Door lock system and cooking appliance having same

Abstract

A cooking appliance according to the idea of the present invention comprises: a cabinet including a cooking chamber; a door provided to move between a closed position for closing the cooking chamber and an open position for opening the cooking chamber; and a locker disposed inside the cabinet and provided so that the door is locked by being constrained to the cabinet when the door is disposed at the closed position, wherein the door includes a latch provided to be inserted into the locker when the door is disposed at the closed position, the locker includes a locking member provided to move between a limiting position for limiting the movement of the latch so that the latch inserted into the locker is constrained to the locker and an allowable position for allowing the movement of the latch so that the constraint of the latch is released, and the cabinet includes a pressing hole formed to transmit an external force generated from the outside of the cabinet to the locking member.

Description

Door locking system and cooking appliance including same

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a door locking system and a cooking appliance including the same, and more particularly, to a door locking system having an improved structure for unlocking a door and a cooking appliance including the same.

[0002] A microwave oven is a kitchen appliance that uses high-frequency waves to heat both the inside and outside of food simultaneously. Because microwave ovens offer high thermal efficiency, they significantly reduce cooking time and minimize nutritional loss during cooking, defrosting, and reheating. Furthermore, they are widely used for their advantages, such as allowing food to be cooked directly from its container.

[0003] Microwave ovens are designed to operate by placing food inside the cooking chamber, closing the door, and then setting a specific operating time. However, while the microwave oven is operating, the door is locked and cannot be opened arbitrarily. This can cause problems if the door must be forcibly opened in certain situations.

[0004] One aspect of the present invention provides a door locking system and a cooking appliance including the same, which is configured to arbitrarily open a door by an external force when the door is locked.

[0005] The technical problems to be achieved in this document are not limited to the technical problems mentioned above, and other technical problems not mentioned can be clearly understood by a person having ordinary skill in the technical field to which the present invention belongs from the description below.

[0006] A cooking appliance according to the invention comprises a cabinet including a cooking chamber, a door configured to move between a closed position for closing the cooking chamber and an open position for opening the cooking chamber, a locker disposed inside the cabinet and configured to lock the door to the cabinet when the door is positioned in the closed position, the door including a latch configured to be inserted into the locker when the door is positioned in the closed position, the locker including a locking member configured to move between a limiting position for limiting movement of the latch so that the latch inserted into the locker is locked to the locker and a permissible position for allowing movement of the latch so that the locking of the latch is released, and the cabinet includes a pressurized hole formed so that an external force generated from the outside of the cabinet is transmitted to the locking member.

[0007] A door locking system and a cooking appliance including the same according to one embodiment of the present invention can easily and manually force open a door in a locked state.

[0008] FIG. 1 is a front view and an enlarged view of a portion of a microwave oven according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0009] Figure 2 is an exploded perspective view of the microwave oven illustrated in Figure 1.

[0010] Figure 3 is a drawing showing a rocker of the microwave oven illustrated in Figure 1.

[0011] Figure 4 is a drawing showing a state in which the door of the microwave oven illustrated in Figure 1 is positioned in the open position.

[0012] FIG. 5 is a drawing showing a state in which the door of the microwave oven illustrated in FIG. 1 is positioned in a closed position and the locking member is positioned in an allowable position.

[0013] Fig. 6 is a drawing showing a state in which the locking member of the microwave oven illustrated in Fig. 1 is positioned in a limited position.

[0014] Fig. 7 is a drawing showing a state in which the locking member of the microwave oven illustrated in Fig. 1 has moved from a restricted position to an allowed position.

[0015] Fig. 8 is a drawing showing a state in which the door of the microwave oven illustrated in Fig. 1 is moved from a closed position to an open position.

[0016] FIG. 9 is a drawing showing a state in which a user presses a pressing member while the locking member of the microwave oven shown in FIG. 1 is positioned in a restricted position.

[0017] FIG. 10 is a drawing showing a state in which the locking member of the microwave oven illustrated in FIG. 1 is pressed by a pressing member and moved from a restricted position to an allowed position.

[0018] Fig. 11 is a drawing showing a rocker of the microwave oven shown in Fig. 1 in a state where the pressure of the pressurizing member is released.

[0019] FIG. 12 is a drawing illustrating a state in which a locking member of a microwave oven according to one embodiment is pressed by a user while the locking member is positioned in a restricted position.

[0020] Figure 13 is a drawing showing a state in which the locking member of the microwave oven shown in Figure 12 is moved from a restricted position to an allowed position by being pressed by a user.

[0021] It should be understood that the various embodiments and terms used in this document are not intended to limit the technical features described in this document to specific embodiments, but rather to encompass various modifications, equivalents, or alternatives of the embodiments.

[0022] In connection with the description of the drawings, similar reference numerals may be used for similar or related components.

[0023] The singular form of a noun corresponding to an item may include one or more of said items, unless the relevant context clearly indicates otherwise.

[0024] In this document, each of the phrases "A or B", "at least one of A and B", "at least one of A or B", "A, B, or C", "at least one of A, B, and C", and "at least one of A, B, or C" may include any one of the items listed together in that phrase, or all possible combinations thereof.

[0025] The term “and / or” includes any combination of a plurality of related described elements or any one of a plurality of related described elements.

[0026] Terms such as "first," "second," or "first" or "second" may be used simply to distinguish one component from another and do not qualify the components in any other respect (e.g., importance or order).

[0027] When a component (e.g., a first component) is referred to as being "coupled" or "connected" to another component (e.g., a second component), with or without the terms "functionally" or "communicatively," it means that the component can be connected to the other component directly (e.g., wired), wirelessly, or through a third component.

[0028] The terms “include” or “have” are intended to specify the presence of a feature, number, step, operation, component, part or combination thereof described in this document, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, numbers, steps, operations, components, parts or combinations thereof.

[0029] When a component is said to be “connected,” “coupled,” “supported,” or “in contact with” another component, this includes not only cases where the components are directly connected, coupled, supported, or in contact, but also cases where the components are indirectly connected, coupled, supported, or in contact through a third component.

[0030] When we say that a component is "on" another component, this includes not only cases where the component is in contact with the other component, but also cases where there is another component between the two components.

[0031] Hereinafter, embodiments according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the attached drawings.

[0032] FIG. 1 is a front view and an enlarged view of a portion of a microwave oven according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the microwave oven illustrated in FIG. 1.

[0033] As an example, the following description uses a microwave oven (1) as an example among cooking appliances, but is not limited thereto, and can be applied to general cooking appliances other than microwave ovens (1) in which the door can be fixed to a cabinet and maintained in a locked state, and a door locking system composed of a locker, a door, and a cabinet.

[0034] Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, a microwave oven (1) may include a cabinet (10) forming a cooking chamber (15). The microwave oven (1) may include a door (20) for opening and closing the cooking chamber (15).

[0035] The cabinet (10) can also be defined as the main body of the microwave oven (1).

[0036] The cabinet (10) may include a cabinet cover (11) that forms the exterior of the microwave oven (1) of the cabinet (10). The cabinet cover (11) may be provided to form the upper surface and both sides of the cabinet (10), and may be provided to additionally form the lower surface of the cabinet (10) without being limited thereto.

[0037] Not limited to this, when the microwave oven (1) is installed in a built-in type at the installation location, the cabinet cover (11) may not form any of the upper surface, both sides, and the lower surface of the cabinet (10).

[0038] The cabinet (10) may include a cabinet frame (12) formed on the inside of the cabinet cover (11) and forming a cooking chamber (15).

[0039] The cabinet frame (12) can form a skeleton inside the cabinet (10).

[0040] The cabinet frame (12) can form an interior space (14) of the cabinet together with the cabinet cover (11) inside the cabinet (10).

[0041] An opening (16) is formed on the front of the cabinet frame (12), and a cooking chamber (15) can be provided on the inside of the cabinet frame (12) from the opening (16).

[0042] The cabinet frame (12) may include a front plate (13) forming the front of the cabinet (10). The front plate (13) may be configured to extend outward along the edge of the opening (16). Alternatively, the front plate (13) may also be described as having a configuration that forms the opening (16).

[0043] A pressure hole (19) may be provided on the front plate (13) to communicate with the internal space (14) of the cabinet and to apply pressure to the pressure member (140) of the locker (100) to be described later from the outside.

[0044] The pressurizing hole (19) can be provided in a predetermined size so that the user can pressurize the pressurizing member (140) by penetrating the pressurizing hole (19) with a tool or the like that can penetrate the pressurizing hole (19).

[0045] The pressurizing member (140) can be exposed to the outside by the pressurizing hole (19).

[0046] However, the locker (100) may not include a pressurizing member (140), and thus may be arranged so that a user may directly pressurize a locking member (120) to be described later by penetrating the pressurizing hole (19) with a tool or the like. In this case, the locking member (120) may be exposed to the outside by the pressurizing hole (19).

[0047] A control panel (40) that can select the microwave power or operating time according to the amount of food to be cooked can be combined on the front of the front plate (13). The front plate (13) can be arranged to form the front exterior of the microwave oven (1).

[0048] For example, the control panel (40) may be positioned on the upper side of the door (20) so that it can be exposed to the outside even when the door (20) is closed. However, the present invention is not limited thereto, and the control panel (40) may be positioned on the side or lower side of the door (20), and at least a portion of the control panel (40) may be provided so as to be covered when the door (20) is closed.

[0049] For example, the control panel (20) may be provided as a touch screen. For example, the control panel (40) may be provided to be placed on the door (20) and move together with the door (20) and form at least a portion of the exterior of the door (20).

[0050] The pressurizing hole (19) may be located on the space (25) between the control panel (40) and the door (20). The pressurizing hole (19) may be located at a position exposed to the outside when the door (20) is placed in the closed position (20B) in order to pressurize the locker (100) to be described later in order to arbitrarily open the door (20) when the door (20) is in the closed position (20B).

[0051] The door (20) may be provided to open and close the opening (16) of the cabinet (10). The door (20) may be provided to open and close the cooking chamber (15).

[0052] The door (20) can be provided to form the front exterior of the microwave oven (1).

[0053] The door (20) may be arranged to be movable between an open position (20A) that opens the cooking chamber (15) and a closed position (20B) that closes the cooking chamber (15). For example, the door (20) may be arranged to be rotatable between the open position (20A) and the closed position (20B). (See FIGS. 4 and 5)

[0054] The open position (20A) may be defined as any position (20A) in which the cooking chamber (15) can be opened from the outside. That is, the open position (20A) may be defined as being positioned in the open position (20A) when the door (20) is positioned in a position other than the closed position (20B).

[0055] The closed position (20B) can be defined as the position of the door (20) where the door (20) closes the cooking compartment (15) so that the cooking compartment (15) can be blocked from the outside.

[0056] The closed position (20B) can be defined as a position in which a latch (30) to be described later is inserted into the locker (100) and the door (20) is fixed to the cabinet (10).

[0057] The door (20) can be in either a locked state, which prevents a user from arbitrarily moving the door (20) from the closed position (20B) to the open position (20A) when the door (20) is placed in the closed position (20B), or an unlocked state, which allows a user to arbitrarily move the door (20) from the closed position (20B) to the open position (20A).

[0058] The locked state of the door (20) can be defined as a state in which the door (20) maintains the closed position (20B) even when the user presses the door (20) when the door (20) is in the locked state.

[0059] The unlocked state of the door (20) can be defined as a state in which the door (20) can be moved from the closed position (20B) to the open position (20A) when the user presses the door (20) when the door (20) is in the unlocked state.

[0060] The door (20) may include a latch (30) that secures the door (20) to the cabinet (10) so that the closed position (20B) of the door (20) is maintained when the door (20) is placed in the closed position (20B).

[0061] The latch (30) may be provided to be inserted into a locker (100) to be described later so that the door (20) is fixed to the cabinet (10). When the door (20) is in a locked state, the latch (30) may be provided so that it does not come off from the locker (100), and when the door (20) is in an unlocked state, the latch (30) may be provided so that the door (20) is separated from the cabinet (10) by coming off from the locker (100).

[0062] The latch (30) may be placed on the rear of the door (20). The latch (30) may be arranged to protrude from the rear of the door (20) toward the cabinet (10). The latch (30) may be arranged to be elastically moved by an elastic member or the like.

[0063] At least a portion of the internal space (14) of the cabinet can be formed into a power supply room in which various power supplies are installed.

[0064] The microwave oven (1) is placed in the interior space (14) of the cabinet and may include a locker (100) that secures the door (20) when the door (20) is placed in the closed position (20B).

[0065] The locker (100) may be arranged so that the door (20) is in a locked state when the door (20) is placed in a closed position (20B).

[0066] The locker (100) may be provided to restrict the movement of the latch (30) so as to prevent the latch (30) from being disengaged from the locker (100), thereby locking the door (20). When the door (20) is locked, even if a user presses the door (20), the door (20) can be maintained in the closed position (20B).

[0067] The locker (100) may be provided so that the door (20) is in an unlocked state by releasing the constraint on the movement of the latch (30) so that it is removed from the locker (100). When the door (20) is in an unlocked state, when a user presses the door (20), the door (20) can be moved from a closed position (20B) to an open position (20A).

[0068] The microwave oven (1) can be arranged so that the door (20) is selectively positioned in a closed position (20B) via a locker (100) to be locked or unlocked.

[0069] Below, the locker (100) is described in detail.

[0070] FIG. 3 is a drawing showing a rocker of the microwave oven shown in FIG. 1, and FIG. 4 is a drawing showing a state in which the door of the microwave oven shown in FIG. 1 is placed in an open position.

[0071] The rocker (100) may include a rocker housing (110) including an insertion hole (111) into which a ratchet (30) is inserted.

[0072] The rocker housing (110) can be provided to support a locking member (120), a driving motor (130), a pressure member (140), and various switches (150, 160) to be described later.

[0073] The rocker housing (110) may include a guide (112) that guides the latch (30) when the ratchet (30) is inserted into the insertion hole (111).

[0074] A guide (112) may be provided on the inside of the insertion hole (111). The guide (112) may be provided to be inclined upward in a direction toward the inside of the cabinet (10) from the front plate (13).

[0075] The latch (30) can be inserted into the insertion hole (111) by being guided upward in a direction toward the inside of the cabinet (10) from the front plate (13) when inserted into the insertion hole (111) along the guide (112).

[0076] The rocker housing (110) may include a fixing member (113) arranged at the end of a guide (112) in a direction toward the inside of the cabinet (10) from the front plate (13) and provided to fix a latch (30) inserted into an insertion hole (111).

[0077] The fixed part (113) can be provided in a shape that protrudes from the end of the guide (112) toward the inside of the cabinet (10) from the front plate (13).

[0078] The latch (30) can be moved upwardly by a guide (112). When the latch (30) reaches the end of the guide (112) in the direction of movement, the latch (30) can be arranged to fall downward and be caught on the protruding portion of the fixing member (113).

[0079] When no external force is generated to move the door (20) to the open position (20A), the latch (30) remains in a state of being caught on the fixing member (113), so that the door (20) can remain fixed to the cabinet (20).

[0080] However, when an external force is applied to the door (20) to move the door (20) to the open position (20A), the latch (30) may be detached from the fixing member (113) and moved downwardly along the guide (112) and may be detached from the insertion hole (111).

[0081] In this way, the latch (30) is fixed by the fixing member (113), but the state of the door (20) in which the latch (30) can be removed from the fixing member (113) by an external force can be defined as a fixed state. The fixed state can also be defined as an openable state.

[0082] The fixed state of the door (20) may be a state in which the latch (30) is temporarily fixed to the fixing member (113). The latch (30) may be maintained in a fixed state to the fixing member (113) in the fixed state of the door (20), but may be provided so that it can be detached from the fixing member (113) when an external force is applied to the door (20). The fixed state of the door (20) may also be defined as a fixed state of the latch (30) in which the latch (30) can be temporarily fixed to the fixing member (113).

[0083] The fixed state of the latch (30) can also be defined as the unlocked state (30U) of the latch (30) since the latch (30) is fixed to the locker (100) but is not locked. (See Fig. 5)

[0084] The rocker housing (110) may include a front portion (110a) in which an insertion hole (111), a guide (112), and a fixing portion (113) are formed, and a side portion (110b) which is arranged to be perpendicular to the front portion (110a) and to which a locking member (120), a driving motor (130), a pressure member (140), and various switches (150, 160) are coupled.

[0085] The front portion (110a) may be provided in a plate shape facing the door (20). The side portion (110a) may be provided in a shape extending in a direction perpendicular to one side of the front portion (110a).

[0086] However, it is not limited thereto, and at least one of the locking member (120), the driving motor (130), the pressure member (140), and various switches (150, 160) may be arranged to be coupled to the front part (110a).

[0087] However, without being limited thereto, the rocker housing (110) may be configured such that the guide (112) and the fixing portion (113) are arranged on the side portion (110b) without including the front portion (110a) configuration. In this case, the latch (30) may be moved directly toward the guide (112) without the insertion hole (111) configuration and fixed to the fixing portion (113) through the guide (112).

[0088] The front part (110a) may include a cut-out (115) provided at a position corresponding to the pressurizing hole (19). The cut-out (115) may be provided in the shape of a hole or such that at least a portion of the rocker housing (110) is cut so that a pressurizing member (140), which will be described later, is exposed to the outside of the cabinet (10) through the pressurizing hole (19).

[0089] However, without being limited thereto, if the rocker housing (110) does not include a front portion (110a) configuration, the pressurizing member (140) may be provided to be directly exposed to the outside through the pressurizing hole (19).

[0090] The locker (100) may include a locking member (120) that is arranged to move between a limiting position (120A) that limits the movement of the latch (30) so that the latch (30) inserted into the insertion hole (111) is bound to the locker (100) and a allowing position (120B) that allows the movement of the latch (30) so that the binding of the latch (30) is released.

[0091] The locking member (120) can be arranged to move between a restricted position (120A) and an allowable position (120B) through rotation.

[0092] The locker (100) may include a drive motor (130) that rotates the locking member (120).

[0093] The locking member (120) may include a rotating member (121) that is connected to the shaft of the driving motor (130) and receives the rotational force of the driving motor (130), and a restraining member (122) that extends from the rotating member (121) in the radial direction of the rotational axis of the rotating member (121) and is provided to selectively restrain the latch (30) to the fixed member (113) according to the rotation of the locking member (120).

[0094] The restraint member (122) may be provided to restrain the latch (30) to the fixing member (113) by restricting the movement of the latch (30) so that the latch (30) does not come off from the fixing member (113) even by an external force when the locking member (120) is placed in the restricted position (120A).

[0095] The restraint member (122) can be positioned at a first position (122A) adjacent to the upper side of the latch (30) when the locking member (120) is positioned at the restricted position (120A).

[0096] When the latch (30) is detached from the fixed part (113), it is arranged to extend along the guide (112) into the insertion hole (111). However, in order for the latch (30) to detach from the fixed part (113) by falling from the guide (112) and getting caught on the fixed part (113), it must move upward from the fixed part (113) to the guide (112).

[0097] At this time, when the restraint (122) is placed at the first position (122A), it is placed adjacent to the upper side of the latch (30), thereby restricting the latch (30) from moving from the fixing part (113) to the guide (112), and thereby the restraint (122) can be arranged to restrain the latch (30) to the fixing part (113).

[0098] A state in which the latch (30) is bound to the fixed part (113) by the restraint part (122) even when the door (20) is pressurized and cannot be released from the fixed part (113) can be defined as a locking state (30L) of the latch (30).

[0099] When the latch (30) is in the locked state (30L), the door (20) can be arranged to be restrained to the cabinet (10) even when an external force is applied in the closed position (20B). When the latch (30) is maintained in the locked state (30L), the user cannot move the door (20) to the open position (20A) even if the door (20) is pressed.

[0100] As the locking member (120) is moved from the restricted position (120A) to the permitted position (120B) through rotation, the restraint member (122) can be moved to a second position (122B) that is a position away from the upper side of the latch (30). The second position (122B) can be defined as a position that is moved from the upper side of the latch (30) in the rotational direction of the rotating member (121) in conjunction with the rotation of the rotating member (121) to a position where the restraint member (122) does not restrict the movement of the latch (30).

[0101] As the restraint member (122) is positioned at the second position (122B), no configuration that can restrict the movement of the latch (30) is positioned on the upper side of the latch (30), so that the latch (30) can be allowed to move from the fixing member (113) to the guide (112).

[0102] When the locking member (120) is placed in the restricted position (120A), the latch (30) is restrained to the fixed member (113) by the restraining member (122), but when the locking member (120) is placed in the allowable position (120B), when the door (20) is pressed, the latch (30) is detached from the fixed member (113) and is pulled out from the insertion part (111) through the guide (112), and thus the door (20) can be separated from the cabinet (10).

[0103] The locking member (120) may include a contact portion (123) that extends in a different direction from the fixing portion (122) and is provided to come into contact with the locking member sensors (150) described later.

[0104] The contact portion (123) may be arranged to extend radially from the rotating portion (121) and be spaced apart from the fixed portion (122) in the rotational direction of the rotational axis of the rotating portion (121).

[0105] The contact portion (123) can be rotated in conjunction with the rotation portion (121). When the locking member (120) is placed at the limited position (120A), the contact portion (123) can be arranged to be placed at the first position (123A) capable of pressing the first locking member switch (152).

[0106] When the locking member (120) is placed in the allowable position (120B), the contact portion (123)

[0107] It may be arranged to be placed in a second position (123B) that can pressurize the second locking absence switch (151).

[0108] The contact portion (123) may be arranged to be rotatably moved between a first position (123A) and a second position (123B), and may be arranged to contact the first locking member switch (152) and the second locking member switch (151) at each position.

[0109] The locker (100) may include a locking member switch (150) capable of detecting whether the locking member (120) is positioned in either the restricted position (120A) or the permitted position (120B).

[0110] The locking member switch (150) may include a first locking member switch (152) that detects that the locking member (120) is placed in a restricted position (120A) and a second locking member switch (151) that detects that the locking member (120) is placed in an allowed position (120B).

[0111] The first locking member switch (152) and the second locking member switch (151) can be spaced apart from each other in the rotational direction of the locking member (120).

[0112] A contact portion (123) may be arranged between the first locking member switch (152) and the second locking member switch (151) in the rotational direction of the locking member (120).

[0113] The contact portion (123) may be arranged to rotate between the first locking member switch (152) and the second locking member switch (151) so that when the contact portion (123) is positioned at the first position (123A), it contacts the first locking member switch (152) and turns on the first locking member switch (152). At this time, the second locking member switch (151) and the contact portion (123) are not in a contact state, so the second locking member switch (151) may be in an off state.

[0114] When the contact portion (123) is rotated and moved from the first position (123A) to the second position (123B), the first locking member switch (152) is turned off, and when it comes into contact with the second locking member switch (151), the second locking member switch (151) can be turned from off to on.

[0115] The locker (100) may include a latch switch (160) that detects whether the latch (30) is fixed to the fixing member (113).

[0116] The latch switch (160) may be arranged on the lower side of the fixed part (113) and may be arranged so that the latch (30) comes into contact with the latch switch (160) when it is caught on the fixed part (113).

[0117] When the latch (30) is fixed to the fixing member (113), the latch (30) contacts the latch switch (160) and the latch switch (160) can be turned on. After this, when the latch (30) is detached from the fixing member (113) and pulled out from the rocker (100), the latch switch (160) can be turned off again.

[0118] The locker (100) may include a pressing member (140) that arbitrarily presses the locking member (120) located at the restricted position (120A) to move it to the allowable position (120B).

[0119] The pressurizing member (140) may be provided to pressurize the locking member (120) in the direction in which it is pressed by an external force transmitted through the pressurizing hole (19).

[0120] For example, the pressurizing member (140) may be arranged to rotate and pressurize the locking member (120) by an external force transmitted through the pressurizing hole (19).

[0121] The direction in which the pressing member (140) moves may correspond to the direction in which the locking member (120) moves from the restricted position (120A) to the permitted position (120B). Accordingly, when the pressing member (140) presses the locking member (120), the locking member (120) may move from the restricted position (120A) to the permitted position (120B) by the pressing of the pressing member (140).

[0122] The pressurizing member (140) may include a body (141), a rotational axis (142) disposed on one side of the body (141), and a pressurizing portion (143) disposed on the other side of the body (141) and directly pressurizing the locking member (120).

[0123] The external force transmitted by the pressurizing hole (19) pressurizes the body (141), and the body (141) can be rotated around the rotation axis (142). At this time, the pressurizing portion (143) is linked with the body (141) and rotates around the rotation axis (142) to pressurize the restraining portion (122) of the locking member (120), thereby moving the locking member (120).

[0124] The pressurizing portion (143) may be arranged to protrude in a direction opposite to the direction in which the pressurizing hole (19) is arranged in the body (141). Accordingly, when an external force is applied from the pressurizing hole (19), the pressurizing portion (143) may be arranged to protrude in a direction corresponding to the pressing direction of the external force.

[0125] The extension direction of the rotation axis of the rotation part (121) of the locking member (120) and the extension direction of the rotation axis (141) of the pressing member (140) can be arranged to be parallel to each other.

[0126] The locking member (120) and the pressing member (140) share an overlapping plane and can be rotated. This is because the pressing member (140) presses the locking member (120) in the direction of rotational movement as it rotates, and the locking member (120) is rotated in the pressing direction.

[0127] As the extension direction of the rotation axis of the rotation part (121) of the locking member (120) corresponds to the extension direction of the rotation axis (141) of the pressing member (140), the overall area of ​​the locker (100) can be minimized, thereby increasing the efficiency of arrangement in the cabinet interior space (14).

[0128] However, the locker (100) may not include a pressurizing member (140), and in this case, the locking member (120) is provided to be exposed to the outside through the pressurizing hole (19), and the user can pressurize the locking member (120) directly through the pressurizing hole (19) to move the locking member (120) to the allowable position (120B).

[0129] That is, a user can directly pressurize the locking member (120) placed at the restricted position (120A) by inserting a tool or the like through the pressurizing hole (19) to move the locking member (120) from the restricted position (120A) to the allowable position (120B).

[0130] When the door (20) is placed in the open position (20B), the locking member (120) can be placed in the allowable position (120B). This is because the movement of the latch (30) can be restricted when the latch (30) is inserted into the insertion hole (111) and moves to the fixing member (113).

[0131] At this time, the contact portion (123) may be arranged at the second position (123B) to come into contact with the second locking member switch (151).

[0132] That is, the locker (100) may be arranged so that the locking member (120) is positioned in the allowable position (120B) in a normal state, and the locking member (120) may be moved from the allowable position (120B) to the limited position (120A) by the drive motor (130) only when the door (20) needs to be locked.

[0133] The locker (100) may be arranged to move the locking member (120) from the allowable position (120B) to the restricted position (120A) via a drive motor (130) when food is being cooked or when there is a signal from the user.

[0134] However, it is not limited thereto, and the locking member (120) is positioned at the restricted position (120A) and when the latch (30) is inserted into the insertion hole (111), the locking member (120) is moved along the guide (112) by pressing the locking member (120) from the restricted position (120A) to the allowable position (120B), thereby moving the locking member (120) to the fixed portion (113).

[0135] The locker (100), cabinet (10), and door (20) may also be referred to as a door locking system. The above-described door locking system is applicable not only to the above-described microwave oven, but also to all home appliances or objects that include a cabinet, door, and locker, and in which the door can be selectively locked or unlocked when closed, and can be arbitrarily unlocked by a pressurizing member from a locked state.

[0136] Below, the operation of the rocker (100) is described in detail.

[0137] FIG. 5 is a drawing showing a state in which the door of the microwave oven shown in FIG. 1 is positioned in a closed position and the locking member is positioned in an allowable position, FIG. 6 is a drawing showing a state in which the locking member of the microwave oven shown in FIG. 1 is positioned in a restricted position, FIG. 7 is a drawing showing a state in which the locking member of the microwave oven shown in FIG. 1 is moved from a restricted position to an allowable position, and FIG. 8 is a drawing showing a state in which the door of the microwave oven shown in FIG. 1 is moved from a closed position to an open position.

[0138] As shown in Fig. 5, when the user presses the door (20) so that the door (20) is placed in the closed position (20B), the latch (30) can be inserted into the locker (100).

[0139] The latch (30) is inserted into the locker (100) and fixed to the fixing member (113), and when the latch (30) is inserted into the insertion hole (111), the locking member (120) is placed in the allowable position (120B), so that the latch (30) can be maintained in the unlocked state (30U).

[0140] When the latch (30) is fixed to the fixing member (113), the latch switch (160) is turned on, and based on the signal generated from the latch switch (160), information that the door (20) is placed in the closed position (20B) can be displayed on the control panel (40).

[0141] In addition, when the contact portion (123) is placed at the second position (123B), the second locking member switch (151) is turned on, and based on the signal generated from the second locking member switch (151), information can be displayed on the control panel (40) that the latch (30) is in an unlocked state (30U) or that the door (20) is in an openable state.

[0142] After this, when cooking starts or a locking signal for the user's door (20) is input, the driving motor (130) rotates in the first direction (A) so that the locking member (120) positioned at the allowable position (120B) can be rotated to the restricted position (120A).

[0143] As shown in FIG. 6, when the locking member (120) is placed at the restricted position (120A), the restraint member (122) can be placed at the first position (122A) and adjacent to the upper side of the latch (30).

[0144] Accordingly, the locking member (120) can restrict the upward movement of the latch (30) and bind the latch (30) to the fixing member (113). Accordingly, the latch (30) can be in a locked state (30L).

[0145] At this time, the contact portion (123) moves from the second position (123B) to the first position (123A), the first locking member switch (152) is turned on, and based on the signal generated from the first locking member switch (152), information that the latch (30) is in a locked state (30L) or the door (20) cannot be opened can be displayed on the control panel (40).

[0146] As the latch (30) is fixed to the fixing member (113), the latch switch (160) is also kept on continuously, so that information indicating that the door (20) is maintained in a closed state (20B) can be displayed on the control panel (40).

[0147] After this, when cooking is finished or the user inputs a signal to release the lock, the drive motor can rotate in the opposite direction (B) to the first direction (A) to rotate the locking member (120) from the restricted position (120A) back to the allowed position (120B).

[0148] As shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, when the locking member (120) is positioned at the dash allowance position (120B), the latch (30) can be switched from a locked state (30L) to an unlocked state (30U).

[0149] Even in this state, the latch (30) is continuously fixed to the fixing member (113), the latch switch (160) is maintained in the on state, and based on the signal generated from the latch switch (160), information that the door (20) is placed in the closed position (20B) can be displayed on the control panel (40).

[0150] In addition, when the contact portion (123) is placed from the first position (123A) to the second position (123B), the first locking member switch (152) is turned off, the second locking member switch (151) is turned on, and based on the signals generated from the first locking member switch (152) and the second locking member switch (151), information that the latch (30) is in an unlocked state (30U) or that the door (20) is in an openable state can be displayed on the control panel (40).

[0151] After this, when the user presses the door (20) to open the door (20) (20A), the latch (30) can move to the unlocked state (30U) and thus can be detached upward from the fixed part (113).

[0152] The latch (30) detached from the fixed part (113) is pulled out of the insertion hole (111) while moving along the guide (112), and thus the door (20) can be in an open state (20A).

[0153] Below, the feature of the state of the locking member (120) being arbitrarily switched by the pressurizing member (140) is described in detail.

[0154] FIG. 9 is a drawing showing a state in which a user presses a pressing member while the locking member of the microwave oven shown in FIG. 1 is positioned in a restricted position, FIG. 10 is a drawing showing a state in which the locking member of the microwave oven shown in FIG. 1 is pressed by the pressing member and moved from a restricted position to an allowed position, and FIG. 11 is a drawing showing a locker of the microwave oven shown in FIG. 1 in a state in which the pressing member is released.

[0155] As described above, when the latch (30) is in a locked state (30L) and the door (20) is locked, even if the user presses the door (20), the door (20) is bound to the cabinet (10) and does not open.

[0156] However, in the event of a fire or similar situation inside the kitchen, a situation may arise where the door (20) must be forcibly opened by arbitrarily unlocking it even when it is locked.

[0157] The locking member (120) rotates according to the driving of the driving motor (130), but due to an error in the microwave oven (1), damage to the electrical components constituting the microwave oven (1) or damage to the driving motor (130) itself, a situation may occur in which the locking member (120) cannot move from the restricted position (120A) to the allowable position (120B).

[0158] In order to forcibly open the door (20) even in a similar situation, the locker (100) according to one embodiment of the present invention may include a pressing member (140) that arbitrarily presses the locking member (120) to move the locking member (120) from the restricted position (120A) to the allowed position (120B), and the cabinet (10) may include a pressing hole (19) provided to press the pressing member (140) from the outside of the cabinet (10).

[0159] As illustrated in Fig. 9, a user can pressurize a pressurizing member (140) through a pressurizing hole (19) using a tool (T). It is preferable that the tool (T) include a pressurizing protrusion (P) having a cross-sectional area that can pass through the inside of the pressurizing hole (19).

[0160] The pressure projection (P) of the tool (T) can pass through the gap (25) between the door (20) and the control panel (40) and penetrate the inside of the pressure hole (19).

[0161] The pressurizing projection (P) can pressurize the pressurizing member (140) by passing through the pressurizing hole (19) and then through the cutout (115) of the rocker housing (110). However, this is not limited to this, and the pressurizing projection (P) can pressurize the pressurizing hole (19) directly without passing through the cutout (115) of the rocker housing (110).

[0162] The pressure projection (P) may be formed to have a height corresponding to or smaller than the distance (25) between the control panel (40) and the door (20) in the vertical direction so as to pass through the distance (25) between the control panel (40) and the door (20).

[0163] The pressurizing member (140) can generally be placed in a non-pressurizing position (140A). The non-pressurizing position (140) is a position where the locking member (120) is not pressed, and the body (141) and the pressurizing member (143) can also be placed in a non-pressurizing position (141A, 143A) where the locking member (120) is not pressed.

[0164] The rotational axis (142) of the pressure member (140) may be arranged to be positioned at the upper portion of the body, and the rotational axis (142) may be rotatably fixed to the rocker housing (110). The body (141) may be arranged to be positioned downward from the rotational axis (142) by gravity.

[0165] The locking member (120) is positioned at the restricted position (120A), and accordingly, the latch (30) maintains the locked state (30L), so that the door (20) cannot be moved to the open position (20A). At this time, the user can forcibly move the locking member (120) to the allowable position (120B) using a tool (T), thereby changing the door (20) from an unopenable state to an openable state.

[0166] The pressurizing projection (P) can pressurize a part of the body (141) exposed to the outside by the pressurizing hole (19) in the pressurizing member (140) through the pressurizing hole (19).

[0167] The body (141) pressed against the pressurizing projection (P) can be rotated in the direction in which the pressurizing projection (P) is pressed, centered on the rotation axis (142). Accordingly, the pressurizing portion (143) can be moved from the non-pressurizing position (143A) in a direction corresponding to the pressing direction of the pressurizing projection (P) to pressurize the locking member (120).

[0168] As shown in Fig. 10, the pressurizing member (140) can be rotated by external pressure to move from a non-pressurizing position (140A) to a pressing position (140B) that pressurizes the locking member (120).

[0169] The pressurizing member (143) can be rotated and moved from a non-pressurizing position (143A) to a pressurizing position (143B). The pressurizing position (143B) can be defined as a position where the pressurizing member (143) presses the locking member (120) so that the locking member (120) can be moved from a restricted position (120A) to an allowable position (120B).

[0170] The pressing projection (P) can pressurize the body (141) so that the pressing portion (143) moves to the pressing position (143B). Accordingly, the body (141), which was placed at the non-pressurized position (141A), can be moved to the pressing position (141B) so that the pressing portion (143) can pressurize the locking member (120) by the pressing projection (P) to reach the pressing position (143B).

[0171] As shown in Fig. 11, after the pressurization of the pressurizing projection (P) is completed, the pressurizing member (140) can be rotated back from the pressurized position (140B) to the non-pressurized position (140A) by gravity.

[0172] As the locking member (120) is moved from the restricted position (120A) to the allowable position (120B) by the pressurizing member (140), the latch (30) can be brought into an unlocked state (30U), and accordingly, the door (20) can be brought into a state where it can be arbitrarily opened from the closed position (20B).

[0173] That is, the microwave oven (1) of the present invention can easily change the state of the locker (100) from the outside using a tool (T) through the pressurizing hole (19) and the pressurizing member (140), thereby allowing the user to easily change the door maintained in a locked state to an openable state.

[0174] However, without being limited thereto, the locker (100) may directly pressurize the locking member (120) by inserting a pressing projection (P) into the pressing hole (19) without including the pressing member (140) to move the locking member (120) from the restricted position (120A) to the allowable position (120B).

[0175] Hereinafter, a rocker (100') of a microwave oven (1) according to one embodiment will be described. Other features of the rocker (100') described below are the same as those of the microwave oven (1) described above, so any duplicate description will be omitted.

[0176] FIG. 12 is a drawing illustrating a state in which the locking member of a microwave oven according to one embodiment is pressed by a user while the locking member is positioned in a restricted position, and FIG. 13 is a drawing illustrating a state in which the locking member of the microwave oven illustrated in FIG. 12 is pressed by a user and moved from a restricted position to an allowed position.

[0177] As shown in FIGS. 12 and 13, the locker (100') may be arranged so that the tool (T) directly presses the locking member (120) through the pressurizing hole (19) without including the above-described pressurizing member.

[0178] The user can pressurize the locking member (120) through the pressurizing hole (19) using a tool (T).

[0179] The gap (25) between the door (20) and the control panel (40) can be provided at a height that roughly corresponds to the restraint (122) of the locking member (120) in the vertical direction.

[0180] The pressurizing projection (P) can pressurize the restraining portion (122) of the locking member (120) through the cut portion (115) of the rocker housing (110) after passing through the pressurizing hole (19). However, this is not limited to this, and the pressurizing projection (P) can pressurize the pressurizing hole (19) directly without passing through the cut portion (115) of the rocker housing (110).

[0181] The locking member (120) is positioned at the restricted position (120A), and accordingly, the latch (30) maintains the locked state (30L), so that the door (20) cannot be moved to the open position (20A). At this time, the user can forcibly move the locking member (120) to the allowable position (120B) using a tool (T), thereby changing the door (20) from an unopenable state to an openable state.

[0182] The pressurizing projection (P) can pressurize a part of the restraining portion (122) exposed to the outside by the pressurizing hole (19) in the locking member (120) through the pressurizing hole (19).

[0183] The restraint member (122) positioned at the first position (122A) can be pressed by the pressure projection (P) and rotated around the rotation member (121) to move to the second position (122B). Accordingly, the locking member (120) positioned at the restricted position (120A) can be positioned at the allowable position (120B), and the latch (30) can be changed from a locked state (30L) to an unlocked state (30U).

[0184] Accordingly, the door (20) can be moved from the closed position (20B) to the open position (20A), and the user can open the door (20) at will.

[0185] The above illustrates and describes specific embodiments. However, the invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and those skilled in the art will readily appreciate that various modifications and implementations can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the claims below.

Claims

1. Cabinet containing a kitchen; A door configured to move between a closed position for closing the cooking chamber and an open position for opening the cooking chamber; A locker is disposed inside the cabinet, and when the door is placed in a closed position, the door is secured to the cabinet so that the door is locked; The door includes a latch arranged to be inserted into the locker when the door is placed in the closed position; The above locker, A locking member is provided to move between a limiting position that limits movement of the latch so that the latch inserted into the locker is bound to the locker and a allowing position that allows movement of the latch so that the binding of the latch is released. A cooking appliance in which the cabinet includes a pressurized hole formed such that an external force generated from the outside of the cabinet is transmitted to the locking member at the limited position so that the locking member moves to the allowable position.

2. In paragraph 1, A cooking appliance in which, when the latch is inserted into the locker, the locking member is arranged to move between the limited position and the allowed position through rotation.

3. In paragraph 1, A cooking appliance in which, when the latch is inserted into the locker and the locking member is positioned at the limited position, the locking member is pressed by an external object inserted into the pressurizing hole to move from the limited position to the allowable position.

4. In paragraph 1, A cooking appliance including a pressing member that, when the latch is inserted into the locker and the locking member is positioned at the limited position, presses the locking member by an external force generated from the outside of the cabinet so that the locking member moves from the limited position to the allowable position.

5. In paragraph 4, A cooking appliance in which the above-mentioned pressing member is moved by being pressed by an external object inserted into the above-mentioned pressing hole to pressurize the above-mentioned locking member.

6. In paragraph 4, A cooking appliance wherein the above-mentioned pressing member is disposed between the above-mentioned pressing hole and the above-mentioned locking member.

7. In paragraph 2, A cooking appliance wherein the above rocker further includes a driving motor that rotates the locking member.

8. In paragraph 7, A cooking appliance in which the locking member includes a rotating part that is connected to the driving motor and rotates, and a restraining part that extends from the rotating part and restrains the latch when the locking member is placed in a restricted position.

9. In paragraph 8, A cooking appliance in which the above restraint member is positioned adjacent to a latch inserted into the locker when the locking member is placed in a restricted position to restrict movement of the latch.

10. In paragraph 9, A cooking appliance in which the above restraint member moves away from the latch inserted into the rocker when the locking member is rotated from the restricted position to the allowed position.

11. In paragraph 9, The above locker further includes a guide for guiding the latch when the latch is inserted into the locker, and a fixing member for fixing the latch to the locker. A cooking appliance in which the locking member is positioned above the latch when the locking member is placed in a restricted position.

12. In paragraph 5, A cooking appliance in which the above-mentioned pressing member is provided to rotate and pressurize the above-mentioned locking member by an external force transmitted through the above-mentioned pressing hole.

13. In paragraph 12, When the above latch is inserted into the above locker and the above locking member is positioned at the above limit position, the above locking member, It is arranged to move between the above-mentioned limited position and the above-mentioned allowed position through rotation, A cooking appliance provided so as to be moved to the allowable position by being pressed in the pressing direction of the pressing member at the above-mentioned limited position.

14. In paragraph 13, A cooking appliance in which the extension direction of the rotation axis of the locking member and the extension direction of the rotation axis of the pressing member are arranged to be parallel to each other.

15. In paragraph 13, A cooking appliance in which, when the latch is inserted into the locker, the direction in which the locking member rotates from the limited position to the allowable position corresponds to the direction in which the locking member rotates by an external force transmitted through the pressure hole.

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