Patent Description:
A cooking apparatus is a kind of home appliance that cooks food or other items (hereinafter "food") and may be installed or provided in a kitchen space. Such cooking apparatuses may be classified into various categories according to heat source, form or shape thereof, and type of fuel used in the cooking apparatus. The cooking apparatus may be classified as an open-type cooking apparatus and/or a closed-type cooking apparatus according to a space in which food is placed. The closed-type cooking apparatus may include an oven, or a microwave oven, for example, and the open-type cooking apparatus may include a cooktop, or a hob, for example.

The closed-type cooking apparatus may be a cooking apparatus configured to enclose a space in which food may be placed and may heat the enclosed space to cook the food. The open-type cooking apparatus may be a cooking apparatus in which food or a vessel containing food may be placed in an open space and may be configured to heat the food or the vessel to cook the food.

The closed-type cooking apparatus may be provided with a cooking chamber, in which the food may be placed and which may be a space which is enclosed when the food is cooked. Food may be cooked in the cooking chamber. A heat source may be provided in a space inside or outside of the cooking chamber to heat the cooking chamber.

A composite cooking apparatus may be provided in which a closed-type cooking apparatus and an open-type cooking apparatus may be installed and a plurality of heat sources may be combined to simultaneously cook a plurality of foods. In the composite cooking apparatus, the open-type cooking apparatus may be located above the closed-type cooking apparatus. A plurality of heaters or burners may be installed at or provided on the open-type cooking apparatus so that the open-type cooking apparatus may be able to simultaneously cook a plurality of foods.

A user may use the closed-type cooking apparatus when cooking food, such as, for example, barbecued food or baked goods or grilled food, and may use the open-type cooking apparatus which is exposed above the closed-type cooking apparatus when cooking food which may be accommodated and heated in a vessel or container. The open-type cooking apparatus may be a gas range, and such an open-type cooking apparatus may cook food using a flame generated when a gas burns.

A variety of methods may be provided to enable a user to adjust a strength of a flame of such an open-type cooking apparatus. A method of adjusting a power level by using a knob, which may rotate around a predetermined rotational shaft, to adjust a rotational amount of the knob may be widely used. The knob may be connected to a valve that controls a flow rate of a gas to mechanically control opening and closing amounts of the valve. A method of electronically measuring a rotational amount of the knob and electronically controlling the opening and closing amounts of the valve based on the measured result may also be applied to the knob.

A cooking apparatus or composite cooking apparatus including an oven may be provided with a display or module which may display a timer time, and an operating state, for example. In an oven required to cook food for a long time, a timer function may be necessary, a dial-type timer may be employed in the oven, and a structure capable of displaying status information of the cooking apparatus through a separate display may be provided.

Even though the cooking apparatus is provided with the same cooktop, the display may not be necessary when only a gas range is provided at the cooking apparatus, but in the composite cooking apparatus, the display may be needed so as to display various information. However, information displayed by individual products may be different, and designs of a screen of a display, and a user interface (UI), for example, may be separately developed.

<CIT> presents a control knob for an appliance that includes an outer control ring, a stationary hub, a rotation modulating mechanism coupled to the outer control ring and engaged with an outer surface of the stationary hub, wherein the outer control ring is rotationally operable about the stationary hub at a first rate, an indicial ring positioned around the stationary hub, wherein the indicial ring engages a portion of the rotation modulating mechanism, wherein rotation of the outer control ring at the first rate causes the rotation modulating mechanism to rotate the indicial ring about the stationary hub at a second rate, the second rate being different than the first rate and an encoder shaft positioned within the stationary hub, wherein an inner gearing mechanism extends between an exterior surface of the encoder shaft and one of the outer control ring and the indicial ring.

<CIT> presents a household cooking appliance that includes a cooking module, a control panel, a rotatable control knob, and a dual-encoder ON/OFF selector for the cooking module. The dual-encoder ON/OFF selector includes a rotatable bezel on the control panel. The rotatable bezel controls activation and deactivation of the cooking module. The rotatable bezel includes an opening, wherein the rotatable control knob extends through the opening of the rotatable bezel and is concentrically arranged within the rotatable bezel.

<CIT> relates to a dual-function switching apparatus intended particularly for controlling the two time bases of a dual time base oscilloscope. This switching apparatus comprises two switch contact assemblies of the wafer type driven in rotation by two coaxial shafts respectively. Each shaft is independently rotated by its own knob, these two knobs also being mounted coaxially one in front of the other. The rear knob has a datum index by which its position can be read on scale markings on the oscilloscope front panel. The front knob also has a datum index used for determining the position of this front knob. But to avoid parallax errors in reading the position of this front datum index on the scale markings, the rear knob is provided with auxiliary indexes which extend from the datum index on the front knob to the scale markings on the panel. When the datum index on the front knob is aligned with any particular auxiliary index on the rear knob, the position of the front knob is read by sighting along that auxiliary index from the front datum index to the scale markings.

<CIT> presents a method and apparatus for an appliance control knob incorporating a microprocessor and a status display built into the control knob housing. The control knob for an appliance comprises a housing, a microprocessor within the housing, and a status display within the housing.

<CIT> presents a control device with retractable knob for a household device and household device, particularly baking oven. The element has two movable positioning parts, which are provided for adjusting functions and operating conditions, and are movable relative to each other, where the two movable positioning parts are rotatable around a common rotational axis. The two movable positioning parts are arranged in a direction of the rotational axis one behind the other, where the two movable positioning parts are designed in the shape of the cylinder. The two movable positioning parts exhibit same diameter.

<CIT> presents a control unit for generating a control signal that comprises a base part, a control element rotatable about an axis of rotation relative to the base part, a position encoder for detecting an angular position or a change in angular position of the control element relative to the base part, a control device which is adapted generate the control signal in dependence on the detected angular position or change in angular position of the control element and an electronic display device, wherein the control device is adapted to control the electronic display device to show at least one symbol arrangement. The electronic display device has the shape of a cylinder or of a cylinder sector whose axis coincides with the axis of rotation of the control element or extends in parallel thereto.

The objects are solved by the features of the independent claim. Preferred embodiments are described by the dependent claims.

According to one embodiment, a cooking apparatus comprising a knob assembly comprises a knob configured to adjust a power level of a power source; and a knob ring configured to surround a periphery of the knob, configured to be rotatable independent of the knob, and provided with a display. The knob may be coupled to an adjustment shaft, e.g. for adjusting a power level of a burner or cooktop.

The knob ring may be moved from an initial position to a second position by an external force. The knob ring may return to the initial position when the external force is released. A knob ring encoder may be configured to detect a manipulation of the knob ring. A knob encoder may be provided and configured to detect a manipulation of the knob. A actuating member may be coupled to the knob ring. A support frame may support an outer circumferential surface of the actuating member. A fixing frame may be coupled to the support frame and configured to prevent the actuating member from escaping from the support frame. A circular plate may be configured to be inserted between the knob ring and a panel of an apparatus on which the knob assembly is provided. A bearing shell may be provided with a cylinder inserted between the actuating member and the support frame. The knob ring may support the adjustment shaft at two or more points thereof. The knob ring may include a knob ring main body configured to form an exterior appearance thereof; a rear surface plate coupled to a rear surface of the knob ring main body and provided with a support hole configured to support the adjustment shaft which passes through the support hole; and a support pipe coupled to the rear surface plate and configured to support the adjustment shaft. The support pipe may include a flange coupled to the rear surface plate; and a tapered pipe formed to extend from the flange and provided with a cap configured to support the adjustment shaft. The display is configured to display a power level and a timer time. The power level displayed on the display is detected and displayed based on a rotational amount of the knob. The timer time displayed on the display is detected and displayed based on manipulation of the knob ring. The display may be coupled to the knob ring main body through a display housing. A finishing cap may be coupled to an outside of the display housing. The finishing cap may be made of a transparent or semitransparent material to allow information displayed on the display to be visible. The display may include a portion for displaying a power level and a portion for displaying a timer time. If the timer time is not set, only the power level may be displayed. If the timer time is set, the power level may be displayed for a first predetermined period of time and then the timer time may be displayed for a second predetermined period of time. The power level may be displayed with a red color and the timer time is displayed with a white color or a blue color.

According to another aspect, a cooking apparatus may be provided, comprising a knob assembly according to any one of the herein described embodiments.

According to another aspect, a knob assembly is provided, comprising: a rotatable knob configured to adjust a power level of a power source; and a knob ring that surrounds a periphery of the knob, configured to be rotatable independent of the knob, and provided with an electronic display that displays the power level and a timer time.

According to another aspect, a cooking apparatus is provided comprising said knob assembly.

According to another aspect, a cooking apparatus is provided, comprising: at least one knob that adjusts a power level of at least one burner; at least one knob ring that surrounds the at least one knob and is rotatable independent of the at least one knob; and a display provided on the at least one knob ring and configured to display information of the cooking apparatus.

The information of the cooking apparatus may include the power level of the at least one burner and a timer time. The display may be an electronic display including different lighting devices with different colors.

Referring to <FIG>, a cooking apparatus <NUM> may be provided with an oven which may include knobs <NUM> configured to adjust a power level, knobs <NUM> configured to adjust a timer time, a display or module <NUM> configured to display a status of the cooking apparatus <NUM>, and switches <NUM> configured to each perform a separate operation or manipulation, at a front surface of the cooking apparatus <NUM>. As the oven may be required to cook food for a long time, a timer that sets an operating time of the oven may be necessary. For unity of design and convenience of manipulation, a rotary switch may be applied to the knob <NUM> configured to adjust a power level and the knob <NUM> configured to adjust a timer time.

The display <NUM> may display an operation or manipulation state, for example, of the cooking apparatus <NUM>. Information displayed on the display <NUM> may include an output, for example, a temperature of a burner, the timer time, and a cooking mode of an automatic cooking function, for example. However, if a configuration of a flame hole of the cooking apparatus <NUM> is changed or a specification of a product is changed, information or a user interface (UI), which may be displayed on the display <NUM>, may be changed, and the display <NUM> may be separately designed.

As the knob <NUM> configured to adjust power level and the knob <NUM> configured to adjust a timer time may have a same or similar shape, the knobs <NUM> and <NUM> may be superior in terms of design, but in terms of user convenience, it may be difficult for a user to recognize which knob performs which function. To resolve the above-described problems, a knob assembly may be provided that includes a knob handle configured to adjust a power level of a cooking apparatus and a knob ring configured to adjust a timer time, for example, of the cooking apparatus. A display may be provided at the knob ring so that the knob assembly may be easily used by a user and may have a superior design and an advantage in terms of component sharing.

Referring to <FIG>, a knob handle or knob <NUM> may be connected to an adjustment shaft <NUM> of a power level adjuster or heat adjuster <NUM> configured to adjust a power level. The knob handle <NUM> may include a non-returning rotary switch such that the non-returning rotary switch may not return to an initial position once it is rotated by an external force. The knob handle <NUM> may be maintained at a position at which a user rotates the knob handle <NUM>, and allow an output of power or flame at a corresponding flame hole according to a rotational angle of the knob handle <NUM>. That is, a position of the knob handle <NUM> may correspond to how much power is released from a heat source of the cooking apparatus. For example, in a case of a gas burner, the power level adjuster <NUM> may be a valve, and in the case of a microwave oven or an induction range, the power level adjuster <NUM> may be an output adjuster, such as a variable resistor, in order to adjust an output thereof.

The knob handle <NUM> may have a circular shape and may be provided with a protruding handle. The protruding handle may be bar-shaped, but a shape of the handle may be variously modified and embodiments are not limited thereto. The knob handle <NUM> may be, for example, manufactured of a synthetic resin injection material or may be manufactured by processing a metal material. A material and shape of the knob handle <NUM> may be variously changed.

A knob ring <NUM> may be provided at an outer circumferential surface of the knob handle <NUM> to improve an exterior appearance of a periphery of the knob handle <NUM>. The knob ring <NUM> may support the knob handle <NUM> and may finish the exterior appearance of the periphery of the knob handle <NUM> to improve a quality of the exterior appearance.

The knob ring <NUM> may confine or restrict a position of the knob handle <NUM>. The power level adjuster <NUM> may be applied or coupled to the adjustment shaft <NUM>, and if the knob handle <NUM> is coupled to only the adjustment shaft <NUM>, the knob handle <NUM> may arbitrarily move in different directions. The knob ring <NUM> according to embodiments may confine or restrict the position of the knob handle <NUM> and may allow the knob handle <NUM> to be maintained at a certain or set position.

The knob ring <NUM> may include a timer manipulation switch and a display that displays a timer time and power level. The knob ring <NUM> may rotate independent of the knob handle <NUM>, the timer time may be set through a manipulation or rotation of the knob ring <NUM>, and a display or display <NUM> may be provided at the knob ring <NUM> so that the timer time and the power level may be displayed on the display <NUM>.

A knob encoder e1 may be provided to detect a rotational amount of the knob handle <NUM>, and a knob ring encoder e2 may be provided to detect a rotational amount of the knob ring <NUM>. The knob encoder e1 may detect a rotation amount of a gear g1 coupled to the adjustment shaft <NUM>, and the knob ring encoder e2 may sense or detect rotation of a knob ring gear or second gear g2 provided at a actuating member <NUM>.

The knob handle <NUM> and the knob ring <NUM> may be provided at or on an outside of a front panel c of the cooking apparatus <NUM>. The knob handle <NUM> and the knob ring <NUM> may be provided to pass through a space or hole h in the front panel c of the cooking apparatus <NUM>. The power level, and the timer time, for example, may be displayed on the display <NUM>. The power level displayed on the display <NUM> may be detected and displayed based on the rotational amount of the knob handle <NUM>, and the timer time displayed on the display <NUM> may be detected and displayed based on manipulation of the knob ring <NUM>.

The display <NUM> may include a portion that displays the power level and a portion that displays the timer time, but the power level and the timer time may be selectively displayed on a single display <NUM>. For example, if the timer time is not set, only the power level may be displayed. If the timer time is set, the power level may be displayed for a predetermined period of time and then the timer time may be displayed for a predetermined period of time.

A user may easily verify or recognize whether a displayed number represents the power level or the timer time by differentiating a light color when the power level is displayed from a light color when the timer time is displayed. For example, the power level may be displayed with a red color and the timer time may be displayed with a white color or a blue color. When both the power level and the timer time are displayed, the power level may be displayed for two seconds and then the timer time may be displayed for a next two seconds.

As described above, when both the power level and the timer time are adjusted and displayed through the knob assembly, a separate display may not be necessary at the front panel c. A structure of such a knob assembly may be applied to both an oven range provided with an oven and a cooktop including only a burner, and may have an advantage in that the knob assembly may be used as a component shared by the oven range and the cooktop.

A actuating member <NUM> may be coupled to a rear surface of the knob ring <NUM> and may integrally rotate with the knob ring <NUM>. A rotational amount of the actuating member <NUM> may be the same as the rotational amount of the knob ring <NUM>. By detecting the rotational amount of the actuating member <NUM>, a manipulation of the knob ring <NUM> may be detected. The knob ring gear g2 may be provided at the actuating member <NUM>.

A support frame <NUM> may be coupled to the front panel c to support the knob ring <NUM>. The knob handle <NUM> and the knob ring <NUM> may each be coupled at aligned positions on the front panel c, and the front panel c may be made of a metal thin plate material, for example. When the hole h is formed at the front panel c and the knob ring <NUM> directly rotates with and rubs against the hole h, a problem in that the knob ring <NUM> may be cut or deformed may occur. Therefore, the support frame <NUM> may be coupled to and aligned with the hole h formed at the front panel c.

The support frame <NUM> may be provided with a guide recess corresponding to an outer diameter of the actuating member <NUM> coupled to the knob ring <NUM>. An outer circumferential surface of the actuating member <NUM> may be supported by the support frame <NUM> and rotated to a predetermined position. A position of the knob ring <NUM> may be determined by the support frame <NUM>, and the support frame <NUM> may be engaged with the front panel c so that the position of the knob ring <NUM> may be fixed with respect to the front panel c.

The support frame <NUM> may surround the outer circumferential surface of the actuating member <NUM> and may support the actuating member <NUM> to be rotatable around a predetermined shaft. The support frame <NUM> may be engaged with a guide rod <NUM> and a burner frame <NUM> to which the power level adjuster <NUM> may be fixed. The guide rod <NUM> may fix or couple the burner frame <NUM> to the support frame <NUM>, and the support frame <NUM> may be fixed at a predetermined position with respect to the burner frame <NUM> via the guide rod <NUM>.

A fixing frame <NUM> may be engaged with and fixed to the support frame <NUM> via a fastener, such as a screw, for example, and may prevent the actuating member <NUM> from moving or escaping from the fixing frame <NUM> in a rearward direction toward an inside of the cooking apparatus <NUM>. The fixing frame <NUM> may confine or restrict a rotational range of the actuating member <NUM> and restrict the actuating member <NUM> and the knob ring <NUM> to be rotatable only within a predetermined angle range.

The fixing frame <NUM> may be formed in a shape which is similar to a bow tie such that an angle between portions corresponding to wings of the bow tie may restrict the actuating member <NUM> to be rotatable within the predetermined angle range and a portion connecting the wings may prevent the actuating member <NUM> from escaping in the rearward direction.

A bearing shell <NUM> may be a bearing that allows the knob ring <NUM> to be smoothly manipulated. The bearing shell <NUM> may be provided with a cylindrical-shaped cylinder <NUM>, and a circular plate <NUM> bent from the cylinder <NUM> to protrude in a radial direction. The cylinder <NUM> may be inserted between the outer circumferential surface of the actuating member <NUM> coupled to the knob ring <NUM> and an inner circumference surface of the support frame <NUM>, and may reduce friction between the actuating member <NUM> and the support frame <NUM>.

The circular plate <NUM> may be inserted between the front panel c and the knob ring <NUM> to reduce friction therebetween. The circular plate <NUM> may separate the knob ring <NUM> from the front panel c by a predetermined gap and may reduce generation of scratches on the front panel c due to the manipulation of the knob ring <NUM>.

The knob ring <NUM> according to embodiments may provide a return or restoring type manipulation structure. The return type manipulation structure may be a structure that allows the knob ring <NUM> to be manipulated in a clockwise direction or a counterclockwise direction within a predetermined angle range due to an external force, and may return or restore the knob ring <NUM> to an original position thereof when the external force is released therefrom.

Restoring springs s1 and s2 may provide a restoring force which returns the knob ring <NUM> to the original position thereof. The restoring springs s1 and s2 may include a first restoring spring s1 configured to provide a restoring force in the clockwise direction and a second restoring spring s2 configured to provide a restoring force in the counterclockwise direction. When an external force is not applied to the knob ring <NUM>, the elastic force of the first restoring spring s1 may balance with that of the second restoring spring s2 such that the knob ring <NUM> may be maintained at an initial position thereof.

Both ends of each of the restoring springs s1 and s2 may be fixed to the actuating member <NUM> and the support frame <NUM> to which the fixing frame <NUM> is fixed. The actuating member <NUM> and the knob ring <NUM> may integrally rotate such that the knob ring <NUM> may be maintained at the initial position thereof by elastic forces of the restoring springs s1 and s2, and may be rotated by a predetermined angle in the clockwise or counterclockwise direction. One or a first end of each of the restoring springs s1 and s2 may be connected to an elastic member holder <NUM> on the actuating member <NUM>, and another or second end of each of the restoring springs s1 and s2 may be connected to a first spring holder <NUM> of the support frame <NUM> and a second spring holder <NUM> of the support frame <NUM>, respectively.

Referring to <FIG>, for convenience of illustration, the front panel c has been omitted from the drawings. The knob handle <NUM> and the knob ring <NUM> may be coupled to a front surface side of the front panel c, and the support frame <NUM>, the actuating member <NUM>, and the fixing frame <NUM> may be coupled to a rear surface side of the front panel c.

The fixing frame <NUM> may be engaged with the rear surface of the front panel c, and the actuating member <NUM> may pass through the front panel c to be engaged with the knob ring <NUM>. A rotational center of the actuating member <NUM> may be provided to coincide with an axial center of the adjustment shaft <NUM>. The actuating member <NUM> may confine the axial center of the adjustment shaft <NUM> to be located at a predetermined position with respect to the front panel c. That is, the actuating member <NUM> may be fixed at the predetermined position with respect to the front panel c, and thus the adjustment shaft <NUM> may be fixed at an exact position with respect to the front panel c.

The actuating member <NUM> may be inserted into the support frame <NUM>, may pass through the front panel c, and may partially protrude from the front panel c. A front end of the actuating member <NUM> may be formed in a cylindrical shape, and the cylindrical portion thereof may protrude from a front surface of the front panel c. The knob ring <NUM> may be coupled to the actuating member <NUM> that protrudes from the front surface of the front panel c. The knob ring <NUM> and the actuating member <NUM> may be coupled such that the knob ring <NUM> may be structurally supported by the support frame <NUM>.

The manipulation of the knob ring <NUM> may be recognized based on rotation of the actuating member <NUM>. As the knob ring <NUM> is a portion which is exposed to the outside of the front panel c, when an encoder configured to sense the manipulation of the knob ring <NUM> outside of the front panel c is provided around the knob ring <NUM>, an exterior appearance thereof is not aesthetically pleasing. As the knob ring <NUM> may be integrally coupled with the actuating member <NUM>, the knob ring encoder e2 may be provided around the actuating member <NUM> to sense the rotation thereof.

The knob ring gear g2 configured to transmit a rotational angle may be provided at the actuating member <NUM>. The knob ring encoder e2 may be engaged with the knob ring gear g2 and configured to detect a rotational angle of the actuating member <NUM>. The knob ring encoder e2 may be engaged with the knob ring gear g2 and may detect a rotational manipulation signal of the knob ring <NUM>.

The actuating member <NUM> may be coupled to the pair of restoring springs s1 and s2 that return the actuating member <NUM> to a predetermined position. The restoring springs s1 and s2 may connect the support frame <NUM> to the actuating member <NUM>. When the actuating member <NUM> is manipulated in the counterclockwise direction, the restoring spring s1 may provide the elastic force in the clockwise direction to return the actuating member <NUM> to the original position thereof. When the actuating member <NUM> is manipulated in the clockwise direction, the restoring spring s2 may provide the elastic force in the counterclockwise direction to return the actuating member <NUM> to the original position thereof.

The fixing frame <NUM> may be provided to prevent the actuating member <NUM> from escaping or moving toward the rear surface and may enable or allow the actuating member <NUM> to stably operate. The fixing frame <NUM> may prevent the actuating member <NUM> from escaping toward the rear surface by passing through a rear surface of the actuating member <NUM>. The fixing frame <NUM> may be engaged with the support frame <NUM>. The fixing frame <NUM> may confine the rotational range of the actuating member <NUM>.

The actuating member <NUM> may include a actuating member body <NUM> and may be provided with a wing part or wing <NUM> that extends out to one side, and the actuating member <NUM> may have a structure in which the pair of restoring springs s1 and s2 are fixed to the wing <NUM>. When a rotation range of the wing <NUM> is restricted by the fixing frame <NUM>, a bidirectional rotational angle of the actuating member <NUM> may be constantly restricted. To more stably confine the rotation of the actuating member <NUM>, the wing <NUM> may be provided at both sides of the actuating member <NUM>, and the fixing frame <NUM> may equally restrict rotational ranges of the wings <NUM> provided at both of the sides.

The knob assembly according to embodiments may adjust a power level through manipulation of the knob handle <NUM> and may display a timer time through manipulation of the knob ring <NUM>. Accordingly, the knob assembly may include the display <NUM> provided at the knob ring <NUM>, the knob encoder e1 configured to detect manipulation of the knob handle <NUM>, and the knob ring encoder e2 configured to detect manipulation of the knob ring <NUM>.

The knob ring encoder e2 may be engaged with the knob ring gear g2 of the actuating member <NUM> to detect rotation of the actuating member <NUM>. The knob ring <NUM> may be a returning type knob ring and may rotate within a predetermined range when an external force is applied thereto, and the knob ring <NUM> may return to an original position thereof when the external force is released. For example, the knob ring <NUM> may be manipulated to increase the timer time by being rotated a predetermined angle in the clockwise direction, and to decrease the timer time by being rotated a predetermined angle in the counterclockwise direction.

The knob handle <NUM> may be connected to the adjustment shaft <NUM> of the power level adjuster <NUM>. The adjustment shaft <NUM> of the power level adjuster <NUM> may be a non-returning type adjustment shaft that maintains a manipulated position, and the knob encoder e1 may detect a rotational amount or a manipulated angle manipulated from a reference position. The knob encoder e1 may be engaged with the gear g1 coupled to the adjustment shaft <NUM> to detect rotation of the adjustment shaft <NUM>.

In a cooking apparatus, such as a microwave oven or an induction range, in which a power level is electronically adjusted, the power level adjuster <NUM> may be configured with a variable resistor, for example, so that a status of the power level adjuster <NUM> may be detected without separately providing the knob encoder e1. Referring to <FIG> and <FIG>, the knob ring <NUM> may include a knob ring main body <NUM> configured to form an exterior appearance thereof, a rear surface plate <NUM> coupled to a rear surface of the knob ring main body <NUM>, and a support pipe <NUM> coupled to the rear surface plate <NUM> and configured to support the adjustment shaft <NUM>.

The rear surface plate <NUM> may be provided with a rear surface plate body and a support plate 125b configured to enter into an interior of the front panel c and protrude toward an inner side of the cooking apparatus <NUM>. A support hole 125c configured to support the adjustment shaft <NUM> may be provided at or in the support plate 125b.

The support pipe <NUM> may be coupled to the rear surface plate <NUM>. The support pipe <NUM> may be provided with a flange 126a coupled to the rear surface plate <NUM>, a tapered pipe 126b that extends from the flange 126a, and a support rib 126d that extends longer than the tapered pipe 126b. The tapered pipe 126b may have a tapered shape in which a diameter decreases as it extends away from the flange 126a, and a support part or cap 126c configured to support the adjustment shaft <NUM> may be provided at a front end of the tapered pipe 126b.

Thus, the adjustment shaft <NUM> may be structurally supported at two points, that is, the support hole 125c and the support cap 126c. In a related art valve structure, an adjustment shaft may be confined to a predetermined position, but as the adjustment shaft <NUM> may be a power level adjuster, a structure capable of stably supporting the adjustment shaft <NUM> may be required. The knob ring <NUM> may support the adjustment shaft <NUM> at two or more points. The knob ring <NUM> may support the adjustment shaft <NUM> at the two or more points as well as a front end of the gear g1 coupled to the adjustment shaft <NUM>. The gear g1 (see <FIG>) may be configured to transmit a rotational amount of the adjustment shaft <NUM> to the knob encoder e1, and the gear g1 may be supported on the support rib 126d.

Referring to <FIG>, the display <NUM> capable of displaying the power level and timer time may be provided at the knob ring <NUM>. The display <NUM> may be coupled to the knob ring main body <NUM> through a display housing <NUM>, and a finishing cap <NUM> may be coupled to an outside of the display housing <NUM>. The finishing cap <NUM> may be made of, for example, a transparent or semitransparent material to allow information displayed on the display <NUM> to be visible. The display <NUM> may be an electronic display, such as, for example, an LCD or LED device, but embodiments are not limited thereto.

Embodiments disclosed herein provide a knob assembly provided with a knob ring, which may be independently manipulated, around a knob handle so that a timer time of a cooking apparatus, such as a cooking time of a corresponding burner or an oven, may be set through a manipulation of the knob ring.

A display may be provided at the knob ring, and a power level and a timer time, for example, of a corresponding cooking apparatus may be displayed on the display so that user convenience may be improved. Further, the knob assembly according to embodiments disclosed herein may be applied to a gas range as well as a composite cooking apparatus including an oven range, an induction range, and a microwave oven, for example, so that component sharing in various cooking apparatuses may be provided.

According to embodiments disclosed herein, a knob assembly is provided that may include a knob handle coupled to an adjustment shaft that is configured to adjust power level, and a knob ring configured to surround a periphery of the knob handle, provided to pass through a front panel, configured to be rotatable independent of the knob handle, and provided with a display. The knob ring may have a returning type rotational structure in which the knob ring may return to an initial position thereof when an external force is released.

The knob assembly may further include a knob ring encoder configured to detect a manipulation of the knob ring and a knob encoder configured to detect a manipulation of the knob handle, and a power level set through a manipulation detected by the knob encoder and a timer time set through the manipulate of the knob handle may be displayed on the display.

For smooth operation of the knob handle and the knob ring, the knob assembly may further include a actuating member coupled to the knob ring, a support frame coupled to the front panel and configured to support an outer circumferential surface of the actuating member, and a fixing frame coupled to the support frame and configured to prevent the actuating member from escaping from the support frame.

The knob ring may support the adjustment shaft at two or more positions thereof. The knob ring may include a knob ring main body configured to form an exterior appearance thereof, a rear surface plate coupled to a rear surface of the knob ring main body and provided with a support hole configured to support the adjustment shaft passing through the support hole, and a support pipe coupled to the rear surface plate and configured to support the adjustment shaft. The support pipe may include a flange coupled to the rear surface plate, and a tapered pipe formed to extend from the flange and provided with a support part or support configured to support the adjustment shaft.

For reducing friction when the knob ring is manipulated, the knob assembly may further include a circular plate inserted between the knob ring and the front panel, and a bearing shell provided with a cylinder which may be inserted between the actuating member and the support frame.

Claim 1:
A cooking apparatus comprising a knob assembly, the knob assembly comprising:
a knob (<NUM>) for adjusting a power level of a power source;
a knob ring (<NUM>) surrounding the knob and rotatable independently of the knob, and
a display (<NUM>);
wherein the display is provided on the knob ring (<NUM>); and
wherein a power level detected based on a rotational amount of a manipulation of the knob (<NUM>) is displayed on the display (<NUM>), and characterised in that a timer time detected based on manipulation of the knob ring (<NUM>) is displayed on the display (<NUM>).