Cooking apparatus

Abstract

An invention related to a cooking apparatus is disclosed. The disclosed invention comprises: a camera arranged between outer glass and inner glass of a door; and a light-blocking member that blocks a portion of the travel path of light traveling from the outer glass to the inner glass, wherein the light-blocking member includes: a first light-blocking portion that blocks between the outer glass and the inner glass; an opening portion that opens a portion of the first light-blocking portion; and a second light-blocking portion that blocks between the outer glass and the opening portion.

Description

Cooking appliances

[0001] The present invention relates to a cooking appliance, and more particularly, to a cooking appliance equipped with a camera for photographing the inside of a cooking chamber.

[0002] Cooking appliances are a type of home appliance used for cooking food. They are installed in kitchens and cook food according to the user's preferences. These cooking appliances can be categorized in various ways based on the heat source, form, or type of fuel used.

[0003] Cooking appliances can be categorized by their cooking method. They can be categorized into open and closed types, based on the space in which the food is placed. Closed types include ovens and microwave ovens, while open types include cooktops and hobs.

[0004] A closed cooking appliance is a cooking appliance that seals the space where food is placed and heats the sealed space to cook the food. A closed cooking appliance provides a chamber, or cooking chamber, within the main body of the appliance, which is a sealed space for placing food and cooking it. This cooking chamber is essentially the space where the food is cooked. A door that selectively opens and closes the cooking chamber is provided in the closed cooking appliance. The door is rotatably installed to the main body by a door hinge provided between the main body, which has the cooking chamber formed therein, and the door. The door can selectively open and close the cooking chamber by rotating around a portion connected to the main body via the door hinge.

[0005] A heat source is provided in the interior space of the cooking chamber, which is opened and closed by the above door, to heat the cooking chamber. This heat source may be a gas burner or an electric heater.

[0006] Recently, sealed cooking appliances equipped with built-in cameras have been developed. These appliances can capture images of food stored within the cooking chamber through the built-in camera. Images captured by the built-in camera can be displayed on the appliance's display or the user's smart device, and can also be used as data for controlling the appliance's cooking operations.

[0007] When an image acquired by a built-in camera is used as data for controlling the cooking operation of a cooking appliance, the cooking appliance can analyze the food-related image acquired by the built-in camera to determine the type of food or determine the cooking progress of the food, and control the cooking operation of the cooking appliance based on the information analyzed in this way.

[0008] The built-in camera, which provides the above functions, must be positioned appropriately to capture the interior of the cooking chamber. To achieve this, the built-in camera is positioned adjacent to the cooking chamber. For example, the built-in camera is typically positioned above the cavity forming the cooking chamber or inside the door facing the cooking chamber.

[0009] When the built-in camera is placed on the inside of the door, the built-in camera is typically placed between a pair of glasses that form the door's viewing window.

[0010] Typically, the door features a viewing window, allowing the user to view the cooking chamber from outside the appliance. Depending on the appliance's functionality, this viewing window may be formed by a single piece of glass or a combination of two or more pieces.

[0011] In order to improve the insulation performance of the door, when the viewing window is formed by two or more pieces of glass, the viewing window may be formed by a combination of an outer glass placed on the frontmost side of the viewing window and at least one inner glass placed on the rear side of the outer glass.

[0012] In a door including a viewing window formed in this manner, a built-in camera is positioned in the space between the outer glass and the inner glass. The built-in camera positioned within the door captures light passing through the inner glass from inside the cooking chamber and photographs the interior of the cooking chamber.

[0013] When a built-in camera is placed inside the door as described above, the quality of the images captured by the camera may be degraded due to light emitted from external light sources. Furthermore, light emitted from the oven's interior lighting may also degrade the quality of the images captured by the camera.

[0014] For example, light emitted from an external light source may pass through the outer glass and then be reflected by the inner glass. Light emitted from an oven's interior lighting may also be reflected by the inner glass.

[0015] If the reflected light is captured by the built-in camera in this way, problems such as light scattering, flare, and ghosting may occur in the image captured by the built-in camera, resulting in a deterioration in the quality of the image captured by the built-in camera.

[0016] The purpose of the present invention is to provide a cooking appliance having an improved structure so that the quality of an image captured by a camera is less affected by light emitted from an external light source.

[0017] In addition, another object of the present invention is to provide a cooking appliance having an improved structure that can effectively block light reflection caused by an external light source while suppressing reduction of the field of view of the viewing window.

[0018] Another object of the present invention is to provide a cooking appliance having an improved structure so that a camera filming a cooking room is less affected by heat.

[0019] Another object of the present invention is to provide a cooking appliance having an improved structure so that cooling of a camera installed inside a door can be effectively achieved.

[0020] In addition, another object of the present invention is to provide a cooking device having an improved structure that can effectively block light reflection caused by a secondary light source while also effectively cooling a camera.

[0021] In order to achieve the above object, an embodiment of the present invention provides a cooking appliance, which includes a camera disposed between an outer glass and an inner glass of a door, and a light-shielding member that blocks a portion of a path of light moving from the outer glass to the inner glass, and the light-shielding member includes a first light-shielding portion that blocks the path between the outer glass and the inner glass, and a second light-shielding portion that is disposed between the outer glass and the first light-shielding portion and blocks the path between the outer glass and the inner glass above or below the first light-shielding portion.

[0022] In addition, another form of the present invention includes a camera disposed between the outer glass and the inner glass of a door, and a light-shielding member that blocks a portion of a path of light moving from the outer glass to the inner glass, and the light-shielding member is characterized by including a first light-shielding portion that blocks the path between the outer glass and the inner glass, an opening portion that opens a portion of the first light-shielding portion, and a second light-shielding portion that blocks the path between the outer glass and the opening portion.

[0023] In addition, another form of the present invention is characterized in that it includes a camera disposed between the outer glass and the inner glass of a door, and a light-blocking member that blocks a part of the path of light moving from the outer glass to the inner glass, and at least a part of the light-blocking member is disposed between the camera and the inner glass.

[0024] In addition, another form of the present invention includes a camera disposed between the outer glass and the inner glass of the door, and a light-blocking member that blocks a portion of the path of light moving from the outer glass to the inner glass, and is characterized in that at least a portion of the light-blocking member is disposed at a position closer to the inner glass than to the outer glass.

[0025] A cooking appliance according to one aspect of the present invention may include: a main body forming a cooking chamber therein; a door for opening and closing the cooking chamber at a front side of the main body, the door including an outer glass disposed at the front side of the main body and an inner glass disposed between the main body and the outer glass; a camera disposed in a receiving space formed between the outer glass and the inner glass; and a light blocking member disposed adjacent to the camera, the light blocking member blocking a portion of a path of light moving from the outer glass to the inner glass.

[0026] In addition, the light-blocking member may include a first light-blocking portion that is arranged in the receiving space and blocks between the outer glass and the inner glass; and a second light-blocking portion that is arranged between the outer glass and the first light-blocking portion and blocks between the outer glass and the inner glass at an upper or lower side of the first light-blocking portion.

[0027] Additionally, it is preferable that the first light shading portion and the second light shading portion are spaced apart in the front-back direction.

[0028] In addition, the above-mentioned shading member may further include an opening that opens in the vertical direction between the first shading portion and the second shading portion.

[0029] In addition, it is preferable that the door is provided with an inlet opening the interior of the door and an exhaust opening opening the interior of the door from above the inlet, and that the shading member is disposed between the inlet and the exhaust.

[0030] Preferably, the opening may include a first opening that opens vertically between the outer glass and the first shading portion, and a second opening that opens vertically between the first shading portion and the second shading portion at an upper or lower side of the first opening portion.

[0031] Additionally, it is preferable that the above-mentioned shading member be placed on the lower side of the camera.

[0032] Additionally, with respect to the vertical direction, it is preferable that the second opening be positioned between the camera and the first light shielding portion.

[0033] In addition, it is preferable that the first light shading portion is arranged to block the external light movement path, which is the movement path of light moving from the front side of the outer glass to the area where the receiving space and the angle of view of the camera overlap.

[0034] In addition, it is preferable that the second light-shielding portion be positioned to block a portion of the external light movement path opened by the opening portion.

[0035] In addition, it is preferable that the first light source be positioned at the lower side of the camera and form a slope that moves downward away from the camera as it goes toward the rear.

[0036] Additionally, with respect to the forward and backward directions, it is preferable that at least a portion of the first shading portion is placed between the camera and the inner glass.

[0037] Additionally, with respect to the front-back direction, it is preferable that at least a portion of the first shading portion be positioned closer to the inner glass than to the outer glass.

[0038] In addition, the above-mentioned shading member may further include an opening that penetrates a portion of the first shading member in the front-back or up-down direction.

[0039] Additionally, it is preferable that the opening be positioned closer to the upper portion than the lower portion of the first light-shielding portion.

[0040] In addition, the second shading portion is preferably positioned closer to the upper portion than the lower portion of the first shading portion, and is preferably positioned to block the space between the outer glass and the opening portion.

[0041] In addition, the above-mentioned shading member may further include an opening that penetrates a portion of the first shading member in the front-back direction.

[0042] In addition, it is preferable that the second shading portion be positioned so as to block the space between the outer glass and the opening.

[0043] In addition, the above-mentioned shading member may further include an upper surface portion disposed between the outer glass and the first shading portion on the upper side of the opening portion.

[0044] In addition, it is preferable that the second shading portion be placed within a space surrounded by the outer glass, the upper surface, and the first shading portion.

[0045] In addition, the above-mentioned shading member may further include a side portion connecting the upper portion and the first shading portion from the side of the first shading portion.

[0046] In addition, it is preferable that the second light-shielding portion is connected to at least one of the upper surface portion and the side surface portion.

[0047] The present invention can provide an effect of reducing the influence of light emitted from an external light source on the quality of an image captured by a camera, thereby improving the quality of an image captured by the camera, by preventing light reflection from occurring within an area where light emitted from an external light source is likely to be captured by a camera when reflected.

[0048] In addition, the cooking appliance of the present embodiment can minimize the reduction of the field of view of the viewing window due to the shading member, and can effectively check the food being cooked through the viewing window, and can also minimize the damage to the front appearance of the cooking appliance due to the presence of the shading member.

[0049] In addition, the cooking appliance of the present embodiment can significantly reduce the risk of malfunction or damage to the camera (50) by allowing the camera to operate in an environment less affected by heat.

[0050] In addition, the cooking appliance of the present embodiment can effectively cool a camera installed around the shading member inside the door by allowing the flow of air moving inside the door to smoothly pass through the shading member.

[0051] In addition, the cooking appliance of the present embodiment provides an effect of efficiently blocking light reflection within an overlapping area and an effect of efficiently improving cooling performance for a camera, thereby significantly reducing the risk of malfunction or damage to the camera and effectively improving the quality of images captured by the camera.

[0052] FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating a cooking appliance according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0053] Figure 2 is a cross-sectional side view showing the internal structure of the cooking appliance illustrated in Figure 1.

[0054] Figure 3 is a cross-sectional side view of the door illustrated in Figure 2.

[0055] Figure 4 is an enlarged view of the “Ⅳ” portion of Figure 3.

[0056] FIG. 5 is a drawing comparing the camera peripheral structure of a cooking appliance according to one embodiment of the present invention with the camera peripheral structure of a conventional cooking appliance.

[0057] FIG. 6 is a drawing comparing the exposure state of a shading member in a cooking appliance according to one embodiment of the present invention with the exposure state of a shield of a shading member in a conventional cooking appliance.

[0058] FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional side view showing the internal structure of a cooking appliance according to another embodiment of the present invention.

[0059] Figure 8 is a cross-sectional side view of the door illustrated in Figure 7.

[0060] Figure 9 is an enlarged view of the “Ⅸ” portion of Figure 8.

[0061] Figure 10 is a rear perspective view showing a separated shading member provided in a cooking appliance according to another embodiment of the present invention.

[0062] Fig. 11 is a front perspective view of the shading member illustrated in Fig. 10.

[0063] Fig. 12 is a drawing showing another example of a combined structure of a shading member and a camera.

[0064] Figure 13 is a cross-sectional view showing the air flow inside the door.

[0065] Fig. 14 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the “ⅩⅣ” portion of Fig. 13.

[0066] Fig. 15 is a cross-sectional view schematically showing the operation of a light-blocking member according to an actual embodiment of the present invention.

[0067] The above-described objects, features, and advantages will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings, so that those skilled in the art can easily practice the technical idea of ​​the present invention. In describing the present invention, if it is determined that a detailed description of known technologies related to the present invention may unnecessarily obscure the gist of the present invention, a detailed description thereof will be omitted. Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the drawings, the same reference numerals are used to indicate the same or similar components.

[0068] Although terms like "first" and "second" are used to describe various components, these components are not limited by these terms. These terms are used merely to distinguish one component from another, and unless otherwise specified, a "first" component may also be a "second" component.

[0069] The present invention is not limited to the embodiments disclosed below, but can be implemented in various forms and with various modifications. However, these embodiments are provided to ensure that the disclosure of the present invention is complete and to fully inform those skilled in the art of the scope of the invention. Therefore, the present invention is not limited to the embodiments disclosed below, but should be understood to include all modifications, equivalents, and substitutes included within the technical spirit and scope of the present invention, as well as substitutions or additions of the components of one embodiment with those of another embodiment.

[0070] The attached drawings are only intended to facilitate understanding of the embodiments disclosed in this specification, and the technical ideas disclosed in this specification are not limited by the attached drawings, and should be understood to include all modifications, equivalents, or substitutes included in the spirit and technical scope of the present invention. In the drawings, the components may be expressed in an exaggerated size or thickness for convenience of understanding, etc., but the scope of protection of the present invention should not be construed as being limited due to this.

[0071] The terminology used in this specification is only used to describe specific implementations or examples and is not intended to limit the present invention. In addition, the singular expression includes the plural expression unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. In the specification, terms such as "comprises" and "consists of" are intended to indicate the presence of a feature, number, step, operation, component, part, or combination thereof described in the specification. In other words, it should be understood that terms such as "comprises" and "consists of" in the specification do not exclude in advance the possibility of the presence or addition of one or more other features, numbers, steps, operations, components, parts, or combinations thereof.

[0072] Terms that include ordinal numbers, such as first, second, etc., may be used to describe various components, but the components are not limited by these terms. These terms are used solely to distinguish one component from another.

[0073] When a component is referred to as being "connected" or "connected" to another component, it should be understood that it may be directly connected or connected to that other component, but that there may be other components intervening. Conversely, when a component is referred to as being "directly connected" or "connected" to another component, it should be understood that there are no other components intervening.

[0074] When a component is referred to as being "above" or "below" another component, it should be understood that it is not only positioned directly above that other component, but that there may also be other components present in between.

[0075] Unless otherwise defined, all terms used herein, including technical or scientific terms, have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this invention pertains. Terms defined in commonly used dictionaries should be interpreted as having a meaning consistent with their meaning in the context of the relevant technology, and will not be interpreted in an idealized or overly formal sense unless explicitly defined herein.

[0076] When the cooker is placed on the floor, the direction in which the door is installed relative to the center of the cooker is defined as the front. Therefore, the direction in which the door opens and the cooker enters is the rear. For convenience, these forward and rearward directions can be referred to as the first direction. Therefore, the front can be considered one side of the first direction, and the rear can be considered the other side of the first direction.

[0077] Additionally, we can define the direction of gravity as downward, and the opposite direction of gravity as upward.

[0078] Also, the horizontal direction perpendicular to the forward-backward direction of the cooking appliance, i.e., the width direction of the cooking appliance when looking at it from the front of the cooking appliance door, can be referred to as the left-right direction. For convenience, the left-right direction can be referred to as the second direction. Then, the right side can be considered one side of the second direction, and the left side can be considered the other side of the second direction.

[0079] Additionally, the width direction of the above cooking appliance may be referred to as the lateral direction. Then, the right side may be referred to as one side of the lateral direction, and the left side may be referred to as the other side of the lateral direction.

[0080] And, the above-mentioned up-down direction can be called the third direction. Then, the up direction can be said to be one side of the third direction, and the down direction can be said to be the other side of the third direction.

[0081] Additionally, the vertical direction described above can be called the vertical direction. Then, the horizontal direction can be included including the front-back direction and the left-right direction, that is, the first direction and the second direction.

[0082] Throughout the specification, when we refer to "A and / or B", this means A, B, or A and B, unless otherwise stated, and when we refer to "C through D", this means C or more and D or less, unless otherwise stated.

[0083] [Overall structure of the cooking appliance]

[0084] Referring to FIGS. 1 to 3, the cooking appliance may have an exterior formed by a main body (10). The main body (10) may be provided in a shape that includes a roughly rectangular parallelepiped shape, and may be formed of a material having a predetermined strength to protect a number of components installed in its internal space.

[0085] The above body (10) includes a cavity (11) that forms the skeleton of the body (10). The cavity (11) can be formed in the shape of a hexahedron with an open front, and a cooking chamber (10a) is provided inside the cavity (11).

[0086] The cavity (11) can be formed in the shape of a hexahedron with an open front, and the cooking chamber (10a) can be formed inside this cavity (11). That is, the cooking chamber (10a) can be formed as a space having a roughly hexahedral shape placed inside the cavity (11), and can be formed as a space that is open to the front.

[0087] In a state where the cooking chamber (10a) is sealed, food can be cooked while the interior of the cooking chamber (10a) is heated. That is, in the cooking appliance of the present embodiment provided as a sealed cooking appliance, the cooking chamber (10a) is actually the space where food is cooked.

[0088] The cooking appliance is provided with a heating element that heats the cooking chamber (10a). This heating element may be a gas-fueled heating device. Alternatively, the heating element may be an electric heater. Thus, the structure of the heating element may vary depending on the type of heat source used.

[0089] In this embodiment, the heating unit is exemplified as being equipped with a heating device that uses gas fuel. Accordingly, a broil burner may be provided on the upper side of the cooking chamber (10a), and a convection device (13) may be provided on the rear side of the cooking chamber (10a).

[0090] The broil burner can heat the interior space of the cooking chamber (10a) from the top. In addition, the convection device (13) draws in air from the interior space of the cooking chamber (10a), heats it, and then discharges it into the interior space of the cooking chamber (10a) while causing the air to flow, thereby enabling the interior space of the cooking chamber (10a) to be heated evenly.

[0091] In a cooking appliance, a door (20) that selectively opens and closes the cooking chamber (10a) may be provided in a rotatable manner. As an example, the door (20) may be provided in a form that opens and closes the cooking chamber (10a) in a pull-down manner in which the upper portion of the door (20) rotates up and down around the lower portion.

[0092] A cooktop unit (30) may be placed on the upper part of the main body (10) to heat food or a container containing food to cook food. The cooktop unit (30) may be provided with a top plate that closes the upper part of the main body (10) while forming an upper surface appearance.

[0093] At least one heating element may be provided in the central portion of the cooktop (30) for heating food to be cooked or a container containing food. For example, the heating element may be provided as a heating device using gas fuel.

[0094] As another example, the heating element may be equipped with an induction heater that uses electricity. The structure of the heating element may vary depending on the type of heat source used.

[0095] A control panel (40) may be provided on the upper front surface of the cooking appliance, i.e., the upper front surface of the cavity (11). The control panel (40) may form a part of the front exterior of the cooking appliance. The control panel (40) may be provided with a knob (41) for controlling the operation of the cooking appliance and a display (42) for indicating the operating status of the cooking appliance.

[0096] The cooking appliance of the present embodiment may include a rack (15) provided for placing food. As an example, the rack (15) may be formed in a shape that roughly corresponds to the shape of the bottom surface of the cooking chamber (10a), for example, in a square flat shape.

[0097] The rack (15) supports food from the bottom and can be placed inside the cooking chamber (10a). This rack (15) can be used to place food placed on the rack (15) at a height desired by the user, and can be placed inside the cooking chamber (10a) or pulled out of the cooking chamber (10a) as needed.

[0098] In order for the rack (15) to be placed inside the cooking chamber (10a), a mounting protrusion (12) may be provided inside the cooking chamber (10a). The mounting protrusions (12) may be provided on each of the two sides of the cavity (11) forming both sides of the cooking chamber (10a).

[0099] Each of the supporting projections (12) can be formed to protrude from the side wall of the cavity (11) into the interior of the cooking chamber (10a). That is, each of the supporting projections (12) can be formed in a shape that protrudes convexly in the side direction from the side wall of the cavity (11) toward the cooking chamber (10a).

[0100] A plurality of retaining protrusions (12) are arranged in the vertical direction, and each retaining protrusion (12) may be provided on each side wall of an adjacent cavity (11). It may be arranged to be spaced apart from other retaining protrusions (12) provided on each side wall of the cavity (11) by a predetermined distance in the vertical direction.

[0101] In this embodiment, seven mounting protrusions (12) are exemplified as being arranged on each side wall of the cavity (11). However, the present invention is not limited thereto, and the number of mounting protrusions (12) may be increased or decreased as needed, taking into consideration the size of the cooking appliance, etc.

[0102] The rack (15) is mounted on one of the vertically arranged supporting protrusions (12) and can be mounted inside the cooking chamber (10a). The mounting position of the rack (15) may vary depending on which of the supporting protrusions (12) the rack (15) is mounted on.

[0103] As an example, if the rack (15) is mounted on the lowermost mounting protrusion (12) among the mounting protrusions (12), it can be said that the rack (15) is mounted on the first level. As another example, if the rack (15) is mounted on the third mounting protrusion (12) from the bottom among the mounting protrusions (12), it can be said that the rack (15) is mounted on the third level.

[0104] [Door Structure]

[0105] Figure 3 is a cross-sectional side view of the door illustrated in Figure 2.

[0106] Referring to FIGS. 2 and 3, the door (20) may include a door frame (21) and an outer glass (23).

[0107] The door frame (21) forms the skeleton of the door (20) and can form the upper surface, lower surface, and side exterior of the door (20). This door frame (21) can be formed in a hexahedral shape with the front and rear sides open.

[0108] A hinge that rotatably connects the door frame (21) to the main body (10) may be installed on the lower side of the door frame (21). This hinge may be installed on the lower side of the door frame (21), but may also be installed on each of the lateral sides of the door frame (21).

[0109] A through hole may be provided in the door frame (21), and this through hole may be formed in a hollow shape penetrating the door frame (21) in the front-back direction. The door frame (21) including this through hole may be formed in an approximately "ㅁ" shape.

[0110] A viewing window (W) may be formed in the portion where the above-mentioned through hole is formed. The outer glass (23) is arranged on the front side of the main body (10) and may form at least a portion of the viewing window (W). As an example, the outer glass (23) may be provided in a form that includes glass that illuminates the cooking chamber (10a) to the outside of the door (20).

[0111] The outer glass (23) covers the through hole and can be combined with the door frame (21). This outer glass (23) can be placed at the frontmost side of the viewing window (W) to form the front of the viewing window (W), and together with the door frame (21), can form the front exterior of the door (20).

[0112] In addition, the door (20) may further include at least one inner glass (25, 27). The inner glass (25, 27) is arranged between the outer glass (23) and the main body (10) and may form a viewing window (W) together with the outer glass (23). As an example, the inner glass (25, 27) may be provided in a form that includes a glass that projects the cooking chamber (10a) to the outside of the door (20), similar to the outer glass (23).

[0113] In this embodiment, three pieces of glass are arranged on the door (20). For example, the viewing window (W) is formed by three pieces of glass, and two pieces of inner glass (25, 27), i.e., the rear glass (25) and the mid glass (27), may be arranged between the outer glass (23) and the main body (10).

[0114] The rear glass (25) can be combined with the door frame (21) at the rear side of the door frame (21) and form the rear exterior of the door (20). With respect to the front-rear direction, the mid glass (27) can be arranged between the outer glass (23) and the rear glass (25). This mid glass (27) can be combined with the door frame (21) between the outer glass (23) and the rear glass (25).

[0115] In this embodiment, it is exemplified that one mid-glass (27) is provided between the outer glass (23) and the rear glass (25). As another example, two or more mid-glasses (27) may be provided between the outer glass (23) and the rear glass (25).

[0116] As described above, the interior of the door (20) can be divided into a plurality of spaces arranged in the front-back direction by the glasses (23, 25, 27) provided on the door (20). The glasses (23, 25, 27) arranged in this manner form a viewing window (W) that allows the user to check the interior of the cooking chamber (10a), and at the same time, can suppress heat transferred from the interior of the cooking chamber (10a) to the door (20) from being transferred to the front of the door (20).

[0117] As described above, outside air can be introduced into the interior of the door (20) in which the mid-glasses (27) are arranged. For example, outside air can be introduced into the interior of the door (20) through the open top of the door (20). The air introduced into the interior of the door (20) in this way can cool the door (20) by passing through the interior of the door (20).

[0118] [Camera Structure]

[0119] Figure 4 is an enlarged view of the “Ⅳ” portion of Figure 3.

[0120] The cooking appliance of the present embodiment may include a camera (50), as illustrated in FIGS. 2 to 4. The camera (50) may be installed inside the cooking appliance and is provided to photograph the cooking chamber (10a).

[0121] The camera (50) may be placed on the front side of the cooking chamber (10a). As an example, the camera (50) may be installed on the door (20). This camera (50) can capture images related to food contained within the cooking chamber (10a) by photographing the interior of the cooking chamber (10a) from the front upper side of the cooking chamber (10a).

[0122] The camera (50) may include an image processing unit (51). The image processing unit (51) may include one or more image sensors. As the image sensor, a CCD or a CMOS may be used. As an example, the image sensor may be provided in a form mounted on a circuit board (52). In this case, the image sensor may be placed on the back surface of the circuit board (52) facing the cooking chamber (10a).

[0123] Additionally, the camera (50) may include a lens unit (55). The lens unit (55) may include at least one lens. As an example, the lens unit (55) may be provided in a form in which a plurality of lenses arranged in the front-rear direction are accommodated in a barrel.

[0124] The lens unit (55) collects light reflected from a subject to form an optical image in the imaging area, and the image sensor can receive light incident through the lens unit (55) and convert it into an image signal.

[0125] In addition, the camera (50) may further include various processors necessary for composing an image based on an image signal output from an image sensor, and may further include lighting composed of LEDs, etc.

[0126] The above camera (50) can be placed inside the door (20). This camera (50) can be placed within an area of ​​the door (20) where a viewing window (W) is formed.

[0127] More specifically, the camera (50) may be placed between the outer glass (23) and the mid glass (27). That is, the camera (50) may be placed inside the door (20), but may be placed in a space formed between the outer glass (23) and the mid glass (27) that are spaced apart in the front-back direction.

[0128] Since this space is located relatively far from the cooking chamber (10a) compared to the space between the inner glass (25) and the mid glass (27), it is preferable that the camera (50) be located in this space so that the camera (50) is less affected by the influence transmitted from the cooking chamber (10a).

[0129] In this way, the camera (50) placed inside the door (20) can capture the inside of the cooking chamber (10a) by receiving light passing through the inner glass (25, 27) and the mid glass (27) inside the cooking chamber (10a).

[0130] As an example, the camera (50) may be positioned at a position tilted upward from the vertical center of the door (20). This camera (50) may also be positioned at a position tilted upward from the vertical center of the cooking chamber (10a) with respect to the cooking chamber (10a). With respect to the left-right direction, the camera (50) may be positioned approximately at the center of the door (20).

[0131] The camera (50) arranged in this manner may be provided in a manner that faces the cooking chamber (10a) from the front side of the cooking chamber (10a), but overlooks the cooking chamber (10a) from the front of the upper area of ​​the cooking chamber (10a). In addition, the camera (50) may be arranged in a position tilted upward from the viewing window (W).

[0132] In this way, the camera (50) can be placed in a position where it can effectively photograph food inside the cooking room (10a), and can also be placed in a position where it obstructs the view less from the viewing window (W).

[0133] The above camera (50) can capture the interior of the cooking chamber (10a), and can capture the area within the field of view of the camera (50). In this embodiment, the field of view of the camera (50) is set as follows.

[0134] In the vertical direction, the angle of view of the camera (50) can be set so that both the front end of the rack (15) mounted at the lowest level, for example, the first level, and the front end of the rack (15) mounted at the highest level, for example, the seventh level, can be included in the shooting range of the camera (50). In addition, in the left-right direction, the angle of view of the camera (50) can be set so that both the left end and the right end of the rack (15) can be included in the shooting range of the camera (50).

[0135] Meanwhile, the cooking appliance of the present embodiment may further include a support member (60). The support member (60) may be provided to secure the camera (50) to the inside of the door (20). In the present embodiment, the support member (60) is exemplified as being secured to the outer glass (23).

[0136] [First embodiment of shading member]

[0137] The cooking appliance of the present embodiment may include a shading member (100) installed inside the door (20). The shading member (100), like the camera (50), may be placed within an area of ​​the door (20) where a viewing window (W) is formed.

[0138] In this embodiment, the shading member (100) is exemplified as being positioned adjacent to the camera (50), but positioned below the camera (50). Accordingly, the camera (50) may be positioned adjacent to the uppermost boundary surface of the viewing window (W), and the shading member (100) may be positioned below the camera (50). At this time, the shading member (100) may be positioned in close contact with the lower end of the support member (60) that supports the camera (50).

[0139] As another example, the shading member (100) may be placed above the camera (50), or may be placed above and below the camera (50), respectively. When the shading member (100) is placed above the camera, the shading member (100) may be placed between the uppermost boundary surface of the viewing window (W) and the camera (50).

[0140] The above-mentioned shading member (100) may be placed in the space (S; hereinafter referred to as “accommodation space”) between the outer glass (23) and the inner glass (25, 27). As an example, the shading member (100) may be placed together with the camera (50) in the space formed between the outer glass (23) and the mid glass (27). This shading member (100) may be placed in the same space as the camera (50) and may be placed adjacent to the camera (50).

[0141] In this way, the shading member (100) placed inside the door (20) can be placed to block the space between the outer glass (23) and the inner glass (25, 27). As an example, the shading member (100) can be placed to block the space between the outer glass (23) and the middle glass (27).

[0142] This shading member (100) can form a blocking wall that blocks the path of light moving from the front side of the door (20) through the outer glass (23) toward the inner glass (25, 27). As an example, the shading member (100) can form a blocking wall that blocks the path of light moving from the lower side of the camera (50) toward the area within the field of view of the camera (50).

[0143] The shading member (100) may include a first shading portion (110). The first shading portion (110) may form a barrier that blocks the space between the outer glass (23) and the inner glass (25, 27), more specifically, between the outer glass (23) and the mid glass (27).

[0144] As an example, the first shading portion (110) may form a plane that is approximately horizontal, but may form an inclined surface that becomes farther away from the outer glass (23) as it goes toward the rear. In other words, the first shading portion (110) may form an inclined surface that slopes downward toward the rear.

[0145] In other words, the first shading portion (110) forms a plane that blocks the space between the outer glass (23) and the mid glass (27), but can form a slope that moves away from the outer glass (23) as it goes downward.

[0146] At least a portion of the first shading portion (110) may be placed between the camera (50) and the inner glass (25, 27). That is, with respect to the front-back direction, at least a portion of the first shading portion (110) may be placed between the camera (50) and the inner glass (25, 27). For example, the lower portion of the first shading portion (110) may be placed between the camera (50) and the mid glass (27).

[0147] The shading member (100) may further include an upper surface portion (120). The upper surface portion (120) may be positioned above the first shading member (110) and may form the upper surface of the shading member (100). The first shading member (110) may be provided in a form that protrudes downward from the upper surface portion (120).

[0148] As an example, the upper end of the first shading portion (110) may be connected to the rear end of the upper surface portion (120). And the first shading portion (110) may extend obliquely in the direction between the rear and downward from the upper surface portion (120).

[0149] [The function and effect of the shading material]

[0150] FIG. 5 is a drawing comparing the structure surrounding the camera of a cooking appliance according to one embodiment of the present invention with the structure surrounding the camera of a conventional cooking appliance, and FIG. 6 is a drawing comparing the exposure state of a light-shielding member in a cooking appliance according to one embodiment of the present invention with the exposure state of a cover of a light-shielding member in a conventional cooking appliance.

[0151] Hereinafter, the operation and effect of a cooking appliance according to one embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 2 to 6.

[0152] Referring to FIGS. 2 to 4, the camera (50) and the light-blocking member (100) according to the present embodiment can be placed within an area of ​​the door (20) where a viewing window (W) is formed, and can be placed inside the door (20), i.e., in the receiving space (S).

[0153] When viewed from the side, the shading member (100) can be placed on the lower side of the camera (50). This shading member (100) can form a barrier that blocks the space between the outer glass (23) and the mid glass (27), i.e., the receiving space (S) between the outer glass (23) and the mid glass (27).

[0154] As an example, as illustrated in (b) of FIG. 5, the shading member (100) may form a blocking wall that blocks the path of light traveling from the lower side of the camera (50) toward the area within the field of view of the camera (50). Preferably, the shading member (100) may form a blocking wall that blocks the path of light traveling from the front side of the outer glass (23) to the area where the receiving space (S) and the field of view of the camera (50) overlap.

[0155] Light emitted from an external light source can be reflected from the inner glass (25, 27) after passing through the outer glass (23) at the front side of the door (20). When the light passing through the outer glass (23) at the front side of the door (20) enters an area (S1; hereinafter referred to as “overlapping area”) where the angle of view of the receiving space (S) and the camera (50) overlap, the possibility that the light reflected from the inner glass (25, 27) after entering this area will be captured by the camera (50) increases.

[0156] For example, light passing through the outer glass (23) on the front side of the door (20) can be reflected toward the camera (50) from the mid glass (27) within the overlapping area (A), and the light reflected in this way can be captured by the camera (50).

[0157] In this way, if light reflected within the overlapping area (A) is captured by the camera (50), problems such as light scattering, flare, and virtual images may occur in the image captured by the camera (50), thereby lowering the quality of the image captured by the camera (50).

[0158] Considering these points, in the present embodiment, a blocking wall for blocking the path of light moving from the front side of the outer glass (23) to the overlapping area (A) (hereinafter referred to as “external light path”) can be formed by a light-blocking member (100).

[0159] According to this, the shading member (100) can form a blocking wall that blocks the path of light moving from the front side of the door (20) and the lower side of the camera (50) to the overlapping area (A) at the lower side of the camera (50).

[0160] According to the present embodiment, the shading member (100) can form a blocking wall that blocks the path of external light movement at a position spaced apart from the outer glass (23) by a predetermined distance. As an example, the shading member (100) can be positioned such that at least a portion of the shading member (100) can be positioned between the camera (50) and the inner glass (25, 27).

[0161] For example, the lower end of the shading member (100) may be positioned at a position that protrudes further rearward than the camera (50). In addition, the upper end of the shading member (100) may be positioned at a position spaced rearward from the outer glass (23) by approximately the length in the front-back direction of the upper surface (120).

[0162] In this way, when the shading member (100) is positioned at a position spaced rearward from the outer glass (23), the vertical length of the shading member (100) can be reduced compared to when the shading member (100) is positioned in close contact with the outer glass (23).

[0163] In Fig. 5 (a), a form in which the shield (1) is positioned very close to the outer glass (23) is exemplified. In order for the movement of light along the external light movement path to be properly blocked by the shield (1), the vertical length of the shield (1) must increase as the position of the shield (1) becomes closer to the outer glass (23).

[0164] In other words, the more the position of the shield (1) is shifted forward, the longer the shield (1) must be extended downward so that the movement of external light attempting to enter the overlapping area can be properly blocked.

[0165] In this case, as shown in (a) of Fig. 6, the vertical length of the shield (1) exposed to the viewing window (W) becomes excessively long. The shield (1) that becomes long in this way not only reduces the field of view of the viewing window (W) and makes it difficult to check the food being cooked through the viewing window (W), but can also cause the front appearance of the cooking appliance to deteriorate.

[0166] In comparison, the light-blocking member (100) of the present embodiment, as illustrated in (b) of FIG. 5 and (b) of FIG. 6, can form a blocking wall that blocks the path of external light movement at a position spaced a predetermined distance rearward from the outer glass (23). This light-blocking member (100) can effectively block the movement of external light attempting to enter the overlapping area even if it is formed to a much shorter length than the shield (1) illustrated in (a) of FIG. 5 and (a) of FIG. 6.

[0167] In this case, the vertical length of the shading member (100) exposed through the viewing window (W) can be significantly shorter than that of the shield (1) positioned in close contact with the outer glass (23) (see (a) and (b) of FIG. 6).

[0168] The shading member (100) of the present embodiment provided as described above can effectively block the movement of external light attempting to enter the overlapping area while suppressing the exposure of the shading member (100) through the viewing window (W).

[0169] The cooking appliance of the present embodiment equipped with such a shading member (100) can minimize the reduction in the field of view of the viewing window (W) due to the shading member (100), and can effectively check the food being cooked through the viewing window (W), and can also minimize the damage to the appearance of the front of the cooking appliance due to the presence of the shading member (100).

[0170] [Second embodiment of shading member]

[0171] Fig. 7 is a side cross-sectional view showing the internal structure of a cooking appliance according to another embodiment of the present invention, Fig. 8 is a side cross-sectional view showing the door shown in Fig. 7 in an separated manner, and Fig. 9 is an enlarged view showing part “Ⅸ” of Fig. 8 in an enlarged manner. In addition, Fig. 10 is a rear perspective view showing a light-shielding member provided in a cooking appliance according to another embodiment of the present invention in an separated manner, Fig. 11 is a front perspective view of the light-shielding member shown in Fig. 10, and Fig. 12 is a drawing showing another example of a combination structure of a light-shielding member and a camera.

[0172] Referring to Fig. 7, a door (20) may be provided with an inlet (20a). The inlet (20a) may be positioned at the bottom of the door (20). This inlet (20a) may form a passage opening the interior of the door (20) at the bottom of the door (20).

[0173] The inlet (20a) may be formed to penetrate vertically through the lower part of the door (20) or may be formed to penetrate forward and backward through the back surface of the door (20). The interior of the door (20), particularly the receiving space (S), may be opened from the lower part of the door (20) to the outside of the door (20) through the inlet (20a).

[0174] The door (20) may further be provided with an exhaust port (20b). The exhaust port (20b) may be positioned at the upper portion of the door (20). This exhaust port (20b) may form a passage opening the interior of the door (20) at the upper portion of the door (20).

[0175] The exhaust port (20b) may be formed to penetrate vertically through the upper part of the door (20) or may be formed to penetrate forward and backward through the rear surface of the door (20). The interior of the door (20), particularly the receiving space (S), may be opened to the outside of the door (20) from the upper part of the door (20) through the exhaust port (20b).

[0176] Outside air can be introduced into the interior of the door (20) through the inlet (20a), and the outside air introduced into the interior of the door (20) can move upward from the interior of the door (20) and then be discharged to the exterior of the door (20) through the exhaust port (20b).

[0177] Referring to FIGS. 7 to 11, a shading member (200) according to another embodiment of the present invention may be placed in a receiving space (S), and may be placed between an inlet (20a) and an exhaust port (20b). This shading member (200) may include a first shading portion (210) and an opening portion (210a, 210b).

[0178] The first shading portion (210) may be formed in a shape similar to the first shading portion (110; see FIG. 4) of the shading member (100; see FIG. 4) exemplified in the above-described embodiment. That is, the first shading portion (210) may be placed in the receiving space (S) and may form a barrier that blocks the space between the outer glass (23) and the inner glass (25, 27). This first shading portion (210) may form a downwardly inclined surface toward the rear.

[0179] The opening portion (210a, 210b) may include a first opening portion (210a). The first opening portion (210a) may open in the vertical direction between the outer glass (23) and the first light-shielding portion (210). An internal space (S1) surrounded by the outer glass (23), the upper surface (120), and the first light-shielding portion (210) is formed in front of the first light-shielding portion (210), and the first opening portion (210a) may open this internal space (S1) downward.

[0180] Additionally, the opening portion (210a, 210b) may include a second opening portion (210b). The second opening portion (210b) may be opened in the vertical direction between the first light-shielding portion (210) and the second light-shielding portion (230) described later, above or below the first opening portion (210a).

[0181] In this embodiment, the shading member (200) is exemplified as being placed on the lower side of the camera (50). In this shading member (200), the second opening (210b) can open the internal space (S1) upward from the upper side of the first opening (210a).

[0182] According to the present embodiment, the first shading portion (210) may be provided in a form that protrudes downward from the upper surface (120). In addition, the second opening portion (210b) may be provided in the first shading portion (210) or between the upper surface (120) and the first shading portion (210).

[0183] When the second opening (210b) is provided between the upper surface (120) and the first light-shielding portion (210), the second opening (210b) can be placed on the upper side of the first light-shielding portion (210). That is, in the vertical direction, the second opening (210b) can be placed between the camera (50) and the first light-shielding portion (210).

[0184] When the second opening (210b) is provided in the first light-shielding portion (210), the second opening (210b) may be formed in a form in which a portion of the first light-shielding portion (210) is cut off. For example, the second opening (210b) may be formed in a form that penetrates a portion of the first light-shielding portion (210) in the front-back direction or the up-down direction.

[0185] In this embodiment, it is exemplified that a portion of the first shading portion (210) forming the inclined surface is formed in a form that penetrates in the forward-backward and upward-downward directions. The second opening portion (210b) formed in this manner may be positioned closer to the upper portion than the lower portion of the first shading portion (210).

[0186] The shading member (200) may further include a second shading portion (230). In the front-back direction, the second shading portion (230) may be positioned between the outer glass (23) and the first shading portion (210). This second shading portion (230) may form a barrier that blocks the space between the outer glass (23) and the inner glass (25, 27) at the upper or lower side of the first shading portion (210).

[0187] The first shading portion (210) and the second shading portion (230) can be arranged to be spaced apart from each other in the front-back direction. The second opening portion (210b) formed between the first shading portion (210) and the second shading portion (230) can open the space between the first shading portion (210) and the second shading portion (230) in the vertical direction. Air introduced into the internal space (S1) through the first opening portion (210a) can move to the outside of the shading member (200) through the second opening portion (210b).

[0188] The second shading portion (230) may be positioned closer to the upper portion than the lower portion of the first shading portion (210). That is, the second shading portion (230) may be positioned at a position tilted upward from the vertical center of the shading member (200). This second shading portion (230) may be positioned to block the space between the outer glass (23) and the second opening portion (210b).

[0189] In this embodiment, the second shading portion (230) is exemplified as being positioned on the upper side of the first shading portion (210). This second shading portion (230) may be positioned on the front side of the second opening portion (210b) and may form a barrier between the outer glass (23) and the second opening portion (210b).

[0190] The above second light-shielding portion (230) forms a blocking wall that blocks the external light movement path, and can be arranged to block the portion of the external light movement path opened by the second opening portion (210b).

[0191] The upper surface (120) forming the upper surface of the shading member (200) is disposed between the outer glass (23) and the first shading member (210), and may be disposed on the upper side of the opening (210a, 210b). The second shading member (230) may be disposed within a space surrounded by the outer glass (23), the upper surface (120), and the first shading member (210), i.e., an internal space (S1).

[0192] In addition, the shading member (200) may further include a side portion (240). The side portion (240) may connect the upper portion (120) and the first shading member (210) from the side of the first shading member (210). As an example, a pair of side portions (240) may be arranged to be laterally spaced apart from each other with the first shading member (210), the second shading member (230), and the upper portion (120) interposed therebetween, and such a pair of side portions (240) may form both sides of the shading member (200).

[0193] As an example, the second shading portion (230) may be connected to the upper surface (120) from the lower side of the upper surface (120) and may be connected laterally to the side surface (240). In this case, the shading member (200) may be provided in a form in which the first shading portion (210), the second shading portion (230), the upper surface (120), and the side surface (240) are formed integrally. As another example, the second shading portion (230) may be connected to only one of the upper surface (120) and the side surface (240).

[0194] The above-described shading member (200) may be positioned adjacent to the camera (50) and may be fixed to the door (20) via a support member (60) that supports the camera (50). As an example, the upper surface (120) of the shading member (200) may be fixed to the support member (60) by being fixed to the lower surface of the support member (60). The shading member (200) fixed to the support member (60) in this way may be fixed to the outer glass (23) by the support member (60).

[0195] As another example, as illustrated in FIG. 12, at least a portion of the shading member (200a) and the supporting member (60a) may be formed integrally. For example, the upper surface of the shading member (200a) and the lower surface of the supporting member (60a) may be formed integrally, and the entire shading member (200a) and the entire supporting member (60a) may be formed integrally.

[0196] In this way, the light-blocking member (200a) formed integrally with the support member (60a) can be provided as a single component having both the function of supporting the camera (50) and the function of blocking the external light movement path.

[0197] Fig. 13 is a cross-sectional view showing the air flow inside the door, Fig. 14 is an enlarged cross-sectional view showing the “ⅩⅣ” portion of Fig. 13, and Fig. 15 is a cross-sectional view schematically showing the operation of a shading member according to an actual embodiment of the present invention.

[0198] Hereinafter, the operation and effect of a light-blocking member according to another embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. 7 and FIG. 13 to FIG. 15.

[0199] The cooking appliance according to the present embodiment, as illustrated in FIG. 7, can provide an automatic cooking function using a camera (50). This cooking appliance can analyze food-related images or videos acquired by the camera (50) to determine the type and size of the food or determine the cooking progress of the food, and control the cooking operation of the cooking appliance based on the information analyzed in this manner.

[0200] Meanwhile, referring to FIGS. 13 and 14, the air inside the door (20) heated by the heat transferred from the cooking chamber (10a) during the cooking process can be discharged to the outside of the door (20) through the exhaust port (20b) provided on the upper side of the door (20).

[0201] As the hot air inside the door (20) is discharged, the outside air at the front lower side of the cooking appliance can rise and flow into the interior of the door (20) through the inlet (20a) provided at the lower part of the door (20). In this process, the door (20), which has been heated by the heat transferred from the cooking chamber (10a) to the door (20), can be cooled.

[0202] External air that flows into the interior of the door (20), i.e., the receiving space (S), can move upward and come into contact with the shading member (200), and can pass through the shading member (200) and move toward the camera (50). The openings (210a, 210b) and the internal space (S1) formed in the shading member (200) can provide a passage necessary for the external air to pass through the shading member (200).

[0203] External air rising from the lower side of the shading member (200) toward the shading member (200) can be introduced into the interior of the shading member (200) through the first opening (210a). Air introduced into the internal space (S1) can be discharged to the exterior of the shading member (200) through the second opening (210b). In other words, air rising in the receiving space (S) can pass through the shading member (200) through the first opening (210a), the internal space (S1), and the second opening (210b) and move toward the camera (50).

[0204] In this way, the air that passes through the shading member (200) and moves toward the camera (50) can pass around the camera (50) and cool the camera (50), and then be discharged to the outside of the door (20) through the exhaust port (20b).

[0205] The openings (210a, 210b) and the internal space (S1) formed in the shading member (200) can have the function of reducing the flow resistance inside the door (20) and can form a passage necessary for the cooling air flow formed to cool the camera (50) to pass through the shading member (200).

[0206] According to the present embodiment, the camera (50) may be positioned in a space formed between the front glass (23) and the mid-glass (27), but may be positioned closer to the front glass (23) than to the mid-glass (27). Preferably, the camera (50) may be installed on the front glass (23) in a form that is coupled to the back surface of the front glass (23).

[0207] As described above, the camera (50) installed in the door (20) can be placed at the location furthest from the cooking chamber (10a) within the door (20).

[0208] While cooking is taking place in the cooking chamber (10a), the interior of the cooking chamber (10a) is heated to a high temperature, and the heat inside the cooking chamber (10a) is transferred to the door (20). The closer the part of the door (20) is to the cooking chamber (10a), that is, the closer it is to the rear of the door (20), the more it is affected by the heat transferred from the cooking chamber (10a) to the door (20).

[0209] Accordingly, the temperature of the mid glass (27) is lower than that of the rear glass (25), and the temperature of the front glass (23) and its surroundings is lower than that of the mid glass (27).

[0210] Taking these points into consideration, in this embodiment, the camera (50) is installed on the front glass (23) located at the furthest position from the cooking chamber (10a) within the door (20). Accordingly, the camera (50) can be placed at a position within the door (20) where it is least affected by heat.

[0211] In addition, the camera (50) positioned at a location where it can be least affected by heat inside the door (20) as described above can be cooled by air flowing upward inside the door (20).

[0212] That is, the camera (50) is placed in a position where it is least affected by heat inside the door (20), and the camera (50) is cooled by air flowing upward inside the door (20), so that the effect of heat applied to the camera (50) provided for filming the cooking chamber (10a) can be effectively reduced.

[0213] Cooling of the camera (50) can be achieved by an air flow moving upward from a position adjacent to the front glass (23). In addition, a portion of the air flowing into the interior of the door (20) can be formed by moving upward through the space between the shading member (200) and the mid-glass (27). This air flow can be formed by moving upward from a position adjacent to the mid-glass (27).

[0214] For example, among the air flows formed inside the door (20), the air flow formed at a position tilted toward the rear can move upward through the space between the shading member (200) and the mid-glass (27).

[0215] The air flow formed in this way can form an air curtain inside the door (20) that blocks the space between the mid-glass (27) and the front glass (23), more specifically, between the mid-glass (27) and the camera (50).

[0216] The air curtain formed in this way can have the function of suppressing the heat transferred from the cooking chamber (10a) to the mid-glass (27) from being transferred to the front glass (23) and camera (50).

[0217] According to the present embodiment, the camera (50) is positioned at a location within the door (20) where it is least susceptible to heat influence, and an air curtain and a cooling airflow can be formed by air flowing upward within the door (20). Among these, the air curtain serves to suppress heat transfer toward the front glass (23) and the camera (50), and the cooling airflow can serve to cool the camera (50) within the door (20).

[0218] That is, the camera (50) can be cooled by the cooling air flow at a location where it is least affected by heat inside the door (20), and heat transfer toward the front glass (23) and the camera (50) can be suppressed by the air curtain.

[0219] Accordingly, the camera (50) that photographs the cooking room (10a) can be installed in an environment less affected by heat, and cooling of the camera (50) installed inside the door (20) can be effectively achieved.

[0220] Meanwhile, as the second opening (210b) is formed in the shading member (200) as described above, a passage necessary for the cooling air flow to pass through the shading member (200) can be formed in the shading member (200), but a part of the blocking wall formed by the first shading member (210) can be opened due to the second opening (210b). In other words, a part of the external light movement path that was blocked by the first shading member (210) can be opened due to the second opening (210b).

[0221] Although the second opening (210b) is necessary to improve the cooling performance of the camera (50), if the external light movement path is opened due to this second opening (210b), a problem may arise in which the quality of the image captured by the camera (50) is deteriorated.

[0222] Considering these points, in the present embodiment, a second shading portion (230) may be further provided in the shading member (200). The second shading portion (230) may be positioned at a predetermined distance forward from the first shading portion (210) so that a passage by the second opening portion (210b) may be formed between the first shading portion (210) and the second shading portion (230).

[0223] For example, the second shading portion (230) may be arranged on the front side of the second opening portion (210b) and may form a barrier that blocks the space between the outer glass (23) and the second opening portion (210b). The second shading portion (230) arranged at this location may form a barrier that blocks the external light movement path, but may form a barrier that blocks the portion of the external light movement path opened by the second opening portion (210b).

[0224] Accordingly, the external light movement path can be completely blocked by the shading member (200) including the first opening (210a) and the second opening (210b), and a passage necessary for the cooling air flow to pass through the shading member (200) can also be formed in the shading member (200).

[0225] That is, the shading member (200) of the present embodiment can provide both the function of blocking the external light path and the function of allowing cooling air flow to pass through. The cooking appliance of the present embodiment equipped with such a shading member (200) can provide both the effect of efficiently blocking light reflection within the overlapping area (A) and the effect of efficiently improving the cooling performance of the camera (50).

[0226] The cooking appliance of the present embodiment as described above can provide an effect of reducing the influence of light emitted from an external light source on the quality of an image captured by the camera (50) and improving the quality of the image captured by the camera (50) by blocking the occurrence of light reflection within an area where light emitted from an external light source is likely to be captured by the camera (50) when reflected.

[0227] In addition, the cooking appliance of the present embodiment can significantly reduce the risk of malfunction or damage to the camera (50) by allowing the camera (50) to operate in an environment less affected by heat.

[0228] In addition, the cooking appliance of the present embodiment can effectively cool the camera (50) installed around the shading member (200) inside the door (20) by allowing the air flow moving inside the door (20) to smoothly pass through the shading member (200).

[0229] In addition, the cooking appliance of the present embodiment provides an effect of efficiently blocking light reflection within an overlapping area (A) and an effect of efficiently improving cooling performance for the camera (50), thereby significantly reducing the risk of malfunction or damage to the camera (50) and effectively improving the quality of images captured by the camera (50).

[0230] While the present invention has been described with reference to the embodiments illustrated in the drawings, these are merely exemplary, and those skilled in the art will understand that various modifications and equivalent embodiments are possible. Accordingly, the true technical protection scope of the present invention should be defined by the following claims.

[0231] Description of the symbol

[0232] 10: Body

[0233] 10a: Kitchen

[0234] 11: Cavity

[0235] 12: Supporting protrusion

[0236] 13: Convection device

[0237] 15: Rack

[0238] 20: Door

[0239] 20a: Inlet

[0240] 20b: exhaust port

[0241] 21: Door frame

[0242] 23: Outer Glass

[0243] 25: Rear glass

[0244] 27: Mid Glass

[0245] 30: Cooktop

[0246] 40: Control Panel

[0247] 41: Knob

[0248] 42: Display

[0249] 50: Camera

[0250] 51: Image processing unit

[0251] 52: Circuit board

[0252] 55: Lens section

[0253] 60: Support member

[0254] 100,200: Shading material

[0255] 110,210: First Miner

[0256] 210a: First opening

[0257] 210b: Second opening

[0258] 230: Second light

[0259] 240: Side

[0260] A: Overlapping area

[0261] S: Reception space

[0262] S1: Interior space

Claims

1. A main body that forms a cooking space inside; A door that opens and closes the cooking chamber at the front side of the main body, and includes an outer glass disposed at the front side of the main body and an inner glass disposed between the main body and the outer glass; A camera placed in a receiving space formed between the outer glass and the inner glass; and A light-blocking member is disposed adjacent to the camera and blocks a portion of the path of light moving from the outer glass to the inner glass; A cooking appliance in which at least a portion of the above-mentioned shading member is disposed between the camera and the inner glass, or is disposed at a position closer to the inner glass than the outer glass.

2. In paragraph 1, A first light-shielding member arranged in the above-mentioned receiving space and blocking between the outer glass and the inner glass; and A cooking appliance comprising a second shading portion arranged between the outer glass and the first shading portion and blocking the space between the outer glass and the inner glass at an upper or lower side of the first shading portion.

3. In paragraph 2, The first light shading part and the second light shading part are arranged to be spaced apart in the front-back direction, A cooking appliance in which the above-mentioned shading member further includes an opening that opens in the vertical direction between the first shading portion and the second shading portion.

4. In paragraph 3, The above door is provided with an inlet opening the inside of the door, and an exhaust opening opening the inside of the door from above the inlet. A cooking appliance in which the above-mentioned shading member is placed between the inlet and the exhaust port.

5. In paragraph 3, A cooking appliance comprising: a first opening portion that opens vertically between the outer glass and the first shading portion; and a second opening portion that opens vertically between the first shading portion and the second shading portion at an upper or lower side of the first opening portion.

6. In paragraph 3, The above first light shading part is arranged to block the external light movement path, which is the movement path of light moving from the front side of the outer glass to the area where the receiving space and the angle of view of the camera overlap, A cooking appliance in which the second light shading portion is positioned to block a portion of the external light movement path opened by the opening portion.

7. In paragraph 2, A cooking device in which the first light source is positioned below the camera and forms a slope that moves downward away from the camera as it goes toward the rear.

8. In paragraph 2, The above-mentioned shading member further includes an opening that penetrates a portion of the first shading member in the forward / backward direction or the up / down direction, A cooking appliance in which the above opening is positioned closer to the upper part than the lower part of the first light shading part.

9. In paragraph 2, The above-mentioned shading member further includes an opening that penetrates a portion of the first shading member in the front-back direction, A cooking appliance in which the second shading part is arranged to block the space between the outer glass and the opening.

10. In paragraph 9, The above shading member further includes an upper surface portion disposed between the outer glass and the first shading portion on the upper side of the opening portion, A cooking appliance in which the second shading portion is placed within a space surrounded by the outer glass, the upper surface, and the first shading portion.

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