Home appliances

Abstract

This specification relates to working coils and home appliances including working coils. A home appliance according to one embodiment may include: a first working coil connected to an inverter and positioned to correspond to a first heating region; a second working coil connected in series with the first working coil and positioned to correspond to a second heating region; a third working coil connected in series with the first working coil and in parallel with the second working coil and positioned to correspond to a third heating region; a first relay connected between the second working coil and the ground terminal; a second relay connected between the third working coil and the ground terminal; and a controller that senses a container in the first heating region, the second heating region, and the third heating region, and controls the open / closed state of the first relay and the second relay according to the sensing result of the container.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present specification relates to home electric appliances, and more particularly, to a working coil and a home electric apparatus (home electric device; home electric appliance) including the working coil.

Background Art

[0002] In recent years, various home electric appliances have been used to make human life more convenient. Examples of home electric appliances include cooking appliances, refrigerators, washing machines, clothes dryers, clothes management machines, water purifiers, and the like.

[0003] A cooking appliance is one type of home electric appliance, which is installed in a kitchen space as a home electric appliance for cooking food, and is an appliance that cooks food according to a user's intention. Cooking appliances can be classified in various ways depending on the heat source or form used, and the type of fuel.

[0004] When cooking appliances are classified according to the manner of cooking food, they can be divided into open-type and closed-type cooking appliances according to the form of the space where food is placed. The closed-type cooking appliances include ovens, microwave ovens and the like, and the open-type cooking appliances include cooktops, hobs and the like.

[0005] Among open-type cooking appliances, a cooktop is provided so as to be able to heat food contained in a cooking container through at least one or more burners. The cooktop may be provided in a form having a burner using electricity, or may be provided in a form having a burner using gas. Further, the cooktop can not only be implemented alone, but also can be implemented in the form of an oven range including an oven under the cooktop.

[0006] An example of a cooktop equipped with an electric burner is an induction heating device. An induction heating device is a cooking appliance that performs cooking functions using the induction heating method. In an induction heating device, when an electric current is applied to the working coil, eddy currents are generated in the cooking container, which is made of magnetic material. The heating element acts as a resistance to these eddy currents, and food may be cooked in the heated cooking container.

[0007] Induction heating devices do not require gas combustion and do not generate combustion exhaust gases. Furthermore, because induction heating devices generate heat directly within the container itself, they minimize the process of heat transfer through radiation and conduction, allowing for rapid heating of food.

[0008] Typically, induction heating devices have a marking on the top plate of the working coil indicating where the cooking container should be placed. The cooking container is then heated by the working coil while it is placed in this marked area.

[0009] The induction heating device may be provided with one or more working coils and a circuit board. The working coil plays the role of transmitting electromagnetic force to the cooking container. The working coil may typically be formed in the form of a wire wound in a spiral. The circuit board can play the role of circuit-controlling the supply of induced current to the working coil.

[0010] In recent years, working coils with a coil pattern formed on a circuit board are sometimes used instead of working coils made by winding wires in a spiral shape.

[0011] Of the costs and time required to manufacture an induction heating device, the costs and time invested in the production of the working coil account for a significant portion. This includes the cost of the wire, and the considerable cost and time required to wind the wire.

[0012] Instead of winding wires to form a working coil, forming a coil-shaped pattern on a circuit board can reduce the cost and time spent on manufacturing the working coil.

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

[0014] When forming a working coil on a circuit board by creating a coil-shaped pattern, the limited area of ​​the circuit board necessitates that the coil pattern be concentrated in a small area of ​​the board. As a result, a large amount of heat is applied to the circuit board where the working coil is formed, which can lead to an excessive rise in the circuit board's temperature.

[0015] On the other hand, in recent years, induction heating devices have been developed that automatically recognize the size and position of a cooking container, even if it is not placed in a specific location, and perform heating in a manner appropriate to it. For heating in induction heating devices to be more effective, the number of working coils in the induction heating device needs to be increased.

[0016] Therefore, in induction heating devices of the type described above, it is difficult to apply a coil-patterned working coil due to the problem of temperature rise caused by the concentration of coil patterns. [Overview of the Initiative] [Problems that the invention aims to solve]

[0017] The objective of this specification is to provide a working coil and a home appliance including a working coil, with an improved structure to suppress temperature rise.

[0018] Furthermore, an objective of this specification is to provide a working coil and a home appliance including a working coil, with an improved structure that allows for increased density of the area occupied by the working coil within the cooktop.

[0019] Furthermore, an objective of this specification is to provide a working coil and a home appliance including a working coil, which have an improved structure that allows the working coils to be arranged more densely while suppressing the temperature rise of the working coils.

[0020] Furthermore, an objective of this specification is to provide a working coil and a home appliance including a working coil, in which the structure is improved so that the density of the area occupied by the working coil within the cooktop is increased and the loss of the raw material used in the manufacture of the coil substrate is reduced.

[0021] Furthermore, an objective of this specification is to provide a working coil and a home appliance including a working coil, with an improved structure that simplifies the connection structure between the working coil and the electrical components.

[0022] Furthermore, an object of this specification is to provide a working coil and a home appliance including a working coil with an improved structure that can suppress the reduction in the pattern cross-sectional area per turn of the working coil due to foil loss that occurs during the coil pattern formation process.

[0023] Furthermore, an objective of this specification is to provide a working coil and home appliances including a working coil that reduce the proximity effect and skin effect of the coil strands contained in the working coil, thereby enabling a more uniform current distribution and magnetic flux density distribution of the working coil.

[0024] Furthermore, the purpose of this specification is to reduce power loss that occurs during the operation of home appliances and to improve power efficiency.

[0025] Furthermore, an object of the present specification is to ameliorate the phenomenon in which the temperature of a specific region of a working coil becomes excessively higher than the temperature of other regions during the driving process of a household electrical appliance.

[0026] The object of the present invention is not limited to the objects mentioned above, and other objects and advantages of the present specification not mentioned can be more clearly understood through the examples of the present specification described below. In addition, the objects and advantages of the present specification can be realized by the constituent elements and combinations thereof described in the claims. [Means for Solving the Problems]

[0027] A household electrical appliance according to an embodiment may include a rectifier circuit that rectifies and outputs an input voltage, a DC link capacitor that smoothes the voltage output from the rectifier circuit, an inverter that outputs an alternating current using the voltage smoothed by the DC link capacitor, a first working coil connected to the inverter and disposed at a position corresponding to the 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 detects a cookware for the first heating region, the second heating region and the third heating region, and controls the open / closed states of the first relay and the second relay according to the detection result of the cookware.

[0028] In one embodiment, when it is determined that cookware is present in the first heating region and the second heating region, the controller may perform control to close the first relay and perform control to open the second relay.

[0029] In one embodiment, when it is determined that a container is present in the first heating region and the third heating region, the controller may perform control such that the second relay is closed and the first relay is opened.

[0030] In one embodiment, when it is determined that a container is present in the first heating region, the second heating region, and the third heating region, the controller may perform control such that the first relay and the second relay are closed.

[0031] In one embodiment, the first heating region may be disposed between the second heating region and the third heating region.

[0032] A household electrical appliance according to one embodiment may include: a rectifier circuit that rectifies and outputs an input voltage; a first DC link capacitor that smoothes the voltage output from the rectifier circuit; a first inverter that outputs an alternating current using the voltage smoothed by the first DC link capacitor; a second DC link capacitor that smoothes the voltage output from the rectifier circuit; a second inverter that outputs an alternating current using the voltage smoothed by the second DC link capacitor; a second working coil connected to the first inverter and disposed at a position corresponding to the second heating region; a first working coil connected in series with the second working coil and disposed at a position corresponding to the first heating region; a third working coil connected to the second inverter and disposed at a position corresponding to the third heating region; a fourth working coil connected in series with the third working coil and disposed at a position corresponding to the fourth heating region; a first relay connected between a connection node of the first working coil and the second working coil and a connection node of the third working coil and the fourth working coil; a second relay connected between the first working coil and a ground terminal; a third relay connected between the fourth working coil and the ground terminal; and a controller that detects a container for the first heating region, the second heating region, the third heating region, and the fourth heating region, and controls the open / closed states of the first relay, the second relay, and the third relay in accordance with the container detection result.

[0033] In one embodiment, when the controller determines that a container is present in the first heating region and the second heating region, it can control the second relay to close and the first relay and the third relay to open.

[0034] In one embodiment, when the controller determines that a container is present in the second heating region and the third heating region, it can control the first relay to close and the second and third relays to open.

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

[0036] 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, it can control the first relay and the second relay to close and the third relay to open.

[0037] 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, it can control the first relay and the third relay to close and the second relay to open.

[0038] 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, it can control the second relay and the third relay to close and the first relay to open.

[0039] In one embodiment, the second heating region may be located between the first heating region and the second heating region.

[0040] In one embodiment, the third heating region may be located between the second heating region and the fourth heating region.

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

[0042] In one embodiment, the home appliance may further include a sixth working coil connected to the first inverter and positioned to correspond to the sixth heating region, a fifth working coil connected in series with the sixth working coil and positioned to correspond to the fifth heating region, a seventh working coil connected to the second inverter and positioned to correspond to the seventh heating region, an eighth working coil connected in series with the seventh working coil and positioned to correspond to the eighth heating region, a fourth relay connected between the connection node of the fifth working coil and the sixth working coil and the connection node of the seventh working coil and the eighth working coil, a fifth relay connected between the fifth working coil and the ground terminal, and a sixth relay connected between the eighth working coil and the ground terminal.

[0043] In one embodiment, the controller senses the containers in the first heating region, second heating region, third heating region, fourth heating region, fifth heating region, sixth heating region, seventh heating region, and eighth heating region, and can control the opening and closing states of the first relay, second relay, third relay, fourth relay, fifth relay, and sixth relay according to the container sensing result.

[0044] In one embodiment, 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, it can control the second relay and the fifth relay to close, and the first relay, the third relay, the fourth relay, and the sixth relay to open.

[0045] In one embodiment, 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, it can control the first relay and the fourth relay to close, and the second relay, the third relay, the fifth relay, and the sixth relay to open.

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

[0047] 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, the fifth heating region, the sixth heating region, and the seventh heating region, it can control the first relay, the second relay, the fourth relay, and the fifth relay to close, and the third relay and the sixth relay to open.

[0048] In one embodiment, 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, it can control the first relay, the third relay, the fourth relay, and the sixth relay to close, and the second relay and the fifth relay to open.

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

[0050] In one embodiment, the sixth heating region may be located between the fifth heating region and the seventh heating region.

[0051] In one embodiment, the seventh heating region may be located between the sixth heating region and the eighth heating region.

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

[0053] In one embodiment, the first heating region may be arranged adjacent to the fifth heating region.

[0054] In one embodiment, the second heating region may be arranged adjacent to the sixth heating region.

[0055] In one embodiment, the third heating region may be located adjacent to the seventh heating region.

[0056] In one embodiment, the fourth heating region may be located adjacent to the eighth heating region.

[0057] In one embodiment, the home appliance may further include: a third DC link capacitor that smooths the voltage output from the rectifier circuit; a third inverter that outputs an AC current using the voltage smoothed by the third DC link capacitor; a ninth working coil connected to the third inverter and positioned to correspond to a ninth heating region; a tenth working coil connected in series with the ninth working coil and positioned to correspond to a tenth heating region; an eleventh working coil connected in series with the ninth working coil and in parallel with the tenth working coil and positioned to correspond to an eleventh heating region; a seventh relay connected between the tenth working coil and the ground terminal; and an eighth relay connected between the eleventh working coil and the ground terminal.

[0058] In one embodiment, the controller senses the containers in the first heating region, second heating region, third heating region, fourth heating region, fifth heating region, sixth heating region, seventh heating region, eighth heating region, ninth heating region, tenth heating region, and eleventh heating region, and can control the opening and closing states of the first relay, second relay, third relay, fourth relay, fifth relay, sixth relay, seventh relay, and eighth relay according to the container sensing result.

[0059] In one embodiment, when the controller determines that a container is present in the fifth heating region, the sixth heating region, the ninth heating region, and the tenth heating region, it can control the second relay and the seventh relay to close, and the first relay, the third relay, the fourth relay, the fifth relay, the sixth relay, and the eighth relay to open.

[0060] In one embodiment, when the controller determines that a container is present in the sixth heating region, the seventh heating region, the ninth heating region, and the eleventh heating region, it can control the first relay and the eighth relay to close, and the second relay, the third relay, the fourth relay, the fifth relay, the sixth relay, and the seventh relay to open.

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

[0062] In one embodiment, the ninth heating region may be located between the tenth heating region and the eleventh heating region.

[0063] In one embodiment, the sixth heating region may be arranged adjacent to the ninth heating region.

[0064] In one embodiment, the fifth heating region may be located adjacent to the tenth heating region.

[0065] In one embodiment, the seventh heating region may be arranged adjacent to the eleventh heating region. [Effects of the Invention]

[0066] According to the embodiment, a pattern coil-shaped working coil is formed as a result of connecting multiple coil patterns stacked in the vertical direction in the vertical direction. By increasing the length of the working coil in the vertical direction, the pattern cross-sectional area per turn of the working coil can be effectively increased.

[0067] According to the embodiment, the temperature rise of the working coil can be effectively suppressed by suppressing the increase in the lateral size of the working coil and increasing the pattern cross-sectional area per turn of the working coil.

[0068] According to the embodiment, by forming the outer shape of the working coil, which is polygonal in shape similar to the outer shape of the cooktop, in a polygonal shape similar to the outer shape of the coil module, the density of the area occupied by the working coil within the cooktop can be effectively improved.

[0069] According to the embodiment, the heating efficiency of home appliances can be improved by increasing the area of ​​the container in contact with the working coil.

[0070] According to the embodiment, a working coil is formed as a result of connecting multiple coil wires stacked in the vertical direction in the vertical direction, and a lateral twist structure and a vertical twist structure are formed in the working coil, thereby increasing the pattern cross-sectional area per turn of the working coil while minimizing the increase in the lateral size of the working coil.

[0071] According to the embodiment, by reducing the size of the working coil while lowering the current density flowing through it, it is possible to arrange the working coils more densely compared to a cooktop of the same specifications, and to maintain maximum output for a longer period of time compared to a cooktop of the same specifications.

[0072] According to the embodiment, by utilizing small, densely arranged working coils, it is possible to provide not only improved heating efficiency but also higher output over a longer period of time.

[0073] According to the embodiment, by having the coil assembly composed of a combination of multiple coil modules, it is possible to reduce the loss of raw materials used in the manufacture of the coil modules, as well as to effectively secure the space necessary for the placement of the control panel on the cooktop.

[0074] According to the embodiment, the wiring for connecting the working coil and sensing coil to the terminal section is formed in a patterned form on the coil module itself, and the connection between the working coil and sensing coil and the electrical section is made solely by connecting the terminal section to the electrical section. This makes it possible to form a very simple connection structure between the working coil and sensing coil and the electrical section.

[0075] According to the embodiment, not only can the connection work between the coil assembly and the electrical unit be performed easily and quickly, but the internal storage space of the cooktop housing the coil assembly and electrical unit can be kept from becoming complicated by numerous wires.

[0076] According to the examples, the proximity effect and skin effect of the coil strands included in the working coil are reduced, which can lead to a more uniform current distribution and magnetic flux density distribution in the working coil.

[0077] According to the example, power loss generated during the operation of home appliances is reduced, and power efficiency is improved.

[0078] According to the embodiment, the phenomenon in which the temperature of a specific region of the working coil becomes excessively high compared to the temperature of other regions during the operation process of home appliances can be improved. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0079] [Figure 1] This is a perspective view showing a home appliance according to one embodiment. [Figure 2] This is a plan view showing the cooktop shown in Figure 1, separated from the main body. [Figure 3] This figure shows the illumination status of the indicator lights on the cooktop shown in Figure 2. [Figure 4] Figure 2 is an exploded perspective view showing the disassembled state of the cooktop. [Figure 5] This figure shows the state in which electrical components are installed on the bottom surface of the supporter shown in Figure 4. [Figure 6] Figure 4 is a schematic plan view showing the configuration of the coil assembly. [Figure 7] Figure 6 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing the stacked structure of the coil module. [Figure 8] This is a plan view showing a first example of the arrangement structure of the first coil module and the second coil module. [Figure 9] This diagram schematically shows an example of the cutting state of the raw material for forming the first coil substrate. [Figure 10] This is a plan view showing a second example of the arrangement structure of the first coil module and the second coil module. [Figure 11] Figure 8 is a plan view showing another example of the arrangement structure of the first and second coil modules. [Figure 12] Figure 10 is a plan view showing another example of the arrangement structure of the first and second coil modules. [Figure 13] This is a plan view showing a third example of the arrangement structure of the first coil module and the second coil module. [Figure 14] This is a plan view showing a fourth example of the arrangement structure of the first coil module and the second coil module. [Figure 15] This is a plan view showing a fifth example of the arrangement structure of the first coil module and the second coil module. [Figure 16] This is a plan view showing a sixth example of the arrangement structure of the first coil module and the second coil module. [Figure 17] This is a plan view showing an example of the first coil substrate according to one embodiment. [Figure 18] This is an enlarged view showing a portion of the first coil substrate shown in Figure 17. [Figure 19] Figure 18 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing the laminated structure of the first coil section. [Figure 20] This is a plan view showing an example of the arrangement structure of a sensing coil. [Figure 21] This is an enlarged view of the "21" section of Figure 20, illustrating an example of the arrangement structure of the sensing coil relative to the working coil. [Figure 22] This is an enlarged view of Terminal 1 shown in Figure 18. [Figure 23] This is an enlarged view of Terminal 2 shown in Figure 18. [Figure 24] This is a plan view showing the seventh example of the arrangement structure of the first coil module and the second coil module. [Figure 25]This is a plan view showing the structure of a coil module according to the first embodiment. [Figure 26] This is a circuit diagram of a home appliance including a coil module according to the first embodiment. [Figure 27] This is a plan view showing the structure of a coil module according to the second embodiment. [Figure 28] This is a circuit diagram of a home appliance including a coil module according to the second embodiment. [Figure 29] This is a plan view showing the structure of a coil module according to the third embodiment. [Figure 30] This is a circuit diagram of a home appliance including a coil module according to the third embodiment. [Figure 31] This is a plan view showing the structure of a coil module according to the fourth embodiment. [Figure 32] This is a circuit diagram of a home appliance including a coil module according to the fourth embodiment. [Figure 33] This is a plan view showing the structure of a coil module according to the fifth embodiment. [Figure 34] This is a circuit diagram of a home appliance including a coil module according to the fifth embodiment. [Figure 35] This is a circuit diagram of a sensing circuit according to one embodiment. [Figure 36] This figure shows the waveform of the resonant signal output from the output node of a sensing circuit according to one embodiment. [Figure 37] This figure shows the waveform of a rectangular wave output from a comparator in a sensing circuit according to one embodiment. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0080] The aforementioned objectives, features, and advantages will be described in detail below with reference to the attached drawings, so that a person with ordinary skill in the art to which the present invention pertains can easily implement the technical concept of the present invention. In describing the present invention, if a specific description of known technology according to the present invention is deemed to obscure the gist of the present invention, then such detailed description will be omitted. Hereafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the attached drawings. The same reference numerals in the drawings are used to indicate the same or similar components.

[0081] Although terms such as "first," "second," etc., are used to indicate various components, these components are not limited by these terms. These terms are simply used to distinguish one component from another, and unless otherwise specified, the first component may also be the second component.

[0082] The present invention is not limited to the embodiments disclosed below, and can be modified in various ways and embodied in various forms that differ from one another. However, these embodiments are provided to complete the disclosure of the present invention and to fully inform those in the ordinary skill of the scope of the invention. Therefore, it should be understood that the present invention is not limited to the embodiments disclosed below, and includes any modifications, equivalents or substitutes that fall within the technical spirit and scope of the present invention, as well as the substitution or addition of configurations from one embodiment to another.

[0083] The accompanying drawings are provided to facilitate understanding of the embodiments disclosed herein and should be understood not to limit the technical concept disclosed herein, but rather to include any modifications, equivalents, or substitutions that fall within the concept and technical scope of the present invention. Components in the drawings may be exaggerated in size or thickness for ease of understanding, but this should not be interpreted as restricting the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0084] The terms used herein are used solely to describe specific examples or embodiments and are not intended to limit the invention. Furthermore, singular expressions include plural expressions unless otherwise clearly indicated in the context. Terms such as "includes" and "contains" in the specification are intended to indicate the existence of features, figures, stages, operations, components, parts, or combinations thereof described herein. That is, terms such as "includes" and "contains" in the specification should not be understood as preemptively excluding the existence or possibility of adding one or more other features, figures, stages, operations, components, parts, or combinations thereof.

[0085] Terms including ordinal numbers, such as "1st," "2nd," etc., are used to describe various components, but the components themselves are not limited by these terms. These terms are used solely to distinguish one component from others.

[0086] When it is mentioned that one component is "linked" or "connected" to another component, it must be understood that it may be directly linked to or connected to the other component, but that other components may exist in between. On the other hand, when it is mentioned that one component is "directly linked" or "directly connected" to another component, it must be understood that there are no other components in between.

[0087] When one component is described as being "above" or "below" another component, it must be understood that it is not only positioned directly above the other component, but that other components may exist between them.

[0088] Unless otherwise defined, technical or scientific terms are used herein, and all terms used herein have the same meaning as those generally understood by a person of ordinary skill in the art to which this invention pertains. Terms similar to those defined in commonly used dictionaries should be interpreted as having the meaning consistent with their meaning in the context of the relevant art, and not as ideal or overly formal unless explicitly defined herein.

[0089] With the appliance placed on the floor, the direction in which the door is installed is defined as the front, relative to the center of the appliance. Therefore, the direction in which one enters the interior of the appliance by opening the door is the rear. The horizontal direction perpendicular to the front-to-back direction of the appliance, that is, the width direction of the appliance when viewed from in front of the door, can be called the left-to-right direction.

[0090] For convenience, we can refer to the left-right direction as the first direction. Then, the right side can be said to be one side of the first direction, and the left side can be said to be the other side of the first direction.

[0091] Furthermore, the width direction of the aforementioned home appliance can also be called the lateral direction. In that case, the right side can be called one lateral side, and the left side can be called the other lateral side.

[0092] Furthermore, the direction of gravity can be defined as downward, and the direction opposite to the direction of gravity can be defined as upward.

[0093] For convenience, we can refer to the directions facing forward and backward as the second direction. Then, forward can be said to be one of the second directions, and backward to be the other of the second directions.

[0094] Furthermore, the vertical direction mentioned above can be called the third direction. In that case, upward can be said to be one of the third directions, and downward can be said to be the other of the third directions.

[0095] Furthermore, the up-and-down direction mentioned above can be called the vertical direction. Then, the front-to-back direction and the left-to-right direction, that is, the first and second directions, can be included and called the horizontal direction.

[0096] Throughout the specification, "A and / or B" means A, B, or A and B unless otherwise specified, and "C to D" means C or greater and D or less unless otherwise specified.

[0097] [General structure of home appliances] Figure 1 is a perspective view showing a home appliance according to one embodiment, Figure 2 is a plan view showing the cooktop shown in Figure 1 separated, and Figure 3 is a diagram showing the illumination state of the indicator light on the cooktop shown in Figure 2.

[0098] Referring to Figures 1 to 3, the home appliance according to one embodiment may include a cooktop 100. Furthermore, the home appliance according to one embodiment may further include an oven section 10. In the embodiments shown in Figures 1 to 3, the home appliance is exemplified as a microwave oven.

[0099] An appliance according to one embodiment provided in the form of a microwave oven can provide both the function of an oven, which is a sealed appliance, and the function of a cooktop, which is an open appliance. The appliance may include an oven section 10 and a cooktop 100.

[0100] A cooking chamber may be formed inside the oven section 10. Food may be cooked in the oven section while the inside of the cooking chamber is heated.

[0101] The oven section 10 may be provided with a heating section for heating the cooking chamber. The heating section may be provided as a heating device that uses gas fuel, or as a heater that uses electricity.

[0102] The appliance may be provided with a rotatable door 11 that selectively opens and closes the cooking compartment. For example, the door may be provided in a pull-down manner in which the upper end rotates up and down around the lower end to open and close the cooking compartment.

[0103] A control panel 13 (hereinafter referred to as the "main control panel") may be provided at the top of the front of the home appliance. The main control panel 13 can form part of the front appearance of the home appliance. The main control panel 13 may be equipped with various switches for adjusting the operation of the home appliance and a display for showing the operating status of the home appliance.

[0104] A cooktop 100 may be positioned above the oven section 10. The cooktop is provided to allow heating of food or a container of food placed on top of the cooktop 100.

[0105] [Overall structure of the cooktop] Figure 4 is an exploded perspective view showing the disassembled state of the cooktop shown in Figure 2, and Figure 5 shows the state in which electrical components are installed on the bottom surface of the supporter shown in Figure 4.

[0106] Referring to Figures 1 to 5, the cooktop 100 may include a case 110 and a top plate 120. In one embodiment, the appearance of the cooktop 100 may be formed by the case 110 and the top plate 120. The case 110 is positioned below the top plate 120 and can form the front, back, sides, and bottom of the cooktop. The top plate 120 is positioned at the upper end of the cooktop 100 and can form the appearance of the top surface of the cooktop 100.

[0107] A storage space may be formed inside the case 110. The storage space formed inside the case 110 can be opened upwards. For example, the case 110 may be formed in a hexahedral shape with the top open. Various internal components that make up the cooktop 100 can be stored in the storage space enclosed by the top plate 120 and the case 110.

[0108] In one embodiment, the case 110 may include a bottom portion 111. The bottom portion 111 forms the bottom surface of the case 110 and can define the lower boundary surface of the housing space. The bottom portion 111 is positioned below the top plate 120 and can form a plane parallel to the top plate 120.

[0109] Furthermore, the case 110 may include side walls 113. The side walls 113 can form the front, back, and both sides of the case 110, and may be formed as vertical walls extending upward from the frame of the bottom 111. The side walls 113 can define the lateral boundary surface of the storage space.

[0110] Furthermore, the cooktop 100 may be equipped with a heating section for heating the food to be cooked or the container in which the food is placed. The heating section may be equipped with at least one burner. For example, the burner may be provided in a form that includes an electric working coil or a heating wire coil.

[0111] In this embodiment, the cooktop 100 is 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 operates on an alternating current provided by an inverter and can generate a magnetic field. The magnetic field generated by the burner including the working coil can generate eddy currents in the container. The container may be heated by the eddy currents, and the food contained in the container may be heated as a result of the heating of the container.

[0112] A cooktop 100 according to one embodiment may include a control panel 130. The control panel 130 may be located on the top plate 120. The control panel 130 may include an operating section with various switches for adjusting the operation of the cooktop 100, and a display for showing the operating status of the cooktop 100.

[0113] The cooktop 100 may be provided with multiple indicator lights (L). The indicator lights (L) may be displayed on the top plate 120 of the cooktop. The indicator lights (L) can display information such as the presence or absence of a container, its location, heating status, and temperature.

[0114] A cooktop 100 according to one embodiment may include a coil assembly 1000. The coil assembly 1000 is provided to constitute the heating section of the cooktop 100 and may be located in a housing space inside the cooktop 100.

[0115] Furthermore, the cooktop 100 may include a supporter 150. The supporter 150 may be positioned below the top plate 120. The supporter 150 may be positioned in the space enclosed by the top plate 120 and the case 110, i.e., the storage space.

[0116] The supporter 150 can form a framework inside the cooktop 100 to support various internal components that make up the cooktop. For example, the supporter 150 may be formed in a hexahedral shape with the bottom open. For instance, the supporter 150 may be formed in a shape that is roughly the same as the case 110 but upside down, although it may be slightly smaller than the case 110.

[0117] In one embodiment, the storage space may be formed inside the supporter 150, or it may be formed as a space enclosed by the bottom 111 of the case 110 and the supporter 150. That is, the various internal components constituting the cooktop 100 may be housed inside the supporter 150.

[0118] In one embodiment, the supporter 150 can also provide a coil base function. That is, a ferrite core 160 may be installed on the supporter 150, and the coil assembly 1000 may be installed on the upper side of the supporter 150 on which the ferrite core 160 is installed.

[0119] As an example, the ferrite core 160 may be formed by a combination of a plurality of ferrite modules 161 provided separately. That is, the ferrite core 160 may be provided in a structure that can be separated into a plurality of ferrite modules 161.

[0120] In this embodiment, it is illustrated that each ferrite module 161 is provided so that it can be coupled to a supporter 150. Therefore, the supporter 150 may have a structure formed thereon for mating and coupling with the ferrite modules 161. Each ferrite module 161 may be coupled to the supporter 150 by mating and coupling to this structure.

[0121] Each ferrite module 161 contains ferrite capable of forming a magnetic field around the ferrite module 161. For example, each ferrite module 161 may be provided in a form in which the ferrite is insert-extruded.

[0122] As described above, the ferrite core 160 formed by a combination of multiple ferrite modules 161 can reduce the amount of work required to install the ferrite core 160 inside the cooktop 100. Furthermore, the ferrite core 160 has the advantage that if a part of the ferrite core 160 is damaged, it can be repaired by replacing the ferrite module 161 in that part.

[0123] Each indicator light (L) can be realized by a lighting module 180, which is provided to emit light toward the light display area of ​​the top plate 120. For example, an indicator light (L) can be realized by the light that the lighting module 180 irradiates toward the light display area of ​​the top plate 120.

[0124] In this embodiment, the light display area is defined as the area in which the light emitted from the lighting module 180 is visible from the outside via the top plate 120, that is, the area in which the light emitted from the lighting module 180 illuminates the top plate 120, and is defined as a predetermined part of the entire area of ​​the top plate 120.

[0125] For example, the light display area may be a virtual area designated as the part of the top plate 120 that is illuminated by light emitted from the lighting module 180. In this case, the light display area is not a part that is conspicuously displayed on the top plate 120 by methods such as applying a separate surface treatment to the surface of the top plate 120, but simply corresponds to a virtual area.

[0126] As another example, the illuminated display area may be an area that is conspicuously displayed on the top plate 120 by applying a separate surface treatment to the surface of the top plate 120.

[0127] The lighting module 180 may include a light source. For example, an LED may be used as the light source, but the types of light sources that can be used are not limited to LEDs.

[0128] The lighting module 180 may contain multiple light sources, and each lighting module 180 may have multiple light sources arranged at predetermined intervals in the front-to-back direction. For example, the lighting module 180 may be provided in a form in which multiple light sources are mounted on a PCB-like PCB. The number of light sources in each lighting module 180 and the length of the PCB in the front-to-back direction may be appropriately set according to the size and intensity of the lighting to be realized by the lighting module 180.

[0129] Furthermore, multiple lighting modules 180 may be arranged on the cooktop, and these multiple lighting modules 180 may be spaced apart laterally at predetermined intervals. The number of lighting modules 180 and the spacing between them may be appropriately set considering the size and number of working coils, the spacing between working coils, etc.

[0130] At least a portion of the lighting module 180 may be positioned between the supporter 150 and the bottom 111. For example, the lighting module 180 may be positioned in the housing space. More specifically, the lighting module 180 may be positioned in the space enclosed by the bottom 111 of the case 110 and the supporter 150.

[0131] Various electrical components may be installed inside the cooktop 100, i.e., in the storage space. For example, the internal space of the cooktop 100 may contain a main PCB 171, a switching mode power supply (SMPS), an inverter PCB, a resonant PCB, an EMI filter, a fan 176, and the like.

[0132] Hereinafter, the aforementioned electrical components will be collectively referred to as the electrical unit 170. The electrical unit 170 may include at least one of a power supply processing unit and a coil control unit. The power supply processing unit is provided to supply power to the coil assembly 1000, and may include a switching mode power supply unit (SMPS) 162 and a noise filter (EMI filter) 165. The coil control unit is provided to control the operation of the coil assembly 1000, and may include an inverter PCB 174 and the like.

[0133] [General structure of the coil assembly] Figure 6 is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of the coil assembly shown in Figure 4, and Figure 7 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing the stacked structure of the coil module shown in Figure 6.

[0134] Referring to Figures 4 and 6, the coil assembly 1000 may include a plurality of working coils (WCs) arranged laterally. For example, in the coil assembly 1000, the plurality of working coils (WCs) may be arranged along a first direction, i.e., the lateral direction, and the plurality of working coils (WCs) may also be arranged in a second direction, i.e., the front-to-back direction.

[0135] The coil assembly 1000 may include at least one coil module 1001, 1003. In this embodiment, the coil assembly 1000 is exemplified as including a plurality of coil modules 1001, 1003.

[0136] For example, the coil assembly 1000 may include a plurality of coil modules 1001, 1003 arranged in the lateral direction. For instance, the coil assembly 1000 may include a plurality of coil modules 1001, 1003 arranged in a first direction.

[0137] Each coil module 1001, 1003 may have multiple working coils (WCs) arranged laterally, as shown in Figures 6 and 7. Each working coil (WC) may be provided in the form of a spiral coil formed as a pattern on a printed circuit board. That is, the working coil 142 may be provided as a pattern formed on the coil modules 1001, 1003.

[0138] Each coil module 1001, 1003 may include a coil substrate laminate 1010. The coil substrate laminate 1010 may include a plurality of first coil substrate sections 1100 stacked in the vertical direction (or vertical direction).

[0139] Each first coil substrate portion 1100 may include a first coil portion 1120. For example, the first coil portion 1120 may be formed as a result of patterning a metal foil laminated on the surface of the first coil substrate portion 1100 into a spiral coil shape.

[0140] In one embodiment, multiple first coil substrates 1100 are stacked vertically to form a single coil module 1001, 1003, thereby stacking multiple first coils 1120 vertically. The multiple first coils 1120 stacked vertically can then be connected to each other vertically to form a single working coil (WC).

[0141] Furthermore, each first coil substrate portion 1100 may have multiple first coil portions 1120 arranged in one direction (for example, laterally), so that the coil modules 1001 and 1003 may include multiple working coils (WC) arranged in the laterally direction.

[0142] Furthermore, the coil assembly 1000 according to one embodiment may include a sensing coil (SC) for sensing the presence of a container, as shown in Figures 6 and 7. Each coil module 1001, 1003 may include a plurality of sensing coils (SC) arranged laterally. For example, in the coil assembly 1000, a plurality of sensing coils (SC) may be arranged in a first direction, i.e., along the side, and a plurality of sensing coils (SC) may also be arranged in a second direction, i.e., in the front-to-back direction.

[0143] Each sensing coil (SC) may be provided in the form of a helical coil formed as a pattern on a printed circuit board. That is, the sensing coils (SC) may be provided as patterns formed on coil modules 1001 and 1003.

[0144] In one embodiment, the coil substrate laminate 1010 may include at least one second coil substrate portion 1200. The second coil substrate portion 1200 may be stacked vertically together with the first coil substrate portion 1100. That is, at least one second coil substrate portion 1200 and a plurality of first coil substrate portions 1100 can be stacked vertically to form a single coil module 1001, 1003. In this way, in each coil module 1001, 1003, at least a portion of the working coil (WC) and the sensing coil (SC) may be arranged vertically.

[0145] Each second coil substrate portion 1200 may include a second coil portion 1220. For example, the second coil portion 1220 may be formed as a result of a metal foil laminated on the surface of the second coil substrate portion 1200 being patterned into a spiral coil shape.

[0146] Each sensing coil (SC) may be formed by a single second coil section 1220, or it may be formed as a result of multiple second coil sections 1220 stacked in the vertical direction and connected in the vertical direction.

[0147] Furthermore, each second coil substrate portion 1200 may have multiple second coil portions 1220 arranged laterally, so that the coil modules 1001 and 1003 may include multiple sensing coils (SC) arranged laterally.

[0148] Furthermore, the coil assembly 1000 according to one embodiment may further include a temperature sensor (TS). The temperature sensor (TS) is provided for measuring the temperature of the container and may be located on the second coil substrate portion 1200.

[0149] The temperature sensor (TS) may be positioned laterally inside the sensing coil (SC). For example, although the temperature sensor (TS) is installed on the second coil substrate 1200, it may be positioned within the area enclosed by the sensing coil (SC).

[0150] This specification describes embodiments in which the coil assembly 1000 is used in cooking appliances. However, in other embodiments, the coil assembly 1000 may be applied to other household appliances that require induction heating. For example, the coil assembly 1000 can be attached to a washing machine and used to heat the tank, drum, or washing tub inside the washing machine or to heat the wash water. In another example, the coil assembly 1000 can be attached to a water purifier and used to heat the hot water pipes or tank. In yet another example, the coil assembly 1000 may be attached to a clothes dryer or garment care machine and used to heat the air for drying clothes. In yet another example, the coil assembly 1000 may be attached to an electric kettle or rice cooker and used to heat the liquid or food inside the appliance.

[0151] [Coil module arrangement structure] Figure 8 is a plan view showing a first example of the arrangement structure of the first and second coil modules, and Figure 9 is a schematic diagram showing an example of the cutting state of the raw material for forming the first coil substrate. Figure 10 is a plan view showing a second example of the arrangement structure of the first and second coil modules, Figure 11 is a plan view showing another example of the arrangement structure of the first and second coil modules shown in Figure 8, and Figure 12 is a plan view showing another example of the arrangement structure of the first and second coil modules shown in Figure 10. Figure 13 is a plan view showing a third example of the arrangement structure of the first and second coil modules, and Figure 14 is a plan view showing a fourth example of the arrangement structure of the first and second coil modules. Figure 15 is a plan view showing a fifth example of the arrangement structure of the first and second coil modules, and Figure 16 is a plan view showing a sixth example of the arrangement structure of the first and second coil modules.

[0152] Referring to Figures 4 and 8, the coil assembly 1000 according to one embodiment may include a plurality of coil modules 1001, 1003. The coil assembly 1000 may have a plurality of coil modules 1001, 1003 arranged along a first direction (for example, the lateral direction).

[0153] As described above, the cooktop 100 according to one embodiment may include a control panel 130. The control panel 130 is positioned on the top plate 120, but may be positioned in a forward-biased position.

[0154] With respect to a first direction (for example, the lateral direction), the control panel 130 may be positioned approximately in the center of the coil assembly 1000. With respect to a second direction (for example, the vertical direction), the control panel 130 may be positioned off-center towards the front of the coil assembly 1000.

[0155] The coil assembly 1000 is positioned below the top plate 120, but does not have to be positioned below the area of ​​the top plate 120 occupied by the control panel 130. For example, the working coil (WC) is positioned only below the area of ​​the top plate 120 not occupied by the control panel 130, and does not have to be positioned below the area of ​​the top plate 120 occupied by the control panel 130.

[0156] The coil assembly 1000 may include several types of coil modules 1001, 1003 of different sizes. In this embodiment, the coil modules 1001, 1003 are exemplified as including a first coil module 1001 and a second coil module 1003. The first coil module 1001 and the second coil module 1003 may each include a plurality of working coils (WC). In one embodiment, the second coil module 1003 may include fewer working coils (WC) than the first coil module 1001.

[0157] In one embodiment, the coil assembly 1000 may have a first coil module 1001 and a second coil module 1003 arranged along a first direction (e.g., the transverse direction). Alternatively, the length of the second coil module 1003 may be shorter than the length of the first coil module 1001 in a second direction (e.g., the longitudinal direction). That is, the second coil module 1003 may be shorter than the first coil module 1001 in the second direction and may be provided in a form that includes fewer working coils (WC).

[0158] 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 along the first direction. And at least one second coil module 1003 may be placed between the pair of first coil modules 1001.

[0159] For example, at least one second coil module 1003 may be positioned in the center of the coil assembly 1000 in a first direction, similar to the control panel 130. At least one second coil module 1003 and the control panel 130 may be positioned collinearly in a second direction.

[0160] In the first direction, the control panel 130 may be positioned between the pair of first coil modules 1001. In the second direction, the control panel 130 may be positioned to one side of the second coil module 1003, for example, in front of the second coil module 1003. As a result, at least a portion of the control panel 130 may be positioned within the area enclosed by the pair of first coil modules 1001 and the second coil module 1003.

[0161] In other words, the control panel 130 may be positioned in a location where the visual information provided through the control panel 130 is clearly visible to the user, and where the user can easily operate the control panel 130. The control panel 130 will occupy a predetermined area on the upper surface of the cooktop 100.

[0162] Furthermore, since the working coil (WC) cannot be placed in the area occupied by the control panel 130 on the upper surface of the cooktop 100, the working coil (WC) must be placed in an area other than the area occupied by the control panel 130. As a result, the coil assembly 1000, which includes the working coil (WC), is placed in an area on the upper surface of the cooktop 100 that is not occupied by the control panel 130. For example, the lateral outer shape of the coil assembly 1000 may be formed as an inverted "concave" shape.

[0163] The coil assembly 1000 includes coil modules 1001, 1003 having working coils (WC), but may also include multiple types of coil modules 1001, 1003 having lengths in the second direction that differ from each other. In this embodiment, the coil assembly 1000 is exemplified as including two types of coil modules 1001, 1003, namely a first coil module 1001 and a second coil module 1003.

[0164] As an example, the lateral outer shape of the coil modules 1001 and 1003 (hereinafter referred to as the "outer shape of the coil module") may be formed as a rectangle. That is, the outer shapes of the first coil module 1001 and the second coil module 1003 may each be formed as rectangles.

[0165] For example, the shape of the second coil module 1003 may be a rectangle with a different length in the second direction compared to the first coil module 1001. The second coil module 1003 and the control panel 130 may be arranged on the same straight line in the second direction, and the second coil module 1003 may be positioned behind the control panel 130.

[0166] Considering that the second coil module 1003 is positioned on the same straight line as the control panel 130 in the second direction, the length of the second coil module 1003 in the second direction is set to be shorter than the length of the first coil module 1001 in the second direction.

[0167] As described above, the coil assembly 1000 consists of a combination of multiple coil modules 1001, 1003 arranged in the horizontal direction, and each coil module 1001, 1003 may be formed in a rectangular shape. In other words, the coil assembly 1000 is not formed by a single coil module configured in the shape of an inverted "concave" shape, but may be formed by a combination of multiple rectangular coil modules 1001, 1003.

[0168] In one embodiment, as shown in Figures 8 and 9, the first coil substrate portion 1100 forming each coil module 1001, 1003 may be formed from a copper clad laminate (CCL). Each copper clad laminate forming each first coil substrate portion 1100 may be provided as a result of cutting a raw copper clad laminate (B; hereinafter referred to as "raw plate").

[0169] 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 plate (P), a loss of the original plate (P) occurs due to the amount cut out to secure space for the control panel 130. In other words, when the coil assembly 1000 is formed by one coil module 1001, 1003, a problem arises in which the loss of the original plate (P) used in the manufacture of the first coil substrate portion 1100 increases.

[0170] In contrast, if the coil assembly 1000 consists of a combination of multiple coil modules 1001, 1003, each coil module 1001, 1003 can be formed into a rectangle. That is, the coil assembly 1000 may be formed into a "concave" shape or a shape inverted vertically by a combination of multiple types of coil modules 1001, 1003 of different sizes, for example, a combination of a first coil module 1001 and a second coil module 1003.

[0171] As a result, when the raw material (P) is cut to manufacture the first coil substrate section 1100, the raw material (P) can be cut into a rectangle, which effectively reduces the loss of the raw material (P) used in the manufacture of the first coil substrate section 1100.

[0172] In one embodiment, the working coil (WC) may be formed in a shape that includes polygons. For example, the lateral outer shape of the working coil (WC) (hereinafter referred to as the "outer shape of the working coil") may be polygonal.

[0173] For example, the outer shape of the working coil (WC) may be approximately rectangular, and the lateral outer shape of the cooktop 100 (hereinafter referred to as the "cooktop outer shape") is also close to a rectangle. Therefore, it is preferable that the lateral outer shapes of the coil modules 1001 and 1003 (hereinafter referred to as the "coil module outer shape") be rectangular.

[0174] By forming the outer shape of coil modules 1001 and 1003 into a rectangle similar to the outer shape of the working coil (WC), the density of the area occupied by the working coil (WC) within coil modules 1001 and 1003 can be effectively increased. Furthermore, by forming the outer shape of coil modules 1001 and 1003 into a rectangle similar to the outer shape of the cooktop 100, the density of the area occupied by coil modules 1001 and 1003 within the cooktop 100 can be effectively increased.

[0175] In other words, by forming the outer shape of the coil modules 1001 and 1003 in a polygonal shape similar to the outer shape of the working coil (WC) and the outer shape of the cooktop 100, the density of the area occupied by the working coil (WC) within the cooktop 100 is effectively increased, thereby effectively increasing the area of ​​the heatable region for the container within the cooktop 100.

[0176] This increases the surface area of ​​the container in contact with the working coil (WC) within the cooktop 100, thereby effectively improving the heating efficiency of the cooktop 100.

[0177] On the other hand, the difference in length between the first coil module 1001 and the second coil module 1003 along the second direction can be adjusted by the difference in the number of working coils (WC) along the second direction. For example, both the first coil module 1001 and the second coil module 1003 may be provided with working coils (WC) of the same size and shape, and the number of working coils (WC) along the second direction in the second coil module 1003 may be set to be one or more fewer than the number of working coils (WC) along the second direction in the first coil module 1001.

[0178] In this way, by varying the lengths of the first coil module 1001 and the second coil module 1003 and adjusting the number of working coils (WC), it becomes unnecessary to design the size and shape of the working coils (WC) to match the different sizes of the coil modules 1001 and 1003. In other words, multiple types of coil modules 1001 and 1003 with different lengths in the second direction can all be provided in a form that includes only one type of working coil (WC).

[0179] This not only reduces the cost and time required to design the working coil (WC), but also allows for the easier and faster manufacturing of multiple types of coil modules 1001, 1003 with different lengths in the second direction at a lower cost.

[0180] In one embodiment, the control panel 130 and the second coil module 1003 are positioned in the center of the upper surface of the cooktop 100 in the first direction, and the first coil modules 1001 may be positioned on both sides of the upper surface of the cooktop 100 in the first direction.

[0181] For example, the length of the first coil module 1001 in the second direction may be set to be approximately the same as the length of the upper surface of the cooktop 100 in the second direction. Furthermore, the difference in length between the first coil module 1001 and the second coil module 1003 in the second direction may be set to be greater than or equal to the length of the working coil (WC) in the second direction.

[0182] This ensures that the working coil (WC) fills most of the top surface of the cooktop 100, while also providing sufficient space on the top surface of the cooktop 100 for the placement of the control panel 130.

[0183] For example, in the coil assembly 1000, a pair of first coil modules 1001 and 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 along the first direction, and the one second coil module 1003 may be placed between the pair of first coil modules 1001.

[0184] For example, the second coil module 1003 may be positioned in the center of the coil assembly 1000 in a first direction, similar to the control panel 130. The second coil module 1003 and the control panel 130 may be positioned collinearly in a second direction.

[0185] In this case, 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 may be 8 and 6, respectively (see Figure 8), or they may be 6 and 4, respectively (see Figure 11).

[0186] As another example, in the coil assembly 1000a shown in Figure 10, two pairs of first coil modules 1001a and one pair of second coil modules 1003a may be arranged along a first direction. In this case, one pair of first coil modules 1001a may be placed on one side of the pair of second coil modules 1003a in the first direction, and the other pair of first coil modules 1001a may be placed on the other side of the pair of second coil modules 1003a in the first direction.

[0187] In this case, 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 may be 4 and 3, respectively (see Figure 10), or they may be 3 and 2, respectively (see Figure 12).

[0188] As yet another example, in the coil assembly 1000d shown in Figure 13, a pair of first coil modules 1001d and a pair of second coil modules 1003d may be spaced apart along a first direction, and a pair of second coil modules 1003d may be placed between the pair of first coil modules 1001d.

[0189] As yet another example, in the coil assembly 1000e shown in Figure 14, two pairs of first coil modules 1001e and two pairs of second coil modules 1003e may be arranged along a first direction. In this case, one pair of first coil modules 1001e may be placed 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 may be placed on the other side of the two pairs of second coil modules 1003e in the first direction.

[0190] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 15, only one pair of first coil modules 1001f may be arranged along the first direction, and as shown in Figure 16, only two pairs of first coil modules 1001g may be arranged along the first direction.

[0191] [Structure of the working coil] Figure 17 is a plan view showing an example of the first coil substrate according to one embodiment, Figure 18 is an enlarged view showing a part of the first coil substrate shown in Figure 17, and Figure 19 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing the laminated structure of the first coil shown in Figure 18. Figure 20 is a plan view showing an example of the arrangement structure of the sensing coil, and Figure 21 is an enlarged view of the "21" portion of Figure 20, showing an example of the arrangement structure of the sensing coil relative to the working coil. Figure 22 is an enlarged view showing the first terminal shown in Figure 18, and Figure 23 is an enlarged view showing the second terminal shown in Figure 18.

[0192] The working coil (WC) shown in Figures 8 and 17-19 may be formed from multiple layers of conductors, more specifically from electrical conductors. In the following, the first coil section 1120, more specifically the coil pattern (Cp) described later, is exemplified as being formed as a conductor.

[0193] A working coil (WC) may be formed as a result of connecting multiple first coil substrates 1100 stacked vertically, each provided with a first coil portion 1120, to each other in the vertical direction. Each first coil substrate 1100 may include a core 1110 and a first coil portion 1120.

[0194] The core 1110 forms the framework of the first coil substrate portion 1100 and may be made of an insulating material. For example, the core 1110 may be made of a prepreg material. In the following, the core 1110 is exemplified as being made of a thermo-cured prepreg, more specifically of FR4 prepreg.

[0195] The first coil sections 1120 may be arranged on both the upper and lower sides of the core 1110. For example, each first coil substrate section 1100 may be provided in a form in which one layer of the first coil section 1120 is formed on each of the upper and lower sides of the core 1110.

[0196] For example, the first coil portion 1120 may be provided in a form patterned on both the upper and lower sides of the core 1110. For instance, the first coil substrate portion 1100 may be formed from a copper foil laminate including the core 1110 and copper foil laminated on both the upper and lower sides of the core 1110. In this case, the first coil portion 1120 may be formed as a result of the foil laminated on the core 1110 being patterned in a coil shape.

[0197] In one embodiment, the working coil (WC) may be formed in a shape that includes polygons. For example, the lateral outer shape of the working coil (WC) (hereinafter referred to as the "outer shape of the working coil") may be polygonal.

[0198] Furthermore, as described above, the working coil (WC) may be formed by a plurality of first coil substrate portions 1100 stacked in the vertical direction. The first coil substrate portions 1100 may include a patterned area 1101 and non-patterned areas 1103, 1105.

[0199] The patterned area 1101 corresponds to the area of ​​the first coil substrate 1100 where the first coil portion 1120 is arranged. The non-patterned areas 1103 and 1105 correspond to the areas of the first coil substrate 1100 where the first coil portion 1120 is not arranged. The patterned area 1101 and the non-patterned areas 1103 and 1105 may be arranged on the same plane and aligned laterally.

[0200] The non-patterned regions 1103 and 1105 may include the first non-patterned region 1103. In each working coil (WC), the first non-patterned region 1103 may be located in the lateral center. Alternatively, the first non-patterned region 1103 may be located in the lateral center of the first coil substrate portion 1100.

[0201] For example, the first non-patterned area 1103 may be positioned in the lateral center of each working coil (WC) and the first coil substrate portion 1100. The patterned area 1101 may be positioned to surround the first non-patterned area 1103 from the outside in the lateral direction.

[0202] In this embodiment, the term "center" does not mean the exact center, but rather the region enclosed by the spirally wound working coil (WC), including the diametrical center of the working coil (WC) and its periphery.

[0203] At least a portion of the first coil portion 1120 may surround the non-patterned regions 1103 and 1105 from the outside in the lateral direction. For example, at least a portion of the first coil portion 1120 may surround the first non-patterned region 1103 from the outside in the lateral direction.

[0204] The first coil section 1120 may include at least one coil pattern (Cp) located laterally outside the first non-patterned region 1103. In each first coil section 1120, each coil pattern (Cp) may be wound multiple times around the first non-patterned region 1103. The first coil section 1120 may be formed by at least one coil pattern (Cp) provided in this manner.

[0205] Each first coil section 1120 may include a plurality of coil patterns (Cp). In this case, in each first coil section 1120, the plurality of coil patterns (Cp) may be arranged along the diametrical direction of the working coil (WC) at predetermined intervals from each other.

[0206] For example, each first coil section 1120 may contain 3 to 6 coil patterns (Cp). However, the present invention is not limited thereto, and each coil section 112 may contain more than 6 coil patterns (Cp).

[0207] In this embodiment, each first coil section 1120 is exemplified as containing three to six coil patterns (Cp). In this configuration, the three to six coil patterns (Cp) in each first coil section 1120 may be arranged along the diametrical direction of the working coil (WC). The coil patterns (Cp) arranged in each first coil section 1120 may be vertically connected to any of the coil patterns (Cp) arranged in other vertically adjacent first coil sections 1120.

[0208] Furthermore, the first coil substrate portion 1100 may further include a second non-patterned region 1105. The second non-patterned region 1105 corresponds to a region where the first coil portion 1120 is not formed, similar to the first non-patterned region 1103.

[0209] With respect to the lateral direction, the second non-patterned region 1105 may be located outside the first non-patterned region 1103. In this embodiment, the second non-patterned region 1105 is exemplified as being located outside the first non-patterned region 1103 in the first direction.

[0210] Furthermore, the first non-patterned region 1103 and the second non-patterned region 1105 are not connected laterally in each first coil substrate portion 1100. At least a portion of the sensing coil (SC) may be positioned between the first non-patterned region 1103 and the second non-patterned region 1105 in the lateral direction. That is, at least a portion of the first coil portion 1120 may be positioned between the first non-patterned region 1103 and the second non-patterned region 1105.

[0211] In one embodiment, a plurality of second non-pattern regions 1105 may be arranged along the first direction for each working coil (WC). For example, a pair of second non-pattern regions 1105 may be arranged for each working coil (WC). The pair of second non-pattern regions 1105 may be arranged outside the first non-pattern region 1103 in the first direction. That is, the first non-pattern region 1103 may be arranged between the pair of second non-pattern regions 1105 with respect to the first direction.

[0212] In one embodiment, a plurality of working coils (WC) may be arranged along the first direction. The plurality of second non-pattern regions 1105 provided to the plurality of working coils (WC) arranged in this manner may be arranged at equal intervals along the first direction.

[0213] On the other hand, as shown in Figures 6 and 7, a second coil substrate portion 1200 may be arranged above or below the first coil substrate portion 1100. A sensing coil (SC) may be formed by the second coil substrate portion 1200. The sensing coil (SC) may be arranged above or below the first coil substrate portion 1100. The sensing coil (SC) may be arranged in a region that overlaps the first coil substrate portion 1100 in the vertical direction.

[0214] As shown in Figures 6-7 and 20-21, in each coil module 1001, 1003, the sensing coil (SC) may be positioned vertically outside the working coil (WC). For example, in each coil module 1001, 1003, the sensing coil (SC) and the working coil (WC) may be arranged vertically.

[0215] In the lateral direction, at least a portion of the sensing coil (SC) may be arranged in the second non-patterned region 1105. Therefore, by arranging multiple second non-patterned regions 1105 at equal intervals along the first direction, multiple sensing coils (SC) can be arranged at equal intervals along the first direction.

[0216] As described above, by arranging multiple second non-pattern regions 1105 at equal intervals along the first direction, multiple sensing coils (SCs) can be arranged at equal intervals along the first direction. In one embodiment, at least a portion of each sensing coil (SC) may be arranged in the second non-pattern regions 1105. Therefore, when multiple second non-pattern regions 1105 are arranged at equal intervals along the first direction, multiple sensing coils (SCs) can be arranged at equal intervals along the first direction.

[0217] In one embodiment, the temperature sensor (TS) may be positioned laterally inside the sensing coil (SC). Laterally, at least a portion of the temperature sensor (TS) may be positioned in the second non-patterned region 1105.

[0218] For example, the temperature sensor (TS) may be placed in the second non-patterned region 1105. That is, the temperature sensor (TS) installed on the second coil substrate portion 1200 and the second non-patterned region 1105 formed on the first coil substrate portion 1100 may be arranged to overlap in the vertical direction.

[0219] Therefore, each sensing coil (SC) may be positioned so that the entire temperature sensor (TS) is located in the second non-pattern region 1105, that is, so that the entire temperature sensor (TS) overlaps with the second non-pattern region 1105 in the vertical direction.

[0220] As shown in Figures 17-18 and 22-23, each first coil section 1120 may include a fourth terminal 1121 and a fifth terminal 1122, respectively. The fourth terminal 1121 and the fifth terminal 1122 can connect multiple coil patterns (Cp) arranged laterally, that is, multiple coil patterns (Cp) that form a single first coil section 1120.

[0221] Laterally, the fourth terminal 1121 may be positioned outside the first non-patterned area 1103 and the fifth terminal 1122, with at least a portion of the fifth terminal 1122 touching the first non-patterned area 1103. In this case, the second non-patterned area 1105 may be positioned between the fourth terminal 1121 and the fifth terminal 1122 in the lateral direction.

[0222] Furthermore, with respect to the second non-pattern region 1105, the fourth terminal 1121 may be positioned in the lateral outer region of the first coil portion 1120, and the fifth terminal 1122 may be positioned in the lateral inner region of the first coil portion 1120.

[0223] For example, the fourth terminal 1121 may be located on the outermost side in the lateral direction of the first coil section 1120, and the fifth terminal 1122 may be located on the innermost side in the lateral direction of the first coil section 1120. For instance, the fourth terminal 1121 may be connected to the outermost end in the lateral direction of the coil pattern (Cp), and the fifth terminal 1122 may be connected to the innermost end of the coil pattern (Cp).

[0224] Referring to Figures 6 and 20, the coil assembly 1000 according to one embodiment may further include a terminal portion 1020.

[0225] The terminal section 1020 may be provided for connecting the power supply unit that supplies power and the working coil (WC).

[0226] In the lateral direction, the terminal portion 1020 may be positioned outside the assembly of multiple working coils (WC). The terminal portion 1020 may be connected to at least one of the fourth terminal 1121 and the fifth terminal 1122.

[0227] The terminal section 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 a working coil (WC) via the fourth terminal 1121.

[0228] The terminal section 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 a working coil (WC) via the fifth terminal 1122.

[0229] The fourth terminal 1121 and the fifth terminal 1122 may be arranged on the first coil substrate portion 1100 and the first outer layer portion 1300, respectively. That is, the fourth terminal 1121 and the fifth terminal 1122 may be formed on the same layer as the layer on which the first coil portion 1120 is formed.

[0230] In one embodiment, multiple working coils (WCs) may be arranged in a matrix in each coil module 1001, 1003. That is, multiple working coils (WCs) may be arranged in a first direction, and multiple working coils (WCs) may also be arranged in a second direction.

[0231] For example, each terminal section 1020 may include a plurality of first terminals 1021 arranged in the first direction. Also, in each coil module 1001, 1003, a plurality of adjacent working coils (WC) in the second direction may be connected to each other so that they operate simultaneously in conjunction. Therefore, each first terminal 1021 may be connected to one working coil (WC). And the second terminal 1023 may be connected to a plurality of adjacent working coils (WC) in the second direction.

[0232] For example, if multiple working coils (WCs) are arranged in a 2x4 configuration in each coil module 1001, 1003, each coil module 1001, 1003 may be provided with a pair of terminals 1020. The pair of terminals 1020 may be spaced apart in a first direction across the assembly of multiple working coils (WCs). That is, one of the terminals 1020 may be positioned on the front side of the assembly of multiple working coils (WCs), and the other terminal may be positioned on the rear side of the assembly of multiple working coils (WCs).

[0233] In each coil module 1001, 1003, the multiple working coils (WC) are divided into two 2x2 configurations, and each terminal section 1020 may be connected to the adjacent 2x2 configuration of working coils (WC). For example, one pair of terminal sections 1020 located on the front side may be connected to four working coils (WC) located on the front side of the coil module 1001, 1003, and one pair of terminal sections 1020 located on the rear side may be connected to four working coils (WC) located on the rear side of the coil module 1001, 1003.

[0234] As described above, the fourth terminal 1121 may be connected to the outermost lateral end of the working coil (WC), and the fifth terminal 1122 may be connected to the innermost end of the working coil (WC). For example, each of the fourth terminals 1121 may be positioned offset toward the terminal portion 1020 to which it is connected.

[0235] That is, with respect to the second direction, each fourth terminal 1121 may be positioned closer to the end than to the center of the working coil (WC), but biased toward the terminal portion 1020 to which it is connected. For example, the fourth terminals 1121 supplied to four working coils (WC) adjacent to the front-facing terminal portion 1020 of a pair may be positioned biased toward the front on the working coil (WC).

[0236] In one embodiment, each terminal portion 1020 may include a pair of first terminals 1021 arranged in a first direction. Each first terminal 1021 may be connected to only one working coil (WC) by being connected to one fourth terminal 1121. Each first terminal 1021 can electrically connect one working coil (WC) to a power supply unit, for example, a drive circuit 300 and a load circuit 350.

[0237] The second terminal 1023 can connect a working coil (WC) to the ground terminal. The second terminal 1023 may also be connected to a pair of adjacent fifth terminals 1122 in the second direction. That is, the second terminal 1023 can connect a pair of adjacent working coils (WC) in the second direction to the ground terminal.

[0238] For example, the terminal portion 1020 may be provided on the first coil substrate portion 1100, the second coil substrate portion 1200, and the outer layers 1300 and 1350, which are stacked in the vertical direction. For instance, the first terminals 1021 provided on 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, which are stacked in the vertical direction. The first terminals 1021 may be electrically connected via vias.

[0239] The second terminals 1023 provided to 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, respectively, may be stacked in the vertical direction. The second terminals 1023 may be electrically connected via vias.

[0240] As another example, the terminal portion 1020 may be provided only on the second outer layer portion 1350. That is, the terminal portion 1020 may be located only on the upper end of the coil modules 1001, 1003.

[0241] Each coil module 1001, 1003 includes a plurality of sensing coils (SCs), which may be arranged at predetermined intervals along a first direction. Furthermore, the second outer layer 1350 and the second coil substrate 1200 may include a fourth terminal 1121 and a fifth terminal 1122, respectively, similar to the first coil substrate 1100. That is, the fourth terminal 1121 and the fifth terminal 1122 may be formed in the same layer as the layer on which the second coil portion 1220 is formed.

[0242] Each terminal portion 1020 may further 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 on the second outer layer portion 1350 and also on the second coil substrate portion 1200. The third terminal 1025 may be formed on the same layer as the sensing coil (SC) (for example, the layer on which the second coil portion 1220 is formed).

[0243] [Working coil arrangement structure by coil module] As shown in Figure 8, each coil module 1001, 1003 may have multiple working coils (WC) arranged in a first direction. For example, each coil module 1001, 1003 may have multiple working coils (WC) arranged along the first direction and also in a second direction. That is, each coil module 1001, 1003 may have multiple working coils (WC) arranged in a matrix.

[0244] In this case, each working coil (WC) may be arranged at a predetermined distance in the first direction from other working coils (WC) adjacent in the first direction, and at a predetermined distance in the second direction from other working coils (WC) adjacent in the second direction.

[0245] In one embodiment, the lengths of the coil modules 1001 and 1003 along the first direction may be set to be shorter than the lengths of the coil modules 1001 and 1003 along the second direction. That is, although each coil module 1001 and 1003 is formed as a rectangle, the length in the second direction may be longer than the length in the first direction.

[0246] In contrast, the length of the working coil (WC) along the second direction may be set shorter than the length of the working coil (WC) along the first direction. That is, although each working coil (WC) is formed in a rectangular shape, it may be formed in a rectangle in which the length in the first direction is longer than the length in the second direction.

[0247] In each coil module 1001, 1003, the number of working coils (WC) arranged on the same straight line in the second direction may be greater than the number of working coils (WC) arranged on the same straight line in the first direction.

[0248] In one embodiment, the first coil module 1001 may include a plurality of working coils (WC) arranged in the form of A columns × B rows, and the second coil module 1003 may each include a plurality of working coils (WC) arranged in the form of A columns × C rows. In this embodiment, a column is defined as a column along the first direction, and a row is defined as a row along the second direction.

[0249] As an example, the relationship between A, B, and C can be defined as follows:

[0250] A≧1, C≧2, B>C,

[0251] For example, in the first coil module 1001 and the second coil module 1003, one or more working coils (WC) may be arranged in the first direction and two or more in the second direction. Also, in the first coil module 1001, one or more working coils (WC) may be arranged in the first direction and three or more in the second direction.

[0252] According to this, 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 may be set to be the same. Furthermore, the number of working coils (WC) arranged on the same straight line in the second direction in the second coil module 1003 may 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.

[0253] For example, if n first coil modules 1001 are arranged spaced apart along a first direction, n / 2 second coil modules 1003 may be arranged between a pair of first coil modules 1001 located furthest in the first direction.

[0254] In this case, each first coil module 1001 may contain 16 / n working coils (WC) arranged in a 4 / n column × 4 row configuration. And each second coil module 1003 may contain 12 / n working coils (WC) arranged in a 4 / n column × 3 row configuration.

[0255] For example, if two first coil modules 1001 are spaced apart along a first direction, one second coil module 1003 may be placed between a pair of first coil modules 1001 located on the innermost side in the first direction. In this case, each first coil module 1001 may contain eight working coils (WC) arranged in a 2x4 configuration.

[0256] Furthermore, each second coil module 1003 may contain six working coils (WC) arranged in a 2x3 configuration. In this case, the coil assembly 1000 may contain a total of 22 working coils (WC).

[0257] As described above, the cooktop 100 (see Figure 3) is provided with multiple indicator lights (L; see Figure 3), which can be realized by a lighting module 180 (see Figure 4). The lighting module 180 is located beneath the coil assembly 1000, and the light emitted from the lighting module 180 passes through the coil assembly 1000 to illuminate the light display area of ​​the top plate 120.

[0258] To allow light emitted from the lighting module 180 to pass through to the light display area of ​​the top plate 120, each coil module 1001, 1003 may be provided with a through-hole (h). In each coil module 1001, 1003, the through-hole (h) can penetrate the coil module 1001, 1003 in the vertical direction, and each through-hole (h) may be positioned between one row of working coils (WC) and another row of working coils (WC).

[0259] If, as shown in Figure 10, four first coil modules 1001a are arranged spaced apart along a first direction, then two second coil modules 1003a may be arranged between a pair of first coil modules 1001a located on the innermost side in the first direction. In this case, each first coil module 1001a may contain four working coils (WC) arranged in a 1x4 configuration.

[0260] If the coil assembly 1000a is provided in the form described above, a space may be formed between each row of the coil assembly 1000a. This space can be used as a passage for light emitted from the lighting module 180 to pass through to the light display area of ​​the top plate 120.

[0261] In other words, since each coil module 1001a, 1003a is provided in a form that includes only one row of working coils (WC), there is no need to separately form through holes in the coil assembly 1000a.

[0262] Furthermore, considering that the size, display, or control panel may differ for each model, the coil assembly 1000a provided in the above configuration may be more advantageous for mass production than the coil assembly in the configuration shown in Figure 8.

[0263] For example, with the coil assembly 1000a provided in the form described above, when producing multiple products with different display or control panel sizes, only the size of the second coil module 1003a needs to be changed according to the size of the display or control panel, and the first coil module 1001a can be used in common.

[0264] Furthermore, with the coil assembly 1000a provided in the manner described above, only one row at a time needs to be repaired or replaced for each coil module 1001a, 1003a when necessary, thus simplifying maintenance and reducing maintenance costs.

[0265] Furthermore, as described above, if each coil module 1001a, 1003a is provided in a configuration that includes only one row of working coils (WC), not only is the surface area of ​​the coil modules 1001a, 1003a relatively larger compared to a configuration in which each coil module includes two rows of working coils (WC), but air can also flow in the space between each coil module 1001a, 1003a, which can improve the heat dissipation performance of the coil assembly 1000a.

[0266] In contrast, as shown in Figure 8, when two or more rows of working coils (WC) are arranged for each coil module 1001, 1003, the number of coil modules 1001, 1003 to be assembled is reduced compared to when only one row of working coils (WC) is arranged for each coil module, thus reducing the assembly man-hours.

[0267] Furthermore, when two or more rows of working coils (WC) are arranged in each coil module 1001, 1003, the space necessary to form wiring between two adjacent rows of working coils (WC) can be easily secured in the coil modules 1001, 1003, which has the advantage of making wiring design easier and more efficient.

[0268] And each of the second coil modules 1003a may each include three working coils (WC) arranged in a form of 1 column × 3 rows. Also in this case, the coil assembly 1000a may include a total of 22 working coils (WC).

[0269] As a second example, as shown in FIG. 11, each of the first coil modules 1001b may each include 12 / n working coils (WC) arranged in a form of 4 / n columns × 3 rows. And each of the second coil modules 1003b may each include 8 / n working coils (WC) arranged in a form of 4 / n columns × 2 rows.

[0270] For example, when two first coil modules 1001b are arranged spaced apart along the first direction, one second coil module 1003b may be disposed between the pair of first coil modules 1001b arranged at the innermost side in the first direction. At this time, each of the first coil modules 1001b may each include six working coils (WC) arranged in a form of 2 columns × 3 rows.

[0271] And each of the second coil modules 1003b may each include four working coils (WC) arranged in a form of 2 columns × 2 rows. In this case, the coil assembly 1000b may include a total of 16 working coils (WC).

[0272] Suppose that, as shown in FIG. 12, when four first coil modules 1001c are arranged spaced apart along the first direction, two second coil modules 1003c may be disposed between the pair of first coil modules 1001c arranged at the innermost side in the first direction.

[0273] In this case, each first coil module 1001c may contain three working coils (WC) arranged in a 1x3 configuration. And each second coil module 1003c may contain two working coils (WC) arranged in a 1x2 configuration. In this case as well, the coil assembly 1000c may contain a total of 16 working coils (WC).

[0274] As a third example, as shown in Figure 13, when two first coil modules 1001d are arranged spaced apart along a first direction, two second coil modules 1003d may be arranged between a pair of first coil modules 1001d that are positioned furthest in the first direction. In this case, each first coil module 1001d may contain 10 working coils (WC) arranged in a 2x5 configuration.

[0275] Furthermore, each second coil module 1003d may contain six working coils (WC) arranged in a 2x3 configuration. In this case, the coil assembly 1000d may contain a total of 32 working coils (WC).

[0276] As a fourth example, as shown in Figure 14, when four first coil modules 1001e are arranged spaced apart along a first direction, four second coil modules 1003e may be arranged between a pair of first coil modules 1001e located on the innermost side in the first direction. In this case, each first coil module 1001e may contain five working coils (WC) arranged in a 1x5 configuration.

[0277] Furthermore, each second coil module 1003e may contain three working coils (WC) arranged in a 1x3 configuration. In this case as well, the coil assembly 1000e may contain a total of 32 working coils (WC).

[0278] As a fifth example, as shown in Figure 15, when n first coil modules 1001f are arranged spaced apart along a first direction, each first coil module 1001f may contain 16 / n working coils (WC) arranged in a 4 / n column × 4 row configuration.

[0279] For example, if two first coil modules 1001f are spaced apart along a first direction, each first coil module 1001f may contain eight working coils (WC) arranged in a 2x4 configuration. In this case, the coil assembly 1000f may contain a total of 16 working coils (WC).

[0280] If, as shown in Figure 16, four first coil modules 1001g are arranged spaced apart along a first direction, each first coil module 1001g may contain four working coils (WC) arranged in a 1x4 configuration. In this case as well, the coil assembly 1000g may contain a total of 16 working coils (WC).

[0281] In the examples described above, each coil assembly may contain working coils (WCs) of the same size and shape. Alternatively, a coil assembly may contain multiple types of working coils (WCs) of different sizes and shapes.

[0282] Figure 24 is a plan view showing a seventh example of the arrangement structure of the first coil module and the second coil module.

[0283] As yet another example, the coil assembly 1000h shown in Figure 24 may further include at least one of the third coil module 1005 and the fourth coil module 1007. The first coil module 1001 and the third coil module 1005 may be arranged collinearly in the second direction, and the second coil module 1003 and the fourth coil module 1007 may be arranged collinearly in the second direction.

[0284] According to this, a pair of first coil modules 1001 may be arranged spaced apart along the first direction via a second coil module 1003 and a fourth coil module 1007.

[0285] Furthermore, with respect to the second direction, the first coil module 1001 may protrude further to one side than the second coil module 1003, the third coil module 1005 may be positioned even more to one side than the first coil module 1001, and the fourth coil module 1007 may be positioned even more to one side than the second coil module 1003.

[0286] In other words, the first coil module 1001, which is longer in the second direction than the second coil module 1003, may protrude further forward than the second coil module 1003, the third coil module 1005 may be positioned even further forward than the first coil module 1001, and the fourth coil module 1007 may be positioned even further forward than the second coil module 1003. Of course, the third coil module 1005 is positioned even further forward than the fourth coil module 1007.

[0287] The third coil module 1005 and the fourth coil module 1007 may be formed with a smaller lateral size than the first coil module 1001 and the second coil module 1003. For this reason, the third coil module 1005 may include a working coil that is smaller in lateral size than the working coil provided to the first coil module 1001.

[0288] As described above, the control panel 130 may be positioned further forward than the second coil module 1003, and a pair of first coil modules 1001 may be spaced apart along the first direction via the control panel 130. A pair of third coil modules 1005, positioned in front of the pair of first coil modules 1001, may also be spaced apart along the first direction via the control panel 130.

[0289] The length of the third coil module 1005 may be set shorter than the length of the first coil module 1001 in the first direction. Similarly, the length of the third coil module 1005 may be set shorter than the length of the first coil module 1001 in the second direction. In other words, the third coil module 1005 may be formed to be shorter than the first coil module 1001 in both the first and second directions.

[0290] Furthermore, the fourth coil module 1007 may be positioned behind the control panel 130. With respect to the second direction, the fourth coil module 1007 may be positioned between the control panel 130 and the second coil module 1003, and the length of the fourth coil module 1007 may be shorter than the length of the second coil module 1003.

[0291] By arranging the third coil module 1005 and the fourth coil module 1007 in the form as described above, the area of the region where the control panel 130 is arranged can be secured to be wider. As a result, the control panel 130 can be spaced further laterally from the coil modules 1001, 1003, making the control panel 130 less susceptible to the influence of heat generated around the working coil (WC).

[0292] [Examples of Coil Module] FIG. 25 is a plan view showing the structure of the coil module according to the first embodiment. FIG. 26 is a circuit diagram of a household electrical appliance including the coil module according to the first embodiment.

[0293] Referring to FIG. 25, the coil module 2001 according to the first embodiment may include three heating regions (HA1, HA2, HA3) and three working coils (WC1, WC2, WC3) arranged at positions corresponding to the respective heating regions (HA1, HA2, HA3).

[0294] The respective heating regions (HA1, HA2, HA3) and the respective working coils (WC1, WC2, WC3) may be arranged in a line along one direction (for example, the vertical direction). The first heating region (HA1) may be arranged between the second heating region (HA2) and the third heating region (HA3). Although not shown, at least one sensing coil may be arranged in each of the heating regions (HA1, HA2, HA3) for sensing a container.

[0295] Referring to FIG. 25 and FIG. 26, the household electrical 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, WC3) arranged at positions corresponding to the three heating regions (HA1, HA2, HA3), a first relay (R1), and a second relay (R2).

[0296] A rectifier circuit (Rc) can rectify and output the input voltage supplied from an external power supply (Ps). The rectifier circuit (Rc) may be a circuit containing multiple diodes (for example, a bridge circuit).

[0297] A DC link capacitor (CD) can smooth the voltage output from a rectifier circuit (Rc) before outputting it.

[0298] The inverter (INV) can output alternating 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) may be turned on and turned off by a first switching signal (S1) and a second switching signal (S2) supplied by the drive circuit 300. The first switching element (SW1) and the second switching element (SW2) may be turned on and turned off alternately. In another embodiment, the inverter (INV) may include two or more switching elements.

[0299] The controller 500 can supply control signals to the drive circuit 300. When control signals are supplied to the drive circuit 300, the drive circuit 300 can output switching signals (S1, S2). When the first switching signal (S1) and the second switching signal (S2) are supplied to the inverter (INV), the first switching element (SW1) and the second switching element (SW2) may be turned on and turned off alternately. As a result, alternating current may be output from the inverter (INV). When the alternating current output from the inverter (INV) is supplied to the working coils (WC1, WC2, WC3), the containers provided on top of the working coils (WC1, WC2, WC3) may be heated.

[0300] One end of the first working coil (WC1) may be connected to an inverter (INV). The other end of the first working coil (WC1) may be connected to a first resonant capacitor (C1).

[0301] One end of the second working coil (WC2) may be connected to the first working coil (WC1) and the first resonant capacitor (C1). The other end of the second working coil (WC2) may be connected to the second resonant capacitor (C2). The first relay (R1) may be connected between the second working coil (WC2) and the second resonant capacitor (C2) and the ground terminal.

[0302] One end of the third working coil (WC3) may be connected to the first working coil (WC1) and the first resonant capacitor (C1). The other end of the third working coil (WC3) may be connected to the third resonant capacitor (C3). A second relay (R2) may be connected between the third working coil (WC3) and the third resonant capacitor (C3) and the ground terminal.

[0303] The first working coil (WC1) and the second working coil (WC2) may be connected in series. The first working coil (WC1) and the third working coil (WC3) may be connected in series. The second working coil (WC2) and the third working coil (WC3) may be connected in parallel.

[0304] The controller 500 uses at least one sensing coil (SC) located in the coil module 2001 to sense containers in each heating region (HA1, HA2, HA3) and can determine whether or not a container is present in each heating region (HA1, HA2, HA3). The controller 500 can control the open / closed state of the first relay (R1) and the second relay (R2) according to the container sensing result.

[0305] When it is determined that a container is present in the first heating region (HA1) or the second heating region (HA2), the controller 500 can control the first relay (R1) to close and the second relay (R2) to open.

[0306] When it is determined that containers are present in the first heating region (HA1) and the second heating region (HA2), the controller 500 can control the first relay (R1) to close and the second relay (R2) to open.

[0307] When it is determined that a container is present in the first heating region (HA1) or the third heating region (HA3), the controller 500 can control the second relay (R2) to close and the first relay (R1) to open.

[0308] When it is determined that a container is present in the first heating region (HA1) and the third heating region (HA3), the controller 500 can control the second relay (R2) to close and the first relay (R1) to open.

[0309] When it is determined that a container is present in the first heating region (HA1), the second heating region (HA2), and the third heating region (HA3), the controller 500 can control the first relay (R1) and the second relay (R2) to close.

[0310] Figure 27 is a plan view showing the structure of the coil module according to the second embodiment. Figure 28 is a circuit diagram of a home appliance including the coil module according to the second embodiment.

[0311] Referring to Figure 27, the coil module 2003 according to the second embodiment may include four heating regions (HA1, HA2, HA3, HA4) and four working coils (WC1, WC2, WC3, WC4) positioned in a location corresponding to each of the heating regions (HA1, HA2, HA3, HA4).

[0312] Each heating region (HA1, HA2, HA3, HA4) and each working coil (WC1, WC2, WC3, WC4) may be arranged in a line along one direction (e.g., vertically). The second heating region (HA2) may be located between the first heating region (HA1) and the third heating region (HA3). The third heating region (HA3) may be located between the second heating region (HA2) and the fourth heating region (HA4). The second heating region (HA2) and the third heating region (HA3) may be located between the first heating region (HA1) and the fourth heating region (HA4). Although not shown, each heating region (HA1, HA2, HA3, HA4) may have at least one sensing coil for sensing the container.

[0313] Referring to Figures 27 and 28, the home 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, WC4) positioned in the same locations as four heating regions (HA1, HA2, HA3, HA4), a first relay (R1), a second relay (R2), and a third relay (R3).

[0314] A rectifier circuit (Rc) can rectify and output the input voltage supplied from an external power supply (Ps). The rectifier circuit (Rc) may be a circuit containing multiple diodes (for example, a bridge circuit).

[0315] The first DC link capacitor (CD1) can smooth the voltage output from the rectifier circuit (Rc) and output it.

[0316] The first inverter (INV1) can output an alternating 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) may be turned on and turned off by a first switching signal (S1) and a second switching signal (S2) supplied by the drive circuit 300. The first switching element (SW1) and the second switching element (SW2) may be turned on and turned off alternately. In another embodiment, the first inverter (INV1) may include two or more switching elements.

[0317] The second DC link capacitor (CD2) can smooth the voltage output from the rectifier circuit (Rc) and output it.

[0318] The second inverter (INV2) can output an alternating 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) may be turned on and turned off by a third switching signal (S3) and a fourth switching signal (S4) supplied by the drive circuit 300. The third switching element (SW3) and the fourth switching element (SW4) may be turned on and turned off alternately. In another embodiment, the second inverter (INV2) may include two or more switching elements.

[0319] The controller 500 can supply control signals to the drive circuit 300. When control signals are supplied to the drive circuit 300, the drive circuit 300 can output switching signals (S1, S2, S3, S4).

[0320] When the first switching signal (S1) and the second switching signal (S2) are supplied to the first inverter (INV1), the first switching element (SW1) and the second switching element (SW2) may be turned on and turned off alternately. As a result, the first inverter (INV1) may output an alternating current. When the alternating current output from the first inverter (INV1) is supplied to the working coils (WC1, WC2), the containers provided on top of the working coils (WC1, WC2) may be heated.

[0321] When the third switching signal (S3) and the fourth switching signal (S4) are supplied to the second inverter (INV2), the third switching element (SW3) and the fourth switching element (SW4) may be turned on and turned off alternately. As a result, AC current may be output from the second inverter (INV2). When the AC current output from the second inverter (INV2) is supplied to the working coils (WC3, WC4), the containers provided on top of the working coils (WC3, WC4) may be heated.

[0322] In other embodiments, the first switching element (SW1) and the fourth switching element (SW4) may be turned on and off alternately 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 turned off (turned on), the second switching element (SW2) and the third switching element (SW3) may be turned on (turned off).

[0323] One end of the second working coil (WC2) may be connected to the first inverter (INV1). The other end of the second working coil (WC2) may be connected to a second resonant capacitor (C2).

[0324] One end of the first working coil (WC1) may be connected to the second working coil (WC2) and the second resonant capacitor (C2). The other end of the first working coil (WC1) may be connected to the first resonant capacitor (C1). A second relay (R2) may be connected between the first working coil (WC1) and the first resonant capacitor (C1) and the ground terminal.

[0325] The first working coil (WC1) and the second working coil (WC2) may be connected in series.

[0326] One end of the third working coil (WC3) may be connected to the second inverter (INV2). The other end of the third working coil (WC3) may be connected to a third resonant capacitor (C3).

[0327] One end of the fourth working coil (WC4) may be connected to the third working coil (WC3) and the third resonant capacitor (C3). The other end of the fourth working coil (WC4) may be connected to the fourth resonant capacitor (C4). A third relay (R3) may be connected between the fourth working coil (WC4) and the fourth resonant capacitor (C4) and the ground terminal.

[0328] A first relay (R1) may be connected between the first connecting node (N1), which is the node to which the first working coil (WC1) and the second working coil (WC2) are connected, and the second connecting node (N2), which is the node to which the third working coil (WC3) and the fourth working coil (WC4) are connected.

[0329] The third working coil (WC3) and the fourth working coil (WC4) may be connected in series.

[0330] The controller 500 uses at least one sensing coil (SC) located in the coil module 2001 to sense containers in each heating region (HA1, HA2, HA3, HA4) and can determine whether or not a container is present in each heating region (HA1, HA2, HA3, HA4). The controller 500 can control the open / closed states of the first relay (R1), second relay (R2), and third relay (R3) according to the container sensing result.

[0331] When it is determined that a container is present in the first heating region (HA1) or the second heating region, the controller 500 can control the second relay (R2) to close and the first relay (R1) and the third relay (R3) to open.

[0332] When it is determined that a container is present in the first heating region (HA1) and the second heating region, the controller 500 can control the second relay (R2) to close and the first relay (R1) and the third relay (R3) to open.

[0333] When it is determined that a container is present in the second heating region (HA2) and the third heating region (HA3), the controller 500 can control the first relay (R1) to close and the second relay (R2) and the third relay (R3) to open.

[0334] If it is determined that a container is present in the third heating region (HA3) or the fourth heating region (HA4), the controller 500 can control the third relay (R3) to close and the first relay (R1) and the second relay (R2) to open.

[0335] When it is determined that a container is present in the third heating region (HA3) and the fourth heating region (HA4), the controller 500 can control the third relay (R3) to close and the first relay (R1) and the second relay (R2) to open.

[0336] When it is determined that a container is present in the first heating region (HA1), the second heating region (HA2), and the third heating region (HA3), the controller 500 can control the first relay (R1) and the second relay (R2) to close and the third relay (R3) to open.

[0337] When it is determined that a container is present in the second heating region (HA2), the third heating region (HA3), and the fourth heating region (HA4), the controller 500 can control the first relay (R1) and the third relay (R3) to close and the second relay (R2) to open.

[0338] When it is determined that a container is present in the first heating region (HA1), the second heating region (HA2), the third heating region (HA3), and the fourth heating region (HA4), the controller 500 can control the second relay (R2) and the third relay (R3) to close and the first relay (R1) to open.

[0339] Figure 29 is a plan view showing the structure of the coil module according to the third embodiment. Figure 30 is a circuit diagram of a home appliance including the coil module according to the third embodiment.

[0340] Referring to Figure 29, the coil module according to the third embodiment may include a first coil module 2003a and a second coil module 2003b arranged in a line with the first coil module 2003a in one direction (for example, left-right direction).

[0341] The first coil module 2003a may include four heating regions (HA1, HA2, HA3, HA4) and four working coils (WC1, WC2, WC3, WC4) positioned in a location corresponding to each heating region (HA1, HA2, HA3, HA4).

[0342] Each heating region (HA1, HA2, HA3, HA4) and each working coil (WC1, WC2, WC3, WC4) may be arranged in a line along one direction (e.g., vertically). The second heating region (HA2) may be located between the first heating region (HA1) and the third heating region (HA3). The third heating region (HA3) may be located between the second heating region (HA2) and the fourth heating region (HA4). The second heating region (HA2) and the third heating region (HA3) may be located between the first heating region (HA1) and the fourth heating region (HA4). Although not shown, each heating region (HA1, HA2, HA3, HA4) may have at least one sensing coil for sensing the container.

[0343] The second coil module 2003b may include four heating regions (HA5, HA6, HA7, HA8) and four working coils (WC5, WC6, WC7, WC8) positioned in a location corresponding to each heating region (HA5, HA6, HA7, HA8).

[0344] Each heating region (HA5, HA6, HA7, HA8) and each working coil (WC5, WC6, WC7, WC8) may be arranged in a line along one direction (e.g., vertically). The sixth heating region (HA6) may be located between the fifth heating region (HA5) and the seventh heating region (HA7). The seventh heating region (HA7) may be located between the sixth heating region (HA6) and the eighth heating region (HA8). The sixth heating region (HA6) and the seventh heating region (HA7) may be located between the fifth heating region (HA5) and the eighth heating region (HA8). Although not shown, each heating region (HA5, HA6, HA7, HA8) may have at least one sensing coil for sensing the container.

[0345] The first heating region (HA1) may be located adjacent to the fifth heating region (HA5). The second heating region (HA2) may be located adjacent to the sixth heating region (HA6). The third heating region (HA3) may be located adjacent to the seventh heating region (HA7). The fourth heating region (HA4) may be located adjacent to the eighth heating region (HA8).

[0346] Referring to Figures 29 and 30, the home 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) positioned in the same locations as eight heating regions (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).

[0347] A rectifier circuit (Rc) can rectify and output the input voltage supplied from an external power supply (Ps). The rectifier circuit (Rc) may be a circuit containing multiple diodes (for example, a bridge circuit).

[0348] The first DC link capacitor (CD1) can smooth the voltage output from the rectifier circuit (Rc) and output it.

[0349] The first inverter (INV1) can output an alternating 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) may be turned on and turned off by a first switching signal (S1) and a second switching signal (S2) supplied by the drive circuit 300. The first switching element (SW1) and the second switching element (SW2) may be turned on and turned off alternately. In another embodiment, the first inverter (INV1) may include two or more switching elements.

[0350] The second DC link capacitor (CD2) can smooth the voltage output from the rectifier circuit (Rc) and output it.

[0351] The second inverter (INV2) can output an alternating 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) may be turned on and turned off by a third switching signal (S3) and a fourth switching signal (S4) supplied by the drive circuit 300. The third switching element (SW3) and the fourth switching element (SW4) may be turned on and turned off alternately. In another embodiment, the second inverter (INV2) may include two or more switching elements.

[0352] The controller 500 can supply control signals to the drive circuit 300. When control signals are supplied to the drive circuit 300, the drive circuit 300 can output switching signals (S1, S2, S3, S4).

[0353] When the first switching signal (S1) and the second switching signal (S2) are supplied to the first inverter (INV1), the first switching element (SW1) and the second switching element (SW2) may be turned on and turned off alternately. As a result, the first inverter (INV1) may output an alternating current. When the alternating current output from the first inverter (INV1) is supplied to the working coils (WC1, WC2, WC5, WC6), the containers provided on top of the working coils (WC1, WC2, WC5, WC6) may be heated.

[0354] When the third switching signal (S3) and the fourth switching signal (S4) are supplied to the second inverter (INV2), the third switching element (SW3) and the fourth switching element (SW4) may be turned on and turned off alternately. As a result, AC current may be output from the second inverter (INV2). When the AC current output from the second inverter (INV2) is supplied to the working coils (WC3, WC4, WC7, WC8), the containers provided on top of the working coils (WC3, WC4, WC7, WC8) may be heated.

[0355] In other embodiments, the first switching element (SW1) and the fourth switching element (SW4) may be turned on and off alternately 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 turned off (turned on), the second switching element (SW2) and the third switching element (SW3) may be turned on (turned off).

[0356] One end of the second working coil (WC2) may be connected to the first inverter (INV1). The other end of the second working coil (WC2) may be connected to a second resonant capacitor (C2).

[0357] One end of the first working coil (WC1) may be connected to the second working coil (WC2) and the second resonant capacitor (C2). The other end of the first working coil (WC1) may be connected to the first resonant capacitor (C1). A second relay (R2) may be connected between the first working coil (WC1) and the first resonant capacitor (C1) and the ground terminal.

[0358] The first working coil (WC1) and the second working coil (WC2) may be connected in series.

[0359] One end of the third working coil (WC3) may be connected to the second inverter (INV2). The other end of the third working coil (WC3) may be connected to a third resonant capacitor (C3).

[0360] One end of the fourth working coil (WC4) may be connected to the third working coil (WC3) and the third resonant capacitor (C3). The other end of the fourth working coil (WC4) may be connected to the fourth resonant capacitor (C4). A third relay (R3) may be connected between the fourth working coil (WC4) and the fourth resonant capacitor (C4) and the ground terminal.

[0361] The third working coil (WC3) and the fourth working coil (WC4) may be connected in series.

[0362] A first relay (R1) may be connected between the first connecting node (N1), which is the node to which the first working coil (WC1) and the second working coil (WC2) are connected, and the second connecting node (N2), which is the node to which the third working coil (WC3) and the fourth working coil (WC4) are connected.

[0363] One end of the sixth working coil (WC6) may be connected to the first inverter (INV1). The other end of the sixth working coil (WC6) may be connected to the sixth resonant capacitor (C6).

[0364] One end of the fifth working coil (WC5) may be connected to the sixth working coil (WC6) and the sixth resonant capacitor (C6). The other end of the fifth working coil (WC5) may be connected to the fifth resonant capacitor (C5). A fifth relay (R5) may be connected between the fifth working coil (WC5) and the fifth resonant capacitor (C5) and the ground terminal.

[0365] The fifth working coil (WC5) and the sixth working coil (WC6) may be connected in series.

[0366] One end of the seventh working coil (WC7) may be connected to the second inverter (INV2). The other end of the seventh working coil (WC7) may be connected to the seventh resonant capacitor (C7).

[0367] One end of the eighth working coil (WC8) may be connected to the seventh working coil (WC7) and the seventh resonant capacitor (C7). The other end of the eighth working coil (WC8) may be connected to the eighth resonant capacitor (C8). A sixth relay (R6) may be connected between the eighth working coil (WC8) and the eighth resonant capacitor (C8) and the ground terminal.

[0368] The seventh working coil (WC7) and the eighth working coil (WC8) may be connected in series.

[0369] A fourth relay (R4) may be connected between the third connecting node (N3), which is the node to which the fifth working coil (WC5) and the sixth working coil (WC6) are connected, and the fourth connecting node (N4), which is the node to which the seventh working coil (WC7) and the eighth working coil (WC8) are connected.

[0370] The controller 500 uses at least one sensing coil (SC) located in the coil modules 2003a and 2003b to sense containers in each heating region (HA1, HA2, HA3, HA4, HA5, HA6, HA7, HA8) and can determine whether or not a container is present in each heating region (HA1, HA2, HA3, HA4, HA5, HA6, HA7, HA8). The controller 500 can control the open / closed states of the first relay (R1), second relay (R2), third relay (R3), fourth relay (R4), fifth relay (R5), and sixth relay (R6) according to the container sensing result.

[0371] When it is determined that a container is present in the first heating region (HA1), the second heating region (HA2), the fifth heating region (HA5), and the sixth heating region (HA6), the controller 500 can control the second relay (R2) and the fifth relay (R5) to close, and the first relay (R1), the third relay (R3), the fourth relay (R4), and the sixth relay (R6) to open.

[0372] When it is determined that a container is present in the second heating region (HA2), the third heating region (HA3), the sixth heating region (HA6), and the seventh heating region (HA7), the controller 500 can control the first relay (R1) and the fourth relay (R4) to close, and the second relay (R2), the third relay (R3), the fifth relay (R5), and the sixth relay (R6) to open.

[0373] When it is determined that a container is present in the third heating region (HA3), the fourth heating region (HA4), the seventh heating region (HA7), and the eighth heating region (HA8), the controller 500 can control the third relay (R3) and the sixth relay (R6) to close, and the first relay (R1), the second relay (R2), the fourth relay (R4), and the fifth relay (R5) to open.

[0374] When it is determined that a container is present in the first heating region (HA1), second heating region (HA2), third heating region (HA3), fifth heating region (HA5), sixth heating region (HA6), and seventh heating region (HA7), the controller 500 can control the first relay (R1), second relay (R2), fourth relay (R4), and fifth relay (R5) to close, and the third relay (R3) and sixth relay (R6) to open.

[0375] When it is determined that a container is present in the second heating region (HA2), third heating region (HA3), fourth heating region (HA4), sixth heating region (HA6), seventh heating region (HA7), and eighth heating region (HA8), the controller 500 can control the first relay (R1), third relay (R3), fourth relay (R4), and sixth relay (R6) to close, and the second relay (R2) and fifth relay (R5) to open.

[0376] When it is determined that a container is present in the first heating region (HA1), second heating region (HA2), third heating region (HA3), fourth heating region (HA4), fifth heating region (HA5), sixth heating region (HA6), seventh heating region (HA7), and eighth heating region (HA8), the controller 500 can control the second relay (R2), third relay (R3), fifth relay (R5), and sixth relay (R6) to close, and the first relay (R1) and fourth relay (R4) to open.

[0377] Figure 31 is a plan view showing the structure of the coil module according to the fourth embodiment. Figure 32 is a circuit diagram of a home appliance including the coil module according to the fourth embodiment.

[0378] Referring to Figure 31, the coil module according to the fourth embodiment may include a first coil module 2003a, a second coil module 2003b arranged in a line along one direction (e.g., left-right direction) with respect to the first coil module 2003a, a third coil module 2003c arranged in a line along one direction (e.g., left-right direction) with respect to the second coil module 2003b, and a fourth coil module 2003d arranged in a line along one direction (e.g., left-right direction) with respect to the third coil module 2003c.

[0379] The first coil module 2003a may include four heating regions (HA1, HA2, HA3, HA4) and four working coils (WC1, WC2, WC3, WC4) positioned in a location corresponding to each heating region (HA1, HA2, HA3, HA4).

[0380] Each heating region (HA1, HA2, HA3, HA4) and each working coil (WC1, WC2, WC3, WC4) may be arranged in a line along one direction (e.g., vertically). The second heating region (HA2) may be located between the first heating region (HA1) and the third heating region (HA3). The third heating region (HA3) may be located between the second heating region (HA2) and the fourth heating region (HA4). The second heating region (HA2) and the third heating region (HA3) may be located between the first heating region (HA1) and the fourth heating region (HA4). Although not shown, each heating region (HA1, HA2, HA3, HA4) may have at least one sensing coil for sensing the container.

[0381] The second coil module 2003b may include four heating regions (HA5, HA6, HA7, HA8) and four working coils (WC5, WC6, WC7, WC8) positioned in a location corresponding to each heating region (HA5, HA6, HA7, HA8).

[0382] Each heating region (HA5, HA6, HA7, HA8) and each working coil (WC5, WC6, WC7, WC8) may be arranged in a line along one direction (e.g., vertically). The sixth heating region (HA6) may be located between the fifth heating region (HA5) and the seventh heating region (HA7). The seventh heating region (HA7) may be located between the sixth heating region (HA6) and the eighth heating region (HA8). The sixth heating region (HA6) and the seventh heating region (HA7) may be located between the fifth heating region (HA5) and the eighth heating region (HA8). Although not shown, each heating region (HA5, HA6, HA7, HA8) may have at least one sensing coil for sensing the container.

[0383] The first heating region (HA1) may be located adjacent to the fifth heating region (HA5). The second heating region (HA2) may be located adjacent to the sixth heating region (HA6). The third heating region (HA3) may be located adjacent to the seventh heating region (HA7). The fourth heating region (HA4) may be located adjacent to the eighth heating region (HA8).

[0384] The third coil module 2003c may include four heating regions (HA9, HA10, HA11, HA12) and four working coils (WC9, WC10, WC11, WC12) positioned in a location corresponding to each heating region (HA9, HA10, HA11, HA12).

[0385] Each heating region (HA9, HA10, HA11, HA12) and each working coil (WC9, WC10, WC11, WC12) may be arranged in a line along one direction (e.g., vertical direction). The 10th heating region (HA10) may be located between the 9th heating region (HA9) and the 11th heating region (HA11). The 11th heating region (HA11) may be located between the 10th heating region (HA10) and the 12th heating region (HA12). The 10th heating region (HA10) and the 11th heating region (HA11) may be located between the 9th heating region (HA9) and the 12th heating region (HA12). Although not shown, each heating region (HA9, HA10, HA11, HA12) may have at least one sensing coil for sensing the container.

[0386] The fifth heating region (HA5) may be located adjacent to the ninth heating region (HA9). The sixth heating region (HA6) may be located adjacent to the tenth heating region (HA10). The seventh heating region (HA7) may be located adjacent to the eleventh heating region (HA11). The eighth heating region (HA8) may be located adjacent to the twelfth heating region (HA12).

[0387] The fourth coil module 2003d may include four heating regions (HA13, HA14, HA15, HA16) and four working coils (WC13, WC14, WC15, WC16) positioned in a location corresponding to each heating region (HA13, HA14, HA15, HA16).

[0388] Each heating region (HA13, HA14, HA15, HA16) and each working coil (WC13, WC14, WC15, WC16) may be arranged in a line along one direction (e.g., vertically). The 14th heating region (HA14) may be located between the 13th heating region (HA13) and the 15th heating region (HA15). The 15th heating region (HA15) may be located between the 14th heating region (HA14) and the 16th heating region (HA16). The 14th heating region (HA14) and the 15th heating region (HA15) may be located between the 13th heating region (HA13) and the 16th heating region (HA16). Although not shown, each heating region (HA13, HA14, HA15, HA16) may have at least one sensing coil for sensing the container.

[0389] The ninth heating region (HA9) may be located adjacent to the thirteenth heating region (HA13). The tenth heating region (HA10) may be located adjacent to the fourteenth heating region (HA14). The eleventh heating region (HA11) may be located adjacent to the fifteenth heating region (HA15). The twelfth heating region (HA12) may be located adjacent to the sixteenth heating region (HA16).

[0390] Referring to Figures 30 and 31, the first coil module 2003a and the second coil module 2003b included in the home appliance according to the fourth embodiment can be realized identically to the circuit diagram shown in Figure 30. That is, the home 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) positioned in corresponding locations to eight heating regions (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] Referring to Figures 31 and 32, the home appliance according to the fourth embodiment may further 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) positioned in the same locations as eight heating regions (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).

[0392] The third DC link capacitor (CD3) can smooth the voltage output from the rectifier circuit (Rc) and output it.

[0393] The third inverter (INV3) can output an alternating 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) may be turned on and turned off by a fifth switching signal (S5) and a sixth switching signal (S6) supplied by the drive circuit 300. The fifth switching element (SW5) and the sixth switching element (SW6) may be turned on and turned off alternately. In another embodiment, the third inverter (INV3) may include two or more switching elements.

[0394] The fourth DC link capacitor (CD4) can smooth the voltage output from the rectifier circuit (Rc) before outputting it.

[0395] The fourth inverter (INV4) can output an alternating 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) may be turned on and turned off by the seventh switching signal (S7) and the eighth switching signal (S8) supplied by the drive circuit 300. The seventh switching element (SW7) and the eighth switching element (SW8) may be turned on and turned off alternately. In another embodiment, the fourth inverter (INV4) may include two or more switching elements.

[0396] The controller 500 can supply control signals to the drive circuit 300. When control signals are supplied to the drive circuit 300, the drive circuit 300 can output switching signals (S5, S6, S7, S8).

[0397] When the fifth switching signal (S5) and the sixth switching signal (S6) are supplied to the third inverter (INV3), the fifth switching element (SW5) and the sixth switching element (SW6) may be turned on and turned off alternately. As a result, alternating current may be output from the third inverter (INV3). When the alternating current output from the third inverter (INV3) is supplied to the working coils (WC9, WC10, WC13, WC14), the containers provided on top of the working coils (WC9, WC10, WC13, WC14) may be heated.

[0398] When the seventh switching signal (S7) and the eighth switching signal (S8) are supplied to the fourth inverter (INV4), the seventh switching element (SW7) and the eighth switching element (SW8) may be turned on and turned off alternately. As a result, alternating current may be output from the fourth inverter (INV4). When the alternating current output from the fourth inverter (INV4) is supplied to the working coils (WC11, WC12, WC15, WC16), the containers provided on top of the working coils (WC11, WC12, WC15, WC16) may be heated.

[0399] In other embodiments, the fifth switching element (SW5) and the eighth switching element (SW8) may be turned on and off alternately 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 turned off (turned on), the sixth switching element (SW6) and the seventh switching element (SW7) may be turned on (turned off).

[0400] One end of the 10th working coil (WC10) may be connected to the 3rd inverter (INV3). The other end of the 10th working coil (WC10) may be connected to the 10th resonant capacitor (C10).

[0401] One end of the ninth working coil (WC9) may be connected to the tenth working coil (WC10) and the tenth resonant capacitor (C10). The other end of the ninth working coil (WC9) may be connected to the ninth resonant capacitor (C9). An eighth relay (R8) may be connected between the ninth working coil (WC9) and the ninth resonant capacitor (C9) and the ground terminal.

[0402] The ninth working coil (WC9) and the tenth working coil (WC10) may be connected in series.

[0403] One end of the 11th working coil (WC11) may be connected to the 4th inverter (INV4). The other end of the 11th working coil (WC11) may be connected to the 11th resonant capacitor (C11).

[0404] One end of the 12th working coil (WC12) may be connected to the 11th working coil (WC11) and the 11th resonant capacitor (C11). The other end of the 12th working coil (WC12) may be connected to the 12th resonant capacitor (C12). A 9th relay (R9) may be connected between the 12th working coil (WC12) and the 12th resonant capacitor (C12) and the ground terminal.

[0405] The 11th working coil (WC11) and the 12th working coil (WC12) may be connected in series.

[0406] A seventh relay (R7) may be connected between the fifth connecting node (N5), which is the node to which the ninth working coil (WC9) and the tenth working coil (WC10) are connected, and the sixth connecting node (N6), which is the node to which the eleventh working coil (WC11) and the twelfth working coil (WC12) are connected.

[0407] One end of the 14th working coil (WC14) may be connected to the 3rd inverter (INV3). The other end of the 14th working coil (WC14) may be connected to the 14th resonant capacitor (C14).

[0408] One end of the 13th working coil (WC13) may be connected to the 14th working coil (WC14) and the 14th resonant capacitor (C14). The other end of the 13th working coil (WC13) may be connected to the 13th resonant capacitor (C13). The 11th relay (R11) may be connected between the 13th working coil (WC13) and the 13th resonant capacitor (C13) and the ground terminal.

[0409] The 13th working coil (WC13) and the 14th working coil (WC14) may be connected in series.

[0410] One end of the 15th working coil (WC15) may be connected to the 4th inverter (INV4). The other end of the 15th working coil (WC15) may be connected to the 15th resonant capacitor (C15).

[0411] One end of the 16th working coil (WC16) may be connected to the 15th working coil (WC15) and the 15th resonant capacitor (C15). The other end of the 16th working coil (WC16) may be connected to the 16th resonant capacitor (C16). A 12th relay (R12) may be connected between the 16th working coil (WC16) and the 16th resonant capacitor (C16) and the ground terminal.

[0412] The 15th working coil (WC15) and the 16th working coil (WC16) may be connected in series.

[0413] A 10th relay (R10) may be connected between the 7th connecting node (N7), which is the node to which the 13th working coil (WC13) and the 14th working coil (WC14) are connected, and the 8th connecting node (N8), which is the node to which the 15th working coil (WC15) and the 16th working coil (WC16) are connected.

[0414] The controller 500 uses at least one sensing coil (SC) located in coil modules 2003a, 2003b, 2003c, and 2003d to sense containers in each heating region (HA1, HA2, HA3, HA4, HA5, HA6, HA7, HA8, HA9, HA10, HA11, HA12, HA13, HA14, HA15, HA16) and can determine whether or not a container is present in each heating region (HA1, HA2, HA3, HA4, HA5, HA6, HA7, HA8, HA9, HA10, HA11, HA12, HA13, HA14, HA15, HA16). The controller 500 can control the open / 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) according to the container sensing result.

[0415] When it is determined that a container is present in the first heating region (HA1), the second heating region (HA2), the fifth heating region (HA5), and the sixth heating region (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.

[0416] When it is determined that a container is present in the second heating region (HA2), the third heating region (HA3), the sixth heating region (HA6), and the seventh heating region (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.

[0417] When it is determined that a container is present in the third heating region (HA3), the fourth heating region (HA4), the seventh heating region (HA7), and the eighth heating region (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), 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.

[0418] When it is determined that a container is present in the first heating region (HA1), second heating region (HA2), third heating region (HA3), fifth heating region (HA5), sixth heating region (HA6), and seventh heating region (HA7), the controller 500 can control the first relay (R1), second relay (R2), fourth relay (R4), and fifth relay (R5) to close, and control the third relay (R3), sixth relay (R6), seventh relay (R7), eighth relay (R8), ninth relay (R9), tenth relay (R10), eleventh relay (R11), and twelfth relay (R12) to open.

[0419] When it is determined that a container is present in the second heating region (HA2), third heating region (HA3), fourth heating region (HA4), sixth heating region (HA6), seventh heating region (HA7), and eighth heating region (HA8), the controller 500 can control the first relay (R1), third relay (R3), fourth relay (R4), and sixth relay (R6) to close, and control the second relay (R2), fifth relay (R5), seventh relay (R7), eighth relay (R8), ninth relay (R9), tenth relay (R10), eleventh relay (R11), and twelfth relay (R12) to open.

[0420] When it is determined that a container is present in the first heating region (HA1), second heating region (HA2), third heating region (HA3), fourth heating region (HA4), fifth heating region (HA5), sixth heating region (HA6), seventh heating region (HA7), and eighth heating region (HA8), the controller 500 can control the second relay (R2), third relay (R3), fifth relay (R5), and sixth relay (R6) to close, and control the first relay (R1), fourth relay (R4), seventh relay (R7), eighth relay (R8), ninth relay (R9), tenth relay (R10), eleventh relay (R11), and twelfth relay (R12) to open.

[0421] When it is determined that a container is present in the fifth heating region (HA5), sixth heating region (HA6), ninth heating region (HA9), and tenth heating region (HA10), the controller 500 can control the fifth relay (R5) and the eighth relay (R8) to close, and control the first relay (R1), second relay (R2), third relay (R3), fourth relay (R4), sixth relay (R6), seventh relay (R7), ninth relay (R9), tenth relay (R10), eleventh relay (R11), and twelfth relay (R12) to open.

[0422] When it is determined that a container is present in the sixth heating region (HA6), the seventh heating region (HA7), the tenth heating region (HA10), and the eleventh heating region (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.

[0423] When it is determined that a container is present in the seventh heating region (HA7), the eighth heating region (HA8), the eleventh heating region (HA11), and the twelfth heating region (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.

[0424] When it is determined that a container is present in the fifth heating region (HA5), sixth heating region (HA6), seventh heating region (HA7), ninth heating region (HA9), tenth heating region (HA10), and eleventh heating region (HA11), the controller 500 can control the fourth relay (R4), fifth relay (R5), seventh relay (R7), and eighth relay (R8) to close, and control the first relay (R1), second relay (R2), third relay (R3), sixth relay (R6), ninth relay (R9), tenth relay (R10), eleventh relay (R11), and twelfth relay (R12) to open.

[0425] When it is determined that a container is present in the sixth heating region (HA6), the seventh heating region (HA7), the eighth heating region (HA8), the tenth heating region (HA10), the eleventh heating region (HA11), and the twelfth heating region (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.

[0426] When it is determined that a container is present in the fifth heating region (HA5), sixth heating region (HA6), seventh heating region (HA7), eighth heating region (HA8), ninth heating region (HA9), tenth heating region (HA10), eleventh heating region (HA11), and twelfth heating region (HA12), the controller 500 can control the fifth relay (R5), sixth relay (R6), eighth relay (R8), and ninth relay (R9) to close, and control the first relay (R1), second relay (R2), third relay (R3), fourth relay (R4), seventh relay (R7), tenth relay (R10), eleventh relay (R11), and twelfth relay (R12) to open.

[0427] Figure 33 is a plan view showing the structure of the coil module according to the fifth embodiment. Figure 34 is a circuit diagram of a home appliance including the coil module according to the fifth embodiment.

[0428] Referring to Figure 33, the coil module according to the fifth embodiment may include a first coil module 2003a, a second coil module 2003b arranged in a line along one direction (e.g., left-right direction) with respect to the first coil module 2003a, a third coil module 2001a arranged in a line along one direction (e.g., left-right direction) with respect to the second coil module 2003b, a fourth coil module 2001b arranged in a line along one direction (e.g., left-right direction) with respect to the third coil module 2001a, a fifth coil module 2003c arranged in a line along one direction (e.g., left-right direction) with respect to the fourth coil module 2001b, and a sixth coil module 2003d arranged in a line along one direction (e.g., left-right direction) with respect to the fifth coil module 2003c.

[0429] The fourth coil module 2001b, the fifth coil module 2003c, and the sixth coil module 2003d have a structure symmetrical to the first coil module 2003a, the second coil module 2003b, and the third coil module 2001a, with respect to the center line between the third coil module 2001a and the fourth coil module 2001b. Furthermore, the circuit configuration of the fourth coil module 2001b, the fifth coil module 2003c, and the sixth coil module 2003d is identical to the circuit configuration of the first coil module 2003a, the second coil module 2003b, and the third coil module 2001a.

[0430] The following describes the circuit configuration and operation of the first coil module 2003a, the second coil module 2003b, and the third coil module 2001a. 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 similarly to the fourth coil module 2001b, the fifth coil module 2003c, and the sixth coil module 2003d.

[0431] The first coil module 2003a may include four heating regions (HA1, HA2, HA3, HA4) and four working coils (WC1, WC2, WC3, WC4) positioned in a location corresponding to each heating region (HA1, HA2, HA3, HA4).

[0432] Each heating region (HA1, HA2, HA3, HA4) and each working coil (WC1, WC2, WC3, WC4) may be arranged in a line along one direction (e.g., vertically). The second heating region (HA2) may be located between the first heating region (HA1) and the third heating region (HA3). The third heating region (HA3) may be located between the second heating region (HA2) and the fourth heating region (HA4). The second heating region (HA2) and the third heating region (HA3) may be located between the first heating region (HA1) and the fourth heating region (HA4). Although not shown, each heating region (HA1, HA2, HA3, HA4) may have at least one sensing coil for sensing the container.

[0433] The second coil module 2003b may include four heating regions (HA5, HA6, HA7, HA8) and four working coils (WC5, WC6, WC7, WC8) positioned in a location corresponding to each heating region (HA5, HA6, HA7, HA8).

[0434] Each heating region (HA5, HA6, HA7, HA8) and each working coil (WC5, WC6, WC7, WC8) may be arranged in a line along one direction (e.g., vertically). The sixth heating region (HA6) may be located between the fifth heating region (HA5) and the seventh heating region (HA7). The seventh heating region (HA7) may be located between the sixth heating region (HA6) and the eighth heating region (HA8). The sixth heating region (HA6) and the seventh heating region (HA7) may be located between the fifth heating region (HA5) and the eighth heating region (HA8). Although not shown, each heating region (HA5, HA6, HA7, HA8) may have at least one sensing coil for sensing the container.

[0435] The first heating region (HA1) may be located adjacent to the fifth heating region (HA5). The second heating region (HA2) may be located adjacent to the sixth heating region (HA6). The third heating region (HA3) may be located adjacent to the seventh heating region (HA7). The fourth heating region (HA4) may be located adjacent to the eighth heating region (HA8).

[0436] The third coil module 2001a may include three heating regions (HA9, HA10, HA11) and three working coils (WC9, WC10, WC11) positioned in a location corresponding to each of the heating regions (HA9, HA10, HA11).

[0437] Each heating region (HA9, HA10, HA11) and each working coil (WC9, WC10, WC11) may be arranged in a line along one direction (e.g., vertically). The ninth heating region (HA9) may be located between the tenth heating region (HA10) and the eleventh heating region (HA11). Although not shown, each heating region (HA9, HA10, HA11) may have at least one sensing coil for sensing the container.

[0438] The fifth heating region (HA5) may be located adjacent to the tenth heating region (HA10). The sixth heating region (HA6) may be located adjacent to the ninth heating region (HA9). The seventh heating region (HA7) may be located adjacent to the eleventh heating region (HA11).

[0439] Referring to Figures 30 and 33, the first coil module 2003a and the second coil module 2003b included in the home appliance according to the fifth embodiment can be realized identically to the circuit diagram shown in Figure 30. That is, the home 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) positioned in corresponding locations to eight heating regions (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).

[0440] Referring to Figures 33 and 34, the home appliance according to the fifth embodiment may further include a third DC link capacitor (CD3), a third inverter (INV3), three working coils (WC9, WC10, WC11) positioned in the same locations as three heating regions (HA9, HA10, HA11), a seventh relay (R7), and an eighth relay (R8).

[0441] The third DC link capacitor (CD3) can smooth the voltage output from the rectifier circuit (Rc) and output it.

[0442] The third inverter (INV3) can output an alternating 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) may be turned on and turned off by a fifth switching signal (S5) and a sixth switching signal (S6) supplied by the drive circuit 300. The fifth switching element (SW5) and the sixth switching element (SW6) may be turned on and turned off alternately. In another embodiment, the third inverter (INV3) may include two or more switching elements.

[0443] The controller 500 can supply control signals to the drive circuit 300. When control signals are supplied to the drive circuit 300, the drive circuit 300 can output switching signals (S5, S6). When the fifth switching signal (S5) and the sixth switching signal (S6) are supplied to the third inverter (INV3), the fifth switching element (SW5) and the sixth switching element (SW6) may be turned on and turned off alternately. As a result, alternating current may be output from the third inverter (INV3). When the alternating current output from the third inverter (INV3) is supplied to the working coils (WC9, WC10, WC11), the containers provided on top of the working coils (WC9, WC10, WC11) may be heated.

[0444] One end of the ninth working coil (WC9) may be connected to the third inverter (INV3). The other end of the ninth working coil (WC9) may be connected to the ninth resonant capacitor (C9).

[0445] One end of the 10th working coil (WC10) may be connected to the 9th working coil (WC9) and the 9th resonant capacitor (C9). The other end of the 10th working coil (WC10) may be connected to the 10th resonant capacitor (C10). A 7th relay (R7) may be connected between the 10th working coil (WC10) and the 10th resonant capacitor (C10) and the ground terminal.

[0446] One end of the 11th working coil (WC11) may be connected to the 9th working coil (WC9) and the 9th resonant capacitor (C9). The other end of the 11th working coil (WC11) may be connected to the 11th resonant capacitor (C11). The 8th relay (R8) may be connected between the 11th working coil (WC11) and the 11th resonant capacitor (C11) and the ground terminal.

[0447] The 9th working coil (WC9) and the 10th working coil (WC10) may be connected in series. The 9th working coil (WC9) and the 11th working coil (WC11) may be connected in series. The 10th working coil (WC10) and the 11th working coil (WC11) may be connected in parallel.

[0448] The controller 500 uses at least one sensing coil (SC) located in the coil modules 2003a, 2003b, and 2001a to sense containers in each heating region (HA1, HA2, HA3, HA4, HA5, HA6, HA7, HA8, HA9, HA10, HA11) and can determine whether or not a container is present in each heating region (HA1, HA2, HA3, HA4, HA5, HA6, HA7, HA8, HA9, HA10, HA11). The controller 500 can control the open / 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) according to the container sensing result.

[0449] When it is determined that a container is present in the first heating region (HA1), the second heating region (HA2), the fifth heating region (HA5), and the sixth heating region (HA6), the controller 500 can control the second relay (R2) and the fifth relay (R5) to close, and the first relay (R1), the third relay (R3), the fourth relay (R4), and the sixth relay (R6) to open.

[0450] When it is determined that a container is present in the second heating region (HA2), the third heating region (HA3), the sixth heating region (HA6), and the seventh heating region (HA7), the controller 500 can control the first relay (R1) and the fourth relay (R4) to close, and the second relay (R2), the third relay (R3), the fifth relay (R5), and the sixth relay (R6) to open.

[0451] When it is determined that a container is present in the third heating region (HA3), the fourth heating region (HA4), the seventh heating region (HA7), and the eighth heating region (HA8), the controller 500 can control the third relay (R3) and the sixth relay (R6) to close, and the first relay (R1), the second relay (R2), the fourth relay (R4), and the fifth relay (R5) to open.

[0452] When it is determined that a container is present in the first heating region (HA1), second heating region (HA2), third heating region (HA3), fifth heating region (HA5), sixth heating region (HA6), and seventh heating region (HA7), the controller 500 can control the first relay (R1), second relay (R2), fourth relay (R4), and fifth relay (R5) to close, and the third relay (R3) and sixth relay (R6) to open.

[0453] When it is determined that a container is present in the second heating region (HA2), third heating region (HA3), fourth heating region (HA4), sixth heating region (HA6), seventh heating region (HA7), and eighth heating region (HA8), the controller 500 can control the first relay (R1), third relay (R3), fourth relay (R4), and sixth relay (R6) to close, and the second relay (R2) and fifth relay (R5) to open.

[0454] When it is determined that a container is present in the first heating region (HA1), second heating region (HA2), third heating region (HA3), fourth heating region (HA4), fifth heating region (HA5), sixth heating region (HA6), seventh heating region (HA7), and eighth heating region (HA8), the controller 500 can control the second relay (R2), third relay (R3), fifth relay (R5), and sixth relay (R6) to close, and the first relay (R1) and fourth relay (R4) to open.

[0455] If it is determined that a container is present in the ninth heating region (HA9) or the tenth heating region (HA10), the controller 500 can control the seventh relay (R7) to close and the eighth relay (R8) to open.

[0456] When it is determined that a container is present in the ninth heating region (HA9) and the tenth heating region (HA10), the controller 500 can control the seventh relay (R7) to close and the eighth relay (R8) to open.

[0457] If it is determined that a container is present in the ninth heating region (HA9) or the eleventh heating region (HA11), the controller 500 can control the eighth relay (R8) to close and the seventh relay (R7) to open.

[0458] When it is determined that a container is present in the ninth heating region (HA9) and the eleventh heating region (HA11), the controller 500 can control the eighth relay (R8) to close and the seventh relay (R7) to open.

[0459] When it is determined that a container is present in the ninth heating region (HA9), the tenth heating region (HA10), and the eleventh heating region (HA11), the controller 500 can control the seventh relay (R7) and the eighth relay (R8) to close.

[0460] When it is determined that a container is present in the fifth heating region (HA5), the sixth heating region (HA6), the ninth heating region (HA9), and the tenth heating region (HA10), the controller 500 can control the fifth relay (R5) and the seventh relay (R7) to close, and 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.

[0461] When it is determined that a container is present in the sixth heating region (HA6), the seventh heating region (HA7), the ninth heating region (HA9), and the eleventh heating region (HA11), the controller 500 can control the fourth relay (R4) and the eighth relay (R8) to close, and 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.

[0462] When it is determined that a container is present in the fifth heating region (HA5), sixth heating region (HA6), seventh heating region (HA7), ninth heating region (HA9), tenth heating region (HA10), and eleventh heating region (HA11), the controller 500 can control the fourth relay (R4), fifth relay (R5), seventh relay (R7), and eighth relay (R8) to close, and control the first relay (R1), second relay (R2), third relay (R3), and sixth relay (R6) to open.

[0463] Figure 35 is a circuit diagram of a sensing circuit according to one embodiment. Figure 36 is a diagram showing the waveform of the resonant signal output from the output node of the sensing circuit according to one embodiment. Figure 37 is a diagram showing the waveform of the square wave output from the comparator of the sensing circuit according to one embodiment.

[0464] In one embodiment, the controller 500 can detect the container using the sensing circuit shown in Figure 35.

[0465] Referring to Figure 35, a sensing circuit according to one embodiment may include a sensing coil (SC), a resonant capacitor (Cr2) connected in parallel with the sensing coil (SC), a switching element (SWt) connected to the sensing coil (SC) and the resonant capacitor (Cr2), and a comparator 360 that outputs a square wave by comparing the resonant signal output from the output node (N) with a predetermined reference signal.

[0466] When container detection begins, the controller 500 can turn on the switching element (SWt) for a predetermined charging time. This electrically connects the first power supply voltage (VR1) to the ground terminal, and a voltage may be applied to the sensing coil (SC) and the resonant capacitor (Cr2).

[0467] Once a predetermined charging time has elapsed, the controller 500 can turn off the switching element (SWt). This can cause a resonance phenomenon to occur in the sensing coil (SC) and the resonant capacitor (Cr2).

[0468] When a resonance phenomenon occurs due to the sensing coil (SC) and the resonant capacitor (Cr2), a resonant signal may be output via the output node (N). Figure 36 shows the waveform of the resonant signal output from the output node of a sensing circuit according to one embodiment.

[0469] In one embodiment, the sensing circuit may further include a DC cutoff unit 350 to remove the DC component from the resonant signal output from the output node (N). In other embodiments, the DC cutoff unit 350 may be omitted.

[0470] The resonant signal output from the output node (N) may be input to the comparator 360. The 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 shows the waveform of the square wave output from the comparator of a sensing circuit according to one embodiment.

[0471] More specifically, the comparator 360 compares the magnitude of the voltage of the reference signal generated by the second power supply voltage (VR2) with the magnitude of the voltage of the resonant signal output from the output node (N), and can output a square wave according to the comparison result. For example, if the magnitude of the voltage of the resonant signal output from the output node (N) is greater than or equal to the magnitude of the voltage of the reference signal, the comparator 360 can output a signal with a first level voltage magnitude (e.g., 5V), and if the magnitude of the voltage of the resonant signal is less than the magnitude of the voltage of the reference signal, the comparator 360 can output a signal with a second level voltage magnitude (e.g., 0V).

[0472] The controller 500 can count the number of square wave waveforms output from the comparator 360 and determine whether or not a container is present above the sensing coil (SC) based on the counted number of square wave waveforms.

[0473] When a container is present above the sensing coil (SC), the impedance of the sensing coil (SC) and the resonant capacitor (Cr2) is maintained at a relatively high level compared to when the container is absent. Therefore, the resonant signal can decay for a relatively short time before disappearing. Conversely, when there is no container above the sensing coil (SC), the impedance of the sensing coil (SC) and the resonant capacitor (Cr2) is maintained at a relatively low level compared to when the container is present. Therefore, the resonant signal can decay for a relatively long time before disappearing.

[0474] Ultimately, when there is no container above the sensing coil (SC), the number of waveforms in the square wave output by the comparator 360 is greater than the number of waveforms in the square wave output by the comparator 360 when there is a container above the sensing coil (SC).

[0475] Therefore, the controller 500 can determine that a container exists above the sensing coil (SC) if the number of counted rectangular wave waveforms is less than or equal to a predetermined reference value. Conversely, the controller 500 can determine that a container does not exist above the sensing coil (SC) if the number of counted rectangular wave waveforms exceeds a predetermined reference value. The reference value is a value that can be set differently depending on the embodiment.

[0476] In one embodiment, the controller 500 can sequentially sense the container with respect to each sensing coil (SC). Therefore, while a container is being sensed with respect to one sensing coil (SC), the remaining sensing coils (SC) can be maintained in a discharge state.

[0477] The embodiments described so far with reference to drawings are merely illustrative, and a person with ordinary skill in the art will understand that various modifications and equivalent embodiments can be realized from these embodiments. Furthermore, when embodiments are described, even if the effects of the configuration are not explicitly described, other effects that can be predicted by the configuration should also be recognized.

[0478] [Claims when filing an international application] [Claim 1] Home appliances, A rectifier circuit that rectifies the input voltage and outputs it; A DC link capacitor that smooths the voltage output from the rectifier circuit; An inverter that outputs alternating current using the voltage smoothed by the DC link capacitor; A first working coil connected to the inverter and positioned in a location corresponding to the first heating region; A second working coil connected in series with the first working coil and positioned in a location corresponding to the second heating region; A third working coil, connected in series with the first working coil and in parallel with the second working coil, and positioned in a location corresponding to the third heating region; A first relay connected between the second working coil and the ground terminal; A second relay connected between the third working coil and the ground terminal; A home appliance comprising: a control unit that senses a container in the first heating region, the second heating region, and the third heating region, and controls the opening and closing states of the first relay and the second relay according to the results of sensing the container. [Claim 2] The controller is, When it is determined that a container is present in the first heating region and the second heating region, Control the first relay to close, The home appliance according to claim 1, wherein the second relay is controlled to open. [Claim 3] The controller is, When it is determined that a container is present in the first heating region and the third heating region, Control the second relay to close, The home appliance according to claim 1, wherein the first relay is controlled to open. [Claim 4] The controller is, When it is determined that a container is present in the first heating region, the second heating region, and the third heating region, The home appliance according to claim 1, wherein the first relay and the second relay are controlled to close. [Claim 5] The home appliance according to claim 1, wherein the first heating region is located between the second heating region and the third heating region. [Claim 6] Home appliances, A rectifier circuit that rectifies the input voltage and outputs it; A first DC link capacitor that smooths the voltage output from the rectifier circuit; A first inverter that outputs an alternating current using the voltage smoothed by the first DC link capacitor; A second DC link capacitor that smooths the voltage output from the rectifier circuit; A second inverter that outputs an alternating current using the voltage smoothed by the second DC link capacitor; A second working coil connected to the first inverter and positioned in a location corresponding to the second heating region; A first working coil connected in series with the second working coil and positioned in a location corresponding to the first heating region; A third working coil connected to the second inverter and positioned in a location corresponding to the third heating region; A fourth working coil connected in series with the third working coil and positioned in a location corresponding to the fourth heating region; A first relay 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; A second relay connected between the first working coil and the ground terminal; A third relay connected between the fourth working coil and the ground terminal; A home appliance comprising: a controller that senses a container in the first heating region, the second heating region, the third heating region, and the fourth heating region, and controls the opening and closing states of the first relay, the second relay, and the third relay according to the results of sensing the container. [Claim 7] The controller is, When it is determined that a container is present in the first heating region and the second heating region, Control the second relay to close, The home appliance according to claim 6, wherein the first relay and the third relay are controlled to open. [Claim 8] The controller is, When it is determined that a container is present in the second heating region and the third heating region, Control the first relay to close, The home appliance according to claim 6, wherein the second relay and the third relay are controlled to open. [Claim 9] The controller is, When it is determined that a container is present in the third heating region and the fourth heating region, Control the third relay to close, The home appliance according to claim 6, wherein the first relay and the second relay are controlled to open. [Claim 10] The controller is, When it is determined that a container is present in the first heating region, the second heating region, and the third heating region, The first relay and the second relay are controlled to close, The home appliance according to claim 6, which controls the third relay to open. [Claim 11] The controller is, When it is determined that a container is present in the second heating region, the third heating region, and the fourth heating region, The first relay and the third relay are controlled to close, The home appliance according to claim 6, wherein the second relay is controlled to open. [Claim 12] The controller is, When it is determined that a container is present in the first heating region, the second heating region, the third heating region, and the fourth heating region, Control the second relay and the third relay to close, The home appliance according to claim 6, wherein the first relay is controlled to open. [Claim 13] The second heating region is positioned between the first heating region and the third heating region. The home appliance according to claim 6, wherein the third heating region is located between the second heating region and the fourth heating region. [Claim 14] The home appliance according to claim 6, wherein the second heating region and the third heating region are arranged between the first heating region and the fourth heating region. [Claim 15] A sixth working coil connected to the first inverter and positioned in a location corresponding to the sixth heating region; A fifth working coil connected in series with the sixth working coil and positioned in a location corresponding to the fifth heating region; A seventh working coil, connected to the second inverter and positioned in a location corresponding to the seventh heating region; An eighth working coil connected in series with the seventh working coil and positioned in a location corresponding to the eighth heating region; A fourth relay connected between the connection node of the fifth working coil and the sixth working coil, and the connection node of the seventh working coil and the eighth working coil; A fifth relay connected between the fifth working coil and the ground terminal; and, The system further comprises a sixth relay connected between the eighth working coil and the ground terminal; The controller is, The container is detected 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 home appliance according to claim 6, wherein the open / closed states of the first relay, second relay, third relay, fourth relay, fifth relay, and sixth relay are controlled according to the sensing result of the container. [Claim 16] The controller is, When it is determined that a container is present in the first heating region, the second heating region, the fifth heating region, and the sixth heating region, The second relay and the fifth relay are controlled to close, The home appliance according to claim 15, which controls the first relay, the third relay, the fourth relay, and the sixth relay to open. [Claim 17] The controller is, When it is determined that a container is present in the second heating region, the third heating region, the sixth heating region, and the seventh heating region, The first relay and the fourth relay are controlled to close, The home appliance according to claim 15, which controls the second relay, the third relay, the fifth relay, and the sixth relay to open. [Claim 18] The controller is, When it is determined that a container is present in the third heating region, the fourth heating region, the seventh heating region, and the eighth heating region, The third relay and the sixth relay are controlled to close, The home appliance according to claim 15, which controls the first relay, the second relay, the fourth relay, and the fifth relay to open. [Claim 19] The controller is, When it is determined 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 first relay, the second relay, the fourth relay, and the fifth relay are controlled to close, The home appliance according to claim 15, wherein the third relay and the sixth relay are controlled to open. [Claim 20] The controller is, When it is determined 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 first relay, the third relay, the fourth relay, and the sixth relay are controlled to close. The home appliance according to claim 15, wherein the second relay and the fifth relay are controlled to open. [Claim 21] The controller is, When it is determined 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 second relay, the third relay, the fifth relay, and the sixth relay are controlled to close, The home appliance according to claim 15, wherein the first relay and the fourth relay are controlled to open. [Claim 22] The sixth heating region is located between the fifth heating region and the seventh heating region. The home appliance according to claim 15, wherein the seventh heating region is located between the sixth heating region and the eighth heating region. [Claim 23] The home appliance according to claim 15, wherein the sixth heating region and the seventh heating region are arranged between the fifth heating region and the eighth heating region. [Claim 24] The first heating region is located adjacent to the fifth heating region, The second heating region is located adjacent to the sixth heating region, The third heating region is located adjacent to the seventh heating region, The home appliance according to claim 15, wherein the fourth heating region is arranged adjacent to the eighth heating region. [Claim 25] A third DC link capacitor that smooths the voltage output from the rectifier circuit; A third inverter that outputs an alternating current using the voltage smoothed by the third DC link capacitor; A ninth working coil, connected to the third inverter and positioned in a location corresponding to the ninth heating region; A tenth working coil connected in series with the ninth working coil and positioned in a location corresponding to the tenth heating region; An eleventh working coil, connected in series with the ninth working coil and in parallel with the tenth working coil, and positioned in a location corresponding to the eleventh heating region; A seventh relay connected between the tenth working coil and the ground terminal; and, The system further comprises an eighth relay connected between the eleventh working coil and the ground terminal; The controller is, The container is detected 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, the eighth heating region, the ninth heating region, the tenth heating region, and the eleventh heating region. The home appliance according to claim 15, wherein the open / closed states of the first relay, second relay, third relay, fourth relay, fifth relay, sixth relay, seventh relay, and eighth relay are controlled according to the sensing result of the container. [Claim 26] The controller is, When it is determined that a container is present in the fifth heating region, the sixth heating region, the ninth heating region, and the tenth heating region, Control the fifth relay and the seventh relay to close, The home appliance according to claim 25, which controls the first relay, the second relay, the third relay, the fourth relay, the sixth relay, and the eighth relay to open. [Claim 27] The controller is, When it is determined that a container is present in the sixth heating region, the seventh heating region, the ninth heating region, and the eleventh heating region, Control the fourth relay and the eighth relay to close, The home appliance according to claim 25, which controls the first relay, the second relay, the third relay, the fifth relay, the sixth relay, and the seventh relay to open. [Claim 28] The controller is, When it is determined that a container is present in the fifth heating region, the sixth heating region, the seventh heating region, the ninth heating region, the tenth heating region, and the eleventh heating region, the fourth relay, the fifth relay, the seventh relay, and the eighth relay are controlled to close. The home appliance according to claim 25, which controls the first relay, the second relay, the third relay, and the sixth relay to open. [Claim 29] The home appliance according to claim 25, wherein the ninth heating region is located between the tenth heating region and the eleventh heating region. [Claim 30] The sixth heating region is located adjacent to the ninth heating region, The fifth heating region is located adjacent to the tenth heating region, The home appliance according to claim 25, wherein the seventh heating region is arranged adjacent to the eleventh heating region.

Claims

1. Home appliances, A rectifier circuit that rectifies the input voltage and outputs it; A DC link capacitor that smooths the voltage output from the rectifier circuit; An inverter that outputs AC current using the voltage smoothed by the DC link capacitor; A first working coil connected to the inverter and positioned in a location corresponding to the first heating region; A second working coil connected in series with the first working coil and positioned in a location corresponding to the second heating region; A third working coil, connected in series with the first working coil and in parallel with the second working coil, and positioned in a location corresponding to the third heating region; A first relay connected between the second working coil and the ground terminal; A second relay connected between the third working coil and the ground terminal; A home appliance comprising: a control unit that senses a container in the first heating region, the second heating region, and the third heating region, and controls the opening and closing states of the first relay and the second relay according to the results of sensing the container.

2. The controller is, When it is determined that a container is present in the first heating region and the second heating region, The first relay is controlled to close, The home appliance according to claim 1, wherein the second relay is controlled to open.

3. The controller is, When it is determined that a container is present in the first heating region and the third heating region, Control the second relay to close, The home appliance according to claim 1, wherein the first relay is controlled to open.

4. The controller is, When it is determined that a container is present in the first heating region, the second heating region, and the third heating region, The home appliance according to claim 1, wherein the first relay and the second relay are controlled to close.

5. The home appliance according to claim 1, wherein the first heating region is located between the second heating region and the third heating region.

6. Home appliances, A rectifier circuit that rectifies the input voltage and outputs it; A first DC link capacitor that smooths the voltage output from the rectifier circuit; A first inverter that outputs an alternating current using the voltage smoothed by the first DC link capacitor; A second DC link capacitor for smoothing the voltage output from the rectifier circuit; A second inverter that outputs an alternating current using the voltage smoothed by the second DC link capacitor; A second working coil connected to the first inverter and positioned in a location corresponding to the second heating region; A first working coil connected in series with the second working coil and positioned in a location corresponding to the first heating region; A third working coil connected to the second inverter and positioned in a location corresponding to the third heating region; A fourth working coil connected in series with the third working coil and positioned in a location corresponding to the fourth heating region; A first relay 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; A second relay connected between the first working coil and the ground terminal; A third relay connected between the fourth working coil and the ground terminal; A home appliance comprising: a controller that senses a container in the first heating region, the second heating region, the third heating region, and the fourth heating region, and controls the opening and closing states of the first relay, the second relay, and the third relay according to the results of sensing the container.

7. The controller is, When it is determined that a container is present in the first heating region and the second heating region, Control the second relay to close, The home appliance according to claim 6, wherein the first relay and the third relay are controlled to open.

8. The controller is, When it is determined that a container is present in the second heating region and the third heating region, The first relay is controlled to close, The home appliance according to claim 6, wherein the second relay and the third relay are controlled to open.

9. The controller is, If it is determined that a container is present in the third heating region and the fourth heating region, Control the third relay to close, The home appliance according to claim 6, wherein the first relay and the second relay are controlled to open.

10. The controller is, When it is determined that a container is present in the first heating region, the second heating region, and the third heating region, The first relay and the second relay are controlled to close, The home appliance according to claim 6, wherein the third relay is controlled to open.

11. The controller is, When it is determined that a container is present in the second heating region, the third heating region, and the fourth heating region, The first relay and the third relay are controlled to close, The home appliance according to claim 6, wherein the second relay is controlled to open.

12. The controller is, When it is determined that a container is present in the first heating region, the second heating region, the third heating region, and the fourth heating region, The second relay and the third relay are controlled to close, The home appliance according to claim 6, wherein the first relay is controlled to open.

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

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

15. A sixth working coil connected to the first inverter and positioned in a location corresponding to the sixth heating region; A fifth working coil connected in series with the sixth working coil and positioned in a location corresponding to the fifth heating region; A seventh working coil connected to the second inverter and positioned in a location corresponding to the seventh heating region; An eighth working coil connected in series with the seventh working coil and positioned in a location corresponding to the eighth heating region; A fourth relay connected between the connection node of the fifth working coil and the sixth working coil, and the connection node of the seventh working coil and the eighth working coil; A fifth relay connected between the fifth working coil and the ground terminal; and, The system further comprises a sixth relay connected between the eighth working coil and the ground terminal; The controller is, The container is detected 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 home appliance according to claim 6, wherein the open / closed states of the first relay, second relay, third relay, fourth relay, fifth relay, and sixth relay are controlled according to the sensing result of the container.

16. The controller is, When it is determined that a container is present in the first heating region, the second heating region, the fifth heating region, and the sixth heating region, The second relay and the fifth relay are controlled to close, The home appliance according to claim 15, wherein the first relay, the third relay, the fourth relay, and the sixth relay are controlled to open.

17. The controller is, When it is determined that a container is present in the second heating region, the third heating region, the sixth heating region, and the seventh heating region, The first relay and the fourth relay are controlled to close, The home appliance according to claim 15, wherein the second relay, the third relay, the fifth relay, and the sixth relay are controlled to open.

18. The controller is, When it is determined that a container is present in the third heating region, the fourth heating region, the seventh heating region, and the eighth heating region, The third relay and the sixth relay are controlled to close, The home appliance according to claim 15, wherein the first relay, the second relay, the fourth relay, and the fifth relay are controlled to open.

19. The controller is, When it is determined 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 first relay, the second relay, the fourth relay, and the fifth relay are controlled to close, The home appliance according to claim 15, wherein the third relay and the sixth relay are controlled to open.

20. The controller is, When it is determined 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 first relay, the third relay, the fourth relay, and the sixth relay are controlled to close. The home appliance according to claim 15, wherein the second relay and the fifth relay are controlled to open.

21. The controller is, When it is determined 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 second relay, the third relay, the fifth relay, and the sixth relay are controlled to close. The home appliance according to claim 15, wherein the first relay and the fourth relay are controlled to open.

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

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

24. The first heating region is arranged adjacent to the fifth heating region, The second heating region is arranged adjacent to the sixth heating region, The third heating region is arranged adjacent to the seventh heating region, The home appliance according to claim 15, wherein the fourth heating region is arranged adjacent to the eighth heating region.

25. A third DC link capacitor that smooths the voltage output from the rectifier circuit; A third inverter that outputs an alternating current using the voltage smoothed by the third DC link capacitor; A ninth working coil, connected to the third inverter and positioned in a location corresponding to the ninth heating region; A tenth working coil connected in series with the ninth working coil and positioned in a location corresponding to the tenth heating region; An eleventh working coil, connected in series with the ninth working coil and in parallel with the tenth working coil, and positioned in a location corresponding to the eleventh heating region; A seventh relay connected between the tenth working coil and the ground terminal; and, The system further comprises an eighth relay connected between the eleventh working coil and the ground terminal; The controller is, The container is detected 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, the eighth heating region, the ninth heating region, the tenth heating region, and the eleventh heating region. The home appliance according to claim 15, wherein the open / closed states of the first relay, second relay, third relay, fourth relay, fifth relay, sixth relay, seventh relay, and eighth relay are controlled according to the sensing result of the container.

26. The controller is, When it is determined that a container is present in the fifth heating region, the sixth heating region, the ninth heating region, and the tenth heating region, Control the fifth relay and the seventh relay to close, The home appliance according to claim 25, wherein the first relay, second relay, third relay, fourth relay, sixth relay, and eighth relay are controlled to open.

27. The controller is, When it is determined that a container is present in the sixth heating region, the seventh heating region, the ninth heating region, and the eleventh heating region, The fourth relay and the eighth relay are controlled to close, The home appliance according to claim 25, wherein the first relay, second relay, third relay, fifth relay, sixth relay, and seventh relay are controlled to open.

28. The controller is, When it is determined that a container is present in the fifth heating region, the sixth heating region, the seventh heating region, the ninth heating region, the tenth heating region, and the eleventh heating region, the fourth relay, the fifth relay, the seventh relay, and the eighth relay are controlled to close. The home appliance according to claim 25, wherein the first relay, the second relay, the third relay, and the sixth relay are controlled to open.

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

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

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