Home appliance

Abstract

The present specification relates to a working coil and a home appliance including the working coil. A home appliance according to one embodiment includes: a first working coil connected to an inverter and disposed at a position corresponding to a first heating region; a second working coil connected in series to the first working coil and disposed at a position corresponding to a second heating region; a third working coil connected in series to the first working coil, connected in parallel to the second working coil, and disposed at a position corresponding to a third heating region; a first relay connected between the second working coil and a ground terminal; a second relay connected between the third working coil and the ground terminal; and a controller which performs container sensing in the first heating region, the second heating region, and the third heating region, and controls the open / closed state of the first relay and the second relay according to the results of the container sensing.

Description

home appliances

[0001] This specification relates to a home appliance, and more particularly, to a working coil and a home appliance including a working coil.

[0002]

[0003] Recently, various home appliances have been used to make life more convenient. Examples of home appliances include cooking appliances, refrigerators, washing machines, clothes dryers, clothing care devices, and water purifiers.

[0004] Cooking appliances, a type of home appliance, are designed for cooking food. Installed in the kitchen, they cook food according to the user's preferences. Cooking appliances can be categorized in various ways based on the heat source, type, or fuel used.

[0005] 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.

[0006] Among open cooking appliances, cooktops are provided to heat food contained in a cooking container through at least one burner. Cooktops may be provided with electric burners or gas burners. Furthermore, cooktops may be implemented as standalone units or as oven ranges that include an oven beneath the cooktop.

[0007] An example of a cooktop equipped with an electric burner is an induction heater. An induction heater is a cooking appliance that performs cooking functions using induction heating. In an induction heater, when current is applied to a working coil, eddy currents are generated in the magnetic cooking vessel. These eddy currents act as resistance, heating the cooking vessel, thereby cooking food.

[0008] Induction heating devices do not require gas combustion and therefore do not produce exhaust gases. Furthermore, by generating heat immediately within the container itself, induction heating devices minimize heat transfer through radiation or conduction, enabling rapid heating of food.

[0009] Typically, in an induction heating device, the position where the cooking vessel is to be placed is marked on the top plate above the working coil, and the cooking vessel is heated by the working coil while placed on the marked position.

[0010] An induction heating device may include one or more working coils and a circuit board. The working coil serves to transmit electromagnetic force to the cooking vessel. Typically, the working coil may be formed by spirally winding a wire. The circuit board may serve to control the supply of induced current to the working coil.

[0011] Recently, instead of a working coil in the form of a spirally wound wire, a working coil in the form of a coil pattern formed on a circuit board is also used.

[0012] Of the costs and time required to manufacture an induction heating device, the manufacturing of the working coil accounts for a significant portion. Of this, the cost of the wire and the considerable time and expense involved in winding it are significant.

[0013] By forming the working coil by forming a coil-shaped pattern on a circuit board instead of winding the wire to form the working coil, the cost and time required to manufacture the working coil can be reduced.

[0014] High-frequency power is applied to the working coil, which generates significant heat. In particular, in induction heating devices requiring high power, the high power applied results in significant heat generation in the working coil.

[0015] When forming a working coil by forming a coil-shaped pattern on a circuit board, the limited surface area of ​​the circuit board inevitably forces the coil pattern to be concentrated within a narrow area. Consequently, the circuit board on which the working coil is formed inevitably experiences a significant amount of heat relative to its surface area, which can lead to excessive temperature increases.

[0016] Meanwhile, induction heating devices have recently been developed that automatically recognize the size and position of a cooking vessel, even if it isn't positioned in a specific location, and perform heating appropriately. For heating in induction heating devices to be more effective, the number of working coils in the device must be increased.

[0017] Therefore, in the induction heating device of the above type, it is difficult to apply a working coil in the form of a coil pattern due to the problem of temperature rise caused by the concentration of the coil pattern.

[0018]

[0019] An object of the present specification is to provide a working coil having an improved structure so that temperature rise can be suppressed, and a home appliance including the working coil.

[0020] Another object of the present specification is to provide a working coil having an improved structure so as to increase the density of the area occupied by the working coil within the cooktop, and a home appliance including the working coil.

[0021] Another object of the present specification is to provide a working coil having an improved structure so that the working coils can be arranged more densely while suppressing the temperature rise of the working coil, and a home appliance including the working coil.

[0022] In addition, the purpose of the present specification is to provide a working coil and a home appliance including the working coil having an improved structure so that the density of the area occupied by the working coil within the cooktop can be improved while the loss of the plate used in manufacturing the coil substrate can be reduced.

[0023] In addition, the purpose of the present specification is to provide a working coil having an improved structure so that the connection structure between the working coil and the electric part can be simplified, and a home appliance including the working coil.

[0024] In addition, the purpose of the present specification is to provide a working coil having an improved structure so that a decrease in the cross-sectional area of ​​the pattern per turn of the working coil due to foil loss occurring during the formation of the coil pattern can be suppressed, and a home appliance including the working coil.

[0025] In addition, an object of the present specification is to provide a working coil and a home appliance including the working coil, which can reduce the proximity effect and skin effect of coil strands included in the working coil, thereby making the current distribution and magnetic flux density distribution of the working coil more uniform.

[0026] Additionally, the purpose of this specification is to reduce power loss occurring during the operation of home appliances and to increase power efficiency.

[0027] In addition, the purpose of this specification is to improve a phenomenon in which the temperature of a specific region of a working coil becomes excessively higher than that of another region during the operation of a home appliance.

[0028] The purpose of this specification is not limited to the aforementioned purposes, and other purposes and advantages of this specification not mentioned herein will be more clearly understood by the embodiments of this specification described below. Furthermore, the purposes and advantages of this specification can be realized by the components and combinations thereof described in the claims.

[0029]

[0030] According to one embodiment, a home appliance may include a rectifier circuit that rectifies and outputs an input voltage, a DC link capacitor that smoothes a voltage output from the rectifier circuit, an inverter that outputs an alternating current using the voltage smoothed by the DC link capacitor, a first working coil connected to the inverter and positioned corresponding to a first heating region, a second working coil connected in series with the first working coil and positioned corresponding to a second heating region, a third working coil connected in series with the first working coil and in parallel with the second working coil and positioned corresponding to a third heating region, a first relay connected between the second working coil and a ground terminal, a second relay connected between the third working coil and a ground terminal, and a controller that performs container detection for the first heating region, the second heating region, and the third heating region, and controls open / close states of the first relay and the second relay according to a result of the container detection.

[0031] In one embodiment, the controller can control the first relay to close and the second relay to open when it is determined that a container is present in the first heating zone and the second heating zone.

[0032] In one embodiment, the controller may control the second relay to close and the first relay to open when it is determined that a container is present in the first heating zone and the third heating zone.

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

[0034] In one embodiment, the first heating zone may be positioned between the second heating zone and the third heating zone.

[0035] According to one embodiment, a home appliance comprises: a rectifier circuit that rectifies and outputs an input voltage; a first DC link capacitor that smoothes a voltage output from the rectifier circuit; a first inverter that outputs an AC current using the voltage smoothed by the first DC link capacitor; a second DC link capacitor that smooths a voltage output from the rectifier circuit; a second inverter that outputs an AC current using the voltage smoothed by the second DC link capacitor; a second working coil connected to the first inverter and positioned at a position corresponding to a second heating area; a first working coil connected in series with the second working coil and positioned at a position corresponding to the first heating area; a third working coil connected to the second inverter and positioned at a position corresponding to a third heating area; a fourth working coil connected in series with the third working coil and positioned at a position corresponding to a fourth heating area; a connection node between the first working coil and the second working coil and a node between the third working coil and the first working coil. The device may include a first relay connected between connection nodes of a fourth working coil, a second relay connected between the first working coil and a ground terminal, a third relay connected between the fourth working coil and a ground terminal, and a controller that performs container detection for the first heating region, the second heating region, the third heating region, and the fourth heating region, and controls the open / close states of the first relay, the second relay, and the third relay according to the result of the container detection.

[0036] In one embodiment, the controller can control the second relay to close and the first relay and the third relay to open when it is determined that a container is present in the first heating zone and the second heating zone.

[0037] In one embodiment, the controller can control the first relay to close and the second relay and the third relay to open when it is determined that a container is present in the second heating zone and the third heating zone.

[0038] In one embodiment, the controller can control the third relay to close and the first relay and the second relay to open when it is determined that a container is present in the third heating zone and the fourth heating zone.

[0039] In one embodiment, the controller can control the first relay and the second relay to close and the third relay to open when it is determined that a container is present in the first heating zone, the second heating zone, and the third heating zone.

[0040] In one embodiment, the controller can control the first relay and the third relay to close and the second relay to open when it is determined that a container is present in the second heating zone, the third heating zone, and the fourth heating zone.

[0041] In one embodiment, the controller can control the second relay and the third relay to close and the first relay to open when it is determined that a container is present in the first heating zone, the second heating zone, the third heating zone, and the fourth heating zone.

[0042] In one embodiment, the second heating zone may be positioned between the first heating zone and the second heating zone.

[0043] In one embodiment, the third heating zone may be positioned between the second heating zone and the fourth heating zone.

[0044] In one embodiment, the second heating zone and the third heating zone may be positioned between the first heating zone and the fourth heating zone.

[0045] In one embodiment, the home appliance may further include a sixth working coil connected to the first inverter and positioned corresponding to a sixth heating zone, a fifth working coil connected in series with the sixth working coil and positioned corresponding to a fifth heating zone, a seventh working coil connected to the second inverter and positioned corresponding to a seventh heating zone, an eighth working coil connected in series with the seventh working coil and positioned corresponding to an eighth heating zone, a fourth relay connected between a connection node of the fifth working coil and the sixth working coil and a connection node of the seventh working coil and the eighth working coil, a fifth relay connected between the fifth working coil and a ground terminal, and a sixth relay connected between the eighth working coil and a ground terminal.

[0046] In one embodiment, the controller performs container detection for the first heating zone, the second heating zone, the third heating zone, the fourth heating zone, the fifth heating zone, the sixth heating zone, the seventh heating zone, and the eighth heating zone, and can control the open / close states of the first relay, the second relay, the third relay, the fourth relay, the fifth relay, and the sixth relay based on the results of the container detection.

[0047] In one embodiment, the controller may control the second relay and the fifth relay to close and the first relay, the third relay, the fourth relay, and the sixth relay to open when it is determined that a container is present in the first heating zone, the second heating zone, the fifth heating zone, and the sixth heating zone.

[0048] In one embodiment, the controller may control the first relay and the fourth relay to close and the second relay, the third relay, the fifth relay, and the sixth relay to open when it is determined that a container is present in the second heating zone, the third heating zone, the sixth heating zone, and the seventh heating zone.

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

[0050] In one embodiment, the controller may control the first relay, the second relay, the fourth relay, and the fifth relay to close and the third relay and the sixth relay to open when it is determined that a container is present in the first heating zone, the second heating zone, the third heating zone, the fifth heating zone, the sixth heating zone, and the seventh heating zone.

[0051] In one embodiment, the controller may control the first relay, the third relay, the fourth relay, and the sixth relay to close and the second relay and the fifth relay to open when it is determined that a container is present in the second heating zone, the third heating zone, the fourth heating zone, the sixth heating zone, the seventh heating zone, and the eighth heating zone.

[0052] In one embodiment, the controller may control the second relay, the third relay, the fifth relay, and the sixth relay to close and the first relay and the fourth relay to open when it is determined that a container is present in the first heating zone, the second heating zone, the third heating zone, the fourth heating zone, the fifth heating zone, the sixth heating zone, the seventh heating zone, and the eighth heating zone.

[0053] In one embodiment, the sixth heating zone may be positioned between the fifth heating zone and the seventh heating zone.

[0054] In one embodiment, the seventh heating zone may be positioned between the sixth heating zone and the eighth heating zone.

[0055] In one embodiment, the sixth heating zone and the seventh heating zone may be positioned between the fifth heating zone and the eighth heating zone.

[0056] In one embodiment, the first heating zone may be positioned adjacent to the fifth heating zone.

[0057] In one embodiment, the second heating zone may be positioned adjacent to the sixth heating zone.

[0058] In one embodiment, the third heating zone may be positioned adjacent to the seventh heating zone.

[0059] In one embodiment, the fourth heating zone may be positioned adjacent to the eighth heating zone.

[0060] In one embodiment, the home appliance may further include a third DC link capacitor that smoothes a voltage output from the rectifier circuit, a third inverter that outputs an AC current using the voltage smoothed by the third DC link capacitor, a ninth working coil connected to the third inverter and positioned corresponding to a ninth heating region, a tenth working coil connected in series with the ninth working coil and positioned corresponding to a tenth heating region, a eleventh working coil connected in series with the ninth working coil and connected in parallel with the tenth working coil and positioned corresponding to an eleventh heating region, a seventh relay connected between the tenth working coil and a ground terminal, and an eighth relay connected between the eleventh working coil and a ground terminal.

[0061] In one embodiment, the controller performs container detection for the first heating zone, the second heating zone, the third heating zone, the fourth heating zone, the fifth heating zone, the sixth heating zone, the seventh heating zone, the eighth heating zone, the ninth heating zone, the tenth heating zone, and the eleventh heating zone, and can control the open / close states of the first relay, the second relay, the third relay, the fourth relay, the fifth relay, the sixth relay, the seventh relay, and the eighth relay based on the results of the container detection.

[0062] In one embodiment, the controller may control the second relay and the seventh relay to close and the first relay, the third relay, the fourth relay, the fifth relay, the sixth relay, and the eighth relay to open when it is determined that a container is present in the fifth heating zone, the sixth heating zone, the ninth heating zone, and the tenth heating zone.

[0063] In one embodiment, the controller may control the first relay and the eighth relay to close and the second relay, the third relay, the fourth relay, the fifth relay, the sixth relay, and the seventh relay to open when it is determined that a container is present in the sixth heating zone, the seventh heating zone, the ninth heating zone, and the eleventh heating zone.

[0064] In one embodiment, the controller may control the first relay, the second relay, the seventh relay, and the eighth relay to close and the third relay, the fourth relay, the fifth relay, and the sixth relay to open when it is determined that a container is present in the fifth heating zone, the sixth heating zone, the seventh heating zone, the ninth heating zone, the tenth heating zone, and the eleventh heating zone.

[0065] In one embodiment, the ninth heating zone may be positioned between the tenth heating zone and the eleventh heating zone.

[0066] In one embodiment, the sixth heating zone may be positioned adjacent to the ninth heating zone.

[0067] In one embodiment, the fifth heating zone may be positioned adjacent to the tenth heating zone.

[0068] In one embodiment, the seventh heating zone may be positioned adjacent to the eleventh heating zone.

[0069]

[0070] According to embodiments, a plurality of coil patterns stacked vertically are connected vertically to form a working coil in the form of a pattern coil, thereby increasing the length of the working coil in the vertical direction, thereby effectively increasing the pattern cross-sectional area per turn of the working coil.

[0071] According to embodiments, the temperature rise of the working coil can be effectively suppressed by suppressing an increase in the transverse size of the working coil and increasing the cross-sectional area of ​​the pattern per turn of the working coil.

[0072] According to embodiments, the outer shape of the working coil formed in a polygonal shape similar to the outer shape of the cooktop is formed in a polygonal shape similar to the outer shape of the coil module, thereby effectively improving the density of the area occupied by the working coil within the cooktop.

[0073] According to embodiments, the heating efficiency of the appliance can be improved by increasing the area of ​​the area where the container comes into contact with the working coil.

[0074] According to embodiments, a plurality of coil wires stacked vertically are vertically connected to form a working coil, and a transverse twist structure and a vertical twist structure are formed in the working coil, thereby minimizing an increase in the transverse size of the working coil while increasing the cross-sectional area of ​​the pattern per turn of the working coil.

[0075] According to embodiments, by reducing the size of the working coil while lowering the density of the current flowing in the working coil, the working coils can be arranged more closely together than in a cooktop of the same standard, and the maximum output can be maintained for a longer period of time than in a cooktop of the same standard.

[0076] According to embodiments, using smaller, more closely spaced working coils can provide not only improved heating efficiency but also higher output for a longer period of time.

[0077] According to embodiments, by making the coil assembly consist of a combination of a plurality of coil modules, not only can the loss of the plate used in manufacturing the coil module be reduced, but also the space required for arranging the control panel on the cooktop can be effectively secured.

[0078] According to embodiments, wiring for connecting the working coil and the sensing coil to the terminal portion is formed in a patterned form on the coil module itself, and the connection between the working coil and the sensing coil and the electric portion can be made simply by connecting the terminal portion and the electric portion. Accordingly, the connection structure between the working coil and the sensing coil and the electric portion can be formed very simply.

[0079] According to the embodiments, not only can the connection work between the coil assembly and the electric part be performed easily and quickly, but also the space inside the cooktop where the coil assembly and the electric part are accommodated can be prevented from becoming complicated due to a large number of wires.

[0080] According to embodiments, the proximity effect and skin effect of the coil strands included in the working coil are reduced, so that the current distribution and magnetic flux density distribution of the working coil can be made more uniform.

[0081] According to embodiments, power loss occurring during the operation of a home appliance can be reduced and power efficiency can be increased.

[0082] According to embodiments, a phenomenon in which the temperature of a specific region of a working coil becomes excessively higher than the temperature of another region during the operation of a home appliance can be improved.

[0083]

[0084] FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating a home appliance according to one embodiment.

[0085] Figure 2 is a plan view showing the cooktop illustrated in Figure 1 in isolation.

[0086] Fig. 3 is a drawing showing the lighting status of the indicator lights of the cooktop illustrated in Fig. 2.

[0087] Figure 4 is an exploded perspective view showing the exploded state of the cooktop illustrated in Figure 2.

[0088] Figure 5 is a drawing showing a state in which electric components are installed on the bottom surface of the supporter illustrated in Figure 4.

[0089] Fig. 6 is a plan view schematically showing the configuration of the coil assembly illustrated in Fig. 4.

[0090] Fig. 7 is a cross-sectional view schematically showing the laminated structure of the coil module illustrated in Fig. 6.

[0091] Fig. 8 is a plan view showing a first example of the arrangement structure of the first coil module and the second coil module.

[0092] Figure 9 is a drawing schematically showing an example of a state of cutting a circular plate for forming a first coil substrate portion.

[0093] Fig. 10 is a plan view showing a second example of the arrangement structure of the first coil module and the second coil module.

[0094] Fig. 11 is a plan view showing another example of the arrangement structure of the first coil module and the second coil module illustrated in Fig. 8.

[0095] Fig. 12 is a plan view showing another example of the arrangement structure of the first coil module and the second coil module illustrated in Fig. 10.

[0096] Fig. 13 is a plan view showing a third example of the arrangement structure of the first coil module and the second coil module.

[0097] Fig. 14 is a plan view showing a fourth example of the arrangement structure of the first coil module and the second coil module.

[0098] Fig. 15 is a plan view showing a fifth example of the arrangement structure of the first coil module and the second coil module.

[0099] Fig. 16 is a plan view showing a sixth example of the arrangement structure of the first coil module and the second coil module.

[0100] Fig. 17 is a plan view showing an example of a first coil substrate portion according to one embodiment.

[0101] Fig. 18 is an enlarged view of a portion of the first coil substrate portion illustrated in Fig. 17.

[0102] Fig. 19 is a cross-sectional view schematically showing the laminated structure of the first coil portion illustrated in Fig. 18.

[0103] Fig. 20 is a plan view showing an example of the arrangement structure of the sensing coil.

[0104] Fig. 21 is an enlarged view of the “21” portion of Fig. 20, showing an example of the arrangement structure of the sensing coil relative to the working coil.

[0105] Figure 22 is an enlarged view of the first terminal illustrated in Figure 18.

[0106] Figure 23 is an enlarged view of the second terminal illustrated in Figure 18.

[0107] Fig. 24 is a plan view showing a seventh example of the arrangement structure of the first coil module and the second coil module.

[0108] Fig. 25 is a plan view showing the structure of a coil module according to the first embodiment.

[0109] Fig. 26 is a circuit diagram of a home appliance including a coil module according to the first embodiment.

[0110] Fig. 27 is a plan view showing the structure of a coil module according to the second embodiment.

[0111] Fig. 28 is a circuit diagram of a home appliance including a coil module according to the second embodiment.

[0112] Fig. 29 is a plan view showing the structure of a coil module according to the third embodiment.

[0113] Fig. 30 is a circuit diagram of a home appliance including a coil module according to the third embodiment.

[0114] Fig. 31 is a plan view showing the structure of a coil module according to the fourth embodiment.

[0115] Fig. 32 is a circuit diagram of a home appliance including a coil module according to the fourth embodiment.

[0116] Fig. 33 is a plan view showing the structure of a coil module according to the fifth embodiment.

[0117] Fig. 34 is a circuit diagram of a home appliance including a coil module according to the fifth embodiment.

[0118] Fig. 35 is a circuit diagram of a sensing circuit according to one embodiment.

[0119] FIG. 36 is a diagram showing the waveform of a resonance signal output from an output node of a sensing circuit according to one embodiment.

[0120] Fig. 37 is a diagram showing the waveform of a square wave output from a comparator of a sensing circuit according to one embodiment.

[0121]

[0122] 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.

[0123] 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.

[0124] 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.

[0125] 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.

[0126] 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.

[0127] 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.

[0128] 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.

[0129] 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.

[0130] 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.

[0131] When an appliance is placed on the floor, the direction in which the door is installed relative to the center of the appliance is defined as the front. Therefore, the direction in which the door opens and the appliance enters is the rear. Furthermore, the horizontal direction perpendicular to the appliance's forward-backward direction—that is, the width of the appliance when viewed from the front of the door—is defined as the left-right direction.

[0132] For convenience, the left-right direction can be considered the first direction. Then, the right can be considered one side of the first direction, and the left can be considered the other side of the first direction.

[0133] Additionally, the width direction of the above home appliance can be referred to as the lateral direction. Then, the right side can be referred to as one side of the lateral direction, and the left side can be referred to as the other side of the lateral direction.

[0134] Additionally, we can define the direction of gravity as downward, and the opposite direction of gravity as upward.

[0135] For convenience, we can refer to the directions facing forward and backward as the second direction. Then, the forward direction can be considered one side of the second direction, and the rear direction can be considered the other side of the second direction.

[0136] 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.

[0137] 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.

[0138] 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.

[0139]

[0140] [Overall structure of the home appliance]

[0141] FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating a home appliance according to one embodiment, FIG. 2 is a plan view illustrating the cooktop illustrated in FIG. 1 in isolation, and FIG. 3 is a drawing showing the lighting status of the indicator lights of the cooktop illustrated in FIG. 2.

[0142] Referring to FIGS. 1 to 3, a home appliance according to one embodiment may include a cooktop (100). Furthermore, the home appliance according to one embodiment may further include an oven section (10). In the embodiments illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 3, the home appliance is implemented in the form of an oven range, for example.

[0143] According to one embodiment, a home appliance provided in the form of an oven range can provide both the functions of an oven, which is a sealed home appliance, and the functions of a cooktop, which is an open home appliance. The home appliance can include an oven section (10) and a cooktop (100).

[0144] A cooking chamber can be formed inside the oven section (10). In the oven section, food can be cooked as the inside of the cooking chamber is heated.

[0145] The oven section (10) may be provided with a heating section for heating the cooking chamber. The heating section may be provided with a heating device that uses gas fuel or with a heater that uses electricity.

[0146] In a home appliance, a door (11) that selectively opens and closes the cooking chamber may be provided in a pivotable manner. As an example, the door may be provided in a form that opens and closes the cooking chamber in a pull-down manner, with the upper portion pivoting up and down around the lower portion.

[0147] A control panel (13; hereinafter referred to as the "main control panel") may be provided on the front upper portion of the home appliance. The main control panel (13) may form part of the front exterior of the home appliance. The main control panel (13) may be provided with various switches for controlling the operation of the home appliance and a display for indicating the operating status of the home appliance.

[0148] A cooktop (100) may be placed on the upper side of the oven section (10). The cooktop is provided to heat food or a container containing food placed on the upper side of the cooktop (100).

[0149]

[0150] [Overall structure of the cooktop]

[0151] Fig. 4 is an exploded perspective view showing the exploded state of the cooktop shown in Fig. 2, and Fig. 5 is a drawing showing the state in which electrical components are installed on the bottom surface of the supporter shown in Fig. 4.

[0152] Referring to FIGS. 1 to 5, the cooktop (100) may include a case (110) and a top plate (120). In one embodiment, the exterior of the cooktop (100) may be formed by the case (110) and the top plate (120). The case (110) may be disposed below the top plate (120) and may form the front, back, side, and bottom surfaces of the cooktop. The top plate (120) may be disposed on the top of the cooktop (100) and may form the upper exterior surface of the cooktop (100).

[0153] A receiving space may be formed inside the case (110). The receiving space formed inside the case (110) may be opened upward. For example, the case (110) may be formed in a hexahedral shape with an open upper side. Various internal components constituting the cooktop (100) may be accommodated in the receiving space surrounded by the top plate (120) and the case (110).

[0154] In one embodiment, the case (110) may include a bottom portion (111). The bottom portion (111) forms the bottom surface of the case (110) and may define a lower boundary surface of the receiving space. The bottom portion (111) may be disposed on the lower side of the top plate (120) and may form a plane parallel to the top plate (120).

[0155] Additionally, the case (110) may include a side wall portion (113). The side wall portion (113) may form the front, back, and both sides of the case (110), and may be formed in the form of a vertical wall extending upward from the edge of the bottom portion (111). The side wall portion (113) may define a horizontal boundary surface of the receiving space.

[0156] Additionally, the cooktop (100) may be equipped with a heating element for heating food to be cooked or a container containing food. The heating element may be equipped with at least one burner. For example, the burner may be equipped in a form including an electric working coil or a heating coil.

[0157] In this embodiment, a cooktop (100) is exemplified as being provided in the form of an induction heating device. The cooking zone of the cooktop (100) may include a working coil. The cooking zone including the working coil may be operated by an alternating current provided by an inverter to generate a magnetic field. The magnetic field generated in the cooking zone including the working coil may generate an eddy current in a container. The container may be heated by the eddy current, and as the container is heated, food contained in the container may be heated.

[0158] A cooktop (100) according to one embodiment may be equipped with a control panel (130). The control panel (130) may be placed on the top plate (120). The control panel (130) may be equipped with an operating unit including various switches for controlling the operation of the cooktop (100), and a display for indicating the operating status of the cooktop (100).

[0159] A cooktop (100) may be provided with a plurality of indicator lights (L). The indicator lights (L) may be displayed on the top plate (120) of the cooktop. The indicator lights (L) may display information such as the presence of a container, the location of the container, the heating status of the container, and the temperature of the container.

[0160] A cooktop (100) according to one embodiment may include a coil assembly (1000). The coil assembly (1000) is provided to constitute a heating unit of the cooktop (100) and may be placed in a receiving space within the cooktop (100).

[0161] Additionally, the cooktop (100) may include a supporter (150). The supporter (150) may be placed on the lower side of the top plate (120). The supporter (150) may be placed in a space surrounded by the top plate (120) and the case (110), i.e., a receiving space.

[0162] The supporter (150) may form a frame within the cooktop (100) to support various internal components constituting the cooktop. As an example, the supporter (150) may be formed in a hexahedral shape with an open lower side. For example, the supporter (150) may be formed in a shape that is roughly the case (110) turned upside down, but may be formed to be slightly smaller than the case (110).

[0163] In one embodiment, the receiving space may be formed inside the supporter (150), and may be formed as a space surrounded by the bottom portion (111) of the case (110) and the supporter (150). That is, various internal components constituting the cooktop (100) may be accommodated inside the supporter (150).

[0164] In one embodiment, the supporter (150) may also provide a coil base function. That is, a ferrite core (160) may be installed on the supporter (150), and the coil assembly (1000) may be installed on the upper side of the supporter (150) on which the ferrite core (160) is installed.

[0165] As an example, a ferrite core (160) may be formed by a combination of a plurality of ferrite modules (161) provided as separate parts. That is, the ferrite core (160) may be provided in a structure that can be separated into a plurality of ferrite modules (161).

[0166] In this embodiment, it is exemplified that each ferrite module (161) is provided so as to be respectively coupled to a supporter (150). To this end, a structure for fitting-fitting with the ferrite module (161) may be formed on the supporter (150). Each ferrite module (161) may be coupled to the supporter (150) by being fitted into this structure.

[0167] Each ferrite module (161) includes ferrite capable of forming a magnetic field around the ferrite module (161). As an example, each ferrite module (161) may be provided in a form in which the ferrite is insert-molded.

[0168] According to the ferrite core (160) formed by combining a plurality of ferrite modules (161) provided as described above, the work required to install the ferrite core (160) in the cooktop (100) can be reduced. In addition, the ferrite core (160) has an advantage in that, if a part of the ferrite core (160) is damaged, it can be repaired by replacing the ferrite module (161) of the corresponding part.

[0169] Each indicator light (L) can be implemented by a lighting module (180). The lighting module (180) is provided to emit light toward the light display area of ​​the top plate (120). As an example, the indicator light (L) can be implemented by light that the lighting module (180) shines on the light display area of ​​the top plate (120).

[0170] In this embodiment, the light display area is defined as an area where light emitted from the lighting module (180) can be recognized externally through the top plate (120), i.e., an area where light emitted from the lighting module (180) is illuminated on the top plate (120), and is a predetermined portion of the entire area of ​​the top plate (120).

[0171] As an example, the light display area may be a virtual area designated as a portion where light emitted from a lighting module (180) is to be illuminated on the top plate (120). In this case, the light display area is not a portion that is visibly displayed on the top plate (120) by a method such as performing a separate surface treatment on the surface of the top plate (120), but is merely a virtual area.

[0172] As another example, the light display area may be an area that is conspicuously displayed on the top plate (120), such as by performing a separate surface treatment on the surface of the top plate (120).

[0173] The lighting module (180) may include a light source. As an example, an LED may be used as the light source, but the type of light source applicable as the light source is not limited to LED.

[0174] The lighting module (180) may include multiple light sources, and each lighting module (180) may have multiple light sources arranged at predetermined intervals in the front-back direction. As an example, the lighting module (180) may be provided in a form in which multiple light sources are mounted on a PCB in the form of a PCB. The number of light sources per lighting module (180) and the front-back length of the PCB may be appropriately set according to the size and intensity of the lighting to be implemented through the lighting module (180).

[0175] In addition, a plurality of lighting modules (180) may be arranged on the cooktop, and the plurality of lighting modules (180) may be arranged laterally spaced apart from each other by a predetermined interval. The number of lighting modules (180) and the interval between the lighting modules (180) may be appropriately set in consideration of the size and number of working coils, the interval between the working coils, etc.

[0176] At least a portion of the lighting module (180) may be placed between the supporter (150) and the bottom portion (111). As an example, the lighting module (180) may be placed in the receiving space. More specifically, the lighting module (180) may be placed in a space surrounded by the bottom portion (111) of the case (110) and the supporter (150).

[0177] Various electrical components can be installed inside the cooktop (100), i.e., in the receiving space. For example, a main PCB (171), a switching mode power supply (SMPS; 162), an inverter PCB (Inverter PCB; 163), a resonant PCB (Resonant PCB; 164), a noise filter (EMI filter; 165), a fan (176), etc. can be placed in the internal space of the cooktop (100).

[0178] Hereinafter, the above-mentioned electrical components are collectively referred to as an electrical unit (170). The electrical unit (170) may include at least one of a power processing unit and a coil control unit. The power processing unit is provided to supply power to the coil assembly (1000), and the power processing unit may include a switching mode power supply (SMPS; 162), a noise filter (EMI filter; 165), and the like. The coil control unit is provided to control the operation of the coil assembly (1000), and the coil control unit may include an inverter PCB (174), and the like.

[0179]

[0180] [Overall structure of the coil assembly]

[0181] Fig. 6 is a drawing schematically showing the configuration of the coil assembly illustrated in Fig. 4, and Fig. 7 is a cross-sectional view schematically showing the laminated structure of the coil module illustrated in Fig. 6.

[0182] Referring to FIGS. 4 and 6, the coil assembly (1000) may include a plurality of working coils (WC) arranged in a horizontal direction. As an example, in the coil assembly (1000), a plurality of working coils (WC) may be arranged along a first direction, i.e., a lateral direction, and a plurality of working coils (WC) may also be arranged along a second direction, i.e., a front-back direction.

[0183] The coil assembly (1000) may include at least one coil module (1001, 1003). In the present embodiment, the coil assembly (1000) is exemplified as including a plurality of coil modules (1001, 1003).

[0184] As an example, the coil assembly (1000) may include a plurality of coil modules (1001, 1003) arranged in a horizontal direction. For example, the coil assembly (1000) may include a plurality of coil modules (1001, 1003) arranged in a first direction.

[0185] In each coil module (1001, 1003), a plurality of working coils (WC) may be arranged in a horizontal direction, as illustrated in FIGS. 6 and 7. Each working coil (WC) may be provided in the form of a spiral coil formed in a pattern on a printed circuit board. That is, the working coil (142) may be provided in the form of a pattern formed on the coil module (1001, 1003).

[0186] Each coil module (1001, 1003) may include a coil substrate laminate (1010). The coil substrate laminate (1010) may include a plurality of first coil substrate portions (1100) that are laminated in a vertical direction (or vertical direction).

[0187] Each first coil substrate portion (1100) may include a first coil portion (1120). As an example, the first coil portion (1120) may be formed as a result of a metal foil laminated on the surface of the first coil substrate portion (1100) being patterned into a spiral coil shape.

[0188] In one embodiment, a plurality of first coil substrate portions (1100) are stacked vertically to form one coil module (1001, 1003), and accordingly, a plurality of first coil portions (1120) can be stacked vertically. In addition, a plurality of first coil portions (1120) stacked vertically can be connected to each other vertically to form one working coil (WC), respectively.

[0189] Additionally, each first coil substrate portion (1100) may have a plurality of first coil portions (1120) arranged in one direction (e.g., horizontally), and accordingly, the coil modules (1001, 1003) may include a plurality of working coils (WC) arranged horizontally.

[0190] In addition, the coil assembly (1000) according to one embodiment may include a sensing coil (SC) for detecting the presence of a container, as illustrated in FIGS. 6 and 7. Each coil module (1001, 1003) may include a plurality of sensing coils (SC) arranged in a horizontal direction. As an example, in the coil assembly (1000), a plurality of sensing coils (SC) may be arranged along a first direction, i.e., a lateral direction, and a plurality of sensing coils (SC) may also be arranged along a second direction, i.e., a front-back direction.

[0191] Each sensing coil (SC) may be provided in the form of a spiral coil formed in a pattern on a printed circuit board. That is, the sensing coil (SC) may be provided in the form of a pattern formed on the coil module (1001, 1003).

[0192] In one embodiment, the coil substrate stack (1010) may include at least one second coil substrate portion (1200). The second coil substrate portion (1200) may be vertically stacked together with the first coil substrate portion (1100). That is, at least one second coil substrate portion (1200) and a plurality of first coil substrate portions (1100) may be vertically stacked to form one coil module (1001, 1003). Accordingly, in each coil module (1001, 1003), at least a portion of the working coil (WC) and the sensing coil (SC) may be vertically arranged.

[0193] Each second coil substrate portion (1200) may include a second coil portion (1220). As an example, the second coil portion (1220) may be formed as a result of a metal foil laminated on the surface of the second coil substrate portion (1200) being patterned into a spiral coil shape.

[0194] Each sensing coil (SC) may be formed by one second coil section (1220), or may be formed as a result of a plurality of second coil sections (1220) stacked vertically and connected vertically.

[0195] Additionally, each second coil substrate portion (1200) may have a plurality of second coil portions (1220) arranged horizontally, and accordingly, the coil modules (1001, 1003) may include a plurality of sensing coils (SC) arranged horizontally.

[0196] Additionally, the coil assembly (1000) according to one embodiment may further include a temperature sensor (TS). The temperature sensor (TS) is provided to measure the temperature of the container and may be placed on the second coil substrate portion (1200).

[0197] The temperature sensor (TS) may be positioned horizontally inside the sensing coil (SC). For example, the temperature sensor (TS) may be installed on the second coil substrate portion (1200), but may be positioned within an area surrounded by the sensing coil (SC).

[0198] This specification describes embodiments in which the coil assembly (1000) is used in a cooking appliance. However, in other embodiments, the coil assembly (1000) may be applied to other home appliances requiring induction heating. For example, the coil assembly (1000) may be installed in a washing machine and used to heat a water tank, drum, or laundry tub inside the washing machine, or to heat wash water. As another example, the coil assembly (1000) may be installed in a water purifier and used to heat a hot water pipe or water tank. As another example, the coil assembly (1000) may be installed in a clothes dryer or clothes care device and used to heat air for drying clothes. As another example, the coil assembly (1000) may be installed in an electric kettle or rice cooker and used to heat liquid or food inside the device.

[0199]

[0200] [Coil module layout structure]

[0201] Fig. 8 is a plan view showing a first example of the arrangement structure of the first coil module and the second coil module, and Fig. 9 is a drawing schematically showing an example of a state of cutting a disk for forming a first coil substrate portion. In addition, Fig. 10 is a plan view showing a second example of the arrangement structure of the first coil module and the second coil module, and Fig. 11 is a plan view showing another example of the arrangement structure of the first coil module and the second coil module shown in Fig. 8, and Fig. 12 is a plan view showing another example of the arrangement structure of the first coil module and the second coil module shown in Fig. 10. In addition, Fig. 13 is a plan view showing a third example of the arrangement structure of the first coil module and the second coil module, and Fig. 14 is a plan view showing a fourth example of the arrangement structure of the first coil module and the second coil module shown in Fig. Also, Fig. 15 is a plan view showing a fifth example of the arrangement structure of the first coil module and the second coil module, and Fig. 16 is a plan view showing a sixth example of the arrangement structure of the first coil module and the second coil module.

[0202] Referring to FIGS. 4 and 8, a coil assembly (1000) according to one embodiment may include a plurality of coil modules (1001, 1003). The coil assembly (1000) may have a plurality of coil modules (1001, 1003) arranged along a first direction (e.g., a horizontal direction).

[0203] As described above, the cooktop (100) according to one embodiment may include a control panel (130). The control panel (130) may be placed on the top plate (120), but may be placed in a forward-facing position.

[0204] For the first direction (e.g., horizontal direction), the control panel (130) may be positioned approximately in the center of the coil assembly (1000). For the second direction (e.g., vertical direction), the control panel (130) may be positioned at a position biased toward the front side of the coil assembly (1000).

[0205] The coil assembly (1000) is disposed on the lower side of the top plate (120), but may not be disposed on the lower side of the area occupied by the control panel (130) among the top plate (120). For example, the working coil (WC) is disposed only on the lower side of the area not occupied by the control panel (130) among the top plate (120), and may not be disposed on the lower side of the area occupied by the control panel (130) among the top plate (120).

[0206] The coil assembly (1000) may include several types of coil modules (1001, 1003) of different sizes. In the present embodiment, the coil modules (1001, 1003) are exemplified as including a first coil module (1001) and a second coil module (1003). The first coil module (1001) and the second coil module (1003) may each include a plurality of working coils (WC). In one embodiment, the second coil module (1003) may include a smaller number of working coils (WC) than the first coil module (1001).

[0207] In one embodiment, in the coil assembly (1000), the first coil module (1001) and the second coil module (1003) may be arranged along a first direction (e.g., a horizontal direction). Additionally, with respect to a second direction (e.g., a vertical direction), the length of the second coil module (1003) may be set shorter than the length of the first coil module (1001). That is, the second coil module (1003) may be provided in a form that has a shorter length in the second direction and includes a smaller number of working coils (WC) than the first coil module (1001).

[0208] In the coil assembly (1000), a pair of first coil modules (1001) and at least one second coil module (1003) may be arranged along a first direction. At this time, the pair of first coil modules (1001) may be arranged to be spaced apart from each other along the first direction. And, at least one second coil module (1003) may be arranged between the pair of first coil modules (1001).

[0209] For example, at least one second coil module (1003) may be positioned at the center of the coil assembly (1000) in the first direction, similar to the control panel (130). At least one second coil module (1003) and the control panel (130) may be positioned on the same straight line in the second direction.

[0210] For the first direction, the control panel (130) may be arranged between a pair of first coil modules (1001). Also, for the second direction, the control panel (130) may be arranged at a position that is offset to one side from the second coil module (1003), for example, at the front side of the second coil module (1003). Accordingly, at least a portion of the control panel (130) may be arranged within an area surrounded by a pair of first coil modules (1001) and second coil modules (1003).

[0211] That is, the control panel (130) can be placed in a position where the visual information provided through the control panel (130) can be easily seen by the user and where the user can easily operate the control panel (130). The control panel (130) occupies a predetermined area on the upper surface of the cooktop (100).

[0212] In addition, since the working coil (WC) cannot be placed in the area occupied by the control panel (130) on the upper surface of the cooktop (100), the working coil (WC) must be placed in the remaining area excluding the area occupied by the control panel (130). Accordingly, the coil assembly (1000) including the working coils (WC) is placed in the area not occupied by the control panel (130) on the upper surface of the cooktop (100). For example, the horizontal outer shape of the coil assembly (1000) may be formed as a “concave” shape that is inverted upside down.

[0213] The coil assembly (1000) includes a coil module (1001, 1003) having a working coil (WC), and may include several types of coil modules (1001, 1003) having different second direction lengths. In the present embodiment, the coil assembly (1000) is exemplified as including two types of coil modules (1001, 1003), namely, a first coil module (1001) and a second coil module (1003).

[0214] As an example, the horizontal outer shape of the coil modules (1001, 1003) (hereinafter referred to as “outer shape of the coil module”) may be formed into a rectangle. That is, the outer shapes of the first coil module (1001) and the second coil module (1003) may each be formed into a rectangle.

[0215] For example, the shape of the second coil module (1003) may be formed as a rectangle with a different length in the second direction compared to the first coil module (1001). In addition, the second coil module (1003) and the control panel (130) may be arranged on the same straight line in the second direction, and the second coil module (1003) may be arranged on the rear side of the control panel (130).

[0216] Considering that the second coil module (1003) is arranged on the same straight line as the control panel (130) in the second direction, the second direction length of the second coil module (1003) is set shorter than the second direction length of the first coil module (1001).

[0217] As described above, the coil assembly (1000) is formed by a combination of a plurality of coil modules (1001, 1003) arranged in a horizontal direction, and each coil module (1001, 1003) may be formed in a rectangular shape. That is, the coil assembly (1000) may be formed by a combination of a plurality of coil modules (1001, 1003) formed in a rectangular shape, rather than by a single coil module formed in a shape in which a “concave” shape is inverted upside down.

[0218] In one embodiment, as illustrated in FIGS. 8 and 9, the first coil substrate portion (1100) forming each coil module (1001, 1003) may be formed by a copper clad laminate (CCL). Each copper clad laminate forming each first coil substrate portion (1100) may be provided as a result of cutting a copper clad laminate original plate (B; hereinafter, referred to as “original plate”).

[0219] When the first coil substrate portion (1100) is formed in a "concave" shape or a shape that is an inverted "concave" shape, when cutting the original plate (P) to manufacture the first coil substrate portion (1100), a loss of the original plate (P) is generated in an amount that is cut off to secure a space for arranging the control panel (130). That is, when the coil assembly (1000) is formed by one coil module (1001, 1003), a problem occurs in which the loss of the original plate (P) used in manufacturing the first coil substrate portion (1100) increases.

[0220] In contrast, when the coil assembly (1000) is formed by a combination of multiple coil modules (1001, 1003), it is possible for each coil module (1001, 1003) to be formed in a rectangular shape. That is, the coil assembly (1000) can be formed in a "concave" shape or a shape in which the "concave" shape is inverted upside down by a combination of several types of coil modules (1001, 1003) of different sizes, for example, a first coil module (1001) and a second coil module (1003).

[0221] Accordingly, when cutting the original plate (P) to manufacture the first coil substrate portion (1100), the original plate (P) can be cut into a rectangular shape, so that the loss of the original plate (P) used in manufacturing the first coil substrate portion (1100) can be effectively reduced.

[0222] In one embodiment, the working coil (WC) may be formed into a shape including a polygonal shape. For example, the transverse outer shape of the working coil (WC) (hereinafter referred to as the “outer shape of the working coil”) may be a polygonal shape.

[0223] As an example, the outer shape of the working coil (WC) may be approximately rectangular, and the horizontal outer shape of the cooktop (100) (hereinafter referred to as the “outer shape of the cooktop”) is also approximately close to a rectangle. Accordingly, the horizontal outer shape of the coil modules (1001, 1003) (hereinafter referred to as the “outer shape of the coil module”) is preferably rectangular.

[0224] Since the outer shape of the coil module (1001, 1003) is formed as a rectangle similar to the outer shape of the working coil (WC), the density of the area occupied by the working coil (WC) within the coil module (1001, 1003) can be effectively increased. In addition, since the outer shape of the coil module (1001, 1003) is formed as a rectangle similar to the outer shape of the cooktop (100), the density of the area occupied by the coil module (1001, 1003) within the cooktop (100) can be effectively increased.

[0225] That is, since the outer shape of the coil module (1001, 1003) is formed into a polygonal shape similar to the outer shape of the working coil (WC) and the outer shape of the cooktop (100), the density of the area occupied by the working coil (WC) within the cooktop (100) is effectively increased, and accordingly, the area of ​​the area within the cooktop (100) where heating of the container is possible can be effectively increased.

[0226] Accordingly, the area of ​​the area where the container comes into contact with the working coil (WC) within the cooktop (100) can be increased, thereby effectively improving the heating efficiency of the cooktop (100).

[0227] Meanwhile, the length difference between the first coil module (1001) and the second coil module (1003) along the second direction can be adjusted by the number difference of the working coils (WC) along the second direction. For example, the first coil module (1001) and the second coil module (1003) can both be provided with working coils (WC) of the same size and shape, and the number of working coils (WC) along the second direction in the second coil module (1003) can be set to be one or more less than the number of working coils (WC) along the second direction in the first coil module (1001).

[0228] In this way, by adjusting the number of working coils (WC) by making the lengths of the first coil module (1001) and the second coil module (1003) different, even if the sizes of the coil modules (1001, 1003) change, there is no need to design the size and shape of the working coils (WC) differently accordingly. In other words, various types of coil modules (1001, 1003) having different lengths in the second direction can all be provided in a form that includes one type of working coil (WC).

[0229] Accordingly, not only can the cost and time required for designing a working coil (WC) be reduced, but also various types of coil modules (1001, 1003) having different second-direction lengths can be manufactured more easily and quickly at a lower cost.

[0230] In one embodiment, a control panel (130) and a second coil module (1003) may be arranged in the center of the first direction of the upper surface of the cooktop (100), and first coil modules (1001) may be arranged on both sides of the first direction of the upper surface of the cooktop (100).

[0231] As an example, the second direction length of the first coil module (1001) can be set to be substantially similar to the second direction length of the upper surface of the cooktop (100). And the second direction length difference between the first coil module (1001) and the second coil module (1003) can be set to be greater than the second direction length of the working coil (WC).

[0232] Accordingly, while most of the area on the upper surface of the cooktop (100) can be filled with the working coil (WC), the area required for arranging the control panel (130) can be secured on the upper surface of the cooktop (100).

[0233] As an example, in a coil assembly (1000), a pair of first coil modules (1001) and one second coil module (1003) may be arranged along a first direction. At this time, the pair of first coil modules (1001) may be arranged to be spaced apart from each other along the first direction. In addition, one second coil module (1003) may be arranged between the pair of first coil modules (1001).

[0234] For example, one second coil module (1003) may be positioned at the center of the coil assembly (1000) in the first direction, similar to the control panel (130). One second coil module (1003) and the control panel (130) may be positioned on the same straight line in the second direction.

[0235] At this time, the number of working coils (WC) included in each first coil module (1001) and the number of working coils (WC) included in each second coil module (1003) may be 8 and 6, respectively (see FIG. 8), or 6 and 4, respectively (see FIG. 11).

[0236] As another example, in a coil assembly (1000a) as illustrated in FIG. 10, two pairs of first coil modules (1001a) and one pair of second coil modules (1003a) may be arranged along the first direction. In this case, one pair of first coil modules (1001a) may be arranged on one side of one pair of second coil modules (1003a) in the first direction, and the other pair of first coil modules (1001a) may be arranged on the other side of one pair of second coil modules (1003a) in the first direction.

[0237] At this time, the number of working coils (WC) included in each first coil module (1001a) and the number of working coils (WC) included in each second coil module (1003a) may be 4 and 3, respectively (see FIG. 10), or 3 and 2, respectively (see FIG. 12).

[0238] As another example, in a coil assembly (1000d) as illustrated in FIG. 13, a pair of first coil modules (1001d) and a pair of second coil modules (1003d) may be spaced apart from each other along the first direction. And a pair of second coil modules (1003d) may be placed between a pair of first coil modules (1001d).

[0239] As another example, in a coil assembly (1000e) as illustrated in FIG. 14, two pairs of first coil modules (1001e) and two pairs of second coil modules (1003e) may be arranged along the first direction. In this case, one pair of first coil modules (1001e) may be arranged on one side of the two pairs of second coil modules (1003e) in the first direction, and another pair of first coil modules (1001e) may be arranged on the other side of the two pairs of second coil modules (1003e) in the first direction.

[0240] Additionally, as illustrated in FIG. 15, only one pair of first coil modules (1001f) may be arranged along the first direction, and as illustrated in FIG. 16, only two pairs of first coil modules (1001g) may be arranged along the first direction.

[0241]

[0242] [Structure of the working coil]

[0243] FIG. 17 is a plan view showing an example of a first coil substrate portion according to one embodiment, FIG. 18 is an enlarged view showing a portion of the first coil substrate portion shown in FIG. 17, and FIG. 19 is a cross-sectional view schematically showing a laminated structure of the first coil portion shown in FIG. 18. In addition, FIG. 20 is a plan view showing an example of an arrangement structure of sensing coils, and FIG. 21 is an enlarged view showing a portion “21” of FIG. 20, which is a drawing showing an example of an arrangement structure of sensing coils relative to a working coil. In addition, FIG. 22 is an enlarged view showing the first terminal shown in FIG. 18, and FIG. 23 is an enlarged view showing the second terminal shown in FIG. 18.

[0244] The working coil (WC) illustrated in FIG. 8 and FIGS. 17 to 19 may be formed by a conductor laminated in multiple layers, more specifically, an electrical conductor. Hereinafter, the first coil portion (1120), more specifically, the coil pattern (Cp) described below, is exemplified as being formed by a conductor.

[0245] A working coil (WC) can be formed as a result of first coil sections (1120) provided on each of a plurality of first coil substrate sections (1100) stacked vertically and connected to each other vertically. Each first coil substrate section (1100) can include a core (1110) and a first coil section (1120).

[0246] The core (1110) forms the skeleton of the first coil substrate portion (1100) and may be formed of an insulating material. As an example, the core (1110) may be formed of a prepreg material. Hereinafter, the core (1110) is exemplified as being formed of a thermosetting prepreg, more specifically, a prepreg that is FR4.

[0247] The first coil portions (1120) may be arranged on each of the upper and lower sides of the core (1110). For example, each of the first coil substrate portions (1100) may be provided in a form in which one layer of the first coil portions (1120) is formed on each of the upper and lower sides of the core (1110).

[0248] As an example, the first coil portion (1120) may be provided in a patterned form on both upper and lower sides of the core (1110). For example, the first coil substrate portion (1100) may be formed by a copper-clad laminate including the core (1110) and copper foil laminated on both upper and lower sides of the core (1110). In this case, the first coil portion (1120) may be formed as a result of the foil laminated on the core (1110) being patterned into a coil shape.

[0249] In one embodiment, the working coil (WC) may be formed into a shape including a polygonal shape. For example, the transverse outer shape of the working coil (WC) (hereinafter referred to as the “outer shape of the working coil”) may be a polygonal shape.

[0250] Additionally, the working coil (WC) may be formed by a plurality of first coil substrate portions (1100) that are stacked vertically, as described above. The first coil substrate portion (1100) may include a pattern region (1101) and non-pattern regions (1103, 1105).

[0251] The pattern area (1101) corresponds to an area where the first coil portion (1120) of the first coil substrate portion (1100) is arranged. And the non-pattern areas (1103, 1105) correspond to an area where the first coil portion (1120) of the first coil substrate portion (1100) is not arranged. The pattern area (1101) and the non-pattern areas (1103, 1105) may be arranged on the same plane and may be arranged in a horizontal direction.

[0252] The non-patterned region (1103, 1105) may include a first non-patterned region (1103). In each working coil (WC), the first non-patterned region (1103) may be positioned at the horizontal center. In addition, the first non-patterned region (1103) may be positioned at the horizontal center of the first coil substrate portion (1100).

[0253] For example, the first non-patterned region (1103) may be arranged at the horizontal center of each working coil (WC) and the first coil substrate portion (1100). The patterned region (1101) may be arranged to surround the first non-patterned region (1103) from the horizontal outer side.

[0254] In this embodiment, the expression “center” does not mean the exact center, but means an area surrounded by a spirally wound working coil (WC), including the radial center of the working coil (WC) and its surroundings.

[0255] At least a portion of the first coil portion (1120) may surround the non-patterned region (1103, 1105) from the outer side in the horizontal direction. As an example, at least a portion of the first coil portion (1120) may surround the first non-patterned region (1103) from the outer side in the horizontal direction.

[0256] The first coil portion (1120) may include at least one coil pattern (Cp) arranged on the horizontal outer side of the first non-pattern area (1103). In each first coil portion (1120), each coil pattern (Cp) may be wound multiple times around the first non-pattern area (1103). The first coil portion (1120) may be formed by at least one coil pattern (Cp) provided in this form.

[0257] Each first coil portion (1120) may include a plurality of coil patterns (Cp). At this time, in each first coil portion (1120), a plurality of coil patterns (Cp) may be arranged at a predetermined interval from each other along the diametric direction of the working coil (WC).

[0258] As an example, each first coil section (1120) may include three to six coil patterns (Cp). However, the present invention is not limited thereto, and each coil section (112) may include more than six coil patterns (Cp).

[0259] In this embodiment, it is exemplified that each first coil portion (1120) includes three to six coil patterns (Cp). Accordingly, in each first coil portion (1120), three to six coil patterns (Cp) can be arranged along the diametric direction of the working coil (WC). The coil pattern (Cp) arranged in each first coil portion (1120) can be vertically connected to any one of the coil patterns (Cp) arranged in another first coil portion (1120) that is vertically adjacent.

[0260] Additionally, the first coil substrate portion (1100) may further include a second non-patterned region (1105). The second non-patterned region (1105), like the first non-patterned region (1103), corresponds to a region in which the first coil portion (1120) is not formed.

[0261] In the horizontal direction, the second non-patterned area (1105) may be arranged outside the first non-patterned area (1103). In the present embodiment, it is exemplified that the second non-patterned area (1105) is arranged outside the first non-patterned area (1103) in the first direction.

[0262] Additionally, in each first coil substrate portion (1100), the first non-patterned region (1103) and the second non-patterned region (1105) are not connected in the horizontal direction. With respect to the horizontal direction, at least a portion of the sensing coil (SC) may be arranged between the first non-patterned region (1103) and the second non-patterned region (1105). That is, at least a portion of the first coil portion (1120) may be arranged between the first non-patterned region (1103) and the second non-patterned region (1105).

[0263] In one embodiment, a plurality of second non-patterned regions (1105) may be arranged along the first direction for each working coil (WC). As an example, a pair of second non-patterned regions (1105) may be arranged for each working coil (WC). The pair of second non-patterned regions (1105) may be arranged on the outer side of the first non-patterned region (1103) in the first direction. That is, the first non-patterned region (1103) may be arranged between the pair of second non-patterned regions (1105) in the first direction.

[0264] Additionally, in one embodiment, a plurality of working coils (WC) may be arranged along a first direction. A plurality of second non-patterned regions (1105) provided to the plurality of working coils (WC) arranged in this manner may be arranged at equal intervals along the first direction.

[0265] Meanwhile, as illustrated in FIGS. 6 and 7, a second coil substrate portion (1200) may be disposed above or below the first coil substrate portion (1100). A sensing coil (SC) may be formed by the second coil substrate portion (1200). The sensing coil (SC) may be disposed above or below the first coil substrate portion (1100). The sensing coil (SC) may be disposed in an area that overlaps the first coil substrate portion (1100) in the vertical direction.

[0266] As illustrated in FIGS. 6 to 7 and 20 to 21, the sensing coil (SC) may be arranged on the vertical outer side of the working coil (WC) in each coil module (1001, 1003). For example, the sensing coil (SC) and the working coil (WC) may be arranged vertically in each coil module (1001, 1003).

[0267] In the horizontal direction, at least a portion of the sensing coils (SC) can be arranged in the second non-patterned region (1105). Thus, as a plurality of second non-patterned regions (1105) are arranged at equal intervals along the first direction, a plurality of sensing coils (SC) can be arranged at equal intervals along the first direction.

[0268] As described above, since a plurality of second non-pattern regions (1105) are arranged at equal intervals along the first direction, a plurality of sensing coils (SC) can be arranged at equal intervals along the first direction. In one embodiment, at least a portion of each sensing coil (SC) can be arranged in the second non-pattern region (1105). Accordingly, when a plurality of second non-pattern regions (1105) are arranged at equal intervals along the first direction, a plurality of sensing coils (SC) can be arranged at equal intervals along the first direction.

[0269] In one embodiment, the temperature sensor (TS) may be positioned transversely inside the sensing coil (SC). In the transverse direction, at least a portion of the temperature sensor (TS) may be positioned in the second non-patterned region (1105).

[0270] As an example, the temperature sensor (TS) may be placed in the second non-patterned area (1105). That is, the temperature sensor (TS) installed in the second coil substrate portion (1200) and the second non-patterned area (1105) formed in the first coil substrate portion (1100) may be placed to overlap in the vertical direction.

[0271] To this end, each sensing coil (SC) can be placed at a position where the entire temperature sensor (TS) can be placed in the second non-pattern area (1105), i.e., a position where the entire temperature sensor (TS) can overlap with the second non-pattern area (1105) in the vertical direction.

[0272] As illustrated in FIGS. 17 to 18 and 22 to 23, each first coil portion (1120) may include a fourth terminal (1121) and a fifth terminal (1122), respectively. The fourth terminal (1121) and the fifth terminal (1122) may connect a plurality of coil patterns (Cp) arranged in a horizontal direction, i.e., a plurality of coil patterns (Cp) forming one first coil portion (1120).

[0273] In the horizontal direction, the fourth terminal (1121) may be arranged outside the first non-patterned area (1103) and the fifth terminal (1122), and at least a portion of the fifth terminal (1122) may be arranged to be in contact with the first non-patterned area (1103). Accordingly, in the horizontal direction, the second non-patterned area (1105) may be arranged between the fourth terminal (1121) and the fifth terminal (1122).

[0274] Additionally, based on the second non-pattern region (1105), the fourth terminal (1121) can be placed in a horizontal outer region of the first coil portion (1120), and the fifth terminal (1122) can be placed in a horizontal inner region of the first coil portion (1120).

[0275] As an example, the fourth terminal (1121) may be arranged at the outermost side in the horizontal direction of the first coil portion (1120), and the fifth terminal (1122) may be arranged at the innermost side in the horizontal direction of the first coil portion (1120). For example, the fourth terminal (1121) may be connected to the outermost end in the horizontal direction of the coil pattern (Cp). And the fifth terminal (1122) may be connected to the innermost end of the coil pattern (Cp).

[0276] Referring to FIGS. 6 and 20, a coil assembly (1000) according to one embodiment may further include a terminal portion (1020).

[0277] A terminal portion (1020) may be provided for connection between a power supply portion that supplies power and a working coil (WC).

[0278] In the horizontal direction, the terminal portion (1020) may be arranged on the outside of a group of multiple working coils (WC). The terminal portion (1020) may be connected to at least one of the fourth terminal (1121) and the fifth terminal (1122).

[0279] The terminal portion (1020) may include a first terminal (1021). The first terminal (1021) may be connected to a fourth terminal (1121). The first terminal (1021) may be connected to a working coil (WC) via the fourth terminal (1121).

[0280] The terminal portion (1020) may include a second terminal (1023). The second terminal (1023) may be connected to a fifth terminal (1122). The second terminal (1023) may be connected to a working coil (WC) via the fifth terminal (1122).

[0281] The fourth terminal (1121) and the fifth terminal (1122) may be arranged on the first coil substrate portion (1100) and the first outer layer portion (1300), respectively. That is, the fourth terminal (1121) and the fifth terminal (1122) may be formed on the same layer as the layer on which the first coil portion (1120) is formed.

[0282] In one embodiment, a plurality of working coils (WC) may be arranged in a matrix form in each coil module (1001, 1003). That is, a plurality of working coils (WC) may be arranged in a first direction, and a plurality of working coils (WC) may also be arranged in a second direction.

[0283] As an example, each terminal portion (1020) may include a plurality of first terminals (1021) arranged in a first direction. In addition, in each coil module (1001, 1003), a plurality of working coils (WC) adjacent in a second direction may be connected to each other so as to operate simultaneously. Accordingly, each first terminal (1021) may be connected to one working coil (WC). And the second terminal (1023) may be connected to a plurality of working coils (WC) adjacent in the second direction.

[0284] For example, when a plurality of working coils (WC) are arranged in a 2-column x 4-row configuration in each coil module (1001, 1003), a pair of terminal portions (1020) may be provided for each coil module (1001, 1003). The pair of terminal portions (1020) may be arranged to be spaced apart in the first direction with the assembly of the plurality of working coils (WC) interposed therebetween. That is, one of the pair of terminal portions (1020) may be arranged on the front side of the assembly of the plurality of working coils (WC), and the other of the pair of terminal portions (1020) may be arranged on the rear side of the assembly of the plurality of working coils (WC).

[0285] In each coil module (1001, 1003), a plurality of working coils (WC) can be divided into halves in the form of 2 columns x 2 rows, and each terminal portion (1020) can be connected to adjacent working coils (WC) in the form of 2 columns x 2 rows. For example, among a pair of terminal portions (1020), the one arranged on the front side can be connected to four working coils (WC) arranged on the front side on the coil module (1001, 1003), and among a pair of terminal portions (1020), the one arranged on the rear side can be connected to four working coils (WC) arranged on the rear side on the coil module (1001, 1003).

[0286] As described above, the fourth terminal (1121) may be connected to the outermost end in the horizontal direction of the working coil (WC), and the fifth terminal (1122) may be connected to the innermost end of the working coil (WC). As an example, each of the fourth terminals (1121) may be positioned at a position biased toward the terminal portion (1020) to be connected.

[0287] That is, for the second direction, each fourth terminal (1121) may be arranged at a position closer to the end than the center of the working coil (WC), but may be arranged at a position biased toward the terminal portion (1020) to which it is connected. For example, the fourth terminal (1121) provided to four working coils (WC) adjacent to the one arranged at the front side among a pair of terminal portions (1020) may be arranged at a position biased toward the front side on the working coil (WC).

[0288] In one embodiment, each terminal portion (1020) may include a pair of first terminals (1021) arranged in a first direction. Each first terminal (1021) may be connected to only one working coil (WC) by being connected to one fourth terminal (1121). Each first terminal (1021) may electrically connect one working coil (WC) to a power supply, such as a driving circuit (300) and a load circuit (350).

[0289] The second terminal (1023) can connect the working coil (WC) to the ground terminal. The second terminal (1023) can be connected to a pair of fifth terminals (1122) adjacent in the second direction. That is, the second terminal (1023) can connect a pair of working coils (WC) adjacent in the second direction to the ground terminal.

[0290] As an example, the terminal portion (1020) may be provided on the first coil substrate portion (1100), the second coil substrate portion (1200), and the outer layer portions (1300, 1350) that are stacked vertically, respectively. For example, the first terminal (1021) provided on the first coil substrate portion (1100), the second coil substrate portion (1200), the first outer layer portion (1300), and the second outer layer portion (1350) may be stacked vertically, respectively. The first terminals (1021) may be electrically connected through vias.

[0291] The second terminals (1023) provided on the first coil substrate portion (1100), the second coil substrate portion (1200), the first outer layer portion (1300), and the second outer layer portion (1350) can be stacked in the vertical direction. The second terminals (1023) can be electrically connected through vias.

[0292] As another example, the terminal portion (1020) may be provided only on the second outer layer portion (1350). That is, the terminal portion (1020) may be placed only on the upper side of the coil module (1001, 1003).

[0293] Each coil module (1001, 1003) includes a plurality of sensing coils (SC), and the plurality of sensing coils (SC) can be arranged at a predetermined interval along the first direction. In addition, the second outer layer (1350) and the second coil substrate (1200), like the first coil substrate (1100), can include a fourth terminal (1121) and a fifth terminal (1122), respectively. That is, the fourth terminal (1121) and the fifth terminal (1122) can be formed in the same layer as the layer in which the second coil portion (1220) is formed.

[0294] Each terminal portion (1020) may further include a third terminal (1025). The third terminal (1025) may connect the sensing coil (SC) to the power supply. The third terminal (1025) may be provided on the second outer layer portion (1350) and may also be provided on the second coil substrate portion (1200). The third terminal (1025) may be formed on the same layer as the sensing coil (SC) (e.g., the layer on which the second coil portion (1220) is formed).

[0295]

[0296] [Layout structure of working coils per coil module]

[0297] As illustrated in FIG. 8, in each coil module (1001, 1003), a plurality of working coils (WC) may be arranged in a first direction. For example, in each coil module (1001, 1003), a plurality of working coils (WC) may be arranged along the first direction and also in the second direction. That is, in each coil module (1001, 1003), a plurality of working coils (WC) may be arranged in a matrix form.

[0298] At this time, each working coil (WC) may be arranged to be spaced apart from other adjacent working coils (WC) in the first direction by a predetermined distance in the first direction, and may be spaced apart from other adjacent working coils (WC) in the second direction by a predetermined distance in the second direction.

[0299] In one embodiment, the length of the coil module (1001, 1003) in the first direction may be set shorter than the length of the coil module (1001, 1003) in the second direction. That is, each coil module (1001, 1003) may be formed into a rectangle, but may be formed into a rectangle in which the length in the second direction is longer than the length in the first direction.

[0300] In comparison, the length of the working coil (WC) in the second direction can be set shorter than the length of the working coil (WC) in the first direction. That is, each working coil (WC) can be formed into a rectangle, but can be formed into a rectangle in which the length in the first direction is longer than the length in the second direction.

[0301] In each coil module (1001, 1003), the number of working coils (WC) arranged on the same straight line in the second direction may be greater than the number of working coils (WC) arranged on the same straight line in the first direction.

[0302] In one embodiment, the first coil module (1001) may include a plurality of working coils (WC) arranged in an A column × B row configuration, and the second coil module (1003) may each include a plurality of working coils (WC) arranged in an A column × C row configuration. In this embodiment, a column is defined as a line along the first direction, and a row is defined as a line along the second direction.

[0303] As an example, the relationship between A, B, and C can be defined as follows:

[0304] A≥1, C≥2, B>C,

[0305] For example, in the first coil module (1001) and the second coil module (1003), one or more working coils (WC) may be arranged in the first direction and two or more in the second direction. In addition, in the first coil module (1001), one or more working coils (WC) may be arranged in the first direction and three or more in the second direction.

[0306] Accordingly, the number of working coils (WC) arranged on the same straight line in the first direction in the first coil module (1001) and the number of working coils (WC) arranged on the same straight line in the first direction in the second coil module (1003) may be set to be the same. In addition, the number of working coils (WC) arranged on the same straight line in the second direction in the second coil module (1003) may be set to be less than the number of working coils (WC) arranged on the same straight line in the second direction in the first coil module (1001).

[0307] As an example, when n first coil modules (1001) are arranged spaced apart along the first direction, n / 2 second coil modules (1003) can be arranged between a pair of first coil modules (1001) arranged at the innermost side in the first direction.

[0308] At this time, each first coil module (1001) may include 16 / n working coils (WC) arranged in a 4 / n column x 4 row format. And each second coil module (1003) may include 12 / n working coils (WC) arranged in a 4 / n column x 3 row format.

[0309] For example, when two first coil modules (1001) are arranged spaced apart along the first direction, one second coil module (1003) may be arranged between a pair of first coil modules (1001) arranged at the innermost side in the first direction. At this time, each of the first coil modules (1001) may include eight working coils (WC) arranged in a 2-column x 4-row configuration.

[0310] And each of the second coil modules (1003) may include six working coils (WC) arranged in a 2-column x 3-row configuration. In this case, the coil assembly (1000) may include a total of 22 working coils (WC).

[0311] As described above, the cooktop (100; see FIG. 3) is provided with a plurality of indicator lights (L; see FIG. 3), and the indicator lights (L) can be implemented by a lighting module (180; see FIG. 4). The lighting module (180) is arranged at the lower side of the coil assembly (1000), and light emitted from the lighting module (180) can pass through the coil assembly (1000) and illuminate the light display area of ​​the top plate (120).

[0312] In order to allow light emitted from the lighting module (180) to pass through the light display area of ​​the top plate (120), a through hole (h) may be provided in each coil module (1001, 1003). In each coil module (1001, 1003), the through hole (h) may pass through the coil module (1001, 1003) in the vertical direction, and each through hole (h) may be arranged between one row of working coils (WC) and one row of working coils (WC).

[0313] If, as illustrated in FIG. 10, four first coil modules (1001a) are arranged spaced apart from each other along the first direction, two second coil modules (1003a) may be arranged between a pair of first coil modules (1001a) arranged at the innermost side in the first direction. In this case, each of the first coil modules (1001a) may include four working coils (WC) arranged in a 1-column × 4-row configuration.

[0314] When the coil assembly (1000a) is provided in the form described above, a space may be formed between each row of the coil assembly (1000a). This space may be used as a passage for passing light emitted from the lighting module (180) to the light display area of ​​the top plate (120).

[0315] That is, since each coil module (1001a, 1003a) is provided in a form that includes only one row of working coils (WC), there is no need to form a separate through hole in the coil assembly (1000a).

[0316] Also, considering that the size, display, or control panel size may vary for each model, the coil assembly (1000a) provided in the above form may be more advantageous for mass production than the coil assembly in the form illustrated in FIG. 8.

[0317] For example, according to the coil assembly (1000a) provided in the form described above, when producing multiple products with different sizes of displays or control panels, only the size of the second coil module (1003a) can be changed according to the size of the display or control panel, and the first coil module (1001a) can be used in common.

[0318] In addition, according to the coil assembly (1000a) provided in the form described above, only one row of each coil module (1001a, 1003a) needs to be repaired or replaced when necessary, so maintenance becomes easier and maintenance costs are reduced.

[0319] In addition, if each coil module (1001a, 1003a) is provided in a form including only one row of working coils (WC) as described above, the surface area of ​​the coil module (1001a, 1003a) can be relatively widened compared to a form in which each coil module includes two rows of working coils (WC), and air can flow into the space between each coil module (1001a, 1003a), thereby improving the heat dissipation performance of the coil assembly (1000a).

[0320] In comparison, when two or more rows of working coils (WC) are arranged for each coil module (1001, 1003) as illustrated in FIG. 8, the number of coil modules (1001, 1003) to be assembled is reduced compared to the case where only one row of working coils (WC) is arranged for each coil module, so there is an advantage of reduced assembly work.

[0321] In addition, when two or more rows of working coils (WC) are arranged in each coil module (1001, 1003), the space required to form wiring between the working coils (WC) of two adjacent rows can be easily secured in the coil module (1001, 1003), so there is an advantage in that wiring design can be easily and efficiently performed.

[0322] And each of the second coil modules (1003a) may include three working coils (WC) arranged in a 1-column x 3-row configuration. In this case, the coil assembly (1000a) may include a total of 22 working coils (WC).

[0323] As a second example, as illustrated in FIG. 11, each first coil module (1001b) may include 12 / n working coils (WC) arranged in a 4 / n column x 3 row configuration. And each second coil module (1003b) may include 8 / n working coils (WC) arranged in a 4 / n column x 2 row configuration.

[0324] For example, when two first coil modules (1001b) are spaced apart from each other along the first direction, one second coil module (1003b) may be placed between a pair of first coil modules (1001b) placed at the innermost side in the first direction. In this case, each of the first coil modules (1001b) may include six working coils (WC) arranged in a 2-column x 3-row configuration.

[0325] And each of the second coil modules (1003b) may include four working coils (WC) arranged in a 2-column x 2-row configuration. In this case, the coil assembly (1000b) may include a total of 16 working coils (WC).

[0326] If, as illustrated in FIG. 12, four first coil modules (1001c) are arranged spaced apart along the first direction, two second coil modules (1003c) can be arranged between a pair of first coil modules (1001c) arranged at the innermost side in the first direction.

[0327] At this time, each first coil module (1001c) may include three working coils (WC) arranged in a 1-column x 3-row configuration. And each second coil module (1003c) may include two working coils (WC) arranged in a 1-column x 2-row configuration. In this case, the coil assembly (1000c) may include a total of 16 working coils (WC).

[0328] As a third example, as illustrated in Fig. 13, when two first coil modules (1001d) are spaced apart from each other along the first direction, two second coil modules (1003d) may be arranged between a pair of first coil modules (1001d) arranged at the innermost side in the first direction. In this case, each of the first coil modules (1001d) may include 10 working coils (WC) arranged in a 2-column × 5-row configuration.

[0329] And each of the second coil modules (1003d) may include six working coils (WC) arranged in a 2-column x 3-row configuration. In this case, the coil assembly (1000d) may include a total of 32 working coils (WC).

[0330] As a fourth example, as illustrated in FIG. 14, if four first coil modules (1001e) are arranged spaced apart along the first direction, four second coil modules (1003e) may be arranged between a pair of first coil modules (1001e) arranged at the innermost side in the first direction. In this case, each of the first coil modules (1001e) may include five working coils (WC) arranged in a 1-column × 5-row configuration.

[0331] And each of the second coil modules (1003e) may include three working coils (WC) arranged in a 1-column x 3-row configuration. In this case, the coil assembly (1000e) may include a total of 32 working coils (WC).

[0332] As a fifth example, as illustrated in FIG. 15, when n first coil modules (1001f) are arranged spaced apart along the first direction, each first coil module (1001f) may include 16 / n working coils (WC) arranged in a 4 / n column × 4 row format.

[0333] For example, when two first coil modules (1001f) are spaced apart from each other along the first direction, each first coil module (1001f) may include eight working coils (WC) arranged in a two-column x four-row configuration. In this case, the coil assembly (1000f) may include a total of 16 working coils (WC).

[0334] If, as illustrated in FIG. 16, four first coil modules (1001g) are arranged spaced apart from each other along the first direction, each first coil module (1001g) may include four working coils (WC) arranged in a 1-column × 4-row configuration. In this case, the coil assembly (1000g) may include a total of 16 working coils (WC).

[0335] In the examples described above, the coil assembly may include working coils (WC) all having the same size and shape. Alternatively, the coil assembly may include multiple types of working coils (WC) having different sizes and shapes.

[0336] Fig. 24 is a plan view showing a seventh example of the arrangement structure of the first coil module and the second coil module.

[0337] As another example, the coil assembly (1000h) as illustrated in FIG. 24 may further include at least one of a third coil module (1005) and a fourth coil module (1007). The first coil module (1001) and the third coil module (1005) may be arranged on the same straight line in the second direction, and the second coil module (1003) and the fourth coil module (1007) may be arranged on the same straight line in the second direction.

[0338] Accordingly, for the first direction, a pair of first coil modules (1001) can be arranged spaced apart from each other along the first direction with the second coil module (1003) and the fourth coil module (1007) interposed therebetween.

[0339] Also, with respect to the second direction, the first coil module (1001) may be positioned more protruding to one side than the second coil module (1003), the third coil module (1005) may be positioned more offset to one side than the first coil module (1001), and the fourth coil module (1007) may be positioned more offset to one side than the second coil module (1003).

[0340] That is, the first coil module (1001) having a second direction length longer than the second coil module (1003) protrudes further forward than the second coil module (1003), the third coil module (1005) is positioned further forward than the first coil module (1001), and the fourth coil module (1007) can be positioned further forward than the second coil module (1003). It goes without saying that the third coil module (1005) is positioned further forward than the fourth coil module (1007).

[0341] The third coil module (1005) and the fourth coil module (1007) may be formed to have a smaller horizontal size than the first coil module (1001) and the second coil module (1003). To this end, the third coil module (1005) may include a working coil having a smaller horizontal size than the working coil provided to the first coil module (1001).

[0342] As described above, the control panel (130) may be positioned further forward than the second coil module (1003), and a pair of first coil modules (1001) may be positioned spaced apart from each other in the first direction with the control panel (130) interposed therebetween. In addition, a pair of third coil modules (1005) positioned on the front side of the pair of first coil modules (1001) may also be positioned spaced apart from each other in the first direction with the control panel (130) interposed therebetween.

[0343] For the first direction, the length of the third coil module (1005) may be set shorter than the length of the first coil module (1001). And for the second direction, the length of the third coil module (1005) may be set shorter than the length of the first coil module (1001). That is, the third coil module (1005) may be formed to have a shorter first direction length and a shorter second direction length than the first coil module (1001).

[0344] Additionally, the fourth coil module (1007) may be placed at the rear of the control panel (130). In the second direction, the fourth coil module (1007) may be placed between the control panel (130) and the second coil module (1003), and the length of the fourth coil module (1007) may be formed to be shorter than the length of the second coil module (1003).

[0345] As the third coil module (1005) and the fourth coil module (1007) are arranged in the above-described manner, the area in which the control panel (130) is to be arranged can be secured more widely. Accordingly, the control panel (130) can be spaced further apart horizontally from the coil modules (1001, 1003), thereby reducing the influence of heat generated around the working coil (WC) on the control panel (130).

[0346]

[0347] [Examples of coil modules]

[0348] Fig. 25 is a plan view showing the structure of a coil module according to the first embodiment. Fig. 26 is a circuit diagram of a home appliance including a coil module according to the first embodiment.

[0349] Referring to FIG. 25, the coil module (2001) according to the first embodiment may include three heating areas (HA1, HA2, HA3) and three working coils (WC1, WC2, WC3) arranged at positions corresponding to each of the heating areas (HA1, HA2, HA3).

[0350] Each heating zone (HA1, HA2, HA3) and each working coil (WC1, WC2, WC3) may be arranged in a row along one direction (e.g., up and down). The first heating zone (HA1) may be arranged between the second heating zone (HA2) and the third heating zone (HA3). Although not shown, at least one sensing coil for container detection may be arranged in each heating zone (HA1, HA2, HA3).

[0351] Referring to FIGS. 25 and 26, the home appliance according to the first embodiment may include a rectifier circuit (Rc), a DC link capacitor (CD), an inverter (INV), a sensing coil (SC), a controller (500), a driving circuit (300), three working coils (WC1, WC2, WC3) arranged at positions corresponding to three heating areas (HA1, HA2, HA3), a first relay (R1), and a second relay (R2).

[0352] A rectifier circuit (Rc) can rectify and output an input voltage supplied from an external power source (Ps). The rectifier circuit (Rc) may be a circuit including a plurality of diodes (e.g., a bridge circuit).

[0353] A DC link capacitor (CD) can smooth and output the voltage output from the rectifier circuit (Rc).

[0354] An inverter (INV) can output an alternating current using a voltage output from a direct current link capacitor (CD). In one embodiment, the inverter (INV) can include a first switching element (SW1) and a second switching element (SW2). The first switching element (SW1) and the second switching element (SW2) can be turned on and off by a first switching signal (S1) and a second switching signal (S2) supplied by a driving circuit (300). The first switching element (SW1) and the second switching element (SW2) can be alternately turned on and off. In another embodiment, the inverter (INV) can include two or more switching elements.

[0355] The controller (500) can supply a control signal to the driving circuit (300). When the control signal is supplied to the driving circuit (300), the driving circuit (300) can output switching signals (S1, S2). When the first switching signal (S1) and the second switching signal (S2) are supplied to the inverter (INV), the first switching element (SW1) and the second switching element (SW2) can be alternately turned on and off. Accordingly, an alternating current can be output from the inverter (INV). When the alternating current output from the inverter (INV) is supplied to the working coils (WC1, WC2, WC3), a container provided on top of the working coils (WC1, WC2, WC3) can be heated.

[0356] One end of the first working coil (WC1) may be connected to an inverter (INV). The other end of the first working coil (WC1) may be connected to a first resonant capacitor (C1).

[0357] One end of the second working coil (WC2) may be connected to the first working coil (WC1) and the first resonant capacitor (C1). The other end of the second working coil (WC2) may be connected to the second resonant capacitor (C2). A first relay (R1) may be connected between the second working coil (WC2) and the second resonant capacitor (C2) and the ground terminal.

[0358] One end of the third working coil (WC3) may be connected to the first working coil (WC1) and the first resonant capacitor (C1). The other end of the third working coil (WC3) may be connected to a third resonant capacitor (C3). A second relay (R2) may be connected between the third working coil (WC3) and the third resonant capacitor (C3) and the ground terminal.

[0359] The first working coil (WC1) and the second working coil (WC2) may be connected in series. The first working coil (WC1) and the third working coil (WC3) may be connected in series. The second working coil (WC2) and the third working coil (WC3) may be connected in parallel.

[0360] The controller (500) can perform container detection for each heating area (HA1, HA2, HA3) using at least one sensing coil (SC) arranged in the coil module (2001) to determine whether a container exists on each heating area (HA1, HA2, HA3). The controller (500) can control the opening / closing status of the first relay (R1) and the second relay (R2) according to the result of the container detection.

[0361] When it is determined that a container exists in the first heating zone (HA1) or the second heating zone (HA2), the controller (500) can control the first relay (R1) to close and the second relay (R2) to open.

[0362] When it is determined that a container exists in the first heating zone (HA1) and the second heating zone (HA2), the controller (500) can control the first relay (R1) to close and the second relay (R2) to open.

[0363] When it is determined that a container exists in the first heating zone (HA1) or the third heating zone (HA3), the controller (500) can control the second relay (R2) to close and the first relay (R1) to open.

[0364] When it is determined that a container exists in the first heating zone (HA1) and the third heating zone (HA3), the controller (500) can control the second relay (R2) to close and the first relay (R1) to open.

[0365] When it is determined that a container exists in the first heating zone (HA1), the second heating zone (HA2), and the third heating zone (HA3), the controller (500) can control the first relay (R1) and the second relay (R2) to close.

[0366] Fig. 27 is a plan view showing the structure of a coil module according to the second embodiment. Fig. 28 is a circuit diagram of a home appliance including a coil module according to the second embodiment.

[0367] Referring to FIG. 27, the coil module (2003) according to the second embodiment may include four heating areas (HA1, HA2, HA3, HA4) and four working coils (WC1, WC2, WC3, WC4) arranged at positions corresponding to each heating area (HA1, HA2, HA3, HA4).

[0368] Each heating zone (HA1, HA2, HA3, HA4) and each working coil (WC1, WC2, WC3, WC4) may be arranged in a line along one direction (e.g., up and down). The second heating zone (HA2) may be arranged between the first heating zone (HA1) and the third heating zone (HA3). The third heating zone (HA3) may be arranged between the second heating zone (HA2) and the fourth heating zone (HA4). The second heating zone (HA2) and the third heating zone (HA3) may be arranged between the first heating zone (HA1) and the fourth heating zone (HA4). Although not shown, at least one sensing coil for container detection may be arranged in each heating zone (HA1, HA2, HA3, HA4).

[0369] Referring to FIGS. 27 and 28, a home appliance according to the second embodiment may include a rectifier circuit (Rc), a first DC link capacitor (CD1), a first inverter (INV1), a second DC link capacitor (CD2), a second inverter (INV2), a sensing coil (SC), a controller (500), a driving circuit (300), four working coils (WC1, WC2, WC3, WC4) arranged at positions corresponding to four heating areas (HA1, HA2, HA3, HA4), a first relay (R1), a second relay (R2), and a third relay (R3).

[0370] A rectifier circuit (Rc) can rectify and output an input voltage supplied from an external power source (Ps). The rectifier circuit (Rc) may be a circuit including a plurality of diodes (e.g., a bridge circuit).

[0371] The first DC link capacitor (CD1) can smooth and output the voltage output from the rectifier circuit (Rc).

[0372] The first inverter (INV1) can output an AC current using a voltage output from the first DC link capacitor (CD1). In one embodiment, the first inverter (INV1) can include a first switching element (SW1) and a second switching element (SW2). The first switching element (SW1) and the second switching element (SW2) can be turned on and off by a first switching signal (S1) and a second switching signal (S2) supplied by the driving circuit (300). The first switching element (SW1) and the second switching element (SW2) can be alternately turned on and off. In another embodiment, the first inverter (INV1) can include two or more switching elements.

[0373] The second DC link capacitor (CD2) can smooth and output the voltage output from the rectifier circuit (Rc).

[0374] The second inverter (INV2) can output an AC current using the voltage output from the second DC link capacitor (CD2). In one embodiment, the second inverter (INV2) can include a third switching element (SW3) and a fourth switching element (SW4). The third switching element (SW3) and the fourth switching element (SW4) can be turned on and off by a third switching signal (S3) and a fourth switching signal (S4) supplied by the driving circuit (300). The third switching element (SW3) and the fourth switching element (SW4) can be alternately turned on and off. In another embodiment, the second inverter (INV2) can include two or more switching elements.

[0375] The controller (500) can supply a control signal to the driving circuit (300). When the control signal is supplied to the driving circuit (300), the driving circuit (300) can output a switching signal (S1, S2, S3, S4).

[0376] When the first switching signal (S1) and the second switching signal (S2) are supplied to the first inverter (INV1), the first switching element (SW1) and the second switching element (SW2) can be alternately turned on and off. Accordingly, an alternating current can be output from the first inverter (INV1). When the alternating current output from the first inverter (INV1) is supplied to the working coils (WC1, WC2), a container provided above the working coils (WC1, WC2) can be heated.

[0377] When the third switching signal (S3) and the fourth switching signal (S4) are supplied to the second inverter (INV2), the third switching element (SW3) and the fourth switching element (SW4) can be alternately turned on and off. Accordingly, an alternating current can be output from the second inverter (INV2). When the alternating current output from the second inverter (INV2) is supplied to the working coils (WC3, WC4), a container provided above the working coils (WC3, WC4) can be heated.

[0378] In another embodiment, the first switching element (SW1) and the fourth switching element (SW4) may be turned on and off alternately with the second switching element (SW2) and the third switching element (SW3). For example, when the first switching element (SW1) and the fourth switching element (SW4) are turned off (turned on), the second switching element (SW2) and the third switching element (SW3) may be turned on (turned off).

[0379] One end of the second working coil (WC2) may be connected to the first inverter (INV1). A second resonant capacitor (C2) may be connected to the other end of the second working coil (WC2).

[0380] One end of the first working coil (WC1) may be connected to the second working coil (WC2) and the second resonant capacitor (C2). The other end of the first working coil (WC1) may be connected to the first resonant capacitor (C1). A second relay (R2) may be connected between the first working coil (WC1) and the first resonant capacitor (C1) and the ground terminal.

[0381] The first working coil (WC1) and the second working coil (WC2) can be connected in series.

[0382] One end of the third working coil (WC3) may be connected to the second inverter (INV2). A third resonant capacitor (C3) may be connected to the other end of the third working coil (WC3).

[0383] One end of the fourth working coil (WC4) may be connected to the third working coil (WC3) and the third resonant capacitor (C3). The other end of the fourth working coil (WC4) may be connected to the fourth resonant capacitor (C4). A third relay (R3) may be connected between the fourth working coil (WC4) and the fourth resonant capacitor (C4) and the ground terminal.

[0384] A first relay (R1) can be connected between a first connection node (N1), which is a node to which a first working coil (WC1) and a second working coil (WC2) are connected, and a second connection node (N2), which is a node to which a third working coil (WC3) and a fourth working coil (WC4) are connected.

[0385] The third working coil (WC3) and the fourth working coil (WC4) can be connected in series.

[0386] The controller (500) can perform container detection for each heating area (HA1, HA2, HA3, HA4) using at least one sensing coil (SC) arranged in the coil module (2001) to determine whether a container exists on each heating area (HA1, HA2, HA3, HA4). The controller (500) can control the open / close states of the first relay (R1), the second relay (R2), and the third relay (R3) according to the result of the container detection.

[0387] When it is determined that a container exists in the first heating zone (HA1) or the second heating zone, the controller (500) can control the second relay (R2) to close and the first relay (R1) and the third relay (R3) to open.

[0388] When it is determined that a container exists in the first heating zone (HA1) and the second heating zone, the controller (500) can control the second relay (R2) to close and the first relay (R1) and the third relay (R3) to open.

[0389] When it is determined that a container exists in the second heating zone (HA2) and the third heating zone (HA3), the controller (500) can control the first relay (R1) to close and the second relay (R2) and the third relay (R3) to open.

[0390] When it is determined that a container exists in the third heating zone (HA3) or the fourth heating zone (HA4), the controller (500) can control the third relay (R3) to close and the first relay (R1) and the second relay (R2) to open.

[0391] When it is determined that a container exists in the third heating zone (HA3) and the fourth heating zone (HA4), the controller (500) can control the third relay (R3) to close and the first relay (R1) and the second relay (R2) to open.

[0392] When it is determined that a container exists in the first heating zone (HA1), the second heating zone (HA2), and the third heating zone (HA3), the controller (500) can control the first relay (R1) and the second relay (R2) to close and control the third relay (R3) to open.

[0393] When it is determined that a container exists in the second heating zone (HA2), the third heating zone (HA3), and the fourth heating zone (HA4), the controller (500) can control the first relay (R1) and the third relay (R3) to close and control the second relay (R2) to open.

[0394] When it is determined that a container exists in the first heating zone (HA1), the second heating zone (HA2), the third heating zone (HA3), and the fourth heating zone (HA4), the controller (500) can control the second relay (R2) and the third relay (R3) to close and control the first relay (R1) to open.

[0395] Fig. 29 is a plan view showing the structure of a coil module according to the third embodiment. Fig. 30 is a circuit diagram of a home appliance including a coil module according to the third embodiment.

[0396] Referring to FIG. 29, a coil module according to a third embodiment may include a first coil module (2003a) and a second coil module (2003b) arranged in a row along one direction (e.g., left-right direction) with the first coil module (2003a).

[0397] The first coil module (2003a) may include four heating zones (HA1, HA2, HA3, HA4) and four working coils (WC1, WC2, WC3, WC4) arranged at positions corresponding to each heating zone (HA1, HA2, HA3, HA4).

[0398] Each heating zone (HA1, HA2, HA3, HA4) and each working coil (WC1, WC2, WC3, WC4) may be arranged in a line along one direction (e.g., up and down). The second heating zone (HA2) may be arranged between the first heating zone (HA1) and the third heating zone (HA3). The third heating zone (HA3) may be arranged between the second heating zone (HA2) and the fourth heating zone (HA4). The second heating zone (HA2) and the third heating zone (HA3) may be arranged between the first heating zone (HA1) and the fourth heating zone (HA4). Although not shown, at least one sensing coil for container detection may be arranged in each heating zone (HA1, HA2, HA3, HA4).

[0399] The second coil module (2003b) may include four heating zones (HA5, HA6, HA7, HA8) and four working coils (WC5, WC6, WC7, WC8) positioned corresponding to each heating zone (HA5, HA6, HA7, HA8).

[0400] Each heating zone (HA5, HA6, HA7, HA8) and each working coil (WC5, WC6, WC7, WC8) may be arranged in a line along one direction (e.g., up and down). The sixth heating zone (HA6) may be arranged between the fifth heating zone (HA5) and the seventh heating zone (HA7). The seventh heating zone (HA7) may be arranged between the sixth heating zone (HA6) and the eighth heating zone (HA8). The sixth heating zone (HA6) and the seventh heating zone (HA7) may be arranged between the fifth heating zone (HA5) and the eighth heating zone (HA8). Although not shown, at least one sensing coil for container detection may be arranged in each heating zone (HA5, HA6, HA7, HA8).

[0401] The first heating zone (HA1) may be arranged adjacent to the fifth heating zone (HA5). The second heating zone (HA2) may be arranged adjacent to the sixth heating zone (HA6). The third heating zone (HA3) may be arranged adjacent to the seventh heating zone (HA7). The fourth heating zone (HA4) may be arranged adjacent to the eighth heating zone (HA8).

[0402] Referring to FIGS. 29 and 30, a home appliance according to a third embodiment may include a rectifier circuit (Rc), a first DC link capacitor (CD1), a first inverter (INV1), a second DC link capacitor (CD2), a second inverter (INV2), a sensing coil (SC), a controller (500), a driving circuit (300), eight working coils (WC1, WC2, WC3, WC4, WC5, WC6, WC7, WC8) arranged at positions corresponding to eight heating areas (HA1, HA2, HA3, HA4, HA5, HA6, HA7, HA8), a first relay (R1), a second relay (R2), a third relay (R3), a fourth relay (R4), a fifth relay (R5), and a sixth relay (R6).

[0403] A rectifier circuit (Rc) can rectify and output an input voltage supplied from an external power source (Ps). The rectifier circuit (Rc) may be a circuit including a plurality of diodes (e.g., a bridge circuit).

[0404] The first DC link capacitor (CD1) can smooth and output the voltage output from the rectifier circuit (Rc).

[0405] The first inverter (INV1) can output an AC current using a voltage output from the first DC link capacitor (CD1). In one embodiment, the first inverter (INV1) can include a first switching element (SW1) and a second switching element (SW2). The first switching element (SW1) and the second switching element (SW2) can be turned on and off by a first switching signal (S1) and a second switching signal (S2) supplied by the driving circuit (300). The first switching element (SW1) and the second switching element (SW2) can be alternately turned on and off. In another embodiment, the first inverter (INV1) can include two or more switching elements.

[0406] The second DC link capacitor (CD2) can smooth and output the voltage output from the rectifier circuit (Rc).

[0407] The second inverter (INV2) can output an AC current using the voltage output from the second DC link capacitor (CD2). In one embodiment, the second inverter (INV2) can include a third switching element (SW3) and a fourth switching element (SW4). The third switching element (SW3) and the fourth switching element (SW4) can be turned on and off by a third switching signal (S3) and a fourth switching signal (S4) supplied by the driving circuit (300). The third switching element (SW3) and the fourth switching element (SW4) can be alternately turned on and off. In another embodiment, the second inverter (INV2) can include two or more switching elements.

[0408] The controller (500) can supply a control signal to the driving circuit (300). When the control signal is supplied to the driving circuit (300), the driving circuit (300) can output a switching signal (S1, S2, S3, S4).

[0409] When the first switching signal (S1) and the second switching signal (S2) are supplied to the first inverter (INV1), the first switching element (SW1) and the second switching element (SW2) can be alternately turned on and off. Accordingly, an alternating current can be output from the first inverter (INV1). When the alternating current output from the first inverter (INV1) is supplied to the working coils (WC1, WC2, WC5, WC6), a container provided on top of the working coils (WC1, WC2, WC5, WC6) can be heated.

[0410] When the third switching signal (S3) and the fourth switching signal (S4) are supplied to the second inverter (INV2), the third switching element (SW3) and the fourth switching element (SW4) can be alternately turned on and off. Accordingly, an alternating current can be output from the second inverter (INV2). When the alternating current output from the second inverter (INV2) is supplied to the working coils (WC3, WC4, WC7, WC8), a container provided on top of the working coils (WC3, WC4, WC7, WC8) can be heated.

[0411] In another embodiment, the first switching element (SW1) and the fourth switching element (SW4) may be turned on and off alternately with the second switching element (SW2) and the third switching element (SW3). For example, when the first switching element (SW1) and the fourth switching element (SW4) are turned off (turned on), the second switching element (SW2) and the third switching element (SW3) may be turned on (turned off).

[0412] One end of the second working coil (WC2) may be connected to the first inverter (INV1). A second resonant capacitor (C2) may be connected to the other end of the second working coil (WC2).

[0413] One end of the first working coil (WC1) may be connected to the second working coil (WC2) and the second resonant capacitor (C2). The other end of the first working coil (WC1) may be connected to the first resonant capacitor (C1). A second relay (R2) may be connected between the first working coil (WC1) and the first resonant capacitor (C1) and the ground terminal.

[0414] The first working coil (WC1) and the second working coil (WC2) can be connected in series.

[0415] One end of the third working coil (WC3) may be connected to the second inverter (INV2). A third resonant capacitor (C3) may be connected to the other end of the third working coil (WC3).

[0416] One end of the fourth working coil (WC4) may be connected to the third working coil (WC3) and the third resonant capacitor (C3). The other end of the fourth working coil (WC4) may be connected to the fourth resonant capacitor (C4). A third relay (R3) may be connected between the fourth working coil (WC4) and the fourth resonant capacitor (C4) and the ground terminal.

[0417] The third working coil (WC3) and the fourth working coil (WC4) can be connected in series.

[0418] A first relay (R1) can be connected between a first connection node (N1), which is a node to which a first working coil (WC1) and a second working coil (WC2) are connected, and a second connection node (N2), which is a node to which a third working coil (WC3) and a fourth working coil (WC4) are connected.

[0419] One end of the sixth working coil (WC6) may be connected to the first inverter (INV1). The other end of the sixth working coil (WC6) may be connected to a sixth resonant capacitor (C6).

[0420] One end of the fifth working coil (WC5) may be connected to the sixth working coil (WC6) and the sixth resonant capacitor (C6). The other end of the fifth working coil (WC5) may be connected to the fifth resonant capacitor (C5). A fifth relay (R5) may be connected between the fifth working coil (WC5) and the fifth resonant capacitor (C5) and the ground terminal.

[0421] The fifth working coil (WC5) and the sixth working coil (WC6) can be connected in series.

[0422] One end of the seventh working coil (WC7) may be connected to the second inverter (INV2). The other end of the seventh working coil (WC7) may be connected to the seventh resonant capacitor (C7).

[0423] One end of the eighth working coil (WC8) may be connected to the seventh working coil (WC7) and the seventh resonant capacitor (C7). The other end of the eighth working coil (WC8) may be connected to the eighth resonant capacitor (C8). A sixth relay (R6) may be connected between the eighth working coil (WC8) and the eighth resonant capacitor (C8) and the ground terminal.

[0424] The seventh working coil (WC7) and the eighth working coil (WC8) can be connected in series.

[0425] A fourth relay (R4) may be connected between the third connection node (N3), which is a node connecting the fifth working coil (WC5) and the sixth working coil (WC6), and the fourth connection node (N4), which is a node connecting the seventh working coil (WC7) and the eighth working coil (WC8).

[0426] The controller (500) can perform container detection for each heating zone (HA1, HA2, HA3, HA4, HA5, HA6, HA7, HA8) using at least one sensing coil (SC) arranged in the coil module (2003a, 2003b) to determine whether a container exists on each heating zone (HA1, HA2, HA3, HA4, HA5, HA6, HA7, HA8). The controller (500) can control the open / close states of the first relay (R1), the second relay (R2), the third relay (R3), the fourth relay (R4), the fifth relay (R5), and the sixth relay (R6) according to the result of the container detection.

[0427] When it is determined that a container exists in the first heating zone (HA1), the second heating zone (HA2), the fifth heating zone (HA5), and the sixth heating zone (HA6), the controller (500) can control the second relay (R2) and the fifth relay (R5) to close and control the first relay (R1), the third relay (R3), the fourth relay (R4), and the sixth relay (R6) to open.

[0428] When it is determined that a container exists in the second heating zone (HA2), the third heating zone (HA3), the sixth heating zone (HA6), and the seventh heating zone (HA7), the controller (500) can control the first relay (R1) and the fourth relay (R4) to close and control the second relay (R2), the third relay (R3), the fifth relay (R5), and the sixth relay (R6) to open.

[0429] When it is determined that a container exists in the third heating zone (HA3), the fourth heating zone (HA4), the seventh heating zone (HA7), and the eighth heating zone (HA8), the controller (500) can control the third relay (R3) and the sixth relay (R6) to close and control the first relay (R1), the second relay (R2), the fourth relay (R4), and the fifth relay (R5) to open.

[0430] When it is determined that a container exists in the first heating zone (HA1), the second heating zone (HA2), the third heating zone (HA3), the fifth heating zone (HA5), the sixth heating zone (HA6), and the seventh heating zone (HA7), the controller (500) can control the first relay (R1), the second relay (R2), the fourth relay (R4), and the fifth relay (R5) to close and control the third relay (R3) and the sixth relay (R6) to open.

[0431] When it is determined that a container exists in the second heating zone (HA2), the third heating zone (HA3), the fourth heating zone (HA4), the sixth heating zone (HA6), the seventh heating zone (HA7), and the eighth heating zone (HA8), the controller (500) can control the first relay (R1), the third relay (R3), the fourth relay (R4), and the sixth relay (R6) to close and control the second relay (R2) and the fifth relay (R5) to open.

[0432] When it is determined that a container exists in the first heating zone (HA1), the second heating zone (HA2), the third heating zone (HA3), the fourth heating zone (HA4), the fifth heating zone (HA5), the sixth heating zone (HA6), the seventh heating zone (HA7), and the eighth heating zone (HA8), the controller (500) can control the second relay (R2), the third relay (R3), the fifth relay (R5), and the sixth relay (R6) to close and control the first relay (R1) and the fourth relay (R4) to open.

[0433] Fig. 31 is a plan view showing the structure of a coil module according to the fourth embodiment. Fig. 32 is a circuit diagram of a home appliance including a coil module according to the fourth embodiment.

[0434] Referring to FIG. 31, a coil module according to the fourth embodiment may include a first coil module (2003a), a second coil module (2003b) arranged in a line along one direction (e.g., left-right direction) with the first coil module (2003a), a third coil module (2003c) arranged in a line along one direction (e.g., left-right direction) with the second coil module (2003b), and a fourth coil module (2003d) arranged in a line along one direction (e.g., left-right direction) with the third coil module (2003c).

[0435] The first coil module (2003a) may include four heating zones (HA1, HA2, HA3, HA4) and four working coils (WC1, WC2, WC3, WC4) arranged at positions corresponding to each heating zone (HA1, HA2, HA3, HA4).

[0436] Each heating zone (HA1, HA2, HA3, HA4) and each working coil (WC1, WC2, WC3, WC4) may be arranged in a line along one direction (e.g., up and down). The second heating zone (HA2) may be arranged between the first heating zone (HA1) and the third heating zone (HA3). The third heating zone (HA3) may be arranged between the second heating zone (HA2) and the fourth heating zone (HA4). The second heating zone (HA2) and the third heating zone (HA3) may be arranged between the first heating zone (HA1) and the fourth heating zone (HA4). Although not shown, at least one sensing coil for container detection may be arranged in each heating zone (HA1, HA2, HA3, HA4).

[0437] The second coil module (2003b) may include four heating zones (HA5, HA6, HA7, HA8) and four working coils (WC5, WC6, WC7, WC8) positioned corresponding to each heating zone (HA5, HA6, HA7, HA8).

[0438] Each heating zone (HA5, HA6, HA7, HA8) and each working coil (WC5, WC6, WC7, WC8) may be arranged in a line along one direction (e.g., up and down). The sixth heating zone (HA6) may be arranged between the fifth heating zone (HA5) and the seventh heating zone (HA7). The seventh heating zone (HA7) may be arranged between the sixth heating zone (HA6) and the eighth heating zone (HA8). The sixth heating zone (HA6) and the seventh heating zone (HA7) may be arranged between the fifth heating zone (HA5) and the eighth heating zone (HA8). Although not shown, at least one sensing coil for container detection may be arranged in each heating zone (HA5, HA6, HA7, HA8).

[0439] The first heating zone (HA1) may be arranged adjacent to the fifth heating zone (HA5). The second heating zone (HA2) may be arranged adjacent to the sixth heating zone (HA6). The third heating zone (HA3) may be arranged adjacent to the seventh heating zone (HA7). The fourth heating zone (HA4) may be arranged adjacent to the eighth heating zone (HA8).

[0440] The third coil module (2003c) may include four heating zones (HA9, HA10, HA11, HA12) and four working coils (WC9, WC10, WC11, WC12) arranged at positions corresponding to each heating zone (HA9, HA10, HA11, HA12).

[0441] Each heating zone (HA9, HA10, HA11, HA12) and each working coil (WC9, WC10, WC11, WC12) may be arranged in a line along one direction (e.g., up and down). The tenth heating zone (HA10) may be arranged between the ninth heating zone (HA9) and the eleventh heating zone (HA11). The eleventh heating zone (HA11) may be arranged between the tenth heating zone (HA10) and the twelfth heating zone (HA12). The tenth heating zone (HA10) and the eleventh heating zone (HA11) may be arranged between the ninth heating zone (HA9) and the twelfth heating zone (HA12). Although not shown, at least one sensing coil for container detection may be arranged in each heating zone (HA9, HA10, HA11, HA12).

[0442] The fifth heating zone (HA5) may be arranged adjacent to the ninth heating zone (HA9). The sixth heating zone (HA6) may be arranged adjacent to the tenth heating zone (HA10). The seventh heating zone (HA7) may be arranged adjacent to the eleventh heating zone (HA11). The eighth heating zone (HA8) may be arranged adjacent to the twelfth heating zone (HA12).

[0443] The fourth coil module (2003d) may include four heating zones (HA13, HA14, HA15, HA16) and four working coils (WC13, WC14, WC15, WC16) arranged at positions corresponding to each heating zone (HA13, HA14, HA15, HA16).

[0444] Each heating zone (HA13, HA14, HA15, HA16) and each working coil (WC13, WC14, WC15, WC16) may be arranged in a row along one direction (e.g., up and down). The fourteenth heating zone (HA14) may be arranged between the thirteenth heating zone (HA13) and the fifteenth heating zone (HA15). The fifteenth heating zone (HA15) may be arranged between the fourteenth heating zone (HA14) and the sixteenth heating zone (HA16). The fourteenth heating zone (HA14) and the fifteenth heating zone (HA15) may be arranged between the thirteenth heating zone (HA13) and the sixteenth heating zone (HA16). Although not shown, each heating zone (HA13, HA14, HA15, HA16) may have at least one sensing coil for container detection.

[0445] The ninth heating zone (HA9) may be arranged adjacent to the thirteenth heating zone (HA13). The tenth heating zone (HA10) may be arranged adjacent to the fourteenth heating zone (HA14). The eleventh heating zone (HA11) may be arranged adjacent to the fifteenth heating zone (HA15). The twelfth heating zone (HA12) may be arranged adjacent to the sixteenth heating zone (HA16).

[0446] Referring to FIGS. 30 and 31, the first coil module (2003a) and the second coil module (2003b) included in the home appliance according to the fourth embodiment can be implemented in the same manner as the circuit diagram illustrated in FIG. 30. In other words, the home appliance according to the fourth embodiment may include a rectifier circuit (Rc), a first DC link capacitor (CD1), a first inverter (INV1), a second DC link capacitor (CD2), a second inverter (INV2), a sensing coil (SC), a controller (500), a driving circuit (300), eight working coils (WC1, WC2, WC3, WC4, WC5, WC6, WC7, WC8) arranged at positions corresponding to eight heating areas (HA1, HA2, HA3, HA4, HA5, HA6, HA7, HA8), a first relay (R1), a second relay (R2), a third relay (R3), a fourth relay (R4), a fifth relay (R5), and a sixth relay (R6).

[0447] Referring to FIGS. 31 and 32, the home appliance according to the fourth embodiment may further include a third DC link capacitor (CD3), a third inverter (INV3), a fourth DC link capacitor (CD4), a fourth inverter (INV4), eight working coils (WC9, WC10, WC11, WC12, WC13, WC14, WC15, WC16) arranged at positions corresponding to eight heating areas (HA9, HA10, HA11, HA12, HA13, HA14, HA15, HA16), a seventh relay (R7), an eighth relay (R8), a ninth relay (R9), a tenth relay (R10), an eleventh relay (R11), and a twelfth relay (R12).

[0448] The third DC link capacitor (CD3) can smooth and output the voltage output from the rectifier circuit (Rc).

[0449] The third inverter (INV3) can output an AC current using the voltage output from the third DC link capacitor (CD3). In one embodiment, the third inverter (INV3) can include a fifth switching element (SW5) and a sixth switching element (SW6). The fifth switching element (SW5) and the sixth switching element (SW6) can be turned on and off by a fifth switching signal (S5) and a sixth switching signal (S6) supplied by the driving circuit (300). The fifth switching element (SW5) and the sixth switching element (SW6) can be alternately turned on and off. In another embodiment, the third inverter (INV3) can include two or more switching elements.

[0450] The fourth DC link capacitor (CD4) can smooth and output the voltage output from the rectifier circuit (Rc).

[0451] The fourth inverter (INV4) can output an AC current using the voltage output from the fourth DC link capacitor (CD4). In one embodiment, the fourth inverter (INV4) can include a seventh switching element (SW7) and an eighth switching element (SW8). The seventh switching element (SW7) and the eighth switching element (SW8) can be turned on and off by a seventh switching signal (S7) and an eighth switching signal (S8) supplied by the driving circuit (300). The seventh switching element (SW7) and the eighth switching element (SW8) can be alternately turned on and off. In another embodiment, the fourth inverter (INV4) can include two or more switching elements.

[0452] The controller (500) can supply a control signal to the driving circuit (300). When the control signal is supplied to the driving circuit (300), the driving circuit (300) can output a switching signal (S5, S6, S7, S8).

[0453] When the fifth switching signal (S5) and the sixth switching signal (S6) are supplied to the third inverter (INV3), the fifth switching element (SW5) and the sixth switching element (SW6) can be alternately turned on and off. Accordingly, an alternating current can be output from the third inverter (INV3). When the alternating current output from the third inverter (INV3) is supplied to the working coils (WC9, WC10, WC13, WC14), a container provided on top of the working coils (WC9, WC10, WC13, WC14) can be heated.

[0454] When the seventh switching signal (S7) and the eighth switching signal (S8) are supplied to the fourth inverter (INV4), the seventh switching element (SW7) and the eighth switching element (SW8) can be alternately turned on and off. Accordingly, an alternating current can be output from the fourth inverter (INV4). When the alternating current output from the fourth inverter (INV4) is supplied to the working coils (WC11, WC12, WC15, WC16), a container provided on top of the working coils (WC11, WC12, WC15, WC16) can be heated.

[0455] In another embodiment, the fifth switching element (SW5) and the eighth switching element (SW8) may be alternately turned on and off with the sixth switching element (SW6) and the seventh switching element (SW7). For example, when the fifth switching element (SW5) and the eighth switching element (SW8) are turned off (turned on), the sixth switching element (SW6) and the seventh switching element (SW7) may be turned on (turned off).

[0456] One end of the tenth working coil (WC10) may be connected to the third inverter (INV3). The other end of the tenth working coil (WC10) may be connected to the tenth resonant capacitor (C10).

[0457] One end of the ninth working coil (WC9) may be connected to the tenth working coil (WC10) and the tenth resonant capacitor (C10). The other end of the ninth working coil (WC9) may be connected to the ninth resonant capacitor (C9). An eighth relay (R8) may be connected between the ninth working coil (WC9) and the ninth resonant capacitor (C9) and the ground terminal.

[0458] The ninth working coil (WC9) and the tenth working coil (WC10) can be connected in series.

[0459] One end of the eleventh working coil (WC11) may be connected to the fourth inverter (INV4). The other end of the eleventh working coil (WC11) may be connected to the eleventh resonant capacitor (C11).

[0460] One end of the 12th working coil (WC12) may be connected to the 11th working coil (WC11) and the 11th resonant capacitor (C11). The other end of the 12th working coil (WC12) may be connected to the 12th resonant capacitor (C12). A 9th relay (R9) may be connected between the 12th working coil (WC12) and the 12th resonant capacitor (C12) and the ground terminal.

[0461] The 11th working coil (WC11) and the 12th working coil (WC12) can be connected in series.

[0462] A seventh relay (R7) may be connected between the fifth connection node (N5), which is a node connecting the ninth working coil (WC9) and the tenth working coil (WC10), and the sixth connection node (N6), which is a node connecting the eleventh working coil (WC11) and the twelfth working coil (WC12).

[0463] One end of the 14th working coil (WC14) may be connected to the third inverter (INV3). The other end of the 14th working coil (WC14) may be connected to the 14th resonant capacitor (C14).

[0464] One end of the 13th working coil (WC13) may be connected to the 14th working coil (WC14) and the 14th resonant capacitor (C14). The other end of the 13th working coil (WC13) may be connected to the 13th resonant capacitor (C13). An 11th relay (R11) may be connected between the 13th working coil (WC13) and the 13th resonant capacitor (C13) and the ground terminal.

[0465] The 13th working coil (WC13) and the 14th working coil (WC14) can be connected in series.

[0466] One end of the 15th working coil (WC15) may be connected to the second inverter (INV2). The other end of the 15th working coil (WC15) may be connected to the 15th resonant capacitor (C15).

[0467] One end of the 16th working coil (WC16) may be connected to the 15th working coil (WC15) and the 15th resonant capacitor (C15). The other end of the 16th working coil (WC16) may be connected to the 16th resonant capacitor (C16). A 12th relay (R12) may be connected between the 16th working coil (WC16) and the 16th resonant capacitor (C16) and the ground terminal.

[0468] The 15th working coil (WC15) and the 16th working coil (WC16) can be connected in series.

[0469] A tenth relay (R10) may be connected between the seventh connection node (N7), which is a node connecting the 13th working coil (WC13) and the 14th working coil (WC14), and the eighth connection node (N8), which is a node connecting the 15th working coil (WC15) and the 16th working coil (WC16).

[0470] The controller (500) can perform container detection for each heating area (HA1, HA2, HA3, HA4, HA5, HA6, HA7, HA8, HA9, HA10, HA11, HA12, HA13, HA14, HA15, HA16) using at least one sensing coil (SC) arranged in the coil modules (2003a, 2003b, 2003c, 2003d) to determine whether a container exists on each heating area (HA1, HA2, HA3, HA4, HA5, HA6, HA7, HA8, HA9, HA10, HA11, HA12, HA13, HA14, HA15, HA16). The controller (500) can control the opening and closing states of the first relay (R1), the second relay (R2), the third relay (R3), the fourth relay (R4), the fifth relay (R5), the sixth relay (R6), the seventh relay (R7), the eighth relay (R8), the ninth relay (R9), the tenth relay (R10), the eleventh relay (R11), and the twelfth relay (R12) according to the result of container detection.

[0471] When it is determined that a container exists in the first heating zone (HA1), the second heating zone (HA2), the fifth heating zone (HA5), and the sixth heating zone (HA6), the controller (500) can control the second relay (R2) and the fifth relay (R5) to close and control the first relay (R1), the third relay (R3), the fourth relay (R4), the sixth relay (R6), the seventh relay (R7), the eighth relay (R8), the ninth relay (R9), the tenth relay (R10), the eleventh relay (R11), and the twelfth relay (R12) to open.

[0472] When it is determined that a container exists in the second heating zone (HA2), the third heating zone (HA3), the sixth heating zone (HA6), and the seventh heating zone (HA7), the controller (500) can control the first relay (R1) and the fourth relay (R4) to close and control the second relay (R2), the third relay (R3), the fifth relay (R5), the sixth relay (R6), the seventh relay (R7), the eighth relay (R8), the ninth relay (R9), the tenth relay (R10), the eleventh relay (R11), and the twelfth relay (R12) to open.

[0473] When it is determined that a container exists in the third heating zone (HA3), the fourth heating zone (HA4), the seventh heating zone (HA7), and the eighth heating zone (HA8), the controller (500) can control the third relay (R3) and the sixth relay (R6) to close and the first relay (R1), the second relay (R2), the fourth relay (R4), the fifth relay (R5), the seventh relay (R7), the eighth relay (R8), the ninth relay (R9), the tenth relay (R10), the eleventh relay (R11), and the twelfth relay (R12) to open.

[0474] When it is determined that a container exists in the first heating zone (HA1), the second heating zone (HA2), the third heating zone (HA3), the fifth heating zone (HA5), the sixth heating zone (HA6), and the seventh heating zone (HA7), the controller (500) can control the first relay (R1), the second relay (R2), the fourth relay (R4), and the fifth relay (R5) to close, and control the third relay (R3), the sixth relay (R6), the seventh relay (R7), the eighth relay (R8), the ninth relay (R9), the tenth relay (R10), the eleventh relay (R11), and the twelfth relay (R12) to open.

[0475] When it is determined that a container exists in the second heating zone (HA2), the third heating zone (HA3), the fourth heating zone (HA4), the sixth heating zone (HA6), the seventh heating zone (HA7), and the eighth heating zone (HA8), the controller (500) can control the first relay (R1), the third relay (R3), the fourth relay (R4), and the sixth relay (R6) to close and control the second relay (R2), the fifth relay (R5), the seventh relay (R7), the eighth relay (R8), the ninth relay (R9), the tenth relay (R10), the eleventh relay (R11), and the twelfth relay (R12) to open.

[0476] When it is determined that a container exists in the first heating zone (HA1), the second heating zone (HA2), the third heating zone (HA3), the fourth heating zone (HA4), the fifth heating zone (HA5), the sixth heating zone (HA6), the seventh heating zone (HA7), and the eighth heating zone (HA8), the controller (500) can control the second relay (R2), the third relay (R3), the fifth relay (R5), and the sixth relay (R6) to close and control the first relay (R1), the fourth relay (R4), the seventh relay (R7), the eighth relay (R8), the ninth relay (R9), the tenth relay (R10), the eleventh relay (R11), and the twelfth relay (R12) to open.

[0477] When it is determined that a container exists in the fifth heating zone (HA5), the sixth heating zone (HA6), the ninth heating zone (HA9), and the tenth heating zone (HA10), the controller (500) can control the fifth relay (R5) and the eleventh relay (R11) to close and control the first relay (R1), the second relay (R2), the third relay (R3), the fourth relay (R4), the sixth relay (R6), the seventh relay (R7), the eighth relay (R8), the ninth relay (R9), the tenth relay (R10), and the twelfth relay (R12) to open.

[0478] When it is determined that a container exists in the sixth heating zone (HA6), the seventh heating zone (HA7), the tenth heating zone (HA10), and the eleventh heating zone (HA11), the controller (500) can control the fourth relay (R4) and the tenth relay (R10) to close and the first relay (R1), the second relay (R2), the third relay (R3), the fifth relay (R5), the sixth relay (R6), the seventh relay (R7), the eighth relay (R8), the ninth relay (R9), the eleventh relay (R11), and the twelfth relay (R12) to open.

[0479] When it is determined that a container exists in the seventh heating zone (HA7), the eighth heating zone (HA8), the eleventh heating zone (HA11), and the twelfth heating zone (HA12), the controller (500) can control the sixth relay (R6) and the twelfth relay (R12) to close and control the first relay (R1), the second relay (R2), the third relay (R3), the fourth relay (R4), the fifth relay (R5), the seventh relay (R7), the eighth relay (R8), the ninth relay (R9), the tenth relay (R10), and the eleventh relay (R11) to open.

[0480] When it is determined that a container exists in the fifth heating zone (HA5), the sixth heating zone (HA6), the seventh heating zone (HA7), the ninth heating zone (HA9), the tenth heating zone (HA10), and the eleventh heating zone (HA11), the controller (500) can control the fourth relay (R4), the fifth relay (R5), the tenth relay (R10), and the eleventh relay (R11) to close and control the first relay (R1), the second relay (R2), the third relay (R3), the sixth relay (R6), the seventh relay (R7), the eighth relay (R8), the ninth relay (R9), and the twelfth relay (R12) to open.

[0481] When it is determined that a container exists in the sixth heating zone (HA6), the seventh heating zone (HA7), the eighth heating zone (HA8), the tenth heating zone (HA10), the eleventh heating zone (HA11), and the twelfth heating zone (HA12), the controller (500) can control the fourth relay (R4), the sixth relay (R6), the tenth relay (R10), and the twelfth relay (R12) to close and control the first relay (R1), the second relay (R2), the third relay (R3), the fifth relay (R5), the seventh relay (R7), the eighth relay (R8), the ninth relay (R9), and the eleventh relay (R11) to open.

[0482] When it is determined that a container exists in the fifth heating zone (HA5), the sixth heating zone (HA6), the seventh heating zone (HA7), the eighth heating zone (HA8), the ninth heating zone (HA9), the tenth heating zone (HA10), the eleventh heating zone (HA11), and the twelfth heating zone (HA12), the controller (500) can control the fifth relay (R5), the sixth relay (R6), the eleventh relay (R11), and the twelfth relay (R12) to close and control the first relay (R1), the second relay (R2), the third relay (R3), the fourth relay (R4), the seventh relay (R7), the eighth relay (R8), the ninth relay (R9), and the tenth relay (R10) to open.

[0483] Fig. 33 is a plan view showing the structure of a coil module according to the fifth embodiment. Fig. 34 is a circuit diagram of a home appliance including a coil module according to the fifth embodiment.

[0484] Referring to FIG. 33, a coil module according to the fifth embodiment may include a first coil module (2003a), a second coil module (2003b) arranged in a line along one direction (e.g., left-right direction) with the first coil module (2003a), a third coil module (2001a) arranged in a line along one direction (e.g., left-right direction) with the second coil module (2003b), a fourth coil module (2001b) arranged in a line along one direction (e.g., left-right direction) with the third coil module (2001a), a fifth coil module (2003c) arranged in a line along one direction (e.g., left-right direction) with the fourth coil module (2001b), and a sixth coil module (2003d) arranged in a line along one direction (e.g., left-right direction) with the fifth coil module (2003c).

[0485] The fourth coil module (2001b), the fifth coil module (2003c), and the sixth coil module (2003d) have a symmetrical structure with respect to the center line between the third coil module (2001a) and the fourth coil module (2001b), relative to the first coil module (2003a), the second coil module (2003b), and the third coil module (2001a). In addition, the circuit configuration of the fourth coil module (2001b), the fifth coil module (2003c), and the sixth coil module (2003d) is identical to the circuit configuration of the first coil module (2003a), the second coil module (2003b), and the third coil module (2001a).

[0486] Below, the circuit configuration and operation of the first coil module (2003a), the second coil module (2003b), and the third coil module (2001a) are described, but the circuit configuration and operation of the first coil module (2003a), the second coil module (2003b), and the third coil module (2001a) can be equally applied to the fourth coil module (2001b), the fifth coil module (2003c), and the sixth coil module (2003d).

[0487] The first coil module (2003a) may include four heating zones (HA1, HA2, HA3, HA4) and four working coils (WC1, WC2, WC3, WC4) arranged at positions corresponding to each heating zone (HA1, HA2, HA3, HA4).

[0488] Each heating zone (HA1, HA2, HA3, HA4) and each working coil (WC1, WC2, WC3, WC4) may be arranged in a line along one direction (e.g., up and down). The second heating zone (HA2) may be arranged between the first heating zone (HA1) and the third heating zone (HA3). The third heating zone (HA3) may be arranged between the second heating zone (HA2) and the fourth heating zone (HA4). The second heating zone (HA2) and the third heating zone (HA3) may be arranged between the first heating zone (HA1) and the fourth heating zone (HA4). Although not shown, at least one sensing coil for container detection may be arranged in each heating zone (HA1, HA2, HA3, HA4).

[0489] The second coil module (2003b) may include four heating zones (HA5, HA6, HA7, HA8) and four working coils (WC5, WC6, WC7, WC8) positioned corresponding to each heating zone (HA5, HA6, HA7, HA8).

[0490] Each heating zone (HA5, HA6, HA7, HA8) and each working coil (WC5, WC6, WC7, WC8) may be arranged in a line along one direction (e.g., up and down). The sixth heating zone (HA6) may be arranged between the fifth heating zone (HA5) and the seventh heating zone (HA7). The seventh heating zone (HA7) may be arranged between the sixth heating zone (HA6) and the eighth heating zone (HA8). The sixth heating zone (HA6) and the seventh heating zone (HA7) may be arranged between the fifth heating zone (HA5) and the eighth heating zone (HA8). Although not shown, at least one sensing coil for container detection may be arranged in each heating zone (HA5, HA6, HA7, HA8).

[0491] The first heating zone (HA1) may be arranged adjacent to the fifth heating zone (HA5). The second heating zone (HA2) may be arranged adjacent to the sixth heating zone (HA6). The third heating zone (HA3) may be arranged adjacent to the seventh heating zone (HA7). The fourth heating zone (HA4) may be arranged adjacent to the eighth heating zone (HA8).

[0492] The third coil module (2001a) may include three heating zones (HA9, HA10, HA11) and three working coils (WC9, WC10, WC11) arranged at positions corresponding to each of the heating zones (HA9, HA10, HA11).

[0493] Each heating zone (HA9, HA10, HA11) and each working coil (WC9, WC10, WC11) may be arranged in a row along one direction (e.g., up and down). The ninth heating zone (HA9) may be arranged between the tenth heating zone (HA10) and the eleventh heating zone (HA11). Although not shown, at least one sensing coil for container detection may be arranged in each heating zone (HA9, HA10, HA11).

[0494] The fifth heating zone (HA5) may be arranged adjacent to the tenth heating zone (HA10). The sixth heating zone (HA6) may be arranged adjacent to the ninth heating zone (HA9). The seventh heating zone (HA7) may be arranged adjacent to the eleventh heating zone (HA11).

[0495] Referring to FIG. 30 and FIG. 33, the first coil module (2003a) and the second coil module (2003b) included in the home appliance according to the fifth embodiment can be implemented in the same manner as the circuit diagram illustrated in FIG. 30. In other words, the home appliance according to the fifth embodiment may include a rectifier circuit (Rc), a first DC link capacitor (CD1), a first inverter (INV1), a second DC link capacitor (CD2), a second inverter (INV2), a sensing coil (SC), a controller (500), a driving circuit (300), eight working coils (WC1, WC2, WC3, WC4, WC5, WC6, WC7, WC8) arranged at positions corresponding to eight heating areas (HA1, HA2, HA3, HA4, HA5, HA6, HA7, HA8), a first relay (R1), a second relay (R2), a third relay (R3), a fourth relay (R4), a fifth relay (R5), and a sixth relay (R6).

[0496] Referring to FIGS. 33 and 34, the home appliance according to the fifth embodiment may further include a third DC link capacitor (CD3), a third inverter (INV3), three working coils (WC9, WC10, WC11) arranged at positions corresponding to three heating areas (HA9, HA10, HA11), a seventh relay (R7), and an eighth relay (R8).

[0497] The third DC link capacitor (CD3) can smooth and output the voltage output from the rectifier circuit (Rc).

[0498] The third inverter (INV3) can output an AC current using the voltage output from the third DC link capacitor (CD3). In one embodiment, the third inverter (INV3) can include a fifth switching element (SW5) and a sixth switching element (SW6). The fifth switching element (SW5) and the sixth switching element (SW6) can be turned on and off by a fifth switching signal (S5) and a sixth switching signal (S6) supplied by the driving circuit (300). The fifth switching element (SW5) and the sixth switching element (SW6) can be alternately turned on and off. In another embodiment, the third inverter (INV3) can include two or more switching elements.

[0499] The controller (500) can supply a control signal to the driving circuit (300). When the control signal is supplied to the driving circuit (300), the driving circuit (300) can output a switching signal (S5, S6). When the fifth switching signal (S5) and the sixth switching signal (S6) are supplied to the third inverter (INV3), the fifth switching element (SW5) and the sixth switching element (SW6) can be alternately turned on and off. Accordingly, an alternating current can be output from the third inverter (INV3). When the alternating current output from the third inverter (INV3) is supplied to the working coils (WC9, WC10, WC11), a container provided on the working coils (WC9, WC10, WC11) can be heated.

[0500] One end of the ninth working coil (WC9) may be connected to the third inverter (INV3). The other end of the ninth working coil (WC9) may be connected to the ninth resonant capacitor (C9).

[0501] One end of the tenth working coil (WC10) may be connected to the ninth working coil (WC9) and the ninth resonant capacitor (C9). The other end of the tenth working coil (WC10) may be connected to the tenth resonant capacitor (C10). A seventh relay (R7) may be connected between the tenth working coil (WC10) and the tenth resonant capacitor (C10) and the ground terminal.

[0502] One end of the eleventh working coil (WC11) may be connected to the ninth working coil (WC9) and the ninth resonant capacitor (C9). The other end of the eleventh working coil (WC11) may be connected to the eleventh resonant capacitor (C11). An eighth relay (R8) may be connected between the eleventh working coil (WC11) and the eleventh resonant capacitor (C11) and the ground terminal.

[0503] The ninth working coil (WC9) and the tenth working coil (WC10) may be connected in series. The ninth working coil (WC9) and the eleventh working coil (WC11) may be connected in series. The tenth working coil (WC10) and the eleventh working coil (WC11) may be connected in parallel.

[0504] The controller (500) can perform container detection for each heating zone (HA1, HA2, HA3, HA4, HA5, HA6, HA7, HA8, HA9, HA10, HA11) using at least one sensing coil (SC) arranged in the coil module (2003a, 2003b, 2001a) to determine whether a container exists on each heating zone (HA1, HA2, HA3, HA4, HA5, HA6, HA7, HA8, HA9, HA10, HA11). The controller (500) can control the open / close states of the first relay (R1), the second relay (R2), the third relay (R3), the fourth relay (R4), the fifth relay (R5), the sixth relay (R6), the seventh relay (R7), and the eighth relay (R8) according to the result of the container detection.

[0505] When it is determined that a container exists in the first heating zone (HA1), the second heating zone (HA2), the fifth heating zone (HA5), and the sixth heating zone (HA6), the controller (500) can control the second relay (R2) and the fifth relay (R5) to close and control the first relay (R1), the third relay (R3), the fourth relay (R4), and the sixth relay (R6) to open.

[0506] When it is determined that a container exists in the second heating zone (HA2), the third heating zone (HA3), the sixth heating zone (HA6), and the seventh heating zone (HA7), the controller (500) can control the first relay (R1) and the fourth relay (R4) to close and control the second relay (R2), the third relay (R3), the fifth relay (R5), and the sixth relay (R6) to open.

[0507] When it is determined that a container exists in the third heating zone (HA3), the fourth heating zone (HA4), the seventh heating zone (HA7), and the eighth heating zone (HA8), the controller (500) can control the third relay (R3) and the sixth relay (R6) to close and control the first relay (R1), the second relay (R2), the fourth relay (R4), and the fifth relay (R5) to open.

[0508] When it is determined that a container exists in the first heating zone (HA1), the second heating zone (HA2), the third heating zone (HA3), the fifth heating zone (HA5), the sixth heating zone (HA6), and the seventh heating zone (HA7), the controller (500) can control the first relay (R1), the second relay (R2), the fourth relay (R4), and the fifth relay (R5) to close and control the third relay (R3) and the sixth relay (R6) to open.

[0509] When it is determined that a container exists in the second heating zone (HA2), the third heating zone (HA3), the fourth heating zone (HA4), the sixth heating zone (HA6), the seventh heating zone (HA7), and the eighth heating zone (HA8), the controller (500) can control the first relay (R1), the third relay (R3), the fourth relay (R4), and the sixth relay (R6) to close and control the second relay (R2) and the fifth relay (R5) to open.

[0510] When it is determined that a container exists in the first heating zone (HA1), the second heating zone (HA2), the third heating zone (HA3), the fourth heating zone (HA4), the fifth heating zone (HA5), the sixth heating zone (HA6), the seventh heating zone (HA7), and the eighth heating zone (HA8), the controller (500) can control the second relay (R2), the third relay (R3), the fifth relay (R5), and the sixth relay (R6) to close and control the first relay (R1) and the fourth relay (R4) to open.

[0511] When it is determined that a container exists in the ninth heating zone (HA9) or the tenth heating zone (HA10), the controller (500) can control the seventh relay (R7) to close and the eighth relay (R8) to open.

[0512] When it is determined that a container exists in the first heating zone (HA1) and the tenth heating zone (HA10), the controller (500) can control the seventh relay (R7) to close and the eighth relay (R8) to open.

[0513] When it is determined that a container exists in the 9th heating zone (HA9) or the 11th heating zone (HA11), the controller (500) can control the 8th relay (R8) to close and the 7th relay (R7) to open.

[0514] When it is determined that a container exists in the 9th heating zone (HA9) and the 11th heating zone (HA11), the controller (500) can control the 8th relay (R8) to close and the 7th relay (R7) to open.

[0515] When it is determined that a container exists in the ninth heating zone (HA9), the tenth heating zone (HA10), and the eleventh heating zone (HA11), the controller (500) can control the seventh relay (R7) and the eighth relay (R8) to close.

[0516] When it is determined that a container exists in the fifth heating zone (HA5), the sixth heating zone (HA6), the ninth heating zone (HA9), and the tenth heating zone (HA10), the controller (500) can control the second relay (R2) and the seventh relay (R7) to close and control the first relay (R1), the third relay (R3), the fourth relay (R4), the fifth relay (R5), the sixth relay (R6), and the eighth relay (R8) to open.

[0517] When it is determined that a container exists in the sixth heating zone (HA6), the seventh heating zone (HA7), the ninth heating zone (HA9), and the eleventh heating zone (HA11), the controller (500) can control the first relay (R1) and the eighth relay (R8) to close and control the second relay (R2), the third relay (R3), the fourth relay (R4), the fifth relay (R5), the sixth relay (R6), and the seventh relay (R7) to open.

[0518] When it is determined that a container exists in the fifth heating zone (HA5), the sixth heating zone (HA6), the seventh heating zone (HA7), the ninth heating zone (HA9), the tenth heating zone (HA10), and the eleventh heating zone (HA11), the controller (500) can control the first relay (R1), the second relay (R2), the seventh relay (R7), and the eighth relay (R8) to close and control the third relay (R3), the fourth relay (R4), the fifth relay (R5), and the sixth relay (R6) to open.

[0519] Fig. 35 is a circuit diagram of a sensing circuit according to one embodiment. Fig. 36 is a diagram showing the waveform of a resonant signal output from an output node of a sensing circuit according to one embodiment. Fig. 37 is a diagram showing the waveform of a square wave output from a comparator of a sensing circuit according to one embodiment.

[0520] In one embodiment, the controller (500) can perform container detection using the sensing circuit illustrated in FIG. 34.

[0521] Referring to FIG. 35, a sensing circuit according to one embodiment may include a sensing coil (SC), a resonant capacitor (Cr2) connected in parallel with the sensing coil (SC), a switching element (SWt) connected to the sensing coil (SC) and the resonant capacitor (Cr2), and a comparator (360) that compares a resonant signal output from an output node (N) with a predetermined reference signal and outputs a square wave.

[0522] When the container detection starts, the controller (500) can turn on the switching element (SWt) for a predetermined charging time. Accordingly, the first power voltage (VR1) and the ground terminal are electrically connected, and voltage can be applied to the sensing coil (SC) and the resonant capacitor (Cr2).

[0523] When a predetermined charging time has elapsed, the controller (500) can turn off the switching element (SWt). Accordingly, a resonance phenomenon may occur due to the sensing coil (SC) and the resonance capacitor (Cr2).

[0524] When a resonance phenomenon occurs due to the sensing coil (SC) and the resonance capacitor (Cr2), a resonance signal can be output through the output node (N). Fig. 36 is a diagram showing the waveform of a resonance signal output from the output node of a sensing circuit according to one embodiment.

[0525] In one embodiment, the sensing circuit may further include a DC blocking unit (350) for removing a DC component from the resonant signal output from the output node (N). In another embodiment, the DC blocking unit (350) may be omitted.

[0526] The resonance signal output from the output node (N) can be input to the comparator (360). The comparator (360) can compare the resonance signal with a reference signal defined by the second power voltage (VR2) and output a square wave. Fig. 37 is a diagram showing the waveform of the square wave output from the comparator of the sensing circuit according to one embodiment.

[0527] More specifically, the comparator (360) can compare the voltage magnitude of the reference signal generated by the second power voltage (VR2) with the voltage magnitude of the resonance signal output from the output node (N), and output a square wave according to the comparison result. For example, if the voltage magnitude of the resonance signal output from the output node (N) is greater than or equal to the voltage magnitude of the reference signal, the comparator (CP) can output a signal having a voltage magnitude of a first level (e.g., 5 V), and if the voltage magnitude of the resonance signal is less than the voltage magnitude of the reference signal, the comparator (CP) can output a signal having a voltage magnitude of a second level (e.g., 0 V).

[0528] The controller (500) can count the number of waveforms of the square wave output from the comparator (360) and determine whether a container exists above the sensing coil (SC) based on the counted number of waveforms of the square wave.

[0529] When a container exists above the sensing coil (SC), the impedance of the sensing coil (SC) and the resonant capacitor (Cr2) remains relatively high compared to when the container does not exist. Therefore, the resonant signal can be attenuated for a relatively short time and then disappear. Conversely, when there is no container above the sensing coil (SC), the impedance of the sensing coil (SC) and the resonant capacitor (Cr2) remains relatively low compared to when the container exists. Therefore, the resonant signal can be attenuated for a relatively long time and then disappear.

[0530] Ultimately, the number of waveforms of the square wave output by the comparator (360) when there is no container above the sensing coil (SC) is greater than the number of waveforms of the square wave output by the comparator (360) when there is a container above the sensing coil (SC).

[0531] Accordingly, the controller (500) can determine that a container exists above the sensing coil (SC) if the number of counted square wave waveforms is less than or equal to a predetermined reference value. Conversely, the controller (500) can determine that a container does not exist above the sensing coil (SC) if the number of counted square wave waveforms exceeds a predetermined reference value. The reference value may be set differently depending on the embodiment.

[0532] In one embodiment, the controller (500) can sequentially perform container detection for each sensing coil (SC). Accordingly, while container detection is performed for one sensing coil (SC), the remaining sensing coils (SC) can be maintained in a discharged state.

[0533] The embodiments described with reference to the drawings so far are merely exemplary, and those skilled in the art will understand that various modifications or equivalent implementations of other embodiments are possible based on these embodiments. Furthermore, even if the effects of a configuration are not explicitly described when describing the embodiments, other effects that can be predicted by the configuration should also be acknowledged.

Claims

1. A rectifier circuit that rectifies and outputs the input voltage; A DC link capacitor that smooths the voltage output from the above rectifier circuit; An inverter that outputs alternating current using a voltage smoothed by the above-mentioned DC link capacitor; A first working coil connected to the inverter and positioned corresponding to the first heating region; A second working coil connected in series with the first working coil and positioned corresponding to the second heating region; A third working coil connected in series with the first working coil, connected in parallel with the second working coil, and positioned corresponding to the third heating region; A first relay connected between the second working coil and the ground terminal; A second relay connected between the third working coil and the ground terminal; A controller that performs container detection for the first heating zone, the second heating zone, and the third heating zone, and controls the opening and closing states of the first relay and the second relay according to the results of the container detection. Home appliances.

2. In paragraph 1, The above controller When it is determined that a container exists in the first heating zone and the second heating zone, the first relay is controlled to close and the second relay is controlled to open. Home appliances.

3. In paragraph 1, The above controller When it is determined that a container exists in the first heating zone and the third heating zone, the second relay is controlled to close and the first relay is controlled to open. Home appliances.

4. In paragraph 1, The above controller When it is determined that a container exists in the first heating zone, the second heating zone, and the third heating zone, the first relay and the second relay are controlled to close. Home appliances.

5. In paragraph 1, The first heating zone is positioned between the second heating zone and the third heating zone. Home appliances.

6. A rectifier circuit that rectifies and outputs the input voltage; A first DC link capacitor for smoothing the voltage output from the above rectifier circuit; A first inverter that outputs an alternating current using a voltage smoothed by the first DC link capacitor; A second DC link capacitor for smoothing the voltage output from the above rectifier circuit; A second inverter that outputs an alternating current using a voltage smoothed by the second DC link capacitor; A second working coil connected to the first inverter and positioned corresponding to the second heating region; A first working coil connected in series with the second working coil and positioned corresponding to the first heating region; A third working coil connected to the second inverter and positioned corresponding to the third heating zone; A fourth working coil connected in series with the third working coil and positioned corresponding to the fourth heating region; A first relay connected between the connection nodes of the first working coil and the second working coil and between the connection nodes of the third working coil and the fourth working coil; A second relay connected between the first working coil and the ground terminal; A third relay connected between the fourth working coil and the ground terminal; A controller that performs container detection for the first heating zone, the second heating zone, the third heating zone, and the fourth heating zone, and controls the opening and closing states of the first relay, the second relay, and the third relay according to the results of the container detection. Home appliances.

7. In paragraph 6, The above controller When it is determined that a container exists in the first heating zone and the second heating zone, the second relay is controlled to close and the first relay and the third relay are controlled to open. Home appliances.

8. In paragraph 6, The above controller When it is determined that a container exists in the second heating zone and the third heating zone, the first relay is controlled to close and the second relay and the third relay are controlled to open. Home appliances.

9. In paragraph 6, The above controller When it is determined that a container exists in the third heating zone and the fourth heating zone, the third relay is controlled to close and the first relay and the second relay are controlled to open. Home appliances.

10. In paragraph 6, The above controller When it is determined that a container exists in the first heating zone, the second heating zone, and the third heating zone, the first relay and the second relay are controlled to close and the third relay is controlled to open. Home appliances.

11. In paragraph 6, The above controller When it is determined that a container exists in the second heating zone, the third heating zone, and the fourth heating zone, the first relay and the third relay are controlled to close and the second relay is controlled to open. Home appliances.

12. In paragraph 6, The above controller When it is determined that a container exists in the first heating zone, the second heating zone, the third heating zone, and the fourth heating zone, the second relay and the third relay are controlled to close and the first relay is controlled to open. Home appliances.

13. In paragraph 6, The second heating zone is disposed between the first heating zone and the second heating zone, The third heating zone is positioned between the second heating zone and the fourth heating zone. Home appliances.

14. In paragraph 6, The second heating zone and the third heating zone are arranged between the first heating zone and the fourth heating zone. Home appliances.

15. In paragraph 6, A sixth working coil connected to the first inverter and positioned corresponding to the sixth heating region; A fifth working coil connected in series with the sixth working coil and positioned corresponding to the fifth heating region; A seventh working coil connected to the second inverter and positioned corresponding to the seventh heating region; An eighth working coil connected in series with the seventh working coil and positioned corresponding to the eighth heating region; A fourth relay connected between the connection nodes of the fifth working coil and the sixth working coil and between the connection nodes of the seventh working coil and the eighth working coil; A fifth relay connected between the fifth working coil and the ground terminal; and Further comprising a sixth relay connected between the eighth working coil and the ground terminal, The above controller Perform container detection for the first heating zone, the second heating zone, the third heating zone, the fourth heating zone, the fifth heating zone, the sixth heating zone, the seventh heating zone, and the eighth heating zone, and control the open / close states of the first relay, the second relay, the third relay, the fourth relay, the fifth relay, and the sixth relay according to the result of the container detection. Home appliances.

16. In paragraph 15, The above controller When it is determined that a container exists in the first heating zone, the second heating zone, the fifth heating zone, and the sixth heating zone, the second relay and the fifth relay are controlled to close, and the first relay, the third relay, the fourth relay, and the sixth relay are controlled to open. Home appliances.

17. In paragraph 15, The above controller When it is determined that a container exists in the second heating zone, the third heating zone, the sixth heating zone, and the seventh heating zone, the first relay and the fourth relay are controlled to close, and the second relay, the third relay, the fifth relay, and the sixth relay are controlled to open. Home appliances.

18. In paragraph 15, The above controller When it is determined that a container exists in the third heating zone, the fourth heating zone, the seventh heating zone, and the eighth heating zone, the third relay and the sixth relay are controlled to close and the first relay, the second relay, the fourth relay, and the fifth relay are controlled to open. Home appliances.

19. In paragraph 15, The above controller When it is determined that a container exists in the first heating zone, the second heating zone, the third heating zone, the fifth heating zone, the sixth heating zone, and the seventh heating zone, the first relay, the second relay, the fourth relay, and the fifth relay are controlled to close, and the third relay and the sixth relay are controlled to open. Home appliances.

20. In paragraph 15, The above controller When it is determined that a container exists in the second heating zone, the third heating zone, the fourth heating zone, the sixth heating zone, the seventh heating zone, and the eighth heating zone, the first relay, the third relay, the fourth relay, and the sixth relay are controlled to close, and the second relay and the fifth relay are controlled to open. Home appliances.

21. In paragraph 15, The above controller When it is determined that a container exists in the first heating zone, the second heating zone, the third heating zone, the fourth heating zone, the fifth heating zone, the sixth heating zone, the seventh heating zone, and the eighth heating zone, the second relay, the third relay, the fifth relay, and the sixth relay are controlled to close, and the first relay and the fourth relay are controlled to open. Home appliances.

22. In paragraph 15, The sixth heating zone is disposed between the fifth heating zone and the seventh heating zone, The seventh heating zone is positioned between the sixth heating zone and the eighth heating zone. Home appliances.

23. In paragraph 15, The sixth heating zone and the seventh heating zone are arranged between the fifth heating zone and the eighth heating zone. Home appliances.

24. In paragraph 15, The first heating zone is arranged adjacent to the fifth heating zone, The second heating zone is arranged adjacent to the sixth heating zone, The third heating zone is arranged adjacent to the seventh heating zone, The fourth heating zone is arranged adjacent to the eighth heating zone. Home appliances.

25. In paragraph 15, A third DC link capacitor for smoothing the voltage output from the above rectifier circuit; A third inverter that outputs an AC current using a voltage smoothed by the third DC link capacitor; A ninth working coil connected to the third inverter and positioned corresponding to the ninth heating region; A tenth working coil connected in series with the ninth working coil and positioned corresponding to the tenth heating region; An eleventh working coil connected in series with the ninth working coil, connected in parallel with the tenth working coil, and positioned corresponding to the eleventh heating region; A seventh relay connected between the above tenth working coil and the ground terminal; and Further comprising an 8th relay connected between the 11th working coil and the ground terminal, The above controller Perform container detection for the first heating zone, the second heating zone, the third heating zone, the fourth heating zone, the fifth heating zone, the sixth heating zone, the seventh heating zone, the eighth heating zone, the ninth heating zone, the tenth heating zone, and the eleventh heating zone, and control the open / close states of the first relay, the second relay, the third relay, the fourth relay, the fifth relay, the sixth relay, the seventh relay, and the eighth relay according to the result of the container detection. Home appliances.

26. In paragraph 25, The above controller When it is determined that a container exists in the fifth heating zone, the sixth heating zone, the ninth heating zone, and the tenth heating zone, the second relay and the seventh relay are controlled to close, and the first relay, the third relay, the fourth relay, the fifth relay, the sixth relay, and the eighth relay are controlled to open. Home appliances.

27. In paragraph 25, The above controller When it is determined that a container exists in the sixth heating zone, the seventh heating zone, the ninth heating zone, and the eleventh heating zone, the first relay and the eighth relay are controlled to close, and the second relay, the third relay, the fourth relay, the fifth relay, the sixth relay, and the seventh relay are controlled to open. Home appliances.

28. In paragraph 25, The above controller When it is determined that a container exists in the fifth heating zone, the sixth heating zone, the seventh heating zone, the ninth heating zone, the tenth heating zone, and the eleventh heating zone, the first relay, the second relay, the seventh relay, and the eighth relay are controlled to close, and the third relay, the fourth relay, the fifth relay, and the sixth relay are controlled to open. Home appliances.

29. In paragraph 25, The 9th heating zone is positioned between the 10th heating zone and the 11th heating zone. Home appliances.

30. In paragraph 25, The sixth heating zone is arranged adjacent to the ninth heating zone, The fifth heating zone is arranged adjacent to the tenth heating zone, The seventh heating zone is arranged adjacent to the eleventh heating zone. Home appliances.

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