Patent Description:
Cooktops heat food items using gas or electricity to cook the food items. The cooktops can include a knob that rotates around a shaft to adjust an amount of heat applied to a food item or to manipulate the cooktop such as the setting of a cooking mode and the like.

Knobs (or switches), around which light is emitted to improve visibility, is disclosed in prior art document <NUM> (<CIT>) and prior art document <NUM> (<CIT>) and the like.

<FIG> and <FIG> are views showing a switch assembly in prior art document <NUM>.

The switch assembly in document <NUM> can include a switch <NUM>, a light guide <NUM>, a switch holder <NUM>, a control panel <NUM>, a support bracket <NUM>, and a regulator <NUM>.

The light guide <NUM> includes a light guide path <NUM>-<NUM> and an LED module <NUM>-<NUM>. The LED module <NUM>-<NUM> is disposed at one end of the light guide path <NUM>-<NUM>. Since the LED module <NUM>-<NUM> as a light source is disposed at one end of the light guide path <NUM>-<NUM>, constant brightness of light cannot be ensured according to document <NUM>. That is, one end of the light guide path <NUM>-<NUM>, at which the LED module <NUM>-<NUM> is disposed, is relatively bright, while the other end on the opposite side of one end is relatively dark.

<FIG> is a view showing a portion of a knob assembly in prior art document <NUM>.

The knob assembly in document <NUM> includes a first light guide <NUM>, a second light guide <NUM>, and a bezel main body <NUM>. The second light guide <NUM> includes a leg <NUM>-<NUM> extended toward a light source, and a guide ring <NUM>-<NUM> forming a diffused light. According to document <NUM>, the light source is disposed in an end portion of the leg <NUM>-<NUM>. Accordingly, a portion of the guide ring <NUM>-<NUM>, contacting the leg <NUM>-<NUM>, is relatively bright, while a portion far from the portion in contact with the leg <NUM>-<NUM> is relatively dark.

<CIT> relates to a dial knob for inputting a signal for operation of the cooking appliance, and to a cooking appliance including the same.

In one embodiment, provided is a knob assembly according to claim <NUM>.

In one embodiment, provided are a cooktop and a knob assembly according to claim <NUM>.

Aspects according to the present disclosure are not limited to the above ones, and other aspects and advantages that are not mentioned above can be clearly understood from the following description and can be more clearly understood from the embodiments set forth herein. Additionally, the aspects and advantages in the present disclosure can be realized via means and combinations thereof that are described in the appended claims.

A cooktop and/or a knob assembly in one embodiment may include a light diffusing part disposed between a knob body and a knob ring. In this case, a light source part may irradiate light between the knob body and the knob ring, and front surface of the light diffusing part may be exposed to a gap between the knob body and the knob ring. Accordingly, the light irradiated from the light source part may be emitted to a front of the knob assembly through the light diffusing part, thereby making it possible to emit uniform light to the front of the knob assembly regardless of areas.

The cooktop and/or the knob assembly in one embodiment may include the light diffusing part disposed in an inner space of the knob ring, and an end of the light diffusing part may be disposed further rearward than an end of the knob ring, thereby improving visibility.

In the cooktop and/or the knob assembly of one embodiment, at least a portion of a rear surface of the knob body and at least a portion of a front surface of the knob ring may reflect light, thereby improving visibility.

A cooktop in one embodiment may include a heating part configured to cook a food item, and a manipulating part including a control panel and a knob assembly fixed to the control panel and configured to control the heating part, the knob assembly may include a knob body disposed on a front surface of the control panel and configured to rotate around a rotation shaft extended in a front-rear direction, a knob ring disposed at a rear of the knob body and having a diameter greater than a diameter of the knob body, a light diffusing part disposed between the knob body and the knob ring, and a light source part including at least one of light sources configured to irradiate light, a diameter of the light diffusing part may be greater than the diameter of the knob body and less than the diameter of the knob ring, a front surface of the light diffusing part may be exposed between the knob body and the knob ring, and at least one of the light sources may irradiate light to a space between the knob body and the knob ring.

In the cooktop of one embodiment, the knob ring may include a plate formed into a flat plate, and a ring surrounding an outer edge of the plate, protruding from the plate forward, and having a diameter greater than the diameter of the knob body.

In the cooktop of one embodiment, at least a portion of the knob body may be inserted into a space formed by the plate and the ring.

In the cooktop of one embodiment, the light diffusing part may be formed into a doughnut, and a first surface may contact the plate while a second surface different from the first surface may contact the ring.

In the cooktop of one embodiment, a front end of the light diffusing part may be disposed further rearward than a front end of the knob ring.

In the cooktop of one embodiment, the light diffusing part may include a flat plate doughnut part formed into a doughnut having a plate shape, and a cylinder part formed into a cylinder protruding forward from an outer edge of the flat plate doughnut part, and the first surface may be a rear surface of the flat plate doughnut part while the second surface may be an outer surface of the cylinder part.

In the cooktop of one embodiment, at least a portion of a rear surface of the knob body and at least a portion of a front surface of the knob ring may reflect light.

In the cooktop of one embodiment, the knob body may include a knob forming an exterior of a front surface of the knob assembly and having a rear surface that is open to form a first inner space, a knob inner inserted into the first inner space and having a rear surface that is open to form a second inner space, and an insert into which the second inner space is inserted and having a rear surface at least a portion of which reflects light.

In the cooktop of one embodiment, at least a portion of the knob inner may form a diffusing part configured to diffuse light.

In the cooktop of one embodiment, the insert may be disposed in a central portion of the knob inner, when viewed from a rear.

In the cooktop of one embodiment, the knob ring may be provided with at least one of openings, the light source part may be disposed at a rear of the knob ring, and at least one of the light sources may be disposed at a rear of at least one of the openings.

The cooktop in one embodiment may further include a supporter disposed between the knob ring and the light source part, provided with the light source part fixed to a rear surface thereof, and comprising at least one of convex parts protruding forward from a front surface of a portion corresponding to a position of the light source and disposed in a way that the convex part passes through the opening.

A knob assembly in one embodiment may include a knob body configured to rotate around a rotation shaft extended in a front-rear direction, a knob ring disposed at a rear of the knob body and having a diameter greater than a diameter of the knob body, a light diffusing part disposed between the knob body and the knob ring, and a light source part including at least one of light sources configured to irradiate light, a diameter of the light diffusing part may be greater than the diameter of the knob body and less than the diameter of the knob ring, a front surface of the light diffusing part may be exposed between the knob body and the knob ring, and at least one of the light sources may irradiate light to a space between the knob body and the knob ring.

In the knob assembly of one embodiment, the knob ring may include a plate formed into a flat plate, and a ring surrounding an outer edge of the plate, protruding from the plate forward and having a diameter greater than the diameter of the knob body, the light diffusing part may be formed into a doughnut, and a first surface may contact the plate while a second surface different from the first surface may contact the ring.

In the knob assembly of one embodiment, a front end of the light diffusing part may be disposed further rearward than a front end of the knob ring.

In the knob assembly of one embodiment, the diffusing part may include a flat plate doughnut part formed into a doughnut having a plate shape, and a cylinder part formed into a cylinder protruding forward from an outer edge of the flat plate doughnut part, and the first surface may be a rear surface of the flat plate doughnut part while the second surface may be an outer surface of the cylinder part.

In the knob assembly of one embodiment, a first reflective surface configured to reflect light may be formed in at least a portion of a rear surface of the knob body, and a second reflective surface configured to reflect light may be formed in at least a portion of a front surface of the knob ring.

In the knob assembly of one embodiment, at least a portion of the rear surface of the knob body may form a diffusing part configured to diffuse light, and the first reflective surface may be disposed in a central portion of the diffusing part, when viewed from a rear.

In the knob assembly of one embodiment, the knob ring may be provided with at least one of openings, the light source part may be disposed at a rear of the knob ring, and at least one of the light sources may be disposed at a rear of at least one of the openings.

The knob assembly of one embodiment may further include a supporter disposed between the knob ring and the light source part, provided with the light source part fixed to a rear surface thereof, and comprising at least one of convex parts protruding forward from a front surface of a portion corresponding to a position of the light source and disposed in a way that the convex part passes through the opening.

A cooktop and a knob assembly thereof in one embodiment may emit light having constant brightness around a knob body, thereby enhancing user recognition of operation of a product and ensuring improvement in user convenience.

In the disclosure, detailed description of known technologies in relation to the disclosure is omitted if it is deemed to make the gist of the disclosure unnecessarily vague. Below, preferred embodiments according to the disclosure are specifically described with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the drawings, identical reference numerals can denote identical or similar components.

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 disposed on the upper surface (or under the lower surface) of another component, and an additional component can 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 com.

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 "include" and the like, set forth herein, are not interpreted as necessarily including all the stated components or steps but can be interpreted as excluding some of the stated components or steps or can be interpreted as including additional components or steps.

Hereunder, a cooktop and a knob assembly thereof in several embodiments are described.

<FIG> is a view showing a cooktop provided with a knob assembly in one embodiment. The cooktop may include a manipulating part <NUM> and a heating part, and the heating part may include a cooktop part <NUM>, an oven part <NUM> and a drawer <NUM>.

Components for manipulating operation of the cooktop may be disposed at the manipulating part <NUM>. For example, a knob assembly <NUM> may be disposed at the manipulating part <NUM>, and the knob assembly <NUM> may rotate around a rotation shaft that extends in a front-rear direction to adjust a thermal power generated by each part (e.g., the cooktop part <NUM>, the oven part <NUM> and the drawer <NUM>) of the cooktop or to set an operation mode of each part of the cooktop. The knob assembly <NUM> may be fixed to a control panel <NUM> of the manipulating part <NUM>.

The cooktop part <NUM> may be disposed in an upper portion of the cooktop. The cooktop part <NUM> may include at least one of cooktop burners <NUM>. The cooktop burner <NUM> may heat a vessel containing a food item or directly heat a food item to cook the food item using a flame that is produced by burning gases.

The oven part <NUM> may be disposed in a central portion of the cooktop. The oven part <NUM> may include a main body forming a cooking space in which a food item is cooked, and a burner assembly for cooking a food item accommodated in the cooking space. Additionally, the oven part <NUM> may include a door for opening and closing the cooking space.

The drawer <NUM> may slide into the cooktop or may be withdrawn from the cooktop and may keep a vessel containing a food item and the like at a predetermined temperature.

In <FIG>, the cooktop includes the oven part, the cooktop part and the drawer as a heating part for cooking a food item, for example. However, the cooktop in one embodiment may exclude some of the oven part, the cooktop part and the drawer.

Additionally, <FIG> shows a gas oven including the oven part, the cooktop part and the drawer, which are heating parts capable of cooking a food item, as an example of the cooktop. But the subject matter of the present disclosure may be applied to various types of cooktops such as a cooktop that generates heat using electricity rather than gas or an oven and the like. For example, the cooktop part of the cooktop according to the disclosure may include an induction heater capable of inductively heat a vessel and/or an electric heater capable of generating heat using electricity.

Hereunder, the front denotes a front-surface direction of the cooktop, and the rear denotes a rear-surface direction of the coking appliance, in the disclosure.

<FIG> is a perspective view showing the knob assembly in one embodiment, <FIG> is a cross-sectional view showing the knob assembly in one embodiment of <FIG>, <FIG> is an enlarged view showing area A of the knob assembly in one embodiment of <FIG>, <FIG> is a view for describing the proceeding of light in the knob assembly of one embodiment, and <FIG> is an exploded perspective view showing the knob assembly in one embodiment of <FIG>.

The knob assembly <NUM> in one embodiment may include a knob body <NUM>, a light diffusing part <NUM>, a knob ring <NUM>, a supporter <NUM>, a light source part <NUM>, and an adjusting part <NUM>. The knob ring <NUM> may include a plate <NUM> and a ring <NUM>, and the adjusting part <NUM> may include an ignition switch <NUM> and a valve <NUM>.

The knob body <NUM> may form an exterior of a front surface of the knob assembly <NUM>. The knob body <NUM> may be formed into a single component based on integration, or may be comprised of a plurality of components based on coupling. The knob body <NUM> may rotate around a rotation shaft ax that extends in the front-rear direction. That is, the knob body <NUM> may be rotatably coupled to the light diffusing part <NUM>, the knob ring <NUM>, the supporter <NUM>, the light source part <NUM> and the adjusting part <NUM>.

The knob body <NUM> may be provided with a reflective surface capable of reflecting light, in at least a portion of a rear surface thereof. Additionally, the knob body <NUM> may include a light diffusing part capable of diffusing light. Specifically, the knob body <NUM> may include a knob <NUM>, a knob inner <NUM>, and an insert <NUM>. The insert <NUM> may be provided with a first reflective surface <NUM> capable of reflecting light, in at least a portion of a rear surface thereof. Further, at least a portion of the knob inner <NUM> may be formed in to a light diffusing part <NUM> capable of diffusing light. In <FIG>, a portion, which is disposed on an edge of the insert <NUM> in the knob inner <NUM> and faces the knob ring <NUM>, is formed into the light diffusing part <NUM>, for example. However, the knob inner <NUM> may be made of a material that diffuses light in the entire knob inner <NUM>. Below, the configuration of the knob body <NUM> is described in detail with reference to <FIG>.

The light diffusing part <NUM> may be disposed between the knob body <NUM> and the knob ring <NUM>. The light diffusing part <NUM> may have a diameter greater than a diameter of the knob body <NUM> and less than a diameter of the knob ring <NUM>. More particularly, an inner diameter of the light diffusing part <NUM> is greater than an outer diameter of the knob body <NUM>, and an outer diameter of the light diffusing part <NUM> is less than an inner diameter of the knob ring <NUM>. Wherein, the inner diameter of the light diffusing part <NUM> may mean an inner diameter of a cylinder part <NUM> of the light diffusing part <NUM>, and the inner diameter of the knob ring <NUM> may mean an inner diameter of the ring <NUM> of the knob ring <NUM>. The light diffusing part <NUM> may be inserted into a space formed by the plate <NUM> and ring <NUM> of the knob ring <NUM>. A front surface of the light diffusing part <NUM> may be exposed to a gap <NUM> between the knob body <NUM> and the knob ring <NUM>.

Specifically, the light diffusing part <NUM> may have a doughnut shape. The light diffusing part <NUM> may have a plurality of surfaces, and among the surfaces, a first surface may contact the plate <NUM> of the knob ring <NUM>, and a second surface different from the first surface may contact the ring <NUM> of the knob ring <NUM>. The light diffusing part <NUM> may include a flat plate doughnut part <NUM> formed into a doughnut having a flat plate shape, and a cylinder part <NUM> having a cylinder shape and protruding forward from an outer edge of the flat plate doughnut part. In this case, a rear surface of the flat plate doughnut part <NUM> may be the first surface contacting the plate <NUM> of the knob ring <NUM>, and an outer surface of the cylinder part <NUM> may be the second surface contacting the ring <NUM> of the knob ring <NUM>. That is, in the light diffusing part <NUM>, one side of a cross section of the doughnut shape may protrude forward from the doughnut shape and have a thickness greater than a thickness of the other side that does not protrude forward, and the cross section of the light diffusing part <NUM> may have a "<IMG>" shape. One surface outside the light diffusing part <NUM> (i.e., a rear surface of the light diffusing part <NUM>) may entirely contact the plate <NUM> of the knob ring <NUM>, and another surface outside the light diffusing part <NUM> (i.e., a lateral surface of the light diffusing part <NUM>) may entirely contact the ring <NUM> of the knob ring <NUM>. The front surface of the light diffusing part <NUM>, adjacent to the surface in contact with the ring <NUM> of the knob ring <NUM>, may be exposed to the gap <NUM> between the knob body <NUM> and the knob ring <NUM>. The light diffusing part <NUM> may include a coupling hook <NUM> that protrudes rearward.

Referring to <FIG>, a front end L1 of the light diffusing part <NUM> may be disposed further rearward than a front end L2 of the knob ring <NUM>. Accordingly, light may be prevented from proceeding in a lateral surface direction (direction A) of the knob assembly <NUM>, thereby improving visibility.

The knob ring <NUM> may be disposed at a rear of the knob body <NUM> and may form an exterior of the knob assembly <NUM>. The knob ring <NUM> may be made of an opaque material and fixed to the control panel <NUM>. Additionally, the knob ring <NUM> may protect the supporter <NUM>.

The knob ring <NUM> may be short entirely and formed into a cylinder having a front surface that is completely open. The knob ring <NUM> may include a plate <NUM> formed into a flat plate, and a ring <NUM> surrounding an outer edge of the plate <NUM> and protruding forward from the plate <NUM>. The ring <NUM> may have a diameter greater than a diameter of the knob body <NUM>. Additionally, the plate <NUM> may be provided with an opening <NUM> through which light passes and/or a coupling hole <NUM> for a coupling with the light diffusing part <NUM>. The coupling hook <NUM> of the light diffusing part <NUM> may be fitted-coupled to and the coupling hole <NUM> of the knob ring <NUM>.

At least a portion of the knob body <NUM> may be inserted into the space formed by the plate <NUM> and the ring <NUM>. The light diffusing part <NUM> may be disposed between the knob body <NUM> and the knob ring <NUM>.

A second reflective surface capable of reflecting light may be formed in at least a portion of surfaces (i.e., a front surface of the plate <NUM> and an inner surface of the ring <NUM>) of the knob ring <NUM>, on which the knob body <NUM> is disposed. Specifically, the second reflective surface may include a <NUM>-<NUM> reflective surface <NUM> formed in at least a portion of the front surface of the plate <NUM>, and a <NUM>-<NUM> reflective surface <NUM> formed in at least a portion of the inner surface of the ring <NUM>. A portion of the <NUM>-<NUM> reflective surface <NUM> and/or the <NUM>-<NUM> reflective surface <NUM> may be formed in a way that a portion of the surfaces of the knob ring <NUM>, which face the knob body <NUM>, is plated or coated. Since the knob ring <NUM> (specifically, the <NUM>-<NUM> reflective surface <NUM> and the <NUM>-<NUM> reflective surface <NUM>) reflects light, brightness of light emitted from the knob assembly <NUM> may become higher, thereby improving visibility.

Additionally, the knob ring <NUM> may further include a coupling hook <NUM> protruding rearward from the knob ring <NUM> to be coupled to the supporter <NUM>. The coupling hook <NUM> may be fitted-coupled to a coupling hole <NUM> of the supporter <NUM>. In this case, the coupling hook <NUM> may pass through a panel hole <NUM>-<NUM> of the panel <NUM> and be coupled to the coupling hole <NUM>.

The supporter <NUM> may be disposed at a rear of the knob ring <NUM>. The supporter <NUM> may fix and protect the light source part <NUM>.

A convex part <NUM> may be formed on a front surface of a portion of the supporter <NUM>, in which a light source <NUM> of the light source part <NUM> is disposed, in a way that the convex part <NUM> protrudes from a surface of the supporter <NUM>. Additionally, a coupling hole <NUM> for a coupling with the control panel <NUM> and the knob ring <NUM> may be formed on the supporter <NUM>.

The light source part <NUM> may be disposed at a rear of the supporter <NUM>. The light source part <NUM> may include at least one of light sources <NUM> configured to irradiate light. The light source <NUM> may be a light-emitting diode.

The light source part <NUM> may be fixed to a rear surface of the supporter <NUM>.

The adjusting part <NUM> may adjust thermal power output from the cooktop, or adjust operation of the cooktop such as a mode of the cooktop and the like, as a result of rotation of the knob body <NUM>. When the cooktop uses gas as a heat source, the adjusting part <NUM> may include an ignition switch <NUM> or a valve <NUM>.

The ignition switch <NUM> may receive torque of the knob body <NUM>. An on/off state of the ignition switch <NUM> may change based on a rotation angle of the knob body <NUM>. The ignition switch <NUM> may be turned on and produce a spark on a fire mouth of a burner <NUM> in <FIG> when the knob body110 makes a rotation of a predetermined angle.

The valve <NUM> may receive torque from the knob body <NUM>. An opening degree of the valve <NUM> may be determined based on a rotation degree of the knob body <NUM>. In some cases, the valve <NUM> may receive a rotation force from the knob body <NUM> only when the knob body <NUM> rotates in a state of being pressed.

The ignition switch <NUM> and the valve <NUM> may receive torque of the knob body <NUM> through a valve shaft.

The control panel <NUM> may be disposed between the knob ring <NUM> and the supporter <NUM>. The knob ring <NUM> and/or the supporter <NUM> may be coupled to the control panel <NUM>. The control panel <NUM> may be a portion (e.g., a front surface of the cooktop part <NUM> in <FIG>) of the cooktop or a portion of the knob assembly <NUM>. The control panel <NUM> may have an opening <NUM>-<NUM> through which light of the light source part <NUM> passes. The convex part <NUM> of the supporter <NUM> may be disposed to pass through the opening <NUM>-<NUM>. Additionally, the control panel <NUM> may have at least one of panel holes <NUM>-<NUM> through which the knob ring <NUM> and/or the supporter <NUM> are coupled to the control panel <NUM>.

Referring to <FIG>, a path in which light proceeds in the knob assembly of one embodiment is described. In <FIG>, dashed arrows indicate directions in which light proceeds.

As described above, the light source part <NUM> may be fixed to the supporter <NUM>, and the convex part <NUM> may be formed on the front surface of the supporter <NUM>, corresponding to a position of the light source <NUM>. Additionally, an opening <NUM> may be formed on the knob ring <NUM>, and the convex part <NUM> may pass through a light transmitting hole <NUM>.

Light irradiated from the light source <NUM> of the light source part <NUM> may pass through the convex part <NUM> of the supporter <NUM> and proceed to a space between the knob ring <NUM> and the knob body <NUM>.

Some of the light rays having passed through the convex part <NUM> may be incident on the light diffusing part <NUM>. The other light rays having passed though the convex part <NUM> may be scattered and reflected by the insert <NUM> and the knob ring <NUM>, and some of the light rays scattered and reflected may be incident on the light diffusing part <NUM>. When the convex part <NUM> protrudes further than the front surface of the plate <NUM> of the knob ring <NUM>, an amount of light rays directly incident on the light diffusing part <NUM> may increase among the light rays having passed through the convex part <NUM>.

The light incident on the light diffusing part <NUM> may be emitted out of the knob assembly through the front surface of the light diffusing part <NUM>, thereby allowing the user to recognize the light. In this case, to improve visibility, the front end of the light diffusing part <NUM> may be disposed further rearward than the front end of the knob ring <NUM>.

The light diffusing part <NUM> may be slightly spaced from the knob body <NUM> and the knob inner <NUM>.

Some of the light rays having passed through the convex part <NUM>, and some of the light rays scattered and reflected may diffuse in the knob inner <NUM> (specifically, a diffusing part <NUM> in <FIG> of the knob inner <NUM>), and the diffused light rays may proceed to the gap (specifically, the gap between the knob <NUM> and the light diffusing part <NUM>) between the knob <NUM> and the knob ring <NUM> through an outer end of the knob inner <NUM>, to allow the user to recognize the light rays.

Light reflected by the knob body <NUM> and the knob ring <NUM> and the like may be emitted through the gap between the knob <NUM> and the light diffusing part <NUM>.

That is, in one embodiment, light may be emitted toward a front of the knob assembly <NUM> through the light diffusing part <NUM> disposed between the knob body <NUM> and the knob ring <NUM>. Accordingly, the user may see light having constant brightness entirely around the knob body <NUM> of the knob assembly <NUM>.

Additionally, light reflected by the insert <NUM> and the knob ring <NUM> may be incident on the light diffusing part <NUM>, thereby increasing brightness.

<FIG> is an exploded perspective view schematically showing an example of a knob body <NUM> of the knob assembly <NUM> in one embodiment. The knob body <NUM> may include a knob <NUM>, a knob inner <NUM>, an insert <NUM>, a spring <NUM>, and a screw bolt <NUM>-<NUM>, <NUM>-<NUM>.

The knob <NUM> may form an exterior of a front surface of the knob assembly <NUM>. The knob111 may include a cylindrical body and a handle protruding forward from the body. The knob <NUM> may have a rear surface that is open, and an inner surface may be formed inside the open surface, and the knob <NUM> may be formed as a result of injection molding.

The knob inner <NUM> may be inserted into the inner space of the knob <NUM> through the rear surface of the knob <NUM>. The knob inner <NUM> may have a rear surface that is open, and an inner space may be formed inside the open surface. Additionally, the knob inner <NUM> may be made of a material capable of diffusing light. For example, the knob inner <NUM> may be made of an opaque plastic material. That is, in one embodiment, the knob inner <NUM> capable of diffusing light may be disposed between the knob <NUM> and the light source part <NUM>. Since the knob inner <NUM> diffuses light, the light diffused by the knob inner <NUM> in addition to the light diffused by the light diffusing part <NUM> may be emitted out of the knob assembly, thereby improve visibility further. As described above, some of the knob inners <NUM> may be configured to diffuse light.

The insert <NUM> may be inserted into the inner space of the knob inner <NUM> through the rear surface of the knob inner <NUM>. The insert <NUM> may be made of a material such as metal, and inserted into the knob <NUM> along with the knob inner <NUM>, thereby improving rigidity and preventing deformation of the knob <NUM>.

The rear surface of the insert <NUM> may reflect light. To this end, the rear surface of the insert <NUM> may be plated or coated. A plated or coated portion may form the first reflective surface <NUM>.

The spring <NUM> may be disposed in the knob body <NUM> and connect between the knob <NUM> and the valve shaft.

The screw bolt <NUM>-<NUM>, <NUM>-<NUM> may fix the knob inner <NUM> and the insert <NUM> to the knob <NUM>.

<FIG> is a view showing a supporter <NUM> of the knob assembly <NUM> in one embodiment, when viewed from a front, and <FIG> is a view showing the supporter <NUM> of the knob assembly <NUM> in one embodiment, when viewed from a rear.

The supporter <NUM> may fix and protect the light source part <NUM>. The supporter <NUM> may be made of a material capable of transmitting and/or diffusing light. For example, the supporter <NUM> may be made of an opaque plastic material.

Referring to <FIG>, the supporter <NUM> may have a plurality of convex parts <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, on the front surface thereof. The plurality of convex parts <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> may be formed at a position corresponding to the position of the light source <NUM> of the light source part <NUM>. That is, when the light source part <NUM> is fixed to the rear surface of the supporter <NUM>, the convex part may be formed on a front surface of the position at which the light source <NUM> of the light source part <NUM> is disposed. The convex parts <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> may perform a function similar to a function of a lens.

Additionally, the supporter <NUM> may be provided with at least one of coupling holes <NUM>, <NUM> for a coupling with the knob ring <NUM>. The coupling hole <NUM>, <NUM> may be fitted-coupled to the coupling hook (<NUM> in <FIG>) of the knob ring <NUM>.

Referring to <FIG>, a light source fixing part <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> may be disposed on the rear surface of the supporter <NUM>. The light source part <NUM> may be fitted-coupled to the light source fixing part <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> and fixed to the supporter <NUM>.

<FIG> is an exploded perspective view showing a knob assembly <NUM>-<NUM> in another embodiment. The knob assembly <NUM>-<NUM> may include a knob body <NUM>-<NUM>, a light diffusing part <NUM>-<NUM>, a knob ring <NUM>-<NUM>, a supporter <NUM>-<NUM>, a light source part <NUM>-<NUM>, and an adjusting part <NUM>-<NUM>. The adjusting part <NUM>-<NUM> may be a rotary switch. In <FIG>, reference numeral <NUM> indicates a control panel.

Each of the knob body <NUM>-<NUM>, the light diffusing part <NUM>-<NUM>, the knob ring <NUM>-<NUM>, the supporter <NUM>-<NUM> and the light source part <NUM>-<NUM> may be the same as the knob body <NUM>, the light diffusing part <NUM>, the knob ring <NUM>, the supporter <NUM> and the light source part <NUM> that are described with reference to <FIG>. The adjusting part <NUM>-<NUM> may perform the same function as the adjusting part <NUM>.

That is, the knob assembly <NUM>-<NUM> in <FIG> is the same as the knob assembly <NUM> described with reference to <FIG> and the like except that the adjusting <NUM> part <NUM>-<NUM> is a rotary switch. When the cooktop inductively heats a vessel or when the cooktop adopts an electric heater and the like using electricity to generate heat, a rotary switch may be applied instead of the adjusting part comprised of the ignition switch and the valve.

Claim 1:
A knob assembly (<NUM>), comprising:
a knob body (<NUM>) that is disposed at a front surface of a control panel (<NUM>) and that is configured to rotate with respect to a rotation shaft extended in a front-rear direction of the knob assembly (<NUM>),
a knob ring (<NUM>) that is disposed at a rear side of the knob body (<NUM>) and that has an inner diameter greater than an outer diameter of the knob body (<NUM>),
a light diffusing part (<NUM>) disposed between the knob body (<NUM>) and the knob ring (<NUM>), and
a light source part (<NUM>) comprising one or more light sources (<NUM>) configured to irradiate light,
wherein an inner diameter of the light diffusing part (<NUM>) is greater than the outer diameter of the knob body (<NUM>) and the outer diameter is less than the inner diameter of the knob ring (<NUM>),
wherein a front surface of the light diffusing part (<NUM>) is exposed between the knob body (<NUM>) and the knob ring (<NUM>),
wherein at least one of the one or more light sources (<NUM>) is configured to irradiate light to a space between the knob body (<NUM>) and the knob ring (<NUM>), and
characterised in that,
a front end of the light diffusing part (<NUM>) is disposed further rearward than a front end of the knob ring (<NUM>).