Electric furnace

Abstract

Embodiments of an electric furnace may include: an upper support; a coil substrate disposed above the upper support, and on which a working coil is printed; and a plurality of ferrite modules respectively disposed above the upper support, below the coil substrate, and at positions corresponding to the plurality of working coils. The upper support may include: a plurality of seating grooves in which the plurality of ferrite modules are respectively seated; and a boundary rib forming a boundary of the plurality of seating grooves and protruding from an upper surface of the upper support. The working coils may be densely arranged on the coil substrate, and the working coils may be separated from each other to operate independently.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This disclosure relates to an electric furnace, and more specifically, to an induction heating type electric furnace. Background Technology

[0002] The content described in this section is provided only as background information for this disclosure and does not constitute prior art.

[0003] Various types of cooking appliances are used to heat food at home or in restaurants. These appliances include gas stoves that use gas and electric stoves that use electricity.

[0004] Electric furnaces are mainly divided into resistance heating furnaces and induction heating furnaces.

[0005] Resistance heating ovens use a method of applying an electric current to a metal resistance wire or a non-metallic heating element such as silicon carbide to generate heat and then radiating or conducting the generated heat to heat a target (e.g., a cooking container such as a pot or frying pan).

[0006] Induction heating furnaces use a method that generates a magnetic field around a coil by applying high-frequency power to the coil and uses the eddy current generated by the generated magnetic field to heat a heating target made of metal parts.

[0007] In the basic heating principle of induction heating, when current is applied to the working coil, heat is generated while the target is being induced to heat, and the target is heated by the generated heat.

[0008] In a typical electric furnace, the area of ​​the coil to which electricity is applied is relatively large. Furthermore, the target to be heated should be placed in a position overlapping with this large coil area so that the target can be heated effectively.

[0009] Therefore, since the coils of the electric furnace occupy a large area, each heating zone corresponding to each of the few coils with a large area is set in the top of the electric furnace.

[0010] Because the number of heating zones is small and the size of each zone is large, the cover plate of the electric furnace, which has a limited area, contains only a few heating zones. Furthermore, the large size of the heating zones means that even when multiple heating zones are present in the furnace, the non-heated areas confined between them occupy a significant portion of the space.

[0011] Due to this structure, the space where the heating target can be placed on the electric furnace becomes narrow. Even when heating small objects, a heating area with a large surface area is used, thus increasing power consumption. This causes inconvenience for the user.

[0012] To compensate for this drawback, coils with a small-area plate structure can be placed in the electric furnace. When multiple coils (each with a small area) are arranged in the electric furnace, the space between the coils is reduced, and only the coil with the heating target placed on it is operated, thereby improving the space efficiency of the electric furnace and reducing power consumption. Summary of the Invention

[0013] Technical Purpose

[0014] The purpose of this disclosure is to provide an electric furnace that increases space efficiency and ease of use by printing the working coil on a coil substrate.

[0015] Furthermore, the purpose of this disclosure is to provide an electric furnace including an upper support having a structure for stably supporting a coil substrate.

[0016] Furthermore, the purpose of this disclosure is to provide an electric furnace having a structure in which multiple components are connected to an upper support member to increase the ease of assembly and maintenance.

[0017] Furthermore, the purpose of this disclosure is to provide an electric furnace having a structure in which a cooling device is connected to an upper support member.

[0018] The purpose of this disclosure is not limited to the foregoing objectives, and other unmentioned objectives and advantages of this disclosure can be understood based on the following description, and embodiments based on this disclosure will be more clearly understood. Furthermore, it will be readily understood that the objectives and advantages of this disclosure can be achieved by the apparatus and combinations thereof described in the claims.

[0019] Technical solution

[0020] An embodiment of the electric furnace may include: an upper support; a coil substrate disposed on top of the upper support, and a working coil printed on the coil substrate; and a plurality of ferrite modules disposed on top of the upper support, below the coil substrate, and respectively disposed at positions corresponding to the plurality of working coils.

[0021] The upper support member may include: a plurality of mounting grooves, in which the plurality of ferrite modules are respectively mounted; and a boundary rib, which defines the boundaries of the plurality of mounting grooves and protrudes from the upper surface of the upper support member.

[0022] The working coils can be densely arranged on the coil substrate, and the working coils are separate from each other and can be operated independently.

[0023] The embodiment of the electric furnace may include: a blower fan connected to the lower surface of the upper support member and disposed at a position spaced apart from the plate; and a radiator disposed below the upper support member and having a longitudinal direction parallel to the exhaust direction of the blower fan.

[0024] The blower fan can be connected to the lower surface of the upper support member, the heat sink can be connected to the inverter board, and the inverter board can be connected to the lower surface of the blower fan.

[0025] Therefore, the outer casing defining the shape of the electric furnace may not have a separate structure for connecting the blower and the radiator to each other.

[0026] The coil substrate and the ferrite module can be configured to be supported by at least one of the side surface or bottom surface defining the mounting groove while being placed in the mounting groove.

[0027] Using the mounting groove and the boundary ribs formed around the mounting groove, the ferrite module can be easily and stably mounted on the upper support.

[0028] The embodiment of the electric furnace includes: a main board connected to the lower surface of the upper support member and including a controller for controlling the electric furnace; an SMPS board connected to the lower surface of the upper support member and supplying power to the electric furnace; an EMI filter connected to the lower surface of the upper support member and suppressing electromagnetic interference generated by electricity; and an inverter board connected to the lower surface of the upper support member and applying a resonant current to the operating coil, wherein the main board, the SMPS board, the EMI filter, and the inverter board may be disposed on the lower surface of the upper support member and may be spaced apart from each other.

[0029] An embodiment of the electric furnace may include an indicator plate attached to the lower surface of the upper support member, the indicator plate comprising a plurality of indicator plates spaced apart from each other and having a light source.

[0030] Another embodiment of the electric furnace may include a resonator substrate connected to the lower surface of the upper support and configured to be separate from the inverter board.

[0031] Therefore, most of the electrical components that operate and participate in the operation of the electric furnace after receiving power (e.g., plates, blowers, etc.) can be connected to the upper support.

[0032] Beneficial effects

[0033] In the electric furnace according to this disclosure, the working coils are densely arranged on the coil substrate, and the working coils are separated from each other for independent operation. Due to this structure, the user can freely place the heating target at any position on the cover plate.

[0034] Therefore, this provides convenience to the user. The coil substrate that does not overlap with the heating target does not operate, thereby significantly reducing power consumption.

[0035] In the electric furnace according to this disclosure, the blower fan is connected to the lower surface of the upper support member, the radiator is connected to the inverter board, and the inverter board is connected to the lower surface of the upper support member. As a result, both the blower fan and the radiator, as cooling devices, are connected to the upper support member, such that a separate structure for connecting the blower fan and the radiator to each other can be omitted from the housing.

[0036] Therefore, the support structure of the electric furnace is usually simplified, thereby simplifying the structure of the electric furnace and reducing manufacturing costs.

[0037] Furthermore, the structure that contacts the blower and the radiator is omitted from the housing, which facilitates the assembly and disassembly of the housing and the maintenance of the electric furnace.

[0038] Furthermore, in the electric furnace according to this disclosure, the ferrite module can be easily and stably mounted on the upper support by using the mounting groove defined in the upper support and the boundary rib formed around the mounting groove.

[0039] Furthermore, since the first piece is inserted into the coil substrate, when the coil substrate is mounted on the upper support, the coil substrate can be placed in the designed position and will not move in the lateral direction of the upper support (i.e., in both the lateral and longitudinal directions of the upper support), thereby making it easy to assemble the coil substrate onto the upper support.

[0040] Furthermore, in the electric furnace according to this disclosure, the ferrite module and the coil substrate can be connected to the upper surface of the upper support, and various plates for operating the electric furnace and the cooling device can be connected to the lower surface of the lower support.

[0041] As described above, most of the electrical components that operate and participate in the operation of the electric furnace after receiving power (e.g., the plate, the blower, etc.) can be connected to the upper support. Due to this structure, the assembly and disassembly performance of the electric furnace can be significantly improved.

[0042] In addition to the effects described above, specific effects of this disclosure will also be described along with the specific matters that enable this disclosure. Attached Figure Description

[0043] Figure 1 This is a perspective view showing an electric furnace according to an embodiment.

[0044] Figure 2 This is a front view showing an electric furnace according to an embodiment.

[0045] Figure 3a This is an exploded perspective view of an electric furnace according to an embodiment.

[0046] Figure 3b This is an exploded perspective view of an electric furnace according to another embodiment.

[0047] Figure 4a yes Figure 1 The plan view of the cover plate is omitted.

[0048] Figure 4b This is a diagram showing a coil substrate according to an embodiment.

[0049] Figure 5 It is along Figure 4a Cross-sectional view in direction 5-5.

[0050] Figure 6 This is a bottom view showing an electric furnace according to an embodiment.

[0051] Figure 7 yes Figure 6 The diagram of the outer shell is omitted.

[0052] Figure 8a This is a perspective view showing the upper support member according to an embodiment.

[0053] Figure 8b This is a perspective view showing the upper support member according to another embodiment.

[0054] Figure 9 This is a plan view showing the upper support member according to an embodiment.

[0055] Figure 10 It is along Figure 9 Cross-sectional view in direction 10-10.

[0056] Figure 11 It is along Figure 9 Cross-sectional view of direction 11-11.

[0057] Figure 12 This is an exploded perspective view showing the upper support and ferrite module.

[0058] Figure 13This is a plan view showing the state of the ferrite module connected to the upper support.

[0059] Figure 14 It is shown in Figure 13 A plan view of the coil substrate connection state under the specified conditions.

[0060] Figure 15 This is a bottom view of the upper support component.

[0061] Figure 16 It is shown in Figure 15 The diagram shows the connection status of the indicator board under the specified conditions.

[0062] Figure 17 It is shown in Figure 16 The diagram shows the connection status of various components under the given conditions.

[0063] Figure 18 This is an exploded view of the upper support and ferrite module according to the implementation method.

[0064] Figure 19 This is an exploded view of the ferrite module according to the implementation method.

[0065] Figure 20 This is a perspective view of a ferrite module according to another embodiment.

[0066] Figure 21 yes Figure 20 Floor plan.

[0067] Figure 22 yes Figure 21 Side view.

[0068] Figure 23 It is along Figure 21 Cross-sectional view in direction 23-23.

[0069] Figure 24 This is a perspective view showing a ferrite core according to an embodiment.

[0070] Figure 25 This is a perspective view of a ferrite module according to another embodiment.

[0071] Figure 26 yes Figure 25 Floor plan.

[0072] Figure 27 yes Figure 25 Side view.

[0073] Figure 28 It is along Figure 26 Cross-sectional view in direction 28-28.

[0074] Figure 29This is a perspective view of a ferrite core according to another embodiment.

[0075] Figure 30 yes Figure 29 Floor plan.

[0076] Figure 31 This is a perspective view of a ferrite module according to another embodiment.

[0077] Figure 32 yes Figure 31 Floor plan.

[0078] Figure 33 yes Figure 29 The image shows a bottom-view perspective of the ferrite module.

[0079] Figure 34 yes Figure 29 The exploded view of the upper support and ferrite module shown.

[0080] Figure 35 This is a cross-sectional view of a part of the electric furnace. Detailed Implementation

[0081] The above-described objects, features, and advantages will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings, so that those skilled in the art to which this disclosure pertains can readily practice the technical ideas of this disclosure. In describing this disclosure, detailed descriptions of well-known technologies related to this disclosure will be omitted where it is determined that such detailed descriptions may unnecessarily obscure the essential points of this disclosure. Hereinafter, preferred embodiments according to this disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the drawings, the same reference numerals are used to denote the same or similar components.

[0082] Although terms like "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. Therefore, unless specifically stated otherwise, a first component can be a second component.

[0083] As used herein, unless otherwise stated, each component may be configured as one or more components.

[0084] The above-described objects, features, and advantages will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings, so that those skilled in the art to which this disclosure pertains can readily practice the technical ideas of this disclosure. In describing this disclosure, detailed descriptions of well-known technologies related to this disclosure will be omitted where it is determined that such detailed descriptions may unnecessarily obscure the essential points of this disclosure. Hereinafter, preferred embodiments according to this disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the drawings, the same reference numerals are used to denote the same or similar components.

[0085] Although terms like "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. Therefore, unless specifically stated otherwise, a first component can be a second component.

[0086] As used herein, unless otherwise stated, each component may be configured as one or more components.

[0087] As used herein, the singular form “a” and “one” are intended to include the plural form as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. Furthermore, the terms “comprising,” “including,” “containing,” and “having” as used herein should not be construed as necessarily including all the various components or steps described herein, but may be interpreted as excluding certain components or steps. It should also be understood that the terms “comprising,” “including,” “containing,” and “having” as used herein specify the presence of one component or step, but do not exclude the presence or addition of another component or step.

[0088] Unless otherwise specified, throughout this disclosure, “A and / or B” means A, B or A and B, and “C to D” means C (inclusive) to D (inclusive), unless otherwise specified.

[0089] Throughout this disclosure, "upward direction," "downward direction," or "vertical direction" refers to the upward, downward, or vertical direction in which the electric furnace is installed in its daily use configuration. "Two lateral directions" or "sideways directions" refers to directions orthogonal to the vertical direction. The two lateral directions or sideways directions may include "left-right directions" and "front-back directions," and the left-right and front-back directions are orthogonal to each other.

[0090] Figure 1 This is a perspective view showing an electric furnace according to an embodiment. Figure 2 This is a front view showing an electric furnace according to an embodiment. Figure 3a This is an exploded perspective view of an electric furnace according to an embodiment.

[0091] The electric furnace according to the embodiment can heat the target by induction heating. In this regard, the target can be, for example, tableware made of a metal material such as stainless steel or iron.

[0092] In the induction heating method, high-frequency power is applied to the working coil 140a to generate a magnetic field around the working coil 140a, and the eddy current generated by the generated magnetic field is used to heat the heating target made of metal parts.

[0093] In other words, when the working coil 140a and the ferrite material are arranged adjacent to each other and high-frequency power is applied to the working coil 140a, the working coil 140a and the ferrite can generate a magnetic field through their electromagnetic interaction.

[0094] When a magnetic field is generated around the working coil 140a and the target to be heated is placed in the region of the generated magnetic field, eddy currents are induced in the target under the magnetic field, and Joule heating is generated from the eddy currents, thereby heating the target. The tableware that is the target to be heated is heated, so that the food contained in the target can be heated and cooked.

[0095] The electric furnace according to the embodiment may include a shell 110, a cover plate 120, an upper support 130, a coil substrate 140, and a ferrite module 150.

[0096] The housing 110 can be used to protect the components constituting the electric furnace. For example, the housing 110 can be made of aluminum. However, embodiments of this disclosure are not limited thereto. In one example, the housing 110 can be thermally insulated to suppress the heat generated by the coil substrate 140 from dissipating to the outside.

[0097] The outer casing 110 can house the components constituting the electric furnace, and its upper portion is open, and its open portion can be closed with a cover plate 120. The outer casing 110 can be formed by processing a sheet material into a box shape.

[0098] The housing 110 may include a base plate 111 and side walls 112. The base plate 111 may define the bottom surface of the housing 110. The base plate 111 may support the internal components of the electric furnace.

[0099] The sidewall 112 can be bent from the base plate 111 to define a receiving space for the component. The sidewall 112 can be bent upward from the edge of the base plate 111 to define the side surface of the electric furnace.

[0100] Sidewalls 112 can be provided at each of the four sides of the base plate 111, which is typically formed as a quadrilateral. Sidewalls 112 can enhance the rigidity of the entire housing 110. That is, sidewalls 112 formed as bends from the base plate 111 can prevent the plate-shaped base plate 111 from bending or being damaged by the weight of the received components or external forces.

[0101] Furthermore, the cover plate 120 can be attached to the top of the side wall 112. In this way, the housing 110 and the cover plate 120 are connected to each other to enclose the internal space of the housing 110, and the internal space in which various components are disposed can be confined inside the housing 110.

[0102] The cover plate 120 can be attached to the upper end of the housing 110, and the heating target can be disposed on its upper surface. The cover plate 120 can close the open upper portion of the housing 110 to protect the components housed in the housing 110.

[0103] The heating target is placed on the upper surface of the cover plate 120, and the magnetic field generated from the coil substrate and the ferrite module 150 can pass through the cover plate 120 to reach the heating target. The cover plate 120 can be made of, for example, a material including ceramics. However, embodiments of this disclosure are not limited thereto.

[0104] The cover plate 120 can be made of, for example, glass material, and can be manufactured to be transparent or translucent, allowing light shining from the indicator plate 250 to pass through it.

[0105] An input interface 160 for receiving input from a user can be installed in the electric furnace. The input interface 160 can be installed to overlap with a specific area of ​​the cover plate 120 and can display a specific image.

[0106] For example, the input interface 160 can be embedded in the cover plate 120 in a flat manner, or it can be mounted to contact the lower surface of the cover plate 120.

[0107] The input interface 160 can receive touch input from the user, and the electric furnace can operate based on the received touch input.

[0108] For example, input interface 160 refers to a module that allows the user to input the heating intensity or heating time as desired by the user, and can be implemented as a physical button or touch panel.

[0109] For example, the input interface 160 may be a thin-film transistor liquid crystal display (TFT LCD). However, embodiments of this disclosure are not limited thereto.

[0110] The cover plate 120 may be provided with a cover frame 121 for connecting the upper support 130 and the cover plate 120 to each other. The cover frame 121 may be formed adjacent to the edge of the cover plate 120 and project downward from the cover plate 120 to face the side plate 136 of the upper support 130.

[0111] When the cover plate 120 is attached to the upper support member 130, the cover frame 121 can be configured to surround the outer surface of the side plate 136 of the upper support member 130. Holes can be formed in the cover frame 121, and protrusions can be formed on the upper support member 130 at positions corresponding to the locations of the holes.

[0112] Therefore, at the position where the side plates 136 of the cover frame 121 and the upper support 130 overlap laterally, the protrusion of the upper support 130 can be inserted into the hole of the cover frame 121, so that the cover plate 120 and the upper support 130 can be connected to each other.

[0113] The upper support 130 can be disposed below the cover plate 120 and can be housed in the housing 110. The upper support 130 can be housed in the housing 110, and various components for operating the electric furnace can be connected to the upper support 130.

[0114] The coil substrate 140 and ferrite module 150 for generating the magnetic field can be disposed on the upper surface of the upper support 130. Furthermore, various circuit boards for operating the electric furnace and cooling devices for cooling these circuit boards can be disposed below the upper support 130.

[0115] To accommodate a large number of such components, the upper support 130 can have a complex shape. Therefore, the upper support 130 can be easily manufactured into a complex shape by injection molding (e.g., using a plastic material). The detailed structure of the upper support 130 will be described in detail below.

[0116] The coil substrate 140 can be disposed on the upper surface of the upper support 130 and can include a plurality of coil substrates spaced apart from each other in the lateral direction, and a working coil 140a can be printed thereon.

[0117] The general-purpose working coil 140a is manufactured by spirally winding the coil. Regarding the working coil 140a, the entire working coil 140a can be enlarged to accommodate the winding of the coil. A large working coil 140a reduces the space efficiency of the heating zone of the electric furnace and increases power consumption.

[0118] In one embodiment, a coil substrate 140 on which the working coil 140a is printed can be used. The coil substrate 140 can be arranged such that the working coil 140a is printed on the coil substrate 140, rather than such that the working coil 140a is wound around the coil substrate 140.

[0119] When the working coil 140a is printed on the coil substrate 140, the working coil 140a can be densely printed in a small area, and the working coil 140a can be printed to be spaced apart from each other in the vertical direction of the board to form multiple layers.

[0120] Therefore, when the working coil 140a is printed on the coil substrate 140, compared to the method in which the working coil 140a is wound, the area of ​​the coil substrate 140 can be reduced, and the length of the working coil 140a can be sufficiently extended. Therefore, it is possible to manufacture a coil substrate 140 having a working coil 140a with a small area.

[0121] Furthermore, since the coil substrate 140 has a thin film shape, the coil substrate 140 on which the working coil 140a is provided can have a very thin shape compared to the way in which the working coil 140a is wound.

[0122] Therefore, in this embodiment, by using a coil substrate 140 on which the working coil 140a is printed, the volume occupied by the working coil 140a can be reduced, and the overall length of the working coil 140a can be sufficiently extended. Thus, the entire electric furnace can be manufactured to be thinner.

[0123] like Figure 3a As shown, compared to the method in which the working coil 140a is wound, in one embodiment, a very large number of coil substrates 140, each with a small area, can be provided in the electric furnace. Therefore, multiple working coils 140a can be densely arranged in the electric furnace.

[0124] Compared to the method in which the working coil 140a is wound, the coil substrates 140 can be arranged so that there is no gap between adjacent coil substrates 140. Due to this structure, multiple coil substrates 140 can be densely arranged in the electric furnace without empty space.

[0125] Therefore, in the area where the coil substrate 140 is provided, the empty space without the working coil 140a can be minimized, so a large number of heating targets can be heated at the same time, thereby improving the space efficiency of the electric furnace.

[0126] Furthermore, the working coil 140a is printed on the coil substrate 140, so it is not necessary to form the working coil 140a in a circular shape. For example, the working coil 140a can be printed in a spiral manner, and can be printed in a generally rectangular shape corresponding to the shape of the rectangular coil substrate 140.

[0127] Due to the above structure, a working coil 140a with a very large total length can be provided. Furthermore, the working coils 140a can be densely arranged on the coil substrate 140, and the working coils 140a can be separated from each other and operate independently of each other.

[0128] Therefore, only the working coil 140a in the region that at least partially overlaps with the heating target can be operated to generate a magnetic field, while the remaining working coils 140a can remain inactive. Due to this structure, the user can freely place the heating target anywhere on the cover plate 120.

[0129] Therefore, it provides convenience for users. In addition, the working coil 140a, which does not overlap with the heating target, does not operate, thereby significantly reducing power consumption.

[0130] Ferrite module 150 can be disposed on top of upper support 130, or below coil substrate 140, and can include multiple ferrite modules positioned at positions corresponding to multiple working coils 140a respectively.

[0131] The working coil 140a is printed on the coil substrate 140. Therefore, when high-frequency power is applied to the working coil 140a, a magnetic field can be generated around the ferrite module 150 and the coil substrate 140, and the generated magnetic field can generate eddy currents in the heated target.

[0132] Ferrite modules 150 can be disposed below the coil substrate 140. The number of ferrite modules can correspond to the number of working coils 140a, and their positions can correspond to the positions of the working coils 140a. In another example, multiple working coils 140a can correspond to one ferrite module 150. In this respect, all the multiple working coils 140a can be arranged to overlap with the same ferrite module 150 in the vertical direction.

[0133] In this embodiment, the ferrite module 150 can be configured as a generally rectangular shape.

[0134] The ferrite module 150 can be formed by insert injection molding of ferrite material and plastic material. In this respect, in a ferrite module 150, multiple pieces of ferrite material can be arranged to be spaced apart from each other. The ferrite module 150 will be described in detail below.

[0135] Various boards equipped with control devices and circuits for operating the electric furnace can be installed in the electric furnace. These boards may include a main board 170, an electromagnetic interference (EMI) filter 190, a switching mode power supply (SMPS) board 180, an inverter board 210, a resonator substrate 220, and an indicator board 250.

[0136] The motherboard 170 may be equipped with a controller for controlling the electric furnace. The motherboard 170 can receive power from an external power source and can be configured to communicate with external devices in a wired or wireless manner.

[0137] The EMI filter 190 can suppress electromagnetic interference generated by electricity. The EMI filter 190 can receive AC power from an external power source. Furthermore, the EMI filter 190 can reduce the noise (i.e., electromagnetic interference (EMI)) of the received AC power and can provide noise-reduced AC power to the SMPS board 180.

[0138] The SMPS board 180 can supply power to the electric furnace. The SMPS board 180 can receive AC power with reduced noise from the EMI filter 190. In addition, the SMPS board 180 can rectify the received AC power into DC power and can supply the rectified DC power to the inverter board 210.

[0139] Inverter board 210 can apply a resonant current to operating coil 140a. Inverter board 210 may include an inverter that applies a resonant current to operating coil 140a via switching operation. Multiple inverters may be provided, and the switching operation of the inverters may be controlled by a controller provided on main board 170.

[0140] In this respect, the inverter can receive DC power from the SMPS board 180 and perform switching operations based on the received DC power to apply a resonant current to the working coil 140a.

[0141] Furthermore, the inverter may include two switching elements, which can be alternately turned on and off based on a switching signal provided from the controller. Additionally, a high-frequency alternating current (i.e., resonant current) can be generated from the switching operation of these two switching elements, and the generated high-frequency alternating current can be applied to the operating coil 140a.

[0142] Reference Figure 3a and Figure 7 The inverter board 210 according to the embodiment may include a resonant capacitor. That is, Figure 3a The inverter board 210 shown has a structure in which the inverter and the resonant capacitor are integrated with each other.

[0143] Reference Figure 17 According to another embodiment, the inverter board 210 may include only the inverter and not the resonant capacitor. In this respect, a separate resonator board 220 including the resonant capacitor may be disposed in the electric furnace.

[0144] The resonator substrate 220 and the resonant capacitor will be described first below. This resonant capacitor is electrically connected to the inverter. The resonance of this resonant capacitor begins when a resonant current is applied to the operating coil 140a through the switching operation of the inverter.

[0145] Furthermore, when the resonant capacitor resonates, the current flowing through the working coil 140a connected to the resonant capacitor increases. In other words, through this process, eddy currents can be induced in the heating target positioned on top of the working coil 140a connected to the resonant capacitor.

[0146] Multiple resonant capacitors can be provided. In the case of an integrated structure in which both the inverter and the resonant capacitor are provided in the inverter board 210, the resonant capacitor can be provided to be spaced apart from the inverter in the inverter board 210.

[0147] In another example, when the inverter board 210 and the resonator substrate 220 are separated from each other and exist independently, the resonant capacitor can be disposed in the resonator substrate 220.

[0148] The indicator panel 250 may include a light source. For example, the light source may be configured such that multiple LEDs are arranged in a row.

[0149] When the electric furnace is being operated, the indicator panel 250 can be activated to notify the user whether the heating unit is in operation. Furthermore, the indicator panel 250 can change the lighting shape, color, etc., of multiple LEDs to inform the user of the furnace's operating status.

[0150] Figure 3b This is an exploded perspective view of an electric furnace according to another embodiment. The electric furnace may include a lower support member 260 disposed on the top of a base plate 111 of a housing 110. The lower support member 260 may be disposed below an upper support member 130, housed within the housing 110, disposed below a plate connected to the lower surface of the upper support member 130, and may support the upper support member 130.

[0151] The lower support 260 can be formed as a plate, and holes can be formed therein at positions corresponding to the positions of the inlet hole 1112 and the outlet hole 1113 formed in the base plate 111, as described later, so that air flows through the inlet hole 1112 and the outlet hole 1113 formed in the base plate 111.

[0152] Multiple boards, a blower fan 230, a heat sink 240, a ferrite module 150, and a coil substrate 140 can be mounted on an upper support 130, which can support the load of these components. Because multiple components are connected to the upper support, the upper support 130 may deform and sag downwards due to the load on these components.

[0153] Therefore, the lower support member 260 can be disposed below the upper support member 130 to support the upper support member 130 which is connected to multiple components, thereby preventing the upper support member 130 from drooping downward.

[0154] When the electric furnace has been assembled, the lower support 260 can be positioned at a certain interval along the vertical direction, such that the interval is sufficient for the lower support to support relatively large components disposed in various plates, as well as blower fan 230 and radiator 240 which have larger volumes than other components.

[0155] Protrusions for supporting the upper support 130 or for components connected to the lower surface of the upper support 130 may project upward from the upper surface of the lower support 260. In one example, protrusions for supporting the lower support 260 may project upward from the upper surface of the base plate 111 of the housing 110.

[0156] Various plates can be mounted on top of the lower support 260. Therefore, it is necessary to prevent leakage and short circuits by electrically insulating the plates that may come into contact with the lower support 260 from the base plate 111 of the housing 110 made of a material such as aluminum.

[0157] Therefore, the lower support member 260 can be made of an electrically insulating material and can be disposed between the base plate 111 and the plate of the housing 110 to electrically insulate the plate from the base plate 111. The lower support member 260 can be made of, for example, mica material, which is an electrically insulating material.

[0158] The electric furnace may include a thermal insulator 270 and a mica sheet 280. The thermal insulator 270 may be disposed between the upper support 130 and the cover plate 120 to suppress heat transfer from the heating target to the upper support 130.

[0159] The heat generated by heating the target can pass through the cover plate 120 and be transferred to the upper support 130 and various components connected thereto within the electric furnace.

[0160] This heat transfer heats the interior of the furnace, and in particular, when it is transferred to various plates, it can adversely affect the operation of the furnace. Therefore, a thermal insulator 270 is disposed between the cover plate 120 and the upper support member 130 to suppress the transfer of heat from the heating target into the furnace, thereby preventing the heating of internal components and improving the working performance of the furnace.

[0161] The thermal insulator 270 can be made of, for example, a carbon material that exhibits good thermal insulation properties even when manufactured to have a relatively small thickness. However, embodiments of this disclosure are not limited thereto.

[0162] The thermal insulator 270 can be formed in the form of a plate and includes multiple thermal insulators to respectively cover the coil substrate 140. Overall, the thermal insulators 270 can be spaced apart from each other in the longitudinal direction of the electric furnace and can be integrally formed with each other in the transverse direction. That is, the longitudinal direction of one thermal insulator 270 can be parallel to the transverse direction of the electric furnace.

[0163] The mica sheet 280 can be disposed between the upper support 130 and the cover plate 120, and can be disposed on at least one of the upper or lower surfaces of the thermal insulator 270.

[0164] exist Figure 3b In the embodiment shown, the mica sheet 280 is disposed on each of the upper and lower surfaces of the thermal insulator 270. In another embodiment, the mica sheet 280 may be disposed on only one of the upper or lower surfaces of the thermal insulator 270.

[0165] The mica sheet 280 can be configured to correspond to the shape of the thermal insulator 270. Therefore, in general, the mica sheets 280 can be spaced apart from each other in the longitudinal direction of the electric furnace and can be integrally formed together in the transverse direction. That is, the longitudinal direction of a mica sheet 280 can be parallel to the transverse direction of the electric furnace.

[0166] The mica sheet 280 is made of mica material, and together with the thermal insulator 270, it can suppress heat transfer from the heating target to the upper support 130 inside the electric furnace. In addition, the mica sheet 280 can be configured to contact the thermal insulator 270 to prevent the thermal insulator 270 from being damaged by impact.

[0167] In particular, since the carbon-based thermal insulator 270 is susceptible to impact and damage, the mica sheet 280 can support the thermal insulator 270 to suppress damage to the thermal insulator 270, thereby improving the durability of the thermal insulator 270.

[0168] In one example, each of the thermal insulator 270 and mica sheet 280 in the region where the input interface 160 is disposed may be formed to have a shorter length than that of each of the thermal insulator 270 and mica sheet 280 in the region where the input interface 160 is not disposed, so as not to obscure the input interface 160 and thus not to overlap with the input interface 160. Hereinafter, unless otherwise stated, it will be described as follows: Figure 3b The implementation shown is illustrated.

[0169] Figure 4a From Figure 1 The plan view of cover plate 120 is omitted. Figure 4a This is a diagram showing the coil substrate 140 according to an embodiment. Figure 5 It is along Figure 4a Cross-sectional view in direction 5-5. Figure 6 This is a bottom view showing an electric furnace according to an embodiment.

[0170] The elements that generate heat during the operation of the electric furnace can be mounted on various plates.

[0171] For example, the switching elements responsible for on / off control in an electric furnace generate a lot of heat. Therefore, these elements should be forced to cool in order to prevent the furnace from shutting down or malfunctioning due to overheating.

[0172] For this purpose, the electric furnace may include a blower fan 230 and a radiator 240. The blower fan 230 and the radiator 240 can be used to cool various heating plates and other components.

[0173] The blower fan 230 can be connected to the lower surface of the upper support 130 and can be positioned at a distance from the plate. The blower fan 230 can be configured to face the heatsink 240 and exhaust air to it. The blower fan 230 can be electrically connected to the motherboard 170, and its operation can be controlled by a controller located in the motherboard 170.

[0174] The heat sink 240 can be positioned below the upper support 130 and can be oriented in a direction parallel to the exhaust direction of the blower fan 230. The heat sink 240 can be attached to the lower surface of the inverter board 210.

[0175] In one embodiment, inverter board 210 includes a pair of inverter boards spaced apart from each other. Therefore, heat sink 240 may include a pair of heat sinks respectively connected to the pair of inverter boards 210. Corresponding to the pair of heat sinks 240, blower fan 230 may include a pair of blower fans respectively arranged at positions corresponding to the pair of heat sinks 240.

[0176] Multiple heat sinks can be formed in the radiator 240, and an airflow path for air to pass through can be formed therein, and the airflow path extends in a direction parallel to its longitudinal direction. Therefore, the air discharged from the outlet of the blower fan 230 cools the radiator 240 while flowing along the outer surface of the radiator 240 and through the internal airflow path, thus the inverter board 210 can be effectively cooled.

[0177] Heat sink 240 can be connected to inverter board 210 to increase the heat dissipation area of ​​inverter board 210, so that inverter board 210 can be effectively cooled by the air flowing under the operation of blower fan 230.

[0178] Since the inverter, as a switching element, is located in the inverter board 210, it consumes a relatively large amount of power, which may cause it to be heated to a higher temperature than other components. Therefore, a heat sink 240 can be connected to the inverter board 210 to effectively cool the inverter.

[0179] The airflow under the operation of the blower fan 230 flows over the entire area below the lower support 260, so that other boards except the inverter board 210 can also be cooled by the forced airflow, thereby completely cooling the interior of the furnace.

[0180] like Figure 6 As shown, the base plate 111 of the housing 110 may include an inlet hole 1112 and an outlet hole 1113. The inlet hole 1112 may be formed at a position corresponding to the position of the blower fan 230, and air may be introduced into the inlet hole 1112 from the outside.

[0181] The outlet hole 1113 can be formed at a position corresponding to the exhaust area of ​​the radiator 240, and air can be discharged from the outlet hole 1113. The outlet hole 1113 can be formed at a position adjacent to the air outlet formed in the radiator 240 of the airflow path. Since the radiator 240 is configured as a pair of radiators and the blower 230 is configured as a pair of blowers, the inlet hole 1112 can be configured as a pair of inlet holes, and the outlet hole 1113 can be configured as a pair of outlet holes.

[0182] The working coil 140a can be formed in multiple layers on the coil substrate 140. For example, the multilayer coil can be printed on the coil substrate 140 such that the top layer can consist of a sensing coil for sensing a heated target, while the remaining layers below can consist of multiple working coils 140a.

[0183] Figure 4b A cross-section of the layer on the coil substrate 140 and below the sensing coil is shown.

[0184] exist Figure 4b In this configuration, the working coil 140a has a generally rectangular shape and is formed in a spiral shape. Due to this structure, the working coil 140a can be densely printed while having a shape corresponding to each of the rectangular mounting groove 131 and the ferrite module 150, thereby increasing the overall length of the working coil 140a.

[0185] However, in another example, the working coil 140a can be formed as a polygon, a circle, or an ellipse.

[0186] As mentioned above, Figure 4a A single working coil 140a shown can be a single layer, and multiple working coils 140a can be disposed on a coil substrate 140 and respectively constitute multiple layers spaced apart from each other in the vertical direction. However, for clarity, in the following text, each of the multiple working coils 140a that overlap each other in the vertical direction and respectively constitute multiple layers can be referred to as an identical working coil 140a.

[0187] like Figure 4b As shown, multiple working coils 140a can be disposed on a coil substrate 140 and can be arranged along the transverse direction of the coil substrate 140.

[0188] For example, in Figure 4b The diagram shows a coil substrate 140 on which two working coils 140a arranged in the lateral direction are printed, and four working coils 140a arranged in the lateral direction are also printed. However, embodiments of the present disclosure are not limited thereto, and the size of the coil substrate 140 and the number of working coils 140a printed on a coil substrate 140 may vary, taking into account the overall shape or size of the electric furnace and the ease of its assembly or disassembly.

[0189] In one example, a through-hole 1419 may be formed in a coil substrate 140 and between adjacent working coils 140a. A first piece 1321 of the upper support 130 may be fitted into the through-hole 1419. When the first piece 1321 is fitted into the through-hole 1419, the coil substrate 140 may be positioned as intended. The through-hole 1419 may have a shape corresponding to the shape of each of the first piece 1321 and the slit 1323 of the upper support 130.

[0190] Furthermore, due to this structure, the slit 1323 formed in the first piece 1321 is not blocked by the coil substrate 140, and the light irradiated from the indicator plate 250 can pass through the slit 1323 of the upper support 130 and through the cover plate 120.

[0191] A working coil 140a can be disposed in a region corresponding to a ferrite module 150 and can overlap with it in the vertical direction. That is, a working coil 140a can be disposed to correspond to a ferrite module 150.

[0192] In this respect, the coil boundary 1412 can be disposed between adjacent working coils 140a. The longitudinal direction of the coil boundary 1412 intersects the longitudinal direction of the through hole 1419. In this respect, the through hole 1419 is not formed in the coil boundary 1412.

[0193] The lower surface of the coil substrate 140 is supported by the second piece 1322, and in this respect, the coil boundary 1412 can be provided at a position corresponding to the position of the second piece 1322 of the boundary rib 132.

[0194] exist Figure 5In the diagram, the direction of airflow is indicated by arrows. When the blower fan 230 is operating, air can be introduced into the electric furnace from the outside through the inlet hole 1112. A portion of the introduced air can pass through and along the outer surface of the radiator 240 and through the airflow path formed inside the radiator 240, while the remaining introduced air can diffuse completely inside the outer casing 110 of the electric furnace.

[0195] The forced airflow inside the housing 110 can be exhausted to the outside through the outlet hole 1113. In particular, the inverter plate 210 to which the heat sink 240 is connected can be well cooled by the forced airflow. Therefore, the inverter, as a switching element heated to a high temperature, can be effectively cooled by the heat sink 240 and the air.

[0196] In one embodiment, the blower fan 230 is connected to the lower surface of the upper support member 130, the heat sink 240 is connected to the inverter board 210, and the inverter board 210 is connected to the lower surface of the upper support member 130. As a result, both the blower fan 230 and the heat sink 240, which are cooling devices, are connected to the upper support member 130, so that a separate structure for connecting the blower fan 230 and the heat sink 240 to each other can be omitted from the housing 110.

[0197] Therefore, the support structure of electric furnaces is usually simplified, thereby simplifying the structure of the electric furnace and reducing manufacturing costs.

[0198] Furthermore, the structure that contacts the blower fan 230 and the radiator 240 is omitted from the housing 110, which facilitates the assembly and disassembly of the housing 110 and the maintenance of the electric furnace.

[0199] Figure 7 From Figure 6 The diagram of the outer casing 110 is omitted. Figure 8a This is a perspective view showing the upper support 130 according to an embodiment. Figure 8b This is a perspective view showing the upper support member according to another embodiment.

[0200] Figure 9 This is a plan view showing the upper support 130 according to an embodiment. Figure 10 It is along Figure 9 Cross-sectional view in direction 10-10. Figure 11 It is along Figure 9 Cross-sectional view of direction 11-11.

[0201] The upper support 130 can typically be formed as a plate and can be configured such that a plurality of mounting grooves 131 are formed as downwardly protruding structures.

[0202] For example, the upper support 130 can be injection molded so that the entire upper support 130 can be manufactured as a single body. In another embodiment, the upper support 130 can be configured as multiple upper support members that are separate from each other, and the multiple upper support members 130 can be assembled with each other and installed inside the electric furnace.

[0203] The upper support 130 may include a flat plate 135 extending in a direction parallel to the transverse direction of the electric furnace and a side plate 136 bending downward from the edge of the flat plate 135. The ferrite module 150 and the coil substrate 140 may be disposed on the flat plate 135, and the side plate 136 may support the flat plate 135 while being disposed below the edge of the flat plate 135.

[0204] The plate 135 of the upper support 130 may have ventilation holes that extend through the upper support 130 in an area other than the mounting recess 131 in which the ferrite module 150 and the coil substrate 140 are housed. For example, such ventilation holes may be formed at the edge of the plate and at the point where the first piece 1321 and the second piece 1322 of the boundary ribs 132 intersect each other.

[0205] The portion of air forced to flow along the area below the upper support 130 by the operation of the blower fan 230 passes through the ventilation holes and flows to the area located on the top of the upper support 130, thereby effectively cooling the ferrite module 150 and the coil substrate 140 disposed on the upper surface of the upper support 130 and thus suppressing their overheating.

[0206] The upper support 130 may include a mounting groove 131 and a boundary rib 132.

[0207] The mounting recess 131 can be formed by recessing the plate 135. The mounting recess may include a plurality of mounting recesses arranged along the longitudinal and transverse directions of the upper support 130, such that each of the plurality of ferrite modules 150 is mounted in each of the plurality of mounting recesses. The mounting recess 131 is generally formed as a quadrilateral, so that each of the coil substrate 140 and the ferrite module 150 having a quadrilateral shape can be fitted into the mounting recess 131.

[0208] In one example, in another embodiment, the mounting grooves 131 may be arranged in a zigzag pattern in the upper support 130 in a plan view, and may not necessarily be arranged along the lateral and longitudinal directions of the upper support 130. For example, when the coil substrate 140 has a hexagonal shape, a plurality of mounting grooves 131 may be arranged in a honeycomb zigzag pattern.

[0209] Boundary rib 132 may define the boundary of each of the plurality of placement grooves 131, may be configured to project upward from the upper surface of the upper support 130, and may include a plurality of boundary ribs.

[0210] The boundary rib 132 may include a first piece 1321 and a second piece 1322. The first piece 1321 may extend in the lateral direction of the upper support 130. The second piece 1322 may extend in the longitudinal direction of the upper support 130 to intersect with the extension direction of the first piece 1321.

[0211] Reference Figure 4a The first piece 1321 can extend in the lateral direction of the upper support 130, while the second piece 1322 can extend in the longitudinal direction of the upper support 130. The first piece 1321 and the second piece 1322 can intersect each other, so that the upper surface of the upper support 130 can be completely formed into a grid shape.

[0212] A slit 1323 may be formed in the first member 1321. The slit 1323 may extend through the upper support member 130 in the vertical direction and may be formed as a narrow and elongated hole in the plan view. The indicator plate 250 may be disposed at a position corresponding to the position of the upper support member 130 where the slit 1323 is formed.

[0213] Therefore, the first piece 1321 and the slit 1323 extend in the lateral direction of the upper support 130, so that the length direction of the indicator plate 250 can also be parallel to the lateral direction of the upper support 130.

[0214] The light source of the indicator panel 250 emits light in an upward direction, and the irradiated light passes through the slit 1323 and through the cover plate 120 made of glass so that the user can see the irradiated light.

[0215] Both the slit 1323 and the indicator plate 250 extend parallel to the lateral direction of the upper support 130. The slits are spaced apart from each other, and the indicator plates 250 are also spaced apart from each other. Thus, the user can see the light illuminating the object in a form where the light extends elongated in the lateral direction and the beams are spaced apart from each other in the longitudinal direction.

[0216] The first piece 1321 can be formed with a relatively large height, while the second piece 1322 can be formed with a height smaller than that of the first piece 1321. A slit 1323 is formed in the first piece 1321, and light passing through the slit 1323 needs to be clearly visible to the user without scattering. For this purpose, the first piece 1321 can be formed with a relatively large vertical length, so that light does not diffuse until it passes through the upper surface of the cover plate 120.

[0217] The thermal insulator 270 and mica sheet 280, which are disposed on the top of the first piece 1321, are separated from each other by a slit 1323. Therefore, the thermal insulator 270 and mica sheet 280 do not block the slit 1323, so light passing through the slit 1323 can directly reach the cover plate 120.

[0218] The second component 1322 can be formed with a relatively small vertical length, and the thermal insulator 270 and mica sheet 280 can be disposed on the top of the second component 1322. The thermal insulator 270 or mica sheet 280 can have a length direction parallel to the lateral direction of the upper support 130.

[0219] Therefore, each of the thermal insulator 270 and the mica sheet 280 can be integrally formed as a single body extending in the lateral direction of the upper support 130. The thermal insulator 270 can be arranged to be spaced apart from each other in the longitudinal direction, and the mica sheet 280 can be arranged to be spaced apart from each other in the longitudinal direction. The thermal insulator 270 can be spaced apart from each other via a first piece 1321 serving as the boundary between them. The mica sheet 280 can be spaced apart from each other via a first piece 1321 serving as the boundary between them.

[0220] In other words, the multiple thermal insulators 270 can be separated from each other via the first piece 1321, and the mica sheet 280 can be separated from each other via the first piece 1321. Each of the thermal insulators 270 and the mica sheet 280 can be disposed on top of the second piece 1322. Therefore, the second piece 1322 can be formed to have a relatively small vertical length to define the space in which the thermal insulators 270, the mica sheet 280 and the coil substrate 140 are disposed.

[0221] In one example, in another implementation, such as Figure 8b As shown, the boundary rib 132 may consist solely of a second piece 1322 extending in both the longitudinal and transverse directions. However, even in this case, the slit 1323 may be formed in the second piece 1322 at a position corresponding to the position of the indicator plate 250.

[0222] The ferrite module 150 may include a ferrite core 151 and a core fixing portion 152. The ferrite core 151 can generate a magnetic field. When high-frequency power is applied to the working coil 140a printed on the coil substrate 140, a magnetic field can be generated around the ferrite core 151, and the generated magnetic field can generate eddy currents in the heated target.

[0223] The ferrite core 151 can be installed in the core fixing portion 152, so that the ferrite core 151 can be fixed to the mounting groove 131. The core fixing portion 152 can be connected to the upper support 130, and can be formed by insert injection molding as the ferrite core 151 can, and can fix the ferrite core 151.

[0224] The core fixing portion 152 can define the shape of the ferrite module 150 and can typically be formed as a quadrilateral. In one example, the ferrite core 151 can be formed in multiple parts and can be attached to the core fixing portion 152 via insert injection molding. Therefore, the ferrite module 150 can typically have a rectangular shape.

[0225] Figure 12 This is an exploded perspective view showing the upper support 130 and the ferrite module 150. Figure 13 This is a plan view showing the state in which the ferrite module 150 is connected to the upper support 130. Figure 14 It is shown that in Figure 13 A plan view of the coil substrate 140 in the connected state.

[0226] like Figures 12 to 14 As shown, the ferrite module 150 can be installed in the mounting groove 131 formed on the upper surface of the upper support 130. Next, after the ferrite module 150 is installed in the mounting groove, the coil substrate 140 can be installed on the upper support 130. Following this sequence, the installation of the coil substrate 140 on the upper support 130 can be completed.

[0227] The coil substrate 140 and the ferrite module 150 can be configured to be supported by at least one of the side surface or bottom surface of the mounting groove when placed in the mounting groove 131.

[0228] Each ferrite module 150 can be independently inserted into each mounting recess 131. When each of the ferrite modules 150 is inserted into the mounting recess 131, the side surface of the ferrite module 150 can be supported by the side surface of the mounting recess. Furthermore, the side surface of the ferrite module 150 can be more stably supported by the first piece 1321 and the second piece 1322 of the boundary ribs 132.

[0229] When the coil substrate 140 is placed on the upper surface of the upper support 130, the lower surface of the coil substrate 140 can be supported by the second piece 1322 of the boundary rib 132. In this respect, the coil boundary 1412 of the coil substrate 140 can be positioned on the upper surface of the second piece 1322.

[0230] The first piece 1321 of the boundary rib 132 can be fitted into the through hole 1419 of the coil substrate 140. Therefore, the coil substrate 140 can be placed in the designed position and can be supported by the first piece 1321 to suppress lateral movement of the upper support 130.

[0231] The substrate connection portion 141 can be configured to stably mount the coil substrate 140 to the upper support member 130. The substrate connection portion 141 can be connected to the coil substrate 140 and can connect the coil substrate 140 to the upper support member 130. The substrate connection portion 141 can be integrally formed with the coil substrate 140, or it can be manufactured separately and connected to the coil substrate 140.

[0232] The substrate connection portion 141 can be formed to protrude from a side end extending in the longitudinal direction of the coil substrate 140. The protruding substrate connection portion 141 can be connected to the upper support member 130 by a fastening device such as a bolt.

[0233] The connecting pin 1411 can be provided at the edge of the coil substrate 140. When the coil substrate 140 is connected to the upper support 130 using the substrate connecting portion 141, the terminals formed on the upper support 130 and the connecting pin 1411 can contact each other, so that the connecting pin 1411 and the terminals of the upper support can be electrically connected to each other.

[0234] The terminals of the upper support 130 can be electrically connected to other electrical components via cables or the like.

[0235] In one embodiment, the ferrite module 150 can be easily and stably mounted on the upper support 130 by means of a mounting groove 131 formed in the upper surface of the upper support 130 and a boundary rib 132 formed around the mounting groove 131.

[0236] Furthermore, the first piece 1321 is assembled into the coil substrate 140 so that when the coil substrate 140 is mounted on the upper support 130, the coil substrate 140 can be placed in the designed position. This prevents the coil substrate from moving in the lateral direction of the upper support 130 (i.e., in both the longitudinal and lateral directions of the upper support 130), thereby facilitating the assembly of the coil substrate 140 onto the upper support 130.

[0237] The electric furnace may include an input interface 160 disposed on the upper surface of the upper support 130. The input interface 160 may be coupled to the upper support 130. For this purpose, the upper support 130 may include a receiving groove 134 formed by recessing its upper surface downwards. The input interface 160 is inserted into the receiving groove 134.

[0238] The receiving recess 134 can be formed in a generally rectangular shape, corresponding to the shape of the input interface 160, which has a rectangular shape. Each of the receiving recess 134 and the input interface 160 can be located at the center of the front area of ​​the electric furnace, so that the user can easily operate the input interface from the user's perspective.

[0239] A hole for cables to pass through can be formed in the portion below the receiving recess 134. Cables can establish an electrical connection between the input interface 160 and other components.

[0240] Figure 15 This is a bottom view of the upper support member 130. Figure 16 It is shown that the indicator panel 250 is in Figure 15 A diagram showing the connection state under the given conditions. Figure 17 This shows the various components in Figure 16 A diagram showing the connection state under the given conditions.

[0241] Various plates can be attached to the lower surface of the upper support 130. For example, these plates can be attached to it by fastening devices such as bolts.

[0242] The motherboard 170 can be connected to the lower surface of the upper support 130 and can have a controller for controlling the electric furnace.

[0243] The SMPS board 180 can be attached to the lower surface of the upper support 130 and can supply power to the electric furnace. A pair of SMPS boards 180 can be configured to supply power to multiple working coils 140a.

[0244] The EMI filter 190 can be connected to the lower surface of the upper support 130 and can suppress electromagnetic interference generated by electricity. Since the EMI filter 190 is electrically connected to the SMPS board 180, the pair of SMPS filters can be arranged in a manner corresponding to the pair of SMPS boards 180 respectively.

[0245] Inverter board 210 can be attached to the lower surface of upper support 130 and can apply resonant current to operating coil 140a. A pair of inverter boards 210 can be configured to supply resonant current to multiple operating coils 140a.

[0246] In one example, such as Figure 17 As shown, an electric furnace may be provided in which the inverter board 210 and the resonator substrate 220 are separated from each other. The resonator substrate 220 may be coupled to the lower surface of the upper support 130, may be configured to be separate from the inverter board 210, and may include a resonant capacitor.

[0247] Therefore, the various plates required for the operation of the electric furnace can be arranged on the lower surface of the upper support 130. In this respect, these plates can be arranged on the lower surface of the upper support 130 and at positions spaced apart from each other.

[0248] Each of the components on the plate can be connected to the lower surface of the upper support 130 in an inverted manner. That is, among the components on each plate, the components that occupy a relatively large volume can be placed on the lower surface of the plate.

[0249] Because of this structure, various plates can be easily attached to the lower surface of the upper support 130 without obstruction.

[0250] In one example, indicator plate 250 can be attached to the lower surface of upper support 130, can be configured as multiple indicator plates spaced apart from each other, and can include a light source. Unlike other plates, indicator plate 250 can be positioned at an overlap with other plate portions.

[0251] The indicator plate 250 can be formed in the shape of a strip, and its longitudinal direction can be parallel to the transverse direction of the upper support 130.

[0252] Reference Figure 15 and Figure 16 Each of the slits 1323 formed in the upper support 130 can be configured such that its longitudinal direction is parallel to the transverse direction of the upper support 130. The slits can be arranged in a straight line in the transverse direction of the upper support. In addition, the slits 1323 can be arranged to be spaced apart from each other in the longitudinal direction of the upper support 130.

[0253] The indicator plate 250 can be positioned at an intersection with the slit 1323 through which light passes. Therefore, the indicator plate 250 can be positioned on the lower surface of the upper support 130 and can cover the slit 1323.

[0254] Therefore, the indicator plate 250 can be configured such that its longitudinal direction is parallel to the transverse direction of the upper support 130, and can be configured as a plurality of indicator plates spaced apart from each other in the longitudinal direction of the upper support 130.

[0255] In addition to the indicator plate 250, various plates for operating the electric furnace can be attached to the lower surface of the upper support and spaced apart from each other. These plates can be arranged to be spaced apart from each other.

[0256] Furthermore, the blower fan 230 constituting the cooling device can be disposed on the lower surface of the upper support member 130 and at a position spaced apart from the plate. In one example, the heat sink 240 constituting the cooling device can be connected to the upper support member 130 so as to the lower surface of the inverter board 210.

[0257] In one embodiment, the ferrite module 150 and the coil substrate 140 can be connected to the upper surface of the upper support, and various plates for operating the electric furnace and cooling device can be connected to the lower surface of the lower support.

[0258] As described above, most electrical components (e.g., plates that operate after receiving power and participate in the operation of the electric furnace, blower fan 230, etc.) can be connected to the upper support 130. Due to this structure, the assembly and disassembly performance of the electric furnace can be significantly improved.

[0259] In other words, when assembling the electric furnace, the ferrite module 150, the coil substrate 140 and the input interface 160 can be assembled on the upper surface of the upper support 130 first, and various plates and cooling devices can be assembled on the lower surface of the upper support 130 at the same time.

[0260] Next, the thermal insulator 270 and mica sheet 280 are placed on top of the upper support 130, the lower support 260 is placed below the upper support 130, and then the cover plate 120 and the outer shell 110 are connected to each other to complete the assembly of the electric furnace.

[0261] In this respect, since the housing 110 does not have a support structure for supporting the components connected to the upper support 130, it is not necessary to align these components with the support structure, so the assembly of the housing 110 can be very easy.

[0262] Similarly, when the outer casing 110 and the cover plate 120 are disassembled from each other and the lower support 260 is removed from it for furnace maintenance, maintenance personnel can immediately access the upper support 130 connected to various components and can easily replace faulty components.

[0263] Furthermore, since the ferrite modules 150 are inserted separately into the mounting grooves 131 of the upper support 130, only the ferrite modules 150 with abnormalities can be replaced, thus making the maintenance of the electric furnace easy.

[0264] In one example, refer to Figures 15 to 17 The various components can be assembled onto the lower surface of the upper support 130 in the following order. First, the indicator plate 250 can be attached to the lower surface of the upper support 130 at the location where the slit 1323 is formed, to cover the slit 1323.

[0265] Next, various boards and blower fans 230 can be placed on the lower surface of the upper support 130 at their designed positions and can be fastened to the upper support 130. In this regard, the heat sink 240 can be connected to the inverter board 210. Various boards other than the heat sink 240 and the indicator board 250 can be connected to the lower surface of the upper support 130 and are located at positions spaced apart from each other.

[0266] Next, cable connection operations can be performed for electrical connections between various electrical components and for electrical connections between electrical components and external power sources.

[0267] In addition, the disassembly operation can be performed in the reverse order of the assembly operation described above.

[0268] Figure 18 This is an exploded view of the upper support 130 and the ferrite module 150 according to the embodiment. Figure 19 This is an exploded view of a ferrite module 150 according to an embodiment. The ferrite module 150 may include a ferrite core 151 and a core fixing portion 152.

[0269] The ferrite core 151 can generate a magnetic field and may include multiple components arranged spaced apart from each other. The core fixing portion 152 can be connected to the upper support 130, and can be formed by insert injection molding as the ferrite core 151 can, and can fix the ferrite core 151.

[0270] The ferrite module 150 can be made of ferrite material and can generate a magnetic field when current is applied to the working coil 140a. The core fixing portion 152 can be made of plastic material. Each of the ferrite core 151 and the core fixing portion 152 can be manufactured by insert injection molding.

[0271] A ferrite module 150 can correspond to a working coil 140a. That is, a working coil 140a and a ferrite module 150 can form a pair to generate a magnetic field.

[0272] In a ferrite module 150, multiple ferrite cores 151 can be arranged spaced apart from each other. The multiple components constituting a ferrite core 151 can be kept in a spaced-apart position by a core fixing portion 152.

[0273] In one embodiment, the ferrite module 150 can be manufactured by forming each of the ferrite core 151 and the core fixing portion 152 made of plastic material via insert injection molding and connecting the ferrite core 151 and the core fixing portion 152 to each other. Since the shape of the core fixing portion 152 is freely formed via insert injection molding, even when the ferrite parts constituting the ferrite core 151 are formed in various shapes, the core fixing portion 152 can be easily manufactured to correspond to the shape of the mounting groove 131 of the upper support 130.

[0274] Therefore, the ferrite component can be manufactured in various shapes, and the core fixing portion 152 is manufactured in a shape corresponding to the shape of the mounting groove 131, so that the ferrite module 150 can be stably connected to the upper support 130 and installed in the upper support.

[0275] Figure 19 The structure of the ferrite module 150 is schematically shown. Figure 19 The ferrite module 150 shown is configured such that the ferrite core 151 consists of a plurality of parts with different sizes, and the core fixing portion 152 is configured such that its upper surface is open and the lower surface of the ferrite core 151 is supported on the core fixing portion 152.

[0276] In the ferrite module 150 described below, the upper surface of the core fixing portion 152 may be shown schematically. Figure 19 The structure is at least partially open, so at least a portion of the ferrite core 151 disposed in the core fixing portion 152 can be configured to face the coil substrate 140 disposed thereon.

[0277] The following will describe in detail the structure of the ferrite core 151, the core fixing portion 152, and the ferrite module 150 including the ferrite core 151 and the core fixing portion 152 according to various embodiments. The structure of the ferrite core 151 can be of a first type, a second type, and a third type. Therefore, the shape of the core fixing portion 152 can also be changed.

[0278] The structure of the ferrite core 151 can be formed as one of a first type, a second type, and a third type. In the first type, a portion of its upper surface is covered by a core fixing portion 152. In the second type, a fixing groove 1513 for fixing the ferrite core 151 to the core fixing portion 152 is formed therein. In the third type, at least one inclined portion 1514 for fixing the ferrite core 151 to the core fixing portion 152 is formed at its corner.

[0279] In the following text, the terms Type I, Type II, and Type III can be used not only to distinguish the types of ferrite cores 151 from one another, but also to distinguish the types of core fixing portions 152 having shapes corresponding to these types from one another, and to distinguish the types of ferrite modules 150 (each ferrite module includes ferrite cores 151 and core fixing portions 152 connected to each other).

[0280] Figure 20 This is a perspective view of a ferrite module 150 according to another embodiment. Figure 21 yes Figure 20 Floor plan. Figure 22 yes Figure 21 Side view. Figure 23 It is along Figure 21 Cross-sectional view in the direction of 23-23. Figure 24 This is a perspective view showing the ferrite core 151 according to an embodiment.

[0281] Figures 20 to 24 A first-type ferrite core 151 is shown. First, the common structure of the first and second types will be described.

[0282] In either the first or second type, the ferrite core 151 may include a first ferrite 1511 and a second ferrite 1512. Each first ferrite 1511 may be disposed at each corner of the core fixing portion 152, which is configured as a rectangle, and the first ferrite 1511 may include a plurality of first ferrites. At least one second ferrite 1512 may be disposed between adjacent first ferrites among the plurality of first ferrites 1511, and may include a plurality of second ferrites.

[0283] The first ferrite 1511 can typically be formed as a plate with a predetermined thickness and can have a generally cuboid shape. The second ferrite 1512 can be formed as a rod-shaped hexahedron having the same or similar thickness as the first ferrite 1511 and having a smaller volume than the first ferrite 1511.

[0284] In addition, for example, such as Figure 24 As shown, the first ferrite 1511 can be formed into a square, and the second ferrite 1512 can be formed into a rectangle. In this respect, the length of the long side of the second ferrite 1512 can be equal to the length of one side of the first ferrite 1511.

[0285] According to the structure of the first ferrite 1511 and the second ferrite 1512 according to this embodiment, the first ferrite 1511 and the second ferrite 1512 can be combined with each other such that the shape of the combination corresponds to the shape of the rectangular mounting groove 131 formed in the upper support 130. Therefore, each of the ferrite core 151 and the ferrite module 150 having a generally rectangular shape can be easily manufactured.

[0286] However, the shapes of the first ferrite 1511 and the second ferrite 1512 are not limited to this, and they can be formed into various other shapes. Furthermore, in one embodiment, two different types of ferrites with different shapes are disposed in a ferrite module 150. However, this disclosure is not limited to this, and three or more different types of ferrites with different shapes can be disposed in a ferrite module 150.

[0287] In one embodiment, the ferrite core 151 may include a plurality of ferrites having the same or different shapes. Each of the ferrite core 151 and the core fixing portion 152 may be formed via insert injection molding, and the ferrite core 151 and the core fixing portion 152 may be coupled to each other to form a ferrite module 150. Due to insert injection molding, the specific shape of the core fixing portion 152 supporting and fixing the ferrite core 151 can be varied, and various structures of the core fixing portion 152 can be readily formed.

[0288] Therefore, by combining ferrites of various sizes and shapes together, it is easy to manufacture a ferrite module 150 with a shape corresponding to the shape of the mounting groove 131 of the upper support 130, thereby improving the productivity of the ferrite module 150.

[0289] Some of the second ferrites 1512 may be disposed between adjacent first ferrites in a plurality of first ferrites 1511 to contact the first ferrite 1511, while other second ferrites in the second ferrites 1512 may be disposed between adjacent first ferrites in a plurality of first ferrites 1511 to be spaced apart from the first ferrite 1511.

[0290] Due to this structure, each of the first ferrite 1511 and the second ferrite 1512 can have a generally rectangular shape, taking into account the outer rays.

[0291] For example, as described above, considering the external line, the working coil 140a can have a generally rectangular shape. Therefore, the first ferrite 1511 and the second ferrite 1512 can be combined with each other to form a ferrite core 151 with a generally rectangular shape, which can correspond to the shape of the working coil 140a having a rectangular shape.

[0292] Therefore, the efficiency of generating a magnetic field using the working coil 140a and the ferrite core 151 can be improved. That is, as the percentage of overlap between the areas of the working coil 140a and the ferrite core 151 increases, the strength of the generated magnetic field increases. In this embodiment, the outer shapes of the working coil 140a and the ferrite core 151 are quadrilaterals, thus corresponding to each other, which improves the magnetic field generation efficiency compared to situations where their outer shapes differ from each other.

[0293] In the region between adjacent first ferrites 1511 in which the first ferrites 1511 and the second ferrites 1512 are spaced apart from each other, a plurality of second ferrites 1512 may be provided, and the plurality of second ferrites 1512 may be spaced apart from each other.

[0294] When the ferrite module 150 has a generally rectangular shape, the length of the ferrite module 150 in the lateral direction and the length of the ferrite module 150 in the longitudinal direction can be different from each other. In this case, the first ferrite 1511 and the second ferrite 1512 need to be combined with each other so that the overall shape of the ferrite core 151 is rectangular.

[0295] In one implementation, such as Figure 21 As shown, a first ferrite 1511 with a square shape is disposed at each corner of the core fixing portion 152. In this respect, the ferrite module 150 has a rectangular shape with a longitudinal side longer than the transverse side, such that a considerable separation space can be defined between the first ferrites 1511 that are adjacent to each other along the longitudinal direction.

[0296] Multiple second ferrites 1512, for example, two second ferrites 1512 arranged spaced apart from each other, can be disposed in a separation space. Therefore, the outer line of the ferrite core 151 can have a generally rectangular shape.

[0297] In the first type, the core fixing portion 152 may include a base plate 1521, a bent portion 1522, and an extension portion 1523. The base plate 1521 may form the lower surface of the core fixing portion 152 and close the lower surface of the core fixing portion 152. The lower surfaces of the first ferrite 1511 and the second ferrite 1512 may be stably supported on the base plate 1521.

[0298] The curved portion 1522 may bend upward from the side edge of the base plate 1521. The curved portion 1522 may extend upward from the base plate 1521 to define a space defined by the curved portion and the base plate, in which the first ferrite 1511 and the second ferrite 1512 are received.

[0299] The extension portion 1523 may be bent from the bending portion 1522 to extend horizontally and toward the inside of the bending portion, and may cover a portion of the upper surface of each of the first ferrite 1511 and the second ferrite 1512. The extension portion 1523 may form the upper surface of the core fixing portion 152 and extend along the outer periphery of the core fixing portion 152.

[0300] The extension portion 1523 may cover a portion of the upper surface of each of the first ferrite 1511 and the second ferrite 1512 to secure the first ferrite 1511 and the second ferrite 1512 so as not to be removed from the core fixing portion 152.

[0301] Since the upper surface of the core fixing portion 152 is open in the area other than the extension portion 1523, the portion of the ferrite core 151 that overlaps with the open upper surface faces the coil substrate 140 disposed thereon, thereby improving the magnetic field generation efficiency.

[0302] In one example, injection-molded plastic material can fill the space between the extension 1523 and the base plate 1521 where the first ferrite 1511 and the second ferrite 1512 are not provided. Therefore, the first ferrite 1511 and the second ferrite 1512 can be stably fixed to the core fixing portion 152.

[0303] Figure 25 This is a perspective view of a ferrite module 150 according to another embodiment. Figure 26 yes Figure 25 Floor plan. Figure 27 yes Figure 25 Side view. Figure 28 It is along Figure 26 Cross-sectional view in direction 28-28.

[0304] Figures 25 to 28 A second type of ferrite core 151 is shown. Descriptions that overlap with the first type may be omitted in the following text. Figure 24 In this configuration, both the first and second types of ferrite core 151 can be combined with each other. The difference between the first and second types lies in the presence or absence of the fixing groove 1513.

[0305] In the second type of ferrite core 151, the fixing groove 1513 may be recessed into each of the first ferrite 1511 and the second ferrite 1512. In the second type, the fixing groove 1513 may be formed at the end of each of the first ferrite 1511 and the second ferrite 1512.

[0306] Since the core fixing portion 152 is connected to the end of each ferrite, the fixing groove 1513 of the fixing protrusion 1524 connected to the core fixing portion 152 can be formed in the edge side of each ferrite.

[0307] The width and number of the fixing grooves 1513 can vary according to the volume, area and shape of each of the first ferrite 1511 and the second ferrite 1512.

[0308] In the second ferrite 1512, which has a relatively small volume and area and is typically rod-shaped, the space in which the fixing groove 1513 can be formed is limited. Therefore, for example, a fixing groove 1513 can be formed at one end in the longitudinal direction of the second ferrite 1512. Furthermore, a fixing groove 1513 with a relatively small width can be formed in the second ferrite 1512.

[0309] The first ferrite 1511, which has a relatively large volume and area and a generally square shape, may have a plurality of fixed grooves 1513 formed therein.

[0310] In the first ferrite 1511, a plurality of fixing grooves 1513 may be formed in the corresponding sides of the second ferrite 1512, which are disposed in the outer region of the ferrite module 150 and intersect each other. In addition, fixing grooves 1513 having a relatively large width may be formed in the first ferrite 1511.

[0311] Therefore, by using multiple fixing grooves 1513 of the above form, the first ferrite 1511 with a relatively large volume and area can be stably fixed to the core fixing portion 152.

[0312] The core fixing portion 152 corresponding to the second type of structure may include a base plate 1521, a bent portion 1522, and a fixing protrusion 1524. The base plate 1521 and the bent portion 1522 are the same as described above.

[0313] The retaining protrusion 1524 can be bent horizontally from the curved portion 1522 and can be connected to the retaining groove 1513. In insert injection molding, an injection-molded product made of plastic material can be introduced into the curved portion 1522 and cured to form the retaining protrusion 1524.

[0314] The first ferrite 1511 is configured to have an area larger than that of the second ferrite 1512. Therefore, as described above, the width of the fixing groove 1513 of the first ferrite 1511 can be larger than the width of the fixing groove 1513 of the second ferrite 1512. Accordingly, the fixing protrusion 1524 may include a first sub-protrusion 1524a and a second sub-protrusion 1524b with different sizes.

[0315] The first sub-protrusion 1524a may be disposed at the position where it is connected to the first ferrite 1511. The second sub-protrusion 1524b may be disposed at the position where it is connected to the second ferrite 1512.

[0316] The width of the first sub-protrusion 1524a can be sized to be greater than the width of the second sub-protrusion 1524b. As described above, the width of the fixing groove 1513 of the first ferrite 1511 is sized to be greater than the width of the fixing groove 1513 of the second ferrite 1512, so that the width of the first sub-protrusion 1524a connected to the fixing groove 1513 of the first ferrite 1511 can be relatively large, and the width of the second sub-protrusion 1524b connected to the fixing groove 1513 of the second ferrite 1512 can be relatively small.

[0317] In the second type, the area of ​​the fixed protrusion 1524 is smaller than the area of ​​the extension 1523 in the first type. Therefore, the area of ​​the upper surface of the ferrite core 151 exposed to the outside can be larger than that in the first type. Thus, compared to the first type, the ferrite module 150 including the second type of ferrite core 151 can have improved magnetic field generation efficiency.

[0318] However, in the second type, since the fixing groove 1513 is formed in each ferrite and includes each of the first fixing wall 1525 and the second fixing wall 1526, which will be described later, to stably fix each of the first ferrite and the second ferrite to the core fixing portion 152, the overall structure may be more complex than that of the first type.

[0319] Each of the first fixing protrusion 1524 and the second fixing protrusion 1524 has an area significantly smaller than that of each of the first ferrite 1511 and the second ferrite 1512. Due to this structure, the first fixing protrusion 1524 and the second fixing protrusion 1524 may not be stably fixed to the core fixing portion 152.

[0320] Therefore, the core fixing portion 152 corresponding to the second type of ferrite core 151 may include a first fixing wall 1525 and a second fixing wall 1526 to stably fix the first fixing protrusion 1524 and the second fixing protrusion 1524 to the core fixing portion so as not to deviate from the designed position.

[0321] Each of the first fixing wall 1525 and the second fixing wall 1526 may contact at least a portion of the side surface of each of the first ferrite 1511 and the second ferrite 1512 to fix the position of each of the first ferrite and the second ferrite and to connect each of the first ferrite 1511 and the second ferrite 1512 to the core fixing portion 152.

[0322] A first fixing wall 1525 may be formed on the edge of the first ferrite 1511 to protrude from the base plate 1521. The first fixing wall 1525 may include a pair of first fixing walls spaced apart from each other. The first fixing wall 1525 may contact the portions of the first ferrite 1511 and the second ferrite 1512 that are in contact with the first ferrite 1511 to fix the first ferrite 1511 and the second ferrite 1512.

[0323] The second fixing wall 1526 can be disposed between a pair of first fixing walls 1525 spaced apart from each other, can be formed to protrude from the base plate 1521, can be formed to surround a plurality of second ferrites 1512, and can fix the second ferrites 1512.

[0324] The first fixing wall 1525 and the second fixing wall 1526 can be formed to contact the side surface of the ferrite and not cover the upper surface of the ferrite. Therefore, the upper surface of the ferrite, except for the portion that overlaps with the fixing protrusion 1524, can be fully exposed, thereby improving the magnetic field generation efficiency of the ferrite module 150.

[0325] The first ferrite 1511 and the second ferrite 1512 can be stably fixed to the core fixing portion 152 using the first sub-protrusion 1524a, the second sub-protrusion 1524b, the first fixing wall 1525, and the second fixing wall 1526, and can be held in the designed position.

[0326] In both the first and second types, the ferrite module 150 may have a structure that securely fastens it to the upper support 130 when positioned in the mounting recess 131. For example, this structure may be configured as a fastening hole 1527 or a fastening protrusion 1528. The core retaining portion 152 may include at least one of the fastening holes 1527 or the fastening protrusions 1528.

[0327] The core fixing portion 152 may include a fastening hole 1527, which may be formed in its central region and may be formed to pass through the base plate 1521 of the core fixing portion 152. A fastening device is fastened to the fastening hole 1527. In one example, a screw fastening structure, such as a hole or groove, may be formed in the lower surface of the upper support 130 located below the mounting recess 131 at a position corresponding to the location of the fastening hole 1527. The fastening device may pass through the fastening hole 1527 and the screw fastening structure.

[0328] Fastening devices such as bolts or screws can be inserted into the fastening holes 1527 and the screw fastening structure to fasten the core fixing portion 152 to the upper support 130.

[0329] The core fixing portion 152 may include a fastening protrusion 1528 that protrudes from the outer surface of the curved portion 1522 and fastens to the upper support 130, the curved portion 1522 being curved from the end of the base plate 1521 of the core fixing portion 152. For example, the fastening protrusion 1528 may protrude from the outer surface of a pair of curved portions 1522 arranged in a position facing each other, and a curved portion 1522 may include multiple curved portions.

[0330] Holes or recesses into which the fastening protrusions 1528 can be fitted may be formed in the wall of the upper support 130 defining the mounting recess 131. The shape, position, and number of these holes or recesses may correspond to the shape, position, and number of the fastening protrusions 1528.

[0331] The fastening protrusion 1528 can be connected to a hole or groove formed in the upper support 130 in a form-fit or interference fit manner. Therefore, the ferrite module 150, including the core fixing portion 152, can be easily attached to and detached from the upper support 130.

[0332] The advantage of using the fastening protrusion 1528 is that the ferrite module 150 can be easily attached to and removed from the upper support 130. In one example, the arrangement of fastening the fastening device to the fastening hole 1527 has the advantage that the ferrite module 150 can be stably and securely attached to the upper support 130, and the ferrite module 150 can be attached to and removed from the upper support 130.

[0333] Figure 29 This is a perspective view of a ferrite core 151 according to another embodiment. Figure 30 yes Figure 29 Floor plan. Figure 31 This is a perspective view of a ferrite module 150 according to another embodiment. Figure 32 yes Figure 31 Floor plan. Figures 29 to 32 The third type of ferrite core 151 is shown.

[0334] In the third type, the ferrite module 150 can be formed in a generally square shape. Therefore, the frame shape in which the ferrite module 150 is placed in the mounting groove 131 can also be formed in a generally square shape.

[0335] In the third type, multiple ferrite cores 151 may be provided, and the multiple ferrite cores 151 may be arranged radially around the center of the core fixing portion 152 and spaced apart from each other.

[0336] The ferrite core 151 may be composed of multiple parts, and the ferrite core 151 may be arranged radially to form a ferrite core 151. In the following text, the ferrite core 151 may refer to each of the multiple parts.

[0337] In the third type, the ferrite cores 151 arranged around the center of the core fixing portion 152 can have the same or very similar shapes. Ferrite cores 151 of the same shape can be arranged around the center of the core fixing portion 152 in a spaced-apart manner, such that the ferrite cores 151 can be arranged radially to each other, such that the arrangement is symmetrical to each other in the longitudinal and transverse directions.

[0338] Therefore, the inclined portions formed in the plurality of ferrite cores 151 can be arranged radially around the center of the core fixing portion 152. Due to this structure, each ferrite core 151 can be stably and uniformly fixed to the core fixing portion 152 using each of the inclined portions 1514 regularly arranged in all the plurality of ferrite cores 151.

[0339] The ferrite core 151 can be formed as a quadrilateral, and more specifically, as a square shape. In the third type, an inclined portion 1514 can be formed in the ferrite core 151.

[0340] The inclined portions 1514 can be configured as a pair of inclined portions 1514, which are respectively formed at two corners of each ferrite core 151 at positions arranged diagonally relative to each other. A portion of the core fixing portion 152 can cover the inclined portions 1514, so that the ferrite core 151 can be fixed to the core fixing portion 152.

[0341] In insert injection molding, an insert injection molded product made of plastic material can be introduced into the area located on top of the inclined portion 1514 and cured to form the first cover 1529 and the second cover 1531, which will be described later. Thus, the ferrite core 151 can be stably connected and fixed to the core fixing portion 152 using the first cover 1529 and the second cover 1531.

[0342] At each of the inner edges of the plurality of ferrite cores 151 facing each other, a chamfered portion 1515 may be formed in each of the ferrite cores 151. The chamfered portion 1515 may be formed at the corner where the inclined portion 1514 is formed.

[0343] Therefore, when multiple ferrite cores 151 are placed, such as Figure 30 As shown, a rhomboid-shaped space can be formed at the center of the entire ferrite core 151, which is composed of multiple ferrite cores 151 that are multiple ferrite elements.

[0344] In insert injection molding, the insert injection molded product, integrally formed with the base plate 1521, can be deposited in this diamond-shaped space, thereby firmly supporting the ferrite core 151. This insert injection molded product can be attached to the second cover 1531, described later.

[0345] The core fixing portion 152 corresponding to the third type of ferrite core 151 may include a base plate 1521, a bent portion 1522, a first cover 1529, a second cover 1531, and a separation wall 1532. The base plate 1521 and the bent portion 1522 are the same as described above.

[0346] The first cover 1529 can be formed at the outer corner of the core fixing portion 152, and can be configured to cover the inclined portion 1514 and fix the ferrite core 151. The second cover 1531 can be formed at the center of the core fixing portion 152, and can be configured to cover the inclined portion 1514 with the beveled portion 1515, and fix the ferrite core 151.

[0347] The first cover 1529 and the second cover 1531 can be respectively set at positions corresponding to two corners arranged along the diagonal direction of each of the ferrite cores 151, and can respectively fix the two corners of the ferrite cores 151 so that the ferrite cores 151 can be stably and firmly connected to the core fixing part 152.

[0348] Inclined portions 1514 can be formed in the ferrite core 151 at positions corresponding to the first cover 1529 and the second cover 1531, respectively. The first cover 1529 and the second cover 1531 respectively cover the inclined portions 1514 to connect the ferrite core 151 to the core fixing portion 152, such that the height of the ferrite core 151 and the height of the core fixing portion 152 are similar to each other, so that the upper surface of the ferrite module 150 can have a generally flat shape.

[0349] Since the upper surface of the ferrite module 150 is flat, the coil substrate 140 can be easily and stably disposed on the flat upper surface of the ferrite module 150, and at the same time, the gap between the ferrite module 150 and the coil substrate 140 can be significantly reduced.

[0350] Separation wall 1532 extends from base plate 1521, connects curved portion 1522 and second cover 1531 to each other, and is disposed between adjacent ferrite cores of a plurality of ferrite cores 151 to separate adjacent ferrite cores of the plurality of ferrite cores 151 from each other.

[0351] A separation wall 1532 formed between adjacent ferrite cores 151 can contact the side surface of each of the adjacent ferrite cores 151 to more firmly connect each of the ferrite cores 151 to the core fixing portion 152. Furthermore, the separation wall 1532 can restrict the movement of each ferrite core 151 in the lateral direction of the core fixing portion 152. Therefore, the separation wall 1532 can maintain the ferrite cores 151 in their designed positions and can suppress displacement of the ferrite cores.

[0352] Figure 33 yes Figure 29 The image shows a bottom-view perspective view of the ferrite module 150. Figure 34 yes Figure 29 An exploded view of the upper support 130 and the ferrite module 150 shown. Figure 35 This is a cross-sectional view of a part of the electric furnace.

[0353] In the third type, in order to connect the ferrite module 150 to the upper support 130, for example, the core fixing portion 152 may be provided with at least one of a fastening protrusion 1528 or a center protrusion 1534.

[0354] As described above, fastening protrusions 1528 may protrude from the outer surfaces of, for example, a pair of curved portions 1522 facing each other, and a plurality of fastening protrusions 1528 may be formed on a curved portion 1522.

[0355] Holes or recesses into which the fastening protrusion 1528 can be fitted may be formed in the wall of the defined mounting recess 131 of the upper support 130, and at positions corresponding to the positions of the fastening protrusion 1528. The shape and number of such holes or recesses may correspond to the shape and number of the fastening protrusion 1528.

[0356] The core fixing portion 152 may include a central protrusion 1534 that protrudes from the lower surface of the core fixing portion 152 at the center portion of the core fixing portion and is fitted into a hole formed in the upper support 130.

[0357] The central protrusion 1534 can be fitted into a hole or groove formed in the central portion of the bottom of the upper support 130, located below the mounting recess 131, and thus the ferrite module 150 can be detachably coupled to the upper support 130. To prevent the central protrusion 1534 from being easily removed from the upper support 130 while coupled to it, the central protrusion 1534 can be formed in the form of a hook, for example.

[0358] The core fixing portion 152 may include a mounting protrusion 1533 formed at a corner of the core fixing portion 152 and protruding outward from the curved portion 1522. The mounting protrusion 1533 is fitted to the upper support member 130.

[0359] The mounting protrusion 1533 can be configured to stably mount the ferrite module 150 in the mounting recess 131 and prevent the ferrite module 150 from being displaced from the correct position or removed from the mounting recess 131 under external impact.

[0360] Since each mounting protrusion 1533 is located at each corner of the core fixing portion 152 having a rectangular shape, for example, a total of four mounting protrusions 1533 can be provided. The mounting protrusions 1533 can be integrally formed with the first cover 1529 and positioned at the location where the first cover 1529 is formed.

[0361] The mounting groove 137 into which the mounting protrusion 1533 is assembled can be formed in the upper support 130 at a position corresponding to the position of the mounting protrusion 1533. The mounting groove 137 can be formed by recessing a portion of the upper support 130 into each of the corners of the placement groove 131 defined by the rectangular frame.

[0362] The mounting protrusion 1533 and the mounting groove 137 can be connected to each other in a form-fit manner. When the mounting protrusion 1533 is engaged with the mounting groove 137, the rotation or lateral movement of the core fixing portion 152 can be effectively restricted, thereby keeping the core fixing portion 152 in its designed position.

[0363] Therefore, even when an external impact is applied to the electric furnace, the ferrite module 150 is not easily displaced under the external impact, thereby improving the assembly and performance of the electric furnace.

[0364] In one embodiment, the ferrite module 150 can be configured in various structures of types one, two, and three. These types may differ in structure and have their own characteristics. Therefore, the manufacturer selects and designs a type of ferrite module 150 suitable for the characteristics of each electric furnace, thereby facilitating the manufacture of the ferrite module 150, improving magnetic field generation efficiency, and reducing manufacturing costs.

[0365] Although this disclosure has been described above with reference to the accompanying drawings, it is not limited to the embodiments disclosed herein and in the drawings, and it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications can be made to it within the scope of the technical concept of this disclosure. Furthermore, even if the effects of configurations according to this disclosure are not explicitly described in the description of embodiments of this disclosure, it is obvious that predictable effects from the configurations should be acknowledged.

Claims

1. An electric furnace, the electric furnace comprising: shell; A cover plate is attached to the upper end of the housing, wherein the heating target is placed on the upper surface of the cover plate; Upper support member, which is housed within the outer casing; A coil substrate, disposed on top of the upper support, wherein a working coil is printed on the coil substrate; and Multiple ferrite modules are disposed on top of the upper support and below the coil substrate, wherein each ferrite module is positioned corresponding to a plurality of working coils. The upper support includes multiple mounting grooves, in which the multiple ferrite modules are respectively received.

2. The electric furnace according to claim 1, wherein, Each of the ferrite modules comprises: A ferrite core, wherein the ferrite core generates a magnetic field; and The core fixing part is on which the ferrite core is mounted, wherein the core fixing part fixes the ferrite core to the mounting groove.

3. The electric furnace according to claim 1, wherein, The upper support includes boundary ribs defining the boundaries of the plurality of placement grooves, wherein the boundary ribs protrude from the upper surface of the upper support. The coil substrate and the ferrite module are configured such that when the coil substrate and the ferrite module are placed in the mounting groove, they are supported by at least one of the side surface or the bottom surface defining the mounting groove.

4. The electric furnace according to claim 1, wherein, The electric furnace includes a substrate connecting portion, which is connected to the coil substrate and the coil substrate is connected to the upper support member. The substrate connection portion is formed to protrude from the edge of the coil substrate extending in the longitudinal direction.

5. The electric furnace according to claim 1, wherein, The electric furnace includes an input interface disposed on the upper surface of the upper support member. The upper support member includes a receiving groove recessed downward from the upper surface of the upper support member, wherein the input interface is inserted into the receiving groove.

6. The electric furnace according to claim 1, wherein, The electric furnace includes: A motherboard, the motherboard being attached to the lower surface of the upper support and including a controller configured to control the electric furnace; A switching mode power supply SMPS board is connected to the lower surface of the upper support and supplies power to the electric furnace; An EMI filter, coupled to the lower surface of the upper support and suppressing electromagnetic interference generated by electricity; and An inverter board, which is connected to the lower surface of the upper support and applies a resonant current to the operating coil, The motherboard, the SMPS board, the EMI filter, and the inverter board are disposed on the lower surface of the upper support and spaced apart from each other.

7. The electric furnace according to claim 6, wherein, The electric furnace includes a resonator substrate, which is connected to the lower surface of the upper support and configured to be separate from the inverter board.

8. The electric furnace according to claim 6, wherein, The electric furnace includes: A blower fan, the blower fan being connected to the lower surface of the upper support and spaced apart from the main board, the SMPS board, the EMI filter, and the inverter board; and A radiator is disposed below the upper support member, wherein the longitudinal direction of the radiator is parallel to the exhaust direction of the blower fan.

9. The electric furnace according to claim 8, wherein, The heat sink is connected to the lower surface of the inverter board.

10. The electric furnace according to claim 6, wherein, The electric furnace includes a plurality of indicator plates connected to the lower surface of the upper support and arranged spaced apart from each other, wherein each of the plurality of indicator plates includes a light source.

11. The electric furnace according to claim 10, wherein, Each of the indicator panels is formed in the shape of a strip. The longitudinal direction of the indicator plate is parallel to the transverse direction of the upper support member.

12. The electric furnace according to claim 8, wherein, The outer casing includes: Base plate; and A sidewall, which bends from the base plate to define a receiving space for receiving a component. The base plate includes: An inlet port is formed at a position corresponding to the location of the blower fan, wherein air is introduced into the inlet port; and An outlet hole is formed at a position corresponding to the exhaust area of ​​the radiator, through which air is discharged.

13. The electric furnace according to claim 1, wherein, The electric furnace includes a lower support member, which is disposed below the upper support member, housed in the outer casing, and disposed below a plate connected to the lower surface of the upper support member, wherein the lower support member supports the upper support member.

14. The electric furnace according to claim 13, wherein, The lower support is made of an electrically insulating material.

15. The electric furnace according to claim 1, wherein, The electric furnace includes: A thermal insulator disposed between the upper support and the cover plate; and A mica sheet is disposed between the upper support and the cover plate and on at least one of the upper or lower surfaces of the thermal insulator.

16. An electric furnace, the electric furnace comprising: shell; A cover plate is attached to the upper end of the housing, wherein the heating target is placed on the upper surface of the cover plate; Upper support member, which is housed within the outer casing; Multiple ferrite modules are disposed on the top of the upper support member, wherein the multiple ferrite modules are respectively disposed at positions corresponding to multiple working coils; A motherboard, the motherboard being coupled to the lower surface of the upper support and including a controller configured to control the electric furnace; and A plurality of coil substrates are disposed on the top of the upper support and arranged spaced apart from each other, wherein each of the plurality of coil substrates is disposed on the upper surface of each ferrite module in the ferrite module, wherein each working coil is printed on each coil substrate.

17. The electric furnace according to claim 16, wherein, The electric furnace includes: An SMPS plate, the SMPS plate being connected to the lower surface of the upper support and supplying power to the electric furnace; An EMI filter, coupled to the lower surface of the upper support and suppressing electromagnetic interference generated by electricity; and An inverter board is connected to the lower surface of the upper support and applies a resonant current to the operating coil. A blower fan, the blower fan being connected to the lower surface of the upper support and spaced apart from the main board, the SMPS board, the EMI filter, and the inverter board; and A radiator is disposed below the upper support member, wherein the longitudinal direction of the radiator is parallel to the exhaust direction of the blower fan.

18. The electric furnace according to claim 16, wherein, The working coil printed on the coil substrate consists of multiple layers arranged to be spaced apart from each other in the vertical direction.

19. The electric furnace according to claim 16, wherein, The electric furnace includes a lower support member, which is disposed below the upper support member, housed within the outer casing, and positioned below a plate connected to the lower surface of the upper support member, wherein the lower support member supports the upper support member. The lower support member is made of an electrically insulating material.

20. The electric furnace according to claim 16, wherein, The electric furnace includes: A thermal insulator disposed between the upper support and the cover plate; and A mica sheet is disposed between the upper support and the cover plate and on at least one of the upper or lower surfaces of the thermal insulator.

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