Cooking apparatus

Abstract

This cooking apparatus comprises: a main body forming a cooking chamber; a door which is rotatable with respect to the main body so as to open and close the cooking chamber, and comprises a latch portion which is coupled to the main body when the door closes the cooking chamber and is separated from the main body when the door opens the cooking chamber; a door opening device which rotates the door so that the latch portion is separated from the main body; an opening spring which is provided to accumulate elastic force according to an opening angle of the door with respect to the cooking chamber, and provides the elastic force in an opening direction of the door with respect to the cooking chamber; and a lever which is rotatable with respect to the main body as the door rotates, and comes into contact with the opening spring and the door and pressurizes the door so that, due to the elastic force provided from the opening spring, the door is rotated in a direction of opening the cooking chamber.

Description

Cooking appliances

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a cooking appliance.

[0002] A cooking appliance refers to a device used to heat and cook a target object, such as food, and is capable of providing various cooking-related functions, such as heating, thawing, drying, and sterilization of the target object. Examples of such cooking appliances include ovens, such as gas ovens or electric ovens; microwave heating devices (hereinafter referred to as microwaves); gas ranges; electric ranges; over-the-range (OTR) ranges; gas grills; or electric grills.

[0003] A microwave oven is a device that cooks food using frictional heat generated by disrupting the arrangement of water molecules within the food through electromagnetic waves, whereas an oven is a device that cooks food by directly transferring heat to the food or heating the interior of the cooking chamber through a heat source such as a heater.

[0004] The cooking chamber of the cooking appliance may be opened or closed by a door. The cooking appliance may include a door locking device configured to selectively lock the door so that the door maintains the cooking chamber in a closed state. The cooking appliance may include a door opening device configured to automatically open the door.

[0005] One aspect of the present disclosure provides a cooking appliance having an improved structure that allows the door to be opened automatically.

[0006] One aspect of the present disclosure provides a cooking appliance having an improved structure that allows the door to rotate to a position of maximum opening without stopping during the process of opening.

[0007] One aspect of the present disclosure provides a cooking appliance having an improved structure that allows the opening speed to be reduced after the door has been opened beyond a certain angle.

[0008] One aspect of the present disclosure provides a cooking appliance having an improved structure that allows the door to maintain its position after being fully opened.

[0009] The technical problems to be solved in this document are not limited to those mentioned above, and other technical problems not mentioned will be clearly understood by those skilled in the art to which this invention belongs from the description below.

[0010] A cooking device according to one embodiment of the present disclosure may include: a main body forming a cooking chamber; a door rotatably provided with respect to the main body to open and close the cooking chamber, the door including a locking member provided to be coupled to the main body when the door closes the cooking chamber and separated from the main body when the door opens the cooking chamber; a door opening device configured to rotate the door so that the locking member separates from the main body; an opening spring provided to accumulate elastic force according to the angle at which the door opens the cooking chamber, the opening spring provided to provide elastic force in the direction in which the door opens the cooking chamber; and a lever provided to be rotatably provided with respect to the main body as the door rotates, and provided to press the door in contact with the opening spring and the door so that the door rotates in the direction in which the cooking chamber opens by means of the elastic force provided by the opening spring.

[0011] A cooking device according to one embodiment of the present disclosure may include: a main body forming a cooking chamber; a door rotatably provided with respect to the main body to open and close the cooking chamber, the door comprising a locking member provided to be coupled to the main body when the door closes the cooking chamber and separated from the main body when the door opens the cooking chamber; a door opening device provided to open the door; a torsion spring, one end of which is supported by the main body and configured such that the accumulated elastic force increases as the angle at which the door opens the cooking chamber becomes smaller; and a lever rotatably provided with respect to the main body and in contact with the other end of the torsion spring and the door. The door opening device may be provided to rotate the door so that the locking member separates from the main body. The lever may be provided to press the door so that the door rotates in the direction of opening the cooking chamber by means of the elastic force provided by the torsion spring.

[0012] A cooking device according to one embodiment of the present disclosure may include: a main body forming a cooking chamber and including a door locker; a door rotatably provided with respect to the main body to open and close the cooking chamber, the door including a locking portion provided to engage with the door locker when the door closes the cooking chamber and to disengage from the door locker when the door opens the cooking chamber; a door pusher mounted on the main body and provided to press the door until the locking portion disengages from the door locker; a lever supporter fixed to the main body; a lever rotatably supported by the lever supporter and in contact with the door; and a torsion spring in contact with the lever supporter and the lever, provided to accumulate elastic force according to the angle at which the door opens the cooking chamber. The lever may be provided to press the door so that the door rotates in the direction in which the cooking chamber is opened by means of the elastic force provided by the torsion spring.

[0013] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a cooking appliance according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0014] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a portion of the main body cut open in a cooking appliance according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0015] FIG. 3 is a drawing illustrating a door locking device of a cooking appliance according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0016] FIG. 4 is a drawing showing a door pusher included in a door opening device of a cooking appliance according to one embodiment of the present disclosure positioned at a first pusher position.

[0017] FIG. 5 is a drawing showing a door pusher included in a door opening device of a cooking appliance according to one embodiment of the present disclosure positioned at a second pusher position.

[0018] FIG. 6 is a top view illustrating the configurations of a door opening device of a cooking appliance according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0019] FIG. 7 is a top view illustrating the closed door of a cooking appliance according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0020] FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view illustrating the door locking device and the door opening device when the door of a cooking appliance is closed according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0021] FIG. 9 is a top view illustrating the door of a cooking appliance according to one embodiment of the present disclosure opened at a first angle.

[0022] FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view illustrating the door locking device and the door opening device when the door of a cooking appliance according to one embodiment of the present disclosure is opened at a first angle.

[0023] FIG. 11 is a drawing illustrating some components of a cooking appliance according to one embodiment of the present disclosure, such as a lever supporter, a lever, an opening spring, and a door stopper.

[0024] FIG. 12 is a drawing illustrating some components of a cooking appliance according to one embodiment of the present disclosure, such as a lever supporter, a lever, an opening spring, and a door stopper.

[0025] FIG. 13 is a drawing illustrating some components of a cooking appliance according to one embodiment of the present disclosure, such as a lever supporter, a lever, an opening spring, and a door stopper.

[0026] FIG. 14 is a cross-sectional view illustrating the appearance of some components, such as a lever supporter, a lever, an opening spring, and a door stopper, when the door of a cooking appliance according to one embodiment of the present disclosure is closed.

[0027] FIG. 15 is a top view illustrating the door of a cooking appliance according to one embodiment of the present disclosure opened at a second angle.

[0028] FIG. 16 is a cross-sectional view illustrating the appearance of some components, such as a lever supporter, a lever, an opening spring, and a door stopper, when the door of a cooking appliance according to one embodiment of the present disclosure is opened at a second angle.

[0029] FIG. 17 is a top view illustrating the door of a cooking appliance according to one embodiment of the present disclosure opened at a third angle.

[0030] FIG. 18 is a cross-sectional view illustrating the appearance of some components, such as a lever supporter, a lever, an opening spring, and a door stopper, when the door of a cooking appliance according to one embodiment of the present disclosure is opened at a third angle.

[0031] The embodiments described in this specification and the configurations illustrated in the drawings are merely preferred examples of the disclosed invention, and various modifications that may replace the embodiments and drawings of this specification may exist at the time of filing this application.

[0032] Additionally, the same reference numerals or symbols presented in each drawing of this specification represent parts or components that perform substantially the same function.

[0033] Furthermore, the terms used in this specification are for describing embodiments and are not intended to limit or / or restrict the disclosed invention. Singular expressions include plural expressions unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. In this specification, terms such as "comprising" or "having" are intended to indicate the existence of the features, numbers, steps, actions, components, parts, or combinations thereof described in the specification, and do not preclude the existence or addition of one or more other features, numbers, steps, actions, components, parts, or combinations thereof.

[0034] Additionally, terms including ordinal numbers, such as "first," "second," etc., used herein may be used to describe various components, but said components are not limited by said terms, and said terms are used solely for the purpose of distinguishing one component from another. For example, without departing from the scope of the present invention, the first component may be named the second component, and similarly, the second component may be named the first component. The term "and / or" includes a combination of a plurality of related described items or any one of a plurality of related described items.

[0035] Meanwhile, terms such as "up-and-down direction," "downward side," and "front-backward direction" used in the following description are defined based on the drawings, and the shape and position of each component are not limited by these terms.

[0036] Hereinafter, embodiments according to the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the attached drawings.

[0037] In describing various embodiments of the present disclosure with reference to FIGS. 1 to 18, terms such as "upward," "downward," "forward," "rear," "left," and "right" used in the following description are defined based on the drawings, and the shape and position of each component are not limited by these terms. For example, the terms "upward" and "downward" below may mean upward in the Z direction and downward in the Z direction, respectively, based on the drawings. The terms "forward" and "rear" below may mean forward and rear in the X direction, respectively, based on the drawings. The terms "left" and "right" below may mean left in the Y direction and right in the Y direction, respectively, based on the drawings.

[0038] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a cooking appliance according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a cooking appliance according to one embodiment of the present disclosure, in which a part of the main body is cut away.

[0039] Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, a cooking device (1) according to one embodiment of the present disclosure may include a cooking chamber (21), a main body (10) forming the cooking chamber (21), and a door (30) provided to open or close the cooking chamber (21).

[0040] The main body (10) may include an outer case (11). Various parts of the cooking device (1) may be placed inside the outer case (11). The outer case (11) may form the exterior of the cooking device (1). The outer case (11) may form the top surface, bottom surface, front surface, rear surface, left side surface, right side surface, etc. of the cooking device (1). The outer case (11) may surround the top surface, bottom surface, rear surface, left side surface, right side surface, etc. of the inner case (12) of the cooking device (1), which will be described later, from the outside.

[0041] For example, the outer case (11) may include a front frame (11a) that forms a portion of the front of the cooking appliance (1). For example, the outer case (11) may include an upper panel (11b) that forms the upper surface of the cooking appliance (1). For example, the outer case (11) may include a side panel (11c) that forms the left or right side of the cooking appliance (1). For example, the outer case (11) may include a base panel that forms the lower surface of the cooking appliance (1). For example, the outer case (11) may include a rear panel that forms the rear surface of the cooking appliance (1).

[0042] According to one embodiment, the upper panel (11b) and the side panel (11c) may be formed integrally, but are not limited thereto. In various embodiments of the present disclosure, at least some of the components of the outer case (11), such as the front frame (11a), upper panel (11b), side panel (11c), base panel and rear panel, may be formed integrally with each other, or the entire outer case (11) may be formed integrally, or each component of the outer case (11) may be formed as separate parts.

[0043] The main body (10) may include an inner case (12). A cooking chamber (21) may be formed inside the inner case (12). The inner case (12) may be placed inside the outer case (11). The inner case (12) may be coupled inside the outer case (11).

[0044] The cooking chamber (21) can be defined as a space where food is cooked. Food can be heated and cooked inside the cooking chamber (21). For example, food contained within the cooking chamber (21) can be heated and cooked by frictional heat between molecules that occurs as the molecular arrangement of water contained in the food is repeatedly transformed when high frequency is radiated into the cooking chamber (21).

[0045] For example, a tray (25) on which food or a container containing food can be placed may be placed inside the cooking chamber (21).

[0046] The cooking chamber (21) may be formed with an open front so that food can be fed in and out. To allow food to be fed in and out of the cooking chamber (21) or into the cooking chamber (21), the main body (10) may have a box shape with an open front. For example, the outer case (11) may have a box shape with an open front. For example, the inner case (12) may have a box shape with an open front. For example, the aforementioned front frame may be formed in the shape of a frame that surrounds the opening.

[0047] The cooking device (1) may include an electrical room (22) provided inside the main body (10) and in which various electrical components are arranged. The electrical room (22) may be formed by partitioning from the cooking room (21). The electrical room (22) may be formed on the inner side of the outer case (11). The electrical room (22) may be formed on the outer side of the inner case (12). That is, the electrical room (22) may be formed between the outer case (11) and the inner case (12). For example, the electrical room (22) may be provided between the inner case (12) and the upper panel (11b). For example, the electrical room (22) may be provided between the inner case (12) and the side panel (11c).

[0048] For example, a heating device for heating food may be placed in the cooking chamber (22). The heating device may include a magnetron arranged to generate high frequency supplied into the interior of the cooking chamber (21), and a high-voltage transformer and / or high-voltage capacitor for applying high voltage to the magnetron. The cooking device (1) may include a waveguide arranged to guide the high frequency radiated from the magnetron into the interior of the cooking chamber (21).

[0049] For example, a cooling fan module for cooling the components inside the electrical room (22) may be placed in the electrical room (22). The cooling fan module may include a fan, a fan motor, a fan housing, etc.

[0050] For example, a door opening device (100) described later may be placed in the electrical room (22).

[0051] In addition, a printed circuit board, etc., on which electronic components for controlling the operation of various parts of the cooking device (1) are mounted may be placed in the electrical room (22).

[0052] According to one embodiment, the main body (10) may include a cap (13). The cap (13) may form part of the front exterior of the cooking appliance (1). The cap (13) may form part of the upper exterior of the cooking appliance (1). The cap (13) may be coupled to an outer case (11). For example, the cap (13) may be coupled to a front frame (11a). For example, the cap (13) may be coupled to an upper panel (11b).

[0053] The cap (13) can cover at least a portion of the front of the electrical room (22). The cap (13) can cover the front of a portion of the electrical room (22) that is positioned between the inner case (12) and the upper panel (11b). The cap (13) may include a grille (13a) that is connected to the interior of the electrical room (22). The cap (13) may be positioned in front of the door opening device (100) described later and may include a pusher hole (13b) that is provided for the door pusher (110, see FIG. 4, etc.) of the door opening device (100) to pass through.

[0054] According to one embodiment, the cap (13) can support the hinge bracket (40) described later.

[0055] The door (30) of the cooking appliance (1) may be rotatably provided with respect to the main body (10) to open and close the cooking chamber (21). For example, the door (30) may be rotatably coupled to the left or right side of the main body (10). The door (30) may be rotatably provided around a rotation axis located on the left or right side of the main body (10). The rotation axis of the door (30) may extend in the vertical direction (Z).

[0056] However, the present disclosure is not limited thereto, and in various embodiments, the door (30) may have a rotation axis extending in various directions.

[0057] The door (30) may be rotatably configured between a closed position that closes the cooking chamber (21) and an open position that fully opens the cooking chamber (21). That is, the cooking chamber (21) may be opened when the door (30) rotates from the closed position to the open position, and the cooking chamber (21) may be closed when the door (30) rotates from the open position to the closed position. The open and closed positions of the door (30) may be defined as relative positions to the main body (10) and the cooking chamber (21).

[0058] The opening angle of the door (30) can be defined as the angle at which the door (30) is rotated from the closed position to open the cooking chamber (21). As the opening angle of the door (30) increases, the degree to which the door (30) opens the cooking chamber (21) may increase. The opening position of the door (30) can be defined as the position of the door (30) when the opening angle of the door (30) is at its maximum.

[0059] The door (30) may include a handle (33) provided so that a user can grasp it to open and close the door (30). To allow the user to easily open and close the door (30), the handle (33) may be positioned adjacent to a part of the door (30) opposite to the axis of rotation of the door (30). FIGS. 1 and 2 illustrate an embodiment in which the handle (33) is provided on one side (10d) (e.g., right side) of the door (30) opposite to the axis of rotation, but is not limited thereto, and in various embodiments, the handle (33) may be provided at various locations on the door (30). For example, the handle (33) may be positioned on the front (30a) of the door (30) (one side of the door (30) facing forward in the X direction, based on the case where the door (30) closes the kitchen (21)).

[0060] The door (30) may include a light-transmitting window (34) so ​​that a user can look into the interior of the kitchen (21) even when the door (30) closes the kitchen (21). The window (34) may include various light-transmitting materials such as glass.

[0061] The cooking appliance (1) may include a hinge bracket (40). The hinge bracket (40) may connect the door (30) and the main body (10). The hinge bracket (40) may support the door (30) so that it can rotate relative to the main body (10). The hinge bracket (40) may be fixed to the main body (10), and the door (30) may be rotatably coupled to the hinge bracket (40) so that it can be rotatably provided relative to the main body (10).

[0062] According to one embodiment, a plurality of hinge brackets (40) may be provided, and the plurality of hinge brackets (40) may be arranged along the rotational axis direction (e.g., vertical direction (Z)) of the door (30).

[0063] The rotation axis of the door (30) may be defined differently depending on the connection structure between the door (30) and the main body (10). The rotation axis of the door (30) may pass through the door (30) and the hinge bracket (40), and may be defined differently depending on the connection structure between the door (30) and the hinge bracket (40).

[0064] According to various embodiments, a hinge bracket (40) is fixed to the main body (10), and the part where the door (30) and the hinge bracket (40) are connected to each other can be fixed to the main body (10). In these embodiments, the rotation axis of the door (30) can be defined as a virtual straight line having a fixed position relative to the main body (10).

[0065] However, in an embodiment where the hinge bracket (40) moves relative to the main body (10) when the door (30) opens or closes the cooking chamber (21), or where the part connecting the door (30) and the hinge bracket (40) is movable relative to the main body (10) (for example, an embodiment in which the hinge brackets are rotatably connected to each other and is of the multi-joint hinge type), the rotation axis of the door (30) may not be fixed relative to the main body (10). Even in this case, the opening angle of the door (30) may be defined as the angle in which the door (30) rotates from the closed position to the direction in which the cooking chamber (21) opens, and the opening angle of the door (30) may increase as the door (30) rotates from the closed position to the open position.

[0066] According to one embodiment, the cooking appliance (1) may include a user interface (60).

[0067] The user interface (60) may include an input button (61) for obtaining user input.

[0068] For example, the input button (61) may be configured to receive various types of user inputs, such as a user input for turning the power of the cooking appliance (1) on / off, a user input for operating the start / end of cooking operations or settings, and a door opening signal which is a user input for opening the door (30). The input button (61) may be electrically connected to the control unit of the cooking appliance (1), and the electrical signal for the user input obtained by the input button (61) may be transmitted to the control unit.

[0069] As shown in FIG. 1, the input button (61) may be mounted on the front (30a) of the door (30), but is not limited thereto, and in various embodiments, the input button (61) may be mounted at various locations, such as a location adjacent to the handle (33) of the door (30) or the front of the main body (10).

[0070] The user interface (60) may include a display (62). The display (62) may be configured to display operation information of the cooking appliance (1).

[0071] For example, the display (62) may be configured to display various types of information regarding cooking operations, such as whether the cooking appliance (1) is on or off, and setting information for cooking operations such as the cooking mode. The display (62) may be electrically connected to the control unit of the cooking appliance (1), and the display (62) may display various information based on a signal transmitted from the control unit.

[0072] The configurations of the cooking device (1) described above with reference to FIGS. 1 and FIG. 2 are merely one embodiment of the present disclosure, and in various embodiments of the present disclosure, the cooking device (1) may include various configurations necessary for cooking food.

[0073] FIG. 3 is a drawing illustrating a door locking device of a cooking appliance according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0074] Referring to FIG. 3, a cooking appliance (1) according to one embodiment of the present disclosure may include a door locking device configured to lock or unlock the door (30). The door locking device may lock the door (30) when the door (30) is closed to fix it to the main body (10). The door locking device may unlock the door (30) to allow the door (30) to rotate relative to the main body (10). One configuration of the door locking device may be provided on the door (30), and another configuration of the door locking device that engages with the above may be provided on the main body (10).

[0075] The door (30) may include a locking part (31) as a component of the door locking device. When the door (30) closes the cooking chamber (21), the locking part (31) may be coupled to the main body (10). When the door (30) opens the cooking chamber (21), the locking part (31) may be separated from the main body (10).

[0076] The main body (10) may include a door locker (14) as another component of the door locking device. When the door (30) closes the cooking chamber (21), the catch (31) may be engaged with the door locker (14) and thus be coupled to the main body (10), thereby locking the door (30) in the closed position. When the catch (31) is disengaged from the door locker (14), the door (30) may be unlocked and become rotatable relative to the main body (10), and the cooking chamber (21) may be opened. That is, when the door (30) opens the cooking chamber (21), the catch (31) may be disengaged from the door locker (14).

[0077] For example, the locking portion (31) may have a latch structure protruding from the back surface (30b) of the door (30). The locking portion (31) may include a door coupling portion (31a, see FIG. 8) coupled to the door (30) and a latch (31b) extending from the door coupling portion (31a) and configured to engage with the door locker (14) when the door (30) is in a closed position.

[0078] The door coupling portion (31a) can be coupled to the interior of the door (30). A latch hole (32) can be formed on the back surface of the door (30), and a latch (31b) can be extended from the door coupling portion (31a) to pass through the latch hole (32).

[0079] The door coupling portion (31a) can be fixed to the door (30), and the latch (31b) is provided to be elastically deformable and movable relative to the door coupling portion (31a). As the latch (31b) elastically deforms, it may engage with the door locker (14) or detach from the door locker (14).

[0080] The main body (10) may include a locking hole (11h) through which a latch (31b) can pass. The locking hole (11h) may be provided so that the latch (31b) passes through when the door (30) is in a closed position. For example, the locking hole (11h) may be provided in the outer case (11). For example, the locking hole (11h) may be provided on the front of the outer case (11). For example, the locking hole (11h) may be provided in the front frame (11a). When the door (30) is closed, the latch (31b) can access the door locker (14) through the locking hole (11h). When the door (30) is opened, the latch (31b) can be disengaged from the door locker (14) and then disengaged from the outside of the main body (10) through the locking hole (11h).

[0081] According to one embodiment, the door locker (14) may be placed in the electrical room (22). For example, the door locker (14) may be placed in a part of the electrical room (22) formed between the inner case (12) and the side panel (11c). The door locker (14) may be coupled to the front frame (11a) in the electrical room (22).

[0082] The door locker (14) may include a latch support (14a) provided to support a latch (31b) of a locking part (31). The latch (31b) can be supported by the door locker (14) by engaging with the latch support (14a), and the door (30) can be locked to the main body (10). For example, the latch (31b) can engage with the latch support (14a) by having at least a portion of it located at the rear of the latch support (14a). When the latch (31b) moves forward of the latch support (14a), the locking between the latch (31b) and the latch support (14a) can be released, and the latch (31b) can be disengaged from the door locker (14).

[0083] The door locker (14) may include a latch guide (14b, see FIG. 8) provided to guide the movement of the latch (31b). The aforementioned latch support (14a) may be provided at the rear end of the latch guide (14b). The latch (31b) may move along the latch guide (14b) and may be elastically deformed or restored.

[0084] For example, when the door (30) is closed, the latch (31b) can move backward along the latch guide (14b) and be elastically deformed, and after the latch (31b) has passed through the entire latch guide (14b), the shape of the latch (31b) is restored so that the latch (31b) and the latch support (14a) can be engaged. When a predetermined force is applied to the latch (31b) so that the latch (31b) is elastically deformed to release the engagement with the latch support (14a) and is positioned on the latch guide (14b), the latch (31b) can move forward along the latch guide (14b) as its shape is restored and can be detached from the door locker (14).

[0085] For example, the latch guide (14b) may have a shape that is inclined upward as it faces backward, but the present disclosure is not limited thereto. The latch guide (14b) may have various shapes depending on the shape of the latch (31b) so as to guide the latch (31b), elastically deform the latch (31b), and enable it to engage with the latch support (14a).

[0086] According to one embodiment, the cooking appliance (1) may include a door opening / closing detection sensor (70) configured to detect the opening / closing of a door (30). The door opening / closing detection sensor (70) may be configured to detect whether the locking part (31) is coupled to the main body (10) or separated from the main body (10). The door opening / closing detection sensor (70) may be configured to detect whether the locking part (31) is engaged with the door locker (14) or detached from the door locker (14). The door opening / closing detection sensor (70) may be configured to detect whether the latch (31b) is engaged with the latch support part (14a) or whether the engagement with the latch support part (14a) is released.

[0087] According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, as shown in FIG. 3, a locking part (31) may be configured to protrude from the back surface (30b) of the door (30) and engage with or be released from a door locker (14) disposed inside the main body (10). However, the configuration of the present disclosure is not limited thereto, and according to various embodiments, the main body (10) may include a door locker with a latch structure that protrudes forward from the main body (10), and a locking part may be provided inside the door (30) to engage or be released from the latch structure of the door locker. In this embodiment, when the door (30) is closed, the door locker penetrates the back surface (30b) of the door (30) and engages with the locking part, thereby locking the door (30), and when the door locker is disengaged from the locking part and the lock of the door (30) is released, the door (30) may be opened.

[0088] For convenience of explanation, the following description is based on an embodiment of the door locking device (the locking part (31) of the door (30), the door locker (14) of the main body (10)) shown in FIG. 3.

[0089] FIG. 4 is a drawing showing a door pusher included in a door opening device of a cooking appliance according to one embodiment of the present disclosure positioned at a first pusher position. FIG. 5 is a drawing showing a door pusher included in a door opening device of a cooking appliance according to one embodiment of the present disclosure positioned at a second pusher position. FIG. 6 is a top view showing the configurations of a door opening device of a cooking appliance according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0090] Referring to FIGS. 4 through 6, a cooking appliance (1) according to one embodiment of the present disclosure may include a door opening device (100) configured to open a door (30). The door opening device (100) may be configured to rotate the door (30) in a direction in which the cooking chamber (21) is opened. The door opening device (100) may be configured to rotate the door (30) at a predetermined angle from a closed position. The door opening device (100) may be configured to rotate the door (30) so that the lock of the door (30) is released. The door opening device (100) may be configured to rotate the door (30) so that the locking part (31) is separated from the main body (10). The door opening device (100) may be configured to rotate the door (30) so that the locking part (31) is detached from the door locker (14).

[0091] According to one embodiment, the door opening device (100) may be mounted on the main body (10). The door opening device (100) may be placed within the electrical room (22). The door opening device (100) may include a pusher case (150) mounted on the main body (10). The pusher case (150) may be coupled to the main body (10) within the electrical room (22). The pusher case (150) may be fixed to the main body (10).

[0092] According to one embodiment, the door opening device (100) may be configured to press the door (30) to open the door (30). The door opening device (100) may include a door pusher (110) configured to press the door (30). The door pusher (110) may be configured to press the door (30) so that the door (30) rotates in a direction in which the cooking chamber (21) opens. The door pusher (110) may be configured to press the door (30) so that the door (30) rotates at a predetermined angle from the closed position. The door pusher (110) may be configured to press the door (30) so that the lock of the door (30) is released. The door pusher (110) may be configured to press the door (30) so that the locking part (31) is separated from the main body (10). The door pusher (110) may be configured to press the door (30) so that the locking part (31) is disengaged from the door locker (14).

[0093] To apply pressure to the door (30), the door pusher (110) may be movably provided relative to the main body (10). The door pusher (110) may be movably provided relative to the electrical room (22). The door pusher (110) may be movably supported by a pusher case (150) and may be movably provided relative to the pusher case (150).

[0094] The door pusher (110) may be configured to be movable between a first pusher position (P1) and a second pusher position (P2). The door pusher (110) may be configured to be reciprocally movable between a first pusher position (P1) and a second pusher position (P2).

[0095] The first pusher position (P1) may be the position of the door pusher (110) when the door (30) is in the closed position. The second pusher position (P2) may be the position where the door pusher (110) moves from the first pusher position (P1) in the direction of pressing the door (30). The door pusher (110) can move from the first pusher position (P1) toward the second pusher position (P2) and press the closed door (30) to open it. The second pusher position (P2) may be the position where the door pusher (110) moves forward from the first pusher position (P1).

[0096] When the door pusher (110) is positioned at the first pusher position (P1), it can be placed inside the main body (10), for example, in the electrical room (22), and can be moved to the second pusher position (P2) and withdrawn from the electrical room (22) by a predetermined distance. When the door pusher (110) is positioned at the first pusher position (P1), it can be in a state of being fully retracted into the pusher case (150), and can be moved to the second pusher position (P2) and withdrawn from the pusher case (150) by a predetermined distance.

[0097] The door pusher (110) may be configured to press the door (30) until it reaches a second pusher position (P2). Afterward, the door pusher (110) may stop moving or move to a first pusher position (P1) based on having reached the second pusher position (P2). In this case, the door pusher (110) may no longer press the door (30).

[0098] The cap (13) may include a pusher hole (13b) formed to allow the door pusher (110) to pass through. The door pusher (110) can pass through the pusher hole (13b) and move from a first pusher position (P1) to a second pusher position (P2).

[0099] As illustrated in FIGS. 4 and 5, the door pusher (110) may be arranged to be linearly movable between a first pusher position (P1) and a second pusher position (P2). As illustrated in FIGS. 4 and 5, the door pusher (110) may be arranged to be linearly movable between a first pusher position (P1) and a second pusher position (P2). For example, the door pusher (110) may include a bar-shaped rod portion (111) supported by a pusher case (150), and as the rod portion (111) moves linearly relative to the pusher case (150), the door pusher (110) may move linearly between a first pusher position (P1) and a second pusher position (P2). However, in other embodiments, the door pusher (110) may move non-linearly between a first pusher position (P1) and a second pusher position (P2).

[0100] The door opening device (100) may include a power source (120) provided to generate power for the door pusher (110) to move. The power source (120) may be supported by a pusher case (150). The power source (120) may be housed inside the pusher case (150).

[0101] The power source (120) may include a drive motor and a motor driver connected to the drive motor. The drive motor may generate power by receiving a drive current from the motor driver. The motor driver may be electrically connected to the control unit of the cooking appliance (1) and may operate based on a control signal received from the control unit. The control unit of the cooking appliance (1) may control the power source (120) to move the door pusher (110) from the first pusher position (P1) to the second pusher position (P2) based on conditions for opening the door (30). For example, conditions for opening the door (30) may include obtaining user input to open the door (30) through the input button (61).

[0102] The door opening device (100) may include a power transmission member (130) provided to transmit power generated by a power source (120) to a door pusher (110). The power transmission member (130) may be supported by a pusher case (150). The power transmission member (130) may be accommodated inside the pusher case (150).

[0103] For example, the power transmission member (130) may include at least one gear. As illustrated in FIG. 6, the power transmission member (130) may include a plurality of gears. For example, a structure capable of receiving power from the power transmission member (130) may be provided in the rod portion (111). The rod portion (111) may include a gear portion that meshes with one or more gears of the power transmission member (130). For example, the power transmission member (130) and the rod portion (111) may form a rack-pinion gear structure.

[0104] The door opening device (100) may further include a position sensing sensor (140) configured to detect the position of the door pusher (110). The position sensing sensor (140) may be supported in the pusher case (150). The position sensing sensor (140) may be placed inside the pusher case (150).

[0105] The position sensing sensor (140) can detect the position of the door pusher (110) by various methods. According to one embodiment, the position sensing sensor (140) may be configured to detect the magnetic field of a magnet (112) mounted on the door pusher (110). The position sensing sensor (140) can detect changes in the magnetic field caused by the magnet (112) as the door pusher (110) moves. For example, the position sensing sensor (140) may include a Hall sensor that detects a magnetic field. However, the type of position sensing sensor (140) is not limited thereto, and according to various embodiments, the position sensing sensor (140) may include various types of sensors capable of detecting the position of the door pusher (110), specifically, at least that the door pusher (110) has reached a second pusher position (P2). For example, the position detection sensor (140) may include various types of sensors, such as a reed switch and a light sensor.

[0106] The position detection sensor (140) can be electrically connected to the control unit of the cooking appliance (1). The position detection sensor (140) can transmit an electrical signal corresponding to the position of the door pusher (110) to the control unit. When the position detection sensor (140) detects that the door pusher (110) has reached the second pusher position (P2), it can output an electrical signal corresponding thereto and transmit it to the control unit. When the control unit receives the electrical signal indicating that the door pusher (110) has reached the second pusher position (P2), it can control the power source (120) so that the door pusher (110) stops or moves to the first pusher position (P1).

[0107] In addition, the control unit can determine whether the door pusher (110) has reached the second pusher position (P2) using various methods, and control the power source (120) based on this.

[0108] Although the configurations of a door opening device (100) according to one embodiment of the present disclosure have been described in detail above with reference to FIGS. 4 to 6, the configurations of the present disclosure are not limited thereto, and in various embodiments, the cooking appliance (1) may include a door opening device comprising various configurations for opening the door (30). For example, a door opening device according to various embodiments may be configured to open the door (30) by directly pressing the latch (31b, see FIG. 8) of a locking part (31) that is in a state of being hooked to the door locker (14) to disengage the locking part (31). For example, a door opening device according to various embodiments may be configured to open the door (30) by the reaction force of pressing the main body (10) mounted on the door (30).

[0109] FIG. 7 is a top view illustrating the door of a cooking appliance according to one embodiment of the present disclosure in a closed state. FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view illustrating the door locking device and the door opening device when the door of a cooking appliance according to one embodiment of the present disclosure is in a closed state. FIG. 9 is a top view illustrating the door of a cooking appliance according to one embodiment of the present disclosure in a state opened at a first angle. FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view illustrating the door locking device and the door opening device when the door of a cooking appliance according to one embodiment of the present disclosure is in a state opened at a first angle.

[0110] Referring to FIGS. 7 to 10, according to one embodiment of the present disclosure, the door opening device (100) can rotate the door (30) so that the locking part (31) is disengaged from the door locker (14).

[0111] As illustrated in FIGS. 7 and 8, when the cooking chamber (21) is closed, that is, when the door (30) is in the closed position, the locking portion (31) of the door (30) can be engaged with the door locker (14) of the main body (10) and connected to the main body (10). The latch (31b) can be supported by the latch guide (14b) of the door locker (14). This allows the door (30) to remain locked in the closed position.

[0112] As illustrated in FIGS. 9 and 10, when the door opening device (100) rotates the door (30) by a predetermined angle in the direction in which the cooking chamber (21) is opened, the locking part (31) can be disengaged from the door locker (14) and separated from the main body (10). The door opening device (100) can rotate the door (30) until at least the locking part (31) is disengaged from the door locker (14). For example, the door pusher (110) can move forward relative to the main body (10) and press the door (30) to rotate the door (30), thereby disengaging the locking part (31) from the door locker (14). The door pusher (110) can press the door (30) until at least the locking part (31) is disengaged from the door locker (14).

[0113] According to one embodiment, the first angle (a1) at which the door (30) is rotated from the closed position by the door opening device (100) may be smaller than the maximum opening angle of the door (30) (i.e., the opening angle when the door (30) is in the open position). Due to various causes, such as a limitation on the length to which the door pusher (110) can be pulled forward from the main body (10), the first angle (a1) may be smaller than the maximum opening angle of the door (30). The door opening device (100) may rotate the door (30) until the door (30) is opened to the first angle (a1). The door pusher (110) may press the door (30) until the door (30) is opened to the first angle (a1). When the door pusher (110) reaches the second pusher position (P2), the opening angle of the door (30) may become the first angle (a1).

[0114] For example, the first angle (a1) may be approximately 2.5 degrees. That is, when the door (30) is rotated approximately 2.5 degrees from the closed position, the locking part (31) may be disengaged from the door locker (14).

[0115] The first angle (a1) may also be referred to as the "unlock angle (a1)".

[0116] When the door (30) rotates to a first angle (a1), the door opening operation of the door opening device (100) may be terminated. When the door (30) rotates to a first angle (a1), the door pusher (110) may stop after reaching a second pusher position (P2) or move back to the first pusher position (P1). Even after the operation of the door opening device (100) is terminated, the door (30) may rotate further due to inertia and open to an angle greater than the first angle (a1). The angle at which the door (30) rotates further due to inertia may vary depending on factors such as the mass of the door (30). For example, the door (30) may open to an angle of approximately 5 degrees or more and 10 degrees or less due to the effect of inertia.

[0117] According to this structure, the door (30) can be automatically unlocked by the door opening device (100) and the door (30) can be automatically opened by a predetermined angle. However, it is expected that user convenience can be improved if the door (30) is configured to open to a maximum opening angle even if the user does not open the door (30) further by holding the door (30) with their hand and opening it only by the above angle.

[0118] Below, a structure for rotating the door (30) until the door (30) reaches the maximum opening angle is described in detail.

[0119] FIG. 11 is a drawing illustrating some components, such as a lever supporter, a lever, an opening spring, and a door stopper, of a cooking appliance according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 12 is a drawing illustrating some components, such as a lever supporter, a lever, an opening spring, and a door stopper, of a cooking appliance according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 13 is a drawing illustrating some components, such as a lever supporter, a lever, an opening spring, and a door stopper, of a cooking appliance according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 14 is a cross-sectional view illustrating the appearance of some components, such as a lever supporter, a lever, an opening spring, and a door stopper, when the door of a cooking appliance according to one embodiment of the present disclosure is closed.

[0120] Referring to FIGS. 11 to 14, a cooking appliance (1) according to one embodiment of the present disclosure may include a lever (200) configured to open a door (30) and an opening spring (300).

[0121] The lever (200) may come into contact with the door (30). For example, the lever (200) may be positioned inside the door (30) and may come into contact with the inner surface of the door (30). For example, the lever (200) may come into contact with the first side wall (30c) of the door (30) adjacent to the axis of rotation of the door (30). The lever (200) may come into contact with the inner surface of the first side wall (30c) of the door (30).

[0122] The lever (200) may be rotatably provided relative to the main body (10). The lever (200) may rotate together with the door (30). The lever (200) may rotate relative to the main body (10) as the door (30) rotates. The door (30) may rotate relative to the main body (10) as the lever (200) rotates. The axis of rotation of the lever (200) may be parallel to the axis of rotation of the door (30). The axis of rotation of the lever (200) may be nearly aligned with the axis of rotation of the door (30). For example, the axis of rotation of the lever (200) may extend approximately in the vertical direction (Z).

[0123] As the lever (200) contacts the door (30) and the lever (200) is rotatable relative to the main body (10), the lever (200) may be configured to press the door (30). The lever (200) may be configured to press the door (30) so that the door (30) rotates in the direction in which the cooking chamber (21) opens. For example, the lever (200) may be configured to rotate and press the inner surface of the door (30). For example, the lever (200) may be configured to rotate and press the first side wall (30c) of the door (30). For example, the lever (200) may be configured to rotate and press the inner surface of the first side wall (30c) of the door (30).

[0124] The cooking device (1) may include a lever supporter (50) that supports a lever (200). The lever supporter (50) may rotatably support the lever (200). The lever (200) may be rotatably provided with respect to the lever supporter (50). The axis of rotation of the lever (200) may pass through the lever supporter (50).

[0125] The lever supporter (50) can be fixed to the main body (10). The lever supporter (50) can be coupled to the main body (10). The lever supporter (50) may include a main body coupling part (51) provided to be coupled to the main body (10). For example, the main body coupling part (51) may be coupled to the cap (13). For example, the main body coupling part (51) may be coupled to the inner surface of the cap (13). However, it is not limited thereto, and the lever supporter (50) may be fixed to various components of the main body (10), such as the outer case (11).

[0126] The cooking appliance (1) may include an opening spring (300) so that the lever (200) can press the door (30) in an opening direction. The opening spring (300) may be provided to provide elastic force in a direction in which the door (30) opens the cooking chamber (21). The opening spring (300) may be provided to provide elastic force to the lever (200). The opening spring (300) may provide elastic force to the lever (200) in a direction that opens the door (30). The lever (200) may press the door (30) by the elastic force provided from the opening spring (300).

[0127] The opening spring (300) may be configured to accumulate elastic force according to the angle at which the door (30) opens the cooking chamber (21). For example, the opening spring (300) may be configured such that the elastic force accumulated in the opening spring (300) increases as the opening angle of the door (30) decreases, and the elastic force accumulated in the opening spring (300) decreases as the opening angle of the door (30) increases.

[0128] The opening spring (300) may come into contact with the lever supporter (50) and the lever (200). For example, one end of the opening spring (300) may come into contact with the lever supporter (50) and the other end may come into contact with the lever (200). One end of the opening spring (300) may be supported by the lever supporter (50), and the other end of the opening spring (300) may be movable together with the lever (200). As one end of the opening spring (300) is supported by the lever supporter (50), it may be supported by the main body (10). Thus, the elastic force accumulated in the opening spring (300) may vary depending on the opening angle of the door (30).

[0129] However, it is not limited thereto, and according to various embodiments, the open spring (300) may have various structures in which one end is supported by various components fixed to the main body (10), such as a hinge bracket (40), in addition to the lever supporter (50), or by the main body (10), and the other end contacts the lever (200).

[0130] According to one embodiment, the opening spring (300) may include a torsion spring configured such that the degree of elastic force accumulation varies depending on the angle of twisting. In one embodiment, the opening spring (300) may be referred to as a "torsion spring." The torsion spring may vary in the degree of twisting depending on the opening angle of the door (30), thereby varying the degree of elastic force accumulation. For example, the torsion spring may be configured such that the degree of twisting increases as the opening angle of the door (30) decreases, and the degree of twisting decreases as the opening angle of the door (30) increases.

[0131] For example, the torsion spring can surround the axis of rotation of the lever (200). For example, the torsion spring can surround the lever shaft (210) of the lever (200) described later.

[0132] For example, the torsion axis of the torsion spring may be parallel to the rotation axis of the door (30). For example, the torsion axis of the torsion spring may be parallel to the rotation axis of the lever (200). For example, the torsion axis of the torsion spring may be parallel to the vertical direction (Z).

[0133] For example, the opening spring (300) may include a plurality of torsion springs. The plurality of torsion springs may be arranged in a direction parallel to the axis of rotation of the lever (200). Each of the plurality of torsion springs may provide elastic force in the same direction to the lever (200) so as to press the lever (200) in the direction of opening the door (30). For example, as shown in FIGS. 12 and 13, the opening spring (300) may include a pair of torsion springs.

[0134] The following description is based on an embodiment in which the opening spring (300) includes a torsion spring, but according to various embodiments, the opening spring (300) may include various types of springs that provide elastic force to the lever (200) in a direction that opens the door (30) by varying the elastic force accumulated according to the opening angle of the door (30).

[0135] Below, the configurations of the lever (200), lever supporter (50), and open spring (300) are described in more detail.

[0136] The lever (200) may include a pressing part (230) provided to press the door (30). The pressing part (230) may be provided to press the door (30) as the door (30) rotates. The pressing part (230) may come into contact with the door (30). The pressing part (230) may come into contact with the inner surface of the door (30). The pressing part (230) may come into contact with a first side wall (30c) close to the axis of rotation of the door (30).

[0137] According to one embodiment, the pressurizing part (230) may have a flat plate shape. However, the shape of the pressurizing part (230) is not limited thereto, and in various embodiments, the pressurizing part (230) may have various shapes.

[0138] The lever (200) may include a lever shaft (210). The lever shaft (210) may pass through the axis of rotation of the lever (200). The lever shaft (210) may have a bar shape that extends parallel to the axis of rotation of the lever (200). For example, the lever shaft (210) may extend in an approximately vertical direction (Z).

[0139] The lever shaft (210) can be supported by a lever supporter (50). The lever shaft (210) can rotatably support the pressurizing part (230) with respect to the lever supporter (50). The lever shaft (210) can be coupled to a shaft coupling part (52) of the lever supporter (50). For example, a hole may be provided in the shaft coupling part (52) to allow the lever shaft (210) to be coupled. For example, the lever supporter (50) may include a pair of shaft coupling parts (52) facing each other in the extension direction of the lever shaft (210), and both ends of the lever shaft (210) may be coupled to holes provided in the pair of shaft coupling parts (52), respectively.

[0140] The pressure member (230) may be connected to the lever shaft (210). The pressure member (230) may extend from the lever shaft (210). For example, the pressure member (230) may extend from the lever shaft (210) in a direction different from the extension direction of the lever shaft (210) (e.g., vertical direction (Z)).

[0141] The lever (200) may include a spring coupling part (220) to which an opening spring (300) is coupled. By being coupled to the spring coupling part (220), the opening spring (300) can efficiently transmit elastic force to the lever (200). For example, the spring coupling part (220) may be provided on the pressure part (230). For example, the spring coupling part (220) may be provided on a side opposite to the side of the pressure part (230) that contacts the door (30). For example, the spring coupling part (220) may be provided on a side of the pressure part (230) facing the inside of the door (30) (i.e., a side of the pressure part (230) opposite to the first side wall (30c) of the door (30). The number of spring coupling parts (220) may correspond to the number of opening springs (300) included in the cooking appliance (1).

[0142] The open spring (300) may include a winding portion (310) surrounding the rotation axis of the lever (200), a support portion (320) supported by the main body (10), and a lever contact portion (330) in contact with the lever (200).

[0143] The winding portion (310) may have a shape wound in one direction. The winding portion (310) may surround the lever shaft (210).

[0144] The support portion (320) may extend from one end of the winding portion (310). The support portion (320) may be supported by a lever supporter (50). The support portion (320) may be supported against the main body (10) by being supported by the lever supporter (50). The support portion (320) may be supported by the lever supporter (50) in contact with the open spring contact surface (53) of the lever supporter (50). For example, the open spring contact surface (53) may be provided on one side of the lever supporter (50) facing the pressurizing portion (230). For example, the open spring contact surface (53) may be provided on one side of the lever supporter (50) facing the lever shaft (210). For example, the open spring contact surface (53) may be provided on one side of the lever supporter (50) facing the first side wall (30c).

[0145] The lever contact portion (330) may extend from the other end of the winding portion (310). The lever contact portion (330) may contact the lever (200) and provide elastic force to the lever (200) in the direction in which the door (30) opens.

[0146] For example, the lever contact portion (330) may be coupled to the spring coupling portion (220) of the lever (200). For example, the spring coupling portion (220) may have the shape of a groove that is concavely recessed from one side of the lever (200), and the lever contact portion (330) may be fitted into the groove-shaped spring coupling portion (220). This allows the elastic force from the open spring (300) to be transmitted to the lever (200) more efficiently. However, it is not limited thereto, and the lever contact portion (330) may be coupled to or come into contact with the lever (200) in various ways.

[0147] With this configuration, even after the operation of the door opening device (100) is terminated after the locking part (31) is disengaged from the door locker (14) and the door (30) is unlocked, the door (30) can be rotated further toward the open position by the opening spring (300) and the lever (200), and furthermore, the door (30) can be rotated to reach the maximum opening angle. Design specifications of the opening spring (300), such as the elastic modulus of the opening spring (300) and the displacement of the opening spring (300) when the door (30) is in the closed position, can be appropriately determined so that the door (30) can be rotated to the maximum opening angle by the elastic force provided by the opening spring (300).

[0148] As illustrated in FIG. 14, according to one embodiment, the lever contact portion (330) may extend in a direction different from the direction extending from the first side wall (30c) of the door (30) adjacent to the rotation axis of the door (30) to the second side wall (30d) of the door (30) opposite to the first side wall (30c). For example, the lever contact portion (330) may extend in a direction parallel to the first side wall (30c) of the door (30). For example, the lever contact portion (330) may extend in a direction parallel to the pressing portion (230) of the lever (200). For example, the lever contact portion (330) may extend from the winding portion (310) toward the front (30a) of the door (30). For example, the lever contact portion (330) may extend in a direction approximately in the front-back direction (X). With this structure, the elastic force from the opening spring (300) can be applied to the first side wall (30c) in a direction approximately orthogonal to the first side wall (30c) of the door (30). When the door (30) is closed, the elastic force from the opening spring (300) can be applied to the door (30) in the left-right direction (Y) of the door (30) rather than in the front (X) of the door (30).

[0149] Unlike the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 14, in the case of an embodiment where the lever contact portion (330) extends parallel to the direction extending from the first side wall (30c) to the second side wall (30d) of the door (30), the elastic force from the opening spring (300) can be applied to the door (30) in a forward direction. In this case, even if the door opening device (100) does not operate while the door (30) is closed, the problem may occur where the locking portion (31) is disengaged from the door locker (14) due to the elastic force applied forward to the door (30).

[0150] However, as described above, according to the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 14, the lever contact portion (330) may be extended in a direction different from the direction extending from the first side wall (30c) to the second side wall (30d) of the door (30), and thus, when the door (30) is closed, the elastic force from the opening spring (300) may be applied to the door (30) in the left-right direction (Y) of the door (30) rather than in the front (X) of the door (30), and the locking portion (31) may be disengaged from the door locker (14) and the door (30) may not be unintentionally opened unless a force from the door opening device (100) or other external force is applied.

[0151] When the door (30) is opened to the maximum opening angle by the elastic force from the opening spring (300), if the opening speed of the door (30) is excessively fast, the door (30) may collide with and be damaged by the main body (10), hinge bracket (40), or other surrounding structures as it opens, or there is a risk that various parts may be damaged by applying a load to the hinge bracket (40), lever supporter (50), etc. Additionally, if the opening speed of the door (30) is excessively fast, after the door (30) reaches the maximum opening angle, it may collide with the main body (10) or hinge bracket (40) and then rotate in a direction to close again due to the repulsive force, so the opening angle of the door (30) may not be maintained at a constant level.

[0152] Accordingly, according to one embodiment, the cooking appliance (1) may include a door stopper (400). The door stopper (400) may be provided to press the door (30) in a direction that closes the cooking chamber (21) when the door (30) is rotated at an angle greater than a second angle (a2, see FIG. 15) from the closed position, that is, when the door (30) opens the cooking chamber (21) by an angle greater than the second angle (a2). The door stopper (400) can reduce the opening speed of the door (30) by pressing the door (30) in a direction that closes the cooking chamber (21) when the door (30) is opened by an angle greater than the second angle (a2).

[0153] The second angle (a2) may be larger than the first angle (a1) described above. For example, the second angle (a2) may be approximately 80 degrees.

[0154] The second angle (a2) may be referred to as the "door deceleration angle (a2)".

[0155] According to one embodiment, the door stopper (400) may be provided to apply elastic force to the door (30) in a direction in which the cooking chamber (21) is closed when the door (30) is opened beyond a second angle (a2). According to one embodiment, the door stopper (400) may include a plate spring that is elastically deformable. In one embodiment, the door stopper (400) may be referred to as a "plate spring."

[0156] Based on the door (30) opening the cooking chamber (21) to a second angle (a2) or less, the door (30) and the door stopper (400) may be separated from each other. That is, based on the door (30) opening the cooking chamber (21) to a second angle (a2) or less, the door (30) and the plate spring (400) may be separated from each other (see FIG. 14). When the door stopper (400) and the door (30) are separated from each other, the door stopper (400) may not apply elastic force to the door (30).

[0157] The door stopper (400) can provide elastic force to the door (30) in the direction in which the cooking chamber (21) is closed by contacting the door (30). For example, the door stopper (400) can provide elastic force to the door (30) in the direction in which the cooking chamber (21) is closed by contacting the inner surface of the door (30). For example, the door stopper (400) can provide elastic force to the door (30) in the direction in which the cooking chamber (21) is closed by contacting the first side wall (30c) of the door (30).

[0158] Based on the door (30) opening the cooking chamber (21) by a second angle (a2) or more, the door stopper (400) may come into contact with the door (30). Based on the door (30) opening the cooking chamber (21) by a second angle (a2) or more, the door stopper (400) may be provided to provide elastic force to the door (30) in the direction in which the cooking chamber (21) is closed. That is, based on the door (30) opening the cooking chamber (21) by a second angle (a2) or more, the plate spring (400) may come into contact with the door (30). Based on the door (30) opening the cooking chamber (21) by a second angle (a2) or more, the plate spring (400) may be provided to provide elastic force to the door (30) in the direction in which the cooking chamber (21) is closed (see FIG. 16, FIG. 18, etc.).

[0159] The door stopper (400) can be supported by the main body (10). For example, the door stopper (400) can be supported by the main body (10) by being supported by the lever supporter (50). The door stopper (400) can be coupled to the lever supporter (50). For example, as shown in FIG. 13, the supporter coupling part (440) of the door stopper (400) can be coupled to the door stopper fixing part (54) of the lever supporter (50). For example, the supporter coupling part (440) can be fitted into and coupled to the door stopper fixing part (54). Furthermore, the supporter coupling part (440) can be more firmly fixed to the lever supporter (50) by a fastening member, such as a screw, that penetrates the main body coupling part (51).

[0160] The door stopper (400) may include a support member (410) supported by the main body (10). For example, the support member (410) may be supported by a lever supporter (50). The support member (410) may come into contact with the lever supporter (50). For example, the support member (410) may be supported at the rear end of the lever supporter (50). The support member (410) may come into contact with the rear end of the lever supporter (50).

[0161] The support member (410) can be spaced apart from the door (30). The support member (410) can be spaced apart from the door (30) regardless of the opening angle of the door (30).

[0162] For example, the support member (410) may be provided separately from the supporter coupling member (440), but the embodiments of the present disclosure are not limited thereto.

[0163] The door stopper (400) may include a free end (420) that is movable relative to a support end (410). As the support end (410) is supported by the main body (10) and the free end (420) is movable relative to the support end (410), at least the portion between the support end (410) and the free end (420) of the door stopper (400) may be elastically deformed by an external force. The free end (420) may come into contact with the door (30) when the door (30) opens the kitchen (21) by a second angle (a2) or more. The free end (420) may be provided to come into contact with the door (30) and provide elastic force to the door (30) when the opening angle of the door (30) is greater than the second angle (a2).

[0164] When the opening angle of the door (30) is the second angle (a2), the free end (420) can come into contact with the door (30). When the opening angle of the door (30) is the second angle (a2), the free end (420) can come into contact with the inner surface of the door (30). When the opening angle of the door (30) is the second angle (a2), the free end (420) can come into contact with the first side wall (30c) of the door (30). When the opening angle of the door (30) becomes larger than the second angle (a2), the door stopper (400) undergoes elastic deformation and the free end (420) can move, and as the opening angle of the door (30) increases, the degree of elastic deformation of the door stopper (400) and the degree of movement of the free end (420) can increase.

[0165] For example, the support end (410) may be in contact with the rear end of the lever supporter (50), and the free end (420) may be positioned further back than the support end (410). For example, the free end (420) may be positioned further back than the axis of rotation of the lever (200). For example, the free end (420) may be positioned further back than the lever shaft (210).

[0166] The door stopper (400) may include an inclined portion (430) extending between the support portion (410) and the free portion (420). The inclined portion (430) may extend in a direction that becomes closer to the main body (10) as it moves from the support portion (410) toward the free portion (420). The inclined portion (430) may extend backward as it moves from the support portion (410) toward the free portion (420). The inclined portion (430) may extend in a direction that becomes closer to the axis of rotation of the lever (200) as it moves from the support portion (410) toward the free portion (420). The inclined portion (430) may extend in a direction that becomes closer to the axis of rotation of the first side wall (30c) as it moves from the support portion (410) toward the free portion (420).

[0167] With this structure, when the opening angle of the door (30) reaches a second angle (a2) while the door (30) is opening, the free end (420) of the door stopper (400) comes into contact with the door (30). When the door (30) opens further, the inclined portion (430) of the door stopper (400) is elastically deformed, and elastic force can be provided to the door (30) in the direction in which the cooking chamber (21) is closed.

[0168] Thus, the opening speed of the door (30) can be gradually reduced when the door (30) is further opened from the second angle (a2). As a result, the opening speed of the door (30) can be reduced as the door (30) approaches the opening position, and the door (30) can be stopped naturally when the door (30) reaches the opening position. In addition, parts such as the door (30), hinge bracket (40), lever supporter (50), and main body (10) can be prevented from wearing out or being damaged as the door (30) rotates repeatedly. In addition, the opening speed and maximum opening angle of the door (30) can be maintained at a constant level. In addition, collision with surrounding structures can be prevented when the door (30) is opened. In addition, the effect of the door (30) opening naturally can be provided to the user.

[0169] Components such as the lever supporter (50), opening spring (300), and door stopper (400), described with reference to FIGS. 11 to 14, can be placed inside the main body (10), for example, inside the cap (13). This allows the above components to be hidden from view by the user from the outside of the cooking appliance (1), thereby improving the appearance quality. Additionally, when the door (30) is opened or closed, some of the above components may be exposed to the outside of the cooking appliance (1), preventing safety accidents such as a user's body part being caught.

[0170] FIG. 15 is a top view illustrating the door of a cooking appliance according to one embodiment of the present disclosure opened at a second angle. FIG. 16 is a cross-sectional view illustrating the appearance of some components, such as a lever supporter, a lever, an opening spring, and a door stopper, when the door of a cooking appliance according to one embodiment of the present disclosure is opened at a second angle. FIG. 17 is a top view illustrating the door of a cooking appliance according to one embodiment of the present disclosure opened at a third angle. FIG. 18 is a cross-sectional view illustrating the appearance of some components, such as a lever supporter, a lever, an opening spring, and a door stopper, when the door of a cooking appliance according to one embodiment of the present disclosure is opened at a third angle.

[0171] Referring to FIGS. 15 to 18, according to one embodiment of the present disclosure, even if the door opening operation of the door opening device (100) is terminated after the locking part (31) is disengaged from the door locker (14) by the door opening device (100), the door (30) can continue to rotate by the lever (200) pressing the door (30) by the elastic force of the opening spring (300). The door (30) can rotate up to a third angle (a3), which is the maximum opening angle of the door (30).

[0172] The third angle (a3) ​​may be larger than the second angle (a2) described above. For example, the third angle (a3) ​​may be approximately 100 degrees, but is not limited thereto.

[0173] Referring to FIGS. 15 and 16, after the locking part (31) is disengaged from the door locker (14) by the door opening device (100), the door (30) continues to rotate by the opening spring (300) and the lever (200). When the opening angle of the door (30) reaches a second angle (a2), the door stopper (400) may come into contact with the inner surface of the door (30). As the door (30) continues to open while the door stopper (400) is in contact with the inner surface of the door (30), the door stopper (400), particularly the inclined part (430), may be elastically deformed, and the door stopper (400) may provide elastic force to the door (30) in the direction in which the cooking chamber (21) is closed. Thus, a force can be applied to the door (30) from the opening spring (300) and the lever (200) in the direction in which the cooking chamber (21) is opened, and at the same time, a force can be applied from the door stopper (400) in the direction in which the cooking chamber (21) is closed.

[0174] As the opening angle of the door (30) increases between the second angle (a2) and the third angle (a3), the opening speed of the door (30) can be gradually reduced. Subsequently, as shown in FIGS. 17 and 18, when the opening angle of the door (30) reaches the third angle (a3), the door (30) can stop. When the opening angle of the door (30) is the third angle (a3), the elastic force by the opening spring (300) and the elastic force by the door stopper (400) can be in equilibrium.

[0175] For example, when the opening angle of the door (30) is the third angle (a3), the inclined portion (430) may be positioned parallel to the inner surface of the first side wall (30c) of the door (30). When the opening angle of the door (30) is the third angle (a3), the inclined portion (430) may be in contact with the inner surface of the door (30) almost entirely.

[0176] With reference to FIGS. 1 to 18, an embodiment in which a lever (200) is supported by a lever supporter (50) and thus supported on the main body (10) has been described above. However, unlike this, a cooking device according to various embodiments may not include a lever supporter for supporting the lever (200), and the lever (200) may be supported by being directly coupled to, for example, a hinge bracket (40). In such an embodiment, an open spring (300) may also be supported by the hinge bracket (40). In this case, the hinge bracket (40) may be referred to as a lever supporter.

[0177] In the above description, an opening spring (300) including a torsion spring has been described in detail with reference to FIGS. 1 to 18, but the present disclosure is not limited thereto and, according to various embodiments, the opening spring (300) may include various types of springs (e.g., compression / extension springs, etc.) that provide elastic force to the lever (200) in a direction to open the door (30) by varying the elastic force accumulated according to the opening angle of the door (30).

[0178] Although a door stopper (400) including a plate spring has been described in detail above with reference to FIGS. 1 to 18, the present disclosure is not limited thereto and, for example, according to various embodiments, the cooking appliance (1) may include various types of door stoppers configured to be provided on a hinge bracket (40) and / or a lever supporter (50) to interfere with the door (30) and / or lever (200) and to reduce the rotational speed of the door (30) by friction.

[0179] In the foregoing, with reference to FIGS. 1 to 18, a case in which a cooking appliance (1) according to various embodiments is a microwave oven has been described as an example. However, according to various embodiments of the present disclosure, the cooking appliance (1) may include various types of cooking appliances such as ovens in addition to microwave ovens. Furthermore, the configurations of the present disclosure may be applied to various types of home appliances and other devices that may include structures or devices for opening a closed door.

[0180] A cooking device according to one embodiment of the present disclosure may include: a main body forming a cooking chamber; a door rotatably provided with respect to the main body to open and close the cooking chamber, the door including a locking member provided to be coupled to the main body when the door closes the cooking chamber and separated from the main body when the door opens the cooking chamber; a door opening device configured to rotate the door so that the locking member separates from the main body; an opening spring provided to accumulate elastic force according to the angle at which the door opens the cooking chamber, the opening spring provided to provide elastic force in the direction in which the door opens the cooking chamber; and a lever provided to be rotatably provided with respect to the main body as the door rotates, and provided to press the door in contact with the opening spring and the door so that the door rotates in the direction in which the cooking chamber opens by means of the elastic force provided by the opening spring.

[0181] One end of the above-mentioned opening spring is supported by the above-mentioned main body, and the other end of the above-mentioned opening spring can come into contact with the above-mentioned lever.

[0182] The above-mentioned opening spring may include a torsion spring surrounding the rotation axis of the lever.

[0183] It may further include a lever supporter fixed to the main body and rotatably supporting the lever. The open spring may include a winding portion surrounding the rotation axis of the lever, a support portion extending from the winding portion and supported by the lever supporter, and a lever contact portion extending from the winding portion and contacting the lever.

[0184] The lever contact portion may extend in a direction different from the direction extending from the first side wall of the door adjacent to the rotation axis of the door to the second side wall of the door opposite to the first side wall.

[0185] The lever contact portion may extend parallel to the first side wall of the door.

[0186] The lever contact portion can be coupled to the lever.

[0187] The lever may come into contact with one side wall of the door adjacent to the rotation axis of the door.

[0188] The above cooking device may further include a door stopper configured to press the door in a direction in which the cooking chamber is closed, based on the fact that the angle at which the door opens the cooking chamber is greater than or equal to the door deceleration angle.

[0189] The above door stopper may further include a plate spring. Based on the door opening the cooking chamber to a door deceleration angle less than the door deceleration angle, the door and the plate spring may be spaced apart from each other. Based on the door opening the cooking chamber to a door deceleration angle greater than the door deceleration angle, the plate spring may be provided to provide elastic force to the door in the direction in which the cooking chamber is closed.

[0190] Based on the fact that the above door has opened the above cooking chamber beyond the door deceleration angle, the plate spring may be arranged to press one side wall of the door adjacent to the rotation axis of the door.

[0191] The above plate spring may include a support end supported by the main body, and a free end movable relative to the support end and arranged to contact the door and provide elastic force to the door when the door opens the cooking chamber beyond the door deceleration angle.

[0192] The above plate spring may include an inclined portion that extends in a direction that becomes closer to the main body as it moves from the support end toward the free end.

[0193] The above cooking device may further include a lever supporter that is fixed to the main body and rotatably supports the lever. The plate spring may be coupled to the lever supporter.

[0194] The above door opening device may further include a door pusher mounted on the main body and arranged to press the door.

[0195] A cooking device according to one embodiment of the present disclosure may include: a main body forming a cooking chamber; a door rotatably provided with respect to the main body to open and close the cooking chamber, the door comprising a locking member provided to be coupled to the main body when the door closes the cooking chamber and separated from the main body when the door opens the cooking chamber; a door opening device provided to open the door; a torsion spring, one end of which is supported by the main body and configured such that the accumulated elastic force increases as the angle at which the door opens the cooking chamber becomes smaller; and a lever rotatably provided with respect to the main body and in contact with the other end of the torsion spring and the door. The door opening device may be provided to rotate the door so that the locking member separates from the main body. The lever may be provided to press the door so that the door rotates in the direction of opening the cooking chamber by means of the elastic force provided by the torsion spring.

[0196] The lever may be configured to press one side wall of the door adjacent to the axis of rotation of the door by means of the elastic force provided by the torsion spring.

[0197] The above cooking device may further include a plate spring provided to provide elastic force to the door in the direction in which the cooking chamber is closed, based on the door opening the cooking chamber beyond the door deceleration angle.

[0198] Based on the door opening the cooking chamber to a degree less than the door deceleration angle, the door and the plate spring may be spaced apart from each other. Based on the door opening the cooking chamber to a degree greater than the door deceleration angle, the plate spring may be arranged to press the door.

[0199] A cooking device according to one embodiment of the present disclosure may include: a main body forming a cooking chamber and including a door locker; a door rotatably provided with respect to the main body to open and close the cooking chamber, the door including a locking portion provided to engage with the door locker when the door closes the cooking chamber and to disengage from the door locker when the door opens the cooking chamber; a door pusher mounted on the main body and provided to press the door until the locking portion disengages from the door locker; a lever supporter fixed to the main body; a lever rotatably supported by the lever supporter and in contact with the door; and a torsion spring in contact with the lever supporter and the lever, provided to accumulate elastic force according to the angle at which the door opens the cooking chamber. The lever may be provided to press the door so that the door rotates in the direction in which the cooking chamber is opened by means of the elastic force provided by the torsion spring.

[0200] According to the concept of the present disclosure, the cooking appliance includes a door opening device and an opening spring and a lever for rotating the door, so that the door can be opened automatically.

[0201] According to the concept of the present disclosure, the locking part of the door can be disengaged from the door locker by a door opening device, and the door can be automatically opened by the door continuing to rotate by an opening spring and a lever.

[0202] According to the concept of the present disclosure, after the door locking part is disengaged from the door locker by the door opening device, the door is pressed in the direction of opening by the opening spring and lever, so that the door can rotate to the position of maximum opening without stopping during the opening process.

[0203] According to the concept of the present disclosure, after the door is opened beyond a certain angle, the door is pressed in a direction in which the cooking chamber is closed by a door stopper including a plate spring, so that the opening speed can be reduced.

[0204] The effects according to the concept of the present disclosure are not limited to the effects mentioned above, and other unmentioned effects will be clearly understood by those skilled in the art from the description below.

[0205] Specific embodiments have been illustrated and described above. However, the invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, and those skilled in the art may make various modifications without departing from the essence of the technical concept of the invention as described in the following claims.

Claims

1. A main body forming a cooking chamber; A door rotatably provided with respect to the main body to open and close the cooking chamber, comprising a locking portion provided to be coupled to the main body when the door closes the cooking chamber and separated from the main body when the door opens the cooking chamber; A door opening device configured to rotate the door so that the above-mentioned locking part is separated from the main body; An opening spring configured to accumulate elastic force according to the angle at which the door opens the cooking chamber, wherein the opening spring configured to provide elastic force in the direction in which the door opens the cooking chamber; and A cooking appliance comprising: a lever that is rotatably provided relative to the main body as the door rotates, and which is provided to press the door by means of an elastic force provided from the opening spring and the door, so that the door rotates in the direction in which the cooking chamber opens.

2. In Paragraph 1, A cooking appliance in which one end of the above-mentioned opening spring is supported by the above-mentioned main body and the other end of the above-mentioned opening spring contacts the above-mentioned lever.

3. In Paragraph 1, The above-mentioned opening spring is a cooking appliance comprising a torsion spring that surrounds the rotation axis of the lever.

4. In Paragraph 1, It further includes a lever supporter fixed to the main body and rotatably supporting the lever; The above-mentioned opening spring is, A winding part surrounding the rotation axis of the above lever; A support member extending from the winding member and supported by the lever supporter; and A cooking appliance comprising: a lever contact portion extending from the winding portion and contacting the lever.

5. In Paragraph 4, The above lever contact portion is a cooking device that extends in a direction different from the direction extending from the first side wall of the door adjacent to the rotation axis of the door to the second side wall of the door opposite to the first side wall.

6. In Paragraph 5, The above lever contact portion is a cooking appliance that extends parallel to the first side wall of the door.

7. In Paragraph 4, The above lever contact portion is a cooking device coupled to the above lever.

8. In Paragraph 1, The lever is a cooking appliance that contacts one side wall of the door adjacent to the rotation axis of the door.

9. In Paragraph 1, A cooking device further comprising a door stopper configured to press the door in a direction in which the cooking chamber is closed, based on the fact that the angle at which the door opens the cooking chamber is greater than or equal to the door deceleration angle.

10. In Paragraph 9, The above door stopper further includes a plate spring, and Based on the fact that the above door has opened the above cooking chamber to a degree less than the door deceleration angle, the door and the plate spring are spaced apart from each other, and A cooking device configured such that, based on the door opening the cooking chamber by more than the door deceleration angle, the plate spring is provided to provide elastic force to the door in the direction in which the cooking chamber is closed.

11. In Paragraph 10, A cooking appliance in which, based on the door opening the cooking chamber by a door deceleration angle or more, the plate spring is configured to press one side wall of the door adjacent to the rotation axis of the door.

12. In Paragraph 10, The above plate spring is, A support member supported by the above main body; and A cooking appliance comprising: a free end that is movable relative to the support end and is arranged to contact the door and provide elastic force to the door when the door opens the cooking chamber beyond the door deceleration angle.

13. In Paragraph 12, The above plate spring is, A cooking device comprising: an inclined portion extending in a direction that becomes closer to the main body as it moves from the support end toward the free end.

14. In Paragraph 10, It further includes a lever supporter fixed to the main body and rotatably supporting the lever; The above plate spring is a cooking appliance coupled to the above lever supporter.

15. In Paragraph 1, A cooking appliance further comprising: a door pusher mounted on the main body and configured to press the door.

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