Household appliance

Abstract

The invention relates to a working coil and a household appliance including the same. A home appliance according to one embodiment includes: a first working coil connected with an inverter and disposed at a position corresponding to a first heating region; a second working coil connected in series with the first working coil and disposed at a position corresponding to the second heating region; a third working coil connected in series with the first working coil, connected in parallel with the second working coil, and disposed at a position corresponding to the third heating region; a first relay connected between the second working coil and a ground terminal; a second relay connected between the third working coil and a ground terminal; and a controller that performs container detection on the first heating region, the second heating region, and the third heating region, and controls an open / closed state of the first relay and the second relay according to a result of the container detection.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This disclosure relates to a household appliance, and more specifically, to a working coil and a household appliance including a working coil. Background Technology

[0002] Recently, various household appliances have been used to make human life more convenient. Examples of household appliances include cooking appliances, refrigerators, washing machines, dryers, laundry management machines, water purifiers, etc.

[0003] Cooking appliances are household appliances used for cooking food. They are installed in the kitchen space and are used to cook food according to the user's intentions. Cooking appliances can be classified into various categories based on the type or kind of heat source or fuel used.

[0004] When categorizing cooking appliances based on the method of cooking food, they can be classified into open-type and closed-type cooking appliances according to the type of space where food is placed. Examples of closed-type cooking appliances include ovens and microwave ovens, while examples of open-type cooking appliances include cooktops and stove racks.

[0005] In open-top cooking appliances, the cooktop is configured to heat food contained in a cooking container via at least one burner. The cooktop may be provided with an electric burner or with a gas burner. Alternatively, the cooktop may be implemented as a stand-alone unit or as an oven including a furnace located beneath the cooktop.

[0006] As an example of a cooktop with an electric burner, there exists an induction heating device. An induction heating device is a cooking appliance that performs cooking functions using an induction heating method. In an induction heating device, when an electric current is applied to a working coil, eddy currents are generated in a cooking container made of magnetic material, and food can be cooked by the cooking container, which generates heat by acting as the resistance of the eddy currents.

[0007] Induction heating devices do not require gas combustion, and therefore do not produce combustion exhaust gases. Furthermore, by allowing the container itself to generate heat immediately, induction heating devices can minimize heat transfer processes via thermal radiation or conduction, thus enabling the rapid heating of cooked food.

[0008] Typically, in an induction heating device, the location for placing the cooking container is marked on a top plate above the working coil, and the cooking container is heated by the working coil while it is placed in the marked area.

[0009] In an induction heating device, one or more working coils and a circuit board can be provided. The working coil is used to transfer electromagnetic force to the cooking container. Typically, the working coil can be formed in the form of a wire wound into a spiral shape. And the circuit board can play a role in controlling the supply of induced current to the working coil in a circuit manner.

[0010] Recently, working coils in the form of coil patterns formed on circuit boards have also been used instead of working coils in the form of wires wound in a spiral shape.

[0011] The cost and time spent manufacturing the working coil constitute a large proportion of the total cost and time required to produce an induction heating device. The cost of the wire itself, and the time and cost required for winding it, are particularly significant.

[0012] If the working coil is formed by creating a coil-shaped pattern on a circuit board, rather than by winding wire, the cost and time spent manufacturing the working coil can be reduced.

[0013] High-frequency power is applied to the working coil, thereby generating a considerable amount of heat in the working coil. In particular, in induction heating devices that require high power, a large amount of heat is generated in the working coil when high power is applied.

[0014] When the working coil is formed in the form of a coil-shaped pattern on a circuit board, due to the limited area of ​​the circuit board, the working coil is inevitably formed in a narrow area where the coil pattern is concentrated. As a result, the circuit board with the working coil may inevitably be subjected to a large amount of heat relative to its area, and therefore, the temperature of the circuit board may rise excessively.

[0015] Meanwhile, an induction heating device has recently been developed that automatically identifies the size and position of the cooking container and performs heating appropriately even if the cooking container is not placed in a specific location. To perform heating more effectively in the induction heating device, it is necessary to increase the number of working coils installed within it.

[0016] Therefore, due to the temperature rise problem caused by coil pattern concentration, it is difficult to apply working coils in the form of coil patterns to the above-mentioned type of induction heating device. Summary of the Invention

[0017] Technical issues

[0018] The purpose of this disclosure is to provide a working coil and a household appliance including the working coil, the structure of which is improved to suppress temperature rise.

[0019] Furthermore, the purpose of this disclosure is to provide a working coil and a household appliance including the working coil, the structure of which is improved to increase the density of the area occupied by the working coil in the cooktop.

[0020] Furthermore, the purpose of this disclosure is to provide a working coil and a household appliance including the working coil, the structure of which is improved to allow the working coil to be arranged more densely while suppressing the temperature rise of the working coil.

[0021] Furthermore, the purpose of this disclosure is to provide a working coil and a household appliance including the working coil, the structure of which is improved to reduce the loss of the original substrate used to manufacture the coil substrate portion, while increasing the density of the area occupied by the working coil in the cooktop.

[0022] Furthermore, the purpose of this disclosure is to provide a working coil and a household appliance including the working coil, the structure of which is improved to simplify the connection structure between the working coil and electrical components.

[0023] Furthermore, the purpose of this disclosure is to provide a working coil and a household appliance including the working coil, the structure of which is improved to suppress the reduction of the cross-sectional area of ​​the pattern per turn of the working coil caused by foil loss generated during the coil patterning process.

[0024] Furthermore, the purpose of this disclosure is to provide a working coil and a household appliance including the working coil, which can make the current distribution and magnetic flux density distribution of the working coil more uniform by reducing the proximity effect and skin effect of the coil bundle included in the working coil.

[0025] Furthermore, the purpose of this disclosure is to reduce power loss and improve power efficiency during the operation of household appliances.

[0026] Furthermore, the purpose of this disclosure is to mitigate the phenomenon that the temperature of a specific area of ​​the working coil becomes excessively higher than that of other areas during the operation of a household appliance.

[0027] The purpose of this disclosure is not limited to the above-described objectives, and other objectives and advantages not mentioned herein will become clearer from the embodiments described below. Furthermore, the objectives and advantages of this disclosure can be achieved by the components and combinations thereof described in the claims.

[0028] Problem-solving methods

[0029] A household appliance according to one embodiment may include: a rectifier circuit that rectifies an input voltage and outputs a rectified voltage; a DC link capacitor that smooths the voltage output from the rectifier circuit; an inverter that uses the voltage smoothed by the DC link capacitor to output an alternating current; a first working coil connected to the inverter and disposed at a location corresponding to a first heating zone; a second working coil connected in series with the first working coil and disposed at a location corresponding to a second heating zone; a third working coil connected in series with the first working coil, connected in parallel with the second working coil, and disposed at a location corresponding to a third heating zone; a first relay connected between the second working coil and a ground terminal; a second relay connected between the third working coil and a ground terminal; and a controller configured to perform container detection on the first heating zone, the second heating zone, and the third heating zone, and to control the open and closed states of the first and second relays based on the result of the container detection.

[0030] In one embodiment, when the controller determines that a container is present in the first heating zone and the second heating zone, the controller can control the first relay to close and control the second relay to open.

[0031] In one implementation, when the controller determines that a container is present in the first heating zone and the third heating zone, the controller may control the second relay to close and control the first relay to open.

[0032] In one embodiment, when the controller determines that a container is present in the first heating region, the second heating region, and the third heating region, the controller can control the first relay and the second relay to close.

[0033] In one embodiment, the first heating region may be disposed between the second heating region and the third heating region.

[0034] A household appliance according to one embodiment may include: a rectifier circuit that rectifies an input voltage and outputs a rectified voltage; a first DC link capacitor that smooths the voltage output from the rectifier circuit; a first inverter that uses the voltage smoothed by the first DC link capacitor to output an alternating current; a second DC link capacitor that smooths the voltage output from the rectifier circuit; a second inverter that uses the voltage smoothed by the second DC link capacitor to output an alternating current; a second working coil connected to the first inverter and disposed at a position corresponding to a second heating area; a first working coil connected in series with the second working coil and disposed at a position corresponding to the first heating area; and a third working coil. Three working coils are connected to the second inverter and positioned corresponding to the third heating zone; a fourth working coil is connected in series with the third working coil and positioned corresponding to the fourth heating zone; a first relay is connected between the connection node of the first and second working coils and the connection node of the third and fourth working coils; a second relay is connected between the first working coil and a ground terminal; a third relay is connected between the fourth working coil and a ground terminal; and a controller is configured to perform container detection on the first, second, third, and fourth heating zones and control the open and closed states of the first, second, and third relays based on the result of the container detection.

[0035] In one implementation, when the controller determines that a container is present in the first heating zone and the second heating zone, the controller can control the second relay to close and control the first relay and the third relay to open.

[0036] In one implementation, when the controller determines that a container is present in the second heating zone and the third heating zone, the controller can control the first relay to close and control the second relay and the third relay to open.

[0037] In one implementation, when the controller determines that a container is present in the third heating zone and the fourth heating zone, the controller can control the third relay to close and control the first relay and the second relay to open.

[0038] In one implementation, when the controller determines that a container is present in the first heating region, the second heating region, and the third heating region, the controller may control the first relay and the second relay to close and control the third relay to open.

[0039] In one embodiment, when the controller determines that a container is present in the second heating region, the third heating region, and the fourth heating region, the controller can control the first relay and the third relay to close and control the second relay to open.

[0040] In one embodiment, when the controller determines that a container is present in the first heating region, the second heating region, the third heating region, and the fourth heating region, the controller may control the second relay and the third relay to close and control the first relay to open.

[0041] In one embodiment, the second heating region may be disposed between the first heating region and the third heating region.

[0042] In one embodiment, the third heating region may be disposed between the second heating region and the fourth heating region.

[0043] In one embodiment, the second heating region and the third heating region may be disposed between the first heating region and the fourth heating region.

[0044] In one embodiment, the household appliance may further include: a sixth working coil connected to the first inverter and disposed at a position corresponding to a sixth heating zone; a fifth working coil connected in series with the sixth working coil and disposed at a position corresponding to a fifth heating zone; a seventh working coil connected to the second inverter and disposed at a position corresponding to a seventh heating zone; an eighth working coil connected in series with the seventh working coil and disposed at a position corresponding to an eighth heating zone; a fourth relay connected between the connection node of the fifth and sixth working coils and the connection node of the seventh and eighth working coils; a fifth relay connected between the fifth working coil and a ground terminal; and a sixth relay connected between the eighth working coil and a ground terminal.

[0045] In one embodiment, the controller can perform container detection on the first heating area, the second heating area, the third heating area, the fourth heating area, the fifth heating area, the sixth heating area, the seventh heating area, and the eighth heating area, and can control the open and closed states of the first relay, the second relay, the third relay, the fourth relay, the fifth relay, and the sixth relay based on the result of the container detection.

[0046] In one implementation, when the controller determines that a container is present in the first heating region, the second heating region, the fifth heating region, and the sixth heating region, the controller may control the second relay and the fifth relay to close and control the first relay, the third relay, the fourth relay, and the sixth relay to open.

[0047] In one implementation, when the controller determines that a container is present in the second heating region, the third heating region, the sixth heating region, and the seventh heating region, the controller may control the first relay and the fourth relay to close and control the second relay, the third relay, the fifth relay, and the sixth relay to open.

[0048] In one implementation, when the controller determines that a container is present in the third heating zone, the fourth heating zone, the seventh heating zone, and the eighth heating zone, the controller may control the third relay and the sixth relay to close and control the first relay, the second relay, the fourth relay, and the fifth relay to open.

[0049] In one implementation, when the controller determines that a container is present in the first heating region, the second heating region, the third heating region, the fifth heating region, the sixth heating region, and the seventh heating region, the controller may control the first relay, the second relay, the fourth relay, and the fifth relay to close and control the third relay and the sixth relay to open.

[0050] In one implementation, when the controller determines that a container is present in the second heating region, the third heating region, the fourth heating region, the sixth heating region, the seventh heating region, and the eighth heating region, the controller may control the first relay, the third relay, the fourth relay, and the sixth relay to close and control the second relay and the fifth relay to open.

[0051] In one implementation, when the controller determines that a container is present in the first heating region, the second heating region, the third heating region, the fourth heating region, the fifth heating region, the sixth heating region, the seventh heating region, and the eighth heating region, the controller may control the second relay, the third relay, the fifth relay, and the sixth relay to close and control the first relay and the fourth relay to open.

[0052] In one embodiment, the sixth heating region may be disposed between the fifth heating region and the seventh heating region.

[0053] In one embodiment, the seventh heating region may be disposed between the sixth heating region and the eighth heating region.

[0054] In one embodiment, the sixth heating region and the seventh heating region may be disposed between the fifth heating region and the eighth heating region.

[0055] In one embodiment, the first heating region may be disposed adjacent to the fifth heating region.

[0056] In one embodiment, the second heating region may be disposed adjacent to the sixth heating region.

[0057] In one embodiment, the third heating region may be arranged adjacent to the seventh heating region.

[0058] In one embodiment, the fourth heating region may be arranged adjacent to the eighth heating region.

[0059] In one embodiment, the household appliance may further include: a third DC link capacitor that smooths the voltage output from the rectifier circuit; a third inverter that uses the voltage smoothed by the third DC link capacitor to output alternating current; a ninth operating coil connected to the third inverter and positioned corresponding to a ninth heating zone; a tenth operating coil connected in series with the ninth operating coil and positioned corresponding to a tenth heating zone; an eleventh operating coil connected in series with the ninth operating coil, connected in parallel with the tenth operating coil, and positioned corresponding to an eleventh heating zone; a seventh relay connected between the tenth operating coil and a ground terminal; and an eighth relay connected between the eleventh operating coil and a ground terminal.

[0060] In one embodiment, the controller can perform container detection on the first heating area, the second heating area, the third heating area, the fourth heating area, the fifth heating area, the sixth heating area, the seventh heating area, the eighth heating area, the ninth heating area, the tenth heating area, and the eleventh heating area, and can control the open and closed states of the first relay, the second relay, the third relay, the fourth relay, the fifth relay, the sixth relay, the seventh relay, and the eighth relay based on the results of the container detection.

[0061] In one implementation, when the controller determines that a container is present in the fifth heating zone, the sixth heating zone, the ninth heating zone, and the tenth heating zone, the controller may control the second relay and the seventh relay to close and control the first relay, the third relay, the fourth relay, the fifth relay, the sixth relay, and the eighth relay to open.

[0062] In one implementation, when the controller determines that a container is present in the sixth heating zone, the seventh heating zone, the ninth heating zone, and the eleventh heating zone, the controller may control the first relay and the eighth relay to close and control the second relay, the third relay, the fourth relay, the fifth relay, the sixth relay, and the seventh relay to open.

[0063] In one implementation, when the controller determines that a container is present in the fifth heating zone, the sixth heating zone, the seventh heating zone, the ninth heating zone, the tenth heating zone, and the eleventh heating zone, the controller may control the first relay, the second relay, the seventh relay, and the eighth relay to close and control the third relay, the fourth relay, the fifth relay, and the sixth relay to open.

[0064] In one embodiment, the ninth heating region may be located between the tenth heating region and the eleventh heating region.

[0065] In one embodiment, the sixth heating region may be arranged adjacent to the ninth heating region.

[0066] In one embodiment, the fifth heating region may be arranged adjacent to the tenth heating region.

[0067] In one embodiment, the seventh heating region may be arranged adjacent to the eleventh heating region.

[0068] Beneficial effects

[0069] According to the implementation, multiple coil patterns stacked in the vertical direction are connected to each other in the vertical direction to form a working coil in the form of a patterned coil, thereby increasing the length of the working coil in the vertical direction, so that the patterned cross-sectional area of ​​each turn of the working coil can be effectively increased.

[0070] According to the implementation method, by suppressing the increase in the size of the working coil in the horizontal direction and increasing the pattern cross-sectional area of ​​each turn of the working coil, the temperature rise of the working coil can be effectively suppressed.

[0071] According to the implementation method, since the working coil, which is formed into a polygonal shape similar to the shape of the stove surface, is also formed into a polygonal shape similar to the shape of the coil module, the density of the area occupied by the working coil within the stove surface can be effectively increased.

[0072] According to the implementation method, the heating efficiency of household appliances can be increased by increasing the area of ​​the region where the container contacts the working coil.

[0073] According to the embodiment, multiple coil lines stacked in the vertical direction are connected to each other in the vertical direction to form a working coil, and a horizontal twist structure and a vertical twist structure are formed in the working coil, so that the increase in the horizontal dimension of the working coil can be minimized while increasing the pattern cross-sectional area of ​​each turn of the working coil.

[0074] According to the implementation method, by reducing the size of the working coil and simultaneously reducing the current density flowing in the working coil, the working coil can be arranged more closely together compared to a cooktop of the same standard size, and can maintain maximum output for a longer period of time compared to a cooktop of the same size.

[0075] According to the implementation method, by using densely arranged small working coils, improved heating efficiency and higher output can be provided over a longer period of time.

[0076] According to the implementation method, by allowing the coil assembly to be made from a combination of multiple coil modules, the loss of the original substrate used to manufacture the coil modules can be reduced, and the space required to set up the control panel on the cooktop can be effectively ensured.

[0077] According to the embodiment, the wiring for connecting the working coil and the sensing coil to the terminal portion is formed in a patterned form within the coil module itself, and the connection between the working coil and the sensing coil and the electrical component can be achieved solely through the connection between the terminal portion and the electrical component. Therefore, the connection structure between the electrical component and the working coil and the sensing coil can be formed very simply.

[0078] According to the implementation method, in addition to allowing easy and quick connection work between coil assemblies and electrical components, it can also effectively prevent the internal space of the cooktop where the coil assemblies and electrical components are housed from becoming complicated due to a large amount of wiring.

[0079] According to the implementation method, since the proximity effect and skin effect of the coil bundle included in the working coil are reduced, the current distribution and magnetic flux density distribution of the working coil can become more uniform.

[0080] According to the implementation method, power loss during the operation of household appliances can be reduced, and power efficiency can be improved.

[0081] According to the implementation method, the phenomenon that the temperature of a specific area of ​​the working coil becomes excessively higher than that of other areas during the operation of a household appliance can be mitigated. Attached Figure Description

[0082] Figure 1 This is a perspective view showing a household appliance according to an embodiment.

[0083] Figure 2 It is shown separately. Figure 1 The image shows a three-dimensional view of the stovetop.

[0084] Figure 3 It is shown Figure 2 The view shown shows the indicator lights on the cooktop.

[0085] Figure 4 It is shown Figure 2 The diagram shows an exploded perspective view of the stove surface.

[0086] Figure 5 It shows that electronic components are installed in Figure 4 A view showing the state of the bottom surface of the support member.

[0087] Figure 6 It is shown schematically. Figure 4 A plan view showing the configuration of the coil assembly.

[0088] Figure 7 It is shown schematically. Figure 6 The diagram shows a cross-sectional view of the stacked structure of the coil modules.

[0089] Figure 8 This is a plan view showing a first example of the layout structure of the first coil module and the second coil module.

[0090] Figure 9 This is a view schematically showing an example of the cutting state of the original substrate used to form the first coil substrate portion.

[0091] Figure 10 This is a plan view showing a second example of the layout structure of the first coil module and the second coil module.

[0092] Figure 11 It is shown Figure 8 A plan view of another example of the layout structure of the first and second coil modules shown.

[0093] Figure 12 It is shown Figure 10 A plan view of another example of the layout structure of the first coil module and the second coil module shown.

[0094] Figure 13 This is a plan view showing a third example of the layout structure of the first coil module and the second coil module.

[0095] Figure 14 This is a plan view showing a fourth example of the layout structure of the first coil module and the second coil module.

[0096] Figure 15 This is a plan view showing a fifth example of the layout structure of the first coil module and the second coil module.

[0097] Figure 16 This is a plan view showing a sixth example of the layout structure of the first coil module and the second coil module.

[0098] Figure 17 This is a plan view showing an example of the first coil substrate portion according to an embodiment.

[0099] Figure 18 It is shown Figure 17 An enlarged view of a portion of the first coil substrate shown.

[0100] Figure 19 It is shown schematically. Figure 18 The cross-sectional view of the stacked structure of the first coil section is shown.

[0101] Figure 20 This is a plan view showing an example of the layout structure of the sensing coil.

[0102] Figure 21 yes Figure 20 The enlarged view of section "21" shows an example of the layout structure of the sensing coil relative to the working coil.

[0103] Figure 22 yes Figure 18 An enlarged view of the first terminal shown.

[0104] Figure 23 yes Figure 18 An enlarged view of the second terminal shown.

[0105] Figure 24 This is a plan view showing a seventh example of the layout structure of the first coil module and the second coil module.

[0106] Figure 25 This is a plan view showing the structure of the coil module according to the first embodiment.

[0107] Figure 26 It is a circuit diagram of a household appliance that includes the coil module according to the first embodiment.

[0108] Figure 27 This is a plan view showing the structure of the coil module according to the second embodiment.

[0109] Figure 28 This is a circuit diagram of a household appliance that includes the coil module according to the second embodiment.

[0110] Figure 29 This is a plan view showing the structure of the coil module according to the third embodiment.

[0111] Figure 30 It is a circuit diagram of a household appliance that includes the coil module according to the third embodiment.

[0112] Figure 31 This is a plan view showing the structure of the coil module according to the fourth embodiment.

[0113] Figure 32 This is a circuit diagram of a household appliance that includes the coil module according to the fourth embodiment.

[0114] Figure 33 This is a plan view showing the structure of the coil module according to the fifth embodiment.

[0115] Figure 34 This is a circuit diagram of a household appliance that includes the coil module according to the fifth embodiment.

[0116] Figure 35 This is a circuit diagram of a sensing circuit according to one embodiment.

[0117] Figure 36 This is a diagram showing the waveform of the resonant signal output from the output node of the sensing circuit according to the embodiment.

[0118] Figure 37 This is a diagram showing the waveform of the square wave output from the comparator of the sensing circuit according to the embodiment. Detailed Implementation

[0119] The above-described objects, features, and advantages will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings, so that those skilled in the art can readily practice the technical ideas of the present invention. In describing the present invention, detailed descriptions of known technologies related to the present invention will be omitted if it is determined that such detailed descriptions may unnecessarily obscure the gist of the invention. Preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the drawings, the same reference numerals are used to denote the same or similar parts.

[0120] Although the terms "first," "second," etc., are used to describe various components, these components are not limited by these terms. These terms are only used to distinguish one component from another, and unless otherwise specified, it should be understood that a first component can also be a second component.

[0121] This invention is not limited to the embodiments disclosed below and can be modified in various ways, and can be implemented in many different forms. These embodiments are provided merely to ensure that the disclosure of this invention is complete and to fully inform those skilled in the art of its scope. Therefore, it should be understood that this invention is not limited to the embodiments disclosed below, but includes all variations, equivalents, or substitutions included within the technical concept and scope of this invention, as well as the replacement of components of one embodiment with components of another embodiment and the addition of components to another embodiment.

[0122] The accompanying drawings are provided only for easy understanding of the embodiments disclosed herein, and the technical concepts disclosed herein are not limited to the drawings. Furthermore, it should be understood that the invention includes all modifications, equivalents, or substitutions falling within the technical concept and scope of the invention. In the drawings, for ease of understanding, components may be exaggerated in size or thickness as large or small, but the scope of protection of the invention should not be construed as limited thereto.

[0123] The terminology used herein is for describing specific implementations or methods only and is not intended to limit the invention. Furthermore, singular expressions include plural expressions unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. Terms such as “comprising,” “including,” “having,” “equipped with,” “consisting of,” etc., are intended to indicate the presence of the features, quantities, steps, operations, components, parts, or combinations thereof described herein. That is, it should be understood that the use of terms such as “comprising,” “including,” “having,” “equipped with,” “consisting of,” etc., herein does not presuppose the presence or addition of one or more other features, quantities, steps, operations, components, parts, or combinations thereof.

[0124] Ordinal terms (such as first, second, etc.) may be used to describe various components, but these components are not limited by these terms. The terms mentioned above are used only for the purpose of distinguishing one component from another.

[0125] When the first component is described as "connected" or "linked" to the second component, it should be understood that these components can be directly connected or linked to each other, but a third component can be inserted between these components. On the other hand, when the first component is described as "directly connected" or "directly linked" to the second component, it should be understood that no other component is inserted between them.

[0126] When a component is described as "above another component" or "below another component", it should be understood that the component may be configured to contact the top (or bottom) surface of another component, and yet another component may be inserted therebetween.

[0127] Unless otherwise defined, all terms used herein (including technical or scientific terms) have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this invention pertains. Terms as defined in commonly used dictionaries should be interpreted as having the meaning consistent with their meaning in the context of the relevant art, and should not be interpreted in an ideal or overly formal sense unless expressly defined in this application.

[0128] When an appliance is placed on the floor, the direction in which the door is installed is defined as forward, based on the center of the appliance. Therefore, the direction to enter the appliance after opening the door is backward. Furthermore, the horizontal direction perpendicular to the forward-backward direction of the appliance, that is, the width direction of the appliance when viewed from the front of the door, can be referred to as the left-right direction.

[0129] For convenience, the left and right directions can be referred to as the first direction. Then, the right side can be referred to as one side of the first direction, and the left side can be referred to as the other side of the first direction.

[0130] Additionally, the width direction of a household appliance can be referred to as the horizontal direction. Then, the right side can be referred to as one side in the horizontal direction, and the left side can be referred to as the other side in the horizontal direction.

[0131] In addition, the direction of gravity can be defined as downward, and the direction opposite to the direction of gravity can be defined as upward.

[0132] For convenience, we can refer to the directions facing forward and backward as the second direction. Then, the front side can be referred to as one side of the second direction, and the rear side can be referred to as the other side of the second direction.

[0133] Furthermore, the aforementioned up and down directions can be referred to as the third direction. Then, the upward direction can be referred to as one side of the third upward direction, and the downward direction can be referred to as the other side of the third upward direction.

[0134] Furthermore, the aforementioned up-down direction can be referred to as the vertical direction. Then, the front-back direction and the left-right direction, i.e., the first direction and the second direction, can both be referred to as the horizontal direction.

[0135] Throughout this document, unless otherwise stated, “A and / or B” means A, B, or A and B, and unless otherwise stated, “C to D” means equal to or greater than C and equal to or less than D.

[0136] [The overall structure of home appliances]

[0137] Figure 1 This is a perspective view showing a household appliance according to an embodiment; Figure 2 It is shown separately. Figure 1 The plan view of the stovetop shown; and Figure 3 It is shown Figure 2 The view shown shows the indicator lights on the cooktop.

[0138] Reference Figures 1 to 3 The household appliance according to one embodiment may include a cooktop 100. Additionally, the household appliance according to one embodiment may also include a stove section 10. Figures 1 to 3 In the illustrated embodiment, the household appliance is implemented, for example, in the form of an oven.

[0139] The household appliance provided in the form of an oven, according to the embodiment, can provide the functions of an oven as a closed household appliance and a cooktop as an open household appliance. The household appliance may include an oven section 10 and a cooktop 100.

[0140] The oven section 10 may have a cooking chamber formed therein. In the oven section, food can be cooked as the interior of the cooking chamber is heated.

[0141] In the furnace section 10, a heating element may be provided to heat the cooking chamber. The heating element may be configured as a gas-fueled heating device or as an electric heater.

[0142] In household appliances, the door 11 can be rotatably configured to selectively open and close the cooking chamber. As an example, the door can be configured to open and close the cooking chamber by pulling down, with the upper end pivoting up and down about its lower end.

[0143] A control panel 13 (hereinafter referred to as the "main control panel") may be installed on the upper part of the front surface of a household appliance. The main control panel 13 may form part of the exterior of the front surface of the household appliance. The main control panel 13 may be equipped with various switches for adjusting the operation of the household appliance, a display for showing the operating status of the household appliance, etc.

[0144] A cooktop surface 100 may be provided on the upper side of the stove section 10. The cooktop surface is configured to heat food or a container holding food placed on top of the cooktop surface 100.

[0145] [Overall structure of the stovetop]

[0146] Figure 4 It is shown Figure 2 The image shown is an exploded 3D view of the stovetop. Figure 5 It shows that electronic components are installed in Figure 4 A view showing the state of the bottom surface of the support member.

[0147] See Figures 1 to 5 The cooktop 100 may include a housing 110 and a top plate 120. In one embodiment, the exterior of the cooktop 100 may be formed by the housing 110 and the top plate 120. The housing 110 may be disposed below the top plate 120 and may form the front surface, rear surface, side surface, and bottom surface of the cooktop. The top plate 120 may be disposed on the upper end of the cooktop 100 and may form the top surface of the exterior of the cooktop 100.

[0148] An accommodating space can be formed inside the housing 110. The accommodating space formed inside the housing 110 can open upwards. As an example, the housing 110 can be formed into a hexahedral shape with an opening on the upper side. Various internal components can be accommodated in the accommodating space surrounded by the top plate 120 and the housing 110 to form the cooktop 100.

[0149] In one embodiment, the housing 110 may include a bottom 111. The bottom 111 may form the bottom surface of the housing 110 to define the lower boundary surface of the receiving space. The bottom 111 may be disposed below the top plate 120 to form a plane parallel to the top plate 120.

[0150] Additionally, the housing 110 may include a sidewall portion 115. The sidewall portion 115 may form the front surface, rear surface, and two side surfaces of the housing 110 to form a vertical wall shape extending upward from the edge of the bottom 111. The sidewall portion 115 may define the horizontal boundary surface of the accommodating space.

[0151] Additionally, the cooktop 100 may be equipped with a heating element for heating food to be cooked or a container holding food. The heating element may be equipped with at least one burner. For example, the burner may be provided in the form of a working coil or a heating coil that uses electricity.

[0152] In this embodiment, the cooktop 100 is shown as being provided in the form of an induction heating device. The burner of the cooktop 100 may include a working coil. The burner including the working coil can be operated by alternating current supplied by an inverter to generate a magnetic field. The magnetic field generated in the burner including the working coil can induce eddy currents in a container. The container can be heated by the eddy currents, and when the container is heated, the food contained in the container can be heated.

[0153] According to one embodiment, the cooktop 100 may be equipped with a control panel 130. The control panel 130 may be located on the top plate 120. The control panel 130 may include an operating part that includes various switches for adjusting the operation of the cooktop 100, a display for displaying the operating status of the cooktop 100, etc.

[0154] The cooktop 100 may be equipped with multiple indicator lights L. The indicator lights L may be displayed on the top plate 120 of the cooktop. The indicator lights L may indicate information such as the presence or absence of a container, the location of the container, the heating status of the container, or the temperature of the container.

[0155] According to one embodiment, a cooktop 100 may include a coil assembly 1000. The coil assembly 1000 may be configured to constitute a heating portion of the cooktop 100 and may be disposed in a receiving space inside the cooktop 100.

[0156] Additionally, the cooktop 100 may include a support member 150. The support member 150 may be disposed on the underside of the top plate 120. The support member 150 may be disposed in the space surrounded by the top plate 120 and the outer casing 110, i.e., in the receiving space.

[0157] The support member 150 can be formed as a frame for supporting various internal components constituting the cooktop 100. For example, the support member 150 can be formed as a hexahedron shape with an opening on the lower side. For example, the support member 150 can be formed as an inverted form of the housing 110, having a size slightly smaller than that of the housing 110.

[0158] In one embodiment, a receiving space may be formed inside the support 150 to form a space surrounded by the bottom 111 of the outer casing 110 and the support 150. That is, various internal components constituting the cooktop 100 may be received inside the support 150.

[0159] In one embodiment, the support 150 may also provide a coil base function. That is, a ferrite core 160 may be mounted on the support 150, and the coil assembly 1000 may be mounted on the upper side of the support 150, with the ferrite core 160 mounted on the support 150 in this manner.

[0160] As an example, the ferrite core 160 can be formed by a combination of multiple ferrite modules 161 provided as individual elements. That is, the ferrite core 160 can be configured in a structure in which the ferrite core 160 can be separated into multiple ferrite modules 161.

[0161] In this embodiment, ferrite modules 161 are shown each configured to be coupled to a support 150. For this purpose, the support 150 may have a structure formed therein for cooperating with the ferrite modules 161. Each ferrite module 161 can be coupled to the support 150 by being assembled into this structure.

[0162] Each ferrite module 161 includes ferrite capable of forming a magnetic field around the ferrite module 161. As an example, each ferrite module 161 may be provided in the form of insert-injected ferrite.

[0163] The ferrite core 160, formed by combining multiple ferrite modules 161 as described above, can reduce the number of working hours required to install the ferrite core 160 in the cooktop 100. Furthermore, the ferrite core 160 has the advantage that if a portion of the ferrite core 160 is damaged, it can be repaired by replacing the corresponding ferrite module 161.

[0164] Each indicator light L can be implemented by an illumination module 180. The illumination module 180 is configured to emit light toward the light display area of ​​the top panel 120. As an example, the indicator light L can be implemented by light illuminating the light display area of ​​the top panel 120 by the illumination module 180.

[0165] In this embodiment, the light display area is the area from which the light emitted from the lighting module 180 can be identified from the outside via the top plate 120, that is, the area from the top plate 120 that illuminates the light emitted from the lighting module 180, and is defined as a predetermined portion of the entire area of ​​the top plate 120.

[0166] As an example, the light display area can be a virtual area designated as the portion of the top plate 120 from which light emitted from the lighting module 180 will be illuminated. In this case, the light display area is not a portion that is prominently marked on the top plate 120 by means of methods such as performing a separate surface treatment on the surface of the top plate 120, but simply a virtual area.

[0167] As another example, the light display area can be an area that is prominently marked on the top plate 120 by means of a method such as performing a separate surface treatment on the surface of the top plate 120.

[0168] The lighting module 180 may include a light source. As an example, an LED can be used as a light source, but the types of light sources that can be used as a light source are not limited to LEDs.

[0169] The lighting module 180 may include multiple light sources, which may be disposed at each lighting module 180 and spaced apart from each other by a predetermined interval in the front-to-back direction. As an example, the lighting module 180 may be provided in the form of multiple light sources mounted on a PCB in the form of a PCB. The number of light sources for each lighting module 180 and the length of the PCB in the front-to-back direction may be appropriately set according to the size or intensity of the lighting to be achieved by the lighting module 180.

[0170] Furthermore, multiple lighting modules 180 can be disposed on the cooktop surface, and the multiple lighting modules 180 can be arranged to be spaced apart from each other at predetermined intervals in the lateral direction. The number of lighting modules 180 and the distance between the lighting modules 180 can be appropriately set by taking into account the size and number of working coils, the distance between the working coils, etc.

[0171] At least a portion of the lighting module 180 may be disposed between the support 150 and the bottom 111. As an example, the lighting module 180 may be disposed in a receiving space. More specifically, the lighting module 180 may be disposed in a space surrounded by the bottom 111 of the housing 110 and the support 150.

[0172] Inside the cooktop 100, that is, within the accommodating space, various electronic components can be installed. For example, the main PCB 171, switch-mode power supply (SMPS), inverter PCB, resonant PCB, noise filter (EMI filter), fan 176, etc., can be installed within the internal space of the cooktop 100.

[0173] In the following text, the electronic components will be collectively referred to as electronic unit 170. Electronic unit 170 may include at least one of a power processing section and a coil control section. The power processing section may be provided to supply power to the coil assembly 1000, and the power processing section may include a switch-mode power supply (SMPS) 162, an EMI filter (EMI filter 165), etc. The coil control section is provided to control the operation of the coil assembly 1000, and the coil control section may include an inverter PCB 174, etc.

[0174] [Overall structure of the coil assembly]

[0175] Figure 6 It is shown schematically. Figure 4 A view showing the configuration of the coil assembly, and Figure 7 It is shown schematically. Figure 6The diagram shows a cross-sectional view of the stacked structure of the coil modules.

[0176] Reference Figure 4 and Figure 6 The coil assembly 1000 may include a plurality of working coils WC arranged in a horizontal direction. For example, in the coil assembly 1000, the plurality of working coils WC may be arranged in a first direction (i.e., the lateral direction) and the plurality of working coils WC may be arranged in a second direction (i.e., the front-to-back direction).

[0177] The coil assembly 1000 may include at least one coil module 1001, 1003. In this embodiment, the coil assembly 1000 is shown as including a plurality of coil modules 1001, 1003.

[0178] As an example, the coil assembly 1000 may include a plurality of coil modules 1001, 1003 arranged in a horizontal direction. For example, the coil assembly 1000 may include a plurality of coil modules 1001, 1003 arranged in a first direction.

[0179] In each coil module 1001, 1003, such as Figure 6 and Figure 7 As shown, multiple working coils WC can be arranged in the horizontal direction. Each working coil WC can be provided in the form of a spiral coil formed as a pattern on a printed circuit board. That is, the working coils WC can be provided in the form of a pattern formed in coil modules 1001, 1003.

[0180] Each of the coil modules 1001 and 1003 may include a coil substrate stack 1010. The coil substrate stack 1010 may include a plurality of first coil substrate portions 1100 stacked in the vertical direction (or the vertical direction).

[0181] Each of the first coil substrate portions 1100 may include a first coil portion 1120. As an example, the first coil portion 1120 may be formed as a result of a metal foil stacked on the surface of the first coil substrate portion 1100 being patterned into a spiral coil shape.

[0182] In one embodiment, a plurality of first coil substrate portions 1100 may be stacked in the vertical direction to form a coil module 1001, 1003, and thereby a plurality of first coil portions 1120 may be stacked in the vertical direction. The plurality of first coil portions 1120 stacked in the vertical direction may be connected to each other in the vertical direction to form each of the working coils WC.

[0183] Additionally, each first coil substrate portion 1100 may have a plurality of first coil portions 1120 arranged in one direction (e.g., horizontal direction), and therefore, coil modules 1001, 1003 may include a plurality of working coils WC arranged in the horizontal direction.

[0184] Additionally, according to one embodiment, the coil assembly 1000 may include a sensing coil SC for sensing the presence of a container, such as... Figures 6 to 7 As shown. Each of the coil modules 1001 and 1003 may include a plurality of sensing coils SC arranged in a horizontal direction. As an example, in the coil assembly 1000, the plurality of sensing coils SC may be arranged in a first direction (i.e., the lateral direction) and the plurality of sensing coils SC may be arranged in a second direction (i.e., the front-back direction).

[0185] Each sensing coil SC can be provided in the form of a spiral coil formed as a pattern on a printed circuit board. That is, the sensing coil SC can be provided in the form of a pattern formed in coil modules 1001, 1003.

[0186] In one embodiment, the coil substrate stack 1010 may include at least one second coil substrate portion 1200. The second coil substrate portion 1200 may be stacked together with the first coil substrate portion 1100 in the vertical direction. That is, at least one second coil substrate portion 1200 and a plurality of first coil substrate portions 1100 may be stacked in the vertical direction to form a coil module 1001, 1003. Therefore, in each of the coil modules 1001, 1003, at least a portion of the working coil WC and the sensing coil SC may be arranged in the vertical direction.

[0187] Each of the second coil substrate portions 1200 may include a second coil portion 1220. As an example, the second coil portion 1220 may be formed as a result of a metal foil stacked on the surface of the second coil substrate portion 1200 being patterned into a spiral coil shape.

[0188] Each sensing coil SC can be formed by a second coil portion 1220, or by connecting multiple second coil portions 1220 stacked in the vertical direction to each other in the vertical direction.

[0189] In addition, each second coil substrate portion 1200 may have a plurality of second coil portions 1220 arranged in a horizontal direction, and therefore, coil modules 1001, 1003 may include a plurality of sensing coils SC arranged in a horizontal direction.

[0190] Additionally, the coil assembly 1000 according to one embodiment may also include a temperature sensor TS. The temperature sensor TS can be provided to measure the temperature of the container, and the temperature sensor TS can be disposed at the second coil substrate portion 1200.

[0191] The temperature sensor TS can be disposed horizontally inside the sensing coil SC. For example, the temperature sensor TS can be mounted in the second coil substrate 1200 to be disposed in the area surrounded by the sensing coil SC.

[0192] This disclosure describes an embodiment in which the coil assembly 1000 is used in a cooking appliance. However, in another embodiment, the coil assembly 1000 can be applied to other household appliances that require induction heating. For example, the coil assembly 1000 can be installed in a washing machine to heat the water tank, drum, or clothes container inside the washing machine, or to heat the wash water. As another example, the coil assembly 1000 can be installed on a water purifier to heat a hot water pipe or tank. As yet another example, the coil assembly 1000 can be installed on a dryer or clothes dryer to heat air to dry clothes. As yet another example, the coil assembly 1000 can be installed on an electric rice cooker or rice cooker to heat liquids or food inside the appliance.

[0193] [Layout structure of the coil module]

[0194] Figure 8 This is a plan view showing a first example of the layout structure of the first coil module and the second coil module, and Figure 9 This is a schematic view illustrating an example of the cutting state of the original substrate used to form the first coil substrate portion. Furthermore, Figure 10 This is a plan view showing a second example of the layout structure of the first coil module and the second coil module; Figure 11 It is shown Figure 8 A plan view of another example of the layout structure of the first and second coil modules shown; and Figure 12 It is shown Figure 10 A plan view of another example of the layout structure of the first and second coil modules shown. Furthermore, Figure 13 This is a plan view showing a third example of the layout structure of the first coil module and the second coil module, and Figure 14 This is a plan view showing a fourth example of the layout structure of the first coil module and the second coil module. Furthermore, Figure 15 This is a plan view showing a fifth example of the layout structure of the first coil module and the second coil module, and Figure 16 This is a plan view showing a sixth example of the layout structure of the first coil module and the second coil module.

[0195] See Figure 4 and Figure 8 According to one embodiment, the coil assembly 1000 may include a plurality of coil modules 1001, 1003. The plurality of coil modules 1001, 1003 may be arranged in the coil assembly 1000 along a first direction (e.g., a horizontal direction).

[0196] As described above, the cooktop 100 according to one embodiment may include a control panel 130. The control panel 130 may be disposed on the top plate 120 at a position offset towards the front.

[0197] The control panel 130 may be positioned approximately at the center of the coil assembly 1000 relative to a first direction (e.g., horizontal direction). The control panel 130 may be positioned offset towards the front of the coil assembly 1000 relative to a second direction (e.g., vertical direction).

[0198] The coil assembly 1000 may be disposed on the underside of the top plate 120, but may not be disposed on the underside of the area of ​​the top plate 120 occupied by the control panel 130. For example, the working coil WC may be disposed only on the underside of the area of ​​the top plate 120 not occupied by the control panel 130, and may not be disposed on the underside of the area of ​​the top plate 120 occupied by the control panel 130.

[0199] The coil assembly 1000 may include several types of coil modules 1001 and 1003 with different sizes. In this embodiment, coil modules 1001 and 1003 are shown as including a first coil module 1001 and a second coil module 1003. Each of the first coil module 1001 and the second coil module 1003 may include a plurality of working coils WC. In one embodiment, the second coil module 1003 may include a smaller number of working coils WC than the first coil module 1001.

[0200] In one embodiment, the first coil module 1001 and the second coil module 1003 may be arranged in the coil assembly 1000 along a first direction (e.g., a horizontal direction). Additionally, the length of the second coil module 1003 may be set to be shorter than the length of the first coil module 1001 relative to a second direction (e.g., a vertical direction). That is, the second coil module 1003 may be provided having a shorter second-direction length than the first coil module 1001 and including a fewer number of working coils WC.

[0201] In the coil assembly 1000, a pair of first coil modules 1001 and at least one second coil module 1003 may be arranged along a first direction. In this case, the pair of first coil modules 1001 may be spaced apart from each other along the first direction. And at least one second coil module 1003 may be disposed between the pair of first coil modules 1001.

[0202] For example, similar to control panel 130, at least one second coil module 1003 may be disposed at the center of coil assembly 1000 in a first direction. At least one second coil module 1003 and control panel 130 may be disposed on the same straight line in a second direction.

[0203] Relative to the first direction, the control panel 130 can be disposed between a pair of first coil modules 1001. Additionally, relative to the second direction, the control panel 130 can be disposed at a position offset to one side from the second coil module 1003, for example, in front of the second coil module 1003. Therefore, at least a portion of the control panel 130 can be disposed in the area surrounded by the pair of first coil modules 1001 and second coil module 1003.

[0204] That is, the control panel 130 can be positioned where the user can easily see the visual information provided by the control panel 130, and where the user can easily operate the control panel 130. The control panel 130 occupies a predetermined area on the top surface of the cooktop 100.

[0205] Furthermore, since the working coil WC cannot be located in the area occupied by the control panel 130 on the top surface of the cooktop 100, the working coil WC must be located in the remaining area besides the area occupied by the control panel 130. Therefore, the coil assembly 1000 with the working coil WC is located in an area not occupied by the control panel 130 on the top surface of the cooktop 100. For example, the horizontal shape of the coil assembly 1000 can be formed as an inverted version of a "concave" shape.

[0206] The coil assembly 1000 may include coil modules 1001 and 1003 with a working coil WC, wherein the coil modules 1001 and 1003 are of several types and have different lengths in the second direction. In this embodiment, the coil assembly 1000 is shown as including two types of coil modules 1001 and 1003, namely a first coil module 1001 and a second coil module 1003.

[0207] As an example, the horizontal shape of coil modules 1001 and 1003 (hereinafter referred to as "the shape of the coil module") can be formed as a rectangle. That is, the shapes of the first coil module 1001 and the second coil module 1003 can be formed as rectangles respectively.

[0208] For example, the second coil module 1003 can be shaped as a rectangle having a second directional length different from that of the first coil module 1001. The second coil module 1003 and the control panel 130 can be arranged on the same straight line in the second direction, and the second coil module 1003 can be arranged on the rear side of the control panel 130.

[0209] Considering that the second coil module 1003 and the control panel 130 are arranged on the same straight line in the second direction, the second direction length of the second coil module 1003 is set to be shorter than the second direction length of the first coil module 1001.

[0210] As described above, the coil assembly 1000 can be made from a combination of multiple coil modules 1001, 1003 arranged in a horizontal direction, and each of the coil modules 1001, 1003 can be formed in a rectangular shape. That is, the coil assembly 1000 may not be formed from a single coil module with an inverted version of a "concave" shape, but rather from a combination of multiple coil modules 1001, 1003 formed in a rectangular shape.

[0211] In one implementation, such as Figure 8 and Figure 9 As shown, the first coil substrate portion 1100 forming each of the coil modules 1001 and 1003 can be formed from a copper clad laminate (CCL). Each copper clad laminate forming each first coil substrate portion 1100 can be provided as a result of cutting the original substrate P (hereinafter referred to as the "original substrate") of the copper clad laminate.

[0212] When the first coil substrate portion 1100 is formed in a concave shape or an inverted concave shape, when the first coil substrate portion 1100 is manufactured by cutting the original substrate P, the loss of the original substrate P is as much as the amount cut out to ensure space for setting the control panel 130. That is, when the coil assembly 1000 is formed by a coil module 1001, 1003, there is a problem of increased loss of the original substrate P used to manufacture the first coil substrate portion 1100.

[0213] On the other hand, when the coil assembly 1000 is formed by a combination of multiple coil modules 1001, 1003, each of the coil modules 1001, 1003 can be formed in a rectangular shape. That is, by combining various coil modules 1001, 1003 with different sizes (e.g., first coil module 1001 and second coil module 1003), the coil assembly 1000 can be formed in a concave shape or an inverted version of a concave shape.

[0214] Therefore, when the first coil substrate portion 1100 is manufactured by cutting the original substrate P, the original substrate P can be cut into a rectangular shape, thereby reducing the losses that occur in the original substrate P used to manufacture the first coil substrate portion 1100.

[0215] In one embodiment, the working coil WC can be formed into a shape including a polygon. For example, the horizontal outline of the working coil WC (hereinafter referred to as the "outline of the working coil") can be a polygon.

[0216] As an example, the shape of the working coil WC can be approximately rectangular, and the horizontal shape of the stove surface 100 (hereinafter referred to as the "shape of the stove surface") is also approximately rectangular. Therefore, it is preferable that the horizontal shape of the coil modules 1001 and 1003 (hereinafter referred to as the "shape of the coil module") is rectangular.

[0217] Because the coil modules 1001 and 1003 are shaped like rectangles, similar to the shape of the working coil WC, the density of the area occupied by the working coil WC in the coil modules 1001 and 1003 can be effectively increased. Furthermore, because the coil modules 1001 and 1003 are shaped like rectangles, similar to the shape of the cooktop 100, the density of the area occupied by the coil modules 1001 and 1003 in the cooktop 100 can be effectively increased.

[0218] In other words, since the coil modules 1001 and 1003 are shaped into polygons similar to the shape of the working coil WC and the shape of the stove surface 100, the density of the area occupied by the working coil WC in the stove surface 100 can be effectively increased, thereby effectively increasing the range of the area in the stove surface 100 where the container can be heated.

[0219] Therefore, the area of ​​contact between the container and the working coil WC in the cooktop 100 can be increased, thereby effectively improving the heating efficiency of the cooktop 100.

[0220] On the other hand, the length difference between the first coil module 1001 and the second coil module 1003 in the second direction can be adjusted by the difference in the number of working coils WC in the second direction. For example, working coils WC of the same size and shape can be provided to both the first coil module 1001 and the second coil module 1003, and the number of working coils WC in the second direction in the second coil module 1003 can be set to be one less than the number of working coils WC in the second direction in the first coil module 1001.

[0221] In this way, by changing the lengths of the first coil module 1001 and the second coil module 1003, the number of working coils WC can be adjusted. Even if the dimensions of the coil modules 1001 and 1003 are changed, it is not necessary to design the size and shape of the working coils WC accordingly. That is, various coil modules 1001 and 1003 with different second-direction lengths can be provided in the form of including a working coil WC.

[0222] Therefore, it is possible not only to reduce the cost and time required to design the working coil WC, but also to manufacture various coil modules 1001, 1003 with different second direction lengths more easily and faster at a lower cost.

[0223] In one embodiment, the control panel 130 and the second coil module 1003 may be disposed at the center of the top surface of the stove surface 100 in a first direction, and the first coil module 1001 may be disposed on both sides of the top surface of the stove surface 100 in the first direction.

[0224] As an example, the second directional length of the first coil module 1001 can be set to be approximately similar to the second directional length of the top surface of the cooktop 100. Furthermore, the difference in the second directional length between the first coil module 1001 and the second coil module 1003 can be set to be greater than or equal to the second directional length of the working coil WC.

[0225] Therefore, although most of the top surface of the cooktop 100 can be filled with the working coil WC, it can be ensured that the control panel 130 is placed in the required area on the top surface of the cooktop 100.

[0226] For example, in the coil assembly 1000, a pair of first coil modules 1001 and a second coil module 1003 may be arranged along a first direction. In this case, the pair of first coil modules 1001 may be spaced apart from each other along the first direction. And a second coil module 1003 may be disposed between the pair of first coil modules 1001.

[0227] For example, similar to control panel 130, a second coil module 1003 may be disposed at the center of coil assembly 1000 in a first direction. The second coil module 1003 and control panel 130 may be disposed on the same straight line in a second direction.

[0228] In this respect, the number of working coils WC included in each first coil module 1001 and the number of working coils WC included in each second coil module 1003 can be 8 and 6 respectively (see...). Figure 8 ), or 6 and 4 respectively (see Figure 11 ).

[0229] As another example, in such Figure 10 In the coil assembly 1000a shown, two pairs of first coil modules 1001a and a pair of second coil modules 1003a can be arranged along a first direction. In this case, a pair of first coil modules 1001a can be arranged on one side of a pair of second coil modules 1003a along the first direction, and another pair of first coil modules 1001a can be arranged on the other side of a pair of second coil modules 1003a along the first direction.

[0230] In this respect, the number of working coils WC included in each first coil module 1001a and the number of working coils WC included in each second coil module 1003a can be four and three, respectively (see...). Figure 10 ), or three and two respectively (see Figure 12 ).

[0231] As another example, in coil assembly 1000d, such as Figure 13 As shown, a pair of first coil modules 1001d and a pair of second coil modules 1003d can be configured to be spaced apart along a first direction. A pair of second coil modules 1003d can be disposed between a pair of first coil modules 1001d.

[0232] As another example, in such Figure 14 In the coil assembly 1000e shown, two pairs of first coil modules 1001e and two pairs of second coil modules 1003e can be arranged along a first direction. In this case, one pair of first coil modules 1001e can be arranged on one side of the two pairs of second coil modules 1003e in the first direction, and the other pair of first coil modules 1001e can be arranged on the other side of the two pairs of second coil modules 1003e in the first direction.

[0233] In addition, such as Figure 15 As shown, only one pair of first coil modules 1001f can be arranged along the first direction, or as... Figure 16 As shown, only two pairs of first coil modules 1001g can be arranged along the first direction.

[0234] [Structure of the working coil]

[0235] Figure 17 This is a plan view showing an example of the first coil substrate portion according to an embodiment; Figure 18 It is shown Figure 17 An enlarged view of a portion of the first coil substrate shown; and Figure 19 It is shown schematically. Figure 18 A cross-sectional view of the stacked structure of the first coil section is shown. Furthermore, Figure 20This is a plan view showing an example of the layout structure of the sensing coil, and Figure 21 An example of the layout structure of the sensing coil relative to the operating coil is shown. Furthermore, Figure 22 yes Figure 18 An enlarged view of the first terminal shown. Figure 23 yes Figure 18 An enlarged view of the second terminal shown.

[0236] Figure 8 , Figures 17 to 19 The working coil WC shown can be formed of a conductor, more specifically, of electrical conductors stacked in multiple layers. In the following text, the first coil portion 1120 (more specifically, the coil pattern Cp described later) is shown as being formed of a conductor.

[0237] The working coil WC can be formed as a result of connecting the first coil portions 1120 to each other in the vertical direction. The first coil portions 1120 are respectively provided to a plurality of first coil substrate portions 1100 stacked in the vertical direction. Each of the first coil substrate portions 1100 may include a core 1110 and a first coil portion 1120.

[0238] Core 1110 can form the frame of the first coil substrate portion 1100 and can be formed of an insulating material. As an example, core 1110 can be formed of a pre-impregnated material. In the following, core 1110 is shown as being formed of a thermosetting prepreg, more specifically, of FR4 prepreg.

[0239] The first coil portion 1120 can be respectively disposed on both sides of the core 1110 in the vertical direction. For example, each first coil substrate portion 1100 can be provided in such a form that the first coil portion 1120 is formed as a layer on both sides of the core 1110 in the vertical direction.

[0240] As an example, the first coil portion 1120 may be provided in the form of a pattern formed on both sides of the core 1110 in a vertical direction. For example, the first coil substrate portion 1100 may be formed of a copper-clad laminate including the core 1110 and copper foils stacked on both sides of the core 1110 in a vertical direction. In this case, the first coil portion 1120 may be formed as a result of patterning the foils stacked on the core 1110 into a coil shape.

[0241] In one embodiment, the working coil WC can be formed into a shape including a polygon. For example, the horizontal outline of the working coil WC (hereinafter referred to as the "outline of the working coil") can be a polygon.

[0242] Furthermore, as described above, the working coil WC can be formed from a plurality of first coil substrate portions 1100 stacked in the vertical direction. The first coil substrate portion 1100 may include a patterned region 1101 and unpatterned regions 1103, 1105.

[0243] The patterned area 1101 corresponds to the area of ​​the first coil substrate 1100 where the first coil portion 1120 is disposed. Additionally, the unpatterned areas 1103 and 1105 correspond to the areas of the first coil substrate 1100 where the first coil portion 1120 is not disposed. The patterned area 1101 and the unpatterned areas 1103 and 1105 can be disposed on the same plane and can be arranged in a horizontal direction.

[0244] The unpatterned regions 1103 and 1105 may include a first unpatterned region 1103. In each working coil WC, the first unpatterned region 1103 may be located at the center in the horizontal direction. Alternatively, the first unpatterned region 1103 may be located at the center in the horizontal direction of the first coil substrate portion 1100.

[0245] For example, the first unpatterned region 1103 may be disposed at the horizontal center of each of the working coil WC and the first coil substrate portion 1100. The patterned region 1101 may be disposed to surround the first unpatterned region 1103 on the outer side in the horizontal direction.

[0246] In this embodiment, the term "center" does not refer to an exact center, but rather to the area surrounded by the spirally wound working coil WC, and includes the center of the working coil WC in the diametrical direction and its surroundings.

[0247] At least a portion of the first coil portion 1120 may be horizontally outer-side around unpatterned regions 1103, 1105. As an example, at least a portion of the first coil portion 1120 may be horizontally outer-side around a first unpatterned region 1103.

[0248] The first coil portion 1120 may include at least one coil pattern Cp disposed horizontally outside the first unpatterned region 1103. In each of the first coil portions 1120, each coil pattern Cp may be wound multiple times around the first unpatterned region 1103. The first coil portion 1120 may be formed from at least one coil pattern Cp provided in this form.

[0249] Each of the first coil sections 1120 may include a plurality of coil patterns Cp. In this respect, in each of the first coil sections 1120, the plurality of coil patterns Cp may be arranged to be spaced apart from each other at a predetermined interval along the diametrical direction of the working coil WC.

[0250] For example, each of the first coil portions 1120 may include three to six coil patterns Cp. However, the invention is not limited thereto, and each first coil portion 1120 may include more than six coil patterns Cp.

[0251] In this embodiment, each of the first coil sections 1120 is shown as comprising three to six coil patterns Cp. Accordingly, in each of the first coil sections 1120, three to six coil patterns Cp can be arranged along the diametrical direction of the working coil WC. The coil patterns Cp provided at each of the first coil sections 1120 can be connected in the vertical direction to any one of the coil patterns Cp provided in the other adjacent first coil sections 1120 in the vertical direction.

[0252] Additionally, the first coil substrate portion 1100 may also include a second unpatterned region 1105. Similar to the first unpatterned region 1103, the second unpatterned region 1105 corresponds to the region where the first coil portion 1120 is not formed.

[0253] The second unpatterned region 1105 may be disposed outside the first unpatterned region 1103 relative to the horizontal direction. In this embodiment, the second unpatterned region 1105 is shown as disposed outside the first unpatterned region 1103 in a first direction.

[0254] Furthermore, in each of the first coil substrate portions 1100, the first unpatterned region 1103 and the second unpatterned region 1105 are not connected in the horizontal direction. At least a portion of the sensing coil SC can be disposed between the first unpatterned region 1103 and the second unpatterned region 1105, relative to the horizontal direction. That is, at least a portion of the first coil portion 1120 can be disposed between the first unpatterned region 1103 and the second unpatterned region 1105.

[0255] In one embodiment, for each working coil WC, a plurality of second unpatterned regions 1105 may be arranged along a first direction. As an example, a pair of second unpatterned regions 1105 may be provided for each working coil WC. The pair of second unpatterned regions 1105 may be located outside the first unpatterned region 1103 in the first direction. That is, relative to the first direction, the first unpatterned region 1103 may be located between the pair of second unpatterned regions 1105.

[0256] In another embodiment, a plurality of working coils WC may be arranged along a first direction. A plurality of second unpatterned regions 1105 provided to the plurality of working coils WC arranged in this manner may be arranged at equal intervals along the first direction.

[0257] At the same time, such as Figures 6 to 7 As shown, the second coil substrate portion 1200 can be disposed above or below the first coil substrate portion 1100. The sensing coil SC can be formed from the second coil substrate portion 1200. The sensing coil SC can be disposed above or below the first coil substrate portion 1100. The sensing coil SC can be disposed in the region overlapping with the first coil substrate portion 1100 in the vertical direction.

[0258] like Figure 6 , Figure 7 , Figure 20 and Figure 21 As shown, in each of the coil modules 1001 and 1003, the sensing coil SC can be arranged vertically outside the working coil WC. For example, in each of the coil modules 1001 and 1003, the sensing coil SC and the working coil WC can be arranged vertically.

[0259] At least a portion of the sensing coil SC can be disposed at the second unpatterned region 1105 relative to the horizontal direction. Therefore, since the plurality of second unpatterned regions 1105 are disposed at equal intervals along the first direction, the plurality of sensing coils SC can be disposed at equal intervals along the first direction.

[0260] As described above, since the plurality of second unpatterned regions 1105 are arranged at equal intervals along the first direction, the plurality of sensing coils SC can be arranged at equal intervals along the first direction. In one embodiment, at least a portion of each sensing coil SC can be disposed at the second unpatterned region 1105. Therefore, when the plurality of second unpatterned regions 1105 are arranged at equal intervals along the first direction, the plurality of sensing coils SC can be arranged at equal intervals along the first direction.

[0261] In one embodiment, the temperature sensor TS can be disposed inside the sensing coil SC in the horizontal direction. At least a portion of the temperature sensor TS can be disposed at the second unpatterned region 1105, relative to the horizontal direction.

[0262] As an example, the temperature sensor TS can be disposed at the second unpatterned area 1105. That is, the temperature sensor TS mounted on the second coil substrate 1200 and the second unpatterned area 1105 formed on the first coil substrate 1100 can be disposed to overlap each other in the vertical direction.

[0263] Therefore, each sensing coil SC can be positioned at the location where the entire temperature sensor TS can be positioned in the second unpatterned area 1105, that is, the entire temperature sensor TS can be positioned at the location where it overlaps with the second unpatterned area 1105 in the vertical direction.

[0264] like Figure 17 , Figure 18 , Figure 22 and Figure 23 As shown, each first coil section 1120 may include a fourth terminal 1121 and a fifth terminal 1122. The fourth terminal 1121 and the fifth terminal 1122 may be connected to a plurality of coil patterns Cp arranged in a horizontal direction, that is, to form a plurality of coil patterns Cp of a first coil section 1120.

[0265] Relative to the horizontal direction, the fourth terminal 1121 may be disposed outside the first unpatterned area 1103 and the fifth terminal 1122, and at least a portion of the fifth terminal 1122 may be disposed in contact with the first unpatterned area 1103. Accordingly, relative to the horizontal direction, the second unpatterned area 1105 may be disposed between the fourth terminal 1121 and the fifth terminal 1122.

[0266] Additionally, based on the second unpatterned region 1105, the fourth terminal 1121 may be disposed in the horizontal outer region of the first coil portion 1120, and the fifth terminal 1122 may be disposed in the horizontal inner region of the first coil portion 1120.

[0267] As an example, the fourth terminal 1121 may be located on the outermost side of the first coil portion 1120 in the horizontal direction, and the fifth terminal 1122 may be located on the innermost side of the first coil portion 1120 in the horizontal direction. For example, the fourth terminal 1121 may be connected to the outermost end of the coil pattern Cp in the horizontal direction, and the fifth terminal 1122 may be connected to the innermost end of the coil pattern Cp.

[0268] See Figure 6 and Figure 20 According to one embodiment, the coil assembly 1000 may also include a terminal portion 1020.

[0269] Terminal portion 1020 can be provided for connection between power supply unit and working coil WC.

[0270] The terminal portion 1020 may be disposed on the outside of the assembly of the plurality of working coils WC relative to the horizontal direction. The terminal portion 1020 may be connected to at least one of the fourth terminal 1121 and the fifth terminal 1122.

[0271] Terminal portion 1020 may include a first terminal 1021. The first terminal 1021 may be connected to a fourth terminal 1121. The first terminal 1021 may be connected to the working coil WC via the fourth terminal 1121.

[0272] Terminal portion 1020 may include a second terminal 1023. The second terminal 1023 may be connected to a fifth terminal 1122. The second terminal 1023 may be connected to the working coil WC via the fifth terminal 1122.

[0273] The fourth terminal 1121 and the fifth terminal 1122 may be respectively provided at the first coil substrate portion 1100 and the first outer layer portion 1300. That is, the fourth terminal 1121 and the fifth terminal 1122 may be formed in the same layer as the layer forming the first coil portion 1120.

[0274] In one embodiment, in each of the coil modules 1001 and 1003, a plurality of working coils WC can be arranged in a matrix. That is, the plurality of working coils WC can be arranged along a first direction and the plurality of working coils WC can be arranged along a second direction.

[0275] As an example, each terminal portion 1020 may include a plurality of first terminals 1021 disposed in a first direction. Additionally, in each of the coil modules 1001, 1003, a plurality of working coils WC adjacent to each other in a second direction may be connected to each other for simultaneous operation. Therefore, each first terminal 1021 may be connected to one working coil WC. And a second terminal 1023 may be connected to a plurality of working coils WC adjacent to each other in a second direction.

[0276] For example, when multiple working coils WC are arranged in 2 columns × 4 rows in each of coil modules 1001 and 1003, a pair of terminal portions 1020 can be provided in each of coil modules 1001 and 1003. These terminal portions 1020 can be spaced apart from each other in a first direction, with assemblies of the multiple working coils WC inserted between them. That is, either one of the pair of terminal portions 1020 can be located in front of the assembly of the multiple working coils WC, and the other of the pair of terminal portions 1020 can be located behind the assembly of the multiple working coils WC.

[0277] In each of the coil modules 1001 and 1003, a plurality of working coils WC can be divided into two equal parts in a 2-column × 2-row configuration, and each terminal portion 1020 can be connected to a working coil WC in a 2-column × 2-row configuration. For example, one terminal portion of a pair of terminal portions 1020 located on the front side can be connected to four working coils WC located on the front side of the coil modules 1001 and 1003, and one terminal portion of a pair of terminal portions 1020 located on the rear side can be connected to four working coils WC located on the rear side of the coil modules 1001 and 1003.

[0278] As described above, the fourth terminal 1121 can be connected to the outermost horizontal end of the working coil WC, and the fifth terminal 1122 can be connected to the innermost end of the working coil WC. For example, each of the fourth terminals 1121 can be located at a position biased toward the terminal portion 1020, and the fourth terminal 1121 is connected to the terminal portion 1020.

[0279] That is, relative to the second direction, each of the fourth terminals 1121 can be positioned closer to the end of the working coil WC than the center of the working coil WC, and positioned offset toward the terminal portion 1020, with the fourth terminal 1121 connected to the terminal portion 1020. For example, the fourth terminals 1121 of the four working coils WC adjacent to one of the terminal portions 1020 on the front side can be positioned offset toward the front side on the working coil WC.

[0280] In one embodiment, each terminal portion 1020 may include a pair of first terminals 1021 arranged along a first direction. Each of the first terminals 1021 may be connected to only one working coil WC by connection to a fourth terminal 1121. Each first terminal 1021 may electrically connect each working coil WC to a power supply unit (e.g., drive circuit 300 and load circuit 350).

[0281] The second terminal 1023 can connect the working coil WC to the ground terminal. The second terminal 1023 can also be connected to a pair of fifth terminals 1122 that are adjacent to each other in the second direction. That is, the second terminal 1023 can connect a pair of working coils WC that are adjacent to each other in the second direction to the ground terminal.

[0282] As an example, terminal portions 1020 may be disposed on each of the first coil substrate portion 1100, the second coil substrate portion 1200, and the outer layer portions 1300 and 1350, which are stacked vertically. For example, first terminals 1021 disposed on each of the first coil substrate portion 1100, the second coil substrate portion 1200, the first outer layer portion 1300, and the second outer layer portion 1350 may be stacked vertically. The first terminals 1021 may be electrically connected to each other through through-holes.

[0283] The second terminals 1023 disposed in each of the first coil substrate portion 1100, the second coil substrate portion 1200, the first outer layer portion 1300, and the second outer layer portion 1350 can be stacked in the vertical direction. The second terminals 1023 can be electrically connected to each other through through holes.

[0284] As another example, the terminal portion 1020 may be provided only to the second outer layer portion 1350. That is, the terminal portion 1020 may be provided only on the upper end of the coil modules 1001, 1003.

[0285] Each of the coil modules 1001 and 1003 may include a plurality of sensing coils SC, and the plurality of sensing coils SC may be arranged to be spaced apart from each other at a predetermined interval along a first direction. Additionally, similar to the first coil substrate portion 1100, the second outer layer portion 1350 and the second coil substrate portion 1200 may respectively include a fourth terminal 1121 and a fifth terminal 1122. That is, the fourth terminal 1121 and the fifth terminal 1122 may also be formed in the same layer as the layer forming the second coil portion 1220.

[0286] Each terminal portion 1020 may also include a third terminal 1025. The third terminal 1025 can connect the sensing coil SC to the power supply unit. The third terminal 1025 may be provided to the second outer layer portion 1350 and may also be provided to the second coil substrate portion 1200. The third terminal 1025 may be formed in the same layer as the sensing coil SC (e.g., the layer in which the second coil portion 1220 is formed).

[0287] [Layout structure of the working coils in each coil module]

[0288] like Figure 8 As shown, in each of the coil modules 1001 and 1003, multiple working coils WC can be arranged along a first direction. For example, in each of the coil modules 1001 and 1003, multiple working coils WC can be arranged along the first direction and also along a second direction. That is, in each of the coil modules 1001 and 1003, multiple working coils WC can be arranged in a matrix.

[0289] In this case, each working coil WC can be configured to be spaced apart from another working coil WC adjacent to it in the first direction by a predetermined interval, and can also be configured to be spaced apart from another working coil WC adjacent to it in the second direction by a predetermined interval.

[0290] In one embodiment, the length of coil modules 1001 and 1003 in the first direction can be set to be shorter than the length of coil modules 1001 and 1003 in the second direction. That is, each of coil modules 1001 and 1003 can be formed into a rectangular shape, wherein the rectangular shape can have a second direction length that is longer than the length in the first direction.

[0291] In contrast, the length of the working coil WC in the second direction can be set to be shorter than the length of the working coil WC in the first direction. That is, each working coil WC can be formed into a rectangular shape, wherein the rectangular shape can have a first direction length that is longer than the second direction length.

[0292] In each of the coil modules 1001 and 1003, the number of working coils WC arranged on the same straight line in the second direction can be greater than the number of working coils WC arranged on the same straight line in the first direction.

[0293] In one embodiment, the first coil module 1001 may include a plurality of working coils WC arranged in column A × row B, and the second coil module 1003 may include a plurality of working coils WC arranged in column A × row C. In this embodiment, a column is defined as a line along a first direction, and a row is defined as a line along a second direction.

[0294] As an example, the relationship between A, B, and C can be defined as follows: A≥1, C≥2, B>C, For example, in the first coil module 1001 and the second coil module 1003, one or more working coils WC can be arranged along the first direction, and two or more working coils WC can be arranged along the second direction. Additionally, in the first coil module 1001, one or more working coils WC can be arranged along the first direction, and three or more working coils WC can be arranged along the second direction.

[0295] Accordingly, the number of working coils WC arranged on the same straight line in the first direction in the first coil module 1001 and the number of working coils WC arranged on the same straight line in the first direction in the second coil module 1003 can be set to be equal to each other. Alternatively, the number of working coils WC arranged on the same straight line in the second direction in the second coil module 1003 can be set to be less than the number of working coils WC arranged on the same straight line in the second direction in the first coil module 1001.

[0296] As an example, when n first coil modules 1001 are spaced apart along a first direction, n / 2 second coil modules 1003 can be disposed between a pair of first coil modules 1001 disposed on the innermost side of the first direction.

[0297] In this configuration, each first coil module 1001 may include 16 / n working coils WC arranged in a 4 / n column × 4 row configuration. And each second coil module 1003 may include 12 / n working coils WC arranged in a 4 / n column × 3 row configuration.

[0298] For example, when two first coil modules 1001 are spaced apart along a first direction, a second coil module 1003 may be disposed between the pair of first coil modules 1001 disposed on the innermost side of the first direction. In this case, each of the first coil modules 1001 may include eight working coils WC arranged in a 2-column × 4-row configuration.

[0299] Each second coil module 1003 may include six working coils WC arranged in a 2-column × 3-row configuration. In this case, the coil assembly 1000 may include a total of 22 working coils WC.

[0300] As mentioned above, the stovetop 100 (see Figure 3 Multiple indicator lights L can be set (see...) Figure 3 ), and the indicator light L can be supplied by the lighting module 180 (see Figure 4 The illumination module 180 can be disposed on the underside of the coil assembly 1000, and the light emitted from the illumination module 180 can pass through the coil assembly 1000 to illuminate the light display area of ​​the top plate 120.

[0301] To allow light emitted from the illumination module 180 to be transmitted to the light display area of ​​the top plate 120, each of the coil modules 1001 and 1003 may be provided with a through hole h. In each coil module 1001 and 1003, the through hole h can penetrate the coil module 1001 and 1003 in the vertical direction, and each through hole h can be disposed between a row of working coils WC.

[0302] like Figure 10 As shown, if the four first coil modules 1001a are arranged to be spaced apart from each other along a first direction, then two second coil modules 1003a can be arranged between the pair of first coil modules 1001a located at the innermost end of the first direction. In this case, each of the first coil modules 1001 can include four working coils WC arranged in a column × row configuration.

[0303] When the coil assembly 1000a is provided in the manner described above, a space can be formed between the columns in the coil assembly 1000a. This space can be used as a channel to allow light emitted from the illumination module 180 to be transmitted to the light display area of ​​the top plate 120.

[0304] That is, by providing each of the coil modules 1001a and 1003a in the form of only one column of working coils WC, it is not necessary to form a separate through hole in the coil assembly 1000a.

[0305] Furthermore, considering that its own size, or the size of the display or control panel, can vary for each model, the coil assembly 1000a provided in the above form may be more suitable for mass production than... Figure 8 The coil assembly shown is more advantageous.

[0306] For example, according to the coil assembly 1000a provided in the above form, when several products with displays or control panels of different sizes are produced, the first coil module 1001a can be used together, while only the size of the second coil module 1003a is changed according to the size of the display or control panel.

[0307] Furthermore, according to the coil assembly 1000a provided in the above form, when necessary, it is sufficient to repair or replace only one row for each coil module 1001a, 1003a, thus making maintenance easier and reducing maintenance costs.

[0308] Furthermore, if each coil module 1001a, 1003a is provided in the form of only one column of working coils WC as described above, the surface area of ​​each coil module 1001a, 1003a can be relatively widened compared to the form in which each coil module includes two columns of working coils WC, and air can flow in each space between the coil modules 1001a, 1003a, thereby improving the heat dissipation performance of the coil assembly 1000a.

[0309] In comparison, in such Figure 8 When two or more columns of working coils WC are set at each coil module 1001, 1003, the number of coil modules 1001, 1003 to be assembled is reduced compared to the case where only one column of working coils WC is set at each coil module, thus having the advantage of reducing assembly time.

[0310] Furthermore, when two or more columns of working coils WC are provided at each of the coil modules 1001 and 1003, the space required to form wiring between two adjacent columns of working coils WC can be easily fixed in the coil modules 1001 and 1003, thus having the advantage of being able to easily and effectively implement wiring design.

[0311] Furthermore, each second coil module 1003 may include three working coils WC arranged in a column × 3 row configuration. Similarly, in this case, coil assembly 1000a may include a total of 22 working coils WC.

[0312] As a second example, such as Figure 11As shown, each first coil module 1001b may include 12 / n working coils WC arranged in a 4 / n column × 3 row format. And each second coil module 1003b may include 8 / n working coils WC arranged in a 4 / n column × 2 row format.

[0313] For example, when two first coil modules 1001b are spaced apart along a first direction, a second coil module 1003b may be disposed between the pair of first coil modules 1001b disposed on the innermost side of the first direction. In this case, each of the first coil modules 1001b may include six working coils WC arranged in a 2-column × 3-row configuration.

[0314] Each of the second coil modules 1003b may include four working coils WC arranged in a 2-column × 2-row configuration. In this case, the coil assembly 1000b may include a total of 16 working coils WC.

[0315] like Figure 12 As shown, if the four first coil modules 1001c are arranged to be spaced apart from each other along the first direction, then the two second coil modules 1003c can be arranged between the pair of first coil modules 1001c arranged at the innermost side of the first direction.

[0316] In this configuration, each of the first coil modules 1001c may include three working coils WC arranged in a 1-column × 3-row configuration. And each of the second coil modules 1003c may include two working coils WC arranged in a 1-column × 2-row configuration. Similarly, in this configuration, the coil assembly 1000c may include a total of 16 working coils WC.

[0317] As a third example, such as Figure 13 As shown, when two first coil modules 1001d are spaced apart from each other along a first direction, two second coil modules 1003d can be disposed between the pair of first coil modules 1001d disposed on the innermost side of the first direction. In this case, each of the first coil modules 1001d may include ten working coils WC arranged in a 2-column × 5-row configuration.

[0318] Furthermore, each second coil module 1003d may include six working coils WC arranged in a 2-column × 3-row configuration. In this case, the coil assembly 1000d may include a total of 32 working coils WC.

[0319] As a fourth example, such as Figure 14As shown, if the four first coil modules 1001e are arranged to be spaced apart from each other along a first direction, then the four second coil modules 1003e can be arranged between the pair of first coil modules 1001e located at the innermost end of the first direction. In this case, each of the first coil modules 1001e may include five working coils WC arranged in a column × row configuration.

[0320] Each of the second coil modules 1003e may include three working coils WC arranged in a column × 3 row configuration. Similarly, in this case, the coil assembly 1000e may include a total of 32 working coils WC.

[0321] As a fifth example, such as Figure 15 As shown, when n first coil modules 1001f are arranged to be spaced apart from each other along a first direction, each first coil module 1001f may include 16 / n working coils WC arranged in the form of 4 / n columns × 4 rows.

[0322] For example, when two first coil modules 1001f are arranged to be spaced apart from each other along a first direction, each first coil module 1001f may include eight working coils WC arranged in a 2-column × 4-row configuration. In this case, the coil assembly 1000f may include a total of 16 working coils WC.

[0323] like Figure 16 As shown, if the four first coil modules 1001g are arranged to be spaced apart from each other along a first direction, each first coil module 1001g may include four working coils WC arranged in a column × 4 rows. Similarly, in this case, the coil assembly 1000g may include a total of 16 working coils WC.

[0324] In the example above, the coil assembly may include working coils WC all having the same size and shape. Alternatively, the coil assembly may include several working coils WC with different sizes and shapes.

[0325] Figure 24 This is a plan view showing a seventh example of the layout structure of the first coil module and the second coil module.

[0326] As another example, such as Figure 24 The coil assembly 1000h shown may further include at least one of a third coil module 1005 and a fourth coil module 1007. The first coil module 1001 and the third coil module 1005 may be arranged on the same straight line in the second direction, and the second coil module 1003 and the fourth coil module 1007 may be arranged on the same straight line in the second direction.

[0327] Accordingly, a pair of first coil modules 1001 can be configured to be spaced apart from each other along the first direction, with a second coil module 1003 and a fourth coil module 1007 inserted between them.

[0328] Furthermore, relative to the second direction, the first coil module 1001 may protrude to one side more than the second coil module 1003; the third coil module 1005 may be positioned to one side more than the first coil module 1001; and the fourth coil module 1007 may be positioned to one side more than the second coil module 1003.

[0329] That is, the first coil module 1001, whose length in the second direction is greater than that of the second coil module 1003, protrudes further forward than the second coil module 1003; the third coil module 1005 can be positioned further forward than the first coil module 1001; and the fourth coil module 1007 can be positioned further forward than the second coil module 1003. Of course, the third coil module 1005 can be positioned further forward than the fourth coil module 1007.

[0330] The third coil module 1005 and the fourth coil module 1007 can be configured to have a smaller horizontal dimension than the first coil module 1001 and the second coil module 1003. Therefore, the third coil module 1005 may include a working coil with a horizontal dimension smaller than the horizontal dimension of the working coil provided to the first coil module 1001.

[0331] As described above, the control panel 130 can be positioned further forward than the second coil module 1003, and the pair of first coil modules 1001 can be spaced apart from each other along a first direction, with the control panel 130 inserted between the first coil modules 1003. Additionally, the pair of third coil modules 1005 positioned in front of the pair of first coil modules 1001 can also be spaced apart from each other along the first direction, with the control panel 130 inserted between them.

[0332] The length of the third coil module 1005 can be set to be shorter than the length of the first coil module 1001 relative to the first direction. And the length of the third coil module 1005 can be set to be shorter than the length of the first coil module 1001 relative to the second direction. That is, the third coil module 1005 can be configured to have a first-direction length and a second-direction length that are both shorter than the first coil module 1001's first-direction length and second-direction length.

[0333] Additionally, the fourth coil module 1007 can be disposed on the rear side of the control panel 130. Relative to the second direction, the fourth coil module 1007 can be disposed between the control panel 130 and the second coil module 1003, and the length of the fourth coil module 1007 can be made shorter than the length of the second coil module 1003.

[0334] Because the third coil module 1005 and the fourth coil module 1007 are arranged in the manner described above, a wider area can be ensured for the area used to set the control panel 130. Accordingly, the control panel 130 can be further spaced horizontally from the coil modules 1001 and 1003, and thus, the control panel 130 can be less affected by the heat generated around the working coil WC.

[0335] [Example of a coil module]

[0336] Figure 25 This is a plan view showing the structure of the coil module according to the first embodiment. Figure 26 It is a circuit diagram of a household appliance that includes the coil module according to the first embodiment.

[0337] See Figure 25 According to the first embodiment, the coil module 2001 may include three heating regions HA1, HA2, HA3 and three working coils WC1, WC2, WC3 respectively disposed at positions corresponding to the heating regions HA1, HA2, HA3.

[0338] Each of the heating regions HA1, HA2, and HA3 and each of the working coils WC1, WC2, and WC3 can be arranged in a line along one direction (e.g., up and down). The first heating region HA1 can be located between the second heating region HA2 and the third heating region HA3. Although not shown, at least one sensing coil for container detection can be provided at each heating region HA1, HA2, and HA3.

[0339] Reference Figure 25 and Figure 26 The household appliance according to the first embodiment may include a rectifier circuit Rc, a DC link capacitor CD, an inverter INV, a sensing coil SC, a controller 500, a drive circuit 300, three working coils WC1, WC2, and WC3 disposed at positions corresponding to the three heating zones HA1, HA2, and HA3, a first relay R1, and a second relay R2.

[0340] The rectifier circuit Rc rectifies the input voltage supplied from the external power supply Ps and outputs the rectified voltage. The rectifier circuit Rc can be a circuit that includes multiple diodes (e.g., a bridge circuit).

[0341] The DC link capacitor CD can smooth the voltage output from the rectifier circuit Rc and output the smoothed voltage.

[0342] The inverter INV can output AC current using the voltage output from the DC link capacitor CD. In one embodiment, the inverter INV may include a first switching element SW1 and a second switching element SW2. The first switching element SW1 and the second switching element SW2 can be switched on and off by a first switching signal S1 and a second switching signal S2 provided by the drive circuit 300. The first switching element SW1 and the second switching element SW2 can be switched on and off alternately. In another embodiment, the inverter INV may include two or more switching elements.

[0343] The controller 500 can provide control signals to the drive circuit 300. When the control signals are provided to the drive circuit 300, the drive circuit 300 can output switching signals S1 and S2. When the first switching signal S1 and the second switching signal S2 are provided to the inverter INV, the first switching element SW1 and the second switching element SW2 can be alternately turned on and off. Thus, alternating current can be output from the inverter INV. When the alternating current output from the inverter INV is provided to the working coils WC1, WC2, and WC3, the container located on top of the working coils WC1, WC2, and WC3 can be heated.

[0344] One end of the first working coil WC1 can be connected to the inverter INV. The first resonant capacitor C1 can be connected to the other end of the first working coil WC1.

[0345] One end of the second working coil WC2 can be connected to the first working coil WC1 and the first resonant capacitor C1. The second resonant capacitor C2 can be connected to the other end of the second working coil WC2. The first relay R1 can be connected between the ground terminal and the group consisting of the second working coil WC2 and the second resonant capacitor C2.

[0346] One end of the third working coil WC3 can be connected to the first working coil WC1 and the first resonant capacitor C1. The third resonant capacitor C3 can be connected to the other end of the third working coil WC3. The second relay R2 can be connected between the ground terminal and the group consisting of the third working coil WC3 and the third resonant capacitor C3.

[0347] The first working coil WC1 and the second working coil WC2 can be connected in series. The first working coil WC1 and the third working coil WC3 can be connected in series. The second working coil WC2 and the third working coil WC3 can be connected in parallel.

[0348] The controller 500 can determine the presence of a container in each heating zone HA1, HA2, HA3 by using at least one sensing coil SC disposed at the coil module 2001 to detect the container. The controller 500 can then control the open and closed states of the first relay R1 and the second relay R2 based on the container detection results.

[0349] When it is determined that the container is in the first heating zone HA1 or the second heating zone HA2, the controller 500 can control the first relay R1 to close and control the second relay R2 to open.

[0350] When it is determined that the container exists in the first heating zone HA1 and the second heating zone HA2, the controller 500 can control the first relay R1 to close and control the second relay R2 to open.

[0351] When it is determined that the container is in the first heating zone HA1 or the third heating zone HA3, the controller 500 can control the second relay R2 to close and control the first relay R1 to open.

[0352] When it is determined that the container exists in the first heating zone HA1 and the third heating zone HA3, the controller 500 can control the second relay R2 to close and control the first relay R1 to open.

[0353] When it is determined that the container exists in the first heating zone HA1, the second heating zone HA2, and the third heating zone HA3, the controller 500 can control the first relay R1 and the second relay R2 to close.

[0354] Figure 27 This is a plan view showing the structure of the coil module according to the second embodiment. Figure 28 This is a circuit diagram of a household appliance that includes the coil module according to the second embodiment.

[0355] Reference Figure 27 According to the second embodiment, the coil module 2003 may include four heating regions HA1, HA2, HA3, HA4 and four working coils WC1, WC2, WC3, WC4 respectively disposed at positions corresponding to the heating regions HA1, HA2, HA3, HA4.

[0356] Each of the heating regions HA1, HA2, HA3, and HA4 and each of the working coils WC1, WC2, WC3, and WC4 can be arranged along a line in one direction (e.g., up and down). A second heating region HA2 can be located between the first heating region HA1 and the third heating region HA3. A third heating region HA3 can be located between the second heating region HA2 and the fourth heating region HA4. Although not shown, at least one sensing coil for container detection can be provided at each heating region HA1, HA2, HA3, and HA4.

[0357] Reference Figure 27 and Figure 28 The household appliance according to the second embodiment may include a rectifier circuit Rc, a first DC link capacitor CD1, a first inverter INV1, a second DC link capacitor CD2, a second inverter INV2, a sensing coil SC, a controller 500, a drive circuit 300, four working coils WC1, WC2, WC3, and WC4 disposed at positions corresponding to the four heating zones HA1, HA2, HA3, and HA4, a first relay R1, a second relay R2, and a third relay R3.

[0358] The rectifier circuit Rc rectifies the input voltage supplied from the external power supply Ps and outputs the rectified voltage. The rectifier circuit Rc can be a circuit that includes multiple diodes (e.g., a bridge circuit).

[0359] The first DC link capacitor CD1 can smooth the voltage output from the rectifier circuit Rc and output the smoothed voltage.

[0360] The first inverter INV1 can output AC current using the voltage output from the first DC link capacitor CD1. In one embodiment, the first inverter INV1 may include a first switching element SW1 and a second switching element SW2. The first switching element SW1 and the second switching element SW2 can be turned on and off by a first switching signal S1 and a second switching signal S2 provided by the drive circuit 300. The first switching element SW1 and the second switching element SW2 can be turned on and off alternately. In another embodiment, the first inverter INV1 may include two or more switching elements.

[0361] The second DC link capacitor CD2 can smooth the voltage output from the rectifier circuit Rc and output the smoothed voltage.

[0362] The second inverter INV2 can output AC current using the voltage output from the second DC link capacitor CD2. In one embodiment, the second inverter INV2 may include a third switching element SW3 and a fourth switching element SW4. The third switching element SW3 and the fourth switching element SW4 can be switched on and off by a third switching signal S3 and a fourth switching signal S4 provided by the drive circuit 300. The third switching element SW3 and the fourth switching element SW4 can be switched on and off alternately. In another embodiment, the second inverter INV2 may include two or more switching elements.

[0363] The controller 500 can provide control signals to the drive circuit 300. When the control signals are provided to the drive circuit 300, the drive circuit 300 can output switching signals S1, S2, S3, and S4.

[0364] When the first switching signal S1 and the second switching signal S2 are provided to the first inverter INV1, the first switching element SW1 and the second switching element SW2 can be alternately switched on and off. This allows alternating current to be output from the first inverter INV1. When the alternating current output from the first inverter INV1 is provided to the working coils WC1 and WC2, the container located on top of the working coils WC1 and WC2 can be heated.

[0365] When the third switch signal S3 and the fourth switch signal S4 are provided to the second inverter INV2, the third switch element SW3 and the fourth switch element SW4 can be alternately switched on and off. This allows AC current to be output from the second inverter INV2. When the AC current output from the second inverter INV2 is provided to the working coils WC3 and WC4, the container located on top of the working coils WC3 and WC4 can be heated.

[0366] In another embodiment, the first switching element SW1 and the fourth switching element SW4 can be alternately turned on and off with the second switching element SW2 and the third switching element SW3. For example, when the first switching element SW1 and the fourth switching element SW4 are off (on), the second switching element SW2 and the third switching element SW3 can be turned on (off).

[0367] One end of the second working coil WC2 can be connected to the first inverter INV1. The second resonant capacitor C2 can be connected to the other end of the second working coil WC2.

[0368] One end of the first working coil WC1 can be connected to the second working coil WC2 and the second resonant capacitor C2. The first resonant capacitor C1 can be connected to the other end of the first working coil WC1. The second relay R2 can be connected between the ground terminal and the group consisting of the third working coil WC3 and the third resonant capacitor C3.

[0369] The first working coil WC1 and the second working coil WC2 can be connected in series with each other.

[0370] One end of the third working coil WC3 can be connected to the second inverter INV2. The third resonant capacitor C3 can be connected to the other end of the third working coil WC3.

[0371] One end of the fourth working coil WC4 can be connected to the third working coil WC3 and the third resonant capacitor C3. The fourth resonant capacitor C4 can be connected to the other end of the fourth working coil WC4. The third relay R3 can be connected between the ground terminal and the group consisting of the fourth working coil WC4 and the fourth resonant capacitor C4.

[0372] The first relay R1 can be connected between the first connection node N1 and the second connection node N2. The first connection node N1 is the node where the first working coil WC1 and the second working coil WC2 are connected to each other, and the second connection node N2 is the node where the third working coil WC3 and the fourth working coil WC4 are connected to each other.

[0373] The third working coil WC3 and the fourth working coil WC4 can be connected in series with each other.

[0374] The controller 500 can determine the presence of a container in each heating zone HA1, HA2, HA3, HA4 by using at least one sensing coil SC disposed at the coil module 2001 to detect the container. The controller 500 can then control the open and closed states of the first relay R1, the second relay R2, and the third relay R3 based on the container detection results.

[0375] When it is determined that the container is in the first heating zone 11A1 or the second heating zone, the controller 500 can control the second relay R2 to close and control the first relay R1 and the third relay R3 to open.

[0376] When it is determined that the container is in the first heating zone 11A1 and the second heating zone, the controller 500 can control the second relay R2 to close and control the first relay R1 and the third relay R3 to open.

[0377] When it is determined that the container is in the second heating zone HA2 and the third heating zone HA3, the controller 500 can control the first relay R1 to close and control the second relay R2 and the third relay R3 to open.

[0378] When it is determined that the container is in the third heating zone HA3 or the fourth heating zone HA4, the controller 500 can control the third relay R3 to close and control the first relay R1 and the second relay R2 to open.

[0379] When it is determined that the container is in the third heating zone HA3 and the fourth heating zone HA4, the controller 500 can control the third relay R3 to close and control the first relay R1 and the second relay R2 to open.

[0380] When it is determined that the container exists in the first heating zone HA1, the second heating zone HA2, and the third heating zone HA3, the controller 500 can control the first relay R1 and the second relay R2 to close and control the third relay R3 to open.

[0381] When it is determined that the container exists in the second heating zone HA2, the third heating zone HA3, and the fourth heating zone HA4, the controller 500 can control the first relay R1 and the third relay R3 to close and control the second relay R2 to open.

[0382] When it is determined that the container exists in the first heating zone HA1, the second heating zone HA2, the third heating zone HA3, and the fourth heating zone HA4, the controller 500 can control the second relay R2 and the third relay R3 to close and control the first relay R1 to open.

[0383] Figure 29 This is a plan view showing the structure of the coil module according to the third embodiment. Figure 30 It is a circuit diagram of a household appliance that includes the coil module according to the third embodiment.

[0384] Reference Figure 29 According to the third embodiment, the coil module may include a first coil module 2003a and a second coil module 2003b, wherein the second coil module 2003b and the first coil module 2003a are arranged on a line along one direction (e.g., left and right direction).

[0385] The first coil module 2003a may include four heating regions HA1, HA2, HA3, HA4 and four working coils WC1, WC2, WC3, WC4 respectively disposed at positions corresponding to the heating regions HA1, HA2, HA3, HA4.

[0386] Each of the heating regions HA1, HA2, HA3, and HA4 and each of the working coils WC1, WC2, WC3, and WC4 can be arranged along a line in one direction (e.g., up and down). A second heating region HA2 can be located between the first heating region HA1 and the third heating region HA3. A third heating region HA3 can be located between the second heating region HA2 and the fourth heating region HA4. Although not shown, at least one sensing coil for container detection can be provided at each heating region HA1, HA2, HA3, and HA4.

[0387] The second coil module 2003b may include four heating regions HA5, HA6, HA7, and HA8, and four working coils WC5, WC6, WC7, and WC8 respectively disposed at positions corresponding to the heating regions HA5, HA6, HA7, and HA8.

[0388] Each of the heating regions HA5, HA6, HA7, and HA8 and each of the working coils WC5, WC6, WC7, and WC8 can be arranged along a line in one direction (e.g., up and down). A sixth heating region HA6 can be located between the fifth heating region HA5 and the seventh heating region HA7. A seventh heating region HA7 can be located between the sixth heating region HA6 and the eighth heating region HA8. Although not shown, at least one sensing coil for container detection can be provided at each heating region HA5, HA6, HA7, and HA8.

[0389] The first heating zone HA1 can be arranged adjacent to the fifth heating zone HA5. The second heating zone HA2 can be arranged adjacent to the sixth heating zone HA6. The third heating zone HA3 can be arranged adjacent to the seventh heating zone HA7. The fourth heating zone HA4 can be arranged adjacent to the eighth heating zone HA8.

[0390] Reference Figure 29 and Figure 30The household appliance according to the third embodiment may include a rectifier circuit Rc, a first DC link capacitor CD1, a first inverter INV1, a second DC link capacitor CD2, a second inverter INV2, a sensing coil SC, a controller 500, a drive circuit 300, eight working coils WC1, WC2, WC3, WC4, WC5, WC6, WC7, WC8 disposed at positions corresponding to eight heating zones HA1, HA2, HA3, HA4, HA5, HA6, HA7, HA8, a first relay R1, a second relay R2, a third relay R3, a fourth relay R4, a fifth relay R5, and a sixth relay R6.

[0391] The rectifier circuit Rc rectifies the input voltage supplied from the external power supply Ps and outputs the rectified voltage. The rectifier circuit Rc can be a circuit that includes multiple diodes (e.g., a bridge circuit).

[0392] The first DC link capacitor CD1 can smooth the voltage output from the rectifier circuit Rc and output the smoothed voltage.

[0393] The first inverter INV1 can output AC current using the voltage output from the first DC link capacitor CD1. In one embodiment, the first inverter INV1 may include a first switching element SW1 and a second switching element SW2. The first switching element SW1 and the second switching element SW2 can be turned on and off by a first switching signal S1 and a second switching signal S2 provided by the drive circuit 300. The first switching element SW1 and the second switching element SW2 can be turned on and off alternately. In another embodiment, the first inverter INV1 may include two or more switching elements.

[0394] The second DC link capacitor CD2 can smooth the voltage output from the rectifier circuit Rc and output the smoothed voltage.

[0395] The second inverter INV2 can output AC current using the voltage output from the second DC link capacitor CD2. In one embodiment, the second inverter INV2 may include a third switching element SW3 and a fourth switching element SW4. The third switching element SW3 and the fourth switching element SW4 can be switched on and off by a third switching signal S3 and a fourth switching signal S4 provided by the drive circuit 300. The third switching element SW3 and the fourth switching element SW4 can be switched on and off alternately. In another embodiment, the second inverter INV2 may include two or more switching elements.

[0396] The controller 500 can provide control signals to the drive circuit 300. When the control signals are provided to the drive circuit 300, the drive circuit 300 can output switching signals S1, S2, S3, and S4.

[0397] When the first switching signal S1 and the second switching signal S2 are provided to the first inverter INV1, the first switching element SW1 and the second switching element SW2 can be alternately switched on and off. This allows alternating current to be output from the first inverter INV1. When the alternating current output from the first inverter INV1 is provided to the working coils WC1, WC2, WC5, and WC6, the containers positioned on top of the working coils WC1, WC2, WC5, and WC6 can be heated.

[0398] When the third switch signal S3 and the fourth switch signal S4 are provided to the second inverter INV2, the third switch element SW3 and the fourth switch element SW4 can be alternately turned on and off. This allows AC current to be output from the second inverter INV2. When the AC current output from the second inverter INV2 is provided to the working coils WC3, WC4, WC7, and WC8, the containers located on top of the working coils WC3, WC4, WC7, and WC8 can be heated.

[0399] In another embodiment, the first switching element SW1 and the fourth switching element SW4 can be alternately turned on and off with the second switching element SW2 and the third switching element SW3. For example, when the first switching element SW1 and the fourth switching element SW4 are off (on), the second switching element SW2 and the third switching element SW3 can be turned on (off).

[0400] One end of the second working coil WC2 can be connected to the first inverter INV1. The second resonant capacitor C2 can be connected to the other end of the second working coil WC2.

[0401] One end of the first working coil WC1 can be connected to the second working coil WC2 and the second resonant capacitor C2. The first resonant capacitor C1 can be connected to the other end of the first working coil WC1. The second relay R2 can be connected between the ground terminal and the group consisting of the third working coil WC3 and the third resonant capacitor C3.

[0402] The first working coil WC1 and the second working coil WC2 can be connected in series with each other.

[0403] One end of the third working coil WC3 can be connected to the second inverter INV2. The third resonant capacitor C3 can be connected to the other end of the third working coil WC3.

[0404] One end of the fourth working coil WC4 can be connected to the third working coil WC3 and the third resonant capacitor C3. The fourth resonant capacitor C4 can be connected to the other end of the fourth working coil WC4. The third relay R3 can be connected between the ground terminal and the group consisting of the fourth working coil WC4 and the fourth resonant capacitor C4.

[0405] The third working coil WC3 and the fourth working coil WC4 can be connected in series with each other.

[0406] The first relay R1 can be connected between the first connection node N1 and the second connection node N2. The first connection node N1 is the node where the first working coil WC1 and the second working coil WC2 are connected to each other, and the second connection node N2 is the node where the third working coil WC3 and the fourth working coil WC4 are connected to each other.

[0407] One end of the sixth working coil WC6 can be connected to the first inverter INV1. The sixth resonant capacitor C6 can be connected to the other end of the sixth working coil WC6.

[0408] One end of the fifth working coil WC5 can be connected to the sixth working coil WC6 and the sixth resonant capacitor C6. The fifth resonant capacitor C5 can be connected to the other end of the fifth working coil WC5. The fifth relay R5 can be connected between the ground terminal and the group consisting of the fifth working coil WC5 and the fifth resonant capacitor C5.

[0409] The fifth working coil WC5 and the sixth working coil WC6 can be connected in series with each other.

[0410] One end of the seventh working coil WC7 can be connected to the second inverter INV2. The seventh resonant capacitor C7 can be connected to the other end of the seventh working coil WC7.

[0411] One end of the eighth working coil WC8 can be connected to the seventh working coil WC7 and the seventh resonant capacitor C7. The eighth resonant capacitor C8 can be connected to the other end of the eighth working coil WC8. The sixth relay R6 can be connected between the ground terminal and the group consisting of the eighth working coil WC8 and the eighth resonant capacitor C8.

[0412] The seventh working coil WC7 and the eighth working coil WC8 can be connected in series with each other.

[0413] The fourth relay R4 can be connected between the third connection node N3 and the fourth connection node N4. The third connection node N3 is the node where the fifth working coil WC5 and the sixth working coil WC6 are connected to each other, and the fourth connection node N4 is the node where the seventh working coil WC7 and the eighth working coil WC8 are connected to each other.

[0414] The controller 500 can determine the presence of containers in each heating zone HA1, HA2, HA3, HA4, HA5, HA6, HA7, HA8 by using at least one sensing coil SC disposed at the coil modules 2003a, 2003b to perform container detection. The controller 500 can then control the open and closed states of the first relay R1, second relay R2, third relay R3, fourth relay R4, fifth relay R5, and sixth relay R6 based on the container detection results.

[0415] When it is determined that the container exists in the first heating zone HA1, the second heating zone HA2, the fifth heating zone HA5, and the sixth heating zone HA6, the controller 500 can control the second relay R2 and the fifth relay R5 to close, and control the first relay R1, the third relay R3, the fourth relay R4, and the sixth relay R6 to open.

[0416] When it is determined that the container is in the second heating zone HA2, the third heating zone HA3, the sixth heating zone HA6, and the seventh heating zone HA7, the controller 500 can control the first relay R1 and the fourth relay R4 to close, and control the second relay R2, the third relay R3, the fifth relay R5, and the sixth relay R6 to open.

[0417] When it is determined that the container is in the third heating zone HA3, the fourth heating zone HA4, the seventh heating zone HA7, and the eighth heating zone HA8, the controller 500 can control the third relay R3 and the sixth relay R6 to close, and control the first relay R1, the second relay R2, the fourth relay R4, and the fifth relay R5 to open.

[0418] When it is determined that the container exists in the first heating zone HA1, the second heating zone HA2, the third heating zone HA3, the fifth heating zone HA5, the sixth heating zone HA6, and the seventh heating zone HA7, the controller 500 can control the first relay R1, the second relay R2, the fourth relay R4, and the fifth relay R5 to close, and control the third relay R3 and the sixth relay R6 to open.

[0419] When it is determined that the container exists in the second heating zone HA2, the third heating zone HA3, the fourth heating zone HA4, the sixth heating zone HA6, the seventh heating zone HA7, and the eighth heating zone HA8, the controller 500 can control the first relay R1, the third relay R3, the fourth relay R4, and the sixth relay R6 to close, and control the second relay R2 and the fifth relay R5 to open.

[0420] When it is determined that the container exists in the first heating zone HA1, the second heating zone HA2, the third heating zone HA3, the fourth heating zone HA4, the fifth heating zone HA5, the sixth heating zone HA6, the seventh heating zone HA7, and the eighth heating zone HA8, the controller 500 can control the second relay R2, the third relay R3, the fifth relay R5, and the sixth relay R6 to close, and control the first relay R1 and the fourth relay R4 to open.

[0421] Figure 31 This is a plan view showing the structure of the coil module according to the fourth embodiment. Figure 32 This is a circuit diagram of a household appliance that includes the coil module according to the fourth embodiment.

[0422] Reference Figure 31 According to the fourth embodiment, the coil module may include a first coil module 2003a, a second coil module 2003b disposed along a line with the first coil module 2003a in one direction (e.g., left-right direction), a third coil module 2003c disposed along a line with the second coil module 2003b in one direction (e.g., left-right direction), and a fourth coil module 2003d disposed along a line with the third coil module 2003c in one direction (e.g., left-right direction).

[0423] The first coil module 2003a may include four heating regions HA1, HA2, HA3, HA4 and four working coils WC1, WC2, WC3, WC4 respectively disposed at positions corresponding to the heating regions HA1, HA2, HA3, HA4.

[0424] Each of the heating regions HA1, HA2, HA3, and HA4 and each of the working coils WC1, WC2, WC3, and WC4 can be arranged along a line in one direction (e.g., up and down). A second heating region HA2 can be located between the first heating region HA1 and the third heating region HA3. A third heating region HA3 can be located between the second heating region HA2 and the fourth heating region HA4. Although not shown, at least one sensing coil for container detection can be provided at each heating region HA1, HA2, HA3, and HA4.

[0425] The second coil module 2003b may include four heating regions HA5, HA6, HA7, and HA8, and four working coils WC5, WC6, WC7, and WC8 respectively disposed at positions corresponding to the heating regions HA5, HA6, HA7, and HA8.

[0426] Each of the heating regions HA5, HA6, HA7, and HA8 and each of the working coils WC5, WC6, WC7, and WC8 can be arranged along a line in one direction (e.g., up and down). A sixth heating region HA6 can be located between the fifth heating region HA5 and the seventh heating region HA7. A seventh heating region HA7 can be located between the sixth heating region HA6 and the eighth heating region HA8. Although not shown, at least one sensing coil for container detection can be provided at each heating region HA5, HA6, HA7, and HA8.

[0427] The first heating zone HA1 can be arranged adjacent to the fifth heating zone HA5. The second heating zone HA2 can be arranged adjacent to the sixth heating zone HA6. The third heating zone HA3 can be arranged adjacent to the seventh heating zone HA7. The fourth heating zone HA4 can be arranged adjacent to the eighth heating zone HA8.

[0428] The third coil module 2003c may include four heating regions HA9, HA10, HA11, and HA12, and four working coils WC9, WC10, WC11, and WC12 respectively disposed at positions corresponding to the heating regions HA9, HA10, HA11, and HA12.

[0429] Each of the heating regions HA9, HA10, HA11, and HA12 and each of the working coils WC9, WC10, WC11, and WC12 can be arranged along a line in one direction (e.g., up and down). The tenth heating region HA10 can be located between the ninth heating region HA9 and the eleventh heating region HA11. The eleventh heating region HA11 can be located between the tenth heating region HA10 and the twelfth heating region HA12. The tenth heating region HA10 and the eleventh heating region HA11 can be located between the ninth heating region HA9 and the twelfth heating region HA12. Although not shown, at least one sensing coil for container detection can be provided at each heating region HA9, HA10, HA11, and HA12.

[0430] The fifth heating zone HA5 can be arranged adjacent to the ninth heating zone HA9. The sixth heating zone HA6 can be arranged adjacent to the tenth heating zone HA10. The seventh heating zone HA7 can be arranged adjacent to the eleventh heating zone HA11. The eighth heating zone HA8 can be arranged adjacent to the twelfth heating zone HA12.

[0431] The fourth coil module 2003d may include four heating regions HA13, HA14, HA15, HA16 and four working coils WC13, WC14, WC15, WC16 respectively disposed at positions corresponding to the heating regions HA13, HA14, HA15, HA16.

[0432] Each of the heating regions HA13, HA14, HA15, and HA16 and each of the working coils WC13, WC14, WC15, and WC16 can be arranged in a line along one direction (e.g., up and down). The fourteenth heating region HA14 can be located between the thirteenth heating region HA13 and the fifteenth heating region HA15. The fifteenth heating region HA15 can be located between the fourteenth heating region HA14 and the sixteenth heating region HA16. Although not shown, at least one sensing coil for container detection can be provided at each heating region HA13, HA14, HA15, and HA16.

[0433] The ninth heating zone HA9 can be located adjacent to the thirteenth heating zone HA13. The tenth heating zone HA10 can be located adjacent to the fourteenth heating zone HA14. The eleventh heating zone HA11 can be located adjacent to the fifteenth heating zone HA15. The twelfth heating zone HA12 can be located adjacent to the sixteenth heating zone HA16.

[0434] Reference Figure 30 and Figure 31 It can be used with Figure 30 The circuit diagram shown implements the first coil module 2003a and the second coil module 2003b included in the household appliance according to the fourth embodiment in the same manner. In other words, the household appliance according to the fourth embodiment may include a rectifier circuit Rc, a first DC link capacitor CD1, a first inverter INV1, a second DC link capacitor CD2, a second inverter INV2, a sensing coil SC, a controller 500, a drive circuit 300, eight working coils WC1, WC2, WC3, WC4, WC5, WC6, WC7, WC8 disposed at positions corresponding to eight heating zones HA1, HA2, HA3, HA4, HA5, HA6, HA7, HA8, a first relay R1, a second relay R2, a third relay R3, a fourth relay R4, a fifth relay R5, and a sixth relay R6.

[0435] Reference Figure 31 and Figure 32According to the fourth embodiment, the household appliance may also include a third DC link capacitor CD3, a third inverter INV3, a fourth DC link capacitor CD4, a fourth inverter INV4, eight working coils WC9, WC10, WC11, WC12, WC13, WC14, WC15, WC16 disposed at positions corresponding to eight heating zones HA9, HA10, HA11, HA12, HA13, HA14, HA15, HA16, a seventh relay R7, an eighth relay R8, a ninth relay R9, a tenth relay R10, an eleventh relay R11, and a twelfth relay R12.

[0436] The third DC link capacitor CD3 can smooth the voltage output from the rectifier circuit Rc and output the smoothed voltage.

[0437] The third inverter INV3 can output AC current using the voltage output from the third DC link capacitor CD3. In one embodiment, the third inverter INV3 may include a fifth switching element SW5 and a sixth switching element SW6. The fifth switching element SW5 and the sixth switching element SW6 can be switched on and off by a fifth switching signal S5 and a sixth switching signal S6 provided by the drive circuit 300. The fifth switching element SW5 and the sixth switching element SW6 can be switched on and off alternately. In another embodiment, the third inverter INV3 may include two or more switching elements.

[0438] The fourth DC link capacitor CD4 can smooth the voltage output from the rectifier circuit Rc and output the smoothed voltage.

[0439] The fourth inverter INV4 can output AC current using the voltage output from the fourth DC link capacitor CD4. In one embodiment, the fourth inverter INV4 may include a seventh switching element SW7 and an eighth switching element SW8. The seventh switching element SW7 and the eighth switching element SW8 can be turned on and off by a seventh switching signal S7 and an eighth switching signal S8 provided by the drive circuit 300. The seventh switching element SW7 and the eighth switching element SW8 can be turned on and off alternately. In another embodiment, the fourth inverter INV4 may include two or more switching elements.

[0440] The controller 500 can provide control signals to the drive circuit 300. When the control signals are provided to the drive circuit 300, the drive circuit 300 can output switching signals S5, S6, S7, and S8.

[0441] When the fifth switch signal S5 and the sixth switch signal S6 are provided to the third inverter INV3, the fifth switch element SW5 and the sixth switch element SW6 can be alternately switched on and off. This allows AC current to be output from the third inverter INV3. When the AC current output from the third inverter INV3 is provided to the working coils WC9, WC10, WC13, and WC14, the containers located on top of the working coils WC9, WC10, WC13, and WC14 can be heated.

[0442] When the seventh switch signal S7 and the eighth switch signal S8 are provided to the fourth inverter INV4, the seventh switch element SW7 and the eighth switch element SW8 can be alternately switched on and off. This allows AC current to be output from the fourth inverter INV4. When the AC current output from the fourth inverter INV4 is provided to the working coils WC11, WC12, WC15, and WC16, the containers located on top of the working coils WC11, WC12, WC15, and WC16 can be heated.

[0443] In another embodiment, the fifth switching element SW5 and the eighth switching element SW8 can be alternately turned on and off with the sixth switching element SW6 and the seventh switching element SW7. For example, when the fifth switching element SW5 and the eighth switching element SW8 are off (on), the sixth switching element SW6 and the seventh switching element SW7 can be turned on (off).

[0444] One end of the tenth working coil WC10 can be connected to the third inverter INV3. The tenth resonant capacitor C10 can be connected to the other end of the tenth working coil WC10.

[0445] One end of the ninth working coil WC9 can be connected to the tenth working coil WC10 and the tenth resonant capacitor C10. The ninth resonant capacitor C9 can be connected to the other end of the ninth working coil WC9. The eighth relay R8 can be connected between the ground terminal and the group consisting of the ninth working coil WC9 and the ninth resonant capacitor C9.

[0446] The ninth working coil WC9 and the tenth working coil WC10 can be connected in series with each other.

[0447] One end of the eleventh working coil WC11 can be connected to the fourth inverter INV4. The eleventh resonant capacitor C11 can be connected to the other end of the eleventh working coil WC11.

[0448] One end of the twelfth working coil WC12 can be connected to the eleventh working coil WC11 and the eleventh resonant capacitor C11. The twelfth resonant capacitor C12 can be connected to the other end of the twelfth working coil WC12. The ninth relay R9 can be connected between the ground terminal and the group consisting of the twelfth working coil WC12 and the twelfth resonant capacitor C12.

[0449] The eleventh working coil WC11 and the twelfth working coil WC12 can be connected in series with each other.

[0450] The seventh relay R7 can be connected between the fifth connection node N5 and the sixth connection node N6. The fifth connection node N5 is the node where the ninth working coil WC9 and the tenth working coil WC10 are connected to each other, and the sixth connection node N6 is the node where the eleventh working coil WC11 and the twelfth working coil WC12 are connected to each other.

[0451] One end of the fourteenth working coil WC14 can be connected to the third inverter INV3. The fourteenth resonant capacitor C14 can be connected to the other end of the fourteenth working coil WC14.

[0452] One end of the thirteenth working coil WC13 can be connected to the fourteenth working coil WC14 and the fourteenth resonant capacitor C14. The thirteenth resonant capacitor C13 can be connected to the other end of the thirteenth working coil WC13. The eleventh relay R11 can be connected between the ground terminal and the group consisting of the thirteenth working coil WC13 and the thirteenth resonant capacitor C13.

[0453] The thirteenth working coil WC13 and the fourteenth working coil WC14 can be connected in series with each other.

[0454] One end of the fifteenth working coil WC15 can be connected to the fourth inverter INV4. The fifteenth resonant capacitor C15 can be connected to the other end of the fifteenth working coil WC15.

[0455] One end of the sixteenth working coil WC16 can be connected to the fifteenth working coil WC15 and the fifteenth resonant capacitor C15. The sixteenth resonant capacitor C16 can be connected to the other end of the sixteenth working coil WC16. The twelfth relay R12 can be connected between the ground terminal and the group consisting of the sixteenth working coil WC16 and the sixteenth resonant capacitor C16.

[0456] The fifteenth working coil WC15 and the sixteenth working coil WC16 can be connected in series with each other.

[0457] The tenth relay R10 can be connected between the seventh connection node N7 and the eighth connection node N8. The seventh connection node N7 is the node where the thirteenth working coil WC13 and the fourteenth working coil WC14 are connected to each other, and the eighth connection node N8 is the node where the fifteenth working coil WC15 and the sixteenth working coil WC16 are connected to each other.

[0458] The controller 500 can determine the presence of containers in each heating zone HA1, HA2, HA3, HA4, HA5, HA6, HA7, HA8, HA9, HA10, HA11, HA12, HA13, HA14, HA15, HA16 by using at least one sensing coil SC located at coil modules 2003a, 2003b, 2003c, 2003d to perform container detection. Based on the container detection results, the controller 500 can control the open and closed states of the first relay R1, second relay R2, third relay R3, fourth relay R4, fifth relay R5, sixth relay R6, seventh relay R7, eighth relay R8, ninth relay R9, tenth relay R10, eleventh relay R11, and twelfth relay R12.

[0459] When it is determined that the container is in the first heating zone HA1, the second heating zone HA2, the fifth heating zone HA5, and the sixth heating zone HA6, the controller 500 can control the second relay R2 and the fifth relay R5 to close, and control the first relay R1, the third relay R3, the fourth relay R4, the sixth relay R6, the seventh relay R7, the eighth relay R8, the ninth relay R9, the tenth relay R10, the eleventh relay R11, and the twelfth relay R12 to open.

[0460] When it is determined that the container is in the second heating zone HA2, the third heating zone HA3, the sixth heating zone HA6, and the seventh heating zone HA7, the controller 500 can control the first relay R1 and the fourth relay R4 to close, and control the second relay R2, the third relay R3, the fifth relay R5, the sixth relay R6, the seventh relay R7, the eighth relay R8, the ninth relay R9, the tenth relay R10, the eleventh relay R11, and the twelfth relay R12 to open.

[0461] When it is determined that the container is in the third heating zone HA3, the fourth heating zone HA4, the seventh heating zone HA7, and the eighth heating zone HA8, the controller 500 can control the third relay R3 and the sixth relay R6 to close, and control the first relay R1, the second relay R2, the fourth relay R4, the fifth relay R5, the seventh relay R7, the eighth relay R8, the ninth relay R9, the tenth relay R10, the eleventh relay R11, and the twelfth relay R12 to open.

[0462] When it is determined that the container exists in the first heating zone HA1, the second heating zone HA2, the third heating zone HA3, the fifth heating zone HA5, the sixth heating zone HA6, and the seventh heating zone HA7, the controller 500 can control the first relay R1, the second relay R2, the fourth relay R4, and the fifth relay R5 to close, and control the third relay R3, the sixth relay R6, the seventh relay R7, the eighth relay R8, the ninth relay R9, the tenth relay R10, the eleventh relay R11, and the twelfth relay R12 to open.

[0463] When it is determined that the container exists in the second heating zone HA2, the third heating zone HA3, the fourth heating zone HA4, the sixth heating zone HA6, the seventh heating zone HA7, and the eighth heating zone HA8, the controller 500 can control the first relay R1, the third relay R3, the fourth relay R4, and the sixth relay R6 to close, and control the second relay R2, the fifth relay R5, the seventh relay R7, the eighth relay R8, the ninth relay R9, the tenth relay R10, the eleventh relay R11, and the twelfth relay R12 to open.

[0464] When it is determined that the container exists in the first heating zone HA1, the second heating zone HA2, the third heating zone HA3, the fourth heating zone HA4, the fifth heating zone HA5, the sixth heating zone HA6, the seventh heating zone HA7, and the eighth heating zone HA8, the controller 500 can control the second relay R2, the third relay R3, the fifth relay R5, and the sixth relay R6 to close, and control the first relay R1, the fourth relay R4, the seventh relay R7, the eighth relay R8, the ninth relay R9, the tenth relay R10, the eleventh relay R11, and the twelfth relay R12 to open.

[0465] When it is determined that the container is in the fifth heating zone HA5, the sixth heating zone HA6, the ninth heating zone HA9, and the tenth heating zone HA10, the controller 500 can control the fifth relay R5 and the eighth relay R8 to close, and control the first relay R1, the second relay R2, the third relay R3, the fourth relay R4, the sixth relay R6, the seventh relay R7, the ninth relay R9, the tenth relay R10, the eleventh relay R11, and the twelfth relay R12 to open.

[0466] When it is determined that the container is in the sixth heating zone HA6, the seventh heating zone HA7, the tenth heating zone HA10, and the eleventh heating zone HA11, the controller 500 can control the fourth relay R4 and the seventh relay R7 to close, and control the first relay R1, the second relay R2, the third relay R3, the fifth relay R5, the sixth relay R6, the eighth relay R8, the ninth relay R9, the tenth relay R10, the eleventh relay R11, and the twelfth relay R12 to open.

[0467] When it is determined that the container is in the seventh heating zone HA7, the eighth heating zone HA8, the eleventh heating zone HA11, and the twelfth heating zone HA12, the controller 500 can control the sixth relay R6 and the ninth relay R9 to close, and control the first relay R1, the second relay R2, the third relay R3, the fourth relay R4, the fifth relay R5, the seventh relay R7, the eighth relay R8, the tenth relay R10, the eleventh relay R11, and the twelfth relay R12 to open.

[0468] When it is determined that the container exists in the fifth heating zone HA5, the sixth heating zone HA6, the seventh heating zone HA7, the ninth heating zone HA9, the tenth heating zone HA10, and the eleventh heating zone HA11, the controller 500 can control the fourth relay R4, the fifth relay R5, the seventh relay R7, and the eighth relay R8 to close, and control the first relay R1, the second relay R2, the third relay R3, the sixth relay R6, the ninth relay R9, the tenth relay R10, the eleventh relay R11, and the twelfth relay R12 to open.

[0469] When it is determined that the container exists in the sixth heating zone HA6, the seventh heating zone HA7, the eighth heating zone HA8, the tenth heating zone HA10, the eleventh heating zone HA11, and the twelfth heating zone HA12, the controller 500 can control the fourth relay R4, the sixth relay R6, the seventh relay R7, and the ninth relay R9 to close, and control the first relay R1, the second relay R2, the third relay R3, the fifth relay R5, the eighth relay R8, the tenth relay R10, the eleventh relay R11, and the twelfth relay R12 to open.

[0470] When it is determined that the container exists in the fifth heating zone HA5, the sixth heating zone HA6, the seventh heating zone HA7, the eighth heating zone HA8, the ninth heating zone HA9, the tenth heating zone HA10, the eleventh heating zone HA11, and the twelfth heating zone HA12, the controller 500 can control the fifth relay R5, the sixth relay R6, the eighth relay R8, and the ninth relay R9 to close, and control the first relay R1, the second relay R2, the third relay R3, the fourth relay R4, the seventh relay R7, the tenth relay R10, the eleventh relay R11, and the twelfth relay R12 to open.

[0471] Figure 33 This is a plan view showing the structure of the coil module according to the fifth embodiment. Figure 34 This is a circuit diagram of a household appliance that includes the coil module according to the fifth embodiment.

[0472] Reference Figure 33 According to the fifth embodiment, the coil module may include a first coil module 2003a, a second coil module 2003b disposed along a line with the first coil module 2003a in one direction (e.g., left-right direction), a third coil module 2001a disposed along a line with the second coil module 2003b in one direction (e.g., left-right direction), a fourth coil module 2001b disposed along a line with the third coil module 2001a in one direction (e.g., left-right direction), a fifth coil module 2003c disposed along a line with the fourth coil module 2001b in one direction (e.g., left-right direction), and a sixth coil module 2003d disposed along a line with the fifth coil module 2003c in one direction (e.g., left-right direction).

[0473] Based on the center line between the third coil module 2001a and the fourth coil module 2001b, the fourth coil module 2001b, the fifth coil module 2003c, and the sixth coil module 2003d have a symmetrical structure relative to the first coil module 2003a, the second coil module 2003b, and the third coil module 2001a. Furthermore, the circuit configuration of the fourth coil module 2001b, the fifth coil module 2003c, and the sixth coil module 2003d is the same as that of the first coil module 2003a, the second coil module 2003b, and the third coil module 2001a.

[0474] The circuit configuration and operation of the first coil module 2003a, the second coil module 2003b, and the third coil module 2001a will be described below. However, the circuit configuration and operation of the first coil module 2003a, the second coil module 2003b, and the third coil module 2001a can also be applied equivalently to the fourth coil module 2001b, the fifth coil module 2003c, and the sixth coil module 2003d.

[0475] The first coil module 2003a may include four heating regions HA1, HA2, HA3, HA4 and four working coils WC1, WC2, WC3, WC4 respectively disposed at positions corresponding to the heating regions HA1, HA2, HA3, HA4.

[0476] Each of the heating regions HA1, HA2, HA3, and HA4 and each of the working coils WC1, WC2, WC3, and WC4 can be arranged along a line in one direction (e.g., up and down). A second heating region HA2 can be located between the first heating region HA1 and the third heating region HA3. A third heating region HA3 can be located between the second heating region HA2 and the fourth heating region HA4. Although not shown, at least one sensing coil for container detection can be provided at each heating region HA1, HA2, HA3, and HA4.

[0477] The second coil module 2003b may include four heating regions HA5, HA6, HA7, and HA8, and four working coils WC5, WC6, WC7, and WC8 respectively disposed at positions corresponding to the heating regions HA5, HA6, HA7, and HA8.

[0478] Each of the heating regions HA5, HA6, HA7, and HA8 and each of the working coils WC5, WC6, WC7, and WC8 can be arranged along a line in one direction (e.g., up and down). A sixth heating region HA6 can be located between the fifth heating region HA5 and the seventh heating region HA7. A seventh heating region HA7 can be located between the sixth heating region HA6 and the eighth heating region HA8. Although not shown, at least one sensing coil for container detection can be provided at each heating region HA5, HA6, HA7, and HA8.

[0479] The first heating zone HA1 can be arranged adjacent to the fifth heating zone HA5. The second heating zone HA2 can be arranged adjacent to the sixth heating zone HA6. The third heating zone HA3 can be arranged adjacent to the seventh heating zone HA7. The fourth heating zone HA4 can be arranged adjacent to the eighth heating zone HA8.

[0480] The third coil module 2001a may include three heating regions HA9, HA10, and HA11 and three working coils WC9, WC10, and WC11 respectively disposed at positions corresponding to the heating regions HA9, HA10, and HA11.

[0481] Each of the heating regions HA9, HA10, and HA11 and each of the working coils WC9, WC10, and WC11 can be arranged in a line along one direction (e.g., up and down). A ninth heating region HA9 can be located between the tenth heating region HA10 and the eleventh heating region HA11. Although not shown, at least one sensing coil for container detection can be provided at each heating region HA9, HA10, and HA11.

[0482] The fifth heating zone HA5 can be arranged adjacent to the tenth heating zone HA10. The sixth heating zone HA6 can be arranged adjacent to the ninth heating zone HA9. The seventh heating zone HA7 can be arranged adjacent to the eleventh heating zone HA11.

[0483] Reference Figure 30 and Figure 33 The first coil module 2003a and the second coil module 2003b included in the household appliance according to the fifth embodiment can be coupled with... Figure 30The circuit diagram shown is implemented in the same manner. In other words, the household appliance according to the fifth embodiment may include a rectifier circuit Rc, a first DC link capacitor CD1, a first inverter INV1, a second DC link capacitor CD2, a second inverter INV2, a sensing coil SC, a controller 500, a drive circuit 300, eight working coils WC1, WC2, WC3, WC4, WC5, WC6, WC7, WC8 disposed at positions corresponding to eight heating zones HA1, HA2, HA3, HA4, HA5, HA6, HA7, HA8, a first relay R1, a second relay R2, a third relay R3, a fourth relay R4, a fifth relay R5, and a sixth relay R6.

[0484] Reference Figure 33 and Figure 34 According to the fifth embodiment, the household appliance may also include a third DC link capacitor CD3, a third inverter INV3, three working coils WC9, WC10, and WC11 disposed at positions corresponding to the three heating zones HA9, HA10, and HA11, a seventh relay R7, and an eighth relay R8.

[0485] The third DC link capacitor CD3 can smooth the voltage output from the rectifier circuit Rc and output the smoothed voltage.

[0486] The third inverter INV3 can output AC current using the voltage output from the third DC link capacitor CD3. In one embodiment, the third inverter INV3 may include a fifth switching element SW5 and a sixth switching element SW6. The fifth switching element SW5 and the sixth switching element SW6 can be switched on and off by a fifth switching signal S5 and a sixth switching signal S6 provided by the drive circuit 300. The fifth switching element SW5 and the sixth switching element SW6 can be switched on and off alternately. In another embodiment, the third inverter INV3 may include two or more switching elements.

[0487] The controller 500 can provide control signals to the drive circuit 300. When the control signals are provided to the drive circuit 300, the drive circuit 300 can output switching signals S5 and S6. When the fifth switching signal S5 and the sixth switching signal S6 are provided to the third inverter INV3, the fifth switching element SW5 and the sixth switching element SW6 can be alternately turned on and off. This allows AC current to be output from the third inverter INV3. When the AC current output from the third inverter INV3 is provided to the working coils WC9, WC10, and WC11, the containers mounted on top of the working coils WC9, WC10, and WC11 can be heated.

[0488] One end of the ninth working coil WC9 can be connected to the third inverter INV3. The ninth resonant capacitor C9 can be connected to the other end of the ninth working coil WC9.

[0489] One end of the tenth working coil WC10 can be connected to the ninth working coil WC9 and the ninth resonant capacitor C9. The tenth resonant capacitor C10 can be connected to the other end of the tenth working coil WC10. The seventh relay R7 can be connected between the ground terminal and the group consisting of the tenth working coil WC10 and the tenth resonant capacitor C10.

[0490] One end of the eleventh working coil WC11 can be connected to the ninth working coil WC9 and the ninth resonant capacitor C9. The eleventh resonant capacitor C11 can be connected to the other end of the eleventh working coil WC11. The eighth relay R8 can be connected between the ground terminal and the group consisting of the eleventh working coil WC11 and the eleventh resonant capacitor C11.

[0491] The ninth working coil WC9 and the tenth working coil WC10 can be connected in series. The ninth working coil WC9 and the eleventh working coil WC11 can be connected in series. The tenth working coil WC10 and the eleventh working coil WC11 can be connected in parallel.

[0492] The controller 500 can determine the presence of containers in each heating zone HA1, HA2, HA3, HA4, HA5, HA6, HA7, HA8, HA9, HA10, HA11 by using at least one sensing coil SC disposed at coil modules 2003a, 2003b, 2001a to perform container detection. Based on the container detection results, the controller 500 can control the open and closed states of the first relay R1, second relay R2, third relay R3, fourth relay R4, fifth relay R5, sixth relay R6, seventh relay R7, and eighth relay R8.

[0493] When it is determined that the container exists in the first heating zone HA1, the second heating zone HA2, the fifth heating zone HA5, and the sixth heating zone HA6, the controller 500 can control the second relay R2 and the fifth relay R5 to close, and control the first relay R1, the third relay R3, the fourth relay R4, and the sixth relay R6 to open.

[0494] When it is determined that the container is in the second heating zone HA2, the third heating zone HA3, the sixth heating zone HA6, and the seventh heating zone HA7, the controller 500 can control the first relay R1 and the fourth relay R4 to close, and control the second relay R2, the third relay R3, the fifth relay R5, and the sixth relay R6 to open.

[0495] When it is determined that the container is in the third heating zone HA3, the fourth heating zone HA4, the seventh heating zone HA7, and the eighth heating zone HA8, the controller 500 can control the third relay R3 and the sixth relay R6 to close, and control the first relay R1, the second relay R2, the fourth relay R4, and the fifth relay R5 to open.

[0496] When it is determined that the container exists in the first heating zone HA1, the second heating zone HA2, the third heating zone HA3, the fifth heating zone HA5, the sixth heating zone HA6, and the seventh heating zone HA7, the controller 500 can control the first relay R1, the second relay R2, the fourth relay R4, and the fifth relay R5 to close, and control the third relay R3 and the sixth relay R6 to open.

[0497] When it is determined that the container exists in the second heating zone HA2, the third heating zone HA3, the fourth heating zone HA4, the sixth heating zone HA6, the seventh heating zone HA7, and the eighth heating zone HA8, the controller 500 can control the first relay R1, the third relay R3, the fourth relay R4, and the sixth relay R6 to close, and control the second relay R2 and the fifth relay R5 to open.

[0498] When it is determined that the container exists in the first heating zone HA1, the second heating zone HA2, the third heating zone HA3, the fourth heating zone HA4, the fifth heating zone HA5, the sixth heating zone HA6, the seventh heating zone HA7, and the eighth heating zone HA8, the controller 500 can control the second relay R2, the third relay R3, the fifth relay R5, and the sixth relay R6 to close, and control the first relay R1 and the fourth relay R4 to open.

[0499] When it is determined that the container is in the ninth heating zone HA9 or the tenth heating zone HA10, the controller 500 can control the seventh relay R7 to close and control the eighth relay R8 to open.

[0500] When it is determined that the container is in the ninth heating zone HA9 and the tenth heating zone HA10, the controller 500 can control the seventh relay R7 to close and control the eighth relay R8 to open.

[0501] When it is determined that the container is in the ninth heating zone HA9 or the eleventh heating zone HA11, the controller 500 can control the eighth relay R8 to close and control the seventh relay R7 to open.

[0502] When it is determined that the container is in the ninth heating zone HA9 and the eleventh heating zone HA11, the controller 500 can control the eighth relay R8 to close and control the seventh relay R7 to open.

[0503] When it is determined that the container is in the ninth heating zone HA9, the tenth heating zone HA10, and the eleventh heating zone HA11, the controller 500 can control the seventh relay R7 and the eighth relay R8 to close.

[0504] When it is determined that the container is in the fifth heating zone HA5, the sixth heating zone HA6, the ninth heating zone HA9, and the tenth heating zone HA10, the controller 500 can control the fifth relay R5 and the seventh relay R7 to close, and control the first relay R1, the second relay R2, the third relay R3, the fourth relay R4, the sixth relay R6, and the eighth relay R8 to open.

[0505] When it is determined that the container is in the sixth heating zone HA6, the seventh heating zone HA7, the ninth heating zone HA9, and the eleventh heating zone HA11, the controller 500 can control the fourth relay R4 and the eighth relay R8 to close, and control the first relay R1, the second relay R2, the third relay R3, the fifth relay R5, the sixth relay R6, and the seventh relay R7 to open.

[0506] When it is determined that the container exists in the fifth heating zone HA5, the sixth heating zone HA6, the seventh heating zone HA7, the ninth heating zone HA9, the tenth heating zone HA10, and the eleventh heating zone HA11, the controller 500 can control the fourth relay R4, the fifth relay R5, the seventh relay R7, and the eighth relay R8 to close, and control the first relay R1, the second relay R2, the third relay R3, and the sixth relay R6 to open.

[0507] Figure 35 This is a circuit diagram of a sensing circuit according to one embodiment. Figure 36 This is a diagram showing the waveform of the resonant signal output from the output node of the sensing circuit according to the embodiment. Figure 37 This is a diagram showing the waveform of the square wave output from the comparator of the sensing circuit according to the embodiment.

[0508] In one implementation, the controller 500 can use Figure 35 The sensing circuit shown is used for container detection.

[0509] Reference Figure 35 The sensing circuit according to the embodiment may include a sensing coil SC, a resonant capacitor Cr2 connected in parallel with the sensing coil SC, a switching element SWt connected with the sensing coil SC and the resonant capacitor Cr2, and a comparator 360 that compares the resonant signal output from the output node N with a predetermined reference signal and outputs a square wave.

[0510] When container detection begins, the controller 500 can turn on the switching element SWt within a predetermined charging time. This allows the first power supply voltage VR1 and the ground terminal to be electrically connected, thereby applying voltage to the sensing coil SC and the resonant capacitor Cr2.

[0511] When the predetermined charging time has elapsed, the controller 500 can disconnect the switching element SWt. This causes resonance to occur between the sensing coil SC and the resonant capacitor Cr2.

[0512] When resonance occurs between the sensing coil SC and the resonant capacitor Cr2, a resonant signal can be output through the output node N. Figure 36 This is a diagram showing the waveform of the resonant signal output from the output node of the sensing circuit according to the embodiment.

[0513] In one embodiment, the sensing circuit may further include a DC blocking unit 350 for removing the DC component from the resonant signal output from output node N. In another embodiment, the DC blocking unit 350 may be omitted.

[0514] The resonant signal output from output node N can be input to comparator 360. Comparator 360 can output a square wave by comparing the resonant signal with a reference signal defined by the second power supply voltage VR2. Figure 37 This is a diagram showing the waveform of the square wave output from the comparator of the sensing circuit according to the embodiment.

[0515] More specifically, comparator 360 can compare the voltage amplitude of the reference signal generated by the second power supply voltage VR2 with the voltage amplitude of the resonant signal output from output node N, and can output a square wave based on the comparison result. For example, if the voltage amplitude of the resonant signal output from output node N is greater than or equal to the voltage amplitude of the reference signal, comparator 360 can output a signal with a first level (e.g., 5V) voltage amplitude, and if the voltage amplitude of the resonant signal is less than the voltage amplitude of the reference signal, comparator 360 can output a signal with a second level (e.g., 0V) voltage amplitude.

[0516] The controller 500 can count the number of waveforms in the square wave output from the comparator 360 and determine whether a container is present on top of the sensing coil SC based on the count of the number of waveforms in the square wave.

[0517] When a container is present on top of the sensing coil SC, the impedance of the sensing coil SC and the resonant capacitor Cr2 remains relatively high compared to when the container is not present. Therefore, the resonant signal can be attenuated and then dissipated over a relatively short time period. Conversely, when a container is not present on top of the sensing coil SC, the impedance of the sensing coil SC and the resonant capacitor Cr2 remains relatively low compared to when the container is present. Therefore, the resonant signal can be attenuated and then dissipated over a relatively long time period.

[0518] As a result, the number of waveforms in the square wave output by comparator 360 when there is no container on top of the sensing coil SC is greater than the number of waveforms in the square wave output by comparator 360 when there is a container on top of the sensing coil SC.

[0519] Therefore, if the count of waveforms in the square wave is less than or equal to a predetermined reference value, the controller 500 can determine that a container exists on top of the sensing coil SC. Conversely, if the count of waveforms in the square wave exceeds the predetermined reference value, the controller 500 can determine that a container does not exist on top of the sensing coil SC. The reference value can be set differently depending on the implementation method.

[0520] In one implementation, the controller 500 can sequentially perform container detection on each sensing coil SC. Therefore, while performing container detection on one sensing coil SC, the remaining sensing coil SCs can be kept in a discharged state.

[0521] The embodiments described above with reference to the accompanying drawings are merely exemplary, and those skilled in the art will understand that various modifications or other equivalent embodiments can be implemented from these embodiments. Furthermore, even if the effects of the configuration are not explicitly described in the description of the embodiments, other predictable effects of the corresponding configuration should be recognized.

Claims

1. A household appliance, said household appliance comprising: A rectifier circuit that rectifies the input voltage and outputs the rectified voltage; DC link capacitor, which smooths the voltage output from the rectifier circuit; An inverter that uses a voltage smoothed by the DC link capacitor to output AC current; A first working coil, which is connected to the inverter and is positioned at a location corresponding to the first heating area; The second working coil is connected in series with the first working coil and is disposed at a position corresponding to the second heating area; The third working coil is connected in series with the first working coil and in parallel with the second working coil, and is disposed at a position corresponding to the third heating area; A first relay is connected between the second working coil and the ground terminal; The second relay is connected between the third working coil and the grounding terminal; as well as A controller configured to perform container detection on the first heating zone, the second heating zone, and the third heating zone, and to control the open and closed states of the first relay and the second relay based on the result of the container detection.

2. The domestic appliance according to claim 1, wherein, When the controller determines that a container is present in the first heating zone and the second heating zone, the controller is configured to control the first relay to close and control the second relay to open.

3. The domestic appliance according to claim 1, wherein, When the controller determines that a container is present in the first heating zone and the third heating zone, the controller is configured to control the second relay to close and control the first relay to open.

4. The domestic appliance according to claim 1, wherein, When the controller determines that a container is present in the first heating zone, the second heating zone, and the third heating zone, the controller is configured to control the first relay and the second relay to close.

5. The household appliance according to claim 1, wherein, The first heating zone is disposed between the second heating zone and the third heating zone.

6. A household appliance, said household appliance comprising: A rectifier circuit that rectifies the input voltage and outputs the rectified voltage; A first DC link capacitor smooths the voltage output from the rectifier circuit. The first inverter uses a voltage smoothed by the first DC link capacitor to output AC current; The second DC link capacitor smooths the voltage output from the rectifier circuit. The second inverter uses the voltage smoothed by the second DC link capacitor to output AC current; The second working coil is connected to the first inverter and is located at a position corresponding to the second heating area; A first working coil, which is connected in series with the second working coil and is disposed at a position corresponding to the first heating area; The third working coil is connected to the second inverter and is located at a position corresponding to the third heating area; The fourth working coil is connected in series with the third working coil and is disposed at a position corresponding to the fourth heating zone; A first relay is connected between the connection node of the first working coil and the second working coil and the connection node of the third working coil and the fourth working coil; The second relay is connected between the first working coil and the ground terminal; A third relay is connected between the fourth working coil and the grounding terminal; The controller is configured to perform container detection on the first heating area, the second heating area, the third heating area, and the fourth heating area, and to control the open and closed states of the first relay, the second relay, and the third relay based on the result of the container detection.

7. The household appliance according to claim 6, wherein, When the controller determines that a container is present in the first heating zone and the second heating zone, the controller is configured to control the second relay to close and control the first relay and the third relay to open.

8. The household appliance according to claim 6, wherein, When the controller determines that a container is present in the second heating zone and the third heating zone, the controller is configured to control the first relay to close and control the second relay and the third relay to open.

9. The household appliance according to claim 6, wherein, When the controller determines that a container is present in the third heating zone and the fourth heating zone, the controller is configured to control the third relay to close and control the first relay and the second relay to open.

10. The household appliance according to claim 6, wherein, When the controller determines that a container is present in the first heating zone, the second heating zone, and the third heating zone, the controller is configured to control the first relay and the second relay to close and control the third relay to open.

11. The household appliance according to claim 6, wherein, When the controller determines that a container is present in the second heating zone, the third heating zone, and the fourth heating zone, the controller is configured to control the first relay and the third relay to close and control the second relay to open.

12. The household appliance according to claim 6, wherein, When the controller determines that a container is present in the first heating zone, the second heating zone, the third heating zone, and the fourth heating zone, the controller is configured to control the second relay and the third relay to close and control the first relay to open.

13. The household appliance according to claim 6, wherein, The second heating zone is disposed between the first heating zone and the third heating zone, and The third heating region is located between the second heating region and the fourth heating region.

14. The household appliance according to claim 6, wherein, The second heating region and the third heating region are disposed between the first heating region and the fourth heating region.

15. The household appliance according to claim 6, further comprising: The sixth working coil is connected to the first inverter and is located at a position corresponding to the sixth heating zone; The fifth working coil is connected in series with the sixth working coil and is disposed at a position corresponding to the fifth heating zone; A seventh working coil, which is connected to the second inverter and is positioned at a location corresponding to the seventh heating zone; An eighth working coil, which is connected in series with the seventh working coil and is positioned at a location corresponding to the eighth heating zone; A fourth relay is connected between the connection node of the fifth and sixth working coils and the connection node of the seventh and eighth working coils; The fifth relay is connected between the fifth working coil and the ground terminal; as well as The sixth relay is connected between the eighth working coil and the ground terminal. The controller is configured to perform container detection on the first heating area, the second heating area, the third heating area, the fourth heating area, the fifth heating area, the sixth heating area, the seventh heating area, and the eighth heating area, and to control the open and closed states of the first relay, the second relay, the third relay, the fourth relay, the fifth relay, and the sixth relay based on the container detection results.

16. The household appliance according to claim 15, wherein, When the controller determines that a container is present in the first heating zone, the second heating zone, the fifth heating zone, and the sixth heating zone, the controller is configured to control the second relay and the fifth relay to close and control the first relay, the third relay, the fourth relay, and the sixth relay to open.

17. The household appliance according to claim 15, wherein, When the controller determines that a container is present in the second heating zone, the third heating zone, the sixth heating zone, and the seventh heating zone, the controller is configured to control the first relay and the fourth relay to close and control the second relay, the third relay, the fifth relay, and the sixth relay to open.

18. The household appliance according to claim 15, wherein, When the controller determines that a container is present in the third heating zone, the fourth heating zone, the seventh heating zone, and the eighth heating zone, the controller is configured to control the third relay and the sixth relay to close and control the first relay, the second relay, the fourth relay, and the fifth relay to open.

19. The household appliance according to claim 15, wherein, When the controller determines that a container is present in the first heating region, the second heating region, the third heating region, the fifth heating region, the sixth heating region, and the seventh heating region, the controller is configured to control the first relay, the second relay, the fourth relay, and the fifth relay to close and control the third relay and the sixth relay to open.

20. The household appliance according to claim 15, wherein, When the controller determines that a container is present in the second heating zone, the third heating zone, the fourth heating zone, the sixth heating zone, the seventh heating zone, and the eighth heating zone, the controller is configured to control the first relay, the third relay, the fourth relay, and the sixth relay to close and control the second relay and the fifth relay to open.

21. The household appliance according to claim 15, wherein, When the controller determines that a container is present in the first heating region, the second heating region, the third heating region, the fourth heating region, the fifth heating region, the sixth heating region, the seventh heating region, and the eighth heating region, the controller is configured to control the second relay, the third relay, the fifth relay, and the sixth relay to close and control the first relay and the fourth relay to open.

22. The household appliance according to claim 15, wherein, The sixth heating zone is disposed between the fifth heating zone and the seventh heating zone, and The seventh heating region is located between the sixth heating region and the eighth heating region.

23. The household appliance according to claim 15, wherein, The sixth heating region and the seventh heating region are located between the fifth heating region and the eighth heating region.

24. The household appliance according to claim 15, wherein, The first heating region and the fifth heating region are arranged adjacent to each other. The second heating zone is arranged adjacent to the sixth heating zone. The third heating region is arranged adjacent to the seventh heating region, and The fourth heating zone is arranged adjacent to the eighth heating zone.

25. The household appliance according to claim 15, further comprising: A third DC link capacitor smooths the voltage output from the rectifier circuit. The third inverter uses a voltage smoothed by the third DC link capacitor to output AC current; A ninth working coil, which is connected to the third inverter and is positioned at a location corresponding to the ninth heating zone; The tenth working coil is connected in series with the ninth working coil and is positioned at a location corresponding to the tenth heating zone; The eleventh working coil is connected in series with the ninth working coil and in parallel with the tenth working coil, and is located at a position corresponding to the eleventh heating area; The seventh relay is connected between the tenth working coil and the ground terminal; as well as The eighth relay is connected between the eleventh working coil and the ground terminal. The controller is configured to perform container detection on the first heating area, the second heating area, the third heating area, the fourth heating area, the fifth heating area, the sixth heating area, the seventh heating area, the eighth heating area, the ninth heating area, the tenth heating area, and the eleventh heating area, and to control the open and closed states of the first relay, the second relay, the third relay, the fourth relay, the fifth relay, the sixth relay, the seventh relay, and the eighth relay based on the container detection results.

26. The household appliance according to claim 25, wherein, When the controller determines that a container is present in the fifth heating zone, the sixth heating zone, the ninth heating zone, and the tenth heating zone, the controller is configured to control the second relay and the seventh relay to close and control the first relay, the third relay, the fourth relay, the fifth relay, the sixth relay, and the eighth relay to open.

27. The household appliance according to claim 25, wherein, When the controller determines that a container is present in the sixth heating zone, the seventh heating zone, the ninth heating zone, and the eleventh heating zone, the controller is configured to control the first relay and the eighth relay to close and control the second relay, the third relay, the fourth relay, the fifth relay, the sixth relay, and the seventh relay to open.

28. The household appliance according to claim 25, wherein, When the controller determines that a container is present in the fifth heating zone, the sixth heating zone, the seventh heating zone, the ninth heating zone, the tenth heating zone, and the eleventh heating zone, the controller is configured to control the first relay, the second relay, the seventh relay, and the eighth relay to close and control the third relay, the fourth relay, the fifth relay, and the sixth relay to open.

29. The household appliance according to claim 25, wherein, The ninth heating zone is located between the tenth heating zone and the eleventh heating zone.

30. The household appliance according to claim 25, wherein, The sixth heating zone is arranged adjacent to the ninth heating zone. The fifth heating zone is arranged adjacent to the tenth heating zone, and The seventh heating zone is arranged adjacent to the eleventh heating zone.

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