as a region of the upper surface <NUM>.

The first and second through holes <NUM> and <NUM> may be formed to have an area smaller than or equal to the area of the discharge port <NUM>. In an implementation, the area of the first and second through holes <NUM> and <NUM> may be provided smaller than the area of the discharge port <NUM>, and the intermediate portion <NUM> disposed between the first and second through holes <NUM> and <NUM> may prevent a body part of a user from being inserted into the discharge port <NUM>.

The upper surface <NUM> of the discharge cover <NUM> may be disposed in parallel with the cooking surface <NUM>. As the upper surface <NUM> of the discharge cover <NUM> is arranged in parallel with the cooking surface <NUM>, the sense of unity of the upper exterior of the cooking appliance <NUM> is increased, so that the aesthetic feeling of the cooking appliance <NUM> may be increased.

The color of the discharge cover <NUM> may be provided in a color substantially corresponding to the color of the cooking surface <NUM>. Accordingly, the sense of unity of the cooking surface <NUM> and the discharge cover <NUM> may be further increased.

As the upper surface <NUM> of the discharge cover <NUM> is formed in parallel with the cooking surface <NUM>, the intermediate portion <NUM> formed as a region of the upper surface <NUM> may also be formed in parallel with the cooking surface <NUM>.

As described above, since the discharge port <NUM> is provided so as to be opened toward the upper side of the cooking appliance <NUM>, and air discharged from the discharge port <NUM> flows upward, and the intermediate portion <NUM>, which is arranged in a direction approximately perpendicular to the upward direction of the cooking appliance <NUM>, may hinder the flow of air discharged from the discharge port72.

That is, when air discharged from the discharge port <NUM> flows in an upper side direction of the cooking appliance <NUM> and the air flows to the discharge cover <NUM> disposed on the upper side of the discharge port <NUM>, a part of the air may easily pass through the discharge cover <NUM> through the through holes <NUM> and <NUM>, but another part of the air may collide with the lower surface of the intermediate portion <NUM> formed perpendicular to the flow direction of air, so that the fluidity of air may be degraded.

In order to improve the fluidity of air passing through the discharge cover <NUM>, the discharge cover <NUM> may include a discharge guide <NUM> disposed at a lower side of the intermediate portion <NUM> and guiding the air to the first and second through holes <NUM> and <NUM>.

The discharge guide <NUM> may be provided to protrude downward from the lower side of the intermediate portion <NUM>. In detail, the discharge guide <NUM> may be provided to have a curved surface that is convexly formed in a lower side direction of the cooking appliance <NUM>.

Accordingly, the air flowing toward the lower surface of the intermediate portion <NUM> may collide with the discharge guide <NUM> to thereby be guided to the first and second through holes <NUM> and <NUM> along the curved surface of the discharge guide <NUM>.

The discharge guide <NUM> may be detachably coupled to the upper surface <NUM> of the discharge cover <NUM>.

The discharge cover <NUM> may be manufactured in a plate shape by a press method. The discharge cover <NUM> may be manufactured in a metal plate shape.

The discharge guide <NUM>, which is provided in a protruding shape having a curved surface, may not be manufactured by a press method, but when the discharge guide <NUM> is provided to be detachably coupled to the upper surface <NUM> of the discharge cover <NUM>, the discharge cover <NUM> may be easily manufactured by a press method, and only the discharge guide <NUM> may be additionally manufactured and combined to the discharge cover <NUM>, thereby enhancing the manufacturing efficiency of the discharge cover <NUM>.

The discharge cover <NUM> may include a rear surface <NUM> extending downward from the rear end of the upper surface <NUM>. The rear surface <NUM> may be formed with an additional through hole <NUM> formed to allow air discharged from the discharge port <NUM> to additionally pass through the discharge cover <NUM>.

The additional through hole <NUM> may be provided to increase the flow efficiency of air that has failed to pass through the discharge cover <NUM> through the first and second through holes <NUM> and <NUM>.

The additional through hole <NUM> may be opened rearward of the cooking appliance <NUM>. Accordingly, air may be prevented from being directly discharged to a user who uses the cooking appliance <NUM> in front of the cooking appliance <NUM>.

Hereinafter, the cooking chamber <NUM> will be described in detail.

<FIG> is a view illustrating a state of the cooking appliance according to the embodiment of the disclosure before the cooking chamber is assembled, <FIG> is a perspective view illustrating the cooking chamber of the cooking appliance according to the embodiment of the disclosure, <FIG> is a view illustrating an example of the cooking appliance according to the embodiment which shows coupling of some parts of the cooking chamber, <FIG> is an enlarged view showing a portion of <FIG>, and <FIG> is a view showing a cross section of <FIG>.

The cooking chamber <NUM> of the cooking appliance <NUM> may be provided in an approximately rectangular parallelepiped shape having an opening with a large-capacity. The cooking chamber <NUM> may be formed of a metal material.

Due to having the large-capacity rectangular parallelepiped shape, the cooking chamber <NUM> is not easily manufactured in a unitary body.

Accordingly, the cooking chamber <NUM> may be formed by manufacturing a plurality of components as shown in <FIG>, and welding the plurality of components to each other in a single unit as shown in <FIG>.

That is, the top plate <NUM>, the bottom plate <NUM>, the both side plates <NUM>, the rear plate <NUM>, and the front plate <NUM> of the cooking chamber <NUM> are individually manufactured and then welded to form an integral cooking chamber <NUM>.

According to an embodiment of the disclosure, the side plates <NUM> may be integrally manufactured with the bottom plate 22a, but the disclosure is not limited thereto, and the side plates <NUM> and the bottom plate <NUM> may be separately manufactured and welded to each other.

When the components are welded to form the integral cooking chamber <NUM>, the cooking chamber <NUM> may include a cooking chamber inside 20a having a front side that is open.

The cooking chamber <NUM> may include an enamel coating 20b formed on a region forming the cooking chamber inside 20a.

The enamel coating 20b may be formed in a region forming the cooking chamber inside 20a in the top plate <NUM>, the bottom plate <NUM>, the both side plates <NUM>, and the rear plate <NUM> of the cooking chamber <NUM>.

The enamel coating 20b improves heat retention in the cooking chamber inside 20a and prevents the cooking chamber <NUM> from being oxidized at a high temperature or being corroded by combustion gases.

The cooking chamber <NUM> is formed by welding the components <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> as described above, but when an external force is exerted on the cooking chamber <NUM>, welded portions of the components <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> may be deformed due to weak stiffness.

The cooking chamber <NUM> formed of a metal material is not damaged even when deformation occurs, but the enamel coating 20b coated on the cooking chamber inside 20a may be damaged.

That is, when an external force is exerted on the cooking chamber <NUM>, regions of the enamel coating 20b coated on the welded portions of the components <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> may be damaged.

In particular, when an external force is exerted on the cooking chamber <NUM>, the external force is concentrated on a welded portion D at front ends of the top plate <NUM> and the both side plates <NUM>, and a region of the enamel coating 20b coated on the welded portion D at the front ends of the top plate <NUM> and the both side plates <NUM> may be likely to be damaged.

The cooking appliance <NUM> according to the embodiment of the disclosure may include a reinforcing portion 21d provided to further secure the stiffness of the welded portion D at the front ends of the top plate <NUM> and the both side plates <NUM>.

The top plate <NUM> may include a top plate welding portion 21b disposed to overlap the both side plates <NUM> in the upper side and lower side direction to be welded to the both side plates <NUM>.

The both side plates <NUM> may include side plate welding portions 23b that are disposed to overlap the top plate <NUM> in the upper side and lower side direction so as to be welded to the top plate <NUM>.

The top plate welding portion 21b of the top plate <NUM> may be provided to extend further downward compared to the lower end of the top plate <NUM>. Accordingly, the top plate welding portion 21b may be disposed to overlap the both side plates <NUM> in the upper side and lower side direction.

The side plate welding portions 23b of the both side plates <NUM> may be disposed at positions corresponding to the top plate welding portion 21b in the upper side and lower side direction. Accordingly, the side plate welding portions 23b and the top plate welding portion 21b may be welded to each other to form a unitary body.

The top plate <NUM> may include a top plate bent portion 21c that is formed by being bent to perpendicular to the forward direction. The top plate bent portion 21c may include a first bent (not shown) that is formed by being bent to be perpendicular to the top plate <NUM> that extends in the front side and rear side direction and a second bent 21c" that is formed by being bent from the first bent (not shown) to be perpendicular to the first bent (not shown) to extend in the front side and rear side direction.

Accordingly, the top plate bent portion 21c may be provided in a shape including the first bent (not shown) bent at the front end of the top plate <NUM> and laterally extending outside the top plate <NUM> and then the second bent 21c" bent from the first bent (not shown) in the rear side direction.

The both side plates <NUM> may include side plate bent portions 23c that are formed by being bent in a direction perpendicular to the forward direction. The side plate bent portion 23c includes a first bent 23c' that is formed by being bent to be perpendicular to the both side plates <NUM> that extends in the front side and rear side direction and a second bent 23c"formed by being bent from the first bent 23c' to be perpendicular to the front side and rear side direction.

Accordingly, the side plate bent portion 23c may be provided in a shape including the first bent 23c' that is formed by being bent in the left side and right side direction from the front ends of the both side plates <NUM> and the second bent 23c"formed by being bent from the first bent 23c'in the rear side direction.

The top plate bent portion 21c and the side plate bent portion 23c may be disposed in front of the top plate welding portion 21b and the side plate welding portion 23b, respectively.

The top plate bent portion 21c and the side plate bent portion 23c may be provided so as not to overlap each other in the upper side and lower side direction. The top plate bent portion 21c may be provided to be disposed on the upper end of the side plate bent portion 23c.

The top plate <NUM> and the both side plates <NUM> may be welded to each other a region behind the top plate bent portion 21c and the side plate bent portion 23c in the front side and rear side direction and a region around a middle portion between the top plate bent portion 21c and the side plate bent portion 23c in the upper side and lower side direction.

Accordingly, the stiffness of the region behind the top plate bent portion 21c and the side plate bent portion 23c in the front side and rear side direction and the region around the middle portion between the top plate bent portion 21c and the side plate bent portion 23c in the upper side and lower side direction may be lower than that of other positions of the cooking chamber <NUM>.

The top plate <NUM> may include a reinforcing portion 21d that may additionally secure the stiffness of the region behind the top plate bent portion 21c and the side plate bent portion 23c in the front side and rear side direction and the region around the middle portion between the top plate bent portion 21c and the side plate bent portion 23c in the upper side and lower side direction.

The reinforcing portion 21d may be provided to be welded to the both side plates <NUM> together with the top plate welding portion 21b.

The reinforcing portion 21d may be provided to extend downward from the lower end of the top plate bent portion 21c.

Accordingly, the reinforcing portion 21d may be disposed to come in contact with the side plate bent portion 23c disposed below the top plate bent portion 21c.

The reinforcing portion 21d may extend downward by a length approximately corresponding to a length in which the top plate welding portion 21b extends downward.

The reinforcing portion 21d may extend while having bents corresponding to the first bent (not shown) and the second bent 21c" of the top plate bent portion 21c. Accordingly, the reinforcing portion 21d may be provided to come in contact with the rear side of the side plate bent portion 23c as a whole.

In detail, the reinforcing portion 21d may extend at a rear side a first portion 23c-<NUM>, which extends outward from the first bent 23c' of the side plate bent portion 23c in the left side and right side direction, so as to correspond to the first portion 23c-<NUM>.

The reinforcing portion 21d may be bent at a rear side of the second bent 23c", which is bent at an end portion of the first portion 23c-<NUM> of the side plate bent portion 23c, so as to correspond to the second bent 23c".

The reinforcing portion 21d may extend at a lateral side of a second portion 23c-<NUM>, which extends rearward from the second bent 23c" of the side plate bent portion 23c, so as to correspond to the second portion 23c-<NUM>.

Accordingly, the reinforcing portion 21d is disposed to come in contact with the side plate bent portion 23c as a whole, and the reinforcing portion 21d while in contact with the side plate bent portion 23c may be welded to the both side plates <NUM> together with the top plate welding portion 21b.

As the reinforcing portion 21d is additionally welded to the both side plates <NUM>, the reinforcing portion 21d is caused to be welded at a region having a weak stiffness, that is, the region behind the top plate bent portion 21c and the side plate bent portion 23c in the front side and rear side direction and the region around the middle portion between the top plate bent portion 21c and the side plate bent portion 23c in the upper side and lower side direction, so that the stiffness of the weak region may be secured.

Accordingly, the enamel coating coated on the region behind the top plate bent portion 21c and the side plate bent portion 23c in the front side and rear side direction and the region around the middle portion between the top plate bent portion 21c and the side plate bent portion 23c in the upper side and lower side direction may be prevented from being damaged.

Claim 1:
A cooking appliance comprising:
a main body (<NUM>) forming a machine room (<NUM>);
a cooking chamber (<NUM>) arranged below the machine room (<NUM>);
an intermediate flow path (<NUM>) formed between the machine room (<NUM>) and the cooking chamber (<NUM>) by a partition plate (<NUM>), the intermediate flow path (<NUM>) including a first suction port (80a) formed at the front end thereof through which external air flows into the intermediate flow path (<NUM>) and then along the intermediate flow path (<NUM>) into a blower device (<NUM>) at the rear end of the intermediate flow path, the blower device (<NUM>) comprising a fan (<NUM>) configured to suction air into the intermediate flow path (<NUM>) and a discharge port (<NUM>) at the rear of the cooking appliance through which air introduced by the fan (<NUM>) is discharged to the outside of the cooking appliance; and
an opening portion (<NUM>) through which air is introduced toward the intermediate flow path (<NUM>), the opening portion (<NUM>) including a first opening portion (<NUM>) and a second opening portion (<NUM>) through which the air is introduced toward the intermediate flow path (<NUM>),
wherein the first opening portion (<NUM>) and the second opening portion (<NUM>) are formed at the partition plate (<NUM>),
wherein the second opening portion (<NUM>) is arranged at a farther distance from the fan (<NUM>) than the first opening portion (<NUM>) and the second opening portion (<NUM>) has an area larger than an area of the first opening portion (<NUM>), and
wherein air is introduced into the machine room (<NUM>) through a second suction port (<NUM>) to flow into the intermediate flow path (<NUM>) through the first opening portion (<NUM>) and the second opening portion (<NUM>).