Cooking apparatus

Abstract

An invention related to a cooking apparatus is disclosed. The disclosed invention comprises a camera disposed inside a door, and a light-blocking part for blocking an external light travel path, which is the travel path of light travelling to the camera after passing through at least a portion of a transparent window at the front side of the door.

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] A cooking appliance according to one embodiment of the present invention for achieving the above purpose is characterized by including a camera disposed inside a door, and a light blocking part that blocks an external light path, which is a path of light that passes through at least a portion of the viewing window on the front side of the door and then moves to the camera.

[0018] Through this, the present invention can provide an effect in which the quality of an image captured by a camera is less affected by light emitted from an external light source.

[0019] In addition, another form of the present invention includes a camera disposed inside a door, and a light blocking member disposed in a path of light moving to the camera after passing through at least a portion of a viewing window formed in the door, and the light blocking member is characterized in that it is formed of a material having lower transparency than the viewing window.

[0020] In addition, another form of the present invention is characterized by including a camera disposed inside the door, and a plurality of polarizing members disposed in an external light movement path to transmit light vibrating in the same direction as the polarization axis.

[0021] In addition, another form of the present invention is characterized in that it includes a camera disposed inside a door, and a light blocking member that blocks the path of light moving to the camera after passing through at least a portion of a viewing window formed in the door, and the light blocking member includes a plurality of polarizing members that transmit light vibrating in the same direction as the polarization axis.

[0022] A cooking appliance according to one aspect of the present invention may include: a main body forming a cooking chamber inside; a door disposed on a front side of the main body to open and close the cooking chamber and forming a viewing window; a camera disposed inside the door; and a light blocking member disposed on an external light path, which is a path of light passing through at least a portion of the viewing window on the front side of the door and then moving to the camera.

[0023] Preferably, the shading member can be formed of a material having lower transparency than the viewing window.

[0024] Additionally, the door may include an outer glass disposed on the front side of the main body and an inner glass disposed between the main body and the outer glass.

[0025] In addition, it is preferable that the above-mentioned viewing window be formed in an area where the outer glass and the inner glass overlap in the front-back direction.

[0026] Additionally, it is preferable that the camera and the light-blocking member are placed in a space formed between the outer glass and the inner glass.

[0027] In addition, it is preferable that the above-mentioned shading member includes translucent or opaque glass.

[0028] In addition, it is preferable that the above-mentioned shading member includes etched glass having an etched surface.

[0029] In addition, it is preferable that the above-mentioned shading member be bonded to the back surface of the outer glass.

[0030] In addition, it is preferable that the above-mentioned shading member be arranged so as to block the 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.

[0031] Additionally, it is preferable that the camera be positioned at an upwardly tilted position from the vertical center of the viewing window.

[0032] Additionally, it is preferable that the above-mentioned shading member be placed on the lower side of the camera.

[0033] In addition, a cooking appliance according to another aspect of the present invention may include: a main body forming a cooking chamber inside; a door disposed on the front side of the main body to open and close the cooking chamber and forming a viewing window; a camera disposed inside the door; and a light blocking part that blocks an external light path, which is a path of light passing through at least a portion of the viewing window on the front side of the door and then moving to the camera.

[0034] Preferably, the light-shielding member may include a plurality of polarizing members arranged in the external light movement path to transmit light vibrating in the same direction as the polarization axis.

[0035] In addition, the polarizing member may include a first polarizing member arranged to block at least a portion of the viewing window, and a second polarizing member having a polarizing axis in a direction perpendicular to the polarizing axis of the first polarizing member.

[0036] Additionally, the first polarizing member may be installed in the viewing window, and the second polarizing member may be installed in the camera.

[0037] In addition, it is preferable that the second polarizing member be placed in a light-input section that passes light into the interior of the camera.

[0038] Additionally, the door may include an outer glass disposed on the front side of the main body and an inner glass disposed between the main body and the outer glass.

[0039] In addition, it is preferable that the viewing window is formed in an area where the outer glass and the inner glass overlap in the front-back direction, and that the first polarizing member is installed in the outer glass.

[0040] In addition, it is preferable that the first polarizing member is placed in a space formed between the outer glass and the inner glass.

[0041] Additionally, with respect to the forward and backward direction, it is preferable that the second polarizing member be placed between the first polarizing member and the inner glass.

[0042] In addition, it is preferable that the first polarizing member is arranged to block the 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.

[0043] In addition, it is preferable that the polarizing member include a polarizing film attached to a light-input portion that allows light to pass into the interior of the camera or the viewing window.

[0044] In addition, a cooking appliance according to another aspect of the present invention may include: a main body forming a cooking chamber inside; a door disposed on the front side of the main body to open and close the cooking chamber and forming a viewing window; a camera disposed inside the door; and a light shield disposed on an external light path, which is a path of light passing through at least a portion of the viewing window on the front side of the door and then moving to the camera.

[0045] Preferably, the shading member may include a shading surface having an etched surface on the surface of the viewing window.

[0046] Additionally, the door may include an outer glass disposed on the front side of the main body and an inner glass disposed between the main body and the outer glass.

[0047] In addition, it is preferable that the viewing window is formed in an area where the outer glass and the inner glass overlap in the front-back direction, and the light-shielding portion is provided on the outer glass.

[0048] In addition, it is preferable that the above-mentioned light-shielding portion includes a light-shielding surface in which the surface of the outer glass is etched.

[0049] In addition, it is preferable that the above-mentioned light-shielding portion includes a portion of the outer glass formed to have lower transparency than the inner glass.

[0050] Additionally, it is preferable that at least a portion of the outer glass is formed of satin glass.

[0051] Additionally, it is preferable that the above-mentioned shading portion includes an area formed of satin glass in the outer glass.

[0052] In addition, it is preferable that the above-mentioned shading member be arranged to block the 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.

[0053] Additionally, it is preferable that the above-mentioned shading part be placed on the lower side of the camera.

[0054] In addition, it is preferable that the camera and the light shield be positioned at an upwardly tilted position from the vertical center of the viewing window.

[0055] The present invention can provide an effect that allows for smooth shooting of food or checking the inside of a cooking chamber from outside a cooking appliance, while reducing the quality of an image captured by a camera from being affected by light emitted from an external light source and improving the quality of an image captured by a camera.

[0056] FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating a cooking appliance according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

[0057] Figure 2 is a cross-sectional side view showing the internal structure of the cooking appliance illustrated in Figure 1.

[0058] Figure 3 is a cross-sectional side view of the door illustrated in Figure 2.

[0059] Figure 4 is an enlarged view of the “Ⅳ” portion of Figure 3.

[0060] Figure 5 is a cross-sectional view schematically showing the operation of a light-blocking member according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

[0061] Figure 6 is a cross-sectional side view showing a door separated according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

[0062] Figure 7 is an enlarged view of the “Ⅶ” portion of Figure 6.

[0063] Figure 8 is a drawing showing the light transmission state according to the arrangement of the first polarizing member and the second polarizing member.

[0064] Fig. 9 is a cross-sectional view schematically showing the operation of a light-shielding unit according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

[0065] Fig. 10 is a cross-sectional side view of the door illustrated in Fig. 2.

[0066] Figure 11 is an enlarged view of the “ⅩⅠ” portion of Figure 10.

[0067] Fig. 12 is a cross-sectional view schematically showing the operation of a light-shielding unit according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

[0068] 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.

[0069] 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.

[0070] 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.

[0071] 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 thereby.

[0072] 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.

[0073] 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.

[0074] 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.

[0075] 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 intervening there.

[0076] 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.

[0077] 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.

[0078] Additionally, we can define the direction of gravity as downward, and the opposite direction of gravity as upward.

[0079] 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.

[0080] 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.

[0081] 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.

[0082] 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.

[0083] 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.

[0084] <First embodiment of cooking appliance>

[0085] [Overall structure of the cooking appliance]

[0086] Fig. 1 is a perspective view illustrating a cooking appliance according to a first embodiment of the present invention, and Fig. 2 is a side sectional view showing the internal structure of the cooking appliance illustrated in Fig. 1. In addition, Fig. 3 is a side sectional view illustrating the door illustrated in Fig. 2 in isolation, and Fig. 4 is an enlarged view illustrating a portion “Ⅳ” of Fig. 3 in an enlarged manner.

[0087] 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.

[0088] 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).

[0089] 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.

[0090] 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.

[0091] 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.

[0092] 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).

[0093] 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.

[0094] 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.

[0095] 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.

[0096] 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.

[0097] 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.

[0098] 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.

[0099] 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.

[0100] 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.

[0101] 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).

[0102] 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).

[0103] 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.

[0104] 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.

[0105] 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.

[0106] 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.

[0107]

[0108] [Door Structure]

[0109] Referring to FIGS. 2 and 3, the door (20) may include a door frame (21) and an outer glass (23).

[0110] 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.

[0111] 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).

[0112] 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.

[0113] 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).

[0114] 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).

[0115] 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).

[0116] 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).

[0117] 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).

[0118] 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).

[0119] 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).

[0120] 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).

[0121]

[0122] [Camera Structure]

[0123] 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).

[0124] 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).

[0125] 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).

[0126] 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.

[0127] 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.

[0128] 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.

[0129] 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.

[0130] 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 (S; hereinafter referred to as “accommodation space”) formed between the outer glass (23) and the mid glass (27) that are spaced apart in the front-back direction.

[0131] Since this receiving space (S) 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 the receiving space (S) so that the camera (50) is less affected by the influence transmitted from the cooking chamber (10a).

[0132] 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).

[0133] 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).

[0134] The camera (50) arranged in this manner may be provided in a form that faces the cooking room (10a) from the front side of the cooking room (10a), but overlooks the cooking room (10a) from the front of the upper area of ​​the cooking room (10a).

[0135] Additionally, the camera (50) may be positioned at an upper position relative to the viewing window (W). As an example, the camera (50) may be positioned adjacent to the uppermost boundary surface of the viewing window (W).

[0136] These cameras (50) can be placed in a position where they can effectively photograph food inside the kitchen (10a), and can also be placed in a position where they less obstruct the view from the viewing window (W).

[0137] 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.

[0138] 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).

[0139] 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).

[0140]

[0141] [First example of the structure of a shading member]

[0142] The cooking appliance of the present embodiment may include a shading member (70) installed inside the door (20). The shading member (70), like the camera (50), may be placed within an area of ​​the door (20) where a viewing window (W) is formed.

[0143] The shading member (70) is provided so as to block the path of light (hereinafter referred to as “external light path”) that passes through at least a portion of the viewing window (W) on the front side of the door (20) and then moves to the camera (50). This shading member (70) is provided on the viewing window (W), but can be positioned on the path of external light.

[0144] The shading member (70) may be formed of a material having lower transparency than the viewing window (W). As an example, the shading member (70) may include glass formed of a material having lower transparency than the viewing window (W). As another example, the shading member (70) may include a film or panel formed of a synthetic resin material having lower transparency than the viewing window (W).

[0145] In this embodiment, the shading member (70) is exemplified as including translucent or opaque glass. For example, the shading member (70) may include etched glass with an etched surface or may be provided in the form of etched glass. The shading member (70) including etched glass or provided in the form of etched glass may form a surface that appears foggy.

[0146] In this embodiment, the shading member (70) is exemplified as being provided in the form of etched glass. This shading member (70) may be placed between the outer glass (23) and the inner glass (25, 27). That is, in the front-rear direction, the shading member (70) may be placed between the outer glass (23) and the middle glass (27). Preferably, the shading member (70) may be bonded to the back surface of the outer glass (23).

[0147] As described above, the light-blocking member (70) installed inside the door (20) can transmit only a portion of the light moving from the front side of the door (20) toward the inside of the door (20), and block a portion of the light from passing through the light-blocking member (70). In other words, the light-blocking member (70) can reduce the amount of light that enters the inside of the door (20) along the external light movement path from the front side of the door (20).

[0148] This shading member (70) can reduce the amount of light entering the interior of the door (20) along the external light movement path from the front side of the door (20).

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

[0150] Figure 5 is a cross-sectional view schematically showing the operation of a light-blocking member according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

[0151] Hereinafter, the operation and effect of the cooking appliance according to the first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 2 and 5.

[0152] Referring to FIGS. 2 and 5, the camera (50) and the light shielding member (70) according to the present embodiment can be placed within an area of ​​the door (20) where a viewing window (W) is formed.

[0153] When viewed from the side, a shading member (70) may be placed on the lower side of the camera (50). This shading member (70) may form a translucent or opaque layer 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).

[0154] As an example, the shading member (70) can form a semi-transparent layer or an opaque layer that blocks the path of light moving from the front side of the outer glass (23) to the area where the receiving space (S) and the angle of view of the camera (50) overlap.

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

[0157] When light reflected within the overlapping area is captured by the camera (50) in this way, 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 this embodiment, a light-blocking member (70) is placed on the path of light moving from the front side of the outer glass (23) to the overlapping area, i.e., the path of external light movement.

[0159] According to this, the shading member (70) can form a semi-transparent layer or an opaque layer 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 at the lower side of the camera (50).

[0160] Light traveling along the external light path from the front side of the door (20) encounters a translucent layer or an opaque layer formed by the light-blocking member (70) while passing through the viewing window (W). The translucent layer or opaque layer formed by the light-blocking member (70) transmits only a portion of the light traveling along the external light path, and thus, the amount of light entering the interior of the door (20) from the front side of the door (20) along the external light path can be reduced.

[0161] That is, only a small amount of light moving along the external light path from the front side of the door (20) passes through the light-blocking member (70) and moves toward the overlapping area.

[0162] As described above, some of the light that passes through the shading member (70) and moves toward the overlapping area can be reflected by the rear glass (25) or mid glass (27) and then move toward the camera (50).

[0163] However, in the cooking appliance of the present embodiment, only some of the light moving along the external light path from the front side of the door (20) can pass through the light-blocking member (70), and only some of this light can move toward the camera (50) after being reflected by the rear glass (25) or mid-glass (27).

[0164] That is, in the cooking appliance of the present embodiment, the amount of light (hereinafter referred to as “reflected light”) reflected by the rear glass (25) or mid glass (27) and then incident on the camera (50) is significantly reduced compared to the amount of light traveling along the external light path from the front side of the door (20).

[0165] Therefore, even if the above reflected light is captured to some extent by the camera (50), such reflected light cannot have much effect on the image captured by the camera (50).

[0166] If the shading member (70) forms an opaque layer on the viewing window (W), light traveling along the external light path from the front side of the door (20) cannot pass through the shading member (70). In this case, since reflected light cannot occur inside the door (20), the reflected light cannot affect the image captured by the camera (50).

[0167] Meanwhile, light reflected by food inside the cooking chamber (10a) can pass through the inner glass (25, 27) and enter the interior of the camera (50). Since the light passing through the inner glass (25, 27) inside the cooking chamber (10a) is light that has never passed through the light-blocking member (70), it can smoothly enter the interior of the camera (50).

[0168] Accordingly, photography of food stored inside the kitchen (10a) can be performed smoothly without being obstructed by the light-blocking member (70).

[0169] In addition, light reflected by food inside the cooking chamber (10a) can pass through the inner glass (25, 27) and the outer glass (23) and be emitted to the front of the door (20). When light inside the cooking chamber (10a) passes through the light-blocking member (70), the image inside the cooking chamber (10a) may appear slightly blurry when viewed from the outside of the cooking chamber (10a).

[0170] When a shading member (70) is provided only in a portion of the viewing window (W), for example, a portion of the upper side of the outer glass (23), light inside the cooking chamber (10a) can pass through the inner glass (25, 27) and the outer glass (23) without passing through the shading member (70) and be emitted toward the front of the door (20). In this case, the image inside the cooking chamber (10a) can be seen very clearly when viewed from the outside of the cooking chamber (10a).

[0171] In summary, the cooking appliance of the present embodiment can effectively block reflected light generated inside the door (20) due to an external light source from entering the camera (50) while allowing light to move smoothly toward the front of the camera (50) or door (20) inside the cooking chamber (10a).

[0172] The cooking appliance of this embodiment can provide an effect that allows for smooth shooting of food or checking the inside of the cooking chamber (10a) from outside the cooking appliance, while reducing the quality of the image captured by the camera from being affected by light emitted from an external light source, and improving the quality of the image captured by the camera.

[0173] <Second embodiment of cooking appliance>

[0174] [Second example of the structure of the shading part]

[0175] FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional side view showing a door according to a second embodiment of the present invention in isolation, FIG. 7 is an enlarged view showing part “Ⅶ” of FIG. 6 in an enlarged manner, and FIG. 8 is a drawing showing a state of light transmission according to the arrangement of the first polarizing member and the second polarizing member.

[0176] Referring to FIGS. 2 and 6 to 8, a cooking appliance according to a second embodiment of the present invention may include a light shielding portion installed inside a door (20a). The light shielding portion, like a camera (50), may be positioned within an area of ​​the door (20a) where a viewing window (W) is formed.

[0177] The shading part 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 part may be placed together with the camera (50) in the space formed between the outer glass (23) and the middle glass (27). This shading part may be placed in the same space as the camera (50) and may be placed adjacent to the camera (50).

[0178] The shading member is provided so as to block the path of light (hereinafter referred to as “external light path”) that passes through at least a portion of the viewing window (W) on the front side of the door (20a) and then moves to the camera (50).

[0179] Such a shading member may include a plurality of polarizing members (70, 80). Each polarizing member (70, 80) is arranged in an external light movement path and can transmit light vibrating in the same direction as the polarization axis of the polarizing member (70, 80).

[0180] The polarizing member (70, 80) may include a first polarizing member (70a) and a second polarizing member (80a). The first polarizing member (70a) may be arranged to block at least a portion of the viewing window (W). In addition, the second polarizing member (80a) may be formed to have a polarizing axis that is perpendicular to the polarizing axis of the first polarizing member (70a).

[0181] Referring to (a) of Fig. 8, when the two polarizing elements overlap with their polarization axes parallel to each other, light can pass through the portion where the two polarizing elements overlap. In contrast, when the two polarizing elements overlap with their polarization axes inclined to each other, the amount of light passing through the portion where the two polarizing elements overlap is reduced (see (b) of Fig. 8), and when the two polarizing elements (70, 80) overlap with their polarization axes orthogonal to each other as shown in (c) of Fig. 8, light passing through the portion where the two polarizing elements (70, 80) overlap is blocked.

[0182] That is, the light-shielding member as shown in FIGS. 2 to 7 can block the movement of light moving along the external light movement path by using a combination of a first polarizing member (70a) that transmits light vibrating in the same direction as the polarization axis, and a second polarizing member (80a) that has a polarization axis in a direction perpendicular to the polarization axis of the first polarizing member (70a).

[0183] The first polarizing member (70a) may be installed in the viewing window (W). This first polarizing member (70a) may be installed in the outer glass (23). As an example, the first polarizing member (70a) may be placed in the space between the outer glass (23) and the inner glass (25, 27), i.e., the receiving space (S). This first polarizing member (70a) may be installed on the back surface of the outer glass (23).

[0184] As another example, the first polarizing member (70a) may be installed on the front side of the outer glass (23).

[0185] The second polarizing member (80a) may be installed in the camera (50). This second polarizing member (80a) may be placed in a light-input section that allows light to pass into the interior of the camera (50). As an example, the second polarizing member (80a) may be installed in the lens section (55) or in a position adjacent to the lens section (55).

[0186] The second polarizing member (80a) installed in this manner is placed in the receiving space (S), but may be placed on the rear side of the first polarizing member (70a). That is, with respect to the front-back direction, the second polarizing member (80a) may be placed between the first polarizing member (70a) and the inner glass (25, 27).

[0187] In this embodiment, it is exemplified that the polarizing members (70, 80) are provided in the form of polarizing films. Accordingly, the first polarizing member (70a) may include a polarizing film attached to the viewing window (W), and the second polarizing member (80a) may include a polarizing film attached to the lens unit (55) of the camera (50).

[0188] [The function and effect of the shade]

[0189] Fig. 9 is a cross-sectional view schematically showing the operation of a light-shielding unit according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

[0190] 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 and 9.

[0191] Referring to FIG. 2 and FIG. 9, the camera (50) and the light shield according to the present embodiment can be placed within an area of ​​the door (20a) where a viewing window (W) is formed, and can be placed inside the door (20a), i.e., in the receiving space (S).

[0192] When viewed from the side, the first polarizing member (70a) can be placed on the lower side of the camera (50). This light-blocking member can form a polarizing layer 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).

[0193] As an example, the first polarizing member (70a) may form a polarizing layer that blocks the path of light traveling from the lower side of the camera (50) toward an area within the field of view of the camera (50). Preferably, the first polarizing member (70a) may form a polarizing layer that blocks the path of light traveling from the front side of the outer glass (23) to an area where the receiving space (S) and the field of view of the camera (50) overlap.

[0194] Additionally, the second polarizing member (80a) can form a polarizing layer that blocks the path of light moving toward the light-input portion of the camera (50) from the rear of the camera (50).

[0195] 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 (20a). When the light passing through the outer glass (23) at the front side of the door (20a) enters an area where the angles of view of the receiving space (S) and the camera (50) overlap (hereinafter referred to as “overlapping area”), the possibility of the light reflected from the inner glass (25, 27) after entering this area being captured by the camera (50) increases.

[0196] For example, light passing through the outer glass (23) on the front side of the door (20a) can be reflected toward the camera (50) from the mid glass (27) within the overlapping area, and the light reflected in this way can be captured by the camera (50).

[0197] When light reflected within the overlapping area is captured by the camera (50) in this way, 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).

[0198] Considering these points, in this embodiment, the first polarizing member (70a) and the second polarizing member (80a) are arranged in the path of light moving from the front side of the outer glass (23) to the overlapping area, i.e., the path of external light movement.

[0199] Accordingly, the first polarizing member (70a) can form a polarizing layer that blocks the path of light moving from the front side of the door (20a) and the lower side of the camera (50) to the overlapping area at the lower side of the camera (50). And the second polarizing member (80a) can form a polarizing layer that blocks the path of light moving toward the light-input section of the camera (50) at the rear side of the camera (50).

[0200] Light traveling along the external light path from the front side of the door (20a) encounters a polarizing layer formed by the first polarizing member (70a) while passing through the viewing window (W). The polarizing layer formed by the first polarizing member (70a) transmits only light vibrating in the same direction as the polarization axis of the first polarizing member (70a), and accordingly, only light vibrating in the same direction as the polarization axis of the first polarizing member (70a) transmits through the first polarizing member (70a) and moves toward the overlapping region.

[0201] A portion of the light passing through the outer glass (23) at the front side of the door (20a) may be reflected by the rear glass (25) or the mid glass (27). Among these, the light reflected by the rear glass (25) or the mid glass (27) in the overlapping area may move toward the light-input portion of the camera (50). The light moving in this manner encounters the polarizing layer formed by the second polarizing member (80a) on its way to the light-input portion of the camera (50).

[0202] As described above, light that encounters the polarization layer formed by the second polarization member (80a) is light that previously transmitted through the first polarization member (70a), and is light that vibrates in the same direction as the polarization axis of the first polarization member (70a). Such light cannot transmit through the second polarization member (80a), which has a polarization axis that is perpendicular to the polarization axis of the first polarization member (70a).

[0203] Accordingly, light that passes through the outer glass (23) from the front side of the door (20a) and is reflected by the rear glass (25) or mid glass (27) in the overlapping area cannot enter the interior of the camera (50). In other words, light that moves along the external light movement path from the front side of the door (20a) cannot enter the interior of the camera (50).

[0204] In contrast, light reflected by food inside the cooking chamber (10a) can pass through the inner glass (25, 27) and the second polarizing member (80a) and be incident into the interior of the camera (50). Since the light that has passed through the inner glass (25, 27) inside the cooking chamber (10a) is light that has never passed through the first polarizing member (70a), light that vibrates in the same direction as the polarization axis of the second polarizing member (80a) among these lights can pass through the second polarizing member (80a) and be incident into the interior of the camera (50).

[0205] Accordingly, photography of food stored inside the kitchen (10a) can be performed smoothly without interference due to the polarizing member (70, 80).

[0206] In addition, light reflected by food inside the cooking chamber (10a) can pass through the inner glass (25, 27) and the outer glass (23) and be emitted toward the front of the door (20a). Since the light that has passed through the inner glass (25, 27) inside the cooking chamber (10a) is light that has never passed through the second polarizing member (80a), light that vibrates in the same direction as the polarization axis of the first polarizing member (70a) among these lights can pass through the first polarizing member (70a) and be emitted toward the front of the door (20a).

[0207] Accordingly, light inside the cooking chamber (10a) can be emitted outside the cooking chamber (10a) without being obstructed by the polarizing member (70, 80), so that the inside of the cooking chamber (10a) can be confirmed from outside the cooking appliance without being obstructed by the polarizing member (70, 80).

[0208] In summary, the cooking appliance of the present embodiment can effectively block reflected light generated inside the door (20a) due to an external light source from entering the camera (50) while allowing light to move smoothly toward the front of the camera (50) or door (20a) inside the cooking chamber (10a).

[0209] The cooking appliance of this embodiment can provide an effect that allows for smooth shooting of food or checking the inside of the cooking chamber (10a) from outside the cooking appliance, while reducing the quality of the image captured by the camera from being affected by light emitted from an external light source, and improving the quality of the image captured by the camera.

[0210] <Third embodiment of cooking appliance>

[0211] [Example 3 of the structure of a shading part]

[0212] Fig. 10 is a cross-sectional side view of the door illustrated in Fig. 2, and Fig. 11 is an enlarged view of the “ⅩⅠ” portion of Fig. 10.

[0213] Referring to FIGS. 2, 10, and 11, a cooking appliance according to a third embodiment of the present invention may include a light shielding member (70b) installed inside a door (20b). The light shielding member (70b), like the camera (50), may be positioned within an area of ​​the door (20b) where a viewing window (W) is formed.

[0214] The shading member (70b) is provided so as to block the path of light (hereinafter referred to as “external light path”) that passes through at least a portion of the viewing window (W) on the front side of the door (20b) and then moves to the camera (50).

[0215] This shading part (70b) may include a shading surface. The shading surface may be provided on the viewing window (W) and may be positioned in the external light movement path.

[0216] For example, the shading surface may be formed by etching the surface of the viewing window (W). This shading surface may be formed to have lower transparency than other areas of the viewing window (W) where the shading surface is not formed. For example, if other areas of the viewing window (W) where the shading surface is not formed are formed of transparent glass, the shading surface may be formed of translucent or opaque glass.

[0217] In this embodiment, it is exemplified that a light-shielding portion (70b) is provided on the outer glass (23). In this case, the light-shielding portion (70b) may include a light-shielding surface on which the surface of the outer glass (23) is etched.

[0218] As an example, the light-shielding surface may be formed to have lower transparency than other areas of the outer glass (23) where the light-shielding surface is not formed. As another example, the entire outer glass (23) may be formed to have lower transparency than the inner glass (25, 27).

[0219] The light-shielding portion (70b) including the light-shielding surface formed as described above can transmit only a portion of the light moving from the front side of the door (20b) toward the interior of the door (20b), and can block a portion of the light from passing through the light-shielding portion (70b). In other words, the light-shielding portion (70b) can reduce the amount of light entering the interior of the door (20b) along the external light movement path from the front side of the door (20b).

[0220] In this embodiment, the shading portion (70b) is exemplified as being provided in the form of satin glass. Accordingly, at least a portion of the viewing window (W) can be formed of satin glass.

[0221] Satin glass is glass that has undergone a chemical etching process on its surface. This process can be achieved by treating the glass with hydrofluoric acid or hydrofluoric acid vapor. A translucent or opaque surface pattern is formed on the surface of this satin glass, giving it a foggy appearance.

[0222] The light-shielding portion (70b) formed by such satin glass can reduce the amount of light entering the interior of the door (20b) along the external light movement path from the front side of the door (20b).

[0223] As an example, at least a portion of the outer glass (23) may be formed of satin glass. In this case, the light-shielding portion (70b) may include an area formed of satin glass in the outer glass (23).

[0224] As another example, the entire outer glass (23) may be formed of satin glass. In this case, the entire outer glass (23) may serve as a light-shielding portion (70b).

[0225] As another example, a translucent or opaque layer may be coated, attached, or printed on the front or back surface of the outer glass (23). For example, a pattern identical to or similar to a pattern formed on satin glass may be coated, attached, or printed on the front or back surface of the outer glass (23).

[0226] [The function and effect of the shade]

[0227] Fig. 12 is a cross-sectional view schematically showing the operation of a light-shielding unit according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

[0228] Hereinafter, the operation and effect of a cooking appliance according to a third embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 2 and 12.

[0229] Referring to FIG. 2 and FIG. 12, the camera (50) and the light shield (70b) according to the present embodiment can be placed within an area of ​​the door (20b) where a viewing window (W) is formed.

[0230] When viewed from the side, the shading member (70b) may be placed on the lower side of the camera (50). This shading member (70b) may form a semitransparent or opaque layer 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).

[0231] As an example, the shading portion (70b) may form a semitransparent or opaque layer that blocks the path of light moving from the front side of the outer glass (23) to the area where the receiving space (S) and the angle of view of the camera (50) overlap.

[0232] 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 (20b). When the light passing through the outer glass (23) at the front side of the door (20b) enters an area where the angles of view of the receiving space (S) and the camera (50) overlap (hereinafter referred to as “overlapping area”), the possibility of the light reflected from the inner glass (25, 27) after entering this area being captured by the camera (50) increases.

[0233] For example, light passing through the outer glass (23) on the front side of the door (20b) can be reflected toward the camera (50) from the mid glass (27) within the overlapping area, and the light reflected in this way can be captured by the camera (50).

[0234] When light reflected within the overlapping area is captured by the camera (50) in this way, 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).

[0235] Considering these points, in this embodiment, a light blocking portion (70b) is placed on the path of light moving from the front side of the outer glass (23) to the overlapping area, i.e., the path of external light movement.

[0236] According to this, the shading member (70b) can form a semitransparent layer or an opaque layer that blocks the path of light moving from the front side of the door (20b) and the lower side of the camera (50) to the overlapping area at the lower side of the camera (50).

[0237] Light traveling along the external light path from the front side of the door (20b) encounters a translucent layer or an opaque layer formed by the light-blocking member (70b) while passing through the viewing window (W). The translucent layer or opaque layer formed by the light-blocking member (70b) transmits only a portion of the light traveling along the external light path, and thus, the amount of light entering the interior of the door (20b) from the front side of the door (20b) along the external light path can be reduced.

[0238] That is, only a small amount of light among the light moving along the external light path from the front side of the door (20b) passes through the light-shielding portion (70b) and moves toward the overlapping area.

[0239] As described above, a portion of the light that passes through the shading portion (70b) and moves toward the overlapping area can be reflected by the rear glass (25) or mid glass (27) and then move toward the camera (50).

[0240] However, in the cooking appliance of the present embodiment, only some of the light moving along the external light path from the front side of the door (20b) can pass through the light blocking portion (70b), and only some of this light can move toward the camera (50) after being reflected by the rear glass (25) or mid glass (27).

[0241] That is, in the cooking appliance of the present embodiment, the amount of light (hereinafter referred to as “reflected light”) reflected by the rear glass (25) or mid glass (27) and then incident on the camera (50) is significantly reduced compared to the amount of light traveling along the external light path from the front side of the door (20b).

[0242] Therefore, even if the above reflected light is captured to some extent by the camera (50), such reflected light cannot have much effect on the image captured by the camera (50).

[0243] If the shading member (70b) forms an opaque layer on the viewing window (W), light traveling along the external light path from the front side of the door (20b) cannot pass through the shading member (70b). In this case, since reflected light cannot occur inside the door (20b), the reflected light cannot affect the image captured by the camera (50).

[0244] Meanwhile, light reflected by food inside the cooking chamber (10a) can pass through the inner glass (25, 27) and enter the interior of the camera (50). Since the light passing through the inner glass (25, 27) inside the cooking chamber (10a) is light that has never passed through the light-shielding portion (70b), it can smoothly enter the interior of the camera (50).

[0245] Accordingly, photography of food stored inside the kitchen (10a) can be performed smoothly without being obstructed by the light-blocking portion (70b).

[0246] In addition, light reflected by food inside the cooking chamber (10a) may pass through the inner glass (25, 27) and the outer glass (23) and be emitted toward the front of the door (20b). When light inside the cooking chamber (10a) passes through the light-blocking member (70b), the image inside the cooking chamber (10a) may appear slightly blurry when viewed from the outside of the cooking chamber (10a).

[0247] When a shading portion (70b) is provided only in a portion of the viewing window (W), for example, an upper portion of the outer glass (23), light inside the cooking chamber (10a) can pass through the inner glass (25, 27) and the outer glass (23) without passing through the shading portion (70b) and be emitted toward the front of the door (20b). In this case, the image inside the cooking chamber (10a) can be seen very clearly when viewed from the outside of the cooking chamber (10a).

[0248] In summary, the cooking appliance of the present embodiment can effectively block reflected light generated inside the door (20b) due to an external light source from entering the camera (50) while allowing light to move smoothly inside the cooking chamber (10a) toward the front of the camera (50) or the door (20b).

[0249] The cooking appliance of this embodiment can provide an effect that allows for smooth shooting of food or checking the inside of the cooking chamber (10a) from outside the cooking appliance, while reducing the quality of the image captured by the camera from being affected by light emitted from an external light source, and improving the quality of the image captured by the camera.

[0250] 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.

[0251]

[0252] <Explanation of symbols>

[0253] 100: Body

Claims

1. A main body that forms a cooking space inside; A door arranged on the front side of the main body to open and close the cooking chamber and form a viewing window; a camera placed inside the door; and A cooking appliance comprising a light shield that blocks an external light path, which is a path of light that passes through at least a portion of the viewing window on the front side of the door and then moves to the camera.

2. In paragraph 1, A cooking appliance including a shading member formed of a material having lower transparency than the viewing window, wherein the shading member is a light-blocking member.

3. In paragraph 2, The door includes an outer glass disposed on the front side of the main body and an inner glass disposed between the main body and the outer glass. The above viewing window is formed in an area where the outer glass and the inner glass overlap in the front-back direction, A cooking appliance in which the camera and the shading member are placed in a space formed between the outer glass and the inner glass.

4. In paragraph 1, The above camera is positioned at an upwardly tilted position from the vertical center of the above viewing window, The above-mentioned shading part is a cooking appliance placed on the lower side of the above-mentioned camera.

5. In paragraph 1, A cooking appliance in which the above-mentioned light-shielding member includes a plurality of polarizing members arranged in the external light movement path to transmit light vibrating in the same direction as the polarization axis.

6. In paragraph 5, the polarizing member, A first polarizing member arranged to block at least a portion of the above viewing window; and A cooking device including a second polarizing member having a polarizing axis perpendicular to the polarizing axis of the first polarizing member.

7. In paragraph 6, The above first polarizing member is installed in the viewing window, The above second polarizing member is a cooking device installed in the camera.

8. In paragraph 6, The door includes an outer glass disposed on the front side of the main body and an inner glass disposed between the main body and the outer glass. The above viewing window is formed in an area where the outer glass and the inner glass overlap in the front-back direction, The above first polarizing member is installed on the outer glass, A cooking device in which the first polarizing member is arranged to block the 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.

9. In paragraph 1, The above-mentioned shading part is a cooking appliance including a shading surface having an etched surface on the surface of the viewing window.

10. In paragraph 9, A cooking appliance in which the above-mentioned light-shielding portion includes a light-shielding surface having an etched surface on the surface of the outer glass, or includes a portion of the outer glass formed to have lower transparency than the inner glass.

Images