Cooking appliance

Abstract

An invention relating to a cooking appliance is disclosed. The disclosed invention comprises: a body within which a cooking chamber is formed: a door which opens / closes the cooking chamber at the front of the body; a weight measurement unit which measures the weight of the body; and a plurality of legs which support the body from below the body, wherein the weight measurement unit includes one or more weight sensors which support the body from below, a number of the weight sensors being smaller than a number of the legs.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a cooking appliance.BACKGROUND

[0002] A cooking appliance is one of home appliances for cooking food, and is a device installed in a kitchen space and used to cook food according to an intention of a user. Such a cooking appliance may be variously classified according to a heat source, a shape, or a type of fuel used.

[0003] When the cooking appliance is classified according to a type of cooking food, the cooking appliance may be classified into an open-type cooking appliance and a closed-type cooking appliance depending on a shape of a space on which food is placed. The closed-type cooking appliance includes an oven, a microwave oven, and the like, and the open-type cooking appliance includes a cooktop, a hob, and the like.

[0004] A closed-type cooking appliance is a cooking appliance configured to shield a space in which food is located and to heat the shielded space to cook food. In the closed-type cooking appliance, a chamber, that is, a cooking chamber, which is a space shielded when food is placed and when the food is intended to be cooked, is provided inside a main body. The cooking chamber becomes a space in which the food is substantially cooked. A heat source is provided in an inside space or an outside space of the cooking chamber to heat the cooking chamber.

[0005] The closed-type cooking appliance typically includes a door for opening and closing the cooking chamber formed inside the main body. As the door provided in the closed-type cooking appliance, a left-right opening and closing type door, a vertical opening and closing type door, a sliding door, and the like may be applied according to an opening and closing type thereof, among which a left-right opening and closing type door is a most commonly used type of door.

[0006] In addition, a weight sensor may be provided in the closed-type cooking appliance. The weight sensor is provided to be able to sense a weight of food accommodated in the cooking chamber.

[0007] As an example, the weight sensor may be installed in an inside of the closed-type cooking appliance. Such a weight sensor may measure a weight of food placed on a tray in the cooking chamber.

[0008] As another example, the weight sensor may be provided on an outside of the closed-type cooking appliance. Such a weight sensor may measure an entire weight of the closed-type cooking appliance accommodating food therein. For example, the weight sensor provided on the outside of the closed-type cooking appliance may be installed on a leg supporting the closed-type cooking appliance from below.SUMMARY Technical Problems

[0009] An object of the present disclosure is to provide a cooking appliance having an improved structure so as to be able to reduce a manufacturing cost of the cooking appliance without degrading accuracy of weight measurement.

[0010] Another object of the present disclosure is to provide a cooking appliance having an improved structure so as to be able to effectively perform weight measurement while suppressing inclination of the cooking appliance and the like.Technical Solutions

[0011] A cooking appliance according to one embodiment of the present disclosure for achieving the above object includes a leg supporting a main body of the cooking appliance from below, and a weight measuring part measuring a weight of the main body, wherein the weight measuring part includes at least one weight sensor supporting the main body from below and measuring the weight of the main body, and includes a number of the weight sensors smaller than a number of the legs.

[0012] Through this, the present disclosure may reduce the number of the weight sensors required for weight measurement without degrading accuracy of weight measurement.

[0013] Another form of the present disclosure includes a first weight sensor supporting the main body from below and measuring the weight of the main body, and a second weight sensor supporting the main body at a rear side of the first weight sensor and measuring the weight of the main body, wherein a number of the second weight sensors is smaller than a number of the first weight sensors.

[0014] Another form of the present disclosure includes a first weight sensor measuring the weight of the main body, a second weight sensor measuring the weight of the main body at a rear side of the first weight sensor, and a connection support member connecting a plurality of legs arranged at a rear side of the first weight sensor, wherein the connection support member is supported by the plurality of legs, and the second weight sensor is supported by the connection support member.

[0015] A cooking appliance according to one aspect of the present disclosure may include: a main body forming a cooking chamber therein; a weight measuring part measuring the weight of the main body; and a plurality of legs supporting the main body from below.

[0016] Preferably, the weight measuring part may include at least one weight sensor supporting the main body from below and measuring the weight of the main body, and may include a number of the weight sensors smaller than a number of the legs.

[0017] In addition, the weight measuring part may include a first weight sensor supporting the main body from below and measuring the weight of the main body, and a second weight sensor supporting the main body at a rear side of the first weight sensor and measuring the weight of the main body.

[0018] Preferably, the present disclosure may further include a door opening and closing the cooking chamber at a front side of the main body.

[0019] In addition, the first weight sensor is preferably arranged between the door and the second weight sensor.

[0020] In addition, the weight measuring part preferably includes a number of the second weight sensors smaller than a number of the first weight sensors.

[0021] Preferably, in a lateral direction, a pair of the first weight sensors is preferably arranged to be spaced apart from each other by a predetermined distance, and one of the second weight sensors is preferably arranged between the pair of the first weight sensors.

[0022] In addition, in a vertical direction, the first weight sensor and the second weight sensor are preferably arranged between the main body and the legs.

[0023] In addition, the first weight sensors are preferably supported by the legs, and the second weight sensor is preferably supported by a larger number of the legs than a number of the legs supporting the first weight sensors.

[0024] In addition, each of the first weight sensors is preferably individually supported by a corresponding one of the legs, and a plurality of the legs preferably jointly support the second weight sensor.

[0025] In addition, the present disclosure may further include a connection support member connecting a plurality of the legs arranged at a rear side of the first weight sensors.

[0026] In addition, the connection support member is preferably supported by the plurality of the legs connected by the connection support member, and the second weight sensor is preferably arranged between the main body and the connection support member and supported by the connection support member.

[0027] In addition, the present disclosure may further include a connection support member connecting a plurality of the legs arranged to be spaced apart from each other in a front-rear direction.

[0028] In addition, the connection support member is preferably supported by the plurality of the legs connected by the connection support member, and the weight sensor is preferably arranged between the main body and the connection support member and supported by the connection support member.

[0029] In addition, a plurality of the connection support members is preferably arranged to be spaced apart from each other in the lateral direction, and each of the connection support members preferably individually supports a corresponding one of the weight sensors.Advantageous Effects

[0030] The present disclosure may reduce the number of weight sensors required for weight measurement, and through this, may provide an effect of reducing a process and a cost required for installation of the weight sensors without degrading accuracy of weight measurement.

[0031] In addition, the present disclosure may provide an effect of improving accuracy of weight measurement while suppressing the cooking appliance from being inclined or overturned forward due to a weight of a door or a force applied for opening of the door.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0032] The accompanying drawings constitute a part of the specification, illustrate one or more embodiments in the disclosure, and together with the specification, explain the disclosure, wherein: FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating a cooking appliance according to one embodiment of the present disclosure; FIG. 2 is a front cross-sectional view illustrating an internal structure of the cooking appliance shown in FIG. 1; FIG. 3 is a side cross-sectional view illustrating the internal structure of the cooking appliance shown in FIG. 1; FIG. 4 is a plan cross-sectional view illustrating the internal structure of the cooking appliance shown in FIG. 1; FIG. 5 is a bottom perspective view illustrating a bottom surface of the cooking appliance shown in FIG. 1; FIG. 6 is a bottom view illustrating the bottom surface of the cooking appliance shown in FIG. 1; FIG. 7 is a side view illustrating a lower part of the cooking appliance according to one embodiment of the present disclosure in a separated manner; FIG. 8 is a front view illustrating the lower part of the cooking appliance according to one embodiment of the present disclosure in a separated manner; FIG. 9 is a bottom view illustrating a bottom surface of a cooking appliance according to another embodiment of the present disclosure; and FIG. 10 is a side view illustrating a portion of a lower part of the cooking appliance shown in FIG. 9 in a separated manner. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0033] The above-described aspects, features and advantages are specifically described hereafter with reference to accompanying drawings such that one having ordinary skill in the art to which the disclosure pertains can embody the technical spirit of the disclosure easily. In the disclosure, detailed description of known technologies in relation to the subject matter of the disclosure is omitted if it is deemed to make the gist of the disclosure unnecessarily vague. Hereafter, preferred embodiments according to the disclosure are specifically described with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the drawings, identical reference numerals can denote identical or similar components.

[0034] The terms "first", "second" and the like are used herein only to distinguish one component from another component. Thus, the components are not to be limited by the terms. Certainly, a first component can be a second component, unless stated to the contrary.

[0035] Embodiments are not limited to the embodiments set forth herein, and can be modified and changed in various different forms. The embodiments in the disclosure are provided such that the disclosure can be thorough and complete and fully convey its scope to one having ordinary skill in the art. Accordingly, all modifications, equivalents or replacements as well as a replacement of the configuration of any one embodiment with the configuration of another embodiment or an addition of the configuration of any one embodiment to the configuration of another embodiment, within the technical spirit and scope of the disclosure, are to be included in the scope of the disclosure.

[0036] The accompanying drawings are provided for a better understanding of the embodiments set forth herein and are not intended to limit the technical spirit of the disclosure. It is to be understood that all the modifications, equivalents or replacements within the spirit and technical scope of the disclosure are included in the scope of the disclosure. The sizes or thicknesses of the components in the drawings are exaggerated or reduced to ensure ease of understanding and the like. However, the protection scope of the subject matter of the disclosure is not to be interpreted in a limited way.

[0037] The terms in the disclosure are used only to describe specific embodiments or examples and not intended to limit the subject matter of the disclosure. In the disclosure, singular forms include plural forms as well, unless explicitly indicated otherwise. In the disclosure, the terms "comprise", "comprised of" and the like specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components or combinations thereof but do not imply the exclusion of the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components or combinations thereof.

[0038] The terms "first", "second" and the like are used herein only to distinguish one component from another component, and the components are not to be limited by the terms.

[0039] When any one component is described as "connected" or "coupled" to another component, any one component can be directly connected or coupled to another component, but an additional component can be "interposed" between the two components or the two components can be "connected" or "coupled" by an additional component. When any one component is described as "directly connected" or "directly coupled" to another component, an additional component cannot be "interposed" between the two components or the two components cannot be "connected" or "coupled" by an additional component.

[0040] When any one component is described as being "on (or under)" another component, any one component can be directly on (or under) another component, and an additional component can be interposed between the two components.

[0041] Unless otherwise defined, all the terms including technical or scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one having ordinary skill in the art. Additionally, terms such as those defined in commonly used dictionaries are to be interpreted as having a meaning that is consistent with their meaning in the context of the relevant art, and unless explicitly defined herein, are not to be interpreted in an ideal way or an overly formal way.

[0042] In the state where a cooking appliance stands on the floor, a direction in which a door is installed with respect to the center of the cooking appliance is defined as a forward direction. Accordingly, a direction toward the inside of the cooking appliance with the door open is defined as a rearward direction. For convenience, the forward direction and the rearward direction can be referred to as a first direction. Then the forward direction is referred to as one direction of the first direction, and the rearward direction is referred to as the other direction of the first direction.

[0043] Additionally, a gravitational direction can be defined as a downward direction, and a direction opposite to the gravitational direction can be defined as an upward direction.

[0044] Further, a horizontal direction across a front-rear direction of the cooking appliance, i.e., a widthwise direction of the cooking appliance that is seen in front of the door of the cooking appliance, can be referred to as a left-right direction. For convenience, the left-right direction can be referred to as a second direction. Then the right side can be referred to as one direction of the second direction, and the left side can be referred to as the other direction of the second direction.

[0045] Further, the widthwise direction of the cooking appliance can also be referred to as a lateral direction. Then the right side can also be referred to as one side of the lateral direction, and the left side can be referred to the other side of the lateral direction.

[0046] Additionally, an up-down direction can be referred to as a third direction. Then an upward direction can be referred to as one direction of the third direction, and a downward direction can be referred to as the other direction of the third direction.

[0047] Furthermore, the up-down direction can be referred to as a vertical direction. Then the front-rear direction and the left-right direction, i.e., the first direction and the second direction, can be referred to as the horizontal direction.

[0048] Throughout the disclosure, the terms "A and / or B" as used herein can denote A, B or A and B, and the terms "C to D" can denote C or greater and D or less, unless stated to the contrary.[Entire structure of cooking appliance]

[0049] FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating a cooking appliance according to one embodiment of the present disclosure, and FIG. 2 is a front cross-sectional view illustrating an internal structure of the cooking appliance shown in FIG. 1. In addition, FIG. 3 is a side cross-sectional view illustrating the internal structure of the cooking appliance shown in FIG. 1, and FIG. 4 is a plan cross-sectional view illustrating the internal structure of the cooking appliance shown in FIG. 1.

[0050] Referring to FIGS. 1 to 4, the cooking appliance may have an appearance formed by a main body 10. The main body 10 may be provided in a form including a substantially hexahedral shape, and may be formed of a material having a predetermined strength so as to protect a plurality of components installed in an inner space thereof.

[0051] The main body 10 includes a cavity 11 forming a framework of the main body 10. The cavity 11 may be formed in a form of a hexahedron having a front side open, and a cooking chamber 10a is provided inside the cavity 11.

[0052] The cavity 11 may be formed in a form of a hexahedron having a front side open, and the cooking chamber 10a may be formed inside the cavity 11. That is, the cooking chamber 10a may be formed as a substantially hexahedral space arranged inside the cavity 11 and may be formed as a space opened forward.

[0053] In a state in which such a cooking chamber 10a is shielded, the inside of the cooking chamber 10a may be heated, whereby food may be cooked. That is, in the cooking appliance of the present embodiment provided as a closed-type cooking appliance, the cooking chamber 10a is substantially a space in which food is cooked.

[0054] An electronics compartment 10b may be provided outside the cavity 11, more specifically above the cavity 11. The electronics compartment 10b may be arranged above the cavity 11 and behind the control panel. In an inside of the electronics compartment 10b, a space for installation of electronic components may be formed.

[0055] A lower boundary surface of the electronics compartment 10b may be defined by an upper panel 15 arranged above the cavity 11. The upper panel 15 may be arranged to block between the cavity 11 and the upper space 10b. The upper panel 15 may be arranged at an upper side of the cavity 11 to define the lower boundary surface of the upper space 10b.

[0056] A front surface of the electronics compartment 10b may be shielded by a front panel 13. The front panel 13 may be arranged between the cavity 11 and the door 30 and may form a front surface of the main body 10. The front panel 13 may be arranged such that at least a portion thereof blocks a front side of the electronics compartment 10b.

[0057] For example, an upper region of the front panel 13 arranged above the cooking chamber 10a may shield a front surface of the electronics compartment 10b. The front panel 13 may protrude above the cavity 11 to define a front boundary surface of the electronics compartment 10b.

[0058] The cooking appliance is provided with a heating part for heating the cooking chamber 10a. The heating part may include a magnetron 25 capable of generating a high frequency. The magnetron 25 may be supplied with a high-voltage current from a high-voltage transformer and may supply a high-frequency heat source to an inside of the cooking chamber 10a.

[0059] The magnetron 25 may be installed inside the main body 10 and may be arranged at an upper side or a side of the cooking chamber 10a. In the present embodiment, the magnetron 25 is arranged in the electronics compartment 10b and is illustrated as being arranged at a position biased toward a side in the electronics compartment 10b.

[0060] In addition, the heating part may further include a grill heater 21 and a convection device 23. According to the present embodiment, a grill heater 21 may be provided above the cooking chamber 10a, and a convection device 23 may be provided at a rear side of the cooking chamber 10a.

[0061] The grill heater 21 may heat an internal space of the cooking chamber 10a from above. The convection device 23 may allow the internal space of the cooking chamber 10a to be uniformly heated by sucking air in the cooking chamber 10a, heating the air, and then discharging the heated air into the internal space of the cooking chamber 10a while flowing the air.

[0062] The grill heater 21 may heat an inside of the cooking chamber 10a at an upper portion of the cooking chamber 10a. That is, the grill heater 21 is provided to be able to apply heat directly to food at the upper portion of the cooking chamber 10a.

[0063] The convection device 23 may be arranged at a rear side of the cooking chamber 10a and may be installed on a rear surface of the cavity 11. The convection device 23 may include a convection cover installed on a rear surface of the cooking chamber, a convection heater installed in an internal space of the convection cover, and a convection fan.

[0064] The cooking appliance may include a camera 40. The camera 40 may be arranged outside the cooking chamber 10a and the cavity 11 and may be provided to be able to image the cooking chamber 10a. As an example, the camera 40 may be arranged at an upper side of the cavity 11.

[0065] The camera 40 may include an image processing part. The image processing part may include one or more image sensors. As the image sensors, a CCD, a CMOS, or the like may be used.

[0066] In addition, the camera 40 may include a lens part. The lens part may include at least one lens. The lens part may collect light reflected from an object to form an optical image on an imaging area, and the image sensor may receive light incident through the lens part and convert the light into an image signal.

[0067] In addition, the camera 40 may further include various processors necessary for forming an image based on the image signal output from the image sensor, and may further include illumination formed of an LED and the like.

[0068] In addition, the cooking appliance according to the present embodiment may include a plurality of legs 50 and 55. Each of the legs 50 and 55 may be arranged below the main body 10 to support the main body 10. As an example, when it is assumed that the main body 10 is divided into two regions in a front-rear direction, a pair of the legs 50 and 55 may be arranged in a front region, and a pair of the legs 50 and 55 may be arranged in a rear region. Hereinafter, a leg arranged in the front region is referred to as a first leg 50, and a leg arranged in the rear region is referred to as a second leg 55.[Structure of door]

[0069] The cooking appliance may include a door 30 configured to selectively open and close the cooking chamber 10a and provided to be pivotable. As an example, the door 30 may be provided in a pull-down manner in which an upper portion thereof pivots upward and downward about a lower end to open and close the cooking chamber 10a.

[0070] In addition, a latch 35 may be provided between the main body 10 and the door 30. The latch 35 may be provided to fix the door 30 at a closed position.

[0071] In the present embodiment, the latch 35 is illustrated as being installed on the door 30. The latch 35 installed on the door 30 in this way may be inserted into an inside of the main body 10 by penetrating a latch slot formed to penetrate a front surface of the main body 10 when the door 30 shields the cooking chamber 10a.

[0072] The latch 35 inserted into the inside of the main body 10 in this way may selectively fix the door 30 to the main body 10 by being engaged and coupled with a latch lever installed in the inside of the main body 10.

[0073] By restriction of pivoting of the door 30 with respect to the main body 10 by an operation of the latch 35 in this way, a state in which the cooking chamber 10a is shielded by the door 30 may be substantially maintained. In addition, whether the door 30 is closed may be detected through an operation of sensing whether the latch 35 is engaged with the latch lever, and through this, an operation of the cooking appliance may be controlled such that cooking is not performed while the door 30 is in an open state.

[0074] In addition, the door 30 may be provided with an electromagnetic shielding structure. The electromagnetic shielding structure may be provided inside the door 30 and may include a structure such as a choke for preventing electromagnetic waves in the cooking chamber 10a from leaking to an outside of the cooking appliance through a gap between the cooking chamber 10a and the door 30.[Structure of weight measuring part]

[0075] FIG. 5 is a bottom perspective view illustrating a bottom surface of the cooking appliance shown in FIG. 1, and FIG. 6 is a bottom view illustrating the bottom surface of the cooking appliance shown in FIG. 1. In addition, FIG. 7 is a side view illustrating a lower part of the cooking appliance according to one embodiment of the present disclosure in a separated manner, and FIG. 8 is a front view illustrating the lower part of the cooking appliance according to one embodiment of the present disclosure in a separated manner.

[0076] Referring to FIGS. 5 to 8, the cooking appliance according to the present embodiment may further include a weight measuring part. The weight measuring part is provided to be able to measure a weight of the main body 10. As an example, the weight measuring part may be provided to be able to measure an entire weight of the cooking appliance including the main body 10 and the door 30 and a weight of food accommodated in the cooking chamber 10a.

[0077] The weight measuring part may include at least one weight sensor 110 and 120. The weight measuring part may include a number of the weight sensors 110 and 120 smaller than a number of the legs 50 and 55 provided in the cooking appliance.

[0078] As an example, the cooking appliance may be provided with four legs 50 and 55, and the weight measuring part may include two or three weight sensors 110 and 120. In the present embodiment, the weight measuring part is illustrated as including three weight sensors 110 and 120.

[0079] Each of the weight sensors 110 and 120 is provided to be able to support the main body 10 from below and measure the weight of the main body 10. As an example, each of the weight sensors 110 and 120 may be provided in a form of a four-wire bar-type load cell. Each of the weight sensors 110 and 120 provided in this form may be individually connected to a corresponding one of amplifiers. For example, three amplifiers may be provided such that three weight sensors 110 and 120 are respectively connected to the amplifiers.

[0080] In the present embodiment, the weight measuring part is illustrated as including a first weight sensor 110 and a second weight sensor 120.

[0081] The first weight sensor 110 is provided to be able to support the main body 10 from below and measure the weight of the main body 10. The first weight sensor 110 may be arranged in a front region of the main body 10.

[0082] The second weight sensor 120 is provided to be able to support the main body 10 and measure the weight of the main body 10 at a rear side of the first weight sensor 110. The second weight sensor 120 may be arranged in a rear region of the main body 10 to support the main body 10 from below.

[0083] As an example, the weight measuring part may include a number of the second weight sensors 120 smaller than a number of the first weight sensors 110. That is, a larger number of the weight sensors 110 and 120 may be arranged in a front region of the main body 10 than in a rear region of the main body 10. In the present embodiment, two first weight sensors 110 are illustrated as being arranged in the front region of the main body 10 and one second weight sensor 120 is illustrated as being arranged in the rear region of the main body 10.

[0084] In the front region of the main body 10, a pair of the first weight sensors 110 may be arranged to be spaced apart from each other by a predetermined distance in a lateral direction. For example, one of the pair of the first weight sensors 110 may be arranged at a front left corner of a bottom surface of the main body 10, and the other of the pair of the first weight sensors 110 may be arranged at a front right corner of the bottom surface of the main body 10.

[0085] Each of the first weight sensors 110 may be coupled to the main body 10 by a first bracket 111. Each of the first brackets 111 may be coupled to the bottom surface of the main body 10, and each of the first weight sensors 110 may be coupled to the first bracket 111 and installed on the bottom surface of the main body 10.

[0086] A first spacer 113 may be arranged between the first bracket 111 and the first weight sensor 110. The first spacer 113 may be provided to adjust a distance between the bottom surface of the main body 10 and the first weight sensor 110.

[0087] In a vertical direction, the first weight sensor 110 may be arranged between the bottom surface of the main body 10 and the first leg 50. More specifically, the first weight sensor 110 may be arranged between the first spacer 113 and the first leg 50.

[0088] In the present embodiment, each of the first weight sensors 110 is illustrated as being individually supported by a corresponding one of the first legs 50. Each of the first weight sensors 110 may be supported by the first leg 50 arranged below the first weight sensor 110 and may support the main body 10 from below and measure the weight of the main body 10.

[0089] In a rear region of the main body 10, the second weight sensor 120 may be arranged. In a lateral direction, a pair of the first weight sensors 110 may be arranged to be spaced apart from each other by a predetermined distance, and the second weight sensor 120 may be arranged between the pair of the first weight sensors 110.

[0090] The second weight sensor 120 may be coupled to the main body 10 by a second bracket 121. The second bracket 121 may be coupled to the bottom surface of the main body 10, and the second weight sensor 120 may be coupled to the second bracket 121 and installed on the bottom surface of the main body 10.

[0091] A second spacer 123 may be arranged between the second bracket 121 and the second weight sensor 120. The second spacer 123 may be provided to adjust a distance between the bottom surface of the main body 10 and the second weight sensor 120.

[0092] In a vertical direction, the second weight sensor 120 may be arranged between the bottom surface of the main body 10 and the second leg 55. More specifically, the second weight sensor 120 may be arranged between the second spacer 123 and the second leg 55. The second weight sensor 120 may be supported by the second leg 55 arranged below the second weight sensor 120 and may support the main body 10 from below and measure the weight of the main body 10.

[0093] The second weight sensor 120 may be supported by a larger number of the legs than a number of the legs supporting the first weight sensors 110. That is, in comparison with each of the first weight sensors 110 being individually supported by a corresponding one of the legs, a plurality of the legs may jointly support the second weight sensor 120.

[0094] For example, each of the first weight sensors 110 may be supported by one first leg 50, and the second weight sensor 120 may be supported by two second legs 55.

[0095] For this, a connection support member 130 may be provided in the present embodiment. The connection support member 130 may be provided to be able to connect a plurality of the legs arranged at a rear side of the first weight sensors 110. As an example, the connection support member 130 may be provided to be able to connect two second legs 55.

[0096] According to the present embodiment, two second legs 55 may be arranged to be spaced apart from each other by a predetermined distance in a lateral direction, and the pair of the second legs 55 may be arranged between a pair of the first legs 50 in the lateral direction. That is, a distance between the pair of the second legs 55 may be set to be narrower than a distance between the pair of the first legs 50.

[0097] The connection support member 130 may be formed in a plate shape having a length in the lateral direction longer than a length in the front-rear direction. The pair of the second legs 55 may be connected to the connection support member 130 by being respectively coupled to the connection support member 130 from below the connection support member 130. The connection support member 130 coupled in this way may be supported by a plurality of the legs connected by the connection support member 130, for example, the pair of the second legs 55.

[0098] The second weight sensor 120 may be arranged between the main body 10 and the connection support member 130, more specifically, between the second spacer 123 and the connection support member 130. The second weight sensor 120 arranged in this way may measure the weight of the main body 10 at a lateral center of the rear region.[Operation and effects of cooking appliance]

[0099] Hereinafter, operation and effects of the cooking appliance according to the present embodiment will be described.

[0100] Referring to FIGS. 3 to 8, the weight measuring part including the first weight sensor 110 and the second weight sensor 120 may measure the weight of the cooking appliance and food accommodated therein, and may perform measurement at two points at both sides of the front region and one point of the rear region.

[0101] A result of weight measurement performed through the weight measuring part in this way may be used to provide an automatic cooking function of the cooking appliance.

[0102] As an example, the cooking appliance may obtain an image or a video of food accommodated in the cooking chamber 10a by using the camera 40 and may identify a type and a size of the food by using the image or the video. In addition, the cooking appliance may identify a weight of the food based on a result obtained by the weight measuring part.

[0103] The cooking appliance may identify the type, the size, and the weight of the food by using an image obtained by the camera 40 and weight-related information obtained by the weight measuring part and may set and control a cooking operation of the cooking appliance based on the identified information. For example, the cooking appliance may set a type of the heating part to be operated, heating intensity, and heating time based on the information and may provide the automatic cooking function through this.

[0104] As described above, the door 30 is arranged at a front side of the main body 10. The door 30 may be provided with a latch 35 for fixing the door 30. In addition, the electromagnetic shielding structure for preventing electromagnetic waves in the cooking chamber 10a from leaking to an outside of the cooking appliance through a gap between the cooking chamber 10a and the door 30 may be provided inside the door 30.

[0105] As the door 30 is provided with structures such as the latch 35 and the electromagnetic shielding structure in this way, the weight of the door 30 becomes heavy. Accordingly, a center of gravity of the cooking appliance including the door 30 is inevitably biased toward a front side. In addition, due to a fastening force of the latch 35 that resists opening of the door 30, a force for tilting the cooking appliance forward may be further applied when the door 30 is opened.

[0106] For the above reasons, when the door 30 is opened, the cooking appliance may be tilted forward, and thus a phenomenon in which legs, particularly legs arranged at a rear side of the cooking appliance, are easily lifted may occur. In this case, a weight sensor arranged at a portion where the leg is lifted may fail to properly measure the weight of the cooking appliance, thereby causing a problem in that accuracy of weight measurement of the corresponding weight sensor is degraded.

[0107] In consideration of this, in the present embodiment, the first legs 50 installed in the front region of the main body 10 may be arranged at positions adjacent to both front corners of the main body 10. A lateral distance between the first legs 50 may be set to be greater than a lateral distance between the second legs 55.

[0108] Preferably, each of the first legs 50 may be arranged at a position closest to a front end of the main body 10 and a position closest to a lateral end of the main body 10 within a range in which the first leg 50 may be coupled to the main body 10. That is, the first legs 50 of the present embodiment may be arranged at positions that are as forward as possible on the cooking appliance and as far apart from each other as possible in the lateral direction.

[0109] Each of the first weight sensors 110 arranged between the first legs 50 and the main body 10 arranged in this way may be individually supported by a corresponding one of the first legs 50. That is, as the first legs 50 are arranged to be spaced far apart from each other as described above, the first legs 50 cannot jointly support one first weight sensor 110.

[0110] However, if the first weight sensor 110 is installed only on one of the pair of the first legs 50, weight measurement in the front region of the main body 10 is performed only at a position biased toward one side in the lateral direction, so that weight measurement in the front region of the main body 10 cannot be properly performed.

[0111] Therefore, in the present embodiment, the first weight sensors 110 are individually installed on the respective first legs 50, and accordingly, the number of the first weight sensors 110 corresponding to the number of the first legs 50, for example, two first weight sensors 110, may be arranged in the front region of the main body 10.

[0112] Meanwhile, in the rear region of the cooking appliance in which the second legs 55 and the second weight sensor 120 are arranged, no additional force that tilts the cooking appliance backward is applied. Therefore, in the rear region of the cooking appliance, there is less need to apply a support structure for suppressing the cooking appliance from being tilted backward.

[0113] Accordingly, the pair of the second legs 55 does not need to be spaced far apart from each other like the first legs 50, and thus in the present embodiment, a distance between the pair of the second legs 55 may be set to be much narrower than a distance between the first legs 50.

[0114] As an example, in the lateral direction, the pair of the second legs 55 may be arranged between the pair of the first legs 50. In this case, a lateral distance between the pair of the second legs 55 may be set in a range of about one-third to two-thirds of a lateral distance between the pair of the first legs 50.

[0115] Preferably, the pair of the second legs 55 may be arranged at an approximate lateral center of the rear region of the main body 10. The second legs 55 arranged in this way may stably support the rear region of the cooking appliance.

[0116] Meanwhile, as the second legs 55 are arranged adjacent to each other as described above, the second legs 55 may be sufficiently and effectively connected by the connection support member 130. That is, the connection support member 130 may connect the plurality of the second legs 55 and may be stably supported by the second legs 55. The second weight sensor 120 may be stably supported by the plurality of the second legs 55 by being installed on the connection support member 130.

[0117] As the second weight sensor 120 may be supported by the plurality of the second legs 55 at a lateral center of the rear region of the cooking appliance as described above, there is no need to arrange the second weight sensor 120 in the number corresponding to the number of the second legs 55 in the rear region of the cooking appliance, and only one second weight sensor 120 is sufficient.

[0118] That is, there is no need to install the second weight sensor 120 on each of the second legs 55, and weight measurement in the rear region of the main body 10 may be sufficiently and effectively performed as long as the second weight sensor 120 is installed on the connection support member 130 supported by the plurality of the second legs 55.

[0119] Accordingly, in the rear region of the main body 10, even when a number of the second weight sensors 120 smaller than a number of the second legs 55, for example, only one second weight sensor 120, is arranged, weight measurement for the corresponding region may be sufficiently and effectively performed.

[0120] Through this, the cooking appliance of the present embodiment may reduce the number of the weight sensors required for weight measurement and may provide an effect of reducing a process and a cost required for installation of the weight sensors.[Another example of weight measuring part]

[0121] FIG. 9 is a bottom view illustrating a bottom surface of a cooking appliance according to another embodiment of the present disclosure, and FIG. 10 is a side view illustrating a portion of a lower part of the cooking appliance shown in FIG. 9 in a separated manner.

[0122] Referring to FIGS. 9 and 10, the cooking appliance may be provided with a pair of connection support members 130a. A main difference between the connection support member 130 illustrated in the above-described embodiment and the connection support member 130a of the present embodiment is that the connection support member 130a of the present embodiment connects the first leg 50 and the second leg 55a arranged in the front-rear direction.

[0123] According to the present embodiment, a pair of connection support members 130a may be arranged to be spaced apart from each other by a predetermined distance in a lateral direction, and each of the connection support members 130a may be formed in a plate shape having a length in the front-rear direction longer than a length in the lateral direction. The second legs 55a may be arranged to be spaced apart from each other by a wider distance than the second legs 55 illustrated in the above-described embodiment (see FIG. 6).

[0124] In the present embodiment, a distance between the pair of the first legs 50 and a distance between the pair of the second legs 55a are illustrated as being set to be substantially the same. Accordingly, the pair of the first legs 50 arranged in the front region of the main body 10 and the pair of the second legs 55a arranged behind the first legs 50 may be arranged to form approximately vertices of a rectangle.

[0125] The connection support member 130a arranged at a left side among the pair of the connection support members 130a may connect the first leg 50 and the second leg 55a arranged in the front-rear direction at a left side of the main body 10. The connection support member 130a arranged at a right side among the pair of the connection support members 130a may connect the first leg 50 and the second leg 55a arranged in the front-rear direction at a right side of the main body 10. That is, each of the connection support members 130a may connect two legs 50 and 55a arranged in the front-rear direction and may be supported by the two legs 50 and 55a.

[0126] The weight sensor 150a may be arranged between the connection support member 130a and the main body 10. As a structure and an operation of the weight sensor 150a are similar to those of the weight sensor illustrated in the above-described embodiment, a detailed description of the weight sensor 150a will be omitted here.

[0127] In addition, a spacer 160a may be arranged between the main body 10 and the weight sensor 150a and between the weight sensor 150a and the connection support member 130a. As a structure and an operation of the spacer 160a are similar to those of the spacer illustrated in the above-described embodiment, a detailed description of the spacer 160a will be omitted here.

[0128] According to the present embodiment, the weight sensors 150a may be respectively installed on the respective connection support members 130a. For example, one weight sensor 150a may be arranged at a left side of the main body 10 and one weight sensor 150a may be arranged at a right side of the main body 10, so that a total of two weight sensors 150a may be installed in the cooking appliance.

[0129] As each of the weight sensors 150a may be supported by two legs 50 and 55a, there is no need to arrange the weight sensors 150a in the number corresponding to the number of the legs 50 and 55a arranged in the left region of the main body 10, and only one weight sensor 150a is sufficient. The same applies to a right region of the main body 10.

[0130] Accordingly, in each region of the main body 10 divided in the lateral direction, even when a number of the weight sensors 150a smaller than a number of the legs 50 and 55a, for example, only one weight sensor 150a, is arranged, weight measurement for the corresponding region may be sufficiently and effectively performed. For example, even when only two weight sensors 150a, one in the left region and one in the right region, are arranged in the cooking appliance, weight measurement for the cooking appliance may be sufficiently and effectively performed.

[0131] Through this, the cooking appliance of the present embodiment may more efficiently reduce the number of the weight sensors required for weight measurement and may more effectively reduce a process and a cost required for installation of the weight sensors.

[0132] The embodiments are described above with reference to a number of illustrative embodiments thereof. However, the embodiments are provided as examples, and numerous other modifications and equivalent embodiments can be drawn by one having ordinary skill in the art from the embodiments. Thus, the technical scope of protection of the subject matter of the disclosure is to be defined according to the following claims.[Description of Reference Numerals]

[0133] 10: main body 10a: cooking chamber 10b: electronics compartment 11: cavity 13: front panel 15: upper panel 21: grill heater 23: convection device 25: magnetron 30: door 35: latch 40: camera 50: first leg 55, 55a: second leg 110: first weight sensor 111: first bracket 113: first spacer 120: second weight sensor 121: second bracket 123: second spacer 130, 130a: connection support member 150a: weight sensor 160a: spacer

Claims

1. A cooking appliance comprising: main body forming a cooking chamber therein; a weight measuring part measuring a weight of the main body; and a plurality of legs supporting the main body from below, wherein the weight measuring part includes at least one weight sensor supporting the main body from below and measuring the weight of the main body, the weight measuring part including a number of the weight sensors smaller than a number of the legs.

2. The cooking appliance according to claim 1, wherein the weight measuring part includes a first weight sensor supporting the main body from below and measuring the weight of the main body, and a second weight sensor supporting the main body at a rear side of the first weight sensor and measuring the weight of the main body.

3. The cooking appliance according to claim 2, further comprising: a door opening and closing the cooking chamber from a front side of the main body, wherein the first weight sensor is arranged between the door and the second weight sensor.

4. The cooking appliance according to claim 2, wherein the weight measuring part includes a number of the second weight sensors smaller than a number of the first weight sensors.

5. The cooking appliance according to claim 2, wherein, in a lateral direction, a pair of the first weight sensors is arranged to be spaced apart from each other by a predetermined distance, and one of the second weight sensors is arranged between the pair of the first weight sensors.

6. The cooking appliance according to claim 2, wherein, in a vertical direction, the first weight sensor and the second weight sensor are arranged between the main body and the legs.

7. The cooking appliance according to claim 6, wherein the first weight sensor is supported by the legs, and the second weight sensor is supported by a number of the legs greater than a number of the legs supporting the first weight sensor.

8. The cooking appliance according to claim 6, further comprising: a connection support member connecting a plurality of the legs arranged at a rear side of the first weight sensor, wherein the connection support member is supported by the plurality of the legs connected by the connection support member, and the second weight sensor is arranged between the main body and the connection support member and supported by the connection support member.

9. The cooking appliance according to claim 1, further comprising: a connection support member connecting a plurality of the legs arranged to be spaced apart from each other in a front-rear direction, wherein the connection support member is supported by the plurality of the legs connected by the connection support member, and the weight sensor is arranged between the main body and the connection support member and supported by the connection support member.

10. The cooking appliance according to claim 9, wherein a plurality of the connection support members is arranged to be spaced apart from each other in a lateral direction, and each of the connection support members individually supports a corresponding one of the weight sensors.

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