Patent ID: 12256478

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

One or more implementations of a cooking apparatus will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. The drawings illustrate examples of the present disclosure and are provided to describe the disclosure in detail. Thus, the technical scope of the present disclosure should not be construed as being limited to the implementations and drawings set forth herein.

Regardless of numbers of the drawings, like reference numerals denote like components, and description of like components is not repeated.

FIG.1is a conceptual view illustrating an example of a cooking apparatus, andFIG.2is a view illustrating an example of a heating module of the cooking apparatus inFIG.1.

Specifically,FIG.1is a schematic plane view illustrating a state in which an upper plate supporting a cooking vessel is omitted, andFIG.2is a schematic lateral cross-sectional view illustrating a heating module disposed in a lower space below the upper plate.

For convenience of description, an X-axis inFIG.1may indicate a lengthwise direction of a cooking apparatus, and a Y-axis inFIG.1may indicate a widthwise direction of the cooking apparatus.

Referring toFIGS.1and2, a cooking apparatus10may include an induction range configured to heat a cooking vessel by a magnetic field that is generated by electric current supplied to a coil.

The cooking apparatus10may include a heating module200disposed under an upper plate100, and rails310,320disposed under the heating module200.

In some implementations, the upper plate100may be made of at least one of glass, marble, ceramics, and wood. A cooking vessel150may be disposed on the upper plate100. That is, the cooking vessel150may be supported by the upper plate100.

In some examples, the cooking vessel may be made of a material that may be heated by a magnetic field generated in the heating module200. For example, the cooking vessel150may be made of a material to which a magnet is attached (e.g., metal to which a magnet is attached).

The heating module200may be disposed in a space(S) provided under the upper plate100. The heating module200may be movably provided in the space(S). For example, the heating module200may be movably provided in the space(S) in the lengthwise direction and the widthwise direction of the cooking apparatus.

The heating module200may include a coil210. The coil210may be made of a material including copper. In some examples, the coil210may include a copper wire that is wound multiple times in a circular form. For example, the coil210may have a shape in which a copper wire is wound a plurality of times in different radial directions. In some examples, the coil210may have a shape in which a copper wire is wound a plurality of times such that a radius of the copper wire is gradually increased.

When electric current is supplied to the coil210, a magnetic field may be generated. In some examples, the electric current may be alternating current. A cooking vessel150disposed above the coil210may be heated by the magnetic field generated in the coil210.

The heating module200may further include an inverter270disposed under the coil210. The inverter270may be configured to convert electric current supplied to the heating module200into high-frequency current. That is, electric current is supplied to the inverter270from an external power supply, and the inverter270may convert electric current supplied by the external power supply into high-frequency current and may supply the high-frequency current to the coil210.

The inverter270may be provided at the heating module200. When the heating module200moves, the invert270may also move. The inverter270may be controlled by a controller (C). For example, the inverter270may be controlled by the controller (C) through wireless communication.

In some examples, as the inverter270moves together with the coil210when the heating module200moves, an electric short circuit or an electric disconnection between the inverter270and the coil210may not occur while the heating module200moves.

The heating module200may further include a magnetic field-blocking member250disposed between the coil210and the inverter270. That is, the coil210, the magnetic field-blocking member250and the inverter270may be consecutively disposed in an up-down direction. The magnetic field-blocking member250may be configured to block a magnetic field generated in the coil210from proceeding to the inverter270.

For example, the magnetic field-blocking member250may include an aluminum plate. The magnetic field-blocking member250may help to prevent the inverter270from operating incorrectly and from being damaged.

The heating module200may further include a ferrite core230disposed between the coil210and the inverter270. The ferrite core230may be disposed between the coil210and the magnetic field-blocking member250.

By the ferrite core230, a path of a magnetic field generated in the coil210may concentrate on a cooking vessel150disposed above the coil210. That is, the ferrite core230may concentrate a path of a magnetic field generated in the coil210on an upper side of the coil210, and may magnify intensity of a magnetic field affecting a cooking vessel.

Referring toFIG.1, the rails310,320may be configured to guide movement of the heating module200. The rails310,320may be disposed under the heating module200. For example, the rails310,320may be disposed under the heating module200in a space(S) provided under the above-described top plate100.

In some implementations, electric current from an external power supply may be supplied to the rails310,320. For example, the rails310,320may be made of electrically conductive metal. In some examples, the heating module200may be supplied with electric current through the rails310,320. Accordingly, while the heating module200moves in the space(S), a short circuit may not occur between the rails310,320and the heating module200.

The heating module200may be disposed on the rails310,320, and the rails310,320may include a first rail310electrically connected to the heating module200. The first rail310may be configured to have a predetermined length such that the first rail extends in the widthwise direction (i.e., the Y-axis direction) of the cooking apparatus10.

The heating module200may move on the first rail310along extension direction of the first rail310. When the heating module200moves on the first rail310, an electric connection between the first rail310and the heating module200may be maintained.

In some examples, regardless of a position of the heating module200on the first rail310, the heating module200may be supplied with electric current from an external power supply through the first rail310.

In some implementations, a pair of first rails310may be provided to supply alternating current to the heating module200. For example, the pair of first rails310may extend in the widthwise direction of the cooking apparatus10in parallel with each other.

In some implementations, the heating module200may include a contact terminal280that keeps contacting the first rail310. For example, the pair of contact terminals280may be provided to correspond to the pair of first rails310. Through the pair of first rails310and the pair of contact terminals280, alternating current may be supplied to the heating module200.

For example, the pair of first rails310and the pair of contact terminals280may contact each other at a pair of first contact areas315. Positions of the pair of first contact areas315may vary depending on movement of the heating module200on the first rail310.

One end of the contact terminal280may be connected to the inverter270, and the other end (i.e., a free end) of the contact terminal280may contact the first rail310. Accordingly, electric current from an external power supply may consecutively pass the first rail310, the contact terminal280and the inverter270and then may be supplied to the coil210.

FIG.3is a cross-sectional view illustrating an example of an electric connection between a rail and a coil provided at a heating module.

Referring toFIGS.1and3, a pair of first rails310may be spaced apart from each other and may be disposed in parallel with each other. The first rail310may have a shape in which a surface area of its upper end is smaller than a surface area of its lower end, and the contact terminal280may contact the upper end. Accordingly, a short may not occur between the first rail310and the contact terminal280.

The first rail310and the inverter270may be electrically connected by the contact terminal280.

In some examples, the free end289of the contact terminal280may contact the upper end of the first rail310. In some examples, the contact terminal280may include a bent portion281such that the free end289elastically contacts the upper end of the first rail310.

That is, the bent portion281is formed at the first rail310and the free end of the first rail310may elastically contact the upper end of the first rail310. The bent portion281may be disposed closer to the other end of the contact terminal280than to one end of the contact terminal280. In other words, the bent portion281may be disposed near the free end289of the contact terminal280.

Accordingly, the free end of the contact terminal280may be pressed downwards on the first rail310against the first rail310, and a contact force between the first rail310and the contact terminal280may be increased.

Referring back toFIGS.1and2, the rails310,320may further include a second rail320that is orthogonal to the first rail310. The second rail320may be electrically connected to the first rail310.

The first rail310may move along extension direction of the second rail320while maintaining the electric connection with the second rail320. That is, the second rail320may be configured to extend in a predetermined length in the lengthwise direction (i.e., the X-axis direction) of the cooking apparatus10.

In some examples, the first rail310may be configured to move on the second rail320along extension direction of the second rail320. In some examples, although the first rail310is moved on the second rail320, the electric connection between the first rail310and the second rail320may be maintained.

In some implementations, a pair of second rails320may be provided to correspond to the pair of first rails310. The pair of first rails310and the pair of second rails320may contact each other at a pair of second contact areas325. Positions of the pair of second contact areas325may vary depending on movements of the first rail310on the second rail320.

When electric current is supplied to any one of the first rail310and the second rail320from an external power supply, the electric current may also be supplied to the other rail. That is, as the first rail310and the second rail320are electrically connected, a degree of freedom of an electric connection through the external power supply may be increased.

In some implementations, the external power supply may be electrically connected to the second rail320, and the first rail310may receive electric current through the second rail320, as the first rail310may move on the second rail320along extension direction of the second rail320.

In some implementations, the first rail310may move relative to the second rail320, and the second rail320may be fixed to a predetermined position. For example, the second rail320may be disposed at one side in the widthwise direction of the space(S).

When an external power supply is connected to the movable first rail310directly and electrically, an electric short circuit or an electric disconnection may occur between the external power supply and the first rail310. In some examples, an external power supply is connected to the fixed second rail320, and the first rail310is supplied with electric current through the second rail320.

That is, as the external power supply may be connected to the second rail320directly and electrically, the electric current from the external power supply may pass the second rail320, the first rail310, the contact terminal280, and the inverter270consecutively, and then may be supplied to the coil210.

In some implementations, the cooking apparatus10may further include one or more drivers or driving devices. For example, the cooking apparatus10may further include one or more moving tools410,420for moving the heating module200. In some examples, the moving tools410,420may include at least one of a wheel, a motor, a gear, and a hydraulic cylinder, and the like, or any combinations thereof.

The moving tools410,420may include a first moving tool410for moving the heating module200on the first rail310, and a second moving tool420for moving the second rail320on the second rail320.

The first moving tool410may be configured to supply power for moving the heating module200on the first rail310. Additionally, the second moving tool420may be configured to supply power for moving the second rail320on the second rail320.

In some implementations, the first moving tool410may be provided at the heating module200or may be spaced apart from the heating module200. In some examples, the first moving tool410is provided at the heating module200to avoid interference when the heating module200moves.

In some examples, the second moving tool420is also disposed at a position where interference may be minimized when the heating module200moves. The second moving tool420may be disposed at one side of the second rail320.

For example, the second rail320and the second moving tool420may all be disposed at one side of the cooking apparatus10in the widthwise direction thereof. Additionally, the second moving tool420may be disposed to lean further towards at one side of the cooking apparatus10in the widthwise direction thereof than the second rail320. Accordingly, interference between the second moving tool420and the heating module200may be avoided.

The heating module200may be disposed on a first support bracket290. The first support bracket290may have a length greater than a width and may be disposed on a second support bracket390at which the first rail310is disposed. The second support bracket390may extend along extension direction of the first rail310. The second support bracket390may have a width greater than a length.

The first support bracket290may make relative movements with respect to the second support bracket390by the first moving tool410. That is, the first support bracket290may be moved along extension direction of the second support bracket390by the first moving tool410. For example, the first support bracket290may be slid on the second support bracket390by the first moving tool410.

The second support bracket390may make relative movements with respect to the second rail320by the second moving tool420. That is, the second support bracket390may be moved along extension direction of the second rail320by the second moving tool420. For example, the second rail320may be disposed at a bottom surface of the space(S) provided under the above-described top plate100, and the second support bracket390may be slid on the second rail320by the second moving tool420.

The first rail310and the second moving tool420may be disposed at the second support bracket390. Additionally, the second rail320may be disposed to cross the second support bracket390in the lengthwise direction (the X-axis direction) under the second support bracket390.

The moving tools410,420may be supplied with electric current through at least one of the first rail310and the second rail320. For example, the first moving tool410and the second moving tool420may be electrically connected with the first rail310or the second rail320and may be supplied with electric current. Accordingly, a wire for supplying electric current to the first rail310and the second rail320may be simply implemented.

In some implementations, the first moving tool410and the second moving tool420may all be supplied with electric current through the first rail310.

Specifically, a first connection wire411may be provided between the first moving tool410and the contact terminal280, and the first moving tool410may be supplied with electric current through the first connection wire411.

A second connection wire421may be provided between the second moving tool420and the first rail310, and the second moving tool420may be supplied with electric current through the second connection wire421.

For example, the second connection wire421may be disposed to connect one end of the first rail310in a lengthwise direction thereof and the second moving tool420. One end of the first rail310in the lengthwise direction thereof may be one of both ends of the first rail310in the lengthwise direction thereof, which is relatively close to the second moving tool420.

Through the arrangement of the first connection wire411and the second connection wire421, interference with the heating module200may be avoided, and, using a minimum length of the connection wire, electric current may be supplied to the first moving tool410and the second moving tool420.

An example of an electric connection between main components provided at the cooking apparatus10is described below with reference to another drawing.

FIG.4is a view illustrating an example of a connection between example components.

Referring toFIG.4, the second rail320may be electrically connected to an external power supply50. That is, the second rail320may be connected to the external power supply50directly and electrically.

The second rail320may be electrically connected to the first rail310. Accordingly, electric current from the external power supply50may be supplied to the first rail310through the second rail320.

The first rail310may be electrically connected respectively to the heating module200, the first moving tool410and the second moving tool420.

In some examples, the first rail310and the second moving tool420may be connected directly and electrically. The first rail310and the heating module200may also be connected directly and electrically.

In some implementations, the first rail310and the first moving tool410may be electrically connected through the contact terminal280provided at the heating module200.

The heating module200, the first moving tool410and the second moving tool420may be controlled by the controller (C). For example, the heating module200, the first moving tool410and the second moving tool420may communicate with the controller (C) using a wireless communication method.

In some implementations, the heating module200, the first moving tool410, and the second moving tool420may be provided respectively with a communication module to communicate with the controller (C), and the controller (C) may also include a communication module. In some cases, the controller (C) may include an electric circuit, a transmitter, a receiver, or processor.

The heating module200, the first moving tool410and the second moving tool420may be controlled by the controller (C) through wireless communication. Accordingly, interference between the heating module200and a communication wire caused by movements of the heating module200may be avoided through control by the controller using wireless communication better than through control by the controller using the communication wire.

Electric current from the external power supply50, as described above, may pass the second rail320and the first rail310consecutively and may be respectively supplied to the second moving tool420and the heating module200. Further, electric current supplied to the heating module200may be supplied to the first moving tool410through the contact terminal280provided at the heating module200.

The cooking apparatus of the present disclosure, as described above, may heat a cooking vessel through a change in a position of a single heating module even when the cooking vessel is disposed at any position on the cooking apparatus.

The cooking apparatus of the present disclosure may supply electric current stably to the heating module without interruption of supply of current or disconnection of current even when the heating module provided at the cooking apparatus is moved.

The present disclosure has been described with reference to the one or more implementations illustrated in the drawings. Further, the disclosure may be modified in various different forms by one having ordinary skill in the art to which the disclosure pertains within the technical spirit and scope of the disclosure defined in the appended claims. Thus, modifications made to the implementations of the disclosure should be included in the present disclosure.