Patent Description:
The content described in this section merely provides background information on the present invention and does not constitute the related art.

A cooking appliance is a home appliance that is used for cooking food using microwaves and/or heater heat, which are type(s) of electromagnetic waves. The cooking appliance may generally include a main body forming a cavity therein, which is an accommodation space in which food is placed and cooked, and one or more doors that opens and closes the cavity.

The related art related to the cooking appliance is disclosed in <CIT>.

When the cooking appliance is installed indoors, it is necessary to consider the efficient use of the cooking appliance, the saving of installation space, etc..

For this reason, the cooking appliance may be disposed at a location adjacent to a heating cooking device, for example, a heating-type oven, a gas range, etc. Specifically, the cooking appliance may be disposed above the heating cooking device.

When the cooking appliance is disposed above the heating cooking device, a user can conveniently cook food by reducing his/her movement in an environment where the cooking appliance and the heating cooking device are adjacent to each other. In addition, heat, oil mist, etc. generated from the heating cooking device can be discharged to the outside using the cooking appliance as a hood.

In a state in which the cooking appliance is disposed above the heating cooking device, the heat, oil mist, etc. generated from the heating cooking device disposed below the cooking appliance may adversely affect an operation of the cooking appliance.

For example, a display unit may be mounted on a front surface of a door provided in the cooking appliance in order to provide various types of information to the user. The user may receive information on the display unit for a cooking state of the cooked food.

In addition, the display unit may be connected to another home appliance and may serve as a hub of the home appliance. Then, information other than cooking of food may be obtained through the display unit. In addition, the user may also input commands into the display unit including a touch screen by using a touch input method. The commands might be required for cooking and/or other various commands for controlling other connected devices or input messages for being sent.

When the cooking appliance is disposed above the heating cooking device, the heat, oil mist, etc. generated from the heating cooking device may penetrate into the display unit and other parts mounted on the door.

Therefore, it is necessary to suppress or prevent the display unit and other parts mounted on the door of the cooking appliance from being damaged or influenced due to such heat, oil mist, etc. which might result in malfunctioning.

<CIT> relates to a cooking appliance comprising the features of the preamble of claim <NUM>.

<CIT> relates to a non-radiative microwave oven, comprising an oven body and an oven door which are connected to form a closed cooking chamber equipped with a lighting lamp on the inner wall thereof, wherein the oven body and the oven door are both metal-shielded bodies.

<CIT> relates to a heating cooker comprising a door portion provided with a space inside thereof, and the operating portion disposed at a lower portion of the door portion. The door portion comprises an air intake port for allowing the air to flow into the door portion and an exhaust port for allowing the air to flow out from the door portion, and the operating portion is cooled by the airflow in the door portion flowing into the door portion from the air intake port and flowing out from the exhaust port.

<CIT> relates to a heating cooker, which is provided with: a heating chamber having an opening disposed on a front surface; and a door covering the opening of the heating chamber. The door includes a frame, a display, an operation unit, a radio wave leakage prevention plate, a substrate, a communication device, an air inlet, a fan, a first air passage, and a second air passage. The display unit and the operation unit are disposed on the front surface of the outer frame.

<CIT> relates to a microwave oven including a cabinet defining a cooking chamber therein, and a door coupled to the cabinet to open and close the cooking chamber. The door includes a door frame forming an appearance of the door, a shielding plate installed in the door frame to prevent high-frequency electromagnetic waves from radiating from a small gap between the door and the cabinet, a choke member provided at a peripheral edge of the shielding plate and having a high-frequency choke groove, a cover to cover the high-frequency choke groove, and a retaining member provided at the cover to elastically support the choke member. When the cover is attached to the choke member, an end of the choke member is supported on an inner rib section of the cover via the retaining member, thus reducing deformation of the choke member.

To solve this issue, it is an object of the present invention to provide a cooking appliance having a display unit provided on a front surface thereof to provide various types of information to the user.

A further object is to provide a cooking appliance having a display unit provided on a door of the cooking appliance using microwaves.

A further object is to provide a cooking appliance having a structure being capable of suppressing heat, oil mist, from penetrating into a door.

A further object is to provide a cooking appliance having a structure being capable of suppressing or preventing a display unit from being contaminated by oil mist.

A further object is to provide a cooking appliance having a cooling structure of a display module attached to a front surface of a door.

A further object is to provide a cooking appliance having a structure being capable of suppressing or preventing heat, oil mist, etc. from penetrating into a door by forming an air curtain outside the door.

A further object is to provide a cooking appliance having a door equipped with a display unit on a front surface thereof and formed with a cooling structure for cooling the display unit and a microwave shielding structure for preventing microwave leakage.

A further object is to provide a cooking appliance having a structure that suppresses air from leaking through a gap at an edge of an air guide and to improve the cooling of the components inside the door.

If air leaks from a gap at an edge of the air guide, it may cause the air flowing inside the door to interfere with the air used for forming the air curtain or cooling the inside of the door. Accordingly, there is a need for a structure of suppressing the air from leaking through the gap at the edge of the air guide.

The objects of the present invention are not limited to the above-described objects, and other objects and advantages not mentioned may be understood by the following description, and will be more clearly understood by embodiments of the present invention. In addition, it will be easily seen that the objects and advantages of the present invention may be realized by a means described in the claims.

The objects are solved by the features of the independent claim.

According to the invention a cooking appliance is provided, comprising a main body formed with a cavity, and a door for opening and closing the cavity. The door includes a display module disposed on a front of the door; a cooling flow path unit disposed behind the display module, and having a flow path through which air for cooling flows formed therein.

In a further detailed aspect, a cooking appliance is provided comprising a main body formed with a cavity, and a door for opening and closing the cavity.

The door includes a display module disposed on a front of the door; and a cooling flow path unit disposed behind the display module and having a flow path through which air for cooling flows formed therein.

The cooling flow path unit includes an air guide configured to guide the flow of the air introduced into the door; and a blowing device mounted on the air guide.

The air guide includes at least one inlet through which external air is introduced.

In one or more embodiments, the display module may include a display unit on which videos or images are displayed.

In one or more embodiments, the display module may include an outer panel disposed behind the display unit, and on which the display unit is mounted.

In one or more embodiments, the cooling flow path unit may include an inner panel disposed behind the outer panel and mounted on the outer panel.

In one or more embodiments, the cooling flow path unit may include an air guide disposed between the outer panel and the inner panel and coupled to the inner panel.

In one or more embodiments, the cooking appliance may include a main body formed with a cavity, and a door for opening and closing the cavity.

In one or more embodiments, the door may include a display module disposed in front of the door, a cooling flow path unit disposed behind the display module and a shielding unit disposed behind the cooling flow path unit.

In one or more embodiments, the cooling flow path unit may disposed behind the display module, and may having a flow path through which air for cooling flows formed therein.

In one or more embodiments, the shielding unit may be disposed behind the cooling flow path unit, and may be configured to shield electromagnetic waves generated from the main body.

In one or more embodiments, the air flowing through the cooling flow path unit may be branched inside of the cooling flow path unit to be discharged to the top and bottom of the display module.

In one or more embodiments, in the cooking appliance, when the blowing fan rotates, the external air may flow into the door through an inlet of the air guide, and may flow to be discharged to the outside through a first outlet and a second outlet.

In one or more embodiments, the air forcibly flowing by the blowing fan may specifically have the following flow path.

In one or more embodiments, the air may flow into the door from the first aperture of the outer panel and the inlet provided at the location corresponding thereto.

In one or more embodiments, the air flowing into the door may flow in a downward direction of the door to flow into the blowing fan.

In one or more embodiments, the air may pass through the blowing fan in the front-rear direction of the door. At this time, the air may pass through the mounting hole of the air guide while passing through the blowing fan.

In one or more embodiments, the flow direction of the air may be changed from the up-down direction into the front-rear direction of the door at the blowing fan.

In one or more embodiments, since the front of the mounting hole is closed by the display unit, the air passing through the mounting hole may be branched in front of the air guide in the up-down direction.

In one or more embodiments, a part of the branched air may flow in an upward direction of the door to be discharged through the first outlet.

In one or more embodiments, the other part of the branched air may flow in the downward direction of the door to be discharged to the second outlet.

In one or more embodiments, the air branched on the first outlet and the second outlet may surround the entire door.

In one or more embodiments, the branched air may surround the front portion of the door.

In one or more embodiments, this structure can allow the air discharged through the first outlet and the second outlet to form the air curtain on the door, thereby effectively suppressing the heat and oil mist generated from the heating cooling device disposed below the cooking appliance from permeating into the door.

In one or more embodiments, the door may include a display unit configured to display videos or images, an outer panel disposed behind the display unit and on which the display unit is mounted, an inner panel disposed behind the outer panel, and mounted on the outer panel, an air guide disposed between the outer panel and the inner panel, and coupled to the inner panel, and a blowing device mounted on the air guide.

In one or more embodiments, the inner panel may include a blocking protrusion protruding from a portion corresponding to an edge of the air guide toward the air guide, and engaged with the air guide to block air from leaking through a gap between the air guide and the inner panel.

In one or more embodiments, the blocking protrusion may include a first blocking portion formed on a lower portion of the inner panel, and having a longitudinal direction disposed in both side directions of the inner panel, and a pair of second blocking portions provided to be connected to ends of both sides of the first blocking portion, respectively, and having a longitudinal direction disposed in an up-down direction of the inner panel.

In one or more embodiments, the air guide may include an engagement groove portion provided on an edge in a shape corresponding to the blocking protrusion, and engaged with the blocking protrusion to block air from leaking through the gap between the air guide and the inner panel.

In one or more embodiments, the engagement groove portion may include a first engagement portion disposed at a location corresponding to the first blocking portion, and having a longitudinal direction disposed in both side directions of the air guide.

In one or more embodiments, the engagement groove portion may include a second engagement portion disposed at a location corresponding to the second blocking portion, provided as a pair, and having a longitudinal direction disposed in an up-down direction of the air guide.

In one or more embodiments, the engagement groove portion may include a first bent portion bent from an end of the air guide, a second bent portion bent from the first bent portion, and provided so that at least a part thereof is in contact with a tip of the blocking protrusion, and a third bent portion bent from the second bent portion.

In one or more embodiments, the blocking protrusion may include a hook formed to protrude from the second blocking portion.

In one or more embodiments, the engagement groove portion may include a fitting hole formed in the second engagement portion.

The fitting hole may be provided at a location corresponding to the hook, and may having the hook fitted therein.

In one or more embodiments, the hooks may be formed on both sides of the pair of second blocking portions, respectively.

In one or more embodiments, the fitting holes may be formed in both sides of the pair of second engagement portions, respectively.

In one or more embodiments, the second engagement portion may include an elastically deformable portion formed on the edge of the air guide so that at least a part thereof is separated from a remaining portion of the second engagement portion, formed with the fitting hole, and provided so that at least a part thereof is elastically deformed when the hook is fitted into the fitting hole.

In one or more embodiments, a plurality of hooks may be provided, and each of the hooks may be disposed to be spaced apart from each other in a longitudinal direction of the second blocking portion, and a plurality of fitting holes may be provided, and each of the fitting holes may be spaced apart from each other in a longitudinal direction of the second engagement portion and disposed at a location corresponding to each of the hooks.

In one or more embodiments, the outer panel may include a first outlet disposed on an upper portion, and having the air flowing by the blowing device discharged to the outside therethrough.

In one or more embodiments, the outer panel may include a second outlet disposed on a lower portion, and having the air flowing by the blowing device discharged to the outside therethrough.

According to the invention air guide includes at least one inlet disposed on an upper portion, and having external air introduced therein. The air guide may further include a mounting hole formed on a lower portion of the inlet, and mounted with the blowing device.

In one or more embodiments, the blowing device may include a casing disposed in the mounting hole.

In one or more embodiments, the blowing device may include a blowing fan rotatably mounted in the casing, and flowing air from the rear to the front of the air guide.

In one or more embodiments, the air forcibly flowing by the blowing fan may be introduced from the inlet to flow in a downward direction of the door to flow into the blowing fan.

In one or more embodiments, the air forcibly flowing by the blowing fan may pass through the blowing fan in a front-rear direction of the door.

In one or more embodiments, the air forcibly flowing by the blowing fan may be branched in front of the air guide in an up-down direction, a part of which may flow in an upward direction of the door to be discharged to the first outlet, and the other part of which may flow in a downward direction of the door to be discharged to the second outlet.

In one or more embodiments, the door may further include a baffle disposed in front of the display unit, surrounding an edge of the display unit, and coupled to the outer panel to mount the display unit on the outer panel.

In one or more embodiments, the door may further include a front cover disposed in front of the baffle, and provided to surround an edge of the baffle.

In one or more embodiments, the door may further include a plate disposed behind the inner panel, coupled to the inner panel, and having one side rotatably coupled to the main body.

In one or more embodiments, the door may further include at least one camera.

In one or more embodiments, the door may further include a first camera mounted on a lower portion of the outer panel to capture a state of a lower portion of the door, a second camera disposed on an upper portion of the door, mounted by passing through the baffle and the front cover, and configured to capture the front of the door, and a third camera mounted on the plate, disposed to face the cavity, and configured to capture the cavity.

In one or more embodiments, the door may further include a human detection unit disposed on the upper portion of the door.

In one or more embodiments, the human detection unit may be mounted by passing through the baffle and the front cover, and/or may be disposed at a location spaced apart from the second camera, and/or may be configured to detect the presence of a user in front of the cooking appliance.

In the cooking appliance according to the present invention, since the display module is provided on the front of the door, the user can know the cooking situation in the cooking appliance through the display module. The display module can serve as the hub of another home appliance to provide various types of information to the user, thereby enhancing the user's convenience.

In addition, in the cooking appliance according to the present disclosure, the airflow discharged to the outside of the door through the first outlet and the second outlet can form an air curtain, so that the heat and oil mist rising from the heating cooking device disposed below the cooking appliance can be effectively blocked by the air curtain.

Accordingly, it is possible to effectively suppress various electronic parts including the display unit provided on the door from being damaged or degraded by the heat and the oil mist. In addition, it is possible to prevent the display unit from being contaminated by the heat and the oil mist and thus giving inconvenience to the user.

In addition, in the cooking appliance according to the present invention, the air flowing inside the door can be discharged through the first outlet to cool the entire front surface of the display unit. In addition, the air flowing inside the door can effectively cool the heat-generating parts mounted on the rear surface of the display unit and inside the door.

In addition, in the cooking appliance according to the present invention, a door having all of the display structure, the cooling structure, and the shielding structure of the electromagnetic waves can be formed. The display structure, the cooling structure, and the shielding structure can be coupled to one another to slimly form the door as a whole. Accordingly, it is possible to prevent the thickness of the door from being increased even when all of the display structure, the cooling structure, and the shielding structure are formed on the door.

In addition, in the cooking appliance according to the present invention, the gap at the edge of the air guide can be blocked by the engagement groove portion and the blocking protrusion, thereby effectively suppressing the air forcibly flowing into the door from leaking at the coupling portion between the edge of the air guide and the inner panel.

Accordingly, the air forcibly flowing into the door can be suppressed from leaking to the outside of the door to flow along the designed flow path. Due to this structure, it is possible to improve the cooling effect and air curtain forming effect of the door by the forcibly flowing air.

In addition, the cooking appliance according to the present invention, the hook may be formed on the blocking protrusion, and the engagement groove portion may be formed with the fitting hole at the location corresponding to the hook. Accordingly, the air guide and the inner panel can be stably coupled by fitting the fitting hole onto the hook.

Due to this structure, it is possible to improve the work efficiency during assembly of the door by not using a separate coupling mechanism such as a bolt, or reducing the number of coupling mechanisms used and at the same time, stably coupling the air guide and the inner panel.

In addition, in the cooking appliance according to the present invention, when the engagement groove portion is mounted on the blocking protrusion, the first bent portion and the third bent portion can double-block the gap that may be formed between the inner panel and the air guide. Accordingly, the air flowing through the space formed by coupling the inner panel and the air guide can be effectively suppressed from leaking through the gap.

Detailed effects of the present invention in addition to the above-described effects will be described together with the description of the specific items for practicing the present invention below.

The above and other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art by describing in detail exemplary embodiments thereof with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:.

The above-described objects, features, and advantages will be described below in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

<FIG> is a perspective view showing a cooking appliance according to one embodiment. <FIG> is a view showing a state in which a door <NUM> in <FIG> has been opened.

The cooking appliance according to the embodiment may be disposed at a location spaced apart from a heating cooking device in an up-down direction above a location where the heating cooking device, for example, a heating-type oven, a gas range, etc. is disposed.

The placement of the cooking appliance can allow a user to conveniently use cooking devices including the cooking appliance. In addition, the cooking appliance may serve as a hood of the heating cooking device disposed thereunder. In this case, the cooking appliance may be provided with parts for use as a hood.

The cooking appliance may cook food using microwaves, and/or heater heat, which are type(s) of electromagnetic waves. The cooking appliance may include a main body <NUM> in which a cavity <NUM> is formed, and a door <NUM> that opens and closes the cavity <NUM>.

Food to be cooked may be placed in the cavity <NUM>. The door <NUM> may be disposed in front of the cavity <NUM> and rotatably mounted on the main body <NUM> to open and close the cavity <NUM>.

A vent hole <NUM> for discharging the air sucked in a suction unit provided on a lower portion of the main body <NUM> to the outside may be provided in an upper portion of the main body <NUM>. The suction unit may be provided at a lower portion of the main body <NUM> of the cooking appliance. Accordingly, the cooking appliance may serve as a hood for sucking the air discharged from the heating cooking device disposed thereunder to discharge the air to the outside.

The main body <NUM> may further include a front panel <NUM> provided on an edge of the entrance of the cavity <NUM>, and having one surface disposed to face one surface of a choke member <NUM> when the door <NUM> is closed to close the cavity <NUM>.

The front panel <NUM> may be provided to surround the edge of the entrance of the cavity <NUM> and protrude with a predetermined width. Accordingly, when the door <NUM> is closed, the edge portion of the door <NUM> and the cavity <NUM> may overlap each other.

This structure can allow the front panel <NUM> to seal the cavity <NUM> in a state in which the door <NUM> is closed, thereby suppressing the oil, moisture, oil mist, etc. generated in the process of cooking food placed in the cavity <NUM> from being discharged to the outside through an inlet of the cavity <NUM>.

<FIG> is a perspective view showing the door <NUM> of the cooking appliance according to one embodiment. <FIG> is a view of <FIG> from another direction.

<FIG> is a rear view of the door <NUM>. <FIG> is an exploded perspective view showing a part of the door <NUM> according to one embodiment. <FIG> is a view of <FIG> from another direction.

The door <NUM> may include a display module <NUM>, a cooling flow path unit <NUM>, and a shielding unit <NUM>. The display module <NUM> may be disposed in front of the door <NUM>, and the user may see the inside of the cavity <NUM> of the cooking appliance through the display module <NUM>.

The cooling flow path unit <NUM> may be disposed behind the display module <NUM>, and a flow path through which air for cooling flows may be formed therein. The air flowing into the door <NUM> may flow into the door <NUM> through the cooling flow path unit <NUM> to cool the door <NUM>.

The shielding unit <NUM> may be disposed behind the cooling flow path unit <NUM>, and may shield electromagnetic waves generated from the main body <NUM>. The shielding unit <NUM> may protect the user by blocking the electromagnetic waves generated in the cavity <NUM> and propagating to the outside of the cooking appliance.

For example, the shielding unit <NUM> may serve to block the electromagnetic waves (microwaves) generated to cook food in the main body <NUM> from being discharged to the outside of the door <NUM>.

The cooling flow path unit <NUM> may be provided to cool electronic components mounted inside the door <NUM>, including a display unit <NUM> mounted on the display module <NUM>. The air for cooling the door <NUM> may flow inside the cooling flow path unit <NUM>. The display unit <NUM> may be formed in a thin shape and provided so that an area of the display unit <NUM> occupies most of one surface of the door <NUM>.

Accordingly, the display unit <NUM> can be formed to occupy most of the area of the front portion of the door <NUM>, and the placement area of the display unit <NUM> can be increased, thereby improving user visibility. The user may conveniently check various types of information through the display unit <NUM> provided with a large screen.

Since the size of the display unit <NUM> is increased, the amount of heat generated may increase. Accordingly, the display unit <NUM> in the door <NUM> needs to be effectively cooled. In the embodiment, the cooling flow path unit <NUM> through which the cooling air flows may be separately provided.

The cooling flow path unit <NUM> may be disposed behind the display unit <NUM> so that cooling air flows, and thus the display unit <NUM> may be effectively cooled by the air flowing through the cooling flow path unit <NUM>. In addition, a heat-generating part mounted on the display module <NUM> may be cooled by the air flowing through the cooling flow path unit <NUM>. In other words, the cooling flow path unit <NUM> may cool the display module <NUM> provided with the display unit <NUM> and other various heat-generating parts.

In order to effectively cool the display unit <NUM>, the entire display unit <NUM> may be provided to be exposed to the air flowing through the cooling flow path unit <NUM>. In addition, the airflow discharged to the outside of the door <NUM> through the cooling flow path unit <NUM> may form an air curtain to block heat and oil mist rising from the heating cooking device disposed below the cooking appliance.

To this end, the air flowing through the cooling flow path unit <NUM> may be branched inside the cooling flow path unit <NUM> to be discharged to the top and bottom of the display module <NUM>.

The cooling air is branched inside the cooling flow path unit <NUM> and discharged to the top and bottom of the display module <NUM>, so that the cooling air can flow while in contact with the entire rear surface of the display unit <NUM> to effectively cool the display unit <NUM>.

In addition, the cooling air is discharged to each of the top and bottom of the display module <NUM> to effectively form the air curtain around the display and the door <NUM>, so that the heat and oil mist rising from the heating cooking device disposed below the cooking appliance can be effectively blocked by the air curtain.

The display module <NUM> may be provided with the display unit <NUM>, a camera, and other electronic parts, and the cooling flow path unit <NUM> may be provided with electronic parts such as a blowing device <NUM> operated by a motor. Accordingly, the shielding unit <NUM> configured to shield the electromagnetic waves generated from the main body may be provided behind the cooling flow path unit <NUM> in order to protect the user and the electronic parts from electromagnetic waves.

The display unit <NUM> and various electronic parts may be disposed in the display module <NUM>, the cooling flow path unit <NUM> in which the flow path of the air for cooling the display module <NUM> is formed may be disposed behind the display module <NUM>, and the shielding unit <NUM> configured to shield electromagnetic waves from reaching the electronic parts provided in the display module <NUM> may be disposed behind the cooling flow path unit <NUM>.

In the embodiment, the display module <NUM> configured to provide various types of information and convenience to the user may be disposed on the front surface of the cooking appliance, that is, on the front of the door <NUM>. In addition, in the embodiment, there is a need for a structure that effectively cools the parts such as the display unit <NUM> provided in the display module <NUM>, effectively cools the inside of the door <NUM> provided with the display unit <NUM> and the like, and at the same time, forms the flow path of the cooling air for forming the air curtain around the door <NUM>, and also protects the electronic parts mounted on the door <NUM> from electromagnetic waves.

In order to satisfy this need, the display module <NUM> may be disposed at the front of the door <NUM>, the cooling flow path unit <NUM> may be disposed behind the display module <NUM>, and the shielding unit <NUM> may be disposed behind the cooling flow path unit <NUM>.

In other words, in order to implement the door structure according to the above-described embodiment, the display module <NUM>, the cooling flow path unit <NUM>, and the shielding unit <NUM> that play their own roles may be sequentially disposed on the door <NUM> from the front to rear in the door <NUM>.

In addition, the display module <NUM>, the cooling flow path unit <NUM>, and the shielding unit <NUM> may be provided to be stably coupled to each other to prevent the cooling air from flowing out to the outside of the door <NUM> through other portions other than a first outlet <NUM> disposed at an upper portion of the display module <NUM> and a second outlet <NUM> at a lower portion of the display module <NUM>. Hereinafter, the door <NUM> implemented using the above-described structure will be described in detail.

The display module <NUM> may include the first outlet <NUM> and the second outlet <NUM>. The first outlet <NUM> may be disposed at the upper portion of the display module <NUM>, and the air flowing inside the display module <NUM> may be discharged to the outside through the first outlet <NUM>.

The second outlet <NUM> may be disposed at the lower portion of the display module <NUM>, and the air flowing inside the display module <NUM> may be discharged to the outside through the second outlet <NUM>. In other words, the air flowing inside the door <NUM> may be discharged to the outside through the first outlet <NUM> and the second outlet <NUM> respectively disposed at the upper and lower portions of the door <NUM>, so that the air can flow through the entire inside of the door <NUM> to effectively cool the entire door <NUM>.

The display module <NUM> may include the display unit <NUM> and an outer panel <NUM>. The display unit <NUM> may be disposed on the front surface of the door <NUM> to display videos or images.

The display unit <NUM> may display information necessary for cooking to provide the information to the user. In addition, the display unit <NUM> may receive a user's command in a touch recognition method.

Meanwhile, the display unit <NUM> may be connected to communicate with other home appliances, and cameras, locks, etc. provided in the front door. In addition, the display unit <NUM> may be connected to communicate with an external device required by the user.

The user may receive information necessary for operations of home appliances, visits by outsiders, and other aspects of daily life from the display unit <NUM>, and transmit commands to home appliances and other devices connected to the display unit <NUM> using the display unit <NUM>.

Accordingly, the door <NUM> including the display unit <NUM> may serve as a kind of Internet of Things hub that transmits information about home appliances and other devices necessary for daily life to the user, and transmits the user's commands to these devices.

The outer panel <NUM> may be disposed behind the display unit <NUM>, and the display unit <NUM> may be mounted thereon. The outer panel <NUM> may have a hollow <NUM> and may be provided in a shape having a predetermined width in the front-rear direction of the door <NUM>.

The hollow <NUM> of the outer panel <NUM> may be closed by the rear surface of the display unit <NUM>. The air flowing inside the outer panel <NUM> may collide with the rear surface of the display unit <NUM> exposed to the hollow <NUM> of the outer panel <NUM>. Accordingly, the air flowing inside the outer panel <NUM> may come into contact with the rear surface of the display unit <NUM> to cool the display unit <NUM>.

In addition, the air passing through a blowing fan <NUM> may be exposed to the hollow <NUM> of the outer panel <NUM> to cool heat-generating parts such as a speaker <NUM>, a microphone <NUM>, a communication unit <NUM>, and a control board <NUM> to be disposed.

Since the outer panel <NUM> has the above-described structure, the outer panel <NUM> may have an interior space, and various parts may be built in in the interior space. A width in the front-rear direction of the door <NUM> may be substantially determined by the outer panel <NUM>.

A first aperture <NUM> into which air flows may be formed in an upper end of the outer panel <NUM>. A plurality of first apertures <NUM> may be provided. Each of the first apertures <NUM> may be provided so that a plurality of slit-shaped holes are arranged at intervals. This structure can somewhat suppress foreign substances from flowing into the door <NUM> through the first aperture <NUM>.

A handle <NUM> may be provided on one side of the outer panel <NUM> to be used when the user opens and closes the door <NUM>. The handle <NUM> may be formed, for example, by recessing a side portion of the outer panel <NUM>.

A button device <NUM> may be mounted on one side of the outer panel <NUM>, for example, just below a location where the handle <NUM> is formed. The user may supply electricity to the cooking appliance or cut off the electricity supply by manipulating the button device <NUM>. Specific manipulation for the operation of the cooking appliance is possible by inputting commands into the display unit <NUM>.

The outer panel <NUM> may support various parts such as the display unit <NUM>, the speaker <NUM>, the microphone <NUM>, the communication unit <NUM>, and the control board <NUM>, and may be formed with the first aperture <NUM> into which external air flows, and the first outlet <NUM> and the second outlet <NUM> through which air is discharged.

Meanwhile, the door <NUM> may be provided with a camera. The images captured by the camera may be reproduced on the display unit <NUM>, and the user may view images inside the cavity <NUM> or of the lower portion of the cooking appliance through the display unit <NUM>. The camera may include a first camera <NUM>, a second camera <NUM>, and a third camera <NUM>.

The first camera <NUM> may be mounted on a lower portion of the outer panel <NUM> to capture a state of the lower portion of the door <NUM>. Since the first camera <NUM> is mounted on the lower portion of the outer panel <NUM> so that a gaze direction faces the lower portion of the cooking appliance, the first camera <NUM> may capture the heating cooking device disposed below the cooking appliance.

The user may observe the state of the heating cooking device and the state of food being cooked on the heating cooking device by the image captured by the first camera <NUM> and reproduced on the display unit <NUM>.

The second camera <NUM> may be disposed on the upper portion of the door <NUM> and may capture the front of the door <NUM>. The second camera <NUM> may capture the front of the cooking appliance.

The second camera <NUM> may be provided to pass through a baffle <NUM> and a front cover <NUM>, which will be described below. The user may observe the situation in front of the cooking appliance captured and recorded by the second camera <NUM>.

Meanwhile, the second camera <NUM> may capture the user in front of the cooking appliance. Accordingly, the second camera <NUM> may be used for the user to make a video call with other people in a remote location outside the front door using the display unit <NUM>.

The third camera <NUM> may be mounted on a plate <NUM> to be described below, may be disposed to face the cavity <NUM>, and may capture the cavity <NUM>. In other words, the gaze of the third camera <NUM> may be provided to face the cavity <NUM> to capture the situation of the cavity <NUM>. The user may observe a situation in which food is cooked in the cavity <NUM> through the image captured by the third camera <NUM>.

The door <NUM> may include a human detection unit <NUM> disposed on the upper portion of the door <NUM>, mounted by passing through the baffle <NUM> and the front cover <NUM>, disposed at a location spaced apart from the second camera <NUM>, and configured to detect the presence of the user in front of the cooking appliance.

The human detection unit <NUM> may detect whether there is a person in front of the door <NUM> by, for example, infrared recognition or gesture recognition. A control unit provided in the cooking appliance may identify whether there is a user in front of the cooking appliance through the human detection unit <NUM>.

When there is a user, for example, the control unit may operate the display unit <NUM> to activate the functions of the cooking appliance necessary for the user's convenience and safety by taking an action to enable the user to use the display unit <NUM> immediately.

The door may include a latch <NUM> mounted on a side of the plate <NUM>, which has a part formed to protrude from the plate <NUM>. The latch <NUM> may be formed in a structure that is caught in a groove formed in the front panel <NUM> of the door <NUM>. The latch <NUM> may stably maintain the closed state of the door <NUM>.

<FIG> is an exploded perspective view of the door <NUM> according to one embodiment. <FIG> is a view of <FIG> from another direction. The cooling flow path unit <NUM> may include an inner panel <NUM>, an air guide <NUM>, and a blowing device <NUM>.

The inner panel <NUM> may be disposed behind the outer panel <NUM> and mounted on the outer panel <NUM>. Also, the inner panel <NUM> may be disposed behind the air guide <NUM>. The air guide <NUM> to be described below may be mounted on the inner panel <NUM>. The inner panel <NUM> along with the air guide <NUM> may form a space in which the air sucked into the door <NUM> flows. The inner panel <NUM> may be mounted with the air guide <NUM> and coupled to the plate <NUM> to provide the space in which the air flowing into the door <NUM> flows.

The air guide <NUM> may be configured to guide the flow of the air introduced into the door <NUM>. The air guide <NUM> may be disposed between the outer panel <NUM> and the inner panel <NUM>, and coupled to the inner panel <NUM>. The air guide <NUM> may guide the flow of air flowing into the door <NUM> from the outside, and form the space in which the air may flow.

The blowing device <NUM> may be mounted on the air guide <NUM>. The blowing device <NUM> may forcibly flow the air flowing into the air guide <NUM> from the rear to the front of the air guide <NUM>.

The shielding unit <NUM> may include the plate <NUM> and the choke member <NUM>. The plate <NUM> may be disposed behind the inner panel <NUM>, may be coupled to the inner panel <NUM>, and may have one side rotatably coupled to the main body <NUM>. As the plate <NUM> rotates, the door <NUM> may be rotated to open and close the cavity <NUM> of the cooking appliance.

The plate <NUM> may be coupled to the inner panel <NUM> to form a flow path of air for cooling and at the same time, may form an inner surface of the door <NUM> with a shielding structure for preventing the leakage of electromagnetic waves, that is, the choke member <NUM>.

The choke member <NUM> may be disposed behind the plate <NUM>, may be coupled to the plate <NUM>, and may block the electromagnetic waves generated from the main body <NUM> from being discharged to the outside. The choke member <NUM> may be generally provided in a quadrangular shape having a hollow, and provided to surround an edge portion of the plate <NUM>.

The display module <NUM> may further include the baffle <NUM> and the front cover <NUM>. The baffle <NUM> may be disposed in front of the display unit <NUM>, may surround the edge of the display unit <NUM>, and may be coupled to the outer panel <NUM> to mount the display unit <NUM> on the outer panel <NUM>.

The baffle <NUM> is generally formed in a quadrangular shape having a hollow to surround the edge of the display unit <NUM>, and thus may serve as a bezel of the display unit <NUM>.

The front cover <NUM> may be disposed in front of the baffle <NUM>, and provided to surround the edge of the baffle <NUM>. The front cover <NUM> may be generally formed in a quadrangular shape having a hollow, and may serve to stably couple the display unit <NUM> and the baffle <NUM> to the outer panel <NUM>.

<FIG> is a side cross-sectional view of the door <NUM> according to one embodiment. <FIG> is a perspective view showing the outer panel <NUM> according to one embodiment. <FIG> is a rear view showing the outer panel <NUM> according to one embodiment. <FIG> is a view of <FIG> from another direction.

<FIG> is an exploded perspective view of the display unit <NUM> and the outer panel <NUM>. <FIG> is a view showing the inner panel <NUM> and the air guide <NUM> according to one embodiment.

Referring to <FIG>, the outer panel <NUM> may include the speaker <NUM>, the microphone <NUM>, and the communication unit <NUM>. At least one speaker <NUM> may be mounted on the side of the outer panel <NUM>. The speaker <NUM> may generate a voice, an alarm sound, etc. necessary for operating the cooking appliance. In addition, the speaker <NUM> may generate all voices, alarm sounds, etc. for the door <NUM> including the display unit <NUM> of the door <NUM> to serve as an Internet of Things hub.

The microphone <NUM> may be mounted at the top of the outer panel <NUM> and may receive the user's voice. The user may input voice commands to operate the cooking appliance through the microphone <NUM>. In addition, the microphone <NUM> may play a part of the role for the door <NUM> to serve as an Internet of Things hub.

The communication unit <NUM> may be mounted on the outer panel <NUM> at a location spaced apart from the speaker <NUM> and the microphone <NUM>. Since the door <NUM> serves as an Internet of Things hub, the communication unit <NUM> provided in the door <NUM> is appropriately provided to perform various types of wired or wireless communication functions.

Accordingly, a plurality of communication units <NUM> may be provided, and each communication unit <NUM> may be provided as a device corresponding to a different communication method.

For example, the communication unit <NUM> may be provided as a wireless communication device, and each communication unit <NUM> may be provided as any one of a ZigBee communication device, a Wi-Fi communication device, a jet wave communication device, and a Bluetooth communication device. However, the communication method of the communication unit <NUM> is not limited thereto, and the communication unit <NUM> may also be provided as a wired communication device.

Meanwhile, the control board <NUM> for controlling the cooking appliance may be mounted on the outer panel <NUM>. A control unit configured to control the cooking appliance may be implemented on the control board <NUM>.

The outer panel <NUM> may be provided with a holder 120a, an opening hole 120b, a first through hole 120c, a second through hole 120d, a mounting guide 120e, and a fitting projection 120f.

The holder 120a may be provided to support the speaker <NUM>. The holder 120a may be formed to protrude from an inner wall of the outer panel <NUM>, a part of which may have an arc shape to correspond to a circular shape of the speaker <NUM>.

The speaker <NUM> may be mounted on the holder 120a and provided on the outer panel <NUM>. Since a pair of speakers <NUM> are provided, a pair of holders 120a may also be provided and formed at a location corresponding to each of the pair of speakers <NUM>.

The opening hole 120b may be formed to pass through the bottom of the outer panel <NUM>. The first camera <NUM> may be disposed at a location adjacent to the opening hole 120b to be able to view the lower side of the outer panel <NUM> through the opening hole 120b.

The first through hole 120c may be formed in the side of the outer panel <NUM>. The first through hole 120c may be provided adjacent to a location where the speaker <NUM> is disposed. The first through hole 120c may allow the speaker <NUM> to communicate with the outside and at the same time, may be formed in a mesh shape in order to suppress the speaker <NUM> from being exposed to the outside.

The speaker <NUM> may communicate with the outside of the outer panel <NUM> through the first through hole 120c to effectively transmit an alarm and other voices to the user. Since a pair of speakers <NUM> are provided, a pair of first through holes 120c may also be provided and formed at a location corresponding to each of the pair of speakers <NUM>.

The second through hole 120d may be formed in a lower portion of one side of the outer panel <NUM> to pass through the outer panel <NUM>. A part of the button device <NUM> mounted inside the outer panel <NUM> through the second through hole 120d may be exposed to the outside of the outer panel <NUM>. The user may manipulate the button device <NUM> by contacting the exposed portion of the outer panel <NUM>.

The mounting guide 120e may be formed on the inner wall of the outer panel <NUM> to support the plurality of communication units <NUM>. Accordingly, the mounting guide 120e may be provided in the same number as the plurality of communication units <NUM>. The mounting guide 120e may guide the communication unit <NUM> to be mounted on the outer panel <NUM>.

For example, the mounting guide 120e may be provided so that a projection having a shape corresponding to the edge of the communication unit <NUM> is formed on the inner wall of the outer panel <NUM>. Each of the plurality of mounting guides 120e may be provided to have a shape and size corresponding to the shape and size of each of the plurality of communication units <NUM>.

The fitting projection 120f may be formed to protrude from the inner wall of the outer panel <NUM>. A plurality of fitting projections 120f may be provided and disposed to be spaced apart from each other. The control board <NUM> may be fitted into the fitting projections 120f. For example, the fitting projection 120f may be disposed at a location adjacent to the edge of the plate-shaped control board <NUM>.

Accordingly, the control board <NUM> may have corners fitted into the fitting projections 120f and may be mounted on the outer panel <NUM>. A shape fitting structure corresponding to the shape of the control board <NUM> may be formed on the fitting projection 120f so that the corner of the control board <NUM> is fitted.

As shown in <FIG>, the first outlet <NUM> may be disposed on the upper portion of the outer panel <NUM>, and the second outlet <NUM> may be disposed on the lower portion of the outer panel <NUM>.

The first outlet <NUM> may be disposed on the upper portion of the outer panel <NUM>, and the air flowing by the blowing device <NUM> may be discharged to the outside. The second outlet <NUM> may be disposed on the lower portion of the outer panel <NUM>, and the air flowing by the blowing device <NUM> may be discharged to the outside.

Meanwhile, referring to <FIG>, when the door <NUM> is assembled, the first outlet <NUM> and the second outlet <NUM> may be partially blocked by the baffle <NUM> and the front cover <NUM>. At this time, holes for discharging air may be formed at locations corresponding to the first outlet <NUM> and the second outlet <NUM> in the baffle <NUM>.

The first outlet <NUM> may be provided at a location adjacent to an upper end of the display unit <NUM>, and the second outlet <NUM> may be provided at a location adjacent to a lower end of the display unit <NUM>. Accordingly, the air forcibly flowing inside the door <NUM> by the blowing device <NUM> may be discharged to the outside at locations adjacent to the upper and lower ends of the display unit <NUM> through the first outlet <NUM> and the second outlet <NUM>.

The air discharged through the first outlet <NUM> may form the air curtain on the upper portion of the door <NUM>. In addition, the air discharged through the second outlet <NUM> may form the air curtain on the lower portion of the door <NUM>.

The air curtain means a means for blocking the permeation of an external airflow into the door <NUM>. In the embodiment, a boundary surface or a boundary zone in which the flow of air discharged from the inside of the door <NUM> through the first outlet <NUM> and the second outlet <NUM> forms a boundary against the flow of the external air may be referred to as an air curtain.

The air curtain formed by the air discharged from the inside of the door <NUM> through the first outlet <NUM> and the second outlet <NUM> may suppress the permeation of external air into the door <NUM>.

Since the heating cooking device is disposed below the cooking appliance, the heat generated when the heating cooking device is used and the oil mist generated from the food being cooked may rise and permeate into the cooking appliance.

The heat transmitted from the heating cooking device to the cooking appliance may damage parts of the door <NUM> provided in the cooking appliance. In particular, parts in which the display unit <NUM> and circuits, elements, etc. related to its operation are embedded may be vulnerable to heat.

In addition, the oil mist transmitted from the food being cooked may be attached to the door <NUM> provided in the cooking appliance. The oil mist may be attached to the surface of the display unit <NUM> to lower the image quality of the display unit <NUM>, and attached to the surfaces of other parts mounted on the door <NUM> to damage these parts.

In the embodiment, the airflow discharged to the outside of the door <NUM> through the first outlet <NUM> and the second outlet <NUM> provided in the door <NUM> forms the air curtain, so that the heat and oil mist rising from the heating cooking device disposed below the cooking appliance can be effectively blocked by the air curtain.

Accordingly, it is possible to effectively suppress various electronic parts including the display unit <NUM> provided in the door <NUM> from being damaged or degraded by the heat and the oil mist.

Referring to <FIG>, the air guide <NUM> may include an inlet <NUM> and a mounting hole <NUM>. The inlet <NUM> may be disposed on an upper portion of the air guide <NUM>, external air may be introduced through the inlet <NUM>, and at least one inlet <NUM> may be provided.

The inlet <NUM> may be disposed at a location corresponding to the first aperture <NUM> provided on the upper portion of the outer panel <NUM>. Accordingly, the external air may pass through the first aperture <NUM> of the outer panel <NUM> to flow into the door <NUM> through the inlet <NUM>.

The mounting hole <NUM> may be formed in a lower portion of the inlet <NUM> in the air guide <NUM>, and the blowing device <NUM> may be mounted therein. The mounting hole <NUM> may be formed to pass through the air guide <NUM> in the front-rear direction of the door <NUM>.

Accordingly, air may flow from the upper portion to the lower portion of the air guide <NUM> through the inlet <NUM>, and its direction may be changed, so that the air may flow from the rear to the front of the air guide <NUM> through the mounting hole <NUM>.

The blowing device <NUM> may include a casing <NUM> and the blowing fan <NUM>. The casing <NUM> may be disposed in the mounting hole <NUM> and formed with a hollow, and the blowing fan <NUM> may be mounted in the hollow.

The blowing fan <NUM> may be rotatably mounted in the casing <NUM>, and may flow air from the rear to the front of the air guide <NUM>. The blowing fan <NUM> may receive electricity and rotate to flow air inside the door <NUM>.

By the rotation of the blowing fan <NUM>, external air may flow into the door <NUM> through the inlet <NUM>, and may be discharged to the outside of the door <NUM> through the first outlet <NUM> and the second outlet <NUM>. The mounting hole <NUM> of the air guide <NUM> may be formed in the middle of the casing <NUM> and formed to correspond to the location, area, and shape of the hollow in which the blowing fan <NUM> is disposed.

Hereinafter, the airflow inside the door <NUM> will be described in detail with reference to <FIG>. In <FIG>, the airflow is indicated by arrows.

As the blowing fan <NUM> rotates, external air may flow into the door <NUM> through the inlet <NUM> of the air guide <NUM>, and flow to be discharged to the outside of the door <NUM> through the first outlet <NUM> and the second outlet <NUM>.

The air forcibly flowing by the blowing device <NUM> may be introduced from the inlet <NUM> formed at an upper position of the door <NUM> to flow in a downward direction of the door <NUM> to be introduced into the blowing device <NUM>. And then, the air may pass through the blowing device <NUM> in a front-rear direction of the door <NUM>, and may be branched in front of the air guide <NUM> in an up-down direction. And then, a part of the air may flow in an upward direction of the door <NUM> to be discharged to a first outlet <NUM> formed at an upper position of the door <NUM>, and the other part of the air may flow in the downward direction of the door <NUM> to be discharged to a second outlet <NUM> formed at an lower position of the door <NUM>.

The air forcibly flowing by the blowing fan <NUM> may specifically have the following flow path of the airflow. The air may flow into the door <NUM> from the first aperture <NUM> of the outer panel <NUM> and the inlet <NUM> provided at a location corresponding thereto. The air flowing into the door <NUM> may flow downward from the door <NUM> to flow into the blowing fan <NUM>.

The air may pass through the blowing fan <NUM> in the front-rear direction of the door <NUM>. At this time, the air may pass through the mounting hole <NUM> of the air guide <NUM> while passing through the blowing fan <NUM>. The flow direction of the air in the blowing fan <NUM> may be changed from the up-down direction of the door <NUM> to the front-rear direction thereof.

Since the front of the mounting hole <NUM> is blocked by the display unit <NUM>, the air passing through the mounting hole <NUM> may be branched in the up-down direction in front of the air guide <NUM>.

A part of the branched air may flow upward from the door <NUM> and may be discharged through the first outlet <NUM>. The other part of the branched air may flow downward from the door <NUM> and may be discharged through the second outlet <NUM>.

The air branched from the first outlet <NUM> and the second outlet <NUM> may surround the entire door <NUM>. In particular, the branched air may surround the front surface of the door <NUM>. This structure can allow the air discharged from the first outlet <NUM> and the second outlet <NUM> to form the air curtain on the door <NUM>, thereby effectively suppressing the heat and oil mist generated from the heating cooking device disposed below the cooking appliance from permeating into the door <NUM>.

Meanwhile, at least a part of the air discharged from the first outlet <NUM> may come into contact with the front surface of the display unit <NUM> while moving downward by gravity to cool the display unit <NUM>.

In addition, the above-described airflow structure inside the door <NUM> may allow the air flowing into the door <NUM> to flow through the entire inside of the door <NUM>. For example, the air may flow in the entire space formed by the rear surface of the display unit <NUM> and the outer panel <NUM>.

Accordingly, the air flowing inside the door <NUM> may cool the entire rear surface of the display unit <NUM>, and effectively cool the outer panel <NUM> and other parts mounted on other portions of the door <NUM>.

In particular, the outer panel <NUM> may be provided with parts that generate heat, such as the speaker <NUM>, the microphone <NUM>, the communication unit <NUM>, and the control board <NUM>. These heat-generating parts may be disposed over the entire outer panel <NUM>. Accordingly, the air may flow through the entire inside of the outer panel <NUM>, thereby effectively cooling these heat-generating parts.

As shown in <FIG>, the first aperture <NUM> and the inlet <NUM> into which air flows may communicate with each other. As the blowing fan <NUM> rotates, the external air may flow into the air guide <NUM> through the first aperture <NUM> and the inlet <NUM> to flow toward the blowing device <NUM> through the space formed by the inner panel <NUM> and the air guide <NUM>.

The air may flow toward the blowing fan <NUM> of the blowing device <NUM> in the space formed by the plate <NUM>. The air may pass through the blowing fan <NUM> and collide with the rear surface of the display unit <NUM> disposed to face the blowing fan <NUM> to cool the display unit <NUM>.

After the air passing through the blowing fan <NUM> collides with the rear surface of the display unit <NUM>, the flow may be branched in the upward and downward direction of the display unit <NUM>. The air directed to the upper side of the display unit <NUM> may be discharged to the outside of the door <NUM> through the first outlet <NUM> provided on the upper portion of the outer panel <NUM>. The air flowing downward from the display unit <NUM> may be discharged to the outside of the door <NUM> through the second outlet <NUM> provided on the lower portion of the outer panel <NUM>.

In the embodiment, the air flowing inside the door <NUM> can cool the entire front surface of the display unit <NUM> while being discharged through the first outlet <NUM>. In addition, the air flowing inside the door <NUM> can effectively cool the heat-generating parts mounted on the rear surface of the display unit <NUM> and inside the door <NUM>.

<FIG> is an exploded perspective view of <FIG>. <FIG> is a view of <FIG> from another direction.

Referring to <FIG>, the mounting hole <NUM> may be formed in the middle of the air guide <NUM>. The casing <NUM> has a hollow having a location, size, and shape corresponding to the mounting hole <NUM>, and the blowing fan <NUM> may be disposed in the hollow. The casing <NUM> may be disposed at a location corresponding to the hollow and the mounting hole <NUM> of the air guide <NUM> and mounted on one surface of the air guide <NUM>.

A hollow 130a may be formed in the inner panel <NUM>. Since the hollow 130a of the inner panel <NUM> is blocked by the plate <NUM>, the air introduced through the inlet <NUM> may not leak into the hollow 130a of the inner panel <NUM>. Accordingly, the inner panel <NUM> and the plate <NUM> together may form a flow path of the air through which the air cooling the inside of the door <NUM> flows.

As shown in <FIG>, the inner panel <NUM> may include a blocking protrusion <NUM> protruding from a portion corresponding to the edge of the air guide <NUM> toward the air guide <NUM>, and engaged with the air guide <NUM> to block the air from leaking through a gap between the air guide and the inner panel <NUM>.

The blocking protrusion <NUM> may generally be formed on a portion of the inner panel <NUM> corresponding to the edge of the air guide <NUM>. The blocking protrusion <NUM> can suppress the air from leaking to the outside of the air guide through the gap between the inner panel <NUM> and the air guide <NUM> at the edge portion of the air guide <NUM> when the inner panel <NUM> and the air guide <NUM> are coupled.

The blocking protrusion <NUM> may include a first blocking portion 131a and a second blocking portion 131b. The first blocking portion 131a and the second blocking portion 131b may protrude from one surface of the inner panel <NUM> toward the air guide <NUM>.

The first blocking portion 131a may be formed on a lower portion of the inner panel <NUM>, and may have a longitudinal direction disposed in both side directions of the inner panel <NUM>. A pair of second blocking portions 131b may be provided to be connected to ends of both sides of the first blocking portion <NUM>, respectively, and may have a longitudinal direction disposed in an up-down direction of the inner panel <NUM>.

The air guide <NUM> may include an engagement groove portion <NUM> having a structure capable of being engaged with the blocking protrusion <NUM>. The engagement groove portion <NUM> may be provided on the edge of the air guide <NUM> in a shape corresponding to the blocking protrusion <NUM>, and engaged with the blocking protrusion <NUM> to block the air from leaking through the gap between the air guide and the inner panel <NUM>.

Since the engagement groove portion <NUM> of the air guide <NUM> may have a groove and the blocking protrusion <NUM> of the inner panel <NUM> corresponding thereto is formed to protrude, the engagement groove portion <NUM> may be coupled to be engaged with the blocking protrusion <NUM>.

Accordingly, the gap at the edge of the air guide <NUM> can be blocked by the engagement groove portion <NUM> and the blocking protrusion <NUM>, thereby effectively suppressing the air forcibly flowing into the door <NUM> from leaking at the coupling portion of the edge of the air guide <NUM> and the inner panel <NUM>.

Accordingly, the air forcibly flowing into the door <NUM> may be suppressed from leaking to the outside of the door <NUM> to flow along the designed flow path. Due to this structure, it is possible to improve the cooling effect and air curtain forming effect of the door <NUM> by the forcibly flowing air.

The engagement groove portion <NUM> may include a first engagement portion 143a and a second engagement portion 143b. The first engagement portion 143a may be disposed at a location corresponding to the first blocking portion 131a, and may have a longitudinal direction disposed in both side directions of the air guide <NUM>.

The second engagement portion 143b may be disposed at a location corresponding to the second blocking portion 131b, provided as a pair, and may have a longitudinal direction disposed in an up-down direction of the air guide <NUM>.

The first blocking portion 131a and the first engagement portion 143a can be coupled to be engaged with each other, and the second blocking portion 131b and the second engagement portion 143b can be coupled to be engaged with each other, thereby suppressing the air from leaking at the edge of the air guide <NUM>.

The air guide <NUM> includes an upper portion 140a in which the inlet <NUM> is formed and a lower portion 140b in which the blowing device <NUM> is disposed. When the air guide <NUM> and the inner panel <NUM> are coupled, the lower portion 140b may be generally disposed at a location corresponding to the hollow 130a of the inner panel <NUM>.

When looking down at the air guide <NUM> from the upper portion of the door <NUM>, a cross-sectional area of the upper portion 140a of the air guide <NUM> is formed to be greater than a cross-sectional area of the lower portion 140b. As the cross-sectional area of the upper portion 140a is expanded, the cross-sectional area of the inlet <NUM> may also be expanded. Accordingly, in the air guide <NUM>, as the inlet <NUM> through which air is introduced is expanded, external air may be easily introduced into the air guide <NUM>. When looking down at the air guide <NUM> from the upper portion of the door <NUM>, the cross-sectional area of the upper portion 140a is increased in the direction toward the inlet <NUM>. Accordingly, the cross-sectional area of the inlet <NUM> may be more sufficiently expanded in order that external air may be easily introduced into the air guide <NUM>.

Meanwhile, the lower portion 140b of the air guide <NUM> has a smaller cross-sectional area than that of the upper portion 140a, but since the lower portion 140b of the air guide <NUM> corresponds to the hollow 130a of the inner panel <NUM>, the airflow space in the portion corresponding to the lower portion 140b may be expanded toward the plate <NUM> by the hollow 130a of the inner panel <NUM>. As a result, the lower portion 140b of the air guide <NUM> may also have a shape in which the airflow space is expanded by the hollow 130a of the inner panel <NUM>.

In other words, the lower portion 140b of the air guide <NUM> corresponding to the hollow 130a of the inner panel <NUM> is formed to have a smaller cross-sectional area than that of the upper portion 140a of the air guide <NUM>, but the flow space of the lower portion 140b of the air guide <NUM> may be expanded to the plate <NUM> by the hollow 130a of the inner panel <NUM>.

Accordingly, the upper portion 140a and the lower portion 140b of the air guide <NUM> may have the shape of an expanded cross-sectional area due to the above-described structure. Accordingly, the airflow space formed by coupling the air guide <NUM> and the inner panel <NUM> in the structure in which the air guide <NUM> and the inner panel <NUM> are coupled may be sufficiently wide, and the air may be smoothly introduced from the outside and may also smoothly pass through the blowing device <NUM> mounted on the lower portion 140b of the inner panel <NUM>.

In addition, due to the decrease in the cross-sectional area of the lower portion 140b of the air guide <NUM>, conversely, the space in which the air passing through the blowing device <NUM> is discharged from the lower portion 140b of the air guide <NUM> may be expanded. At this time, the air passing through the blowing device <NUM> may pass through the hollow <NUM> of the outer panel <NUM> and come into contact with the display unit <NUM> to cool the display unit <NUM>.

The above-described structure can allow the door <NUM> to have a slim overall structure and increase the flow rate of air flowing therein, thereby improving the cooling efficiency of the door <NUM>.

<FIG> is an enlarged view of a portion A of <FIG>. <FIG> is an enlarged view of a portion B of <FIG>. <FIG> is an enlarged view of a portion C of <FIG>.

The blocking protrusion <NUM> may include a hook <NUM> formed to protrude from the second blocking portion 131b. The engagement groove portion <NUM> may include a fitting hole <NUM> formed in the second engagement portion 143b, provided at a location corresponding to the hook <NUM>, and having the hook <NUM> fitted therein.

The blocking protrusion <NUM> may be formed with the hook <NUM>, and the engagement groove portion <NUM> may be formed with the fitting hole <NUM> at the location corresponding to the hook <NUM>. Accordingly, the air guide <NUM> and the inner panel <NUM> may be stably coupled by fitting the fitting hole <NUM> onto the hook <NUM>.

Due to this structure, it is possible to improve the work efficiency during assembly of the door <NUM> by not using a separate coupling mechanism such as a bolt, or reducing the number of coupling mechanisms used and at the same time, stably coupling the air guide <NUM> and the inner panel <NUM>.

A pair of hooks <NUM> and a pair of fitting holes <NUM> may be formed. The hooks <NUM> and the fitting holes <NUM> may be formed at locations corresponding to each other. Accordingly, the hooks <NUM> may be formed on both sides of the pair of second blocking portions 131b, respectively, and the fitting holes <NUM> may be formed on both sides of the pair of second engagement portions 143b, respectively.

The second engagement portion 143b may include an elastically deformable portion 143b-<NUM> formed on the edge of the air guide <NUM> so that at least a part thereof is separated from a remaining portion of the second engagement portion 143b, formed with the fitting hole <NUM>, and provided so that at least a part thereof is elastically deformed when the hook <NUM> is fitted into the fitting hole <NUM>.

It is necessary to easily fit the hook <NUM> into the portion where the fitting hole <NUM> is formed. Accordingly, the fitting hole <NUM> may be formed with the elastically deformable portion 143b-<NUM> having the above-described structure. The elastically deformable portion 143b-<NUM> may be formed with the fitting hole <NUM>.

The elastically deformable portion 143b-<NUM> may be separated from the remaining portion of the second engagement portion 143b and thus easily elastically deformed. Accordingly, when the fitting hole <NUM> is fitted onto the hook <NUM> or conversely, the hook <NUM> is removed from the fitting hole <NUM>, the elastically deformable portion 143b-<NUM> may be elastically deformed, so that the task of fitting the hook <NUM> into the fitting hole <NUM> may be easily performed when the door <NUM> is assembled.

A plurality of hooks <NUM> and a plurality of fitting holes <NUM> may be provided, and each of the hooks <NUM> and each of the fitting holes <NUM> may be provided at locations corresponding to each other. At this time, the hooks <NUM> and the fitting holes <NUM> may be provided in the same numbers.

For example, the plurality of hooks <NUM> may be provided, and each of the hooks <NUM> may be disposed to be spaced apart from each other in a longitudinal direction of the second blocking portion 131b. Correspondingly, the plurality of fitting holes <NUM> may be provided, and each of the fitting holes <NUM> may be spaced apart from each other in a longitudinal direction of the second engagement portion 143b and disposed at the locations corresponding to each of the hooks <NUM>.

<FIG> is a cross-sectional view partially cut in a state where the air guide <NUM>, the blowing device <NUM>, and the inner panel <NUM> are coupled. <FIG> is an enlarged view of portion D of <FIG>. <FIG> is an enlarged view of portion E of <FIG>.

The engagement groove portion <NUM> may be provided to include a first bent portion <NUM>, a second bent portion <NUM>, and a third bent portion <NUM> in order to be formed in a groove shape to be stably coupled to the blocking protrusion <NUM>, and at the same time, block the leakage of air.

The first bent portion <NUM> may be bent from an end of the air guide <NUM>. The second bent portion <NUM> may be bent from the first bent portion <NUM>, and provided so that at least a part thereof is in contact with a tip of the blocking protrusion <NUM>. The third bent portion <NUM> may be bent from the second bent portion <NUM>. The first bent portion <NUM>, the second bent portion <NUM>, and the third bent portion <NUM> may be integrally formed, and formed in a groove shape.

When the engagement groove portion <NUM> is mounted on the blocking protrusion <NUM>, the first bent portion <NUM> and the third bent portion <NUM> can double-block the gap that may be formed between the inner panel <NUM> and the air guide <NUM>. Accordingly, it is possible to effectively suppress the air flowing through the space formed by coupling the inner panel <NUM> and the air guide <NUM> from leaking through this gap.

Claim 1:
A cooking appliance comprising a main body (<NUM>) formed with a cavity (<NUM>), and a door (<NUM>) for opening and closing the cavity (<NUM>), wherein the door (<NUM>) includes:
a display module (<NUM>) disposed on a front of the door (<NUM>); and
a cooling flow path unit (<NUM>) disposed behind the display module (<NUM>), and having a flow path through which air for cooling flows formed therein, the cooling flow path unit (<NUM>) includes:
an air guide (<NUM>) configured to guide the flow of the air introduced into the door (<NUM>); and
a blowing device (<NUM>) mounted on the air guide (<NUM>), wherein the air guide (<NUM>) includes at least one inlet (<NUM>) through which external air is introduced,
wherein the air guide (<NUM>) includes:
an upper portion (140a) in which the inlet (<NUM>) is formed, and
a lower portion (140b) in which the blowing device (<NUM>) is disposed,
characterized in that a cross-sectional area of the upper portion (140a) is formed to be greater than a cross-sectional area of the lower portion (140b),
wherein a cross-sectional area of the upper portion (140a) is increased in the direction toward the inlet (<NUM>).