Cooking apparatus for cooking food material by using grill heater

Abstract

The disclosed cooking apparatus comprises: a main body; a cooking chamber provided in the main body; a grill heater disposed at the top of the cooking chamber and including a plurality of straight segments arranged parallel to each other and a plurality of curved segments connecting the plurality of straight segments; a camera module which is provided above the grill heater and which photographs the interior of the cooking chamber; and a first lighting module and a second lighting module disposed on both sides of the camera module above the grill heater and emitting light toward the interior of the cooking chamber, in which a portion of at least some of the plurality of straight segments and a portion of at least some of the plurality of curved segments may be circuitous segments, and a portion of at least some of the plurality of curved segments may be curved segments, and a portion of at least some of the plurality of curved segments may be curved segments. The bypass section bypasses a photographing area of the camera module and light irradiation areas of the first and second illumination modules so that the grill heater does not interfere with the photographing area and the light irradiation areas.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a cooking apparatus for heating food by using a grill heater. Background Art

[0002] The cooking apparatus cooks by sealing and heating food placed in a cooking chamber, and an example of the cooking apparatus may include an oven.

[0003] The cooking apparatus may include a body having an open front surface when forming an exterior and into which food to be cooked is inserted, and a door installed on the front surface of the body to open and close a cooking chamber. Summary of the invention

[0004] According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, a cooking device may include: a main body; a cooking chamber disposed inside the main body; a door disposed at a front portion of the main body to open and close the cooking chamber; and a grill heater disposed in an upper portion of the cooking chamber to heat the interior of the cooking chamber.

[0005] The cooking apparatus may further include a camera module disposed above the grill heater to photograph the interior of the cooking chamber.

[0006] The cooking device may further include: a first lighting module, which is arranged on a first side of the camera module above the grill heater and is configured to irradiate light toward the interior of the cooking chamber through a gap in the grill heater; and a second lighting module, which is arranged on a second side of the camera module opposite to the first side of the camera module above the grill heater and is configured to irradiate light toward the interior of the cooking chamber through a gap in the grill heater.

[0007] The grill heater may include a plurality of straight sections arranged in parallel with each other and a plurality of curved sections connecting the plurality of straight sections to each other.

[0008] Portions of at least some of the multiple straight segments and portions of at least some of the multiple curved segments may be detour segments that bypass a shooting area of ​​the camera module, a light irradiation area of ​​the first lighting module, and a light irradiation area of ​​the second lighting module, so that the grill heater does not interfere with the shooting area of ​​the camera module, the light irradiation area of ​​the first lighting module, and the light irradiation area of ​​the second lighting module.

[0009] According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, a cooking device may include: a main body; a cooking chamber disposed inside the main body; a door disposed at a front portion of the main body to open and close the cooking chamber; and a grill heater disposed in an upper portion of the cooking chamber to heat the interior of the cooking chamber.

[0010] The cooking apparatus according to an embodiment of the present disclosure may further include a camera module disposed above the grill heater and having a photographing area capable of photographing, the photographing area being widened downward to photograph the interior of the cooking chamber.

[0011] The grill heater may include: a plurality of first straight segments, each of which extends in a front-to-rear direction and is spaced apart from each other in a horizontal direction perpendicular to the front-to-rear direction; and a pair of first detour segments, each of which includes a curved segment and a 2-1 straight segment, the curved segment extending from the first straight segment in a direction inclined to the direction in which the first straight segment extends, and the 2-1 straight segment extending from the curved segment in a direction parallel to the direction in which the first straight segment extends, so as to bypass a shooting area at a height corresponding to the grill heater. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0012] Figure 1 is a perspective view of a cooking apparatus according to an embodiment.

[0013] Figure 2 It is a graphic Figure 1 A perspective view of a cooking device in a state in which a door is opened.

[0014] Figure 3 yes Figure 2 view of cooking equipment.

[0015] Figure 4 is based on Figure 1 A cross-sectional view of the cooking device of an embodiment taken along line IV-IV.

[0016] Figure 5 is a view for explaining an example of a camera module of a cooking apparatus according to an embodiment.

[0017] Figure 6 is a view for explaining an example of layout of a camera module and a lighting module in a cooking apparatus according to an embodiment.

[0018] Figure 7 is a view for explaining another example of layout of a camera module and a lighting module in a cooking apparatus according to an embodiment.

[0019] Figure 8is a view for explaining an example of a lighting module of a cooking apparatus according to an embodiment.

[0020] Fig. 9 is a view for explaining the layout of a camera module, a lighting module, and a grill heater in a cooking apparatus according to an embodiment.

[0021] Fig.10 yes Fig. 9 An enlarged view of a portion of.

[0022] Fig.11 It is used to illustrate Fig. 9 View of the shape of the grill heater.

[0023] Fig.12 is a view for explaining the layout of a camera module and a grill heater in a cooking apparatus according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0024] Fig.13 is a view for explaining an example of a lighting module of a cooking apparatus according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0025] Fig.14 2 is a view for explaining the shape of a grill heater in the cooking apparatus according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0026] Throughout this disclosure, the expression “at least one of a, b, or c” means: only a; only b; only c; both a and b; both a and c; both b and c; all of a, b, and c; or variations thereof.

[0027] Reference will now be made in detail to embodiments, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Like reference numerals or characters in the drawings represent like parts or components.

[0028] Although terms including ordinal numbers such as "first", "second", etc. may be used to describe various components, these components should not be limited to the above terms. The above terms are only used to distinguish one component from another component. For example, without departing from the teachings of the present disclosure, the first component discussed below may be referred to as the second component, and similarly, the second component may be referred to as the first component. The term "and / or" includes any and all combinations of one or more of the relevant listed items.

[0029] The terms used in this specification are only used to describe the embodiments and are not intended to limit the inventive concept. Expressions used in the singular cover expressions in the plural unless it has a significantly different meaning in the context. In this specification, it should be understood that terms such as "including" or "having" are intended to indicate the presence of features, numbers, steps, actions, components, parts, or combinations thereof disclosed in the specification, and are not intended to exclude the possibility that one or more other features, numbers, steps, actions, components, parts, or combinations thereof may exist or be added. The same reference numerals in the drawings represent the same elements that perform substantially the same functions.

[0030] Figure 1 is a perspective view of a cooking device 1 according to an embodiment, Figure 2 It is a graphic Figure 1 A perspective view of a cooking apparatus in a state in which a door 10 is opened. Figure 3 yes Figure 2 A front view of a cooking device 1 .

[0031] refer to Figures 1 to 3 The cooking apparatus 1 according to the embodiment may include a body 20 and a door 20 provided at the front of the body 20 .

[0032] The cooking chamber 30 may be provided in the body 20. The cooking chamber 30 provides a space for cooking food, and may have a box shape with an open front.

[0033] The door 10 may be provided in the body 30 to open or close the cooking chamber 30. For example, the door 10 may be installed to be pivotable relative to the lower side of the front of the body 20. However, the arrangement of the door 10 is not limited thereto and may vary. For example, the door 10 may be installed to be pivotable relative to the left or right side of the front of the body 20.

[0034] The door 10 may be provided with a window 11. When the door 10 is being closed, through the window 11, the user may check the inside of the cooking chamber 30. The door 10 may be provided with a handle 12. The user may open or close the door 10 by using the handle 12.

[0035] The body 20 may include an inner case 31 forming a cooking chamber 30 and an outer case 21 surrounding the inner case 31 and forming the exterior of the cooking device 1. A control panel 22 for a user to control the operation of the cooking device 1 may be provided on an upper portion of the front side of the body 20.

[0036] Tray 32 (see Figure 4) may be detachably disposed in the inner shell 31 so that food can be placed on the tray 32. For example, guide rails 33 may be disposed on both sides of the inner shell 31 to support the tray 32. A plurality of guide rails 33 may be disposed on both lateral surfaces of the inner shell 31, and the plurality of guide rails 33 are spaced apart from each other in the vertical direction Z, so as to arrange a plurality of trays 32 in the vertical direction Z or to arrange the trays 32 at various heights. For example, five or more guide rails 33 may be disposed on both lateral surfaces of the inner shell 31. For example, six to twelve guide rails 33 may be disposed on both lateral surfaces of the inner shell 31. For example, six guide rails 33 may be disposed on both lateral surfaces of the inner shell 31.

[0037] refer to Figure 3 , the grill heater 100 may be disposed in the upper portion of the cooking chamber 30. For example, the grill heater 100 may be fixed to the upper wall of the inner case 31. For example, the grill heater 100 may be fixed to the upper wall of the inner case 31 by a grill support 34.

[0038] The grill heater 100 may heat the inside of the cooking chamber 30 from the top. The upper portion of food placed inside the cooking chamber 30 may be heated by the grill heater 100, and the food may be completely heated by the circulation module 35 described later.

[0039] The grill heater 100 may be an electric heater including a resistor. However, the type of the grill heater 100 is not limited thereto and may vary.

[0040] The grill heater 100 may include a plurality of straight sections 110 and a plurality of curved sections 120 connecting adjacent straight sections 110 among the plurality of straight sections 110. The grill heater 100 may be a component in which the plurality of straight sections 110 are connected to each other through the curved sections 120. Since the grill heater 100 is installed as one component, cost may be reduced compared to a plurality of grill heaters 100 that are separated from each other, and a surrounding structure for installing the grill heater 100 may be simplified.

[0041] The grill heater 100 may have a diameter of 5 mm or more. For example, the grill heater 100 may have a diameter of 6 mm or more. For example, the grill heater 100 may have a diameter of 6 mm to 8 mm.

[0042] As the interior of the cooking chamber 30 is heated by the grill heater 100, the temperature of the cooking chamber 30 may be increased to a predetermined temperature. For example, the temperature of the cooking chamber 30 may be 250° C. or higher. When the cooking apparatus 1 has a cleaning mode for cleaning the interior of the cooking chamber 30, the temperature of the cooking chamber 30 may be further increased. For example, the maximum temperature of the cooking chamber 30 may be 400° C. or higher. For example, the maximum temperature of the cooking chamber 30 may be 400° C. to 600° C.

[0043] The body 20 may include an electrical room 40 disposed above the cooking room 30 to be isolated from the cooking room 30. For example, the electrical room 40 may be disposed between the inner case 31 and the outer case 21. An electrical part (not shown) controlling operations of various components may be disposed in the electrical room 40.

[0044] An insulating material (not shown) may be provided between the cooking chamber 30 and the electrical chamber 40. Therefore, heat leakage from the inside of the cooking chamber 30 to the outside of the cooking apparatus 1 may be reduced, and heat transfer from the cooking chamber 30 to the electrical chamber 40 may be reduced.

[0045] At least one circulation module 35 may be provided at the rear side of the cooking chamber 30 to circulate the air in the cooking chamber 30 so that the food is evenly heated. For example, a plurality of circulation modules 35 (e.g., two circulation modules 35) may be vertically arranged at the rear side of the cooking chamber 30. Each circulation module 35 may include a circulation fan (not shown) generating an air flow and a fan cover provided in front of the circulation fan.

[0046] Figure 4 is based on Figure 1 sectional view of the cooking device 1 of the embodiment taken along line IV-IV.

[0047] refer to Figure 3 and Figure 4 , the cooking apparatus 1 according to the embodiment may include a camera module 50 disposed above the grill heater 100 and a lighting module 60 disposed above the grill heater 100 .

[0048] The camera module 50 may be disposed at the center area of ​​the upper portion of the cooking chamber 30. For example, the camera module 50 may be disposed at the center area of ​​the upper portion of the cooking chamber 30 in the front-to-back direction. For example, the camera module 50 may be disposed at the center area adjacent to the door 10. For example, the camera module 50 may be disposed at the center line of the upper portion of the cooking chamber 30 in the front-to-back direction, and the camera module 50 may be closer to the door 10 than the rear side of the cooking chamber 30. The center area in the front-to-back direction may be a center point in the middle of the cooking chamber 30 in the front-to-back direction and a partial area including the center point. Therefore, the camera module 50 may shoot food from above the food without distortion. Shooting food from the top may improve the discrimination of food. For example, the camera module 50 may be disposed between the center point and the door 10 at the center area.

[0049] The camera module 50 may be configured to photograph the inside of the cooking chamber 30. The camera module 50 includes a camera 51 that acquires photographing data of the inside of the cooking chamber 30. The photographing data may be at least one of an image or a video.

[0050] The cooking apparatus 1 may implement a time-lapse function based on photographing data acquired by the camera 51 , which recognizes food in the cooking chamber 30 , monitors the state of the food, and photographs and reproduces images of the food in chronological order.

[0051] At least a portion of the camera module 50 is disposed in the electrical room 40 and is disposed to face the cooking room 30. For example, the camera 51 of the camera module 50 may be disposed in the electrical room 40. Since the camera 51 disposed in the electrical room 40 for photographing the interior of the cooking room 30 is included, the camera 51 (see Figure 5 ) and the cooking chamber 30 may not be provided with a heat insulating material. When the heat of the cooking chamber 30 is transferred to the camera 51, the camera 51 may be damaged or the performance of the camera 51 may be deteriorated. When the heat of the cooking chamber 30 is transferred to the electrical chamber 40, the components in the electrical chamber 40 may be damaged or an error may occur.

[0052] Figure 5 is a view for explaining a camera module 50 of a cooking apparatus 1 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, and Figure 5 yes Figure 4 FIG. 5 is an enlarged view of a cross-sectional structure of a camera module 50 .

[0053] refer to Figure 4 and Figure 5 , the camera module 50 of the cooking apparatus 1 according to the embodiment may include a camera 51 and a transparent heat blocking structure 52 disposed between the camera 51 and the cooking chamber 30 to reduce heat transfer from the cooking chamber 30 to the camera 51 .

[0054] For example, the transparent heat blocking structure 52 may include a plurality of glasses, which may include a first glass 521 disposed between the camera 51 and the cooking chamber 30, a second glass 522 disposed between the first glass 521 and the camera 51, and a third glass 523 disposed between the second glass 522 and the camera 51.

[0055] The transparent heat blocking structure 52 may be supported by a gap retaining member 524. The gap retaining member 524 may support the plurality of glass sheets and retain the gaps between the plurality of glass sheets. The gap retaining member 524 may support the first glass 521, the second glass 522, and the third glass 523, and the gap retaining member 524 may retain the gap between the first glass 521 and the second glass 522 and the gap between the second glass 522 and the third glass 523.

[0056] The first glass 521 may be disposed in the inner case 31 such that a lower surface of the first glass 521 is exposed to the cooking chamber 30. When the interior of the cooking chamber 30 is heated, the lower surface of the first glass 521 may have a temperature corresponding to the internal temperature of the cooking chamber 30. For example, when the internal temperature of the cooking chamber 30 is heated to 450°C, the lower surface of the first glass 521 may be increased to 450°C.

[0057] Even when the heat of the cooking chamber 30 is transferred to the lower surface of the first glass 521, the amount of heat transferred to the camera 51 can be reduced by means of the first glass 521, the second glass 522, the third glass 523, and the air layer between the first glass 521, the second glass 522, and the third glass 523. The transparent heat blocking structure 52 can prevent the camera 51 from being overheated due to the heat of the cooking chamber 30. For example, the temperature of the camera 51 can be maintained at 20% or less of the temperature of the cooking chamber 30 so that the camera 51 does not overheat. For example, the temperature of the camera 51 can be maintained at a predetermined temperature, such as 100°C or less. For example, when the temperature of the cooking chamber 30 is 450°C, the temperature of the camera 51 provided in the electrical chamber 40 can be 77.5°C.

[0058] The thickness of the transparent heat blocking structure 52 can be reduced by the triple glass structure, and accordingly, the camera module 50 can photograph the determined photographing area 501. For example, due to the triple glass structure, the sum of the gaps between the glasses of the transparent heat blocking structure 52 can be 10 mm or less. For example, the sum of the gaps between the first glass 521 and the second glass 522 and the gaps between the second glass 522 and the third glass 523 can be 10 mm or less. Therefore, the camera module 50 can completely photograph the area corresponding to at least the middle height of the cooking chamber 30.

[0059] The camera module 50 may photograph the interior of the cooking chamber 30 through the plurality of glasses of the transparent heat blocking structure 52. The gap maintaining member 524 may be provided to surround the periphery of the first glass 521. The area of ​​the first glass 521 not surrounded by the gap maintaining member 524 may be an exposed area exposed to the cooking chamber 30.

[0060] The photographing area 501 of the camera module 50 may be an area photographed by the camera 51 through the plurality of glass sheets. In other words, the photographing area 501 may be an area that the camera 51 can photograph through the exposed area. The photographing area 501 may be widened downward to photograph the interior of the cooking chamber 30. The photographing area 501 may have a larger photographable area or width downward. For example, the photographing area 501 of the camera module 50 may cover the plane size of the cooking chamber 30 at a mid-height.

[0061] Return to reference Figure 4 , the lighting module 60 may irradiate light toward the inside of the cooking chamber 30. The food may be visually confirmed by the light irradiated into the cooking chamber 30 by the lighting module 60. For example, the food may be identified, monitored, and time-lapse photographed based on the photographing data acquired by the camera module 50. In addition, the user may visually check the state of the food through the window 11 of the door 10.

[0062] The interior of the cooking chamber 30 may have a predetermined brightness due to the lighting module 60. For example, the average illuminance at the middle height of the cooking chamber 30 may be 300 lux or more by the lighting module 60. For example, based on the tray 32 at the third height among the six-layer trays 32, the average illuminance inside the cooking chamber 30 by the lighting module 60 may be 400 lux or more.

[0063] Figure 6 1 is a view for explaining an example of the layout of the camera module 50 and the lighting module 60 in the cooking apparatus 1 according to the embodiment. Figure 7 1 is a view for explaining another example of the layout of the camera module 50 and the lighting module 60 in the cooking apparatus 1 according to the embodiment. Figure 6 and Figure 7 In the figure, for the convenience of explanation, the grill heater 100 is omitted.

[0064] refer to Figure 4 and Figure 6 , the lighting module 60 can be provided in plurality. For example, the lighting module 60 can be provided in pairs. A pair of lighting modules 60 can be provided on both sides of the camera module 50, respectively.

[0065] The pair of lighting modules 60 may include a first lighting module and a second lighting module spaced apart from each other. The first lighting module may be disposed on a first side of the camera module 50, and the second lighting module may be disposed on a second side of the camera module 50, the second side being opposite to the first side of the camera module 50.

[0066] The pair of lighting module 60 and camera module 50 may be arranged side by side. In other words, the pair of lighting module 60 and camera module 50 may be arranged to be aligned with each other.

[0067] For example, the pair of lighting modules 60 may be disposed on both sides of the camera module 50 in the horizontal direction Y. However, the arrangement of the pair of lighting modules 60 is not limited thereto, and the pair of lighting modules 60 may be arranged in various ways as long as they are symmetrically disposed on both sides with the camera module 50 interposed therebetween. Figure 7 As shown, a pair of lighting modules 60 may be disposed on both sides of the camera module 50 in the front-to-back direction X. For example, the pair of lighting modules 60 may be disposed in a diagonal manner, with the camera module 50 interposed between the pair of lighting modules 60 .

[0068] Since a pair of lighting modules 60 are provided at both sides and the camera module 50 is interposed between the pair of lighting modules 60, light can be directly irradiated to most areas of the cooking chamber 30, and the illumination difference inside the cooking chamber 30 can be reduced. For example, the light irradiation area 601 directly irradiated with light by each lighting module 60 can be fixed to a predetermined size or more inside the cooking chamber 30. For example, the light irradiation area 601 of each lighting module 60 can cover at least half of the plane size of the cooking chamber 30 at the middle height.

[0069] Figure 8 2 is a view for explaining an example of the camera module 60 of the cooking apparatus 1 according to the embodiment.

[0070] refer to Figure 4 and Figure 8 , each lighting module 60 may have at least one light source 61. For example, each lighting module 60 may include a plurality of light sources 61. The plurality of light sources 61 may be arranged along the front-rear direction X. Each of the plurality of light sources 61 may include a light emitting element. For example, the light emitting element may be a light emitting diode. However, the configuration of the lighting module 60 is not limited thereto and may be freely selected as long as the lighting module 60 can generate enough light to visually confirm the food.

[0071] Each lighting module 60 may include a light guide plate 62 for reflecting light generated by the light source 61 toward the cooking chamber 30, and a protective glass 63 disposed between the light source 61 and the cooking chamber 30. The light guide plate 62 may be disposed to surround the light source 61. The protective glass 63 may transmit light and block heat of the cooking chamber 30. The protective glass 63 may perform a function of scattering light while transmitting light generated by the light source 61 and light reflected by the light guide plate 62.

[0072] The light irradiation area 601 of the lighting module 60 may be widened downward so as to irradiate light toward the inside of the cooking chamber 30. The irradiation angle of the light emitted by the lighting module 60 may be 80° to 90° relative to the light source 61. For example, the irradiation angle of the light emitted by the lighting module 60 may be 80° to 90° relative to the light source 61 in the horizontal direction Y.

[0073] Return to reference Figure 4 , the camera module 50 and the pair of lighting modules 60 may be disposed above the grill heater 100. In other words, the camera module 50 may be disposed above the grill heater 100, and the pair of lighting modules 60 may be disposed above the grill heater 100. In other words, the grill heater 100 may be disposed below the camera module 50 and the pair of lighting modules 60.

[0074] The camera module 50 disposed above the grill heater 100 may have a photographing area 501 capable of photographing, which becomes wider downward to photograph the inside of the cooking chamber 30. The photographing area 501 may include a first photographing area 5011 formed at a height corresponding to the grill heater 100 and a second photographing area 5012 formed at a middle height of the cooking chamber 30 and wider than the first photographing area 5011. The second photographing area 5012 may cover a plane dimension of the cooking chamber 30 at the middle height.

[0075] A pair of lighting modules 60 may be respectively disposed at both sides of the camera module 50 , and a light irradiation area 601 of each of the pair of lighting modules 60 may be widened downward to irradiate light toward the inside of the cooking chamber 30 .

[0076] Therefore, the cooking device 1 in which the camera module 50 and the lighting module 60 are arranged above the cooking chamber 30 together with the grill heater 100 can be large in size. For example, one side of the cooking device 1 can be 500 mm or more. One side of the cooking device 1 can be 600 mm to 1000 mm. For example, the size of the cooking chamber 30 can be large. For example, the capacity of the cooking chamber 30 of the cooking device 1 can be equal to or greater than a predetermined size. For example, the capacity of the cooking chamber 30 can be 80 liters or more. For example, the capacity of the cooking chamber 30 can be 100 liters or more. For example, the capacity of the cooking chamber 30 can be 80 liters to 300 liters. For example, the capacity of the cooking chamber 30 can be 100 liters to 250 liters.

[0077] Therefore, when the size of the cooking apparatus 1 or the cooking chamber 30 is large, the structure of the grill heater 100 for heating the inside of the cooking chamber 30 may be changed. For example, the shape of the grill heater 100 may be changed.

[0078] Fig. 9 1 is a view for explaining the layout of the camera module 50, the lighting module 60, and the grill heater 100 in the cooking apparatus 1 according to the embodiment. Fig.10 yes Fig. 9 An enlarged view of a portion of.

[0079] refer to Fig. 9 , the gap in the grill heater 100 according to the embodiment may be narrow in order to heat the inside of the cooking chamber 30. For example, the gap between the plurality of straight segments 110 in the grill heater 100 may be reduced. The gap between the straight segments 110 may be a gap in a direction perpendicular to the extending direction of each straight segment 110 (e.g., a horizontal direction Y).

[0080] For example, the average value of the gaps between the plurality of straight sections 110 of the grill heater 100 may be reduced. In other words, the average gap between the straight sections 110 of the grill heater 100 may be reduced.

[0081] For example, the plurality of straight segments 110 may include a first straight segment 111 and a second straight segment 112, the plurality of first straight segments 111 are spaced apart from each other by a first gap G1, and the plurality of second straight segments 112 are disposed adjacent to the camera module 50 or the lighting module 60 and are arranged at second gaps G21, G22, and G23 different from the first gap G1. The first gap G1 between the plurality of straight segments 110 in the grill heater 100 according to the embodiment may be small. The first gap G1 between the plurality of first straight segments 111 may be a gap between most (e.g., half or more) of the straight segments 110 in the grill heater 100 according to the embodiment.

[0082] For example, the first gap G1 between the first straight sections 111 of the grill heater 100 may be smaller than the length of one side of the camera module 50. In other words, the length of one side of the camera module 50 may be greater than the first gap G1 of the grill heater 100. For example, the first gap G1 of the grill heater 100 may be smaller than the length d1 of the longer side of the camera module 50. The first gap G1 of the grill heater 100 may be smaller than the length of the shorter side of the camera module 50.

[0083] For example, the first gap G1 of the grill heater 100 may be less than the length of one side of the lighting module 60. In other words, the length of one side of the lighting module 60 may be greater than the first gap G1 of the grill heater 100. For example, the first gap G1 of the grill heater 100 may be less than the length of the longer side of the lighting module 60. For example, the first gap G1 of the grill heater 100 may be less than the length d2 of the shorter side of the lighting module 60. For example, the first gap G1 of the grill heater 100 may be 50 mm or less. For example, the first gap G1 of the grill heater 100 may be 45 mm or less.

[0084] When the first gap G1 of the grill heater 100 is small (as described above), a portion of the grill heater 100 may be disposed adjacent to the camera module 50 and the lighting module 60 disposed above the grill heater 100 .

[0085] Taking this into consideration, in the cooking apparatus 1 according to the embodiment, the shape of the grill heater 100 may be designed so that the grill heater 100 does not cover the photographing area 501 of the camera module 50 or the light irradiation area 601 of the lighting module 60. In other words, the shape of the grill heater 100 may be designed so that the grill heater 100 does not interfere with the photographing area 501 of the camera module 50 or the light irradiation area 601 of the lighting module 60.

[0086] For example, the grill heater 100 may be configured such that light may be irradiated into the cooking chamber 30 through a gap of the grill heater 100 by a pair of lighting modules 60 , and the interior of the cooking chamber 30 may be photographed through the gap of the grill heater 10 by a camera module 50 .

[0087] refer to Fig.10 For example, the grill heater 100 may include a detour section 130 that bypasses the photographing area 501 of the camera module 50 and the light irradiation area 601 of the lighting module 60 so as not to interfere with the photographing area 501 of the camera module 50 and the light irradiation area 601 of the lighting module 60 .

[0088] The circuitous segment 130 may be part of the plurality of straight segments 110 and the plurality of curved segments 120. The circuitous segment 130 may be part of at least some of the plurality of straight segments 110 and at least some of the plurality of curved segments 120.

[0089] The detour section 130 may include a first detour section 131 that bypasses the photographing area 501 of the camera module 50 and a second detour section 132 that bypasses the light irradiation area 601 of the lighting module 60. The second detour section 132 may bypass the light irradiation area 601 of the first lighting module or the light irradiation area 601 of the second lighting module.

[0090] The first detour section 131 may have a shape that does not overlap with the camera module 50 in the vertical direction, and the second detour section 132 may have a shape that does not overlap with the protective glass 63 of the lighting module 60 .

[0091] For example, the first detour section 131 may extend from the rear side of the camera module 50 to the front side of the camera module 50 by bypassing the left or right side of the camera module 50. For example, the first detour section 131 may extend from the rear side of the first glass 521 to the front side of the first glass 521 by bypassing the left or right side of the camera module 50. For example, the second detour section 132 may change direction without extending from the rear side of the lighting module 60 to the front side of the lighting module 60, or the second detour section 132 may change direction without extending from the front side of the lighting module 60 to the rear side of the lighting module 60. However, the shape of the detour section 130 is exemplary and may be modified in various ways within the scope of bypassing the camera module 50 and the lighting module 60.

[0092] Since the grill heater 100 includes the detour section 130, the gap between the second straight sections 112 adjacent to the camera module 50 or the lighting module 60 in the straight section 110 may be increased or decreased. "Adjacent to the camera module 50 or the lighting module 60" means being closest to the camera module 50 or the lighting module 60 in a direction perpendicular to the extension direction of the straight section 110 (for example, in the horizontal direction Y). The gap between the second straight sections 112 of the grill heater 100 may include second gaps G21, G22, and G23 that are different from the first gap G1. For example, the second gap G21 between the second straight section 1121 located on the left side of the shooting area 501 bypassing the camera module 50 and the second straight section 1121 located on the right side of the shooting area 501 bypassing the camera module 50 may be greater than the first gap G1 of the grill heater 100. For example, the second gap G22 between the second straight segments 1122 and 1123 adjacent to the light irradiation area 601 of the lighting module 60 in the horizontal direction Y may be greater than the first gap G1 of the grill heater 100. For example, the third gap G23 between the second straight segments 1121 and 1122 disposed between the camera module 50 and the lighting module 60 may be smaller than the first gap G1 of the grill heater 100. In other words, the second gap G23 between the second straight segment 1121 adjacent to the camera module 50 and the second straight segment 1122 adjacent to the lighting module 60 may be smaller than the first gap G1 of the grill heater 100. For example, the second gap G23 between the second straight segments 1121 and 1122 disposed between the camera module 50 and the lighting module 60 may be smaller than the gap G0 between the camera module 50 and the lighting module 60.

[0093] Fig.11 It is used to illustrate Fig. 9 A view of the shape of the grill heater 100 .

[0094] refer to Fig.11 , the grill heater 100 according to the embodiment of the present disclosure includes a pair of first straight sections 1111 each extending in the front-rear direction X and a pair of first detour sections 131 respectively extending from the pair of first straight sections 111 .

[0095] The pair of first straight segments 1111 may each extend toward the first photographing area 5011 of the camera module 50. For example, the pair of first straight segments 1111 may each extend forward from the rear side of the cooking chamber 30. One end of each of the pair of first straight segments 1111 may be connected to the rear side of the cooking chamber 30, and the other end of each first straight segment may be connected to its corresponding first detour segment 131.

[0096] A first gap G1 between the pair of first straight segments 1111 in the horizontal direction Y may be smaller than a width w1 of the first photographing region 5011 in the horizontal direction Y.

[0097] The pair of first detour sections 131 may each have a shape that bypasses the first shooting area 6011, which is the shooting area 601 at a height corresponding to the grill heater 100. For example, the second gap G21 between the pair of first detour sections 131 in the horizontal direction Y may be greater than the width w1 of the first shooting area 5011 in the horizontal direction Y. For example, at least a portion of the second gap G21 between the pair of first detour sections 131 in the horizontal direction Y may vary depending on the position in the front-rear direction X. The largest gap among the second gaps G21 may be greater than the width w1 of the first shooting area 5011 in the horizontal direction Y.

[0098] Each of the pair of first detour sections 131 may include a curved section 1201 extending from the first straight section 1111 in a direction oblique to the direction in which the first straight section 1111 extends, and a 2-1 straight section 1121 extending from the curved section 1201 in a direction parallel to the direction in which the first straight section 1111 extends. The direction in which the first straight section 1111 extends may be the front-to-back direction X. The pair of first detour sections 131 may include the 2-1 straight section 1121 and the pair of curved sections 1201. The pair of 2-1 straight sections 1121 may each extend in the front-to-back direction X, and the pair of 2-1 straight sections 1121 may be spaced apart from each other in the horizontal direction Y by a gap greater than a width w1 of the first photographing area 5011 in the horizontal direction Y. The gap between the pair of 2-1 straight segments 1121 in the horizontal direction Y may be greater than the width w1 of the first photographing area 5011 in the horizontal direction Y. Each of the pair of curved segments 1201 may be connected between the 2-1 straight segment 1121 and the first straight segment 1111. The largest gap among the second gaps G21 may be the gap between the 2-1 straight segments 1121 in the horizontal direction Y.

[0099] The grill heater 100 may include a 2-2 straight segment 1122 extending in the front-rear direction X and disposed between the 2-1 straight segment 1121 and the lighting module 60. A gap G23 between the 2-1 straight segment 1121 and the 2-2 straight segment 1122 in the horizontal direction Y may be smaller than a first gap G1 between a pair of first straight segments 1111 in the horizontal direction Y.

[0100] When the grill heater 100 does not bypass the photographing area 501 of the camera module 50, the grill heater 100 may include a plurality of first straight segments 111, as shown by a single dot-dash line, which overlap the photographing area 501 in the vertical direction and are arranged at regular intervals of the first gap G1. On the other hand, the grill heater 100 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure includes a first detour segment 131, which bypasses the photographing area 501 of the camera module 50, and thus the gap G23 between the 2-1 straight segments 1121 may be smaller than the first gap G1 between the first straight segments 111.

[0101] The grill heater 100 may further include a pair of second detour sections 132, at least a portion of each of the pair of second detour sections 132 extending in a direction different from the front-rear direction X to bypass the light irradiation area 6011 at a height corresponding to the grill heater 100. The second detour section 132 may include a curved area 120 connecting a plurality of first straight sections 111 each extending along the front-rear direction X toward the light irradiation area 601.

[0102] However, the shape of the grill heater 100 is exemplary and not necessarily limited thereto, and the shape of the grill heater 100 can be modified in various ways within the scope of the detour section 130 that bypasses the camera module 50 and the lighting module 60 so as not to overlap with the camera module 50 and the lighting module 60 in the vertical direction Z.

[0103] When the grill heater 100 does not include the detour section 130 and a portion of the grill heater 100 covers the photographing area 501 of the camera module 50 or the light irradiation area 601 of the lighting module 60, the recognition rate of the food by the cooking device 1 may be reduced. For example, when a portion of the grill heater 100 covers the photographing area 501, a portion of the food may be covered, and thus, the food recognition rate may be reduced. For example, when a portion of the grill heater 100 covers the light irradiation area 601, a shadow caused by the grill heater 100 is formed on the food, and thus, the food recognition rate may be reduced.

[0104] In contrast, since the grill heater 100 according to the embodiment has a structure that does not cover the photographing area 501 and the light irradiation area 601 , the food recognition rate of the cooking apparatus 1 may be improved.

[0105] Fig.12 2 is a view for explaining the layout of the camera module 50 and the lighting module 60 in the cooking apparatus 1 according to the embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0106] refer to Fig.12, the camera module 50 is disposed above the grill heater 100. In order for the camera module 50 to photograph the interior of the cooking chamber 30 through the second gaps G21, G22, and G23 of the grill heater 100, the second gaps G21, G22, and G23 of the grill heater 100 may be determined in consideration of, for example, a vertical distance between the camera module 50 and the grill heater 100, a width of the cooking chamber 30, and a distance between the camera module 50 and the bottom wall of the cooking chamber 30.

[0107] For example, the camera module 50 may cover a plane dimension of the cooking chamber 30 at a middle height. The second gap G21 of the grill heater 100 may be designed so that the grill heater 100 does not interfere with the photographing area 501 of the camera module 50 .

[0108] For example, the second gap G21 between the second straight segments 112 adjacent to the camera module 50 in the grill heater 100 may be determined in consideration of the vertical distance between the camera module 50 and the grill heater 100, the width of the cooking chamber 30, and the height of the cooking chamber 30. The height of the cooking chamber 30 may correspond to the distance between the camera module 50 and the bottom surface of the cooking chamber 30.

[0109] For example, assuming that the width of the grill heater 100 adjacent to the camera module 50 in the horizontal direction Y is G21, the vertical distance between the camera module 50 and the grill heater 100 is d, and the width of the cooking chamber 30 in the horizontal direction Y is w, and the distance between the camera module 50 and the bottom surface of the cooking chamber 30 is h, the second gap G21 of the grill heater 100 can be 2×d / h times w (G21 ≥ 2×d / h×w).

[0110] According to the above embodiment, an example is given in which the length of the lighting module 60 in the front-rear direction X corresponds to the length of the camera module 50 in the front-rear direction X. However, the shape of the lighting module 60 is not limited thereto. Fig.13 As shown, the length of the lighting module 60A in the front-to-back direction X may be greater than the length of the camera module 50 in the front-to-back direction X. For example, the lighting module 60A may have a longer structure in the front-to-back direction X and may be disposed on both sides of the camera module 50 in the horizontal direction Y.

[0111] The shape of the grill heater 100 may be varied within a range that does not interfere with the lighting module 60 and the camera module 50. For example, Fig.14 As shown, the grill heater 100A may be bent so that the partial segment 133 is adjacent to the left or right side of the lighting module 60 within a range that does not cover the light irradiation area 601 of the lighting module 60 .

[0112] In order to understand the present disclosure, figure numerals have been written in the embodiments shown in the drawings and specific terms have been used to describe the embodiments, but the present disclosure is not limited by these specific terms and the present disclosure may include all components that can be generally conceived by ordinary technicians in the field.

[0113] The specific execution described in the present disclosure is an embodiment and does not limit the scope of the present disclosure in any way. For the sake of brevity, the conventional electronic devices, control systems, software development and other functional aspects of the system may not be described in detail. In addition, the connecting lines or connections shown in the various figures presented are intended to represent exemplary functional relationships and / or physical or logical couplings between various elements. It should be noted that many alternative or additional functional relationships, physical connections or logical connections may exist in actual equipment. In addition, unless an item or component is specifically described as "necessary" or "critical", no item or component is necessary for the application of the present disclosure. Expressions such as "including" and "comprising" used herein are used to be understood as terms for the open end of technology.

[0114] The use of the terms "one" and "a kind of" and "said" and similar references in the context of describing the present disclosure (especially in the context of the appended claims) should be interpreted as covering the singular and the plural. In addition, unless otherwise specified herein, the statement of the range of values ​​herein is intended only to be used as a shorthand method for each individual value falling within the range for each reference, and each individual value is incorporated into the specification as if it were stated separately herein. Unless otherwise specified herein or clearly contradicted by the context, the operations constituting the methods described herein may be performed in any suitable order. The present disclosure is not limited to the described order of operations. Unless otherwise claimed, the use of any and all examples or exemplary language (e.g., "such as") provided herein is intended only to better illustrate the present disclosure and does not limit the scope of the present disclosure. Without departing from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure, a person of ordinary skill in the art will readily understand many modifications and adaptations.

[0115] The cooking apparatus according to an embodiment of the present disclosure provides a structure capable of improving the quality of a photographed image of food in a cooking chamber.

[0116] According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, a cooking device may include: a main body; a cooking chamber located inside the main body; a door provided at the front of the main body to open and close the cooking chamber; a grill heater provided in an upper portion of the cooking chamber to heat the interior of the cooking chamber; and a camera module provided above the grill heater and having a shooting area capable of shooting, the shooting area widening downward to shoot the interior of the cooking chamber.

[0117] The grill heater may include: a plurality of first straight segments, each of which extends in a front-to-rear direction and is spaced apart from each other in a horizontal direction perpendicular to the front-to-rear direction; and a pair of first detour segments, each of which includes a curved segment and a 2-1 straight segment, the curved segment extending from the first straight segment in a direction inclined to the direction in which the first straight segment extends, and the 2-1 straight segment extending from the curved segment in a direction parallel to the direction in which the first straight segment extends, so as to bypass a shooting area at a height corresponding to the grill heater.

[0118] The shooting area may include a first shooting area and a second shooting area, the first shooting area is formed at a height corresponding to the grill heater, the second shooting area is formed at a middle height of the cooking chamber and is wider than the first shooting area, and a first gap between the pair of first straight segments in the horizontal direction may be smaller than a width of the first shooting area in the horizontal direction.

[0119] A second gap between the pair of first detour sections in the horizontal direction may be greater than a width of the first photographing region in the horizontal direction.

[0120] A gap between the 2-1 straight sections of the pair of first detour sections in the horizontal direction may be greater than a width of the first shooting area in the horizontal direction.

[0121] A first gap between the pair of first straight segments in the horizontal direction may be smaller than a length of one side of the camera module, and a second gap between the pair of first meandering segments in the horizontal direction may be larger than a length of one side of the camera module.

[0122] The second gap between the pair of first detour sections in the horizontal direction may be determined in consideration of a vertical distance between the camera module and the grill heater, a width of the cooking chamber, and a height of the cooking chamber.

[0123] The second photographing area may cover a plane dimension at a middle height of the cooking chamber.

[0124] The cooking apparatus according to an embodiment of the present disclosure may further include a pair of lighting modules disposed on both sides of the camera module above the grill heater and having a light irradiation area that widens downward to irradiate light toward the interior of the cooking chamber.

[0125] The grill heater may further include a pair of second detour sections, at least a portion of each of the pair of second detour sections extending in a direction different from the front-rear direction so as to bypass the light irradiation area at a height corresponding to the grill heater.

[0126] The grill heater may include a 2-2 straight segment, which extends in the front-to-rear direction and is arranged between the 2-1 straight segment and the lighting module, and the gap between the 2-1 straight segment and the 2-2 straight segment in the horizontal direction may be smaller than the first gap between the pair of first straight segments in the horizontal direction.

[0127] The main body may include an electrical room, which is arranged above the cooking room to be isolated from the cooking room, and the camera module may include: a camera, which is arranged in the electrical room to face the cooking room; a first glass, which is arranged in the upper part of the cooking room to block the heat inside the cooking room from being transferred to the camera; a second glass, which is arranged between the camera and the first glass to block the heat from being transferred to the camera; and a third glass, which is arranged between the camera and the second glass to block the heat from being transferred to the camera.

[0128] According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, a cooking device includes: a main body; a cooking chamber, which is located inside the main body; a door, which is arranged at the front of the main body to open and close the cooking chamber; a grill heater, which is arranged in the upper part of the cooking chamber to heat the inside of the cooking chamber, and the grill heater includes a plurality of straight segments arranged in parallel with each other and a plurality of curved segments connecting the plurality of straight segments to each other; a camera module, which is arranged above the grill heater to photograph the inside of the cooking chamber; a first lighting module, which is arranged on a first side of the camera module above the grill heater and is configured to irradiate light toward the inside of the cooking chamber; and a second lighting module, which is arranged on a second side of the camera module opposite to the first side of the camera module above the grill heater and is configured to irradiate light toward the inside of the cooking chamber.

[0129] Portions of at least some of the multiple straight segments and portions of at least some of the multiple curved segments may be detour segments that bypass a shooting area of ​​the camera module, a light irradiation area of ​​the first lighting module, and a light irradiation area of ​​the second lighting module, so that the grill heater does not interfere with the shooting area of ​​the camera module, the light irradiation area of ​​the first lighting module, and the light irradiation area of ​​the second lighting module.

[0130] The plurality of straight segments may include a first straight segment and a second straight segment, the plurality of first straight segments being spaced apart from each other by a first gap, the second straight segment being adjacent to the camera module or the first lighting module or the second lighting module, and the plurality of second straight segments being arranged with a second gap different from the first gap.

[0131] The first gap may be smaller than a length of a side of the camera module.

[0132] A second gap between second straight segments adjacent to the camera module in the second gap may be larger than the first gap.

[0133] A second gap between second straight sections adjacent to the camera module among the second gaps may be determined according to a vertical distance between the camera module and the grill heater, a width of the cooking chamber, and a height of the cooking chamber.

[0134] The first gap may be smaller than a length of a side of the first lighting module or the second lighting module.

[0135] A second gap between second straight segments adjacent to each of the first lighting module and the second lighting module in the second gap may be larger than the first gap.

[0136] A second gap between second straight segments arranged between the camera module and each of the first and second lighting modules in the second gap may be smaller than the first gap.

[0137] The camera module may be disposed along a center line of an upper portion of the cooking chamber in a front-rear direction.

[0138] The first lighting module and the second lighting module may be disposed to be aligned with the camera module.

[0139] The camera module may be disposed proximate to the door at the centerline.

[0140] The main body may include an electrical room, which is arranged above the cooking room to be isolated from the cooking room, and the camera module may include: a camera, which is arranged in the electrical room to face the cooking room; a first glass, which is arranged in the upper part of the cooking room to block the heat inside the cooking room from being transferred to the camera; a second glass, which is arranged between the camera and the first glass to block the heat from being transferred to the camera; and a third glass, which is arranged between the camera and the second glass to block the heat from being transferred to the camera.

[0141] The irradiation angle of the light irradiated by the first lighting module and the second lighting module may be 80° or greater.

[0142] The photographing area of ​​the camera module may cover a plane size at a middle height of the cooking chamber.

[0143] Each of the light irradiation area of ​​the first lighting module and the light irradiation area of ​​the second lighting module may cover at least half of the plane size at the middle height of the cooking chamber.

[0144] The capacity of the cooking chamber may be 80 liters or more.

[0145] In the cooking apparatus according to the embodiment, the quality of the captured image of food may be improved by an avoidance design in which a shadow does not appear when a grill heater covers a camera module or a lighting module.

Claims

1. A cooking device, comprising: Main body (20); A cooking chamber (30), the cooking chamber being located inside the main body; a door (10) disposed at the front of the main body to open and close the cooking chamber; a grill heater (100) disposed in an upper portion of the cooking chamber to heat the interior of the cooking chamber; and a camera module (50), the camera module being arranged above the grill heater and having a photographing area (501) capable of photographing, the photographing area widening downwards to photograph the interior of the cooking chamber, Wherein, the grill heater comprises: a plurality of first straight segments (1111), each of the plurality of first straight segments extending in a front-to-rear direction (X), and the plurality of first straight segments being spaced apart from each other in a horizontal direction perpendicular to the front-to-rear direction (X); and A pair of first detour segments (131), each of the first detour segments comprising a curved segment (1201) and a 2-1 straight segment (1121), the curved segment extending from the first straight segment in a direction inclined to the direction along which the first straight segment extends, and the 2-1 straight segment extending from the curved segment in a direction parallel to the direction along which the first straight segment (1111) extends, so as to bypass the shooting area (5011) at a height corresponding to the grill heater.

2. The cooking device according to claim 1, wherein: The photographing area (501) includes a first photographing area (5011) and a second photographing area (5012), the first photographing area is formed at a height corresponding to the grill heater, the second photographing area is formed at a middle height of the cooking chamber and is wider than the first photographing area, and A first gap (G1) between a pair of first straight segments in the horizontal direction is smaller than a width (w1) of the first photographing region in the horizontal direction.

3. The cooking device according to claim 2, wherein: A second gap (G21) between the pair of first detour sections in the horizontal direction is greater than the width (w1) of the first shooting area in the horizontal direction.

4. The cooking device according to claim 3, wherein: A gap between the 2-1 straight segments (1121) of the pair of first detour segments in the horizontal direction is greater than the width (w1) of the first shooting area in the horizontal direction.

5. The cooking device according to claim 1, wherein: A first gap (G1) between a pair of first straight segments in the horizontal direction is smaller than a length (d1) of a side of the camera module, and A second gap (G21) between the pair of first detour sections in the horizontal direction is greater than the length (d1) of the side of the camera module.

6. The cooking device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein: A second gap (G21) between the pair of first detour sections in the horizontal direction is determined in consideration of a vertical distance (d) between the camera module and the grill heater, a width (w) of the cooking chamber, and a height (h) of the cooking chamber.

7. The cooking device according to any one of claims 2 to 5, wherein: The second photographing area covers a plane dimension at a middle height of the cooking chamber.

8. The cooking device according to claim 1, further comprising a pair of lighting modules (60), the pair of lighting modules being arranged on both sides of the camera module above the grill heater and having a light irradiation area (601) that widens downward to irradiate light toward the interior of the cooking chamber, in, The grill heater also includes a pair of second detour segments (132), at least a portion of each of the pair of second detour segments extending in a direction different from the front-to-back direction so as to bypass the light irradiation area (6011) at a height corresponding to the grill heater.

9. The cooking device according to claim 8, wherein: The grill heater comprises a 2-2 straight section (1122), the 2-2 straight section extending in the front-rear direction and arranged between the 2-1 straight section (1121) and the lighting module (60), and A gap (G23) between the 2-1 straight segment and the 2-2 straight segment in the horizontal direction is smaller than a first gap (G1) between a pair of first straight segments in the horizontal direction.

10. The cooking device according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein: The main body comprises an electrical chamber (40) which is arranged above the cooking chamber to be isolated from the cooking chamber, and The camera module (50) comprises: a camera (51), the camera being arranged in the electrical chamber so as to face the cooking chamber; a first glass (521) disposed in the upper portion of the cooking chamber to block heat inside the cooking chamber from being transferred to the camera; A second glass (522) disposed between the camera and the first glass to block the heat from being transferred to the camera; and A third glass (523) is disposed between the camera and the second glass to block the heat from being transferred to the camera.

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