Patent Description:
Cooking appliances are used to cook food, and are installed in the kitchen to cook food according to a user's intention. The cooking appliances can be classified in various ways, based on a heat source or a type, and the sort of fuel.

Additionally, the cooking appliances can be divided into an open type cooking appliance in which food is placed in an open space, and a sealed type cooking appliance in which food is placed in a closed space, based on a way of cooking food. The sealed type cooking appliance includes an oven, a microwave oven and the like. The open type cooking appliance includes a cooktop, a hob, a griddle and the like.

In the sealed type cooking appliance, a space, in which food is placed, is shielded, and the shielded space is heated to cook food. The sealed type cooking appliance is provided with a cooking space in which food is placed and which is shielded when the food is cooked. The cooking space is a space in which food is substantially cooked.

The sealed type cooking appliance is provided with a door that optionally opens and closes the cooking space in a swivable manner. The door is installed in a main body in a swivable manner by a door hinge provided between the main body, having the cooking space therein, and the door, and swivels with respect to a portion where the door and the main body are coupled through the door hinge to optionally open and close the cooking space.

A heat source is included in the cooking space opened and closed by the door, to heat the cooking space. The heat source includes a gas burner or an electric heater and the like.

The cooking space includes an electronic component space in an upper portion thereof. In the electronic component space, electronic components required for operating the sealed type cooking appliance can be disposed. The electronic component space is formed as a space separate from the cooking space.

In the electronic component space, a cooling fan for cooling the electronic component space is disposed. The cooling fan can be provided in the form of a centrifugal fan such as a sirocco fan, and can be disposed eccentrically to a rear of the electronic component space. The cooling fan can suction external air to cool an inside of the electronic component space and can forcibly blow hot air in the electronic component space out of the sealed type cooking appliance to cool the electronic component space.

When the cooling fan is out of order, the electronic component space cannot cool properly. This causes an excessive increase in temperatures of electronic components in the electronic component space and failure of the electronic components.

Relevant prior art may be found in publications <CIT> and <CIT>.

The object of the present invention is to provide a cooking appliance and a control method thereof that may have an improved structure to rapidly determine whether a cooling fan fails or not.

Another object is to provide a cooking appliance and a control method thereof that may have an improved structure to prevent failure of electronic components, caused by overheat.

These objects are achieved with the features of the independent claims <NUM> and <NUM>.

To achieve the above aims, in a cooking appliance according to one embodiment, a temperature measuring part may be installed in a supporter configured to support a circuit board, a cool air passage may be formed between a cavity and the circuit board, and the temperature measuring part may measure a temperature in the cool air passage.

Based on results of the temperature measuring part's measurement, failure of the cooling fan may be rapidly determined.

According to another embodiment, when a temperature of the cool air passage formed between the cavity and the circuit board exceeds a predetermined temperature, a cooking operation of the cooking appliance may stop.

Since the failure of the cooling fan is rapidly determined and the cooking operation stops, failure of electronic components, caused by overheat, may be prevented.

In a control method of a cooking appliance according to another embodiment, it may be determined whether an operation of the cooling fan is stopped, based on results of the measurement of the temperature in the cool air passage, and when it is determined that the operation of the cooling fan is stopped, a cooking operation may stop.

A cooking appliance according to an aspect, including a cavity provided with a cooking space therein and an electronic component space provided outside the cavity, includes: a circuit board disposed in the electronic component space; a supporter configured to space the circuit board from the cavity and support the circuit board; a temperature measuring part installed in the supporter and supported by the supporter; and a cooling fan configured to generate a flow of cool air passing through the electronic component space, wherein the cooling fan generates a flow of cool air passing through a cool air passage that is an area surrounded by the cavity, the circuit board and the supporter, and the temperature measuring part measures a temperature in the cool air passage.

The temperature measuring part is disposed between the cavity and the circuit board.

The electronic component space is disposed in an upper portion of the cavity, the supporter includes an air guide disposed in a lateral portion of the circuit board, configured to protrude upward from the cavity and configured to block a lateral portion of the cool air passage, and the temperature measuring part is installed in the air guide.

The temperature measuring part may be disposed between the cavity and the circuit board, and a front-rear position of the temperature measuring part may overlap a position of the circuit board, for example.

The electronic component space may be disposed in the upper portion of the cavity, a door may be disposed at a front of the cavity, the cooling fan may be disposed at a rear of the door, and the temperature measuring part may be disposed between the door and the cooling fan, for example.

The temperature measuring part may be disposed closer to the door than to the cooling fan, for example.

The cooking appliance may further include a front panel which is disposed between the cavity and the door and at least a portion of which blocks a front of the electronic component space, the front panel may have an inlet, and the temperature measuring part may be disposed between the inlet and the cooling fan and spaced rearward from the inlet by a predetermined distance or greater, for example.

The predetermined distance may be a distance between the cavity and the circuit board spaced from each other, or greater, for example.

The cooking appliance may further include a controller configured to control a cooking operation of the cooking appliance, and the controller may stop a cooking operation of the cooking appliance when a temperature measured by the temperature measuring part exceeds a predetermined temperature, for example.

The predetermined temperature may be a highest temperature among temperatures that are measured by the temperature measuring part during an operation of the cooling fan, for example.

The temperature measuring part may include a thermistor installed in the supporter and configured to measure a temperature in the cool air passage, for example.

A control method of a cooking appliance according to another aspect, includes: measuring a temperature in the cool air passage; determining whether an operation of the cooling fan is stopped based on a result of the measurement of the temperature in the cool air passage; and stopping a cooking operation of the cooking appliance when it is determined that the operation of the cooling fan is stopped.

The cooking appliance may include a heating part configured to heat the cooking space, and when a temperature measured by the temperature measuring part exceeds the predetermined temperature, it may be determined that an operation of the cooling fan is stopped, and the heating part may stop operating, for example.

In the cooking appliance and the control method thereof according to the present disclosure, the failure of the cooling fan is determined based on results of the temperature measuring part's measurement of temperature. Accordingly, the failure of the cooling fan may be rapidly determined.

Additionally, the cooking appliance according to the present disclosure may rapidly determine whether the electronic components cool properly or not and may stop a cooking operation, when the electronic components do not cool properly due to the failure of the cooling fan, thereby preventing the electronic components from overheating and failing.

The accompanying drawings constitute a part of this specification, illustrate one or more embodiments of the present disclosure, and together with the specification, explain the present disclosure, wherein:.

When one component is described as being "in an upper portion (or a lower portion)" of another component, or "on (or under)" another component, one component can be placed on the upper surface (or under the lower surface) of another component, and an additional component may be interposed between another component and one component on (or under) another component.

When one component is described as being "connected", "coupled", or "connected" to another component, one component can be directly connected, coupled or connected to another component. However, it is also to be understood that an additional component can be "interposed" between the two components, or the two components can be "connected", "coupled", or "connected" through an additional component.

The singular forms "a", "an" and "the" are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless explicitly indicated otherwise. It should be further understood that the terms "comprise" or "have" and the like, set forth herein, are not interpreted as necessarily including all the stated components or steps but can be interpreted as including some of the stated components or steps or can be interpreted as further including additional components or steps.

<FIG> is a front perspective view showing a cooking appliance according to an embodiment, and <FIG> is a front perspective view showing a portion separated from the cooking appliance in <FIG>. <FIG> is a rear perspective view showing the cooking appliance in <FIG>, and <FIG> is a front perspective view showing the cooking appliance in <FIG> without a door.

Referring to <FIG>, a cooking appliance according to an embodiment may include a first unit <NUM> in an upper portion of the cooking appliance, and a second unit <NUM> in a lower portion of the cooking appliance.

In the embodiment, the first unit <NUM> and the second unit <NUM> may all be a sealed-type cooking appliance such as an electric oven, but not limited.

For example, the cooking appliance may include an electric oven as the first unit <NUM> in the upper portion thereof, and a gas oven as the second unit <NUM> in the lower portion thereof. On the contrary, the cooking appliance may include a gas oven as the first unit <NUM> in the upper portion thereof, and an electric oven as the second unit <NUM> in the lower portion thereof.

In another example, instead of an oven, another type of sealed-type cooking appliance such as a microwave oven may be used as the first unit <NUM> or the second unit <NUM>, or an open-type cooking appliance such as a cooktop, a hob, a griddle and the like may be used as the first unit <NUM> and disposed onto the second unit <NUM>.

Below, a configuration of a cooking appliance including electric ovens as the first unit <NUM> and the second unit <NUM> is described as an example. In the description, a configuration of the first unit <NUM> is mainly described.

Referring to <FIG>, a main body <NUM> forms an exterior of the first unit <NUM>. The main body <NUM> may have a shape including an approximate cuboid shape, and may be made of a material having predetermined strength to protect various components installed in an inner space thereof.

The main body <NUM> may include a cavity <NUM> forming a skeleton of the main body <NUM>, and a front panel <NUM> disposed at a front of the cavity <NUM> and forming a front surface of the main body <NUM>. The cavity <NUM> has a cooking space <NUM> therein, and an opening configured to open the cooking space <NUM> forward may be formed in the front panel <NUM>.

The main body <NUM> may have the cooking space <NUM> therein. The cooking space <NUM> may have a hexahedron shape a front surface of which is open. With the cooking space <NUM> closed, an inner space of the cooking space <NUM> may be heated to cook food. That is, in the cooking appliance, the inner space of the cooking space <NUM> is a space where food is substantially cooked.

The cooking appliance may be provided with a heating part configured to heat the cooking space <NUM>. For example, a convection part <NUM> may be provided as the heating part on a rear side of the cooking space <NUM>. The convection part <NUM> may heat the inner space of the cooking space <NUM> as a result of convection of hot air. Additionally, an upper heater configured to heat the inner space of the cooking space <NUM> from an upper side of the cooking space <NUM> may be provided as the heating part on the upper side of the cooking space <NUM>. A lower heater configured to heat the inner space of the cooking space <NUM> from a lower side of the cooking space <NUM> may be provided as the heating part on the lower side of the cooking space <NUM>.

The main body <NUM> is provided with a door <NUM> configured to swivel and optionally open and close the cooking space <NUM>, at a front thereof. The door <NUM> may be a pull-down type door that opens and closes the cooking space <NUM> in a way that an upper end of the door <NUM> swivels with respect to a lower end of the door <NUM> in an up-down direction.

The door <NUM> may have a hexahedron shape having a predetermined thickness as a whole, and may have a handle <NUM> on a front surface thereof. A user may grip the handle <NUM> to swivel the door <NUM>.

A control panel <NUM> may be provided in an upper portion of a front surface of the cooking appliance, i.e., on a front surface of an upper portion of the cavity <NUM>. The control panel <NUM> may form a portion of an exterior of the front surface of the cooking appliance. The control panel <NUM> may include a knob <NUM> for controlling an operation of the cooking appliance, and a display <NUM> configured to display an operation state of the cooking appliance and the like.

An electronic component space <NUM> is provided outside the cavity <NUM>. The electronic component space <NUM> may be disposed in the upper portion of the cavity <NUM> and behind the control panel <NUM>. In the electronic component space <NUM>, a space for installing electronic components is formed.

A front surface of the electronic component space <NUM> may be blocked by the front panel <NUM>. The front panel <NUM> may be disposed between the cavity <NUM> and the door <NUM>. The front panel <NUM> may be disposed such that at least a portion of the front panel <NUM> blocks a front of the electronic component space <NUM>. For example, an upper area of the front panel <NUM> disposed in an upper portion of the cooking space <NUM>, may block the front surface of the electronic component space <NUM>.

The front panel <NUM> may have an inlet <NUM>. The inlet <NUM> may be formed on the front panel <NUM> and penetrate in a front-rear direction. A passage for introducing air outside the electronic component space <NUM> into the electronic component space <NUM> may be formed on the front panel <NUM> by the inlet <NUM>.

Upper, lateral and rear boundary surfaces of the electronic component space <NUM> may be defined by an electronic component space cover <NUM> covering the electronic component space <NUM> from above. Additionally, the lower boundary surface the electronic component space <NUM> may be defined by an upper surface of the cavity <NUM>.

<FIG> is a rear perspective view showing the cooking appliance in <FIG> without some components, and <FIG> is an enlarged rear perspective view showing the part of "VI" in <FIG>. <FIG> is a side view showing the cooking appliance in <FIG>, and <FIG> is a view showing a flow of cool air in the cooking appliance of <FIG>.

In <FIG>, the electronic component space cover, a circuit board, a supporter and the like are omitted. In <FIG>, the electronic component space cover is omitted.

According to the embodiment, the upper surface of the cavity <NUM> may include a first area 11a, and a second area 11b, as illustrated in <FIG>.

The first area 11a may correspond to a portion disposed approximately at a center of the upper surface of the cavity <NUM>, and the second area 11b may correspond to a surrounding portion encircling the first area 11a. The first area 11a may be disposed further upward than the second area 11b, and a step may be formed between the first area 11a disposed upward and the second area 11b disposed downward.

Various types of electronic components may be disposed in the electronic component space <NUM>, as described above. For example, a circuit board <NUM> is disposed in the electronic component space <NUM>, as illustrated in <FIG>. The circuit board <NUM> may be provided with various types of elements, a circuit and the like in relation to receipt of an operation signal, generation of a control signal for controlling an operation of the heating part and the like input through the control panel <NUM>.

The circuit board <NUM>, as illustrated in <FIG>, is disposed on the cavity <NUM> through a supporter <NUM>. The supporter <NUM> supports the circuit board <NUM> while spacing the circuit board <NUM> from the cavity <NUM>. For example, the supporter <NUM> may be disposed on the cavity <NUM>, and the circuit board <NUM> may be coupled to the supporter <NUM> at a position where the circuit board <NUM> is spaced upward from the cavity <NUM>. Accordingly, the circuit board <NUM> may be spaced a predetermined distance apart from the cavity <NUM>.

The supporter <NUM> may include a support plate <NUM>, an air guide <NUM>, and a rear plate <NUM>.

The support plate <NUM> may form a flat surface in parallel with the upper surface of the cavity <NUM>. The support plate <NUM> may be spaced a predetermined distance from the upper surface of the cavity <NUM>. An upper surface of the supporter <NUM> may be defined by the support plate <NUM>. That is, the support plate <NUM> may form the upper surface of the supporter <NUM>.

In the embodiment, the circuit board <NUM> is mounted onto an upper surface of the support plate <NUM>. The circuit board <NUM> may be accommodated in a board case <NUM>, and the board case <NUM> may be coupled to the support plate <NUM> in a state where the board case <NUM> is mounted onto the upper surface of the support plate <NUM>.

The board case <NUM> may have a plurality of coupling projections <NUM>. Each of the coupling projections <NUM> may be provided in a way that protrudes to an outside of the board case <NUM> in a lateral direction of the board case <NUM>. In a state where each coupling projection <NUM> describe above and the support plate <NUM> contact each other in the up-down direction, the coupling projection <NUM> and the support plate <NUM> may be coupled using a screw. Accordingly, the board case <NUM> and the support plate <NUM> may be coupled.

That is, the board case <NUM> may be fixed onto the upper surface of the support plate <NUM>, and the circuit board <NUM> may be accommodated in the board case <NUM>. Thus, the circuit board <NUM> may be fixed onto the upper surface of the support plate <NUM>.

The air guide <NUM> may be disposed between a lower portion of the support plate <NUM>, i.e., the upper surface of the cavity <NUM>, and the support plate <NUM>. Additionally, the air guide <NUM> may be disposed in a lateral portion of the circuit board <NUM>. The air guide <NUM> may be formed into a flat surface in parallel with a side 11c of the cavity <NUM> and may form a side of the supporter <NUM>.

According to the embodiment, the support plate <NUM> may have a length that is greater than a length of the circuit board <NUM> in the front-rear direction. The air guide <NUM> may have a length corresponding to the front-rear length of the support plate <NUM>.

The air guide <NUM> may be coupled to the upper surface of the cavity <NUM>, and the support plate <NUM>. To this end, the air guide <NUM> may have a lower end coupling surface 37a and an upper end coupling surface 37b, respectively at a lower end and an upper end thereof.

The lower end coupling surface 37a may be disposed at the lower end of the air guide <NUM> and formed into a flat surface in parallel with the upper surface of the cavity <NUM>. The upper end coupling surface 37b may be disposed at the upper end of the air guide <NUM>, and may be formed into a flat surface in parallel with the support plate <NUM>. For example, the lower end coupling surface 37a and the upper end coupling surface 37b may be formed in a way that a portion of an upper side of the air guide <NUM> and a portion of a lower side of the air guide <NUM> are bent.

The lower end coupling surface 37a may be coupled to the upper surface of the cavity <NUM> in a state where the lower end coupling surface 37a and the upper surface of the cavity <NUM> contact each other. The upper end coupling surface 37b may be coupled to the support plate <NUM> in a state where the upper end coupling surface 37b and a lower surface or the upper surface of the support plate <NUM> contact each other. The lower end coupling surface 37a and the cavity <NUM>, and the upper end coupling surface 37b and the support plate <NUM> may be coupled through a screw coupling.

For example, the cavity <NUM>, the air guide <NUM>, and the support plate <NUM> may also be coupled in a way that the coupling projection <NUM>, the support plate <NUM> and the upper end coupling surface 37b are coupled by a single screw at a time in a state where the coupling projection <NUM>, the support plate <NUM> and the upper end coupling surface 37b overlap in the up-down direction.

As a result of coupling among the cavity <NUM>, the air guide <NUM> and the support plate <NUM>, the support plate <NUM> may be spaced from the upper surface of the cavity <NUM> by an approximate height of the air guide <NUM>. Accordingly, the circuit board <NUM> supported by the support plate <NUM> may also be spaced from the upper surface of the cavity <NUM> by an approximate height of the air guide <NUM>.

Additionally, the support plate <NUM> may be coupled to the front panel <NUM> disposed at the front thereof. For example, a portion of an upper end of the front panel <NUM> may be bent to form a coupling surface in parallel with the support plate <NUM>, and a portion of the support plate <NUM> may protrude toward the front panel <NUM> to be coupled to the coupling surface of the front panel <NUM>.

Like the air guide <NUM>, the rear plate <NUM> is disposed in the lower portion of the support plate <NUM>, i.e., between the upper surface of the cavity <NUM> and the support plate <NUM>. Additionally, the rear plate <NUM> is disposed at a rear of the circuit board <NUM>. The rear plate <NUM> may be formed into a flat surface in parallel with a rear surface 11d of the cavity <NUM> and may form a rear surface of the supporter <NUM>.

The rear plate <NUM> is disposed between a below-described cooling fan <NUM> and the circuit board <NUM>. The rear plate <NUM> forms a blocking wall that blocks between the cooling fan <NUM> and the circuit board <NUM>. The rear plate <NUM> forms a blocking wall that blocks a rear of a cool air passage <NUM>.

Unlike the air guide <NUM> mounted onto the first area 11a of the upper surface of the cavity <NUM>, the rear plate <NUM> may be mounted onto the second area 11b of the upper surface of the cavity <NUM>. That is, the rear plate <NUM> may be disposed further upward than the air guide <NUM> and may protrude further upward than the air guide <NUM> and the circuit board <NUM>. The rear plate <NUM> may be coupled to at least one of the air guide <NUM> and the support plate <NUM> and fixed to the rear of the circuit board <NUM>.

The cool air passage <NUM> may be formed between the upper surface of the cavity <NUM>, and the support plate <NUM> spaced apart from each other. The cool air passage <NUM> may be a space encircled by the upper surface of the cavity <NUM>, the support plate <NUM> and the air guide <NUM>. A front of the cool air passage <NUM> may be blocked by the front panel <NUM>, and the rear of the cool air passage <NUM> may be blocked by the rear plate <NUM>.

That is, an upper surface of the cool air passage <NUM> may be defined by the support plate <NUM>, and a side of the cool air passage <NUM> may be defined by the air guide <NUM>, and a front surface and a rear surface of the cool air passage <NUM> may be respectively defined by the front panel <NUM> and the rear plate <NUM>.

The cool air passage <NUM>, as illustrated in <FIG> and <FIG>, may connect to the inlet <NUM> formed on the front panel <NUM>. That is, a passage for introducing air outside the cooking appliance into the cool air passage <NUM> may be formed on the front panel <NUM> by the inlet <NUM>, as illustrated in <FIG>.

Further, an outlet <NUM> is formed on the rear plate <NUM> and penetrates in the front-rear direction. The cool air passage connects to the outlet <NUM>, and for the outlet <NUM>, a passage for allowing air in the cool air passage <NUM> to pass through the rear plate <NUM> may be formed on the rear plate <NUM>.

The cooling fan <NUM> may be disposed near the rear surface of the cavity <NUM> while disposed in the electronic component space <NUM>. The cooling fan <NUM> may include a turbo fan disposed on the upper surface of the cavity <NUM>. The cooling fan <NUM> may suction air at a front of the electronic component space <NUM> and discharge the air to a space at the rear of the cooking space <NUM>.

Additionally, a lower through hole, communicating with the space at the rear of the cooking space <NUM> and being open forward, may be provided in a lower portion of the front of the main body <NUM>.

When the cooling fan <NUM> operates, external air in the lower portion of the front of the main body <NUM> may be introduced into the door <NUM> through an air flow hole provided in a lower portion of the door <NUM> and then may rise, as illustrated in <FIG>. In this process, the door <NUM>, heated by air delivered from the cooking space <NUM> to the door <NUM>, may cool.

The air rising in the door <NUM> may be introduced into the electronic component space <NUM> through an air flow hole provided in an upper portion of the door <NUM> and through the inlet <NUM> formed on the front panel <NUM> in a penetrating manner. The air introduced into the electronic component space <NUM> may be suctioned to the cooling fan <NUM>, may cool electronic components in the electronic component space <NUM>, may be discharged to the space at the rear of the cooking space <NUM>, and then may be discharged to the front of the main body <NUM>.

The air introduced into the electronic component space <NUM> through the inlet <NUM>, i.e., most of the cool air, may pass through the cool air passage <NUM>. The flow of the cool air may be induced by the air guide <NUM> disposed on the side of the cool air passage <NUM>.

The air introduced into the cool air passage <NUM> may cool the electronic components such as the circuit board <NUM> supported by the supporter <NUM>, may escape from the cool air passage <NUM> through the outlet <NUM> and may be suctioned into the cooling fan <NUM>.

Referring to <FIG>, a space between the cool air passage <NUM> and the cooling fan <NUM> may be blocked by the rear plate <NUM>, and a passage between the cool air passage <NUM> and the cooling fan <NUM> may be formed only by the outlet <NUM>. Accordingly, cool air introduced into the cool air passage <NUM> may cool the circuit board <NUM> and the like while staying in the cool air passage <NUM> for a short period of time instead of immediately escaping from the cool air passage <NUM>, and then may be discharged out of the cool air passage <NUM> through the outlet <NUM>.

Thus, a temperature of the air introduced into the cool air passage <NUM> may be similar to a temperature of the air heat-exchanged with the circuit board <NUM> and the like, e.g., a temperature of the circuit board <NUM>, rather than a temperature of the cool air before the introduction of the cool air into the inlet <NUM>.

The cooking appliance according to the embodiment further includes a temperature measuring part <NUM>. The temperature measuring part <NUM> is provided to measure temperatures of the electronic components disposed in the electronic component space <NUM>. In the embodiment, the temperature measuring part <NUM> may be provided to measure a temperature of the circuit board <NUM>.

The temperature measuring part <NUM> is installed in the supporter <NUM> and supported by the supporter <NUM>. The temperature measuring part <NUM> measures a temperature in the cool air passage <NUM> to indirectly measure the temperature of the circuit board <NUM>. The temperature measuring part <NUM> may measure the temperature of the circuit board <NUM> as described above, and results of the temperature measuring part <NUM>'s measurement may be used as data for determining whether the cooling fan <NUM> operates.

In the embodiment, the temperature measuring part <NUM> may include a thermistor installed in the supporter <NUM> and configured to measure a temperature in the cool air passage <NUM>.

The temperature measuring part <NUM> may be disposed between the upper surface of the cavity <NUM>, and the circuit board <NUM>. An up-down position of the temperature measuring part <NUM> may be between the upper surface of the cavity <NUM>, and the circuit board <NUM>. Additionally, a front-rear position of the temperature measuring part <NUM> may overlap a position of the circuit board <NUM>.

Specifically, the temperature measuring part <NUM> may be installed in the air guide <NUM>. The air guide <NUM> may be a component between the upper surface of the cavity <NUM>, and the circuit board <NUM>. Further, the air guide <NUM> may be a component disposed in lateral portions of the circuit board <NUM> and the cool air passage <NUM>.

Since the temperature measuring part <NUM> is installed in the air guide <NUM>, the temperature measuring part <NUM> may be disposed between the upper surface of the cavity <NUM>, and the circuit board <NUM>. Additionally, since at least a portion of the temperature measuring part <NUM> may protrude toward the cool air passage <NUM>, the temperature measuring part <NUM> may be disposed at a position that overlaps the circuit board <NUM>, and may be disposed in the cool air passage <NUM>.

The disposition of the temperature measuring part <NUM> between the upper surface of the cavity <NUM> and the circuit board <NUM>, and the disposition of the temperature measuring part <NUM> in the cool air passage <NUM> may produce the following results.

When cooking is performed in the coking space <NUM>, a temperature in the cooking space <NUM> may rise due to heat generated by the heating part. Additionally, a temperature of the cavity <NUM> encircling an outside of the cooking space <NUM> may also rise. That is, when cooking is performed in the cooking space <NUM>, the temperature of the cavity <NUM> may remain high.

Accordingly, when the temperature measuring part <NUM> contacts the cavity <NUM> or is disposed at a position very close to the cavity <NUM>, the temperature of the cavity <NUM> may significantly affect results of the temperature measuring part <NUM>'s measurement of temperature. That is, a temperature measured by the temperature measuring part <NUM> may be almost similar to the temperature of the cavity <NUM>.

Thus, since the results of the temperature measuring part <NUM>'s measurement may be greatly affected by the temperature of the cavity <NUM> regardless of whether cool air is passing through the cool air passage <NUM>, it is difficult to determine whether the cooling fan <NUM> operates based on the results of the temperature measuring part <NUM>'s measurement.

When the cooking appliance described above operates, the circuit board <NUM> may generate heat during its operation. Accordingly, a temperature of the circuit board <NUM> may rise. Additionally, since heat generated through the cavity <NUM> may affect the temperature of the circuit board <NUM>, the temperature of the circuit board <NUM> may rise while the cooking appliance operates.

Thus, when the temperature measuring part <NUM> contacts the circuit board <NUM> or is disposed at a position very close to the circuit board <NUM>, the temperature of the circuit board <NUM> may significantly affect the results of the temperature measuring part <NUM>'s measurement of temperature. That is, a temperature measured by the temperature measuring part <NUM> may be almost similar to the temperature of the circuit board <NUM>.

Thus, since the results of the temperature measuring part <NUM>'s measurement may be greatly affected by the temperature of the circuit board <NUM> regardless of whether cool air is passing through the cool air passage <NUM>, it is difficult to determine whether the cooling fan <NUM> operates based on the results of the temperature measuring part <NUM>'s measurement.

Considering this, a position where the temperature measuring part <NUM> is disposed may be determined between the upper surface of the cavity <NUM>, and the circuit board <NUM>, and may be somewhat spaced apart from the cavity <NUM> and the circuit board <NUM>.

In an example, the temperature measuring part <NUM> may be spaced the same distance respectively apart from the upper surface of the cavity <NUM> and the circuit board <NUM>. In another example, considering the temperature of the cavity <NUM> higher than that of the circuit board <NUM>, the temperature measuring part <NUM> may be disposed at a position closer to the circuit board <NUM> than to the upper surface of the cavity <NUM>. In this case, certainly, the temperature measuring part <NUM> may not contact the circuit board <NUM> or may not be disposed at a position too close to the circuit board <NUM>.

The front-rear position of the temperature measuring part <NUM> may be between the door <NUM> and the cooling fan <NUM>, and may be disposed closer to the door <NUM> than to the cooling fan <NUM>.

According to the embodiment, the cooling fan <NUM> may be disposed in the electronic component space <NUM>, and disposed eccentrically to a rear of the electronic component space <NUM>. That is, the cooling fan <NUM> may be disposed near the rear surface of the cavity <NUM>.

The circuit board <NUM> may be disposed eccentrically to the front of the electronic component space <NUM>. That is, the circuit board <NUM> may be disposed near the control panel <NUM>. Since the control panel <NUM> is disposed at the front of the electronic component space <NUM>, the circuit board <NUM> needs to be disposed eccentrically to the front of the electronic component space <NUM> to simplify a wire connection between the control panel <NUM> and the circuit board <NUM> and make the wire connection more efficient.

When the circuit board <NUM> is disposed eccentrically to the front of the electronic component space <NUM> as described above, i.e., when the circuit board <NUM> is disposed closer to the door <NUM> than to the cooling fan <NUM>, the temperature measuring part <NUM> needs to be disposed closer to the door <NUM> than to the cooling fan <NUM>. When the temperature measuring part <NUM> is disposed closer to the door <NUM> than to the cooling fan <NUM>, the temperature measuring part <NUM> may effectively measure the temperature in the cool air passage <NUM> and may be designed to be fixed to the supporter <NUM>.

As the temperature measuring part <NUM> becomes closer to the cooling fan <NUM>, the temperature measuring part <NUM> may be more affected by the cooling fan <NUM> than by the temperature of the circuit board <NUM>. That is, the results of the temperature measuring part <NUM>'s measurement may be more affected by whether the cooling fan <NUM> operates than by the temperature of the circuit board <NUM>.

Additionally, when the temperature measuring part <NUM> is disposed near the cooling fan <NUM>, it is difficult to install the temperature measuring part <NUM> in the supporter <NUM>. To dispose the temperature measuring part <NUM> near the cooling fan <NUM>, the front-rear length of the supporter <NUM> may excessively increase or an additional structure for fixing the temperature measuring part <NUM> needs to be added.

Considering this, the temperature measuring part <NUM> may be installed in the supporter <NUM>, specifically, the air guide <NUM>, and may be disposed closer to the door <NUM> than to the cooling fan <NUM> such that at least a portion of the temperature measuring part <NUM> is disposed in the cool air passage <NUM>.

However, it is undesirable to dispose the temperature measuring part <NUM> too close to the door <NUM>. While the door <NUM> is opened and closed, hot air in the cooking space <NUM> may be introduced into the electronic component space <NUM> through the inlet (<NUM>; see FIG. <NUM>), and the hot air introduced may be a cause for distortion of the results of the temperature measuring part <NUM>'s measurement.

Accordingly, in the embodiment, while the temperature measuring part <NUM> is disposed between the inlet <NUM> and the cooling fan <NUM>, the temperature measuring part <NUM> may be spaced a predetermined distance from the inlet <NUM> rearward.

The predetermined distance may be determined considering a scope of the effect of the hot air in the cooking space <NUM>, which is introduced into the electronic component space through the inlet <NUM> during the opening and closing of the door <NUM>.

For example, suppose that in the electronic component space <NUM>, an area in a range of <NUM> from the inlet <NUM> in a rearward direction thereof undergoes a rapid increase in its temperature when the door <NUM> is opened and then closed. Then the predetermined distance may be set to <NUM>.

In the embodiment, the predetermined distance may be a distance (hereinafter, "circuit board spaced distance") between the upper surface of the cavity <NUM>, and the circuit board <NUM> that are spaced from each other, or greater. For example, if the circuit board spaced distance is <NUM>, the predetermined distance may be set to <NUM> or greater.

This means that the temperature measuring part <NUM> needs to be spaced from the inlet <NUM> and that the temperature measuring part <NUM> needs to be spaced from the inlet <NUM> by at least the circuit board spaced distance.

Ordinarily, the circuit board <NUM> may be spaced from the cavity <NUM> to such an extent that heat of the cavity <NUM> does not directly affect the circuit board <NUM>. Considering this, it may be assumed that an area spaced rearward from the inlet <NUM> by the circuit board spaced distance or greater is not directly affected by hot air that is introduced when the door <NUM> is opened and then closed.

Accordingly, in the embodiment, the temperature measuring part <NUM> may be spaced from the inlet <NUM> by the circuit board spaced distance or greater. Thus, the results of the temperature measuring part <NUM>'s measurement may not be affected by the hot air that is introduced when the door <NUM> is opened and then closed.

In another example, a scope of the effect of hot air in the cooking space <NUM>, which is introduced into the electronic component space through the inlet <NUM> during the opening and closing of the door <NUM>, may be actually measured, and based on results of the measurement, the predetermined distance may also be determined.

<FIG> is a block diagram schematically showing a configuration of a cooking appliance according to an embodiment, and <FIG> is a flow chart showing a control process of a cooking appliance according to an embodiment.

The cooking appliance in the embodiment may include a controller <NUM>, as illustrated in <FIG>. The controller <NUM> controls a cooking operation of the cooking appliance. For example, the controller <NUM> controls an operation of the heating part and the cooling fan <NUM> based on an operation signal input through the knob <NUM> of the control panel <NUM> and the like.

The controller <NUM> may also control an operation of the display <NUM> configured to display an operation state of the cooking appliance. In an example, the controller <NUM> may include a micro controller mounted onto the circuit board <NUM>.

Additionally, the controller <NUM> stops a cooking operation of the cooking appliance when a temperature measured by the temperature measuring part <NUM> exceeds a predetermined temperature. Description in relation to this is described hereunder.

Ordinarily, while the cooking appliance performs a cooking operation, the heating part operates, and then the temperature of the cavity <NUM> and the circuit board <NUM> may gradually increase. The temperature of the circuit board <NUM> may increase due to heat generated as a result of operation of the circuit board <NUM> or due to the effect of heat of the cavity <NUM> on the circuit board <NUM>.

While the heating part operates as described above, the cooling fan <NUM> may also operate. When the cooling fan <NUM> operates, external air in the lower portion of the front of the main body <NUM> may be introduced through a lower portion of the door <NUM>, and then may be discharged through an upper portion of the door <NUM> while cooling the door <NUM>, and air discharged to the upper portion of the door <NUM> may be introduced into the cool air passage <NUM> through the inlet <NUM> that is formed on the front panel <NUM> in a penetrating manner.

Cool air introduced into the cool air passage <NUM> cools the electronic components such as the circuit board <NUM> supported by the supporter <NUM> and the like, may escape from the cool air passage <NUM> through the outlet <NUM>, may be suctioned into the cooling fan <NUM>, may be discharged to the space at the rear of the cooking space <NUM> and then may be discharged to the front of the main body <NUM>.

The space between the cool air passage <NUM> and the cooling fan <NUM> may be blocked by the rear plate <NUM>, and a passage between the cool air passage <NUM> and the cooling fan <NUM> may be formed only by the outlet <NUM>. Accordingly, cool air introduced into the cool air passage <NUM> may cool the circuit board <NUM> and the like while staying in the cool air passage <NUM> for a short period of time instead of immediately escaping from the cool air passage <NUM>, and then may be discharged out of the cool air passage <NUM> through the outlet <NUM>.

The temperature measuring part <NUM> measures a temperature of the air staying in the cool air passage <NUM>. The temperature measuring part <NUM> may be installed in the supporter <NUM> defining the upper and lateral boundary surfaces of the cool air passage <NUM> and may measure a temperature in the cool air passage <NUM> (S10).

Results of the temperature measuring part <NUM>'s measurement is transmitted to the controller <NUM>. The controller <NUM> determines whether the circuit board <NUM> is overheated based on the results transmitted by the temperature measuring part <NUM>.

Specifically, the controller <NUM> may compare the results transmitted by the temperature measuring part <NUM> with a predetermined temperature, and when a temperature in the results transmitted by the temperature measuring part <NUM> exceeds the predetermined temperature, the controller <NUM> may determine that the circuit board <NUM> is overheated.

The predetermined temperature may be set to a highest temperature among temperatures that are measured by the temperature measuring part <NUM> while the cooling fan <NUM> operates. For example, the predetermined temperature may be set to the highest temperature that can be measure by the temperature measuring part <NUM> on the condition that the cooling fan <NUM> operates normally, a flow of cool air passing through the cool air passage <NUM> is normally guided, and the circuit board <NUM> cools properly by the cool air passing through the cool air passage <NUM>.

When determining the temperature in the results transmitted by the temperature measuring part <NUM> exceeds the predetermine temperature, and as a result, the circuit board <NUM> is overheated, the controller <NUM> may determine that an operation of the cooling fan <NUM> is stopped (S20).

Since the predetermined temperature is set on the condition that the cooling fan <NUM> operates normally, it may be assumed that the operation of the cooling fan <NUM> is stopped due to failure of the cooling fan <NUM> when a temperature measured by the temperature measuring part <NUM> exceeds the predetermined temperature.

When determining the operation of the cooling fan <NUM> is stopped, the controller <NUM> stops a cooking operation of the cooking appliance (S30). Accordingly, the heating part may stop operating, and the circuit board <NUM> and components mounted onto the circuit board <NUM> may also stop operating.

When the cooking appliance continues to perform a cooking operation in a state where the cooling fan <NUM> stops operating, temperatures of the electronic components such as the circuit board <NUM> and the like may excessively increase. In this case, if left unchecked, the electronic components may fail. Additionally, it is undesirable to keep the cooking appliance performing a cooking operation when the cooling fan <NUM> is out of order.

In the embodiment, when it is determined that the cooling fan <NUM> is out of order, the cooking appliance stops a cooking operation. Accordingly, even when the electronic components do not cool properly due to the failure of the cooling fan <NUM>, an excessive increase in the temperatures of the electronic components, or the failure of the same caused by the increase in the temperatures is prevented.

Further, the failure of the cooling fan <NUM> is determined based on the results of the temperature measuring part <NUM>'s measurement. Accordingly, the failure of the cooling fan <NUM> may be rapidly determined.

Claim 1:
A cooking appliance comprising a cavity (<NUM>) provided with a cooking space (<NUM>) therein, and an electronic component space (<NUM>) provided outside the cavity (<NUM>), the cooking appliance comprising:
a circuit board (<NUM>) disposed in the electronic component space (<NUM>);
a supporter (<NUM>) configured to space the circuit board (<NUM>) from the cavity (<NUM>) and support the circuit board (<NUM>); and
a cooling fan (<NUM>) configured to generate a flow of cool air passing through the electronic component space (<NUM>) through a cool air passage (<NUM>) that is an area surrounded by the cavity (<NUM>), the circuit board (<NUM>) and the supporter (<NUM>), and
a temperature measuring part (<NUM>) installed at the supporter (<NUM>) and supported by the supporter (<NUM>) for measuring a temperature in the cool air passage (<NUM>),
the temperature measuring part (<NUM>) is disposed between the cavity (<NUM>) and the circuit board (<NUM>),
wherein the electronic component space (<NUM>) is disposed in an upper portion of the cooking space (<NUM>),
the supporter (<NUM>) comprising a support plate (<NUM>) in which the circuit board (<NUM>) is mounted onto an upper surface of the support plate (<NUM>), an air guide (<NUM>) disposed between the support plate (<NUM>) and the upper surface of the cavity (<NUM>),
wherein the air guide (<NUM>) is disposed in a lateral portion of the circuit board (<NUM>), configured to protrude upward from the cavity (<NUM>) and configured to block a lateral portion of the cool air passage (<NUM>), and
the temperature measuring part (<NUM>) is installed in the air guide (<NUM>), characterized in that a rear plate (<NUM>) is disposed at a rear of the circuit board (<NUM>), the rear plate (<NUM>) is also disposed between the upper surface of the oven cavity (<NUM>) and the support plate (<NUM>),
wherein further the rear plate (<NUM>) is disposed between the cooling fan (<NUM>) and the circuit board (<NUM>), the rear plate (<NUM>) forms a blocking wall that blocks between the cooling fan (<NUM>) and the circuit board (<NUM>), the rear plate (<NUM>) also forms a blocking wall that blocks the rear of a cool air passage (<NUM>), an outlet (<NUM>) is formed on the rear plate (<NUM>) and penetrates in the front-rear direction, and the cool air passage connects to the outlet (<NUM>).