Cooking appliance and control method thereof

Abstract

An invention relating to a cooking appliance and a control method thereof is disclosed. The disclosed invention includes a fan motor capable of rotating a fan at three or more speeds, wherein, in a normal operation mode, the fan motor rotates the fan at a first speed or at a second speed lower than the first speed, and, in a Sabbath mode, the fan motor rotates the fan at a third speed lower than the first speed and the second speed.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

[0001] This application claims priority to and the benefit of Korean Patent Application No. 10-2024-0155168, filed on 2024 Nov. 5, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.BACKGROUND1. Field

[0002] The present invention relates to a cooking appliance, and more particularly, to a cooking appliance providing a Sabbath mode and a control method thereof.2. Background

[0003] A cooking appliance is a home appliance installed in a kitchen space to cook food according to a user's intention. Such cooking appliances can be classified in various ways depending on the heat source, the type or form of the appliance, and the kind of fuel used.

[0004] When classified according to how food is cooked, cooking appliances may be divided into open-type and closed-type appliances depending on the form of the space on which food is placed. Closed-type appliances include ovens and microwave ovens, and open-type appliances include a cooktop, a hob, and a griddle.

[0005] A closed-type cooking appliance shields a space in which food is located and cooks the food by heating the shielded space. The closed-type cooking appliance is provided with a cooking chamber that is the space to be shielded when cooking is to be performed while food is placed therein. The cooking chamber thus becomes the space in which the food is actually cooked.

[0006] In a closed-type cooking appliance, a door is provided rotatably to selectively open and close the cooking chamber. The door is rotatably installed at a main body by a door hinge provided between the main body in which the cooking chamber is formed and the door. The door opens and closes the cooking chamber by rotating about a portion coupled to the main body via the door hinge.

[0007] A heat source is provided in the internal space of the cooking chamber opened and closed by the door to heat the cooking chamber. As the heat source, a gas burner or an electric heater may be used.

[0008] Meanwhile, a convection device may further be provided at a rear side of the cooking chamber. The convection device circulates air inside the cooking chamber so that heat is evenly delivered throughout the cooking chamber. The convection device may include a fan cover installed at a rear wall of the cooking chamber and a convection fan installed in an internal space of the fan cover.

[0009] The fan cover may be provided with an intake port and a discharge port. The intake port may be formed at a central portion of a front surface of the fan cover facing the door, and the discharge port may be formed at a side surface of the fan cover facing a side surface of the cooking chamber.

[0010] The convection fan may rotate inside the fan cover to generate an airflow. By operation of the convection fan, an air-circulation flow may be generated in which air in the cooking chamber is drawn into the inside of the fan cover through the intake port and heated air inside the fan cover is discharged into the cooking chamber through an exhaust / discharge port.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0011] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a cooking appliance according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0012] FIG. 2 is a front view showing the door-open state of the cooking appliance shown in FIG. 1.

[0013] FIG. 3 is a side sectional view showing an internal structure of the cooking appliance shown in FIG. 1.

[0014] FIG. 4 is an enlarged view obtained by enlarging a part of the cooking appliance shown in FIG. 3.

[0015] FIG. 5 is a side sectional view showing a structure of a convection device shown in FIG. 4.

[0016] FIG. 6 and FIG. 7 are flowcharts showing a control process of a cooking appliance according to an embodiment of the present invention.DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0017] The above-described aspects, features and advantages are specifically described hereafter with reference to accompanying drawings such that one having ordinary skill in the art to which the disclosure pertains can embody the technical spirit of the disclosure easily. In the disclosure, detailed description of known technologies in relation to the subject matter of the disclosure is omitted if it is deemed to make the gist of the disclosure unnecessarily vague Hereafter, preferred embodiments according to the disclosure are specifically described with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the drawings, identical reference numerals can denote identical or similar components.

[0018] The terms “first”, “second” and the like are used herein only to distinguish one component from another component. Thus, the components are not to be limited by the terms. Certainly, a first component can be a second component, unless stated to the contrary.

[0019] Embodiments are not limited to the embodiments set forth herein, and can be modified and changed in various different forms. The embodiments in the disclosure are provided such that the disclosure can be through and complete and fully convey its scope to one having ordinary skill in the art. Accordingly, all modifications, equivalents or replacements as well as a replacement of the configuration of any one embodiment with the configuration of another embodiment or an addition of the configuration of any one embodiment to the configuration of another embodiment, within the technical spirit and scope of the disclosure, are to be included in the scope of the disclosure.

[0020] The accompanying drawings are provided for a better understanding of the embodiments set forth herein and are not intended to limit the technical spirit of the disclosure. It is to be understood that all the modifications, equivalents or replacements within the spirit and technical scope of the disclosure are included in the scope of the disclosure. The sizes or thicknesses of the components in the drawings are exaggerated or reduced to ensure ease of understanding and the like. However, the protection scope of the subject matter of the disclosure is not to be interpreted in a limited way.

[0021] The terms in the disclosure are used only to describe specific embodiments or examples and not intended to limit the subject matter of the disclosure. In the disclosure, singular forms include plural forms as well, unless explicitly indicated otherwise. In the disclosure, the terms “comprise”, “comprised of” and the like specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components or combinations thereof but do not imply the exclusion of the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components or combinations thereof.

[0022] The terms “first”, “second” and the like are used herein only to distinguish one component from another component, and the components are not to be limited by the terms.

[0023] When any one component is described as “connected” or “coupled” to another component, any one component can be directly connected or coupled to another component, but an additional component can be “interposed” between the two components or the two components can be “connected” or “coupled” by an additional component. When any one component is described as “directly connected” or “directly coupled” to another component, an additional component cannot be “interposed” between the two components or the two components cannot be “connected”or “coupled”by an additional component.

[0024] When any one component is described as being “on (or under)” another component, any one component can be directly on (or under) another component, and an additional component can be interposed between the two components.

[0025] Unless otherwise defined, all the terms including technical or scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one having ordinary skill in the art. Additionally, terms such as those defined in commonly used dictionaries are to be interpreted as having a meaning that is consistent with their meaning in the context of the relevant art, and unless explicitly defined herein, are not to be interpreted in an ideal way or an overly formal way.

[0026] In the state where a cooking appliance stands on the floor, a direction in which a door is installed with respect to the center of the cooking appliance is defined as a forward direction. Accordingly, a direction toward the inside of the cooking appliance with the door open is defined as a rearward direction. For convenience, the forward direction and the rearward direction can be referred to as a first direction. Then the forward direction is referred to as one direction of the first direction, and the rearward direction is referred to as the other direction of the first direction.

[0027] Additionally, a gravitational direction can be defined as a downward direction, and a direction opposite to the gravitational direction can be defined as an upward direction.

[0028] Further, a horizontal direction across a front-rear direction of the cooking appliance, i.e., a widthwise direction of the cooking appliance that is seen in front of the door of the cooking appliance, can be referred to as a left-right direction. For convenience, the left-right direction can be referred to as a second direction. Then the right side can be referred to as one direction of the second direction, and the left side can be referred to as the other direction of the second direction.

[0029] Further, the widthwise direction of the cooking appliance can also be referred to as a lateral direction. Then the right side can also be referred to as one side of the lateral direction, and the left side can be referred to the other side of the lateral direction.

[0030] Additionally, an up-down direction can be referred to as a third direction. Then an upward direction can be referred to as one direction of the third direction, and a downward direction can be referred to as the other direction of the third direction.

[0031] Furthermore, the up-down direction can be referred to as a vertical direction. Then the front-rear direction and the left-right direction, i.e., the first direction and the second direction, can be referred to as the horizontal direction.

[0032] Throughout the disclosure, the terms “A and / or B” as used herein can denote A, B or A and B, and the terms “C to D” can denote C or greater and D or less, unless stated to the contrary.Overall Structure of the Cooking Appliance

[0033] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a cooking appliance according to an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a front view showing a state in which a door of the cooking appliance shown in FIG. 1 is opened, and FIG. 3 is a side sectional view showing an internal structure of the cooking appliance shown in FIG. 1.

[0034] Referring to FIGS. 1 to 3, a cooking appliance may have an exterior formed by a main body 10. The main body 10 may be provided in a form including a substantially hexahedral shape, and may be formed of a material having a predetermined strength to protect a plurality of parts installed in an internal space.

[0035] The main body 10 includes a cavity 11 forming a framework of the main body 10. The cavity 11 may be formed in a form of a hexahedron whose front is open, and a cooking chamber 12 is provided inside the cavity 11.

[0036] The cavity 11 may be formed in a form of a hexahedron with an open front, and the cooking chamber 12 may be formed inside such a cavity 11. That is, the cooking chamber 12 may be formed as a substantially hexahedral space disposed inside the cavity 11, and may be formed as a space that is open toward the front.

[0037] In a state in which such a cooking chamber 12 is shielded, cooking may be performed while the inside of the cooking chamber 12 is heated. That is, in a cooking appliance of the present embodiment provided as a closed-type cooking appliance, the cooking chamber 12 is substantially a space in which food is cooked.

[0038] A heating device is provided in the cooking appliance to heat the cooking chamber 12. The heating device may be provided as a burner using a gas fuel, or may be provided as a heater using electricity. As such, the structure of the heating device may be changed according to a type of a heat source used. In the present embodiment, a case where the heating device is provided as a heater using electricity will be described as an example.

[0039] By way of example, the heating device may include a convection device 20 disposed behind the cooking chamber 12. The convection device 20 allows the inside space of the cooking chamber 12 to be uniformly heated by sucking air in the cooking chamber 12, heating it, and then discharging it back into the inside of the cooking chamber 12 while causing the air to flow.

[0040] Also, the heating device may include a bake heater 15. The bake heater 15 is disposed at a lower side of the cooking chamber 12 and can heat the inside space of the cooking chamber 12 at a lower side of the cooking chamber 12.

[0041] Also, the heating device may include a grill heater. The grill heater is disposed at an upper side of the cooking chamber 12 and can heat the inside space of the cooking chamber 12 at an upper side of the cooking chamber 12.

[0042] A cooking appliance may be provided with a door 30 that is rotatable to selectively open and close the cooking chamber 12. By way of example, the door 30 may be provided in a form of opening and closing the cooking chamber 12 by a pull-down type in which an upper end rotates up and down around a lower end.

[0043] At an upper portion of the main body 10, a cooktop unit 40 configured to cook food by heating food or a container containing food may be disposed. The cooktop unit 40 may be provided with a top plate forming an upper exterior and closing an upper end of the main body 10.

[0044] At a central portion of the cooktop unit 40, at least one heating part for heating food or a container containing food to be cooked may be provided. For example, the heating part may be provided as a heating device using a gas fuel. As another example, the heating part may be provided as an induction heater using electricity. As such, the structure of the heating part may be changed according to a type of a heat source used.

[0045] A control panel 50 may be provided at an upper front of the front of the cooking appliance, that is, at an upper front of the cavity 11. The control panel 50 may form a part of a front exterior of the cooking appliance. The control panel 50 may be provided with a knob 51 for controlling an operation of the cooking appliance and a display 52 that displays an operation state of the cooking appliance.

[0046] Also, the cooking appliance of the present embodiment may include a controller 90. The controller 90 may be provided to control an operation of the cooking appliance. For example, the controller 90 may control an operation of the heating part 20 according to an input signal input through the knob 51 or a switch provided on the control panel 50.Convection Device

[0047] FIG. 4 is an enlarged view obtained by enlarging a part of the cooking appliance shown in FIG. 3.

[0048] As shown in FIGS. 3 to 4, a heating device is provided in the cooking appliance of the present embodiment, and the heating device may include the convection device 20. By way of example, the convection device 20 may include a fan cover 21, a convection heater 23, and a fan module 25.

[0049] The fan cover 21 is disposed at a rear portion of the cooking chamber 12 and may be installed at a rear surface of the cavity 11. The fan cover 21 can form, inside the cooking chamber 12, a receiving space that is a space separated from the cooking chamber 12. The receiving space is a space formed inside the fan cover 21 to receive the fan module 25, and the fan module 25 received in the receiving space may be disposed in a space separated from the cooking chamber 12.

[0050] By way of example, the fan cover 21 may be formed in a hexahedral shape such that a front faces the door 30 and a side faces a side of the cavity 11. A suction port 21a is disposed at a front center of the fan cover 21, and air in the cooking chamber 12 can be introduced into an inner space of the convection device 20 through the suction port 21a.

[0051] The inner space of the convection device 20 formed by the fan cover 21, that is, the receiving space, may be provided with the convection heater 23 and the fan module 25. The convection heater 23 is provided to be able to heat air introduced into the inner space of the convection device 20. The convection heater 23 may be provided as a burner using a gas fuel or may be provided as a heater using electricity.

[0052] Hot air heated by the convection heater 23 in the inner space of the convection device 20 may be discharged into the cooking chamber 12 by the fan module 25. That is, hot air is generated in the inner space of the convection device 20 by the convection heater 23 and the fan module 25, and such hot air may be discharged into the cooking chamber 12 through a discharge port 21b.

[0053] As shown in FIGS. 3 to 5, the discharge port 21b may be provided in the fan cover 21. The discharge port 21b may be disposed at at least any one of a side surface, an upper surface, and a lower surface of the fan cover 21. In the present embodiment, it is illustrated that the discharge port 21b is respectively disposed at both side surfaces, the upper surface, and the lower surface of the fan cover 21.

[0054] Each discharge port 21b may be formed in a form of penetrating a side surface, an upper surface, or a lower surface of the fan cover 21. Hot air generated inside the convection device 20 may be discharged into the cooking chamber 12 through the discharge port 21b.

[0055] Also, the fan cover 21 may further include a front discharge port 22. The front discharge port 22 may be disposed at a front surface of the fan cover 21. The front discharge port 22 can form, at the front of the fan cover 21, a passage in a front-rear direction that connects the cooking chamber 12 and the receiving space.

[0056] By way of example, the suction port 21a is disposed at a front center of the fan cover 21, and a plurality of front discharge ports 22 may be disposed so as to surround it. Each front discharge port 22 may be formed in a form of penetrating the front surface of the fan cover 21 in the front-rear direction.

[0057] The fan module 25 is disposed in the inner space of the convection device 20 surrounded by the fan cover 21 and is provided to be able to rotate about a front-rear direction axis. A rotation axis of the fan module 25 may be disposed at a position that overlaps in the front-rear direction with the suction port 21a disposed at substantially a center of the fan cover 21.

[0058] The fan module 25 may suck air of the cooking chamber 12 into the inner space of the convection device 20 through the suction port 21a and may discharge air heated in the inner space of the convection device 20 into the cooking chamber 12 through the discharge port 21b and the front discharge port 22.

[0059] For example, the fan module 25 may generate a flow of hot air that moves rearward from the cooking chamber 12 toward the inner space of the convection device 20 and moves in a centrifugal direction in the inner space of the convection device 20. The fan module 25 may include a fan 26 and a fan motor 27.

[0060] The fan 26 is provided to be able to generate hot air by rotating about a front-rear direction axis. The fan 26 may be coupled to a rotation shaft rotated by the fan motor 27, and may rotate about the rotation shaft.

[0061] The fan motor 27 is provided to be able to rotate the fan 26. The fan motor 27 may be provided to be operable at several types of outputs. An output of the fan motor 27 may affect a rotation speed of the fan 26 and a noise level of the fan module 27. For example, as an output of the fan motor 27 increases, a rotation speed of the fan 26 and noise of the fan module 27 increase, and as the output of the fan motor 27 decreases, the rotation speed of the fan 26 and the noise of the fan module 27 may decrease.

[0062] By way of example, the fan motor 27 may be provided to be operable at three types of outputs. That is, the output of the fan motor 27 may be changed to three types as needed.

[0063] By way of example, the fan motor 27 may include a brushless direct current motor (hereinafter, referred to as “BLDC motor”). That is, a BLDC motor configured to rotate the fan 26 at three or more speeds may be applied as the fan motor 27 of the present embodiment.

[0064] An operation of the BLDC motor may be controlled by an Electronic Speed Controller (hereinafter, referred to as “ESC”). The ESC controls a speed of the BLDC, and by operation control performed by the ESC, a rotation direction and a rotation speed of the BLDC motor can be precisely controlled, and a speed of the BLDC motor can be changed to three or more speeds.

[0065] For example, the fan motor 27 may operate at a first output, may operate at a second output lower than the first output, and may operate at a third output lower than the second output. Also, during operation of the fan motor 27, the output of the fan motor 27 may be changed from the first output to the second output or the third output, or may be changed from the second output to the first output or the third output.

[0066] During the second-output operation, the fan motor 27 may rotate the fan 26 at a speed slower than during the first-output operation. Also, during the third-output operation, the fan motor 27 rotates the fan 26 at a speed slower than during the second-output operation.

[0067] By way of example, the second output may be an output at least 15% lower than the first output, and the third output may be an output at least 50% lower than the first output. For example, a fan motor 27 operating at the second output may rotate the fan 26 at a speed at least 20% slower than during the first-output operation, and a fan motor 27 operating at the third output may rotate the fan 26 at a speed at least 50% slower than during the first-output operation.Sabbath Mode

[0068] FIG. 5 is a configuration diagram schematically showing a configuration of a cooking appliance according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 6 and FIG. 7 are flowcharts showing a control process of a cooking appliance according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0069] Referring to FIGS. 5 to 7, a cooking appliance according to an embodiment of the present invention may provide an automatic cooking function. In such a cooking appliance, a user may select an automatic cooking mode by operating a knob 51 or a switch 55 provided on the control panel 50. When the automatic cooking mode is selected, the controller 90 may control operations of the heating device, lighting, and other related devices to provide the automatic cooking function.

[0070] For example, the controller 90 of the cooking appliance may provide the automatic cooking function in a form of adjusting a target of operation, an output, and an operation timing of the heating device, while adjusting a timing of lighting on / off and a timing of display of a guide sound.

[0071] Also, a cooking appliance according to an embodiment of the present invention may be operated in a Sabbath mode. Some religious regulations do not allow a person to operate a device or to change a state of a device in operation during a Sabbath period. The Sabbath mode may be provided for the purpose of allowing a user to use a cooking function of the cooking appliance while avoiding violation of such regulations.

[0072] The Sabbath mode can reduce a need for a user to operate the cooking appliance during the Sabbath period by providing the automatic cooking function as described above. Also, the Sabbath mode may provide a function of making operations on the cooking appliance or operation changes of the cooking appliance less externally noticeable by limiting feedback related to results of operations on the cooking appliance and operation changes of the cooking appliance.

[0073] In order for the cooking appliance to be operated in the Sabbath mode as described above, the cooking appliance may check an input operation mode (input determining step; S10). Accordingly, the cooking appliance may check whether an operation mode input to the cooking appliance is the Sabbath mode.

[0074] By way of example, the Sabbath mode may be automatically input as an operation mode to the cooking appliance, and accordingly, the cooking appliance may be automatically operated in the Sabbath mode. Accordingly, the cooking appliance may automatically determine whether the Sabbath has been reached, and may automatically determine whether to perform the Sabbath operation according to a result of the determination.

[0075] For example, information related to a Sabbath period may be pre-input to the cooking appliance, and the controller 90 may automatically determine whether it is currently a Sabbath period by using this information. As a result, when it is determined that the Sabbath has started, the cooking appliance may be automatically operated in the Sabbath mode.

[0076] As another example, a user may manually operate the cooking appliance in the Sabbath mode. For example, the user may operate one related to initiation of a Sabbath operation mode among the knob 51 or the switch 55 provided on the control panel 50, and according to the operation, the cooking appliance may be operated in the Sabbath mode.

[0077] As yet another example, when the cooking appliance is provided in a double oven form, only one of operation modes of the two ovens may be switched to the Sabbath mode, or the operation modes of both ovens may be switched to the Sabbath mode.

[0078] When checking of the input operation mode is completed, the controller 90 may control an operation of the cooking appliance according to a type of the input operation mode (operation control step; S20).

[0079] When the operation mode input in the input determining step (S10) is the normal operation mode, an operation of the cooking appliance may be performed in an automatic cooking mode other than the Sabbath mode, and an operation of the cooking appliance may be performed manually by an additional operation being added later.

[0080] When the convection device 20 is operated in the normal operation mode, only an operation of the convection heater 23 may be performed, only an operation of the fan module 25 may be performed, or operations of the convection heater 23 and the fan module 25 may be performed together.

[0081] When an operation of the fan module 25 is performed in the normal operation mode, the fan module 25 may be operated at any one of a first output and a second output. That is, the fan module 25 operated in the normal operation mode may operate at the first output to rotate the fan 26 at a first speed, or may operate at the second output to rotate the fan 26 at a second speed.

[0082] By way of example, it may be set that the fan 26 rotating at the first speed means that the fan 26 rotates at a high speed, and it may be set that the fan 26 rotating at the second speed means that the fan 26 rotates at a medium speed that is a speed lower than the first speed. For example, the fan module 25 operated in the normal operation mode may rotate the fan 26 at a speed of about 1600 rpm by operating at the first output, and may rotate the fan 26 at a speed of about 1300 rpm by operating at the second output.

[0083] Meanwhile, when the operation mode input in the input determining step (S10) is the Sabbath mode, the cooking appliance may be operated in the Sabbath mode. For example, when the Sabbath mode is activated, it may be displayed on the display 52 that the Sabbath mode has been activated, while an operation of an input unit that generates a signal to at least manually operate any one of the heating device and lighting implemented in the cooking appliance may be disabled.

[0084] For example, when the Sabbath mode is activated, all input units for manually operating the cooking appliance, such as the knob 51 and the switch 55 of the control panel 50, may be disabled.

[0085] Also, when the Sabbath mode is activated, even if an opening / closing operation of the door occurs or an operation of the input unit occurs, an operation control for changing an operation of the cooking appliance may be disabled, a change of a heating temperature of the cooking appliance may not be allowed, and timer and alarm functions may be disabled. For example, even if a movement of the door occurs or an operation of the input unit occurs, an operation state of the cooking appliance does not change.

[0086] When the Sabbath mode is activated, and accordingly an operation of the convection device 20 is performed, only an operation of the convection heater 23 may be performed, only an operation of the fan module 25 may be performed, or operations of the convection heater 23 and the fan module 25 may be performed together.

[0087] When an operation of the fan module 25 is performed in the Sabbath mode, the fan module 25 may be operated at a third-lowest output among three or more speeds. For example, the fan module 25 operated in the Sabbath mode may operate at a third output to rotate the fan 26 at a third speed.

[0088] By way of example, it may be set that the fan 26 rotating at the third speed means that the fan 26 rotates at a low speed that is a speed lower than the second speed. For example, the fan module 25 operated in the Sabbath mode may rotate the fan 26 at a speed of about 700 rpm by operating at the third output.

[0089] By way of example, the heating device may include the bake heater 15. The bake heater 15 is disposed at a lower side of the cooking chamber 12 and is provided to be able to heat the inside space of the cooking chamber 12 at a lower side of the cooking chamber 12.

[0090] In the Sabbath mode, only an operation of the convection device 20 among the convection device 20 and the bake heater 15 may be performed, and an operation of the bake heater 15 may not be performed.

[0091] If the convection heater 23 and the bake heater 15 operate together to heat the cooking chamber 12, uniform heating of the entire cooking chamber 12 may be performed more effectively than in a case of heating the cooking chamber 12 only by the convection heater 23.

[0092] However, depending on a characteristic of cooking being performed in the cooking appliance, in a case where operation of the bake heater 15 is unnecessary or heating by the bake heater 15 is inappropriate, only an operation of the convection device 20 may be performed, and in such a state, if the fan 26 is not operated, it is not easy to uniformly heat the entire cooking chamber 12 only by the convection heater 23.

[0093] As another example, the heating device may not be provided with the bake heater 15. Even in this case, it becomes difficult to uniformly heat the entire cooking chamber 12 only by the convection heater 23 without operation of the fan 26.

[0094] In consideration of such a point, in the present embodiment, the heating device may be configured such that, when the cooking appliance is operated in the Sabbath mode, heating of the cooking chamber 12 is performed without operation of the bake heater 15. That is, in the Sabbath mode, at least any one of the convection heater 23 and the fan motor 27 operates, and the bake heater 15 does not operate.

[0095] At this time, only heating by the convection heater 23 may be performed, heating by the convection device 20 and heating by the grill heater may be performed together, or only heating by the grill heater may be performed.

[0096] Along with this, when the cooking appliance of the present embodiment is operated in the Sabbath mode, the heating device operates the fan module 25, and thereby circulation of hot air is performed over the entire cooking chamber 12. As a result of operation of the fan module 25, uniform heating over the entire cooking chamber 12 can be performed more effectively.

[0097] However, when the fan module 25 operates, noise inevitably occurs accordingly, and if great noise occurs when the fan module 25 operates, it may be easily recognized that the cooking appliance is in operation. In that case, a meaning that the cooking appliance is operated in the Sabbath mode may inevitably be diminished.

[0098] In consideration of such a point, in the present embodiment, when the cooking appliance is operated in the Sabbath mode, the fan module 25 operates at the third output. By way of example, when the cooking appliance is operated in the Sabbath mode, the fan module 25 may rotate the fan 26 at a speed at least 50% slower than during the first-output operation. For example, if during the first-output operation of the fan module 25 the fan 26 rotates at a speed of 1600 rpm, when the cooking appliance is operated in the Sabbath mode, the fan module 25 may operate to rotate the fan 26 at a speed of 700 rpm.

[0099] In addition, the fan module 25 of the present embodiment may be provided to be able to rotate the fan 26 in forward rotation and reverse rotation. That is, by the fan module 25 of the present embodiment, the fan 26 may be forward-rotated, and may be reverse-rotated.

[0100] By way of example, a BLDC motor may be applied as the fan motor 27, and such a fan motor 27 may be provided to be capable of adjusting not only a rotation speed but also a rotation direction. The fan module 25 of the present embodiment including such a fan motor 27 may forward-rotate the fan 26 or reverse-rotate the fan 26 as needed.

[0101] As described above, when the cooking appliance is operated in the Sabbath mode, the fan 26 rotates at a speed at least 50% slower than the first speed, and accordingly, a flow rate of hot air discharged from the convection device 20 may inevitably be reduced. The more the flow rate of hot air discharged from the convection device 20 is reduced, the more it becomes difficult for the hot air to be uniformly spread in the cooking chamber 12, and if so, it becomes difficult to achieve uniform heating of the entire cooking chamber 12.

[0102] In consideration of such a point, in the present embodiment, the fan motor 27 is provided that can operate such that both the forward rotation and the reverse rotation of the fan 26 are possible. Also, such a fan motor 27 may operate such that the forward rotation and the reverse rotation of the fan 26 are alternated.

[0103] According to the present embodiment as described above, when the fan module 25 rotates the fan 26 in a forward direction, the fan 26 can blow hot air in a direction between a forward direction and a centrifugal direction. Also, when the fan module 25 rotates the fan 26 in a reverse direction, the fan 26 can blow hot air in a direction between a reverse direction and a centrifugal direction.

[0104] For example, when the fan 26 rotates in the forward direction, a mainstream of hot air discharged from the convection device 20 may flow toward a region biased to an upper left in the cooking chamber 12 and a region biased to a lower right in the cooking chamber 12. Also, when the fan 26 rotates in the reverse direction, a mainstream of hot air discharged from the convection device 20 may flow toward a region biased to an upper right in the cooking chamber 12 and a region biased to a lower left in the cooking chamber 12.

[0105] That is, as a result of operation of the fan motor 27 such that the forward rotation and the reverse rotation of the fan 26 are alternated as illustrated in the present embodiment, hot air can be uniformly spread in the cooking chamber 12, and accordingly, uniform heating of the entire cooking chamber 12 can be achieved more effectively.

[0106] An operation according to the Sabbath mode of the cooking appliance proceeding as described above may continue until an operation of an input unit for deactivating the Sabbath mode is performed or cooking is completed. Until the Sabbath mode is deactivated, even if cooking is completed, a state in which changes such as lighting 17 do not occur and timer and alarm functions are disabled may be maintained, and a state in which all input units for manually operating the cooking appliance are disabled may also be maintained.

[0107] The cooking appliance of the present embodiment as described above can effectively provide a function for compliance with some religious regulations by providing a cooking function according to the Sabbath mode that performs cooking while maintaining a state in which most functions are disabled except for some functions essential for cooking.

[0108] Also, the cooking appliance of the present embodiment can allow uniform heating of the entire cooking chamber 12 to be effectively achieved while significantly reducing noise due to driving of the fan 26 by controlling the operation of the heating device such that, when the Sabbath mode is activated, a low-speed rotation and a bidirectional rotation of the fan 26 are performed.

[0109] Such a cooking appliance of the present embodiment can effectively implement the Sabbath mode only by operation of the convection device 20 without operation of a bake heater or a bake burner.

[0110] One objective of the present disclosure is to provide a cooking appliance and a control method thereof that can provide a function for compliance with some religious regulations.

[0111] Another object of the present invention is to provide a cooking appliance and a control method thereof capable of implementing a Sabbath mode without operation of a bake heater or a bake burner.

[0112] A cooking appliance according to one embodiment of the present invention includes a fan module that is operable in any one of an operation according to a normal operation mode and an operation according to a Sabbath mode. Preferably, when the fan module is operable at three or more outputs, the fan module operates at a lowest output in the Sabbath mode.

[0113] Preferably, the cooking appliance includes a fan module operable at three or more outputs, wherein, in the normal operation mode, the fan module operates at a first output or at a second output lower than the first output, and, in the Sabbath mode, the fan module operates at a third output lower than the first output and the second output.

[0114] Preferably, the cooking appliance includes a fan motor capable of rotating a fan at three or more speeds, wherein, in the normal operation mode, the fan motor rotates the fan at a first speed or at a second speed lower than the first speed, and, in the Sabbath mode, the fan motor rotates the fan at a third speed lower than the first speed and the second speed.

[0115] Preferably, the cooking appliance includes a fan motor capable of rotating a fan at three or more speeds, wherein, in the Sabbath mode, the fan motor rotates the fan at a third speed lower than the first speed and the second speed, and alternates the fan between forward rotation and reverse rotation.

[0116] According to one aspect of the present invention, the cooking appliance includes: a main body forming a cooking chamber; and a heating device including a fan module that operates to supply hot air into the cooking chamber. The fan module may be configured to be operable in any one selected from an operation according to a normal operation mode and an operation according to a Sabbath mode.

[0117] Preferably, when the fan module operates in the normal operation mode, the fan module operates at any one of a first output and a second output lower than the first output.

[0118] Preferably, in the Sabbath mode, the fan module operates at a third output lower than the second output.

[0119] Preferably, the fan module includes a fan rotatable to supply hot air into the cooking chamber.

[0120] Preferably, when operating at the third output, the fan module rotates the fan at a speed lower than when operating at the first output or the second output.

[0121] Preferably, the fan module includes a fan rotatable to supply hot air into the cooking chamber, and a fan motor for rotating the fan.

[0122] Preferably, in the normal operation mode, the fan motor rotates the fan at any one of a first speed and a second speed lower than the first speed.

[0123] Preferably, in the Sabbath mode, the fan motor rotates the fan at a third speed lower than the second speed.

[0124] Preferably, the fan motor includes a BLDC motor.

[0125] Preferably, the fan motor includes a BLDC motor configured to rotate the fan at three or more speeds.

[0126] Preferably, in the Sabbath mode, the fan motor rotates the fan at a speed equal to or lower than a third speed among the three or more speeds.

[0127] Preferably, the heating device includes a convection heater disposed adjacent to the fan module at a rear side of the cooking chamber, and a bake heater disposed below the cooking chamber.

[0128] Preferably, in the Sabbath mode, at least one of the convection heater and the fan module operates, and the bake heater does not operate.

[0129] Preferably, in the Sabbath mode, the fan motor alternates the forward rotation and the reverse rotation of the fan.

[0130] Preferably, a control method of a cooking appliance according to another aspect of the present invention includes: an input determining step of determining an input operation mode; and an operation control step of controlling an operation of the fan module according to a type of the input operation mode.

[0131] Preferably, when the input operation mode determined in the input determining step is the normal operation mode, the operation control step operates the fan module at any one of a first output and a second output lower than the first output.

[0132] Preferably, when the input operation mode determined in the input determining step is the Sabbath mode, the operation control step operates the fan module at a third output lower than the second output.

[0133] Preferably, when the input operation mode determined in the input determining step is the Sabbath mode, an operation of an input unit that generates a signal to manually operate at least one of lighting implemented in the cooking appliance and the heating device is disabled.

[0134] Preferably, when the input operation mode determined in the input determining step is the Sabbath mode, even if the door is opened or closed or the input unit is operated, an operation control for changing an operation of the cooking appliance is disabled.

[0135] Preferably, when the input operation mode determined in the input determining step is the normal operation mode, the operation control step drives the fan motor to rotate the fan at any one of a first speed and a second speed lower than the first speed.

[0136] Preferably, when the input operation mode determined in the input determining step is the Sabbath mode, the operation control step drives the fan motor to rotate the fan at a third speed lower than the second speed.

[0137] Preferably, when the input operation mode determined in the input determining step is the Sabbath mode, the operation control step operates at least one of the convection heater and the fan module without operating the bake heater.

[0138] Preferably, when the input operation mode determined in the input determining step is the Sabbath mode, the operation control step drives the fan motor to alternately rotate the fan in the forward and reverse directions.

[0139] The cooking appliance and the control method thereof of the present invention can effectively provide a function for compliance with some religious regulations by providing a cooking function according to a Sabbath mode that performs cooking while maintaining a state in which most functions other than some functions essential for cooking are disabled.

[0140] Also, the present invention controls an operation of the heating device such that, when the Sabbath mode is activated, a low-speed rotation and a bidirectional rotation of the fan are performed, and thereby allows uniform heating over the entire cooking chamber to be effectively achieved while significantly reducing noise due to driving of the fan, so that a cooking function according to the Sabbath mode can be effectively implemented only by operation of a convection device without operation of a bake heater or a bake burner.

[0141] The present invention has been described with reference to the embodiment shown in the drawings, but this is merely illustrative. Those skilled in the art will understand that various modifications and other embodiments are possible. Therefore, the true technical protection scope of the present invention should be determined by the scope of the patent claims below.

[0142] It will be understood that when an element or layer is referred to as being “on” another element or layer, the element or layer can be directly on another element or layer or intervening elements or layers. In contrast, when an element is referred to as being “directly on” another element or layer, there are no intervening elements or layers present. As used herein, the term “and / or” includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items.

[0143] It will be understood that, although the terms first, second, third, etc., may be used herein to describe various elements, components, regions, layers and / or sections, these elements, components, regions, layers and / or sections should not be limited by these terms. These terms are only used to distinguish one element, component, region, layer or section from another region, layer or section. Thus, a first element, component, region, layer or section could be termed a second element, component, region, layer or section without departing from the teachings of the present invention.

[0144] Spatially relative terms, such as “lower”, “upper” and the like, may be used herein for ease of description to describe the relationship of one element or feature to another element(s) or feature(s) as illustrated in the figures. It will be understood that the spatially relative terms are intended to encompass different orientations of the device in use or operation, in addition to the orientation depicted in the figures. For example, if the device in the figures is turned over, elements described as “lower” relative to other elements or features would then be oriented “upper” relative to the other elements or features. Thus, the exemplary term “lower” can encompass both an orientation of above and below. The device may be otherwise oriented (rotated 90 degrees or at other orientations) and the spatially relative descriptors used herein interpreted accordingly.

[0145] The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the invention. As used herein, the singular forms “a”, “an” and “the” are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It will be further understood that the terms “comprises” and / or “comprising,” when used in this specification, specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements, and / or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and / or groups thereof.

[0146] Embodiments are described herein with reference to cross-section illustrations that are schematic illustrations of idealized embodiments (and intermediate structures). As such, variations from the shapes of the illustrations as a result, for example, of manufacturing techniques and / or tolerances, are to be expected. Thus, embodiments should not be construed as limited to the particular shapes of regions illustrated herein but are to include deviations in shapes that result, for example, from manufacturing.

[0147] Unless otherwise defined, all terms (including technical and scientific terms) used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this invention belongs. It will be further understood that terms, such as those defined in commonly used dictionaries, should be interpreted as having a meaning that is consistent with their meaning in the context of the relevant art and will not be interpreted in an idealized or overly formal sense unless expressly so defined herein.

[0148] Any reference in this specification to “one embodiment,”“an embodiment,”“example embodiment,” etc., means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment. The appearances of such phrases in various places in the specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment. Further, when a particular feature, structure, or characteristic is described in connection with any embodiment, it is submitted that it is within the purview of one skilled in the art to effect such feature, structure, or characteristic in connection with other ones of the embodiments.

[0149] Although embodiments have been described with reference to a number of illustrative embodiments thereof, it should be understood that numerous other modifications and embodiments can be devised by those skilled in the art that will fall within the spirit and scope of the principles of this disclosure. More particularly, various variations and modifications are possible in the component parts and / or arrangements of the subject combination arrangement within the scope of the disclosure, the drawings and the appended claims. In addition to variations and modifications in the component parts and / or arrangements, alternative uses will also be apparent to those skilled in the art.DESCRIPTION OF REFERENCE NUMERALS0: main body

[0151] 11: cavity

[0152] 12: cooking chamber

[0153] 20: convection device

[0154] 21: fan cover

[0155] 21a: suction port

[0156] 21b: discharge port

[0157] 22: front discharge port

[0158] 23: convection heater

[0159] 25: fan module

[0160] 30: door

[0161] 40: cooktop unit

[0162] 50: control panel

[0163] 90: controller

Claims

1. A cooking appliance comprising:a main body having a cooking chamber; anda heating device including a fan module operable to supply hot air into the cooking chamber, wherein:the fan module is operable in one of a normal operation mode and a Sabbath mode,in the normal operation mode, the fan module operates at either a first output or a second output lower than the first output, andin the Sabbath mode, the fan module operates at a third output lower than the second output.

2. The cooking appliance of claim 1, wherein:the fan module comprises a fan rotatable to supply hot air into the cooking chamber, andwhen operating at the third output, the fan module rotates the fan at a speed lower than when operating at the first output or the second output.

3. The cooking appliance of claim 1, wherein:the fan module comprises a fan rotatable to supply hot air into the cooking chamber and a fan motor for rotating the fan,in the normal operation mode, the fan motor rotates the fan at either a first speed or a second speed lower than the first speed, andin the Sabbath mode, the fan motor rotates the fan at a third speed lower than the second speed.

4. The cooking appliance of claim 3, wherein the fan motor comprises a BLDC motor.

5. The cooking appliance of claim 1, wherein:the fan module comprises a fan rotatable to supply hot air into the cooking chamber and a fan motor for rotating the fan,the fan motor comprises a BLDC motor configured to rotate the fan at three or more different speeds, andin the Sabbath mode, the fan motor rotates the fan at a speed equal to or lower than a third lowest speed among the three or more speeds.

6. The cooking appliance of claim 1, wherein:the heating device comprises a convection heater disposed adjacent to the fan module at a rear side of the cooking chamber and a bake heater disposed below the cooking chamber, andin the Sabbath mode, at least one of the convection heater and the fan module operates, while the bake heater does not operate.

7. The cooking appliance of claim 1, wherein:the fan module comprises a fan rotatable to supply hot air into the cooking chamber and a fan motor configured to rotate the fan in a forward direction and a reverse direction, andin the Sabbath mode, the fan motor alternately drives the forward rotation and the reverse rotation of the fan.

8. A control method for a cooking appliance comprising a main body forming a cooking chamber and a heating device including a fan module operable to supply hot air into the cooking chamber, the method comprising:an input determining step; andan operation control step of controlling an operation of the fan module according to a type of the input operation mode, wherein:when the operation mode determined in the input determining step is the normal operation mode, the operation control step operates the fan module at either a first output or a second output lower than the first output, andwhen the operation mode determined in the input determining step is the Sabbath mode, the operation control step operates the fan module at a third output lower than the second output.

9. The method of claim 8, wherein, when the operation mode determined in the input determining step is the Sabbath mode, an operation of an input unit for generating a signal to manually operate at least one of lighting and the heating device implemented in the cooking appliance is disabled.

10. The method of claim 8, wherein, when the operation mode determined in the input determining step is the Sabbath mode, the operation control step disables a control for changing an operation of the cooking appliance even if the door is opened or closed or the input unit is operated.

11. The method of claim 8, wherein the fan module comprises a fan rotatable to supply hot air into the cooking chamber and a fan motor for rotating the fan, wherein:when the operation mode determined in the input determining step is the normal operation mode, the operation control step drives the fan motor to rotate the fan at either a first speed or a second speed lower than the first speed, andwhen the operation mode determined in the input determining step is the Sabbath mode, the operation control step drives the fan motor to rotate the fan at a third speed lower than the second speed.

12. The method of claim 8, wherein:the heating device comprises a convection heater disposed adjacent to the fan module at a rear side of the cooking chamber, and a bake heater disposed below the cooking chamber, andwhen the operation mode determined in the input determining step is the Sabbath mode, the operation control step operates at least one of the convection heater and the fan module without operating the bake heater.

13. The method of claim 8, wherein:the fan module comprises a fan rotatable to supply hot air into the cooking chamber and a fan motor configured to rotate the fan in a forward direction and a reverse direction, andwhen the operation mode determined in the input determining step is the Sabbath mode, the operation control step switches the fan between forward and reverse rotation.

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