Patent ID: 12188663

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

Reference will now be made in detail to the embodiments of the present disclosure, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

Hereinafter, exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. Regarding the reference numerals assigned to the elements in the drawings, it should be noted that the same elements may be designated by the same reference numerals, wherever possible, even though they are shown in different drawings. Also, in the description of embodiments, detailed description of well-known related structures or functions may be omitted when it is deemed that such description may cause ambiguous interpretation of the present disclosure.

Also, in the description of embodiments, terms such as first, second, A, B, (a), (b) or the like may be used herein when describing components of the present invention. Each of these terminologies is not used to define an essence, order or sequence of a corresponding component but used merely to distinguish the corresponding component from other component(s). It should be noted that if it is described in the specification that one component is “connected,” “coupled” or “joined” to another component, the former may be directly “connected,” “coupled,” and “joined” to the latter or “connected,” “coupled,” and “joined” to the latter via another component.

FIG.1is a perspective view of a cooking device according to an embodiment of the present invention, andFIG.2is a front view when a door is removed from the cooking device according to the embodiment of the present invention.

Referring toFIGS.1and2, a cooking device1according to the first embodiment of the present invention may include an oven unit20.

The cooking device1may further include a cook-top unit60. The cooking device1may further include a drawer unit40. The cooking device1may further include a control unit50.

The cooking device1may further include an outer case11. The outer case11may cover both side surfaces and rear surfaces of the oven unit20and the drawer unit40.

However, the cook-top unit60and the drawer unit40may be omitted according to a type of the cooking device1.

The cook-top unit60, the oven unit20, and the drawer unit40may be disposed at an upper portion, a center portion, and a lower portion of the cooking device1, respectively. Further, the control unit50is disposed at a rear portion of an upper surface of the cooking device1.

The cook-top unit60may include a plurality of cook-top burners61. The cook-top burners61may heat a container in which food is put or may directly heat the food using a flame generated by burning a gas, and thus may cook the food. An operational unit62which operates the plurality of cook-top burners61may be disposed at a front end of the cook-top unit60. Alternatively, the operational unit62may be disposed at an upper surface of the cook-top unit60.

As another example, the cook-top unit60may include one or more electric heaters. However, the one or more electric heaters may not be exposed to the outside of the cook-top unit60. Therefore, in the embodiment, a type of a heating source forming the cook-top unit60is not limited.

The oven unit20may include a frame21forming a cooking chamber22in which the cooking of food is performed.

For example, the frame21may be formed in a rectangular parallelepiped shape of which a front surface is open, but is not limited thereto.

The oven unit20may further include a burner assembly23for cooking the food accommodated in the cooking chamber22. The oven unit20may further include an upper burner24.

The burner assembly23and the upper burner24may simultaneously heat the food, or any one of the burner assembly23and the upper burner24may heat the food.

The upper burner24provides heat to the food from above the food in the frame21, and the burner assembly23may be disposed at the rear of the food in the frame21.

For example, the upper burner24may be installed at an upper wall of the frame21, and the burner assembly23may be installed at a rear wall of the frame21.

The oven unit20may further include a door25which opens and closes the cooking chamber22. The door25may be rotatably connected to the cooking device1. For example, the door25opens and closes the cooking chamber22in a pull-down method in which an upper end is vertically rotated about a lower end. In the embodiment, an operating method of the door25is not limited.

A door handle26gripped by a user' hand to rotate the door25may be provided at an upper end of a front surface of the door25.

The drawer unit40serves to keep the container, in which the food is put, at a predetermined temperature. A drawer41in which the container is accommodated may be provided at the drawer unit40. The drawer41may be inserted into or withdrawn from the cooking device1in a sliding method. A handle42gripped by the user may be provided at a front surface of the drawer41.

The control unit50may receive an operation signal for operating the cooking device1, specifically, an operation signal for operating at least one of the cook-top unit60, the oven unit20and the drawer unit40. Further, the control unit50may display a variety of information on the operation of the cooking device1to the outside.

FIG.3is a view when the burner assembly is removed from the cooking device shown inFIG.2, andFIG.4is an exploded perspective view of the burner assembly according to the embodiment of the present invention.

Referring toFIGS.2to4, the frame21may include two sidewalls31, a bottom wall32, an upper wall33, and a rear wall35.

In the embodiment, the term “front” is a direction toward a front surface of the cooking device1, and the term “rear” is a direction toward a rear surface of the cooking device1.

Further, in the cooking chamber22, the term “front” is a direction toward the door25of the oven unit20, and the term “rear” is a direction toward the rear wall35of the frame21.

The burner assembly23may be coupled to the rear wall35of the frame21. That is, in the embodiment, since the burner assembly23is not located under the frame21but is installed at the rear wall35of the frame21, a recessed portion32arecessed downward may be formed at the bottom wall32of the frame21, and thus a capacity of the frame21may be increased.

Although the above-described burner assembly23is installed at the rear wall35of the frame21, alternatively, the burner assembly23may also be installed at any one of both of the sidewalls31of the frame21.

The burner assembly23may include a burner device100. The burner device100may include a burner110which generates a flame by burning a gas, and a burner cover130which covers the burner110.

The burner assembly23may further include an assembly cover190which covers the burner device100.

The burner assembly23may further include a fan210and a fan motor212.

In the embodiment, the term “located in a frame” refers to the term “located in a space in which the frame is formed.”

A burner hole36through which the burner110passes may be formed in the rear wall35of the frame21. That is, the burner110may be located in the frame21and a part thereof may pass through the burner hole36to be located between the rear wall35of the frame21and the outer case11.

An exhaust hole34through which an exhaust gas is discharged may be formed in the upper wall33of the frame21. Alternatively, the exhaust hole34may not be formed in the upper wall33, but may also be formed in the rear wall35or one of both of the sidewalls31of the frame21.

The burner cover130may include a first cover140and a second cover160. For example, at least a part of the first cover140may cover the front of the burner110, and at least a part of the second cover160may cover the rear of the burner110.

The burner device100may further include an ignition unit230for igniting the mixed gas supplied to the burner110.

The burner device100may further include a stabilizer180for stabilizing the flame generated from the burner110.

For example, the ignition unit230may be installed on the burner110in the frame21. When the ignition unit230is installed on the burner110, at least a part of the ignition unit230may be located in the burner cover130.

The fan motor212may be located between the rear wall35of the frame21and the outer case11, and the fan210may be located in the frame21. Therefore, a shaft213of the fan motor212may pass through the rear wall35of the frame21and may be coupled to the fan210. The fan motor212may be fixed to the rear wall35of the frame21or the outer case11by a motor mount which is not shown.

The assembly cover190may protect the burner device100. Further, the assembly cover190may block the movement of food leftovers or the like to the burner device100during a process of cooking food.

The assembly cover190may include a front plate191, an extension part193extending from the front plate191toward the rear wall35of the frame21, and a contact part195bent from the extension part193.

An air suction hole192through which air within the cooking chamber22is suctioned is defined on the front plate191, and an air discharge hole194through which air heated by the burner device100is discharged into the cooking chamber22is defined on the extension part193. In another example, the air discharge hole194may be defined on the front plate191or defined on each of the front plate191and the extension part193.

The contact part195may contact the rear wall35of the frame21in a state where the contact part195covers the burner device100. A coupling hole196to which a coupling member (not shown) is coupled is defined on the contact part195.

A lower end of the assembly cover190may contact the bottom wall32of the frame21in a state where the assembly cover190is coupled to the rear wall35of the frame21by the coupling member. That is, the front plate191and lower ends of the extension part193and the contact part195may contact the bottom wall32of the frame21. Alternatively, the front plate191and the extension part193may contact the bottom wall32of the frame21.

Here, the assembly cover190may contact the bottom wall32of the frame21between the recessed portion32aof the bottom wall32and the rear wall35of the frame21.

The burner assembly23may further include a nozzle holder220for spraying gas into the burner110.

The nozzle holder220may be disposed between the rear wall35of the frame21and the outer case11. For example, the nozzle holder220may be fixed to the rear wall35of the frame21. In another example, if an insulator is disposed on the outside of the cavity21, the nozzle holder220may be disposed on the insulator.

The nozzle holder220may be aligned with the burner110passing through the rear wall35of the frame21to spray gas into the burner110.

FIG.5is a perspective view of a burner device according to the embodiment of the present invention,FIG.6is a perspective view illustrating a first cover of the burner device ofFIG.5, andFIG.7is a cross-sectional view taken along line A-A′ ofFIG.6.

Referring toFIGS.4to7, the burner cover130includes a combustion chamber C in which gas is burned within the second chamber. Also, the burner110is disposed in the combustion chamber C.

As shown inFIG.5, the burner cover130includes a first cover140and a second cover160.

Referring toFIG.6, the first cover140may include a first plate141. The first cover may further includes a first extension part148extending backward from the first plate141, and a first coupling part149bent from the first extension part148.

The first plate141includes a first opening142(or inlet opening) through which air within the cooking chamber22passes, which is suctioned through the air suction hole192of the assembly cover190.

The air suction hole192of the assembly cover190may have a grill shape (seeFIG.4). That is, the air suction hole192may be defined as a plurality of holes. However, the air suction hole192that is defined as the plurality of holes may have a circular shape on the whole profile.

Here, the first opening142may have a diameter equal to or greater than that of the profile of the air suction hole192so that the air passing through the air suction hole192smoothly passes through the first opening142of the first cover140.

The first plate141may further include at least one first reinforcing part144for reinforcing strength of the first plate141. The at least one first reinforcing part144is disposed under the first opening142on the first plate141. The at least one first reinforcing part144may be disposed lengthwise in a horizontal direction. Although a plurality of first reinforcing parts144are vertically spaced apart from each other inFIG.6, the current embodiment is not limited to the number and position of the first reinforcing part144shown. For example, the at least one first reinforcing part144may extend vertically lengthwise, and a plurality of first reinforcing parts144may be horizontally spaced apart from each other.

The first reinforcing part144may protrude forward from the first plate141. That is, a portion of the first plate141may be formed so that the first reinforcing part144protrudes from the first plate141toward the door25.

In the state where the assembly cover190is disposed on the rear wall35of the frame21, the first reinforcing part144may contact the assembly cover190. Alternatively, in the state where the assembly cover190is disposed on the rear wall35of the frame21, the first reinforcing part144may be spaced apart from the assembly cover190. In addition, when an external force is applied to the assembly cover190, or the first plate141is expanded by heat, the first reinforcing part144may contact the assembly cover190.

According to the current embodiment, the thermal deformation of the first plate141may be minimized by the first reinforcing part144. Also, even though the first plate141is deformed, the first reinforcing part144may contact the assembly cover190to prevent the first plate141from being additionally deformed.

In another example, a portion of the plurality of first reinforcing part144may protrude forward from the first plate141toward the door25, and another portion may protrude backward from the first plate141. Alternatively, at least one first reinforcing part144may protrude backward from the first plate141toward the rear wall35of the cavity21.

The first plate may further include a second reinforcing part153disposed on a circumferential part of the first opening142on the first plate141for reinforcing strength. For example, the first opening142may have a circular shape, and the second reinforcing part153may have a circular ring shape that surrounds the first opening142. However, the current embodiment is not limited to the shape and number of the first opening142and the shape and number of the second reinforcing part153.

The second reinforcing part153may protrude forward from the first plate141. That is, a portion of the first plate141may be formed so that the second reinforcing part153protrudes from the first plate141toward the door25.

In the state where the assembly cover190is disposed on the rear wall35of the frame21, the second reinforcing part153may contact the assembly cover190. In another example, in the state where the assembly cover190is disposed on the rear wall35of the frame21, the second reinforcing part153may be spaced apart from the assembly cover190. In addition, when an external force is applied to the assembly cover190, or the first plate141is expanded by heat, the second reinforcing part153may contact the assembly cover190.

The first opening142of the first plate141may be disposed to face the air suction hole192of the assembly cover190. Thus, since air passing through the air suction hole192of the assembly cover190flows into the first opening142of the first plate141without being interfered in flow direction, the air may be smoothly circulated within the frame21.

The first plate141may further include a first insertion part151having at least one first inflow hole143through which air is introduced into the combustion chamber C. For example, the at least one first inflow hole143may be defined under the first reinforcing part144in the first plate141.

Although a plurality of first inflow holes143are horizontally spaced apart from each other inFIG.6, the current embodiment is not limited to the number, position, and shape of the first inflow hole143.

The first insertion part151may pass through the bottom wall32of the frame21. Thus, the at least one first inflow hole143may be defined outside the frame21.

Also, air outside the frame21may be supplied into the combustion chamber C through the at least one first inflow hole143.

The first plate141may further include an air guide146for guiding the air supplied into the combustion chamber C to the flame generated at the burner110and to increase a contact time between the air and the flame.

The air guide146may protrude backward from the first plate141. That is, a portion of the first plate141may be formed so that the air guide146protrudes from the first plate141toward the rear wall35of the frame21.

The air guide146may include a curved part146aand linear parts146band146cdefined on one end or both ends of the curved part146a.Alternatively, the air guide146may include only the curved part146a.

For example, the curved part146aof the air guide146may have an arc shape. The curved part146amay have a radius greater than that of the second reinforcing part153.

Thus, a portion of the curved part146amay be disposed between the second reinforcing part153and the first reinforcing part144. A distance between a center of the first opening142and the curved part146amay shorter than a radius of an inner periphery surface of the burner110. Thus, the air introduced into the combustion chamber C may be guided to the flame of the burner110by the air guide146.

The air guide146may be integrated with the first plate141or coupled to the first plate141.

Also, the air guide146may have a curved shape in at least a section to smoothly guide the air flow.

At least one first coupling hole150that is coupled to the second cover160by a coupling member may be defined on the first coupling part149.

FIG.8is a perspective view illustrating a second cover of the burner device ofFIG.5, andFIG.9is a cross-sectional view taken along line B-B′ ofFIG.8.

Referring toFIGS.4,5,8, and9, the second cover160may include a second plate161.

The second cover160may further include a second extension part165extending forward from the second plate161, and a second coupling part166bent from the second extension part165.

The second plate161may include a second opening162(or outlet opening) through which air heated in the combustion chamber C is discharged. The second opening162may have a circular shape, but is not limited thereto. The second opening162may have a diameter less than that of the first opening142.

The second plate161may include a burner coupling hole170to which the burner110is coupled. Also, The second plate161may include at least one protrusion164for preventing the burner110from directly contacting the second plate161.

The at least one protrusion164may protrude to the burner110in the state where the burner110is disposed on the second plate161. That is, a portion of the second plate161may be formed so that the at least one protrusion164protrudes toward the burner110.

For example, the at least one protrusion164may contact the burner110. In another example, the at least one protrusion164may be adjacent to the burner110in a state where the protrusion164is spaced apart from the burner110. Also, when an external force is applied to the burner110, or the second plate161is expanded by heat, the at least one protrusion164may contact the burner110. Thus, in either event, the at least one protrusion may prevent the burner110from directly contacting the second plate161.

Also, in case of the current embodiment, the at least one protrusion164may be disposed on the second plate161to minimize thermal deformation of the second plate161.

In the state where the burner110is disposed on the second cover160, and the first cover140is coupled to the second cover160, the burner110may be spaced apart from the first plate141of the first cover140and the second plate161of the second cover160. Thus, air outside the frame21, which is introduced into the combustion chamber C may flow between the first plate141and the burner110, and between the second plate161and the burner110.

When the plurality of protrusions164are disposed on the second plate161, the plurality of protrusions164may disposed to overlap the burner110in forward and backward directions when the burner110is disposed on the second cover160.

The second plate161may further include at least one stabilizer coupling hole175to which the stabilizer180is coupled.

The second coupling part166may include at least one second coupling hole169to which the coupling member passing through the first coupling hole150of the first coupling part149is coupled.

In another example, the first and second coupling parts may not be disposed on the first and second covers, respectively. Also, the first extension part148of the first cover140and the second extension part165of the second cover160may be coupled to each other by a coupling member.

The second cover160may further include a second insertion part167passing through the bottom wall32of the frame21. At least one second inflow hole167amay be defined on the second insertion part167. Thus, the at least one second inflow hole167amay be disposed outside the frame21.

Also, air outside the frame21may be supplied into the combustion chamber C through the at least one second inflow hole167a.

In the state where the first cover140is coupled to the second cover160, at least a portion of the first insertion part151of the first cover140may be spaced apart from the second insertion part167of the second cover160.

Although a plurality of second inflow holes167aare horizontally spaced apart from each other inFIG.8, the current embodiment is not limited to the number, position, and shape of the second inflow hole167a.

According to the current embodiment, the air outside the frame21may smoothly flow into the combustion chamber C by the at least one first inflow hole143defined on the first cover140and the at least one second inflow hole167adefined on the second cover160.

The second cover160may further include at least one installation part168for installing the second cover160on the rear wall35of the frame21.

The installation part168may be disposed on the second plate161, but is not limited thereto. Thus, the second plate161may be spaced apart from the rear wall35of the frame21in the state where the second cover160is disposed on the rear wall35of the frame21due to the installation of the installation part168. Also, the fan210may be disposed in a space between the second plate161and the rear wall35of the frame21. That is, the fan210may be disposed in a separate space outside the combustion chamber C on which the burner cover130is disposed.

The second cover160may further include a burner through-part171through which a portion of the burner110passes. The burner through-part171may protrude backward from the second plate161toward the rear wall35of the cavity21, but is not limited thereto. That is, the second plate161may be deformed so that the burner through-part171protrudes backward from the second plate161.

Also, a burner through-hole172may be defined on the burner through-part171. The burner through-hole172may be aligned with the burner hole36defined on the rear wall35of the frame21.

In the state where the second cover160is installed on the rear wall35of the frame21, the burner through-part171may contact the rear wall35of the frame21.

The heated air passing through the second opening162of the burner cover130may flow into a space between the second cover160and the rear wall35of the frame21and then be discharged into the cooking chamber22through the air discharge hole194of the assembly cover190.

Here, in the state where the second cover160is disposed on the rear wall35of the frame21, the burner through-part171may contact the rear wall35of the frame21to prevent the heated air from being reintroduced into the combustion chamber C through the burner through-hole172.

The second cover160may include one or more hook coupling holes173which are fastened with a hook described later of the stabilizer180.

The one or more hook coupling holes173may be formed on the second plate161.

A plurality of hook coupling holes173may be coupled to the second plate161so that the stabilizer180is firmly coupled to the second cover160.

The second cover160may further include an erroneous assembly preventing unit174for preventing erroneous assembly of the stabilizer180. The erroneous assembly preventing unit174may be a stopper which protrudes from the second plate161. For example, the erroneous assembly preventing unit174may protrude toward the stabilizer180from the second plate161. That is, the erroneous assembly preventing unit174may protrude toward the front of the cooking chamber from the second plate161.

The erroneous assembly preventing unit174may be located around the hook coupling hole173.

FIG.10is a perspective view of a burner on which an ignition unit is installed.

Referring toFIG.10, the burner110according to the embodiment of the present invention includes a burner tube111having both ends spaced apart from each other. That is, in the current embodiment, the burner tube111may have a non-annular shape.

The burner tube111may have a “U” shape, but is not limited thereto. A supply part120for receiving gas and air may be disposed on a first end111aof the burner tube111, and a second end111bof the burner tube111may be blocked.

The supply part120may inclinedly extend from the first end111aof the burner tube111. The gas and air supplied through the supply part120changes in flow direction from the first end111atoward the second end111balong the burner tube111.

That is, in the current embodiment, the gas and air supplied through the supply part120may flow only in one direction within the burner tube111.

The burner tube111may be formed in a curved shape on the whole, or at least one of the first and second ends111aand111bmay be formed a straight-line shape, and the other section may be formed in a curved shape.

The burner tube111may include an inner periphery112and an outer periphery113.

In the current embodiment, since the burner tube111has a “U” shape, the inner periphery112or the outer periphery113may have a plurality of curvatures different from each other. That is, the curvature of the inner or outer peripheries112and113of the burner tube111may vary in a longitudinal direction of the burner tube111.

A plurality of gas outlet holes114are defined on the inner periphery112of the burner tube111. The plurality of gas outlet holes114are disposed in a plurality of rows. In the current embodiment, the “row” may represent a set of gas outlet holes that are arranged in a direction corresponding to the extension direction of the burner tube111.

Although the gas outlet holes114arranged in two rows are defined on the inner periphery112of the burner tube111inFIG.10, the current embodiment is not limited to the number of rows of the gas outlet holes. That is, the gas outlet holes arranged in a single row may be defined on the inner periphery112of the burner tube111.

The gas outlet holes114arranged in one row may be spaced apart from each other in the longitudinal direction of the burner tube111. Also, the gas outlet holes114arranged in one row may be spaced apart from the gas outlet holes114arranged in the other row.

Although not limited thereto, the gas outlet holes114adjacent to each other may be disposed in a zigzag form so that flames generated in the gas outlet holes114and115that are adjacent to each other and arranged in two rows do not interfere with each other.

That is, the gas outlet holes114arranged in the other row may be disposed in a region corresponding to that between the gas outlet holes114adjacent to each other and arranged in one row.

Also, the inner periphery112of the burner tube111may have a radius greater than a radius of the second opening162of the second cover160. When the second opening162has the non-annular shape, the inner periphery112of the burner tube111may have a radius greater than a maximum radius of the second opening162.

At least one bracket126for installing the burner tube111on the second cover160may be disposed on the burner tube111.

Although the at least one bracket126are coupled to the second cover160by using a screw, the current embodiment is not limited to the coupling method between the least one bracket126and the second cover160.

In the state where at least one bracket126is coupled to the second cover160, the burner tube111may be spaced apart from the second plate161of the second cover160.

The supply part120may include a plurality of guides121and122for aligning the supply part120with the nozzle holder220. The plurality of guides121and122may be spaced apart from each other, and air outside the frame21may be introduced into the supply part120together with the gas sprayed from the nozzle holder220through the space between the plurality of guides121and122.

The supply part120may pass through the burner through-hole172of the second cover160and the burner hole36of the rear wall35of the frame21.

According to the embodiment, since the plurality of gas outlet holes are formed at an inner periphery of the burner110, and the air passes through an area formed by the plurality of gas outlet holes, the air in the cooking chamber22may be sufficiently heated by heat of the flame of the burner110.

Also, since the flame is generated at the inner periphery of the burner110, a distance between the flames is reduced, as it becomes distant from the gas outlet holes, and thus a phenomenon in which the flame is extinguished due to the flow of the air may be prevented.

A relative position of the ignition unit230with respect to the burner110may be fixed by a fixing device240.

FIG.11is a perspective view of a stabilizer according to one embodiment of the present invention,FIG.12is a cross-sectional view taken along line C-C ofFIG.11,FIG.13is a perspective view illustrating a state in which the stabilizer and the burner are installed at a second cover according to one embodiment of the present invention, andFIG.14is a cross-sectional view illustrating a state in which a burner device is installed at a frame according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

ReferringFIGS.8,11to14, the stabilizer180may be fastened to the second cover160. That is, the stabilizer180may be fastened to the second cover160in the combustion chamber C.

For example, the stabilizer180may be formed of a stainless material, but is not limited thereto.

The stabilizer180may include a body181. For example, the body181may be formed in a circular ring shape, but is not limited thereto.

The body181may include a forming unit183which is formed in a direction away from the fan210, so as to increase a gap between the body181and the fan210. Based on a state in which the stabilizer180is installed, the forming unit183may be described to be formed in a direction towards the first cover140.

An opening184through which an air passes is formed in the forming unit183.

A diameter D1of the opening184may be formed smaller than an outer diameter D2of the fan210. The diameter D1of the opening184is smaller than a diameter of the second opening162of the second cover160. Therefore, while being spaced apart from the fan210, the forming unit183covers a portion of a front surface of the fan210.

A barrier185which is configured to reduce an influence of an air flowing through the combustion chamber C on a flame of the burner110, is provided in an outer end of the body181. The barrier185may be extended vertically toward the first cover140from the body181.

For example, while in a state in which the stabilizer180and the burner110are installed on the second cover160, the barrier185is extended from the body181to a position adjacent to a gas outlet hole114of the burner110.

A radius of the barrier185is smaller than a radius of the inner periphery112of the burner tube111. Accordingly, the barrier185is spaced apart from the inner periphery112of the burner tube111.

The forming unit183is located within an area formed by the barrier185. Therefore, an air introduced into the combustion chamber C passes through the opening184of the forming unit183within the area formed by the barrier.

Accordingly, a flame generated in the gas outlet hole114may crash into the barrier185. While the air in the combustion chamber C passes through the opening184, since a flame generated in the gas outlet hole114should climb aboard the barrier185, the flame may be prevented from passing through the opening184of the stabilizer180and being in contact with the fan210.

In the case of absence of the barrier185, by the air which is passing through the combustion chamber C, since a flame generated in the gas outlet hole114contacts the fan210, the fan210is heated, and by heat of the flame, the rear wall35of the frame21is heated, and thus the fan210and the rear wall35of the frame21may be seared.

In a case that the fan210and the rear wall35of the frame21are seared, the fan210or the rear wall35is deformed so that an air does not flow smoothly or a rotation center of the fan210and a center of the opening184of the stabilizer180may not be aligned so that the air passes partially rather than uniformly through the opening184, and thus a flow bias may be generated.

However, according to an embodiment, since the flame generated in the gas outlet hole114is directed toward the forming unit183after hitting against the barrier, the fan210and the rear wall35of the frame21may be prevented from being seared by flame.

In addition, since the flame generated in the gas outlet hole115primarily hits against the barrier185, the flame is stabilized, and there is an advantage of improving the heating performance of the air.

Also, even if a flame generated in the burner110is affected by the flow of air, since an end of the flame is located in the forming unit183side of the stabilizer180, the air passing through the opening184of the stabilizer180may be effectively heated.

In addition, since the flame generated in the gas outlet hole114heats the barrier185, the barrier185is heated redly so that the user may recognize easily that the burner assembly23is operating.

Also, since an air flow distance between the fan210and the forming unit183is increased by the forming unit183, the amount of the air which is discharged into the cooking chamber22after passing through the combustion chamber C is increased, and thus a circulation of heated air within the cooking chamber22becomes smooth, thereby heating the food in the cooking chamber22quickly.

In addition, since an air flow space between the fan210and the forming unit183and a space between the forming unit183and a rear side wall of the frame21are increased by the forming unit183, a flow rate of air passing through the combustion chamber C is increased, and thus a flow rate of the air which is introduced into the combustion chamber C from the outside of the frame21is increased. Therefore, the incomplete combustion of gas is decreased in the burner110and thus the amount of carbon monoxide in the cooking chamber22is minimized.

The stabilizer180may further include a fastening unit186to be fastened by the second cover160and a fastening member. The fastening unit186may protrude toward the second cover160from the body181. A cover fastening hole187for the fastening member to pass therethrough, may be formed in the fastening unit186.

The fastening unit186may contact the second plate161of the second cover160, and the body181may be spaced apart from the second plate161while the fastening unit186is in contact with the second plate161.

The stabilizer180may further include one or more hooks189for fastening with the second cover160. The one or more hooks189may protrude toward the second cover160from the body181.

For firmly fastening the stabilizer180to the second cover160, a plurality of hooks189may be provided on the body181. In a case that the plurality of hooks189are provided on the body181, in order to prevent erroneous assembly, a gap between the plurality of hooks189may be arranged non-uniformly. That is, a distance between two adjacent hooks may be different from a distance between other two adjacent hooks.

A portion of the body181is cut away to form the hook189, and the hook189may be substantially formed in a shape such as “L”. That is, the body181may include an incision unit188for forming the hook189.

In the present embodiment, when the fastening member is fastened to the fastening unit186and the second plate161while the fastening unit186is in contact with the second plate161, a remaining portion of the body181except the fastening unit186may maintain a state being spaced apart from the second plate161.

At this time, it is preferable that the stabilizer180has a single fastening unit186so as to minimize a contact surface of the stabilizer180and the second cover160.

FIGS.15and16are views illustrating a process in which the stabilizer is fastened to the second cover,FIG.17is a view illustrating a state in which a hook of the stabilizer is fastened to the second cover,FIG.18is a cross-sectional view illustrating a state in which a body of the stabilizer is spaced apart from the second cover while the stabilizer is installed at the second cover,FIG.19is a view illustrating a state in which the stabilizer is normally coupled to the second cover, andFIG.20is a view illustrating a state in which the stabilizer is prevented from being fastened while the hook of the stabilizer has not penetrated a hook coupling hole.

ReferringFIGS.15to20, in order to couple the stabilizer180to the second cover160, the hook189of the stabilizer180and the hook coupling hole173of the second cover160are aligned. Here, even if the hook189is aligned with the hook coupling hole173, the cover fastening hole187and the stabilizer fastening hole175are not aligned.

Then, the hook189of the stabilizer180is allowed to penetrate the hook coupling hole173of the second cover160.

Subsequently, the stabilizer180is rotated in one direction, a clockwise direction in the drawing. Then, the hook189is hung on the second plate161and the stabilizer180is primarily fixed to the second cover160.

While the stabilizer180is rotated in one direction, the cover fastening hole187and the stabilizer fastening hole175are aligned. And, finally the fastening member250is fastened to the cover fastening hole187and the stabilizer fastening hole175. At this time, a fastening boss which protrudes toward the rear wall35of the frame21from the stabilizer fastening hole175may be provided in the second cover160so as to increase the fastening force with the fastening member250.

As shown inFIG.19, while the hook189of the stabilizer180normally penetrates the hook coupling hole173, since the hook189is not interfered with the erroneous assembly preventing unit174of the second cover160, the stabilizer180may be normally rotated. At this time, the erroneous assembly preventing unit174may be inserted into the incision unit188of the stabilizer180. Accordingly, while the hook189of the stabilizer180normally penetrates the hook coupling hole173, an interference between the stabilizer180and the erroneous assembly preventing unit174is prevented.

On the other hand, as shown inFIG.20, when the stabilizer180is rotated while the hook189of the stabilizer180does not penetrate the hook coupling hole173, the hook189is in contact with the erroneous assembly preventing unit174and then a rotation of the stabilizer180is restricted, and accordingly, the stabilizer180may be prevented from being erroneously assembled to the second cover160.

When the stabilizer180includes a plurality of hooks189, rotation of the stabilizer180is restricted unless any one of the plurality of hooks189does not normally penetrate the hook coupling hole173, and thus the stabilizer180may be prevented from being erroneously assembled to the second cover160.

If the erroneous assembly preventing unit174is not provided in the second cover160, the stabilizer180can be rotated even if the hook189of the stabilizer180does not penetrate the hook coupling hole173. In this case, the stabilizer180and the second cover160are erroneously assembled and a gap between the stabilizer180and the second cover160is increased by the hook189, and thus a flame flows between the stabilizer180and the second cover160, and furthermore, air may not flow smoothly in the combustion chamber.

According to an embodiment, while the stabilizer180is fastened to the second cover160, a remaining portion of the body181except the fastening unit186may be spaced from the second cover160. That is, there may be a gap between the body181and the second plate161.

The stabilizer180and the second cover160may be thermally deformed (thermal expansion or thermal contraction) by a flame generated from the burner, and if the body181of the stabilizer180and the second plate161are in contact with each other, a friction noise by the thermal deformation of the body181of the stabilizer180and the second plate161is generated. This friction noise is even more serious when materials of the stabilizer180and the second cover160are different.

However, in the present embodiment, since there is a gap between the body181and the second plate161, even if the stabilizer180and the second cover160are thermally deformed, a state in which the body181and the second plate161are spaced apart is maintained or an increase of a contact area between the body181and the second plate161is minimized, and thus generation of the friction noise may be minimized.

However, a gap between the body181and the second plate161may be1mm and less, in order to prevent a flame of the burner from passing through the space between the body181and the second plate161.

FIG.21is a vertical sectional view illustrating a state in which the burner assembly is installed at the frame according to one embodiment of the present invention.

Referring toFIG.21, a penetration hole32bthrough which the insertion parts151and167of the burner cover130pass may be formed in the bottom wall32of the frame21. Therefore, as the insertion parts151and167of the burner cover130penetrate the penetration hole32b,the insertion parts151and167may be located on the outside of the frame21.

At least a portion of the first insertion part151and the second insertion part167are spaced apart from each other and may form a third inflow hole167b.

Also, the fan210is disposed in an exhaust passage P1which is the outer space of the combustion chamber C. The exhaust passage P1may be formed by an outer surface of the burner cover130, the rear wall35of the frame21and the assembly cover190.

Accordingly, in the present invention, a plurality of gas outlet holes114and115are formed in the inner periphery of the burner110, and as the fan210is disposed in the combustion chamber C and the separate exhaust passage P1, the fan210may be prevented from being heated by a flame of the burner110. In addition, as the flame and air of the burner110flow toward the fan210after contacting each other and being heated, the air may be sufficiently heated by the heat of the flame.

In addition, by a flame generated from the inner periphery of the burner110, since an air flows toward the fan210after being heated in the combustion chamber C, even if a flame is bent toward the fan210by the air flow due to the rotation of the fan210, the flame may heat the air.

Hereinafter, an operation of the burner assembly will be described.

When an operation of the burner assembly23starts, a gas is sprayed from the nozzle holder220into the supply part120of the burner110. Then, air A1(air outside the frame) around the supply part120together with the gas may be supplied into the supply part120. Here, the air A1around the supply part120may be naturally supplied into the supply part120by a pressure difference because a low pressure is formed around the gas supplied into the supply part120(natural air-supply method). Thus, when the air is supplied into the supply part120by using the natural air-supply method, air that is required for burning a gas may not be sufficiently supplied into the supply part120. In this case, the mixture gas in which the gas and air are mixed may be incompletely burned, and thus an amount of generated carbon dioxide may increase by the incomplete combustion.

However, according to the current embodiment, the insertion parts151and167of the burner cover130may pass through the bottom wall32of the frame21and be disposed outside the frame21. Also, since the plurality of inflow holes143,167a,and167bare defined outside the frame21, additional air for burning the mixture gas of the burner110may be introduced into the combustion chamber C.

The additional air A2introduced into the combustion chamber C may flow into the burner110. As described above, since the burner110is spaced apart from the first plate141of the first cover140and the second plate161of the second cover160, the air within the combustion chamber C may flow into the space between the burner110and the first plate141and the space between the burner110and the second plate161.

Thus, the air within the combustion chamber C may smoothly flow to the gas outlet holes114which are defined on the burner110.

Also, since the air guide146is disposed on the first cover140, the additional air A2may be guided to the gas outlet holes114by the air guide146. Thus, the additional gas A2may be sufficiently supplied to the gas outlet holes114.

In the state where the mixture gas is supplied into the burner110, the mixture gas may be ignited by the ignition unit230to generate flame in the burner110. Also, the fan motor212may be turned on to rotate the fan210.

When the fan210rotates, the air within the cooking chamber22may be introduced into the combustion chamber C through the air suction hole192of the assembly cover190. Here, the air introduced into the combustion chamber C may pass through the region in which the inner periphery112of the burner110is defined.

The air introduced into the combustion chamber C may be heated by the flame generated in the burner110, and then be discharged from the combustion chamber C.

The air discharged from the combustion chamber C may flow into the exhaust passage P1defined between the second cover160and the rear wall35of the frame21and then be disposed into the cooking chamber22through the air discharge hole194of the assembly cover190.

According to the current embodiment, the burner cover130may define the independent combustion chamber C, and the combustion chamber C and the exhaust passage P1may be partitioned by the burner cover130.

Thus, it may prevent the air flowing into the exhaust passage P1from being reintroduced into the combustion chamber C.

FIG.22is a perspective view of a cooking appliance according to another embodiment of the present invention, andFIG.23is a front view of the cooking appliance in which a second door is removed inFIG.22.

The current embodiment is the same as the previous embodiment except for the number of oven unit. Thus, a characterizing part according to the current embodiment will be principally described.

Referring toFIGS.22and23, a cooking appliance2according to a second embodiment may include a plurality of oven units300and400.

The plurality of oven units300and400may include a first oven unit300and a second oven unit400disposed under the first oven unit300. The plurality of oven units300and400may include doors310and410, respectively.

A burner assembly430may be disposed on at least one of the plurality of oven units300and400. Since the burner assembly430has the same structure as that of the foregoing embodiment, its detailed description will be omitted.

Although the burner assembly430is disposed on the second oven unit400inFIG.23, the burner assembly430may be disposed on the first oven unit300or each of the plurality of oven units300and400.

In the above embodiment, although a burner cover has been described to include a first cover and a second cover, unlike this, the first cover may be omitted and the assembly cover may form a combustion chamber together with the second cover.