Cooking utensil

Abstract

An invention related to a cooking appliance is disclosed. In the disclosed invention, a fan assembly for drawing air into the cooking utensil and then discharging air to the outside of the cooking utensil is provided in the cooking utensil, the fan assembly being provided in a space between a rear surface of a cavity forming a cooking chamber and a rear plate forming a rear outside of the cooking utensil.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a cooking appliance, and more particularly, to a cooking appliance that provides both cooking functions and a hood function. Background Art

[0002] A cooking appliance is a household appliance used for cooking food and is a device installed in a kitchen space for cooking food according to a user's intention. Such cooking appliances can be variously classified according to the heat source, form, or fuel type to be used.

[0003] When classifying cooking appliances according to the type of food to be cooked, cooking appliances can be divided into open cooking appliances and closed cooking appliances according to the type of space for placing food. Closed cooking appliances include ovens, microwave ovens, etc., while open cooking appliances include cooktops, stove tops, etc.

[0004] A closed cooking appliance is a cooking appliance that encloses the space where food is located and heats the enclosed space to cook food. In a closed cooking appliance, a chamber (i.e., a cooking chamber) is provided inside the main body, and this chamber is a space that is enclosed when food is placed and ready to be cooked. Such a cooking chamber becomes the space where food is substantially cooked. A heat source is provided in the internal or external space of the cooking chamber to heat the cooking chamber.

[0005] A microwave oven in a closed cooking appliance is a cooking device that uses electricity to generate microwaves to extend through an object to be cooked accommodated in the cooking chamber, thereby heating the object to be cooked by causing molecular movement therein.

[0006] A microwave oven is a kitchen appliance that simultaneously heats the inside and outside of food by irradiating high-frequency waves from a magnetron to food, and is widely used because of advantages such as significantly shortening the cooking time of food due to high thermal efficiency, reducing the loss of nutritional value during cooking, thawing and heating food, and being able to directly cook food when stored in a container.

[0007] Recently, a microwave oven combined with a hood function, also known as an OTR (over the range) microwave oven, has been released. The OTR microwave oven with a hood function has a hood function of discharging air containing foreign substances (hereinafter referred to as "cooking gas") generated from a cooking appliance installed below it during the cooking of food to the outside or filtering the cooking gas and then discharging the filtered gas into the room.

[0008] In a microwave oven combined with a hood function, a fan for sucking and discharging air is provided. Such a fan is usually provided at the top of the cavity that defines the cooking chamber. That is, in a microwave oven with a hood function, the fan is usually provided at the top of the cavity.

[0009] However, when the fan is set at the above position, the distance between the fan and the suction hole provided at the lower end of the microwave oven combined with the oil fume exhaust function is greater than the vertical length of the cavity. As described above, the increase in the distance between the suction hole and the fan inevitably reduces the cooking gas collection performance of the microwave oven with the oil fume exhaust function. This is because the flow velocity of the suction air flow generated by the fan may decrease in a manner inversely proportional to the square of the distance from the fan to the suction hole.

[0010] In addition, when the fan is set at the above position, the entire vertical length of the microwave oven combined with the oil fume exhaust function inevitably increases. Therefore, when the microwave oven with the oil fume exhaust function having an increased vertical length is installed in an upper cabinet, the possibility that the microwave oven with the oil fume exhaust function protrudes downward beyond the upper cabinet increases.

[0011] When the microwave oven with the oil fume exhaust function protrudes downward beyond the upper cabinet, its aesthetic appearance is poor, and there may be a problem that the distance between the stove installed under the upper cabinet and the microwave oven with the oil fume exhaust function is small.

[0012] When the distance between the stove and the microwave oven with the oil fume exhaust function becomes small due to the microwave oven with the oil fume exhaust function protruding downward beyond the upper cabinet, there may be problems such as the microwave oven with the oil fume exhaust function blocking the view of the user who wants to use the stove and the cooking area of the stove being smaller. Summary of the Invention

[0013] Technical Objectives

[0014] An object of the present disclosure is to provide a cooking appliance with an improved structure to provide an oil fume exhaust function while suppressing an increase in the total vertical length of the cooking appliance.

[0015] In addition, another object of the present disclosure is to provide a cooking appliance with an improved structure to reduce the flow loss generated inside the cooking appliance while suppressing an increase in the overall volume of the cooking appliance.

[0016] Technical Solutions

[0017] The cooking appliance for achieving the above object according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is characterized in that a fan assembly for sucking air into the interior of the cooking appliance and then discharging the air to the outside of the cooking appliance is provided behind a cavity in which a cooking chamber is defined.

[0018] In addition, a cooking appliance according to another aspect of the present disclosure is characterized in that a fan assembly for sucking air into the interior of the cooking appliance and then discharging the air to the outside of the cooking appliance is provided inside the cooking appliance and is provided in a space defined at the rear of the cavity.

[0019] In addition, a cooking appliance according to still another aspect of the present disclosure is characterized in that a fan assembly for sucking air into the interior of the cooking appliance and then discharging the air to the outside of the cooking appliance is provided inside the cooking appliance and is provided in a space between the rear surface of the cavity in which the cooking chamber is defined and a rear plate constituting the appearance of the rear surface of the cooking appliance.

[0020] In addition, a cooking appliance according to still another aspect of the present disclosure is characterized in that fan assemblies for sucking air into the interior of the cooking appliance and then discharging the air to the outside of the cooking appliance are respectively provided in a region on the lateral side of the cavity in which the cooking chamber is defined and in a region behind the cavity.

[0021] In addition, a fan assembly having a smaller size than the fan assembly provided in the region behind the cavity may be provided in the region on the lateral side of the cavity.

[0022] A cooking appliance according to one aspect of the present disclosure may include: a main body including a cavity having a cooking chamber defined therein; and a blower provided inside the main body.

[0023] In addition, the main body may include an air inlet hole provided below the blower and an air outlet hole provided above the air inlet hole.

[0024] In addition, the blower may include a first blower and a second blower, and the first blower and the second blower suck air through the air inlet hole and discharge the sucked air to the air outlet hole.

[0025] In addition, the first blower may be provided at the rear of the cavity.

[0026] In addition, the second blower may be provided on the lateral side of the cavity.

[0027] Furthermore, the main body may further include a rear plate provided at the rear of the cavity.

[0028] The first blower may be provided in a rear space defined between the cavity and the rear plate.

[0029] In addition, a rearwardly protruding surface may be formed on at least a part of the rear plate.

[0030] In addition, the rearwardly protruding surface constitutes a surface that protrudes rearward beyond the remaining region of the rear plate other than the rearwardly protruding surface.

[0031] In addition, the first blower may be disposed in a region overlapping the rearward protruding surface in the front-rear direction.

[0032] Furthermore, the main body may further include a casing having an upper surface disposed above the cavity.

[0033] In addition, the exhaust hole may communicate with an upper space defined between the upper surface of the cavity and the upper surface of the casing.

[0034] In addition, the first blower and the second blower discharge the sucked air into the upper space.

[0035] In addition, the exhaust hole may be formed to extend through the upper surface of the casing.

[0036] In addition, the exhaust hole may be disposed in a region overlapping the first blower in the vertical direction.

[0037] In addition, the first blower may be disposed at a position overlapping the cavity in the front-rear direction.

[0038] In addition, the main body may further include a casing having a side surface disposed on a lateral side of the cavity.

[0039] In addition, the second blower may be disposed in a side space defined between the side surface of the cavity and the side surface of the casing.

[0040] In addition, an electronic / electrical component chamber may be formed inside the main body, wherein the side space may include a pair of side spaces respectively disposed on opposite sides in the lateral direction of the cavity, wherein the electronic / electrical component chamber may be disposed in one of the pair of side spaces, and the second blower may be disposed in the other of the pair of side spaces.

[0041] In addition, in the vertical direction, at least one of the first blower and the second blower may be disposed between the upper surface and the lower surface of the cavity.

[0042] In addition, in the vertical direction, the first blower may be disposed at a position closer to the intake hole than the second blower.

[0043] In addition, the first blower may include at least one of a first fan assembly and a second fan assembly.

[0044] In addition, the second blower includes a second fan assembly.

[0045] In addition, each of the first fan assembly and the second fan assembly may have a suction hole disposed to face the lateral direction or the front-rear direction and a discharge hole disposed to face upward.

[0046] In addition, in the first blower, the suction holes of each of the first fan assembly and the second fan assembly may be arranged to face the lateral direction.

[0047] In addition, in the second blower, the suction holes of the second fan assembly may be arranged to face the front-rear direction.

[0048] In addition, in a direction perpendicular to both the direction in which the suction holes face and the direction in which the discharge holes face, the length of the second fan assembly is smaller than the length of the first fan assembly.

[0049] Furthermore, the first blower may include a plurality of second fan assemblies arranged in the lateral direction.

[0050] In addition, in the first blower, the vertical position of the second fan assembly may be a position closer to the intake hole than to the exhaust hole.

[0051] Technical effects

[0052] The cooking appliance according to the present disclosure may be configured such that a blower for providing a fume exhaust function is provided on the lateral side or the rear of the cavity instead of above the cavity, thereby providing a fume exhaust function while suppressing an increase in the vertical length of the cooking appliance.

[0053] In addition, according to the present disclosure, the fan assemblies may be respectively provided in both the side space and the rear space, thereby effectively improving the cooking gas removal performance of the cooking appliance.

[0054] In addition, according to the present disclosure, the blower may be configured such that a second fan assembly more suitable for being provided in a narrow space is provided in the side space, and a first fan assembly having a performance higher than that of the second fan assembly is provided in the rear space where more sufficient space than the side space can be provided, thereby suppressing an increase in the size of the cooking appliance and at the same time providing a more excellent cooking gas removal performance.

[0055] In addition, the cooking appliance according to the present disclosure adopts a structure in which the first fan assembly is provided in the rear space connected to and linearly arranged with the exhaust hole, thereby minimizing the flow loss inside the cooking appliance, and thus providing a further improved cooking gas removal performance.

[0056] In addition, the cooking appliance according to the present disclosure can effectively ensure a filter installation space in the upper space, thereby providing the effect of maintaining a compact size and smoothly filtering and discharging cooking gas into the indoor space. Brief description of the drawings

[0057] Figure 1 is a perspective schematic view of a cooking appliance according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0058] Figure 2 is shown in a perspective state Figure 1 A perspective view of the internal structure of the cooking appliance shown

[0059] Figure 3 is an illustration Figure 2 A front view of the internal structure of the cooking appliance shown

[0060] Figure 4 shows Figure 2 A plan view of the internal structure of the cooking appliance shown

[0061] Figure 5 is an illustration Figure 2 A side view of the internal structure of the cooking appliance shown

[0062] Figure 6 is an illustration Figure 2 A rear perspective view of the internal structure of the cooking appliance shown

[0063] Figure 7 and Figure 2 A plan view of a first fan assembly separate from the cooking appliance shown

[0064] Figure 8 is an illustration of Figure 2 A plan view of a second fan assembly separate from the cooking appliance shown

[0065] Figure 9 and Figure 10 is a schematic view showing a state in which cooking gas is discharged into an outdoor space in a cooking appliance according to an embodiment of the present disclosure

[0066] Figure 11 is a schematic view showing a state in which cooking gas is discharged into an indoor space in a cooking appliance according to an embodiment of the present disclosure

[0067] Figure 12 is a perspective view illustrating the internal structure of a cooking appliance according to another embodiment of the present disclosure

[0068] Figure 13 is an illustration Figure 12 A front view of the internal structure of the cooking appliance shown

[0069] Figure 14 shows Figure 12 A plan view of the internal structure of the cooking appliance shown

[0070] Figure 15 is an illustration Figure 12 A side view of the internal structure of the cooking appliance shown

[0071] Figure 16 is an illustrationFigure 12 A rear perspective view of the internal structure of the cooking appliance shown.

[0072] Figure 17 and Figure 18 is a schematic diagram illustrating a state in which cooking gas is discharged into an outdoor space in a cooking appliance according to another embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0073] Figure 19 is a schematic diagram showing a state in which cooking gas is discharged into an indoor space in a cooking appliance according to another embodiment of the present disclosure. Detailed Description of the Embodiments

[0074] The above objects, features, and advantages will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings, and thus, those skilled in the art to which the present disclosure pertains will be able to easily implement the technical idea of the present disclosure. When describing the present disclosure, when it is determined that the gist of the present disclosure may be unnecessarily unclear, the detailed description of the known technology related to the present disclosure will be omitted. Hereinafter, preferred embodiments according to the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the drawings, the same reference numerals are used to refer to the same or similar components.

[0075] Although first, second, etc. are used to describe various components, these components are not limited by these terms. These terms are only used to distinguish one component from another, and unless there is a particularly contrary description, the first component can obviously be the second component.

[0076] The present disclosure is not limited to the embodiments disclosed below. However, various changes can be made to it, and the present disclosure can be implemented in various different forms. However, the present embodiments are provided to make the present disclosure complete and to make the scope of the present disclosure well-known to those of ordinary skill in the art. Therefore, the present disclosure is not limited to the embodiments disclosed below, but it should be understood that the present disclosure includes all changes, equivalents, and alternatives included in the technical spirit and scope of the present disclosure, and includes replacing the configuration of one embodiment with the configuration of another embodiment and adding the configuration of another embodiment to the configuration of one embodiment.

[0077] The accompanying drawings are merely for those skilled in the art to easily understand the embodiments disclosed in the present disclosure, and the technical spirit disclosed in the present disclosure is not limited by the accompanying drawings, but it should be understood that all changes, equivalents, and alternatives included in the spirit and technical scope of the present disclosure are included in the present disclosure. In the accompanying drawings, for the convenience of understanding, etc., the components may be shown in an enlarged or reduced size. However, the protection scope of the present disclosure should not be limited thereto.

[0078] The terms used herein are for describing particular embodiments or implementations only and are not intended to limit the present disclosure. Additionally, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise, the singular representation of a component includes its plural representation. In the present disclosure, terms such as "comprising," "consisting of," etc. are intended to indicate the presence of the features, quantities, steps, operations, components, parts, or combinations thereof described in the present disclosure. That is, it should be understood that terms such as "comprising" and "consisting of" in the present disclosure do not exclude the possibility of the presence or addition of one or more other features, quantities, steps, operations, components, parts, or combinations thereof.

[0079] Terms including ordinal numbers (such as first and second) may be used to describe various components, but these components are not limited by the terms. These terms are only for the purpose of distinguishing one component from another.

[0080] When referring to a component being "connected" or "coupled" to another component, it should be understood that a component can be directly connected or coupled to another component, or there can be another component disposed therebetween. On the other hand, when stating that a component is "directly connected" or "directly coupled" to another component, it should be understood that there is no other component therebetween.

[0081] When referring to a component being "above" or "below" another component, it should be understood that there can or cannot be another component therebetween.

[0082] Unless otherwise defined, all terms including technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by those of ordinary skill in the art to which the inventive concept belongs. It will be further understood that terms such as those defined in common dictionaries should be interpreted as having a meaning consistent with their meaning in the context of the relevant field, and will not be interpreted in an idealized or overly formal sense unless clearly defined as such herein.

[0083] In a state where the cooking appliance is placed on the floor, one side of the door installed around the center of the cooking appliance is defined as the front side. Thus, when the door is opened, the cooking target enters the cavity of the cooking appliance in the backward direction. For convenience, the front-back direction may be referred to as the first direction. In this regard, the front side may be referred to as the side in the first direction, and the rear side may be referred to as the other side in the first direction.

[0084] In addition, the direction of gravity can be defined as the downward direction, and the direction opposite to the direction of gravity can be defined as the upward direction.

[0085] In addition, the horizontal direction orthogonal to the front - rear direction of the cooking appliance, i.e., the width direction of the cooking appliance in the front view of the door of the cooking appliance, may be referred to as the left - right direction. For convenience, the left - right direction may be referred to as the second direction. Then, the right side may be referred to as one side in the second direction, and the left side may be referred to as the other side in the second direction.

[0086] In addition, the width direction of the cooking appliance may be referred to as the lateral direction. Then, the right side may be referred to as one side in the lateral direction, and the left side may be referred to as the other side in the lateral direction.

[0087] In addition, the above - mentioned vertical direction may be referred to as the third direction. Then, the upper side may be referred to as one side in the third direction, and the lower side may be referred to as the other side in the third direction.

[0088] The front - rear direction and the left - right direction (i.e., the first direction and the second direction) may be the first horizontal direction and the second horizontal direction.

[0089] Throughout this disclosure, unless otherwise specified, “A and / or B” means A, B, or A and B; and unless otherwise specified, “C to D” means C (inclusive) to D (inclusive).

[0090] Overall structure of the cooking appliance

[0091] Figure 1 is an exemplary perspective view of a cooking appliance according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Figure 2 is shown in a perspective state Figure 1 a perspective view of the internal structure of the cooking appliance shown.

[0092] Referring to Figures 1 to 2 , a cooking appliance according to an embodiment of the present disclosure has an appearance defined by a main body 10. The main body 10 may be configured to include a shape of a substantially rectangular parallelepiped, and may be made of a material having a predetermined strength to protect a plurality of components installed in the internal space defined therein. The main body 10 may include a cavity 11, a housing 13, and a substrate 14.

[0093] The cavity 11 may constitute the internal framework of the main body 10. The cavity 11 may be formed in the form of a hexahedron having an open front surface. A cooking chamber 10a may be formed inside the cavity 11. The cooking chamber 10a may be formed in a shape corresponding to the internal shape of the cavity 11, i.e., a hexahedron shape having an open front surface.

[0094] The cooking chamber 10a may be formed in a hexahedron shape having an open front surface. When the cooking chamber 10a is closed, cooking can be performed while the internal space of the cooking chamber 10a is heated. That is, in the cooking appliance, the internal space of the cooking chamber 10a is the space where food is substantially cooked.

[0095] The front plate 12 can be disposed in front of the cavity 11. The front plate 12 can define the front appearance of the main body 10 in front of the cavity 11. In the example, the front plate 12 can be in the form of a metal plate having a hollow portion.

[0096] The housing 13 can define the appearance of the main body 10 when disposed outside the cavity 11. The housing 13 can cover the cavity 11 at the upper and side portions of the cavity 11 and can define the appearance of the main body 10.

[0097] The substrate 14 can be disposed on the lower side of the cavity 11. The substrate 14 can form the bottom surface of the cooking appliance and can cover the cavity 11 on the lower side of the cavity 11.

[0098] In addition, the main body 10 can further include a rear plate 15. The rear plate 15 can be disposed at the rear side of the cavity 11. The rear plate 15 can form the rear surface of the cooking appliance and can cover the cavity 11 when disposed behind the cavity 11.

[0099] The rear plate 15 can be integrally formed with the housing 13 or can be formed separately from the housing 13.

[0100] The door 20 for selectively opening and closing the cooking chamber 10a can be pivotally provided on the front surface of the main body 10. The door 20 can open and close the cooking chamber 10a in a laterally swinging manner, wherein the other side in its lateral direction pivots about one side in its lateral direction in the left or right direction.

[0101] The door 20 can generally be formed in a hexahedron shape having a predetermined thickness. In addition, a hinge can be installed between the main body 10 and the door 20. The hinge can be provided on one side in the lateral direction of the main body 10 to pivotally connect one side in the lateral direction of the door 20 to the main body 10. The door 20 can be pivotally connected to the hinge while being disposed on the front surface of the main body 10 and can open and close the cooking chamber 10a when pivoting about the hinge.

[0102] In addition, a cooking chamber heat source for heating the interior of the cooking chamber 10a is provided inside the main body 10. The cooking chamber heat source can be implemented in one type or can be implemented in two or more types.

[0103] In the present embodiment, an example is described in which the cooking chamber heat source includes a magnetron capable of supplying a high-frequency heat source to the interior of the cooking chamber 10a. In this regard, the magnetron can be installed inside the main body 10 and can be installed to be located above or below the cooking chamber 10a.

[0104] In addition, an electronic / electrical component chamber 10b can be defined inside the main body 10. The electronic / electrical component chamber 10b is located on the upper surface or side surface of the cooking chamber 10a and within the main body 10. In the present embodiment, it is illustrated that the magnetron and the electronic / electrical component chamber 10b are arranged on the side surface of the cooking chamber 10a. Electronic components such as a magnetron and a high-voltage transformer can be installed inside the electronic / electrical component chamber 10b.

[0105] In addition, the control panel 30 can be provided on the front side of the main body 10. In one example, the control panel 30 can be arranged on the door 20.

[0106] The control panel 30 can be formed in a hexahedron shape having a predetermined internal space defined therein, and an input unit for inputting a manipulation signal for the user to operate the cooking appliance can be provided on the front surface of the control panel 30. A plurality of manipulation switches are provided in the input unit, and the user can directly input an operation signal thereon.

[0107] In another example, the control panel 30 can be provided in front of the cavity 11. The control panel 30 can be arranged in an area that does not overlap with the cooking chamber 10a in the front-rear direction. For example, the electronic / electrical component chamber 10b can be arranged on the side surface of the cooking chamber 10a, and the control panel 30 can be arranged on the front side of the electronic / electrical component chamber 10b.

[0108] In addition, the cooking appliance of the present embodiment can further include a blower 100. Additionally, the main body 10 can have an air intake hole 101 and a first exhaust hole 103 and a second exhaust hole 105.

[0109] The air blower 100 can be accommodated in the cooking appliance, and can suck cooking gas through the air intake hole 101, and discharge the sucked cooking gas to the outside of the cooking appliance through at least one of the first exhaust hole 103 and the second exhaust hole 105.

[0110] [Overall Structure of Components Related to Oil Fume Exhaust Function]

[0111] Figure 3 is a front view showing Figure 1 the internal structure of the cooking appliance shown, and Figure 4 is a plan view showing Figure 1 the internal structure of the cooking appliance shown. Figure 5 is a side view showing Figure 1 the internal structure of the cooking appliance shown, and Figure 6 is a rear perspective view showing Figure 1 the internal structure of the cooking appliance shown.

[0112] Referring to Figures 2 to 6, the air inlet hole 101 can be provided in the lower end portion of the cooking appliance. In one example, the air inlet hole 101 can be defined in the substrate 14. The air inlet hole 101 can be configured to form a passage for introducing cooking gas into the cooking appliance in such a way that a passage is defined at the lower end portion of the cooking appliance. In the present embodiment, each of a pair of air inlet holes 101 is provided below the side space 10c, as described below.

[0113] The first exhaust hole 103 and the second exhaust hole 105 can be provided in the upper end portion of the cooking appliance. The first exhaust hole 103 and the second exhaust hole 105 can be configured to form a passage for discharging the cooking gas sucked into the cooking appliance to the outside of the cooking appliance in such a way that a passage is defined in the upper end portion of the cooking appliance.

[0114] In one example, the first exhaust hole 103 and the second exhaust hole 105 can be defined in the upper surface of the casing 13. The first exhaust hole 103 and the second exhaust hole 105 can be formed in the upper surface of the casing 13 so as to extend vertically through the casing 13.

[0115] The first exhaust hole 103 can be provided in the rear portion of the upper surface of the main body 10. Additionally, the second exhaust hole 105 can be provided at the front side of the upper surface of the main body 10. That is, the second exhaust hole 105 can be provided on the side adjacent to the door 20 and can be provided closer to the front side than the first exhaust hole 103.

[0116] The first exhaust hole 103 can be configured to form a passage for discharging the cooking gas sucked into the cooking appliance to the outside. The second exhaust hole 105 can be configured to form a passage for discharging the cooking gas sucked into the cooking appliance into the indoor room.

[0117] In one example, the first exhaust hole 103 can be provided in an area overlapping with the upper cabinet in which the cooking appliance is vertically accommodated. Additionally, the second exhaust hole 105 can be provided at a position protruding forward beyond the upper cabinet.

[0118] Additionally, the first exhaust hole 103 can be generally provided at the center in the lateral direction of the main body 10. Additionally, a plurality of second exhaust holes 105 can be arranged in the lateral direction and can be positioned at the front side of the upper surface of the main body 10.

[0119] The first exhaust hole 103, which is disposed substantially at the center in the lateral direction of the main body 10 as described above, may be connected to an exhaust duct that is connected to the outside. A plurality of second exhaust holes 105 disposed in the lateral direction may discharge cooking gas from a position in front of the upper cabinet to a position above the cooking appliance. In this regard, the cooking gas may be discharged through the second exhaust holes 105 in a state where it is filtered inside the cooking appliance.

[0120] A space may be formed in the main body 10. The space may be provided between the cavity 11 and the casing 13.

[0121] The space may be divided into a side space 10c and a rear space 10d. The side space 10c may be provided on each of the opposite sides in the lateral direction of the cavity 11. In addition, the rear space 10d may be provided at the rear side of the cavity 11.

[0122] For example, each side space 10c may be a space defined between each side surface of the cavity 11 and each side surface of the casing 13. Additionally, the rear space 10d may be a space defined between the rear surface of the cavity 11 and the rear plate 15.

[0123] The electronic / electrical component chamber 10b may be provided in one of the side spaces 10c. In the present embodiment, an example is illustrated in which the electronic / electrical component chamber 10b is provided in the side space 10c that is provided behind the control panel 30.

[0124] The blower 100 may be provided inside the main body 10. More specifically, the blower 100 may be provided in the space, that is, the space between the cavity 11 and the casing 13. The blower 100 may include at least one fan assembly 110.

[0125] The fan assembly 110 may generate an air flow for sucking cooking gas to the outside of the cooking appliance and discharging the cooking gas to the outside of the cooking appliance. The fan assembly 110 may introduce the cooking gas into the main body 10 through the air intake hole 101 and discharge the introduced cooking gas out of the main body through at least one of the first exhaust hole 103 and the second exhaust hole 105.

[0126] At least one of the fan assemblies 110 provided in the blower 100 may be provided in the rear space 10d. Therefore, the cooking gas introduced into the main body 10 through the air intake hole 101 may flow through the rear space 10d and then be discharged through the first exhaust hole 103 or the second exhaust hole 105. The detailed layout structure of the fan assembly 110 will be described later.

[0127] In addition, an upper space 10e may be additionally provided inside the main body 10. The upper space 10e may be provided above the cavity 11.

[0128] For example, the upper space 10e may be defined between the upper surface of the cavity 11 and the upper surface of the housing 13. The upper space 10e may be connected to the rear space 10d.

[0129] That is, the air introduced into the rear space 10d may flow through the upper space 10e and be discharged to the outside of the cooking appliance through the first exhaust hole 103 or the second exhaust hole 105. In addition, the air introduced into the side space 10c may also flow through the upper space 10e and may be discharged to the outside of the cooking appliance through the first exhaust hole 103 or the second exhaust hole 105.

[0130] [An embodiment of the blower]

[0131] Figure 7 is a plan view showing a first fan assembly separated from the cooking appliance, and Figure 2 is a plan view showing a second fan assembly separated from the cooking appliance. Figure 8 is a plan view showing a first fan assembly separated from the cooking appliance, and Figure 2 is a plan view showing a second fan assembly separated from the cooking appliance.

[0132] Referring to Figures 2 to 8 , the blower 100 may include at least one of a first fan assembly 110 and a second fan assembly 120.

[0133] As Figure 6 and Figure 7 shown, the first fan assembly 110 may include a fan housing 111, an impeller 113, and a fan motor.

[0134] The fan housing 111 may define the appearance of the first fan assembly 110 and may accommodate the impeller 113 therein. A suction hole 111a may be formed at a side portion of the fan housing 111. The suction hole 111a may constitute a passage required to suck air outside the first fan assembly 110 into the impeller 113 in the fan housing 111.

[0135] In the present embodiment, the fan housing 111 is illustrated as being formed in a shape including a horizontally extending cylindrical shape with both of its opposite sides open, and each of the two opposite open sides of the fan housing 111 may be provided as the suction hole 111a.

[0136] A receiving space for accommodating the impeller 113 may be formed in the fan housing 111.

[0137] A receiving space for accommodating the impeller 113 may be formed inside the fan housing 111. In addition, the inner circumferential surface of the fan housing 111 defining the receiving space may be formed as a curved surface surrounding the outer circumferential surface of the impeller 113.

[0138] The discharge hole 111b may be provided on the upper side of the fan housing 111. The discharge hole 111b constitutes a passage through which the air inhaled into the accommodation space accommodating the impeller 113 is discharged to the outside of the blower 100.

[0139] The discharge hole 111b may be formed to extend vertically through the fan housing 111. Accordingly, the air sucked into the fan housing 111 in the lateral direction through the suction hole 111a may be discharged to a position above the top of the fan housing 111 through the discharge hole 111b.

[0140] The impeller 113 is configured to rotate about an axis extending in the lateral direction. A space into which the air sucked through the side portion of the impeller 113 is introduced is formed inside the impeller 113.

[0141] The impeller 113 may be connected to the rotating shaft of the fan motor. The rotating shaft of the fan motor rotates about an axis extending in the lateral direction, and the impeller 113 connected to the rotating shaft of the fan motor may rotate together with the rotating shaft of the fan motor about an axis extending in the lateral direction.

[0142] The first fan assembly 110 may be configured such that a pair of impellers 113 are respectively provided on opposite sides in the lateral direction of the fan motor and a pair of fan housings 111 are respectively provided on opposite sides in the lateral direction of the fan motor. Hereinafter, the assembly of the impeller 113 and the fan housing 111 is referred to as a "fan module". In this regard, the first fan assembly 110 may be configured such that a pair of fan modules are connected to opposite sides in the lateral direction of the fan motor.

[0143] In the first fan assembly 110, the fan motor may rotate a pair of impellers 113 respectively provided on opposite sides thereof. As described above, the first fan assembly 110 including one fan motor and a pair of fan modules may suck air through a pair of suction holes 111a respectively provided on opposite sides in the lateral direction of the first fan assembly 110, and discharge the air through a pair of discharge holes 111b provided in the upper side of the first fan assembly 110.

[0144] The first fan assembly 110 configured as described above may be provided inside the main body 10, and may be provided in at least one of the side space 10c and the rear space 10d.

[0145] In one example, the second fan assembly 120 may be configured to have a size slightly smaller than that of the first fan assembly 110.

[0146] In one example, as Figures 2 to 5 and Figure 8As shown, the second fan assembly 120 may include a fan housing 121, an impeller 123, and a fan motor, which are the same as or similar to the fan housing, impeller, and fan motor of the first fan assembly 110, and may include a fan housing 121 and an impeller 123, the sizes of which are smaller than those of the fan housing and impeller provided in the first fan assembly 110. The arrangement positions of the suction holes 121a and the discharge holes 121b are the same as those of the suction holes and discharge holes of the first fan assembly 110.

[0147] Therefore, the second fan assembly 120 of the present embodiment may be configured to have a size slightly smaller than that of the first fan assembly 110 and a suction or discharge performance slightly lower than that of the first fan assembly 110. In particular, the second fan assembly 120 may be configured to have a shorter length in the front-rear direction than the first fan assembly 110.

[0148] In the second fan assembly 120, the fan motor may rotate a pair of impellers 123 respectively provided on opposite sides thereof. As described above, the second fan assembly 120 including one fan motor and a pair of fan modules may suck air through a pair of suction holes 121a respectively provided at opposite sides in the lateral direction of the second fan assembly 120, and discharge air through a pair of discharge holes 121b provided in the upper side of the second fan assembly 120.

[0149] The second fan assembly 120 configured as described above may be provided inside the main body 10, and may be provided in at least one of the side space 10c and the rear space 10d.

[0150] The blower 100 of the present embodiment may include both the first fan assembly 110 and the second fan assembly 120. One of the first fan assembly 110 and the second fan assembly 120 may be provided in the rear space 10d, and the other of the first fan assembly 110 and the second fan assembly 120 may be provided in the side space 10c.

[0151] According to the present embodiment, the first fan assembly 110 may be provided in the rear space 10d, that is, in the space defined between the rear surface of the cavity 11 and the rear plate 15. In addition, the second fan assembly 120 may be provided in the side space 10c, that is, in the space defined between the side surface of the cavity 11 and the side surface of the casing 13.

[0152] In addition, the first fan assembly 110 may be provided at the center in the lateral direction of the rear space 10d. That is, the first fan assembly 110 may be generally provided in the central region of the rear space inside the cooking appliance.

[0153] In addition, the second fan assembly 120 may be disposed at the center in the front-rear direction of the side space 10c. That is to say, the second fan assembly 120 may be disposed substantially in the central region of the side space inside the cooking appliance.

[0154] In another example, the second fan assembly 120 may be disposed at a position closer to the front side or the rear side in the side space 10c.

[0155] According to the present embodiment, the first exhaust hole 103 may be disposed substantially at the center in the lateral direction of the main body 10, may be disposed at a position closer to the rear side of the casing 13, and may be defined in the upper surface of the casing 13. That is to say, the first exhaust hole 103 may be disposed at a position vertically overlapping with the rear space 10d.

[0156] The blower 100 of the present embodiment may include a first blower and a second blower. The first blower may be disposed behind the cavity 11, and the second blower may be disposed on one side of the cavity 120. That is to say, the first blower may be disposed in the rear space 10d, and the second blower may be disposed in the side space 10c.

[0157] Hereinafter, among the first fan assembly 110 and the second fan assembly 120, the fan assembly disposed in the rear space 10d will be referred to as the first blower, and those fan assemblies disposed in the side space 10c will be referred to as the second blower.

[0158] In the present embodiment, it is exemplified that the first blower includes the first fan assembly 110, and the second blower includes the second fan assembly 120.

[0159] In the cooking appliance of the present embodiment, both the first exhaust hole 103 and the first fan assembly 110 may be disposed in the rear space 10d, and the first exhaust hole 103 and the first fan assembly 110 may be arranged in the vertical direction and disposed in the rear space 10d.

[0160] In one example, the rearward protruding surface 15a may be provided on the rear plate 15 of the present embodiment. The rearward protruding surface 15a may constitute a surface that protrudes rearward beyond the remaining region of the rear plate 15 other than the rearward protruding surface 15a.

[0161] For example, the rear plate 15 may constitute a plane orthogonal to the front-rear direction axis. In addition, the rearward protruding surface 15a may constitute a plane parallel to the rear plate 15, and may be disposed at a position that protrudes rearward beyond the remaining region of the rear plate 15 other than the rearward protruding surface 15a. Preferably, the rearward protruding surface 15a may be disposed at the center of the rear plate 15 in the lateral direction and the vertical direction.

[0162] The first fan assembly 110 may be disposed in front of the rear plate 15 and may be disposed in a region that overlaps the rearward protruding surface 15a in the front-rear direction. Accordingly, the first fan assembly 110 may be disposed at a position that protrudes rearward beyond the remaining region of the rear plate 15 other than the rearward protruding surface 15a, and may be disposed at a position that further protrudes by a length by which the rearward protruding surface 15a protrudes rearward.

[0163] The rearward protruding surface 15a provided as described above may help ensure the space required for installing the blower 100 in the rear space 10d.

[0164] That is to say, the rearward protruding surface 15a may help allow the first fan assembly 110 having a larger size and higher performance to be applied to the blower 100.

[0165] In addition, the rearward protruding surface 15a may serve as a structure for spacing the wall surface on which the cooking appliance is installed from the rear surface of the cooking appliance.

[0166] As described above, the second fan assembly 120 may be disposed in the side space 10c. Specifically, the electronic / electrical component chamber 10b may be disposed in one of a pair of side spaces 10c respectively provided on opposite sides of the cavity 11, and the second fan assembly 120 may be disposed in the other of the pair of side spaces 10c.

[0167] Generally, the lateral length of the side space 10c in which the electronic / electrical component chamber is not provided is set to be shorter than the length of the rear space 10d in the front-rear direction. That is to say, the side space 10c may provide only a space narrower than the rear space 10d.

[0168] According to the type of the cooking appliance, various devices may be disposed in the rear space 10d. For example, in a cooking appliance provided with a convection function, a convection module may be disposed in the rear space 10d.

[0169] On the other hand, it is very rare to dispose a device in the side space 10c that does not constitute the electronic / electrical component chamber 10b. Therefore, there is no need to unnecessarily increase the lateral width of the side space 10c. When the lateral length of the side space 10c is unnecessarily increased, only the overall size of the cooking appliance is increased, regardless of whether the performance of the cooking appliance is improved.

[0170] In consideration of this fact, the side space 10c is formed to provide a space narrower than the rear space 10d.

[0171] To reduce costs, different types of cooking appliances having the same cooking chamber volume typically employ a main body 10 of the same size. For example, a cooking appliance that provides both a high-frequency function and a convection function can be manufactured using a main body 10 having the same size as the main body employed by a cooking appliance that provides only the high-frequency function.

[0172] Thus, the main body 10 of the present embodiment may include a rear space 10d that provides a space suitable for accommodating a convection module therein, and a side space 10c may be formed in a form that provides only a space narrower than the rear space 10d.

[0173] As described above, the second fan assembly 120 may be provided in a size smaller than that of the first fan assembly 110. Taking this into account, in the present embodiment, the second fan assembly 120 is disposed in the side space 10c. That is, the second fan assembly 120, which is more suitable for being disposed in a narrow space among the first fan assembly 110 and the second fan assembly 120, is disposed in the side space 10c.

[0174] In addition, the first fan assembly 110 may be disposed in the rear space 10d that provides a more ample space than the side space 10c. When the blower 100 is disposed in the rear space 10d as described above, a fan assembly of a larger size and higher performance can be applied to the blower 100.

[0175] That is, the blower 100 may be provided in such a form that the second fan assembly 120, which is more suitable for being disposed in a narrow space, is disposed in the side space 10c, and the first fan assembly 110 is disposed in the rear space 10d that provides a more ample space than the side space 10c.

[0176] Therefore, the suction or discharge performance of the blower 100 installed in the limited space inside the main body 100 can be maximized.

[0177] The cooking appliance of the present embodiment including the first fan assembly 110 and the second fan assembly 120 disposed as described above can provide more excellent cooking gas removal performance while suppressing an increase in the size of a cooking appliance using a main body 10 of a common size.

[0178] In one example, the cooking appliance of the present embodiment may include flow path defining members 140 and 150. The flow path defining members 140 and 150 are configured to guide the flow of air discharged from the blower 100.

[0179] The flow path defining members 140 and 150 can define exhaust flow paths A1 and A2 inside the cooking appliance. The exhaust flow paths A1 and A2 can connect the blower 100 and the upper space 10d to each other, and can guide the flow of air from at least one of the first fan assembly 110 and the second fan assembly 120 into the upper space 10e. The exhaust flow paths A1 and A2 can guide the flow of air discharged from the blower 100 toward the exhaust holes 103 and 105.

[0180] In the present embodiment, an example is shown in which the exhaust flow paths A1 and A2 include a first exhaust flow path A1 and a second exhaust flow path A2. In the example, the first exhaust flow path A1 can be provided in the rear space 10d, and the second exhaust flow path A2 can be provided in the side space 10c.

[0181] The inlet of the first exhaust flow path A1 can open toward the first fan assembly 110, and the inlet of the second exhaust flow path A2 can open toward the second fan assembly 120. Additionally, the outlet of each of the first exhaust flow path A1 and the second exhaust flow path A2 can open into the upper space 10e.

[0182] That is to say, the first exhaust flow path A1 can constitute a flow path for guiding the air flow from the discharge hole 111b of the first fan assembly 110 to the upper space 10e inside the cooking appliance. In addition, the second exhaust flow path A2 can constitute a flow path for guiding the air flow from the discharge hole 121b of the second fan assembly 120 to the upper space 10e inside the cooking appliance.

[0183] In the present embodiment, an example is illustrated in which the flow path defining members 140 and 150 include a first flow path defining member 140 and a second flow path defining member 150. The first flow path defining member 140 can be configured to guide the flow of air discharged from the first fan assembly 110, and the second flow path defining member 150 can be configured to guide the flow of air discharged from the second fan assembly 120.

[0184] The first flow path defining member 140 can include a fastening plate 141 and a pair of vertical plates 143.

[0185] The fastening plate 141 can be mounted on the first fan assembly 110. The fastening plate 141 can make the discharge hole 111b open upward and can be connected to the upper surface of the first fan assembly 110.

[0186] The vertical plates 143 can constitute vertical walls extending upward from the fastening plate 141. The pair of vertical plates 143 can be arranged to be spaced apart from each other by a predetermined distance in the lateral direction, with the fastening plate 141 interposed therebetween.

[0187] In the example, one of the pair of vertical plates 143 may be connected to an end portion on one side in the lateral direction of the fastening plate 141, and the other of the pair of vertical plates 143 may be connected to an end portion on the other side in the lateral direction of the fastening plate 141.

[0188] In the first flow path defining member 140, the fastening plate 141 may define a lower boundary surface of the first exhaust flow path A1, and the pair of vertical plates 143 may define left and right boundary surfaces of the first exhaust flow path A1. The rear and front boundary surfaces of the first exhaust flow path A1 may be defined by the rear surface of the cavity 11 and the rear plate 15, respectively.

[0189] The pair of vertical plates 143 are configured to project upward beyond the upper surface of the cavity 11. In the example, the vertical plates 143 may project to a vertical level such that the upper end portions of the vertical plates 143 contact the upper surface of the housing 13.

[0190] Therefore, the outlet of the first exhaust flow path A1 may be connected only to the upper space 10e, and the flow of air discharged from the first fan assembly 110 may be guided only to the upper space 10e through the first exhaust flow path A1.

[0191] The second flow path defining member 150 may include a fastening plate 151 and a vertical plate 153.

[0192] The fastening plate 151 may be mounted on the second fan assembly 120. The fastening plate 151 may open the discharge hole 121b upward and may be coupled to the upper surface of the second fan assembly 120.

[0193] The vertical plate 153 may constitute a vertical wall extending upward from the fastening plate 151. In the example, different from the first flow path defining member 140, the second flow path defining member 150 may include only one vertical plate 153. For example, the vertical plate 153 may be connected to the rear end portion of the fastening plate 151.

[0194] In the second flow path defining member 150, the fastening plate 151 may define a lower boundary surface of the second exhaust flow path A2, and the vertical plate 153 may define a rear boundary surface of the second exhaust flow path A2. The left and right boundary surfaces of the second exhaust flow path A2 may be defined by the side surfaces of the cavity 11 and the housing 13, respectively.

[0195] The vertical plate 153 is configured to project upward beyond the upper surface of the cavity 11. In the example, the vertical plate 153 may project to a vertical level such that the upper end portions of the vertical plate 153 contact the upper surface of the housing 13.

[0196] Accordingly, the outlet of the second exhaust flow path A2 can be connected only to the upper space 10e, and the flow of air discharged from the second fan assembly 120 can be guided only to the upper space 10e through the second exhaust flow path A2.

[0197] In addition, the cooking appliance according to the present embodiment may further include a first connection plate 160. The first connection plate 160 is configured to block the gap between the first flow path defining member 140 and the second flow path defining member 150.

[0198] In an example, the first connection plate 160 is configured to be connected between the vertical plate 143 of the first flow path defining member 140 and the vertical plate 153 of the second flow path defining member 150. The first connection plate 160 can block the gap between the first flow path defining member 140 and the second flow path defining member 150, thereby preventing the air in the upper space 10e from flowing backward into the rear space 10d and the first fan assembly 110 through the gap defined between the first flow path defining member 140 and the second flow path defining member 150.

[0199] In addition, the cooking appliance according to the present embodiment may further include a partition member 170. The partition member 170 may form a partition wall that partitions the electronic / electrical component chamber 10b and the upper space 10e from each other, and partitions the electronic / electrical component chamber 10b and the first fan assembly 110 from each other.

[0200] The partition member 170 can prevent the air in the upper space 10e from flowing back into the electronic / electrical component chamber 10b, and can prevent the air in the upper space 10e from flowing back into the first fan assembly 110 through the electronic / electrical component chamber 10b.

[0201] In addition, the cooking appliance according to the present embodiment may further include a second connection plate 165. The second connection plate 165 is configured to block the gap between the first flow path defining member 140 and the partition member 170.

[0202] In an example, the second connection plate 165 is configured to connect the vertical plate 143 of the first flow path defining member 140 and the partition member 170 to each other. The second connection plate 165 can block the gap between the first flow path defining member 140 and the partition member 170, thereby preventing the air in the upper space 10e from flowing backward toward the rear space 10d and the first fan assembly 110 through the gap between the first flow path defining member 140 and the partition member 170.

[0203] Figure 9 and Figure 10 is a schematic view showing a state in which cooking gas is discharged into an outdoor space in a cooking appliance according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, andFigure 11 It is a schematic diagram showing a state in which cooking gas is discharged into an indoor space in a cooking appliance according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0204] Hereinafter, reference will be made to Figures 8 to 11 describe the operation and effects of the cooking appliance.

[0205] Referring to Figure 8 and Figure 9 , the intake hole 101 may be provided at the lower end of the cooking appliance, and the first exhaust hole 103 and the second exhaust hole 105 may be provided at the upper end of the cooking appliance. The first exhaust hole 103 may be arranged to be closer to the rear side of the cooking appliance, and the second exhaust hole 105 may be arranged to be closer to the front side of the cooking appliance.

[0206] The blower 100 may include a first fan assembly 110, and the first fan assembly 110 may be disposed in the rear space 10d. The first fan assembly 110 may be disposed at the center in the lateral direction of the rear space 10d. Preferably, the first fan assembly 110 may be disposed at a position vertically overlapping with the first exhaust hole 103.

[0207] In addition, the blower 100 may further include a second fan assembly 120. The second fan assembly 120 may be disposed in the side space 10c.

[0208] When the operation of the first fan assembly 110 starts, a suction air flow for sucking air outside the cooking appliance into the cooking appliance may be generated. The suction air flow generated as described above acts on the outside air sucked through the intake hole 101 provided at the lower end of the cooking appliance. The outside air (i.e., cooking gas) around the intake hole 101 may flow through the intake hole 101 under the action of the suction air flow acting in this way and be sucked into the main body 10.

[0209] The cooking gas sucked into the main body 10 may be introduced into the rear space 10d in the space inside the main body 10. The cooking gas introduced into the rear space 10d as described above may be sucked into the first fan assembly 110 through the suction holes 111a provided on opposite sides of the first fan assembly 110, and then discharged to a position above the top of the first fan assembly 110 through the discharge holes 111b provided on the upper side of the first fan assembly 110.

[0210] That is, the cooking gas introduced into the main body 10 through the intake hole 101 may flow into the upper space 10e through the first exhaust flow path A1 formed in the rear space 10d. The cooking gas that has flowed into the upper space 10e may be discharged to the outside through the first exhaust hole 103.

[0211] The first exhaust hole 103 may form a passage connecting the upper space 10e to the outside of the cooking appliance. The first exhaust hole 103 may be provided above the upper space 10e and may be provided at a position vertically overlapping the rear space 10d.

[0212] That is, the first fan assembly 110, the rear space 10d, the first exhaust flow path A1, and the first exhaust hole 103 may be arranged to vertically overlap each other. Preferably, the first fan assembly 110, the rear space 10d, the first exhaust flow path A1, and the first exhaust hole 103 may be aligned in a straight line in the vertical direction.

[0213] Therefore, the flow of air under the operation of the first fan assembly 110 may have a straight-line direction same as the alignment direction of the first fan assembly 110, the rear space 10d, and the first exhaust hole 103.

[0214] As described above, when the air flows in a straight-line direction, the resistance to the air flow is reduced, so that the air flow can proceed more smoothly. Therefore, the suction and exhaust performance of the first fan assembly 110 can be improved, thereby improving the cooking gas removal performance of the cooking appliance.

[0215] In addition, when the first fan assembly 110 operates, the operation of the second fan assembly 120 may also start. When the operation of the second fan assembly 120 starts, the cooking gas around the intake hole 101 may be introduced into the side space 10c. The cooking gas introduced into the side space 10c as described above may be sucked into the interior of the second fan assembly 120 and then discharged upward from the second fan assembly 120.

[0216] That is, the cooking gas introduced into the main body 10 by the second fan assembly 120 may flow into the upper space 10e through the second exhaust flow path A2 formed in the side space 10c. The cooking gas flowing into the upper space 10e may be discharged to the outside through the first exhaust hole 103 together with the cooking gas that has flowed into the upper space 10e through the first fan assembly 10c.

[0217] According to the present embodiment, the fan assemblies are provided in both the side space 10c and the rear space 10d, so that the suction or discharge performance of the blower 100 can be very effectively improved compared with the case where the fan assembly is only provided in the side space 10c or the rear space 10d.

[0218] In one example, as Figure 11 shown, the cooking appliance of the present embodiment may discharge the cooking gas sucked into the cooking appliance into the indoor space as needed.

[0219] According to the present embodiment, the passage for discharging the cooking gas sucked into the cooking appliance into the indoor space may be constituted by the second exhaust hole 105. That is, the cooking gas introduced into the side space 10c or the rear space 10d through the intake hole 101 may flow through the upper space 10e and then be discharged into the indoor space through the second exhaust hole 105.

[0220] The cooking gas flowing from the side space 10c or the rear space 10d to the upper space 10e may flow through the filter and be discharged into the indoor space through the second exhaust hole 105 in a state of being filtered by the filter.

[0221] According to the present embodiment, the first fan assembly 110 may be disposed adjacent to the rear plate 15 at the rear side of the main body 10, and the second exhaust hole 105 may be disposed adjacent to the door 20 at the front side of the upper surface of the main body 10.

[0222] That is, the second exhaust hole 105 may be provided to communicate with the front side of the upper space 10e, and the first fan assembly 110 may be provided behind the upper space 10e. The first exhaust hole 103 may be provided to communicate with the rear side of the upper space 10e.

[0223] According to the present embodiment, the filter for filtering the cooking gas may be provided in the upper space 10e. Since the first fan assembly 110 is provided in the rear space 10d and the second fan assembly 120 is provided in the side space 10c, sufficient space required for installing the filter can be ensured in the upper space 10e.

[0224] That is, since the blower 100 is provided in both the side space and the rear space (i.e., the side space 10c and the rear space 10d) of the main body 10, sufficient space required for installing the filter can be ensured in the upper space 10e.

[0225] If the blower 100 is provided in the upper space 10e, most of the upper space 10e is occupied by the blower 100, making it difficult to ensure the space required for installing the filter in the upper space 10e. In addition, if the blower 100 is provided in the upper space 10e, there may be a problem that the vertical length of the cooking appliance increases.

[0226] Considering this fact, in the cooking appliance of the present embodiment, the blower 100 is provided in the side space 10c and the rear space 10d. Therefore, in the cooking appliance of the present embodiment, the installation space of the filter can be effectively ensured in the upper space 10e without increasing the vertical length of the cooking appliance.

[0227] In the cooking appliance according to the above-described embodiment, the fan assembly is disposed in both the side space 10c and the rear space 10d, thereby effectively improving the cooking gas removal performance of the cooking appliance.

[0228] In addition, the cooking appliance according to the present embodiment includes a blower 100 configured as follows: a second fan assembly 120 that is more suitable for being disposed in a narrow space is disposed in the side space 10c, and a first fan assembly 110 having a higher performance than that of the second fan assembly 120 is disposed in the rear space 10d that provides a more sufficient space than the space provided by the side space 10c, thereby suppressing an increase in the size of the cooking appliance and at the same time providing a more excellent cooking gas removal performance.

[0229] In addition, in the cooking appliance according to the present embodiment, the flow of air induced by the first fan assembly 110 disposed in the rear space 10d, that is, the flow of air introduced into the main body 10 through the intake hole 101 and discharged to the outside of the cooking appliance through the first exhaust hole 103 has a linear direction, thereby minimizing the flow loss inside the cooking appliance, thereby providing a more excellent cooking gas removal performance.

[0230] In addition, in the cooking appliance according to the present embodiment, a filter installation space can be effectively ensured in the upper space 10e, thereby providing an effect of maintaining a compact size and smoothly filtering and discharging the cooking gas into the indoor space.

[0231] [Another Embodiment of the Blower]

[0232] Figure 12 FIG. is a perspective view illustrating the internal structure of a cooking appliance according to another embodiment of the present disclosure in a perspective state, Figure 13 illustrates Figure 12 a front view of the internal structure of the cooking appliance shown, and Figure 14 illustrates Figure 12 a plan view of the internal structure of the cooking appliance shown. Figure 15 illustrates Figure 12 a side view of the internal structure of the cooking appliance shown, and Figure 16 illustrates Figure 12 a rear perspective view of the internal structure of the cooking appliance shown.

[0233] Referring to Figures 12 to 16 , the blower 200 according to another embodiment of the present disclosure may include a plurality of second fan assemblies 120.

[0234] The blower 200 shown in the above embodiment and the blower 100 (see Figure 2) The main difference is that the second fan assembly 120 is not only disposed in the side space 10c, but also disposed in the rear space 10d.

[0235] That is, in the present embodiment, an example is illustrated in which each of the first blower and the second blower includes the second fan assembly 120.

[0236] According to the present embodiment, the second fan assembly 120 providing performance slightly lower than that of the first fan assembly 110 is disposed in the rear space 10d. In this regard, not only one second fan assembly 120 may be disposed in the rear space 10d, but a plurality of second fan assemblies 120 may be disposed in the rear space 10d.

[0237] That is, a plurality of second fan assemblies 120 having a performance slightly lower than that of the first fan assembly 110 but a size smaller than that of the first fan assembly 110 are disposed in the rear space 10d. Therefore, the blower 200 according to the present embodiment can provide a suction or discharge performance greater than or equal to that of the blower 100 shown in the above embodiment (see Figure 2 )

[0238] In summary, in the present embodiment, the second fan assembly 120 having a size smaller than that of the first fan assembly 110 is disposed in the rear space 10d. Therefore, the blower 200 can be configured to include a greater number of fan assemblies 120 than the number of fan assemblies included in the blower 100 shown in the above embodiment.

[0239] The blower 200 including a plurality of second fan assemblies 120 disposed in the rear space 10d can provide a higher suction or discharge performance than the blower 100 shown in the above embodiment. Therefore, the cooking appliance of the present embodiment can provide more excellent cooking gas removal performance.

[0240] In addition, since the second fan assembly 120 having a size smaller than that of the first fan assembly 110 is applied to the blower 200, the size of the rear space 10d in which the blower 200 is to be installed can be reduced. That is, since the length of the second fan assembly 120 in the front-rear direction is shortened, the length of the rear space 10d in the front-rear direction can be shortened, which can result in a shortening of the length of the cooking appliance in the front-rear direction.

[0241] In other words, since the blower 200 is configured to include a plurality of second fan assemblies 120 having a size slightly smaller than that of the first fan assembly 110, the cooking gas removal performance of the cooking appliance can be improved, and the size of the cooking appliance can be further reduced.

[0242] In addition, the cooking appliance according to the present embodiment may include flow path defining members 240 and 250. Similar to the flow path defining members shown in the above-described embodiment, the flow path defining members 240 and 250 may constitute exhaust flow paths A1 and A2 inside the cooking appliance.

[0243] In the present embodiment, an example is shown in which the flow path defining members 240 and 250 include a first flow path defining member 240 and a second flow path defining member 250. The first flow path defining member 240 may be configured to guide the flow of air discharged from the first fan assembly 110, and the second flow path defining member 250 may be configured to guide the flow of air discharged from the second fan assembly 120.

[0244] The first flow path defining member 240 may include a fastening plate 241 and a pair of inclined plates 243.

[0245] The fastening plate 241 may be mounted on the second fan assembly 120 provided in the rear space 10d. The fastening plate 241 may open the discharge hole 121b upward and be coupled to the upper surface of the second fan assembly 120.

[0246] In an example, the fastening plate 241 may be configured to cover all of the plurality of second fan assemblies 120 provided in the rear space 10d while being positioned on top of the plurality of second fan assemblies 120. The fastening plate 241 may be formed to have a length corresponding to the total length in the lateral direction of the plurality of second fan assemblies 120 provided in the rear space 10d, and may be coupled to the upper surface of each of the plurality of second fan assemblies 120 provided in the rear space 10d.

[0247] The inclined plates 243 may constitute vertical walls extending upward from the fastening plate 241. A pair of inclined plates 243 may be provided to be spaced apart from each other by a predetermined distance in the lateral direction, with the fastening plate 241 interposed therebetween.

[0248] In an example, one of the pair of inclined plates 243 may be connected to one end portion in the lateral direction of the fastening plate 241, and the other of the pair of inclined plates 243 may be connected to the other end portion in the lateral direction of the fastening plate 241.

[0249] Each of the inclined plates 243 may be formed to extend upward from the fastening plate 241. Each of the inclined plates 243 may constitute an inclined surface extending upward so as to incline toward the lateral center of the rear space 10d. The inclined plates 243 may guide the air flow flowing through the first exhaust flow path A1 to the lateral center of the rear space 10d.

[0250] The inclined plate 243 is configured to protrude upward beyond the upper surface of the cavity 11. In an example, the inclined plate 243 may protrude to a vertical level such that the upper end portion of the inclined plate 243 contacts the upper surface of the housing 13.

[0251] Accordingly, the outlet of the first exhaust flow path A1 may be connected only to the upper space 10e, and the flow of air discharged from the second fan assembly 120 may be guided only to the upper space 10e through the first exhaust flow path A1.

[0252] The second flow path defining member 250 may include a fastening plate 251 and a vertical plate 253.

[0253] The fastening plate 251 may be mounted on the second fan assembly 120 disposed in the side space 10c. The fastening plate 251 may open the discharge hole 121b upward and be coupled to the upper surface of the second fan assembly 120.

[0254] The vertical plate 253 may constitute a vertical wall extending upward from the fastening plate 351. The vertical plate 253 may be disposed between the second fan assembly 120 disposed in the rear space 10d and the second fan assembly 120 disposed in the side space 10c. For example, the vertical plate 253 may be disposed between the vertical plate 243 of the first flow path defining member 240 and the second fan assembly 120 disposed in the side space 10c.

[0255] In the second flow path defining member 250, the fastening plate 251 may define the lower boundary surface of the second exhaust flow path A2, and the vertical plate 253 may define the rear boundary surface of the second exhaust flow path A2. The left and right boundary surfaces of the second exhaust flow path A2 may be defined by the side surface of the cavity 11 and the side surface of the housing 13, respectively.

[0256] The vertical plate 253 is configured to protrude upward beyond the upper surface of the cavity 11. In an example, the vertical plate 253 may protrude to a vertical level such that the upper end portion of the vertical plate 253 contacts the upper surface of the housing 13.

[0257] Accordingly, the outlet of the second exhaust flow path A2 may be connected only to the upper space 10e, and the flow of air discharged from the second fan assembly 120 may be guided only to the upper space 10e through the second exhaust flow path A2.

[0258] In an example, the fastening plate 251 of the second flow path defining member 250 may be formed separately from the fastening plate 241 of the second flow path defining member 240. In another example, the fastening plate 251 of the second flow path defining member 250 may be integrally formed with the fastening plate 241 of the second flow path defining member 240.

[0259] In addition, the vertical plate 251 of the second flow path defining member 250 may be integrally formed with the fastening plate 241 or may be formed as a separate component from the fastening plate 241.

[0260] Figure 17 and Figure 18 are schematic views showing a state in which cooking gas is discharged to an outdoor space in a cooking appliance according to another embodiment of the present disclosure, and Figure 19 is a schematic view showing a state in which cooking gas is discharged to an indoor space in a cooking appliance according to another embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0261] As Figure 17 and Figure 18 shown, the cooking appliance of the present embodiment can suck cooking gas outside the cooking appliance into the cooking appliance through the intake holes 101 and discharge the cooking gas sucked by the blower 200 to the outside through the first exhaust holes 103. In addition, the cooking appliance can discharge the cooking gas sucked into the cooking appliance into the indoor space through the second exhaust holes 105, as Figure 18 shown.

[0262] According to the present embodiment, a plurality of second fan assemblies 120 may be arranged laterally and provided in the rear space 10d. Each of the second fan assemblies 120 arranged as described above may be provided adjacent to a pair of intake holes 101, which are respectively arranged in the lateral direction and defined in the lower end portion of the main body 10.

[0263] That is, when a pair of second fan assemblies 120 are arranged in the lateral direction, the distance between the second fan assembly 120 and the intake hole 101 is also shortened compared to when one fan assembly is provided at the lateral center of the main body 10. Therefore, the flow path connecting the second fan assembly 120 and the intake hole 101 can be formed in an approximately straight shape in the vertical direction.

[0264] As a result, since the distance between the second fan assembly 120 and the intake hole 101 is shortened, the suction performance of the blower 200 can be improved. Since the shape of the flow path is formed in an approximately straight shape, the resistance to the air flow can also be reduced.

[0265] That is, since a plurality of second fan assemblies 120 are arranged laterally inside the main body 10 as described above, the flow loss inside the cooking appliance is minimized, and thus, the cooking gas removal performance of the cooking appliance can be further improved.

[0266] In the example, referring to Figures 17 to 18 , the second fan assembly 120 may be provided in the rear space 10d and may be provided at a position lower than the position where the first fan assembly 110 is provided in the above-described embodiment (seeFigure 3 ) at a lower position.

[0267] For example, compared with the case where the first fan assembly 110 is disposed at a vertical level equal to or higher than the center point in the vertical direction of the main body 10, the second fan assembly 120 of the present embodiment can be disposed at a vertical level lower than the center in the vertical direction of the main body 10.

[0268] According to the present embodiment, the first exhaust hole 103 can be provided in the rear side of the upper surface of the main body 10 and can be provided at the lateral center of the main body 10. On the contrary, a pair of second fan assemblies 120 are disposed at positions laterally offset from the lateral center of the main body 10.

[0269] As described above, the second fan assembly 120 is disposed at a position closer to the lateral side of the main body 10. Therefore, a certain distance between the second fan assembly 120 and the first exhaust hole 103 should be ensured so that the cooking gas discharged from the second fan assembly 120 can flow smoothly to the first exhaust hole 103 provided at the lateral center of the main body 10.

[0270] The second fan assembly 120 is disposed in the rear space 10d, so the front - rear position of the second fan assembly 120 can be fixed. Considering this fact, in the present embodiment, the vertical position of the second fan assembly 120 can be changed to ensure the distance between the second fan assembly 120 and the first exhaust hole 103.

[0271] That is, since the second fan assembly 120 is disposed at the lowest possible vertical level inside the main body 10, the required distance between the second fan assembly 120 and the first exhaust hole 103 can be ensured.

[0272] Since the second fan assembly 120 is disposed in this way, the air discharged from the second fan assembly 120 can flow smoothly to the first exhaust hole 103, and the distance between the second fan assembly 120 and the intake hole 101 can be shortened.

[0273] Therefore, the flow loss inside the cooking appliance can be minimized, and the cooking gas removal performance of the cooking appliance can be improved more effectively.

[0274] Although the present disclosure has been described above with reference to the embodiments shown in the drawings, this is merely an example, and those of ordinary skill in the art will understand that various modifications and other equivalent embodiments can be made therefrom. Therefore, the true technical protection scope of the present disclosure should be determined by the appended claims.

[0275] <Reference Numerals>

[0276] 10: Main body

[0277] 10a: Cooking chamber

[0278] 10b: Electronic / electrical component chamber

[0279] 10c: Side space

[0280] 10d: Rear space

[0281] 10e: Upper space

[0282] 11: Cavity

[0283] 12: Front plate

[0284] 13: Housing

[0285] 14: Substrate

[0286] 15: Rear plate

[0287] 15a: Backward protruding surface

[0288] 20: Door

[0289] 30: Control panel

[0290] 100, 200: Blower

[0291] 101: Air inlet hole

[0292] 103: First exhaust hole

[0293] 105: Second exhaust hole

[0294] 110: First fan assembly

[0295] 111: Fan housing

[0296] 111a: Suction hole

[0297] 111b: Discharge hole

[0298] 113: Impeller

[0299] 120: Second fan assembly

[0300] 121: Fan housing

[0301] 121a: Suction hole

[0302] 121b: Discharge hole

[0303] 123: Impeller

[0304] 140, 240: First flow path defining member

[0305] 141, 241: Fastening plate

[0306] 143: Vertical plate

[0307] 150, 250: Second flow path defining member

[0308] 151, 251: Fastening plate

[0309] 153, 253: Vertical plate

[0310] 160: First connecting plate

[0311] 165: Second connecting plate

[0312] 170: Partition member

[0313] 243: Inclined plate

Claims

1. A cooking appliance, the cooking appliance comprising: A main body, the main body including a cavity having a cooking chamber defined therein; And A blower, the blower being disposed inside the main body, Wherein, the main body has an air inlet hole disposed below the blower and an exhaust hole disposed above the air inlet hole, Wherein, the blower includes a first blower and a second blower, and the first blower and the second blower are configured to suck air through the air inlet hole and discharge the sucked air to the exhaust hole, Wherein, the first blower is disposed behind the cavity, Wherein, the second blower is disposed at a lateral side of the cavity.

2. The cooking appliance according to claim 1, wherein, The main body further includes a rear plate disposed behind the cavity, Wherein, the first blower is disposed in a rear space defined between the cavity and the rear plate.

3. The cooking appliance according to claim 2, wherein, A rearwardly protruding surface is formed on at least a part of the rear plate, Wherein, the rearwardly protruding surface constitutes a surface that protrudes rearwardly beyond the remaining area of the rear plate other than the rearwardly protruding surface, Wherein, the first blower is disposed in a region that overlaps with the rearwardly protruding surface in the front-rear direction.

4. The cooking appliance according to claim 1, wherein, The main body further includes a housing having an upper surface disposed above the cavity, Wherein, the exhaust hole communicates with an upper space formed between the upper surface of the cavity and the upper surface of the housing, Wherein, the first blower and the second blower are configured to discharge the sucked air into the upper space.

5. The cooking appliance according to claim 4, wherein, The exhaust hole is formed to extend through the upper surface of the housing.

6. The cooking appliance according to claim 1, wherein, The exhaust hole is disposed in a region that overlaps with the first blower in the vertical direction.

7. The cooking appliance according to claim 1, wherein, The first blower is disposed at a position that overlaps with the cavity in the front-rear direction.

8. The cooking appliance according to claim 1, wherein, The main body further includes a housing having a side surface disposed at a lateral side of the cavity, Wherein, the second blower is disposed in a side space formed between the side surface of the cavity and the side surface of the housing.

9. The cooking appliance according to claim 8, wherein, An electronic / electrical component chamber is formed inside the main body, Wherein, the side space includes a pair of side spaces respectively disposed on opposite sides in the lateral direction of the cavity, Wherein, the electronic / electrical component chamber is disposed in one of the pair of side spaces, Wherein, the second blower is disposed in the other of the pair of side spaces.

10. The cooking appliance according to claim 1, wherein, In the vertical direction, at least one of the first blower and the second blower is disposed in a region corresponding to the region between the upper surface and the lower surface of the cavity.

11. The cooking appliance according to claim 1, wherein, In the vertical direction, the first blower is disposed at a position closer to the air inlet hole than the second blower.

12. The cooking appliance according to claim 1, wherein, The first blower includes at least one of a first fan assembly and a second fan assembly, Wherein, the second blower includes the second fan assembly, Wherein, each of the first fan assembly and the second fan assembly has: A suction hole, the suction hole being disposed to face the lateral direction or the front-rear direction; and A discharge hole, the discharge hole being disposed to face upward, Among them, in the first blower, the suction holes of each of the first fan assembly and the second fan assembly are arranged to face the lateral direction, Among them, in the second blower, the suction holes of the second fan assembly are arranged to face the front-rear direction.

13. The cooking appliance according to claim 12, wherein, In a direction perpendicular to both the direction in which the suction holes face and the direction in which the discharge holes face, the length of the second fan assembly is less than the length of the first fan assembly.

14. The cooking appliance according to claim 12, wherein, The first blower includes a plurality of second fan assemblies arranged laterally.

15. The cooking appliance according to claim 12, wherein, In the first blower, the vertical position of the second fan assembly is closer to the intake hole than to the exhaust hole.

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