Patent ID: 12219683

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIGS.1through14, discussed below, and the various embodiments used to describe the principles of the present disclosure in this patent document are by way of illustration only and should not be construed in any way to limit the scope of the disclosure. Those skilled in the art will understand that the principles of the present disclosure may be implemented in any suitably arranged system or device.

The embodiments set forth herein and illustrated in the configuration of the disclosure are only the most preferred embodiments and are not representative of the full the technical spirit of the disclosure, so it should be understood that they may be replaced with various equivalents and modifications at the time of the disclosure.

Throughout the drawings, like reference numerals refer to like parts or components.

The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to restrict and/or limit the disclosure. It is to be understood that the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” include plural references unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. It will be further understood that the terms “include”, “comprise” and/or “have” when used in this specification, specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements, and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof.

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

In a cooking appliance according to an embodiment of the disclosure, a microwave is used as an example of the cooking appliance. However, the disclosure is not limited thereto, and the cooking appliance according to the embodiment of the disclosure may be applied to other cooking appliances, such as combination of an oven and a microwave.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

FIG.1is a perspective view illustrating a cooking appliance according to an embodiment of the disclosure,FIG.2is a diagram illustrating internal components of the cooking appliance according to the embodiment of the disclosure,FIG.3is a cross-sectional view illustrating the cooking appliance according to the embodiment of the disclosure,FIG.4is an exploded perspective view illustrating a shelf according to the embodiment of the disclosure, andFIG.5is a view illustrating some components of the cooking appliance according to the embodiment of the disclosure.

The cooking appliance1may include a housing10forming the external appearance thereof and a cooking chamber11provided inside the housing10and in which cooking objects may be placed.

The cooking appliance1may include an inner housing12disposed inside the housing10and forming the cooking chamber11. Between the inner housing12and the housing10, a predetermined space15may be formed.

The housing10and the inner housing12may be provided to be open in a first direction A, which is a forward direction of the cooking appliance1.

A user may place a cooking object in the cooking chamber11through the opening of the inner housing12formed in the first direction A.

The cooking chamber11may be provided in a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape having a long side in a second direction B perpendicular to the first direction A in a left-right direction.

The cooking appliance1may include a machine room13formed in the housing10and disposed below the cooking chamber11. Various electrical components for driving the cooking appliance1may be disposed inside the machine room13.

The cooking appliance1may include a door20provided to open and close the openings of the housing10and the inner housing12.

The door20may include an inputter21for inputting a signal that allows a user to control the cooking appliance1. The inputter21is not limited to the example shown inFIG.1and may include a display unit displaying an image or a touch unit provided to input a signal by touching an image.

The door20may include a transparent member22provided to allow a user to observe the inside of the cooking compartment11when the door20is closed.

The cooking appliance1may include a shelf400mounted inside the cooking chamber11and provided to allow a user to place cooking object thereon. The shelf400may be separably disposed inside the cooking chamber11.

The cooking chamber11may include support portions11cformed on both sides of the cooking chamber11so that the shelf400is mounted between an upper surface11aand a lower surface11bof the cooking chamber11.

The support portion11cmay be provided in a plurality of units thereof and arranged in a third direction C perpendicular to the first direction A or the second direction B in the upper side and lower side direction so that the shelf400is mounted at various heights.

The shelf400may include a main body410and a cooking surface420on which cooking object may be placed. The cooking surface420may be provided to face the upper surface11aof the cooking chamber11when the shelf400is mounted.

The cooking appliance1may include a heating source100that supplies heat to the inside of the cooking chamber11so that the cooking object is cooked by the heat.

The heating source100may be provided to supply heat to the cooking object placed on the shelf400so that the cooking object is cooked. In addition, the cooking object may be placed on the lower surface11bof the cooking chamber11without the shelf400. Even in this case, the heating source100may supply heat to the cooking object located on the lower surface11b.

The heating source100may include a first heating source200disposed on the upper surface11aof the cooking chamber11.

The heating source100may include a second heating source300disposed on the lower surface11bof the cooking chamber11.

The first heating source200may include a plurality of heaters210,220,230, and240that generate radiant heat. The plurality of heaters210,220,230, and240may radiate heat generated by itself so as to be directly transferred to the cooking object.

The second heating source300may include a magnetron310generating high frequency waves. The high frequency waves generated by the magnetron310may be scanned into the inside of the cooking object, by which the molecular arrangement of moisture contained in the cooking material is repeatedly changed to generate frictional heat between the molecules, so that the inside of the cooking object is cooked.

The magnetron310may be disposed in the machine room13. The second heating source300may oscillate a high frequency waves from the machine room13toward the lower surface11bof the cooking chamber11and the high frequency waves may pass through the lower surface11bto be transmitted to the shelf400.

The conventional microwave-type cooking appliance is provided to cook a cooking object through a single magnetron. In this case, the high frequency waves are not transferred evenly to all parts of the cooking object depending on the moisture distribution or content of the cooking object, so that the cooking object is not efficiently cooked.

The above described limitation has been eliminated by additionally installing a heater and a heat generating portion provided on a shelf, so that heat is transferred the entire area of the cooking object in the microwave. In particular, in the case of a cooking object that needs to be heated outside the cooking object at a higher temperature, more efficient cooking is achieved through heat from the additional heater and heat transferred from the heat generating portion.

The cooking appliance1according to the embodiment of the disclosure may also include the first heating source200and the second heating source300such that the cooking object may be efficiently cooked.

Since the first heating source200is disposed on the upper surface11aof the cooking chamber11as described above, radiant heat may be efficiently transferred to an upper side of the cooking object through the plurality of heaters210,220,230, and240.

However, a lower side of the cooking object may not be easily supplied with heat through the plurality of heaters210,220,230, and240.

In this case, in order for the lower side of the cooking object to be supplied with additional heat, the user may stop the cooking appliance1in operation, withdraw the shelf400from the cooking chamber11, turn the cooking object over, insert the shelf400into the cooking chamber11again, and restart the cooking appliance1, which causes inconvenience to the user.

In order to remove such an inconvenience, the cooking appliance1according to the embodiment of the disclosure may include a heat generating portion430disposed on the shelf400such that heat is transferred even to the lower side of the cooking object during cooking.

The heat generating portion430may be disposed at a side of the main body410of the shelf3opposite to the cooking surface420. The heat generating portion430may be provided to face the lower surface11bof the cooking chamber11when the shelf400is mounted on the cooking chamber11.

The heat generating portion430may generate heat by absorbing high frequency waves generated by the magnetron310. The heat generating portion430may absorb the high frequency waves transmitted from the magnetron310facing the heat generating portion430, and generate heat by the absorbed high frequency waves.

The heat generated by the heat generating portion430may be transferred to the cooking surface420through the main body410of the shelf400.

That is, as heat generated from the heat generating portion430is conducted to the cooking surface420, the lower side of the cooking object located on the cooking surface420may be supplied with the heat.

The heat generating portion430may be formed of a ferrite material to absorb high frequency waves. However, the disclosure is not limited thereto, and the heat generating portion430may be formed of a mixture of a material capable of generating heat by high frequency waves with ceramic or the like.

Accordingly, heat may be supplied to the upper and lower sides of the cooking object without the user having to additionally turn over the cooking object, so that cooking may be efficiently performed.

In many cases, a plurality of cooking objects having different cooking temperatures are simultaneously placed in a cooking chamber in a cooking appliance and cooked. In this case, the cooking appliance may individually set the plurality of heaters to generate different temperatures of heat.

That is, the amount of heat generated by one of the plurality of heaters may be set to be different from that generated by another heater, so that different temperatures of heat may be transferred to the plurality of cooking objects.

When a plurality of heaters are disposed on the upper surface11aof the cooking chamber11and provide different temperatures of heat as in the embodiment of the disclosure, a respective location corresponding to each heater in the third direction C in the cooking chamber11may be provided with heat at a temperature of heat corresponding to heat generated by the corresponding heater.

In detail, the cooking surface420of the shelf400may be partitioned into areas formed to be supplied with different temperatures.

The cooking surface32may be provided with a plurality of areas at positions corresponding to respective heaters in the third direction C. Each area may be provided to be directly supplied with different heat generated from each heater.

Accordingly, even when a plurality of cooking objects having different cooking temperatures are placed in the cooking chamber at the same time, the respective cooking objects may be cooked according to different cooking temperatures by the plurality of heaters210,220,230, and240by disposing the respective cooking objects in the plurality of areas of the cooking surface420divided based on the cooking temperatures. That is, when each cooking object is placed in a different area, the cooking object may be cooked at a different temperature.

The cooking chamber11according to the disclosure is provided in a rectangular parallelepiped shape having the long side11L extending in the second direction B, and the shelf400corresponding to the cooking chamber11includes the cooking surface420provided in a rectangular shape having a long side420L in the second direction B and a short side420S in the first direction A.

When a plurality of areas are divided in the first direction A, which is a short side direction of the cooking surface420, the plurality of areas in the first direction A are caused to have extended lengths that are short.

Accordingly, when cooking a bulky cooking object, the cooking object is caused to be disposed over a plurality of areas having different temperatures, so that a part of the cooking object may not be cooked at an appropriate temperature.

In addition, the user may observe each cooking object from the outside of the cooking appliance1through the transparent member22, and when one of a plurality of cooking objects is disposed deeply in the first direction A, the user may have a difficulty in observing the cooking object.

In order to alleviate such a limitation, the plurality of heaters210,220,230, and240of the cooking appliance1according to the embodiment of the disclosure are each provided to have a long axis200L extending in the first direction A while being spaced apart from each other in the second direction B corresponding to the extending direction of the long side11L of the cooking chamber11.

In addition, the shelf400may have the cooking surface420divided in the second direction B corresponding to the long side11L of the cooking chamber11and may include the heat generating portion430configured to supply each divided area of the cooking surface420with a different temperature of heat.

Accordingly, the plurality of areas to be supplied with different temperatures of heat may be divided on the cooking surface420of the shelf400along the second direction B.

As described above, the plurality of heaters210,220,230, and240of the cooking appliance1are each provided to have a long axis200L extending in the first direction A while being spaced apart from each other in the second direction B corresponding to the extending direction of the long side11L of the cooking chamber11.

The first heater210may be disposed on one side in the second direction B and the second heater220may be disposed at a side opposite to the first heater210in the second direction B.

In detail, the first heater210may be disposed on one side and the second heater220may be disposed on the opposite side with respect to a center line G of the cooking surface420in the second direction B. The third heater230may be disposed on the one side adjacent to the first heater210, and the fourth heater240may be disposed on the opposite side adjacent to the second heater220.

The first heater210and the third heater230may generate heat of the same temperature. In addition, the second heater220and the fourth heater240may generate heat of the same temperature.

The first and third heaters210and230may be provided to generate heat of a temperature different from that of heat generated by the second and fourth heaters220and240. That is, the temperature generated from one side with respect to the center line G and the temperature generated from the opposite side may be provided to be different from each other.

When it is assumed that the temperature of heat generated by the first and third heaters210and230is set higher than the temperature of heat generated by the second and fourth heaters220and240, the cooking appliance1may control the plurality of heaters210,220,230and240such that the temperature of heat generated by the first and third heaters210and230is higher than the temperature of heat generated by the second and fourth heaters220and240.

Alternatively, the temperature of heat generated by each of the plurality of heaters210,220,230, and240may be set to be the same, and during drive of the cooking appliance1, the plurality of heaters210,220,230, and240may be controlled such that the first and third heaters210and230are continuously driven and the second and fourth heaters220and240repeat on/off operations. Accordingly, the total temperature of heat generated by the first and third heaters210and230may be provided higher than the total temperature of heat generated by the second and fourth heaters220and240.

The shelf400may include a first area421and a second area422formed on the cooking surface420. The first area421and the second area422may be divided based on the second direction B.

In detail, the first area421may be formed on one side with respect to the center line G, and the second area422may be formed on the opposite side.

The first area421may be disposed at a position corresponding to the first and third heaters210and230in the third direction C. The second area422may be disposed at a position corresponding to the second and fourth heaters220and240in the third direction C.

As described above, since the temperature of heat generated from the first and third heaters210and230is different from the temperature of heat generated from the second and fourth heaters240, the temperature of heat transferred to the first area421may be different from the temperature of heat transferred to the second area422.

The first area421may be supplied with heat generated by the first and third heaters210and230from the upper surface11a, and the second area422may be supplied with heat generated by the second and fourth heaters220and240from the upper surface11a.

Since the heat generated from the first and third heaters210and230is different from the heat generated from the second and fourth heaters240, the temperature of heat transferred to the first area421is different from the temperature of heat transferred to the second area422. Accordingly, cooking objects having different cooking temperatures may be respectively placed in the first area421and the second area422and cooked in the cooking chamber11simultaneously.

In addition, since different cooking objects may be laterally positioned with respect to the first direction A, which is a forward direction of the cooking appliance1, during cooking, the user may easily observe the cooking process of different cooking objects through the transparent member22in real time.

The first and second areas421and422may be supplied with heat conducted from the heat generating portion430. As described above, the heat generating portion430may be heated by the high frequency waves generated by the magnetron310disposed on the lower surface11b, and the heat may be conducted to the first and second areas421and422through the main body410.

The upper sides of the first and second areas421and422may be supplied with different temperatures of heat by the plurality of heaters210,220,230, and240as described above, while the lower sides of the first and second areas421and422may be supplied to same temperature of heat by the heat generating portion430.

As described above, cooking objects having different appropriate cooking temperatures may be cooked in the first and second areas421and422. When heat of the same temperature is supplied from the lower side of the first and second areas421and422, at least one of the two areas421and422may be supplied with heat of a temperature different from the appropriate cooking temperature, and thus cooking performance may be degraded.

That is, when heat of the same temperature is provided from the lower side of the first and second areas421and422, the user may turn over the cooking object placed in at least one of the first and second areas421and422, otherwise, the cooking object is not supplied with an appropriate temperature and thus the degree of completeness of the cooking object may be deteriorated.

To prevent such a limitation, the heat generating portion430may include a first heat generating portion431and a second heat generating portion432each generating heat of a different temperature to a corresponding one of the first and second areas421and422.

The first heating portion431may be disposed at a position corresponding to the first area421in the third direction C. The second heat generating portion432may be disposed at a position corresponding to the second area422in the third direction C.

The first heat generating portion431may generate heat to provide the first area421with a predetermined temperature of heat. The second heat generating portion432may generate heat to provide the second area422with heat of a temperature different from the temperature generated by the first heat generating portion431.

The first heat generating portion431and the second heat generating portion432may each be provided to generate heat that reaches a different temperature. Accordingly, different temperatures of heat are transmitted to the first and second areas421and422, and a cooking object placed in each of the areas421and422may be cooked at a different temperature.

The heat generating portion430may be formed of a single heat generating member. Accordingly, the first heat generating portion431may be formed in one area of the heat generating member, and the second heat generating portion432may be formed in another area of the heat generating member.

The heat generating portion430may be coupled to the lower surface of the main body410in the third direction C. Accordingly, as described above, the heat generating portion430may be disposed at the lower side of the cooking surface420.

Heat generated by the heat generating portion430may be conducted to the lower side of the cooking surface420through the main body410. Accordingly, the lower side of the cooking surface420may be supplied with heat of approximately the same temperature as the heat generated by the heat generating portion430.

As described above, the heat generating portion430may be formed of a ferrite material. The content of the ferrite material of the first heat generating portion431and the content of the ferrite material of the second heat generating portion432may be provided different from each other.

That is, the heat generating portion430is provided to contain a ferrite material as a whole, and the content of the ferrite material in the first heat generating portion431and the content of the ferrite material in the second heat generating portion432may be formed different from each other.

According to the embodiment of the disclosure, the content of the ferrite material of the first heat generating portion431may be provided to be greater than the content of the ferrite material of the second heat generating portion432.

The ferrite material may absorb high frequency waves generated by the magnetron310and generate heat. The first heat generating portion431containing more ferrite material may generate heat of a temperature higher than that of the second heat generating portion432.

Accordingly, the first heat generating portion431may generate heat of a temperature higher than that of the second heat generating portion432.

Therefore, cooking objects having different cooking temperatures may be cooked through the cooking appliance1at the same time. When a cooking object with a relatively high appropriate cooking temperature and a cooking object with a relatively low appropriate cooking temperature are placed in the first area421and the second area422, respectively, and cooked at the same time, each cooking object may be cooked at a respective appropriate cooking temperature.

The first heat generating portion431may be disposed at a position corresponding to the first heater210in the third direction C. The second heat generating portion432may be disposed at a position corresponding to the second heater220in the third direction C.

The upper side of the first area421may be supplied with heat by the first and third heaters210and230, and the lower side of the first area421may be supplied with heat by the first heat generating portion431.

The upper side of the second area422may be supplied with heat by the second and fourth heaters220and240, and the lower side of the second area422may be supplied with heat by the second heat generating portion432.

The temperature T1 of heat supplied from the first and third heaters210and230and the temperature T1 of heat generated by the first heat generating portion431may be approximately the same. Accordingly, the cooking object positioned in the first area421may be provided with approximately the same temperature T1 in the vertical direction with respect to the third direction C.

The temperature T2 of heat supplied from the second and fourth heaters220and240and the temperature T2 of heat generated by the second heat generating portion432may be approximately the same. Accordingly, the cooking object positioned in the second area422may be provided with approximately the same temperature T2 in the vertical direction with respect to the third direction C.

The temperature T1 of heat supplied from the first and third heaters210and230and the temperature T1 of heat generated from the first heat generating portion431, and the temperature T2 of heat supplied from the second and fourth heaters220and240and the temperature T2 of heat generated by the second heat generating portion432may be individually controlled by a control unit.

The appropriate cooking temperature may be different depending on the type of the cooking object, and the temperature T1 of heat supplied from the first and third heaters210and230and the temperature T1 of heat generated by the first heat generating portion431may be adjusted by the control unit so as to correspond to the appropriate cooking temperature of the cooking object positioned on the first area421.

In addition, the temperature T2 of heat supplied from the second and fourth heaters220and240and the temperature T2 of heat generated by the second heat generating portion432may be adjusted by the control unit so as to correspond to the appropriate cooking temperature of the cooking object positioned on the second area422.

As such, the heat generating portion430may include the first heat generating portion431and the second heat generating portion432capable of generating heat at different temperatures T1 and T2, and each provide one of the first area421and the second area422corresponding thereto with heat of a different temperature.

Accordingly, cooking objects having different cooking temperatures may be cooked in the first and second areas421and422simultaneously through the cooking appliance1.

In addition, as described above, the plurality of heaters210,220,230, and240may also provide heat of different temperatures to the first and second areas421and422, similar to the heat generating portion430.

In the first area421, the temperature of heat provided in the vertical direction by the first heating source200and the temperature of heat provided in the vertical direction by the heat generating portion430may be provided approximately similar, and in the second area422, the temperature of heat provided in the vertical direction by the first heating source200and the temperature of heat provided in the vertical direction by the heat generating portion430may be provided approximately similar.

The first area421may be supplied with approximately the same temperature uniform in the vertical direction. The second area422may be supplied with a temperature different from the temperature supplied to the first area421and uniform in the vertical direction.

According to the plurality of heaters210,220,230, and240providing heat of different temperatures to the respective areas421and422, and the heat generating portion430including the first heat generating portion431and the second heat generating portion432providing heat of different temperatures to the respective areas421and422, cooking objects having different cooking temperatures are placed in the first area421and the second area422, respectively, to be supplied with different temperatures of heat, and are stably cooked at the same time.

The short side420S of the cooking surface420may extend in a direction perpendicular to the long side420L and corresponding to the first direction A. In this case, when the direction in which the first area421and the second area422are divided is provided in the first direction A based on the plurality of heaters210,220,230, and240and also the first and second heat generating portions431and432, the first area421and the second area422may not have enough lengths in one direction. That is, when the first and second areas421and422are divided in the direction along the short side420S, the first and second areas421and422are caused to have lengths that are short in the first direction A.

However, according to the embodiment of the disclosure, the plurality of heaters210,220,230, and240of the cooking appliance1are disposed to be spaced apart from each other in the second direction B, and the first and second heat generating portions431and432are arranged in the second direction B, and the first area421and the second area422are divided in the second direction B. Because the long side420L of the cooking surface420extends in the second direction B, the first area421and the second area422have sufficient lengths in one direction.

That is, assuming that the length of the first area421in the second direction B is a first length421aand the length of the second area422in the second direction B is a second length422a, the first length421aand the second length422amay be provided in a length approximately large enough to have the entire cooking object within the first area421or the second area422.

Accordingly, the first area421and the second area422on which different cooking objects may be placed may have a size of421a*420S and a size of422a*420S, respectively. The first length421aor the second length422amay have a length substantially corresponding to the short side420S of the cooking surface420. Accordingly, the cross-sectional area of the first area421and the second area422may be provided in an approximately square shape, and the cooking object may be easily located within the first area421or the second area422.

The first length421aor the second length422ais not limited thereto, and the first length421aor the second length422amay be formed to have a length different from the length of the short side420S of the cooking surface420, and the cross sectional area of the first area421and the second area422may have a rectangular shape.

However, the ratio of the short side420S of the cooking surface420to the first length421aor the second length422a(421a/420S,422a/420S) may be provided to be larger than the ratio of the long side420L of the cooking surface420to a first length or a second length obtained when the first area421and the second area422are divided in the first direction A.

That is, as the first area421and the second area422are divided in the direction along the long side420L of the cooking surface420, that is, the second direction B, the area of the cooking surface420may be efficiently divided. This is because the heat generating portion430including the first heat generating portion431and the second heat generating portion432capable of generating heat of different temperatures are disposed on the lower side of the shelf400.

Hereinafter, a cooking appliance1according to another embodiment of the disclosure will be described. Components except for a heat generating portion430′ of the cooking appliance1described below are the same as those of the cooking appliance1according to the above embodiment, and thus detailed descriptions thereof will be omitted.

FIG.6is a cross-sectional view illustrating a cooking appliance1according to the embodiment of the disclosure, andFIG.7is an exploded perspective view illustrating a shelf according to the embodiment of the disclosure.

Referring toFIGS.6and7, the heat generating portion430′ may include a first heat generating portion431‘and a second heat generating portion432’ provided as separate components.

The heat generating portion430according to the above described embodiment of the disclosure is formed of a single heat generating member, and the first heat generating portion431is partitioned as one heat generating area of the heat generating member, and the second heat generating portion432is partitioned as another heat generating area, while the heat generating portion430′ according to the embodiment of the disclosure may be provided as separate heat generating members.

The first heat generating portion431′ may be disposed at a position corresponding to the first area421in the third direction C. The second heat generating portion432′ may be disposed at a position corresponding to the second area422in the third direction C.

The first heat generating portion431′ and the second heat generating portion432′ may be arranged side by side in the second direction B.

Each of the first heat generating portion431′ and the second heat generating portion432′ may be heated by high frequency waves oscillated by the magnetron310and thus generate heat.

The first heat generating portion431′ and the second heat generating portion432′ may include a ferrite material.

The content of the ferrite material of the first heat generating portion431′ and the content of the ferrite material of the second heat generating portion432′ may be formed different from each other. Accordingly, the first heat generating portion431′ and the second heat generating portion432′ may each be provided to generate heat that reaches a different temperature.

In addition, the first heat generating portion431′ and the second heat generating portion432′ may each be provided to include a different material. Accordingly, even when the same high frequency waves are generated by the magnetron310, the temperature of heat generated by the first heat generating portion431′ may be different the temperature of heat generate by the second heat generating portion432′.

That is, at least one of the first heat generating portion431′ and the second heat generating portion432′ may be formed of a material other than ferrite that generates heat by high frequency waves. The material may be a material capable of generating heat of a temperature different from that of heat generated from ferrite by absorbing the same high frequency waves as those absorbed by ferrite.

In addition, the first heat generating portion431′ and the second heat generating portion432′ may each be formed of a ferrite mixture including a different material. Accordingly, even when the same high frequency waves are absorbed by the first heat generating portion431′ and the second heat generating portion432′, the temperature of heat generated by the first heat generating portion431′ may be different from the temperature of heat generated by the second heat generating portion432′ due to the difference in materials forming the first heat generating portion431′ and the second heat generating portion432′.

Hereinafter, a cooking appliance1according to another embodiment of the disclosure will be described. Components except for a shelf500and a first heating source200of the cooking appliance1described below are the same as those of the cooking appliance1according to the above embodiment, and thus detailed descriptions thereof will be omitted.

FIG.8is a diagram illustrating internal components of the cooking appliance according to the embodiment of the disclosure, andFIG.9is a cross-sectional view illustrating the cooking appliance according to the embodiment of the disclosure.

Referring toFIGS.8and9, the first heat source200may include three heaters250,260, and270. The three heaters250,260, and270may be spaced apart from each other in the second direction B. Although the three heaters250,260, and270are described, the number of heaters is not limited thereto. For example, each of the three heaters250,260, and270may be provided in a pair, forming six heaters in total.

The first heater250may be disposed on one side with respect to a center line G of the shelf500in the second direction B. The second heater260may be disposed on the opposite side with respect to the center line G. The third heater270may be disposed adjacent to the center line G.

The first heater250, the second heater260, and the third heater270may each generate heat of a different temperature. That is, the temperature of heat generated from one side with respect to the center line G, the temperature of heat generated from the opposite side, and the temperature of heat generated from the center line G may be provided different from each other.

The shelf500may include a first area521, a second area522, and a third area523formed on a cooking surface520. The first area521, the second area522, and the third area523may be divided based on the second direction B.

In detail, the first area521may be formed on one side with respect to the center line G, the third area523may be formed on the center line G, and the second area522may be formed on the opposite side with respect to the center line G.

The first area521may be disposed at a position corresponding to the first heater250in the third direction C. The second area522may be disposed at a position corresponding to the second heater260. The third area523may be disposed at a position corresponding to the third heater270in the third direction C.

As described above, since the temperature of heat generated from the first heater250, the temperature of heat generated from the second heater260, and the temperature of heat generated from the third heater270are different from each other, the temperature of heat transferred to an upper side of the first area521, the temperature of heat transferred to an upper side of the second area522, and the temperature of heat transferred to an upper side of the third area523are different from each other.

A heat generating portion530may be disposed at a lower side of the cooking surface520in the third direction C. The heat generating portion530may generate heat by absorbing the high frequency waves oscillated from the magnetron310.

The heat generating portion530may include a first heat generating portion531, a second heat generating portion532, and a third heat generating portion533that generate heat of different temperatures by absorbing high frequency waves.

Each of the first, second and third heat generating portions531,532, and533may be provided to have a different ferrite content. Accordingly, even when the same high frequency waves are oscillated, each of the first, second and third heat generating portions531,532, and533may generate heat of a different temperature.

The first heat generating portion531may be disposed at a position corresponding to the first area521in the third direction C. The second heat generating portion532may be disposed at a position corresponding to the second area522in the third direction C. The third heat generating portion533may be disposed at a position corresponding to the third area523in the third direction C.

Accordingly, the temperature of heat transferred to the lower side of the first area521, the temperature of heat transferred to the lower side of the second area522, and the temperature of heat transferred to the lower side of the third area523may be different from each other.

The temperature of heat generated by the third heater250and the temperature of heat generated by the first heat generating portion531may be provided approximately the same. The temperature of heat generated by the second heater260and the temperature of heat generated by the second heat generating portion532may be provided approximately the same. The temperature of heat generated by the third heater270and the temperature of heat generated by the third heat generating portion533may be provided approximately the same.

Accordingly, the first area521may be supplied with approximately the same temperature along the vertical direction, the second area522may be supplied with approximately the same temperature along the vertical direction, and the third area523may be supplied with approximately the same temperature along the vertical direction.

Accordingly, in the cooking apparatus1according to the embodiment of the disclosure, three cooking objects having different cooking temperatures may be simultaneously cooked in the cooking chamber11.

Hereinafter, a cooking appliance1according to another embodiment of the disclosure will be described. Components except for a shelf600and a first heating source200of the cooking appliance1described below are the same as those of the cooking appliance1according to the above embodiment, and thus detailed descriptions thereof will be omitted.

FIG.10is a diagram illustrating internal components of the cooking appliance according to the embodiment of the disclosure, andFIG.11is a cross-sectional view illustrating the cooking appliance according to the embodiment of the disclosure;

Referring toFIGS.10and11, the first heat source200may include four heaters210,220,230, and240. The four heaters210,220,230, and240may be spaced apart from each other in the second direction B. Although the four heaters210,220,230, and240are described, the number of heaters is not limited thereto. For example, each of the four heaters210,220,230, and240may be provided in a pair, forming eight heaters in total.

Unlike the plurality of heaters210,220,230, and240according to the above-described embodiment of the disclosure, the four heaters210,220,230, and240may each generate heat of a different temperature.

The first heater210may be disposed on one side with respect to a center line G of the shelf600in the second direction B. The second heater220may be disposed on the opposite side with respect to the center line G. The third heater230may be disposed on the one side with respect to the center line G together with the first heater210. The fourth heater240may be disposed on the other side with respect to the center line G together with the second heater220.

As described above, the first heater210, the second heater220, the third heater230, and the fourth heater240may generate heat of different temperatures. That is, the plurality of heaters210,220,230, and240may generate heat of different temperatures in the third direction C in which heat is transferred.

The shelf600may include a first area621, a second area622, a third area623, and a fourth area624formed on a cooking surface620. The first area621, the second area622, the third area623, and the fourth area624may be divided based on the second direction B.

In detail, the first area621and the third area623may be formed on one side with respect to the center line G, and the second area622and the fourth area624may be formed on the opposite side with respect to the center line G.

The first area621and the third area623are separately divided on the one side with respect to the center line G, and the second area622and the fourth area624are separately divided on the opposite side with respect to the center line G.

The first area621may be disposed at a position corresponding to the first heater210in the third direction C. The second area622may be disposed at a position corresponding to the second heater220in the third direction C. The third area623may be disposed at a position corresponding to the third heater230in the third direction C. The fourth area624may be disposed at a position corresponding to the fourth heater240in the third direction C.

As described above, since the temperature of heat generated from the first heater210, the temperature of heat generated from the second heater220, the temperature of heat generated from the third heater230, and the temperature of heat generated from the fourth heater240are different from each other, the temperature of heat transferred to an upper side of the first area621, the temperature of heat transferred to an upper side of the second area622, the temperature of heat transferred to an upper side of the third area623, and the temperature of heat transferred to an upper side of the fourth area624are different from each other.

A heat generating portion630may be disposed at a lower side of the cooking surface620in the third direction C. The heat generating portion630may generate heat by absorbing the high frequency waves oscillated from the magnetron310.

The heat generating portion630may include a first heat generating portion631, a second heat generating portion632, a third heat generating portion633, and a fourth heat generating portion635that generate heat of different temperatures by absorbing high frequency waves.

Each of the first, second, third, and fourth heat generating portions631,632,633, and634may be provided to have a different content of ferrite. Accordingly, even when the same high frequency waves are oscillated, each of the first, second, third, and fourth heat generating portions631,632,633, and634may generate heat of a different temperature.

The first heat generating portion631may be disposed at a position corresponding to the first area621in the third direction C. The second heat generating portion632may be disposed at a position corresponding to the second area622in the third direction C. The third heat generating portion633may be disposed at a position corresponding to the third area623in the third direction C. The fourth heat generating portion634may be disposed at a position corresponding to the fourth area624in the third direction C.

Accordingly, the temperature of heat transferred to the lower side of the first area621, the temperature of heat transferred to the lower side of the second area622, the temperature of heat transferred to the lower side of the third area623, and the temperature of heat transferred to the lower side of the fourth area624may be different from each other.

The temperature of heat generated by the third heater210and the temperature of heat generated by the first heat generating portion631may be provided approximately the same. The temperature of heat generated by the second heater220and the temperature of heat generated by the second heat generating portion632may be provided to be approximately the same. The temperature of heat generated by the third heater230and the temperature of heat generated by the third heat generating portion633may be provided approximately the same. The temperature of heat generated by the fourth heater240and the temperature of heat generated by the fourth heat generating portion634may be provided approximately the same.

Accordingly, the first area621may be supplied with approximately the same temperature along the vertical direction, the second area622may be supplied with approximately the same temperature along the vertical direction, the third area623may be supplied with approximately the same temperature along the vertical direction, and the fourth area624may be supplied with approximately the same temperature along the vertical direction.

Accordingly, in the cooking apparatus1according to the embodiment of the disclosure, four cooking objects having different cooking temperatures may be simultaneously cooked in the cooking chamber11.

Hereinafter, a cooking appliance1according to another embodiment of the disclosure will be described. Components except for a first heating source200′ of the cooking appliance1described below are the same as those of the cooking appliance1according to the above embodiment, and thus detailed descriptions thereof will be omitted.

FIG.12is a diagram illustrating internal components of the cooking appliance according to the embodiment of the disclosure, andFIG.13is a cross-sectional view illustrating the cooking appliance according to the embodiment of the disclosure;

Unlike the first heating source200according to the above described embodiment of the disclosure, the first heating source200′ according to the embodiment of the disclosure may include a plurality of heaters210′ and220′ each having a long axis extending in a direction corresponding to the second direction B.

Since the plurality of heaters210′ and220′ extend along the second direction B, heat of the same temperature may be transferred to the first area421and the second area422. In detail, heat of the same temperature may be transferred to an upper side of the first area421and an upper side of the second area422.

A first heat generating portion431may be disposed at a lower side of the first area421, and a second heat generating portion432may be disposed at a lower side of the second area422. Accordingly, heat having a different temperature may be transferred to each of the lower side of the first area421and the lower side of the second area422.

Accordingly, even when heat of the same temperature is transferred to each upper side of the first area421and the second region422, since heat of a different temperature is transferred to each of the lower side of the first area421and the lower side of the second area422, cooking objects having different cooking temperatures may be cooked in the first area421and the second area422, respectively.

Hereinafter, a cooking appliance1′ according to another embodiment of the disclosure will be described. Components except for a heating source100′ of the cooking appliance1′ described below are the same as those of the cooking appliance1according to the above embodiment, and thus detailed descriptions thereof will be omitted.

Unlike the cooking appliance1according to the above-described one embodiment and the above-described other embodiment, the cooking appliance1′ according to the embodiment of the disclosure to be described below will be described in relation to a general microwave as an example.

FIG.14is a cross-sectional view illustrating the cooking appliance according to the embodiment of the disclosure;

The cooking appliance1′ may include a housing10′ forming the external appearance thereof and a cooking chamber11formed inside the housing10′. A heating source100′ may be disposed on a lower surface11aof the cooking chamber11.

The heating source100′ may include a magnetron110′ that generates high frequency waves. The high frequency waves generated by the magnetron110′ may be scanned into a cooking object, by which the molecular arrangement of moisture contained in the cooking material is repeatedly changed to generate frictional heat between the molecules so that the inside of the cooking object is cooked.

The magnetron110′ may be disposed in a machine room13. The magnetron110′ may oscillate high frequency waves from the machine room13toward the lower surface11bof the cooking chamber11, and the high frequency waves may pass through the lower surface11bto be transmitted to the shelf400.

The high frequency waves oscillated from the magnetron110′ may be absorbed by the heat generating portion430, or reflected by the cooking chamber11or the shelf400to be directly introduced into the cooking object located on the cooking surface420.

A first heat generating portion431may be disposed at a lower side of a first area421, and a second heat generating portion432may be disposed at a lower side of a second area422. Accordingly, heat having a different temperature may be transferred to each of the lower side of the first area421and the lower side of the second area422.

Accordingly, even when the same high frequency waves are directly introduced into the first area421and the second area422, heat of a different temperature is transferred to each of the lower side of the first area421and the lower side of the second area422, so that cooking objects having different cooking temperatures may be cooked in the first area421and the second arear422, respectively.

As is apparent from the above, the cooking appliance is provided with a plurality of heat generating portions provided on a shelf, on which a cooking object is placed, and due to the plurality of heat generating portions generating heat of different temperatures, a plurality of cooking spaces providing different temperatures are efficiently divided and arranged, so that two or more food items are easily disposed in the divided plurality of spaces, which enables two or more food items to be easily cooked at the same time through the cooking appliance

Although few embodiments of the disclosure have been shown and described, the above embodiment is illustrative purpose only, and it would be appreciated by those skilled in the art that changes and modifications may be made in these embodiments without departing from the principles and scope of the disclosure, the scope of which is defined in the claims and their equivalents.

Although the present disclosure has been described with various embodiments, various changes and modifications may be suggested to one skilled in the art. It is intended that the present disclosure encompass such changes and modifications as fall within the scope of the appended claims.