Patent ID: 12209756

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Reference will now be made to the exemplary embodiments illustrated in the drawings, and specific language will be used here to describe the same. It will nevertheless be understood that no limitation of the scope of the invention is thereby intended. Alterations and further modifications of the inventive features illustrated here, and additional applications of the principles of the inventions as illustrated here, which would occur to a person skilled in the relevant art and having possession of this disclosure, are to be considered within the scope of the invention.

The terms “first”, “second” and the like are used herein only to distinguish one component from another component. Thus, the components should not be limited by the terms. Certainly, a first component can be a second component unless stated to the contrary.

Throughout the disclosure, each component can be provided as a single one or a plurality of ones, unless explicitly stated to the contrary.

The singular forms “a”, “an” and “the” are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless explicitly indicated otherwise. It should be further understood that the terms “comprise” or “include” and the like, set forth herein, are not interpreted as necessarily including all the stated components or steps but can be interpreted as excluding some of the stated components or steps or can be interpreted as including additional components or steps.

Throughout the disclosure, the terms “A and/or B” as used herein can denote A, B or A and B, and the terms “C to D” can denote C or greater and D or less, unless stated to the contrary.

Various terminology used herein can imply direct or indirect, full or partial, temporary or permanent, action or inaction. For example, when an element is referred to as being “on,” “connected” or “coupled” to another element, then the element can be directly on, connected or coupled to the other element or intervening elements can be present, including indirect or direct variants. In contrast, when an element is referred to as being “directly connected” or “directly coupled” to another element, there are no intervening elements present.

FIG.1is a perspective view showing a cooking appliance according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.FIG.2is a perspective view showing the cooking appliance illustrated inFIG.1. InFIG.2, a door16is omitted for clarity of description.

Referring toFIGS.1and2, an exterior of the cooking appliance may be formed by a main body10. The main body10may have an approximately rectangular cuboid shape (not limited thereto) and made of a material having a predetermined strength to protect components installed in an inner space thereof.

The main body10may include a cavity11forming a skeleton (or a frame) of the main body10, and a front panel2disposed at a front side of the cavity11and forming a front surface of the main body10. A cooking space15may be formed in the cavity11, and the main body10may include an opening disposed behind the front panel2to provide access to the cooking space15.

The cooking space15may be formed in the main body10. The cooking space15may be formed into an approximate cuboid shape (or any other suitable shape) having a front surface that is open. When an inner space of the cooking space15is heated with the cooking space15shielded, a food item in the cooking space15may be cooked. That is, in the cooking appliance, the inner space of the cooking space15may be a space for substantially cooking a food item.

The cooking appliance may be provided with a heating part configured to heat the cooking space15. For example, the heating part may include an upper heater30configured to heat an inner space of the cooking space15from above. The upper heater30may be disposed on an upper side of the cooking appliance15.

Additionally, the heating part may include a lower heater40configured to heat the inner space of the cooking space15from below. The lower heater40may be disposed on a lower side of the cooking space15. Additionally, the heat part may include a convection device50configured to heat the inner space of the cooking space15as a result of convection of hot air. The convention device50may be disposed at a rear of the cooking space15.

A door16configured to selectively open the cooking space15may be disposed at a front side of the main body10in a rotatable manner. For example, the door16may be a pull-down type door, an upper end of which rotates with respect to a lower end thereof in an up-down direction such that the cooking space15is opened.

The door16may be formed into a cuboid shape (or any other suitable shape) having a predetermined thickness. The door16may be provided with a handle17on a front surface thereof such that a user grips the handle17to rotate the door16.

A control panel20may be disposed at an upper portion of a front surface of the cooking appliance, e.g., on a front surface of an upper portion of the cavity11. The control panel20may form a portion of an exterior of the front surface of the cooking appliance. The control panel20may be provided with a knob21for adjusting operation of the cooking appliance, a display22for displaying an operation state of the cooking appliance and the like, thereon.

The cooking appliance may be further provided with a steam supplying device. The steam supplying device may be installed in the main body10and configured to supply steam into the cooking space15.

FIG.3is a perspective view showing a state in which a probe200is disposed or mounted onto a cavity11.FIG.4is a perspective view showingFIG.3at a different angle.FIG.5is a perspective view showing a socket100in one embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG.6is a view showing a probe200according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.FIG.7is a view showing a state in which a socket100is mounted onto a cavity11.FIG.8is a view showing a state in which a probe200is mounted onto the socket100inFIG.7.

The cooking appliance may be provided with a probe200. The probe200may be provided in addition to the cooking appliance, and inserted into a food item stored in the cooking space15to measure a temperature of the food item. When not inserted into a food item, the probe200may measure a temperature of the cooking space15.

Results of temperatures measured by the probe200may be used as data for controlling output of the heating part and automatic cooking of the heating part.

The probe200may detachably connect to the socket100provided to the cooking space15. In this example, the socket100may electrically connect the probe200with a control device or power.

In one example, at least a portion of the socket100may pass through the cavity11and may be disposed in the cooking space15. Accordingly, the cavity11may be provided with a through hole through which the socket100passes through to be disposed in the cooking space15.

In this example, at least a portion of a small diameter part124of the socket100may be disposed in the cooking space15, and a connecting jack210of the probe200may be inserted into the small diameter part124, such that the probe200and the socket100are electrically connected to each other.

The socket100may include an insulating part110, a first connector120, and a second connector130.

The insulating part110may connect to the socket100and may electrically insulate a first cable61from a second cable62that constitute different power lines (or cables). A second terminal part620provided to (e.g., coupled or connected to) the second cable62may be mounted onto the insulating part110. Additionally, the insulating part110may be provided with a terminal mounting groove1121onto which the second terminal part620provided to the second cable62is mounted, and the terminal mounting groove1121may include a depression.

The insulating part110may be made of a material such as a ceramic material (or any other suitable material) having high heat resistance, corrosion resistance, and electric insulation since the insulating part110is disposed in the cooking space15under high temperature settings.

The first connector120may include a hollow hole part121, and the insulating part110may be disposed in a portion of the hollow hole part121. The first connector120may be formed into a cylindrical shape (or any other suitable shape) provided with the hollow hole part121.

A first terminal part610provided to (e.g., coupled or connected to) the first cable61may electrically connect to an outside of the first connector120. Additionally, the first connector120may be provided with a coupling projection122for coupling with the insulating part110, at one end thereof.

The first connector120may be made of a metallic material such as copper, aluminum, an alloy including copper or aluminum, or the like having high electric conductivity.

The second connector130may be disposed in the hollow hole part121and electrically connected to the second terminal part620. The second connector130may be made of a metallic material such as copper, aluminum, an alloy including copper or aluminum, or the like having high electric conductivity.

The first terminal part610may be coupled to the first cable61and the first connector120to electrically connect the first cable61and the first connector120together, and may include a first terminal611and a second terminal612. In one example, the first terminal611and the second terminal612may be formed integrally.

The first terminal611may be coupled to the first cable61. The second terminal612may be integrated with the first terminal611, and may be coupled to an outer surface of the first connector120.

Since the first connector120is formed into a cylindrical shape, the second terminal612may be formed into a ring corresponding to an outer circumference of the first connector120such that the second terminal612is coupled to the first connector120.

Thus, the first cable61and the second cable62may be electrically insulated from each other by the insulating part110when the first cable61and the second cable62are electrically connected to the socket100. In this example, when the probe200is mounted onto the socket100, the probe200may be electrically connected to the first cable61and the second cable62.

With the foregoing structure, the first terminal part610and the first connector120may be electrically connected to each other, and the second terminal part620and the second connector130may be electrically connected to each other. However, the first connector120and the second connector130may be electrically separate (or disconnected) from each other.

Each of the first connector120and the second connector130may be electrically connected to the probe200. Accordingly, information (or data) on temperatures sensed by a temperature measuring part230of the probe200may be transmitted to the control device through the first cable61and the second cable62.

Referring toFIGS.7and8, the connecting jack210of the probe200may be inserted into the small diameter part124of the socket100exposed to the cooking space15such that the probe200is electrically connected to the socket100.

Referring toFIG.6, the probe200may include a connecting jack210, a third cable220, and a temperature measuring part230.

The connecting jack210may be inserted into, and attached to and detached from the first connector120. When the connecting jack210is disposed in the first connector120of the socket100, the probe200may be electrically connected to the first cable61and the second cable62through the socket100.

The third cable220may be provided with two different power lines, and one end of the third cable220may be electrically connected to the connecting jack210while the other end may be electrically connected to the temperature measuring part230.

The temperature measuring part230may be electrically connected to the other end of the third cable220and may measure a temperature of the cooking space15or a food item stored in the cooking space15.

The probe200may be configured to operate under high temperature settings such as the cooking space15, e.g., in a thermal couple manner.

In one embodiment of the present disclosure, the socket100may pass through the cavity11of the cooking space15and be disposed at the cavity11, and the probe200may be attached to and detached from the socket100such that the probe200measures a temperature of the cooking space15or a food item stored in the cooking space15.

FIG.9is a view showing a state in which a first cable61connects to a first connector120of the socket100in one embodiment of the present disclosure.FIG.10is a view showing a state in which the first connector120and a second cable62separate from each other inFIG.9.FIG.11is a view showing a state in which a second cable62connects to a second connector130of the socket100in one embodiment of the present disclosure.FIG.12is an exploded view ofFIG.11.

Referring toFIG.12, the insulating part110may include an inserting part111and a terminal mounting part112.

The inserting part111may be formed into a cylindrical shape having a hollow hole111aand may be inserted into the hollow hole part121of the first connector120, and at least a portion of the second connector130may be disposed in the inserting part111.

Referring toFIG.11, a portion of the second connector130may be disposed in the hollow hole111aof the inserting part111in a state in which the second connector130and the insulating part110are coupled together by a coupling tool140. When the connecting jack210is inserted into the first connector120in this state, the connecting jack210and the second connector130may contact each other and may be electrically connected to each other.

The terminal mounting part112may have a circular outer circumferential surface and may be configured to close one side of the inserting part111, and the second terminal part620may be mounted onto the terminal mounting part112. The terminal mounting part112may include a terminal mounting groove1121and a stopper1122.

The terminal mounting groove1121may be depressed such that the second terminal part620is mounted onto the terminal mounting groove1121. The terminal mounting groove1121may be formed on an outer surface of the terminal mounting part112and have a shape corresponding to a shape of a fourth terminal622of the second terminal part620.

A pair of stoppers1122may protrude from both sides of the terminal mounting groove1121and may be configured to suppress a rotation of the second terminal part620. The stoppers1122may protrude in a direction opposite to the direction in which the terminal mounting groove1121is depressed.

Referring toFIG.12, the second terminal part620may include a third terminal621and a fourth terminal622. In this, example, the third terminal621and the fourth terminal622may be integrally formed.

The third terminal621may be coupled to the second cable62, and a lengthwise direction of the third terminal621may be approximately aligned with a lengthwise direction of the second cable62.

The fourth terminal622may be bent from the third terminal621and may have a first through hole6221. The coupling tool140may pass through the first through hole6221, and the fourth terminal622may be coupled to the insulating part110through the coupling tool140.

As illustrated inFIG.12, an area around the first through hole6221of the fourth terminal622in one embodiment of the present disclosure may be rounded, and both sides of a portion of the fourth terminal622, connected to the third terminal621, may be formed into line. In some embodiments of the present disclosure, a shape of the fourth terminal622in may be described with reference toFIG.12.

During a coupling of the second terminal part620of the second cable62, a portion of the fourth terminal622of the second terminal part620may be deformed and separated from the terminal mounting groove1121. In this example, the fourth terminal622may not be mounted onto the terminal mounting groove1121and may be rotated.

When the socket100is disposed at the cavity11, the first connector120may be disposed from inside of the cavity11to outside of the cavity11through a through hole of the cavity11. Thereafter, the insulating part110may be mounted onto the first connector120. The insulating part110may be coupled to the first connector120through the coupling projection122of the first connector120.

Referring toFIG.5, a portion of the coupling projection122of the first connector120may be disposed near the terminal mounting groove1121of the insulating part110. In one exemplary scenario, the fourth terminal622of the second cable62may rotate and contact the coupling projection122.

When the fourth terminal622is mounted onto the insulating part110by rotating into the coupling tool140, the socket100may be assembled with the fourth terminal622being rotated, and in the state with the fourth terminal622contacting the coupling projection122.

In this example, the first cable61may become electrically connected to the first connector120, and the first cable61to which the second terminal part620is coupled may become electrically connected to each other, causing an electrical short.

In this state, the first cable61and the second cable62may become electrically connected to each other to cause an electrical short, thereby imposing a risk on a user and cause damage to the socket100and the cooking appliance although the probe200is not mounted onto the first cable61and the second cable62.

In one embodiment of the present disclosure, the stopper1122may be provided to suppress a rotation of the fourth terminal622. Thus, an electrical short between the first cable61and the second cable62, caused by a rotation of the fourth terminal622, may be suppressed during assembly of the socket100.

A height at which the stopper1122protrudes may be appropriately determined corresponding to the shape of the fourth terminal622during assembly of the socket100.

For example, during assembly of the socket100, the fourth terminal622may separate at a portion near the third terminal621rather than a rounded portion where the first through hole6221is formed. The fourth terminal622may separate by less than 1.5 mm from a surface thereof facing the terminal mounting groove1121from a surface of the terminal mounting groove1121.

Accordingly, the height at which the stopper1122protrudes may be appropriately determined within a range of greater than 1.5 mm from the surface of the terminal mounting groove1121to an end of the stopper1122.

In one embodiment of the present disclosure, the stopper1122protruding from the insulating part110may effectively suppress a rotation of the second terminal part620during assembly of the socket100.

Thus, a risk on a user and damage to the cooking appliance, caused by an electrical short between the first cable61and the second cable62, which occurs when the second terminal part620contacts the first connector120as a result of a rotation of the second terminal part, may be effectively reduced.

A pair of terminal mounting parts112may be provided, and a portion of an outer circumferential surface of the terminal mounting part112may be pushed down. The terminal mounting part112may further include a coupling groove1123to which the coupling projection122of the first connector120is coupled.

Referring toFIGS.5and12, the coupling groove1123may be formed in a way that a portion of the outer circumferential surface of the terminal mounting part112or a portion of a front surface of the terminal mounting part112is depressed. The coupling groove1123may have a bent shape. Accordingly, the coupling projection122may be bent approximately in the middle of the length thereof and mounted onto the coupling groove1123such that the first connector120and the insulating part110are coupled to each other.

As illustrated inFIGS.9and10, the first connector120may include a large diameter part123, a small diameter part124, and a step part125.

The insulating part110may be inserted into the large diameter part123, the second connector130may be disposed in the large diameter part123, and the first terminal part610may be coupled to an outer circumferential surface of the large diameter part123. Since the second connector130is disposed in the large diameter part123, the large diameter part123may have an inner diameter greater than an inner diameter of the small diameter part124. Thus, a space occupied by the second connector130may increase, and a contact between the second connector130and the first connector120may be avoided.

The small diameter part124may have an inner diameter less than the inner diameter of the large diameter part123, and an entrance of the small diameter part124may be disposed to face the inside of the cavity11such that a portion of the probe200is inserted into the entrance of the small diameter part123. The connecting jack210of the probe200may be inserted into the small diameter part124and may be electrically connected to the second connector130disposed in the large diameter part123.

The step part125may be formed to protrude from the outer circumferential surface of the large diameter part123. Referring toFIG.7, when the first connector120is mounted from the inside of the cavity11to the outside of the cavity11during assembly of the socket100, an outer diameter of the step part125may be greater than a diameter of the through hole of the cavity11to prevent the socket100from escaping from the cavity11.

The insulating part110may pass through the terminal mounting part112, and the insulating part110may further include a second through hole113formed at a position corresponding to a position of the first through hole6221to mount the fourth terminal622onto the terminal mounting part112.

Since the coupling tool140is fastened to the first through hole6221and the second through hole113, the insulating part110and the second terminal part620may be coupled to each other.

Referring toFIG.12, the second connector130may include a first cell131, a second cell132, and a third cell133. The first cell131, the second cell132, and the third cell133may be integrally formed.

The first cell131may be coupled to the insulating part110, and may further include a third through hole1311corresponding to the second through hole113. When the coupling tool140is fastened to the second through hole113, the second connector130and the insulating part110may be coupled to each other.

The second cell132may be bent and may extend from the first cell131. One end of the second cell132may be coupled to the first cell131, and the third cell133may be formed at the other end of the second cell132.

The third cell133may extend from the second cell132, have a groove shape, and contact the connecting jack210of the probe200. When the connecting jack210is inserted into the socket100, the connecting jack210may contact the third cell133, and the probe200, the second connector130, and the second cable62may electrically connect to one another.

The socket100may further include a coupling tool140. The coupling tool140may be inserted into the first through hole6221, the second through hole113, and the third through hole1311to couple the second terminal part620and the second connector130to the insulating part110and to electrically connect the second terminal part620and the second connector130.

The coupling tool140may be made of an electrically conductive material, and may include a screw bolt, a screw nail, a rivet, or the like, for example.

As illustrated inFIGS.5and11, when the coupling tool140is fastened to the socket100, the second connector130, the coupling tool140, the second terminal part620, and the second cable62may electrically connect to one another, and when the connecting jack210is inserted into the socket100, the probe200and the second cable62may electrically connect to each other.

FIG.13is a perspective view showing a socket100in another embodiment of the present disclosure.FIG.14is a front view ofFIG.13.

The terminal mounting groove1121may be provided with a rotation suppressing part1124that is formed in a way that outer lines (or perimeter) of a depression are disposed in directions that cross each other, to suppress rotation of the fourth terminal622. For example, as shown inFIG.14, the terminal mounting groove1121may have a perimeter having a shape configured to suppress rotation of the fourth terminal622. The rotation suppressing part1124may suppress rotation of the second terminal part620by suppressing rotation of the fourth terminal622.

The rotation suppressing part1124may be formed in a way that a portion of an outer line (or perimeter) of the terminal mounting groove1121is formed into straight lines and the straight lines are disposed not to meet each other/to cross each other. In this example, a portion in which the straight lines cross each other may be rounded to improve convenience and safety of processing.

The shape of the rotation suppressing part1124may not be limited to the shapes illustrated inFIGS.13and14. In another embodiment of the present disclosure, the rotation suppressing part1124may be formed in a way that a portion of the outer line of the terminal mounting groove1121has star-shaped unevenness.

A portion in which outer lines (or perimeter) are disposed in directions that cross each other may be formed at the fourth terminal622of the second terminal part620such that the fourth terminal622has a shape corresponding to the shape of the rotation suppressing part1124.

To appropriately suppress rotation of the fourth terminal622, a portion of the outer line of the fourth terminal622may have a shape corresponding to the shape of the rotation suppressing part1124.

That is, when the rotation suppressing part1124has star-shaped unevenness, a portion of the outer line of the fourth terminal622may have a shape corresponding to the shape of the rotation suppressing part1124.

The rotation suppressing part1124may serve as the stopper1122described above. The rotation suppressing part1124may appropriately suppress rotation of the second terminal part620by suppressing rotation of the fourth terminal622with respect to the insulating part110during assembly of the socket100.

Accordingly, a risk on a user and damage to the cooking appliance, caused by an electrical short between the first cable61and the second cable62, which occurs when the second terminal part620contacts the first connector120as a result of a rotation of the second terminal part620, may be effectively reduced.

The embodiments are described above with reference to a number of illustrative embodiments thereof. However, the present disclosure is not intended to limit the embodiments and drawings set forth herein, and numerous other modifications and embodiments can be devised by one skilled in the art without departing from the technical spirit of the disclosure. Further, the effects and predictable effects based on the configurations in the disclosure are to be included within the range of the disclosure though not explicitly described in the description of the embodiments.

Description of Reference Numeral2:Front panel10:Main body11:Cavity15:Cooking space16:Door17:Handle20:Control panel21:Knob22:Display30:Upper heater40:Lower heater50:Convection device61:First cable610:First terminal part611:First terminal612:Second terminal62:Second cable620:Second terminal part621:Third terminal622:Fourth terminal6221:First through hole100:Socket110:Insulating part111:Inserting part111a:Hollow hole112:Terminal mountingpart1121:Terminal mounting1122:Stoppergroove1123:Coupling groove1124:Rotation suppressingpart113:Second trough hole120:First connector121:Hollow hole part122:Coupling projection123:Large diameter part124:Small diameter part125:Step part130:Second connector131:First cell1311:Third through hole132:Second cell133:Third cell140:Coupling tool200:Probe210:Connecting jack220:Third cable230:Temperaturemeasuring part