Knob assembly and cooking appliance comprising same

Abstract

The present invention relates to a knob assembly (100) and a cooking appliance comprising same. The present invention may comprise: a knob body (NB) which rotates around a driving shaft (71) protruding from a manipulation panel (30); and a lock button (140) which rotates relative to the knob body (NB). The lock button (140) may have a first rotation position for restricting the rotation or axial movement of the knob body (NB), and a second rotation position for allowing the rotation or axial movement of the knob body (NB) by rotating around a button shaft (H) from the first rotation position. As described above, the cooking appliance of the present invention can be operated through a total of three steps including operation of the lock button (140) (step 1), pressing of the knob assembly (100) (step 2), and rotation of the knob assembly (100) (step 3).

Description

Knob assembly and cooking appliance including the same

[0001] The present invention relates to a knob assembly and a cooking appliance including the same.

[0002] Cooking appliances are used to prepare food by cooking ingredients. They may also be used to heat food to a temperature suitable for consumption. These cooking appliances can be classified in various ways depending on the type of heat source used, the type of fuel, and so on. For example, cooking appliances can be classified into open and closed types depending on the shape of the space where the ingredients are placed. Closed cooking appliances include ovens and microwave ovens, while open cooking appliances include cooktops and griddles.

[0003] Closed-type cooking appliances shield the space where ingredients are placed with a door and cook food by heating the enclosed space. Open-type cooking appliances place ingredients or containers holding ingredients in an open space and cook food by heating the ingredients or containers. Recently, hybrid cooking appliances that combine both closed and open types are also being used. Hybrid appliances combine multiple heat sources to cook a variety of ingredients and allow for the simultaneous cooking of multiple dishes.

[0004] Such a cooking appliance may be equipped with a knob for operation. The knob may be used to turn the cooking appliance on or off or to set a cooking mode. Additionally, the knob may be used to adjust the heating temperature.

[0005] Taking a gas range as an example among cooking appliances, the knob is operated in a push-and-turn manner to operate the cooking appliance. The push-and-turn knob is implemented so that the cooking appliance can be operated only when the user presses and rotates it. At this time, the user can adjust the heating temperature or select a cooking mode by controlling the amount of rotation around the drive shaft while pressing the knob. Since the cooking appliance can only be operated when both steps are completed, this push-and-turn knob can enhance the safety of the cooking appliance.

[0006] However, since this push-and-turn type knob protrudes outward, users may unintentionally rotate it while pressing it. For example, a user's body might come into contact with the knob without them realizing it, causing it to be pressed and rotated simultaneously. Additionally, there is a possibility that an infant could operate the cooking appliance by manipulating the knob. Since unauthorized operation of the knob can lead to fire or burns, it is necessary to further enhance the safety of the cooking appliance.

[0007] The present invention is intended to solve the problems of the prior art as described above, and the objective of the present invention is to prevent the knob assembly from operating when the lock button (safety button) provided in the knob assembly is not pressed.

[0008] Another objective of the present invention is to ensure that the operating direction of the lock button is formed differently from the rotational direction and the pressing direction of the knob assembly, respectively.

[0009] Another objective of the present invention is to simplify the structure of the knob assembly by minimizing the addition of parts due to the lock button.

[0010] According to a feature of the present invention for achieving the above-mentioned purpose, the present invention may include a knob body that rotates around a drive axis protruding from an operating panel, and a lock button that rotates relative to the knob body. The lock button may have a first rotational position that restricts rotation or axial movement of the knob body, and a second rotational position that rotates around a button axis from the first rotational position to allow rotation or axial movement of the knob body. Thus, the cooking device of the present invention can be operated through a total of three stages of operation, consisting of operating the lock button (stage 1), pressing the knob assembly (stage 2), and rotating the knob assembly (stage 3).

[0011] A safety pin protruding toward the control panel may be disposed on the lock button. The safety pin may restrict rotation or axial movement of the knob body in the first rotational position. The radial distance between the safety pin and the drive shaft in the first rotational position and the second rotational position may be formed differently.

[0012] The radial distance between the safety pin and the drive shaft at the first rotational position may be shorter than the radial distance between the safety pin and the drive shaft at the second rotational position.

[0013] A knob base through which the drive shaft passes may be disposed on the above-described control panel. In the first rotational position, the lock button may be prevented from rotating by interfering with the knob base along the circumferential direction.

[0014] In the first rotational position, a first separation distance may be formed along the axial direction between the lock button and the operation panel. In the first rotational position, a second separation distance greater than the first separation distance may be formed along the axial direction between the lock button and the operation panel.

[0015] A knob base may be disposed on the above-mentioned control panel. The knob base may include a limiting portion formed with a different axial height. A safety pin protruding in the direction of the knob base may be disposed on the lock button. In the first rotational position, the safety pin may interfere circumferentially with the limiting portion, or the safety pin may interfere axially with the limiting portion.

[0016] The above limiting portion may be recessed in the axial direction from the knob base. At the first rotational position, the limiting portion may interfere with each of the two sides of the safety pin.

[0017] The button shaft may be disposed on the knob body. The lock button may be rotatably connected to the button shaft.

[0018] Both ends of the above button shaft can be rotatably supported inside the knob body.

[0019] The above button axis can be positioned on the knob body in a direction orthogonal to the above axis direction.

[0020] The knob body may include a first knob body having an internal space open toward the control panel, and a second knob body that rotates and moves linearly together with the first knob body. The button shaft may be positioned between the first knob body and the second knob body.

[0021] An operating hole that exposes the operating part of the lock button may be formed through the first knob body.

[0022] The lock button may include an operating part exposed to the outside of the knob body and a safety pin protruding toward the operating panel. The operating part and the safety pin may be positioned on opposite sides of the button axis.

[0023] The lock button may be provided with an operating part that rotates around the button axis and is exposed to the outside of the knob body. When the operating part moves toward the center of the knob body, the lock button may move from the first rotational position to the second rotational position.

[0024] A knob base may be disposed on the above-mentioned control panel. The knob body may be provided with a safety pin that protrudes toward the control panel or the knob base and interferes with or is released from interference along the circumferential direction with the control panel or the knob base. The safety pin may be linked to the lock button and rotate together with the lock button.

[0025] In the first rotational position, the lock button can form a first separation distance in the axial direction with the knob base. In the second rotational position, the lock button can form a second separation distance in the axial direction that is longer than the first separation distance with the knob base.

[0026] An elastic member may be provided inside the knob body. The elastic member may provide elastic force to the lock button in the direction of the first rotational position.

[0027] The lock button may be provided with an operating part that rotates around the button axis and is exposed to the outside of the knob body. Both ends of the elastic member may be supported inside the operating part and the knob body, respectively.

[0028] The knob assembly according to the present invention as described above and the cooking device including the same have the following effects.

[0029] In the present invention, the rotation of the knob body (handle) may be restricted if the lock button is not pressed. The user must first press the lock button to rotate the knob body and operate the cooking appliance. That is, according to the present invention, the cooking appliance can be operated through a total of three stages of operation consisting of operating the lock button (Stage 1), pressing the knob assembly (Stage 2), and rotating the knob assembly (Stage 3). In this way, arbitrary operation or malfunction of the knob assembly can be prevented through the lock button, and thus the safety of the cooking appliance can be improved.

[0030] In addition, in the present invention, the lock button can be pressed and rotated in a direction different from the axial movement of the knob body. If the direction in which the lock button is pressed and the direction in which the knob body is pressed are formed differently, the possibility of a user accidentally operating the knob assembly can be reduced. This can increase the safety of the cooking appliance.

[0031] In particular, the operating part of the lock button can rotate in a direction different from the axial direction (first direction), which is the linear movement direction of the knob body, and the rotational direction of the knob body. Accordingly, the possibility of the knob assembly operating arbitrarily due to user error or interference with objects around the cooking appliance can be further reduced.

[0032] In addition, in the present invention, the lock button may protrude to the side of the knob body. The user can naturally press the lock button protruding to the side in this manner while gripping the knob body. Therefore, even with the addition of a lock button, the operability of the knob assembly is not compromised, and the user can easily operate the cooking appliance.

[0033] Furthermore, in the present invention, the lock button can be rotated between a first rotation position where the circumferential rotation of the knob assembly is interfered with and a second rotation position where the knob assembly can rotate. At this time, in the first rotation position, the lock button directly interferes with the knob base of the knob assembly or the operating panel on which the knob assembly is mounted, thereby restricting rotation. Therefore, a structure that restricts the operation of the knob assembly can be implemented very simply, and the increase in the number of parts caused by the lock button can be minimized.

[0034] In addition, in the present invention, a second knob body (inner body) may be provided inside a first knob body (outer body) that forms the exterior of the knob body, and the second knob body (inner body) may be symmetrical with respect to the lock button. When the second knob body and the lock button are symmetrically arranged in the knob assembly, the center of gravity of the knob assembly may be prevented from shifting to one side due to the lock button. Therefore, the knob assembly according to the present invention can provide excellent operability even with the addition of a lock button. Furthermore, by the second knob body filling the empty space on one side of the internal space of the knob assembly where the lock button is not present, the overall durability of the knob assembly can also be increased.

[0035] In addition, the operating portion of the lock button in the present invention may constitute a part of the surface of the knob body. Since the lock button constitutes the surface of the knob body in this way, it is possible to prevent the aesthetic appeal of the knob assembly from being degraded by the lock button and to provide the user with a unified aesthetic appeal.

[0036] In addition, in the present invention, the second knob body constituting the knob body can be responsible for coupling with other parts, including the drive shaft (valve shaft). In this way, the first knob body, which is exposed to the outside and gripped by the user, can be made with a relatively simple structure, and shrinkage caused by a complex shape during injection molding can be prevented. Therefore, the aesthetics and manufacturing quality of the knob assembly can be improved.

[0037] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an embodiment of a cooking appliance to which a knob assembly according to the present invention is applied.

[0038] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the structure of an operating panel and knob assembly constituting an embodiment of the cooking device illustrated in FIG. 1.

[0039] FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing a knob assembly constituting an embodiment of the present invention separated from an operating panel.

[0040] FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view showing the parts constituting an embodiment of the present invention.

[0041] FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing the parts constituting an embodiment of the present invention disassembled and viewed from an angle different from FIG. 4.

[0042] FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing the first knob body constituting an embodiment of the knob assembly according to the present invention omitted.

[0043] FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing an embodiment of the present invention in a first state (knob-locked state).

[0044] FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view along the line VIII-VIII' of FIG. 7.

[0045] FIG. 9 is a perspective view showing an embodiment of a knob assembly according to the present invention in a second state (knob loosened state).

[0046] FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view along the line X-X' of FIG. 9.

[0047] FIG. 11 is a perspective view showing an embodiment of a knob assembly according to the present invention in a third state (knob pressed state).

[0048] FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view along the line XII-XII' of FIG. 11.

[0049] FIG. 13 is a perspective view showing an embodiment of a knob assembly according to the present invention in a rotated state.

[0050] FIG. 14 is a cross-sectional view showing the internal structure of a second embodiment of a knob assembly according to the present invention.

[0051] FIG. 15 is a cross-sectional view showing the lock button constituting the embodiment of FIG. 14 being pressed and moved to a second rotation position.

[0052] FIG. 16 is a perspective view showing the first knob body omitted in a third embodiment of the knob assembly according to the present invention.

[0053] FIG. 17 is a perspective view showing a fourth embodiment of a knob assembly according to the present invention.

[0054] Hereinafter, some embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to exemplary drawings. It should be noted that in assigning reference numerals to the components of each drawing, the same components are given the same reference numeral whenever possible, even if they are shown in different drawings. Furthermore, in describing the embodiments of the invention, if it is determined that a detailed description of related known components or functions would hinder understanding of the embodiments of the present invention, such detailed description is omitted.

[0055] The present invention relates to a knob assembly (100) and a cooking appliance including the same, wherein a cooktop unit (20) including a plurality of heating devices (28) may be provided on the upper part of the cooking appliance. The heating devices (28) may be gas heating devices (28) using gas as an energy source, electric cooktops, or induction cooktops. FIG. 1 illustrates, among the heating devices (28), a gas heating device (28) is shown as an example in the cooktop unit (20). As shown in FIG. 1, the heating devices (28) may be positioned to be exposed on the upper part of the cooking appliance. As another example, the heating devices (28) may be positioned inside the cooking appliance, or may be positioned inside and outside the cooking appliance, respectively.

[0056] The knob assembly (100) is used to operate the heating device (28). A user can turn the heating device (28) on or off by operating the knob assembly (100). A user can also adjust the amount of heat provided by the heating device (28) by operating the knob assembly (100). Alternatively, a user can operate the knob assembly (100) to operate the oven unit (40, 50) or select a cooking mode of the cooking device.

[0057] The user can control the heating device (28) by pressing and rotating the knob assembly (100). At this time, as shown in FIG. 2, in order to prevent the knob assembly (100) from being arbitrarily operated due to user error or interference with surrounding objects, the present invention is provided with a lock button (140). Depending on the position of the lock button (140), the pushing operation of the knob assembly (100) can be selectively enabled. Below, the knob assembly (100) will be described focusing on the structure for preventing malfunction of the cooking device through such a lock button (140).

[0058] In this embodiment, the lock button (140) may have a first rotational position and a second rotational position through rotation. FIGS. 7 and 8 show the lock button (140) in the first rotational position, and FIGS. 9 and 10 show the lock button (140) in the second rotational position. Here, "rotational position" refers to a plurality of individual positions that the knob assembly (100) can form according to an angle change from a specific reference point when the rotatable knob assembly (100) rotates about the drive axis (71). In reality, there may be a plurality of continuous rotational positions between the first rotational position and the second rotational position, but below, the first rotational position and the second rotational position will be described specifically.

[0059] Looking at the structure of the above cooking device, the exterior of the cooking device is formed by an outer body (10). The outer body (10) can form the frame of the cooking device, excluding a door positioned at the front. A separate inner housing (not shown) may be positioned inside the outer body (10).

[0060] At least one heating device (28) for heating food to be cooked or a container containing food is disposed of in the cooktop unit (20). In this embodiment, a total of four heating devices (28) are disposed of in the cooktop unit (20).

[0061] The above-mentioned cooktop unit (20) may be equipped with a grate (25). The grate (25) is a frame on which a cooking vessel can be placed on the upper side of the heating device (28). The grate (25) is detachably seated on the above-mentioned cooktop unit (20). The grate (25) may be located on the upper side of the heating device (28).

[0062] An operating panel (30) may be positioned above the oven section (40, 50) and in front of the cooktop section (20). The operating panel (30) may include knob assemblies (100) for operating the oven section (40, 50) and the cooktop section (20). Each of the multiple knob assemblies (100) may operate separate heating devices (28) and oven devices. The operating panel (30) may be viewed as an operating device or referred to as a front panel. The operating panel (30) may be positioned at various locations other than in front of the cooktop section (20), such as the bottom of the cooking device, the side of the cooking device, or the top surface of the cooking device.

[0063] The above-mentioned control panel (30) may be equipped with a display unit (60). The display unit (60) may display information about the cooking appliance. The display unit (60) may be composed of a touch panel and may be used by a user to operate the cooking appliance. That is, the display unit (60) may also serve as a type of control unit (143). As another example, the display unit (60) may be omitted.

[0064] Looking at the oven section (40, 50) above, the oven section (40, 50) may include a plurality of oven devices. In this embodiment, the oven section (40, 50) includes a first oven device (40) and a second oven device (50). The first oven device (40) and the second oven device (50) are arranged at different heights from each other. Separate cooking chambers partitioned from each other may be formed in the first oven device (40) and the second oven device (50).

[0065] The first door (45) of the first oven device (40) may be operated in a pull-down manner in which the upper part rotates up and down around the lower part. As another example, the first door (45) may be operated in a side-swing manner in which it opens sideways. Reference numeral 47 indicates a handle for opening and closing the first door (45).

[0066] The second door (55) of the second oven device (50) can be operated in a sliding manner in the forward and backward directions. As another example, similar to the first door (45) mentioned earlier, the second door (55) can also be operated in a pull-down manner in which the upper part rotates up and down around the lower part. Reference numeral 57 indicates a handle for opening and closing the second door (55).

[0067] Next, let us examine the knob assembly (100). For reference, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, in this embodiment, six knob assemblies (100) are arranged on the control panel (30). This is merely one example, and the control panel (30) may be equipped with one to five or seven or more knob assemblies (100). As another example, the knob assembly (100) may be placed directly on the upper surface or side of the cooking appliance rather than on the control panel (30). As yet another example, the knob assembly (100) may be placed on the lower front surface of the cooking appliance.

[0068] As shown in FIG. 2, the knob assembly (100) may include a roughly circular body and a part protruding from the circular body to facilitate gripping. In this embodiment, a lock button (140) is provided on the side of the knob assembly (100). The user must first press the lock button (140) to enable the operation of the knob assembly (100), more precisely, axial movement.

[0069] For reference, the axial direction below refers to the longitudinal direction of the drive shaft (71) and corresponds to the X-axis direction of FIG. 2. The rotational direction below refers to the direction in which the knob assembly (100) rotates around the drive shaft (71) (see arrow in FIG. 13). Additionally, the radial direction below refers to the radial direction of the drive shaft (71) and corresponds to the radial direction of the rotation path of the knob assembly (100).

[0070] Referring to FIG. 3, the knob assembly (100) can be separated axially from the control panel (30) or coupled axially to the control panel (30). More precisely, when the user separates the knob assembly (100), the knob body (NB) and lock button (140) constituting the knob assembly (100) are separated from the control panel (30), and the knob base (110), which will be described later, can remain fixed to the control panel (30). Reference numeral B1 indicates a first fastener for fixing the knob base (110) to the control panel (30).

[0071] Referring to FIGS. 4 and FIGS. 5, the parts of the knob assembly (100) are shown in a disassembled state. First, regarding the drive shaft (71), the drive shaft (71) is coupled to the knob assembly (100). The drive shaft (71) becomes the center of rotation of the knob assembly (100). The drive shaft (71) can rotate together with the knob assembly (100) when the knob assembly (100) rotates. The drive shaft (71) can move linearly together with the knob assembly (100) when the knob assembly (100) moves axially.

[0072] The above drive shaft (71) may be provided in the heating drive unit (70). The heating drive unit (70) may serve to supply an energy source to the heating device (28). For example, the heating drive unit (70) may be configured to control the heating device (28) while being driven by the drive shaft (71). Accordingly, the drive shaft (71) may be viewed as a valve shaft.

[0073] Here, the energy source can be gas or electricity. If the energy source is electricity, the heating drive unit (70) can be referred to as a regulator, and if the energy source is gas, the heating drive unit (70) can be referred to as a valve assembly. The drive shaft (71) can be a component constituting the knob assembly (100). As another example, the drive shaft (71) can be viewed as part of the heating drive unit (70). Reference numeral 32 indicates a through hole in the front plate (31) through which the drive shaft (71) passes.

[0074] More specifically, the drive shaft (71) can be pushed and rotatably coupled to the heating drive unit (70). At this time, the heating drive unit (70) can prevent the drive shaft (71) from rotating when the drive shaft (71) is not pushed. As the drive shaft (71) is pushed and rotated relative to the heating drive unit (70), the heating drive unit (70) can supply an energy source to the heating device (28).

[0075] The drive shaft (71) can be operated through the knob assembly (100). More precisely, the drive shaft (71) is coupled to the knob body (NB) and can rotate together with the knob body (NB). The drive shaft (71) can move linearly in the axial direction together with the knob body (NB). Thus, when a user operates the knob assembly (100), the heating drive unit (70) is driven via the drive shaft (71), and the heating device (28) is operated through this.

[0076] Looking at the structure of the knob assembly (100) above, the knob assembly (100) may be provided with a knob base (110). The knob base (110) may be placed on the front plate (31) of the control panel (30). The drive shaft (71) may pass through the knob base (110) and protrude forward. The knob base (110) may support the rotation of the drive shaft (71). That is, the knob base (110) may allow the drive shaft (71) to rotate stably and move linearly in the axial direction.

[0077] The knob base (110) may include a base body portion (111) in the shape of a roughly disc and a base ring portion (112) formed around the edge of the base body portion (111). The base body portion (111) may be fixed to the operating panel (30) through the first fastener (B1). The base ring portion (112) may have a ring structure that protrudes in the axial direction. The base ring portion (112) may protrude toward the knob body (NB).

[0078] A limiting portion (113) may be formed on the knob base (110). When the lock button (140) is in a first rotational position, the limiting portion (113) may interfere with the lock button (140) to limit the rotation of the lock button (140) and the knob body (NB). More precisely, a safety pin (150) placed on the lock button (140) in the first rotational position may interfere with the limiting portion (113) in a circumferential direction, or the safety pin (150) may interfere with the limiting portion (113) in an axial direction.

[0079] The limiting portion (113) may be recessed in the axial direction from the knob base (110). As shown in FIG. 4, the limiting portion (113) may be recessed from the base ring portion (112) so that the height protruding in the axial direction is lower than that of other parts of the base ring portion (112). If the limiting portion (113) has such a recessed shape, the limiting portion (113) may interfere with each of the two sides (152, see FIG. 6) of the safety pin (150) at the first rotational position. The structure of the limiting portion (113) and the safety pin (150) will be explained in detail below.

[0080] As another example, the knob base (110) may be omitted. In this case, the lock button (140) may directly interfere with the control panel (30), thereby restricting rotation or linear movement. As yet another example, the knob base (110) may be formed integrally with the control panel (30). That is, the knob base (110) may be considered as part of the control panel (30). As yet another example, the knob base (110) may have various polygonal shapes rather than a disc shape.

[0081] Referring to FIGS. 4 and 5, the knob body (NB) can be formed by the knob body (NB). The knob body (NB) can enclose the drive shaft (71) and the knob base (110). The knob body (NB) is the part that the user grips. In this embodiment, the knob body (NB) is composed of a first knob body (120) and a second knob body (130). The first knob body (120) may be exposed to the outside. The second knob body (130) may be placed inside the first knob body (120).

[0082] In this embodiment, the first knob body (120) may be exposed to the outside and serve as a part where the user operates the knob assembly (100). The second knob body (130) may be positioned inside the first knob body (120) to be responsible for coupling with other parts and to guide the elastic member (S) described later. As another example, the first knob body (120) and the second knob body (130) may be formed as a single unit.

[0083] The first knob body (120) may have a roughly cylindrical shape. An internal space (121a, illustrated in FIG. 5), which is a kind of empty space, may be formed inside the first knob body (120). A lock button (140), which will be described later, may be placed in the internal space (121a). The internal space (121a) may cover and shield a part of the second knob body (130).

[0084] The first knob body (120) may include a knob ring (121) in the shape of a truncated cone or a cylinder. The knob ring (121) is positioned facing the front plate (31). A gripping portion (123) may protrude from the upper surface (122) of the knob ring (121). The gripping portion (123) protrudes axially from the upper surface (122) of the knob ring (121). The gripping portion (123) may be a part that is gripped by a user. The gripping portion (123) may be extended in a direction orthogonal to the axial direction (refer to the Z-axis direction in FIG. 2). Reference numeral 123a is a reference scale formed on the gripping portion (123). Although not shown, a scale may also be marked on the surface of the knob ring (121).

[0085] An operating hole (125) may be formed through the knob body (NB) in a direction orthogonal to the axial direction. The operating part (143) of the lock button (140) may be exposed to the outside through the operating hole (125), and the operating part (143) may form the exterior of the knob assembly (100) together with the knob body (NB). Referring to FIG. 7, the operating part (143), which is part of the lock button (140), may protrude from the knob body (NB) and form the exterior of the knob assembly (100) together with the knob body (NB). That is, it can be seen that a part of the lock button (140) fills the operating hole (125).

[0086] In this embodiment, the first knob body (120) may have an operating hole (125) through which the operating part (143) of the lock button (140) protrudes. More precisely, the operating hole (125) penetrates the gripping part (123) of the first knob body (120). At this time, since the operating hole (125) is formed in a direction orthogonal to the axial direction, the operating part (143) of the lock button (140) may also protrude through the operating hole (125) in a direction orthogonal to the axial direction. In other words, the operating hole (125) may be opened in a direction orthogonal to the linear movement direction of the knob body (NB).

[0087] The above-mentioned operating hole (125) may be formed on only one of the left and right sides of the first knob body (120). In this embodiment, the operating hole (125) is formed on the left side of the first knob body (120). In this embodiment, since only one lock button (140) is provided, the operating hole (125) also needs to be formed on only one side of the first knob body (120). As another example, the operating hole (125) may be formed on the right side of the first knob body (120). As yet another example, the operating hole (125) may be formed on the left and right sides of the first knob body (120), respectively.

[0088] As described below, the lock button (140) may be restricted from moving by interfering with the edge of the operating hole (125) during the process of moving from the second rotation position to the first rotation position. The lock button (140) may be caught on the edge (125a) of the operating hole (125) and remain in the internal space (121a) formed inside the first knob body (120) without being completely separated from the knob body (NB). The edge of the operating hole (125) can be viewed as a catch.

[0089] The second knob body (130) may be placed in the internal space (121a) of the first knob body (120). The second knob body (130) may be coupled to the first knob body (120) through a second fastener (B2). The second fastener (B2) may be fixed to the assembly hole (124) of the first knob body (120) after passing through the weight plate (160) and the second knob body (130), respectively. Accordingly, the first knob body (120), the second knob body (130), and the weight plate (160) may be assembled together and operated together.

[0090] The second knob body (130) may be provided with a shaft coupling part (131) to which one end of the drive shaft (71) is coupled. The shaft coupling part (131) may be approximately cylindrical in shape. The shaft coupling part (131) may be positioned at the center of the knob body (NB). A shaft coupling hole (132) is formed in the shaft coupling part (131), and the drive shaft (71) may be inserted into the shaft coupling hole (132). The drive shaft (71) may be fixed inside the shaft coupling hole (132) without rotating freely inside the shaft coupling hole (132).

[0091] When one end of the drive shaft (71) is inserted into the shaft coupling hole (132), the drive shaft (71) rotates together with the second knob body (130) and can move axially together with the second knob body (130). That is, when the second knob body (130) is driven together with the first knob body (120), the drive shaft (71) is also driven together. For example, when the second knob body (130) is pushed axially together with the first knob body (120), the drive shaft (71) also moves axially. When the second knob body (130) rotates around the drive shaft (71) together with the first knob body (120), the drive shaft (71) also rotates together. Therefore, the drive shaft (71) may be referred to as a rotation shaft.

[0092] The second knob body (130) is coupled to the drive shaft (71) and can also be coupled to the weight plate (160). Since a coupling structure with other parts is implemented in the second knob body (130) in this way, the first knob body (120) can be made into a relatively simple and thin structure. Therefore, when the first knob body (120) is injection molded, the phenomenon of sink marks or flow marks being formed due to shrinkage of a part of the first knob body (120) caused by the complex shape can be prevented.

[0093] The second knob body (130) may be provided with a body plate (133). The body plate (133) has a roughly plate-like structure. The shaft coupling part (131) is connected to the body plate (133). The body plate (133) is a part that is coupled to the first knob body (120) and the weight plate (160). To this end, a fastener passage hole (134) through which the second fastener (B2) passes is formed in the body plate (133).

[0094] In this embodiment, the body plate (133) is approximately semicircular in shape corresponding to the shape of the internal space (121a). That is, a portion of the side of the second knob body (130) facing the inner surface of the internal space (121a) has a curved shape, and another portion of the side of the second knob body (130) facing the lock button (140) has a flat shape. The curved portion faces the inner surface of the internal space (121a), and the flat portion faces the lock button (140).

[0095] The second knob body (130) may be provided with a support plate (136). The support plate (136) protrudes along the axial direction toward the opposite side of the knob base (110). The support plate (136) protrudes from the body plate (133) in a roughly plate-like shape. The support plate (136) may be extended in the same direction as the gripping portion (123), that is, in a direction orthogonal to the axial direction. One end of the support plate (136) may be in close contact with the inner surface of the first knob body (120), that is, the inner surface of the gripping portion (123).

[0096] The support plate (136) can be placed between a pair of elastic members (S) to be described later. Referring to FIG. 6, the support plate (136) is placed between a pair of elastic members (S) to maintain a gap between the pair of elastic members (S). That is, the support plate (136) can prevent the pair of elastic members (S) from twisting to one side during the contraction / expansion process.

[0097] The remaining part of the second knob body (130), excluding the shaft coupling part (131), and the lock button (140) may be positioned on opposite sides of the shaft coupling part (131). More precisely, the body plate (133) and the lock button (140) may be positioned on opposite sides of the drive shaft (71). Referring to FIG. 8, with respect to the drive shaft (71), most of the second knob body (130) is positioned on the right side, and the lock button (140) is positioned on the left side. This prevents the center of gravity of the knob assembly (100) from shifting to one side due to the lock button (140). Additionally, the body plate (133) fills the empty space in the internal space (121a) where the lock button (140) is not located, thereby increasing the overall durability of the knob assembly (100).

[0098] Referring again to FIGS. 4 and FIGS. 5, the knob assembly (100) is provided with a lock button (140). The lock button (140) is positioned on the knob body (NB) and may be dependent on the operation of the knob body (NB). Basically, when the knob body (NB) moves linearly in the axial direction or rotates around the drive shaft (71), the lock button (140) may move linearly and rotate together with the knob body (NB). However, the lock button (140) may rotate independently from the knob body (NB) along a direction different from the axial direction.

[0099] The lock button (140) may form part of the gripping surface that the user grips when gripping the knob assembly (100). For example, when the user grips the knob assembly (100) with their thumb and index finger, they may grip the surface of the gripping part (123) with their index finger while simultaneously gripping the operating part (143) of the lock button (140) with their thumb or other fingers. In this state, when the user presses the knob assembly (100) with their thumb and index finger, the surface of the gripping part (123) remains fixed, but the operating part (143) formed on the opposite side is pressed inward toward the knob body (NB), allowing the lock button (140) to rotate.

[0100] The lock button (140) may restrict the rotation of the knob body (NB), the weight plate (160), and the lock button (140) constituting the knob assembly (100) around the drive shaft (71), or may release the restriction on rotation. The lock button (140) may have a first rotation position in which the rotational movement of the knob body (NB) is restricted by interference from the knob base (110), and a second rotation position in which the interference from the knob base (110) is released to allow the rotational movement of the knob body (NB). Of course, as previously explained, in the first rotation position, the rotation of the lock button (140) around the drive shaft (71) is restricted along with the knob body (NB). Therefore, the first rotation position can be called the knob lock position, and the second rotation position can be called the knob unlock position.

[0101] Looking at the structure of the lock button (140), the lock button (140) may include a button body (141). The button body (141) may be inserted into the internal space (121a). The button body (141) may extend in a direction orthogonal to the axial direction. The side of the button body (141) may have a curved shape corresponding to the inner surface of the internal space (121a).

[0102] Referring to FIG. 5, the button body (141) may come into contact with the contact portion (122') of the first knob body (120) at a second rotational position to be described below. When the button body (141) comes into contact with the contact portion (122'), the rotational angle range of the lock button (140) may be limited. The contact portion (122') may be the inner surface of the first knob body (120) formed on the opposite side of the upper surface (122) of the knob ring (121).

[0103] The above button body (141) may be provided with an operating part (143). The operating part (143) may extend in an upright direction from the button body (141). Here, the upright direction is the up and down direction based on FIG. 6. The operating part (143) is the part that a user presses to operate the button body (141). At least a portion of the operating part (143) may be exposed to the outside of the knob assembly (100) through the operating hole (125) to form a gripping surface.

[0104] The lock button (140) can be rotated around a button axis (H). The button axis (H) is connected to the lock button (140) and can be supported inside the knob body (NB). The button axis (H) serves as a rotation axis that allows the lock button (140) to rotate independently of the knob body (NB). Thus, the button axis (H) can be viewed as a type of hinge structure. The button axis (H) may be configured as a separate component from the lock button (140) or as a part of the lock button (140).

[0105] The button axis (H) may allow the lock button (140) and the knob body (NB) to rotate relative to each other. The lock button (140) rotates relative to the knob body (NB) around the button axis (H). The button axis (H) may also connect the lock button (140) and the knob body (NB). That is, the lock button (140) is connected to the knob body (NB) via the button axis (H).

[0106] As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the button shaft (H) may be positioned between the operating part (143) and the button body. The operating part (143) and the button body extend in different directions, and the button shaft (H) is positioned at the part where the operating part (143) and the button body are connected to each other. Although not illustrated, a groove may be formed between the operating part (143) and the button body into which the button shaft (H) is fitted. The button shaft (H) may be inserted into the groove in a press-fit manner.

[0107] The two ends (H1) of the button shaft (H) may protrude further outward from the lock button (140). The two ends (H1) of the button shaft (H) protruding outward from the lock button (140) in this manner are positioned on the knob body (NB). A portion of the surface of the two ends (H1) of the button shaft (H) may be mounted on the second knob body (130), and the remaining portion may be mounted on the first knob body (120). The first knob body (120) and the second knob body (130) may rotatably enclose the two ends (H1) of the button shaft (H). The two ends (H1) of the button shaft (H) are rotatably supported inside the knob body (NB).

[0108] Referring to FIG. 6, the first knob body (120) is omitted, and the ends (H1) of the button shaft (H) are mounted in the second mounting groove (138) formed in the second knob body (130). The second mounting groove (138) may be recessed in the body plate (133) of the second knob body (130). Referring to FIG. 5, a part of the body plate (133) is formed with an omitted shape and an avoidance portion (137), and the second mounting groove (138) may be formed on each side based on the avoidance portion (137).

[0109] The button shaft (H) may be positioned on the knob body (NB) in a direction perpendicular to the axial direction. As shown in FIG. 6, the button shaft (H) extends in a direction perpendicular to the axial direction (up and down direction relative to the drawing). When the button shaft (H) extends in a direction perpendicular to the axial direction, the radial distance of the safety pin (150) from the center of the knob assembly (100), i.e., the drive shaft (71), may change along the radial direction when the safety button rotates. When the radial distance of the safety pin (150) from the drive shaft (71) changes in this way, the safety pin (150) may move to a position where it interferes in the circumferential direction with the limiting part (113) (first rotation position) or a position where interference in the circumferential direction is released (second rotation position). In contrast, if the button axis (H) is parallel to the axial direction, the safety pin (150) rotates in the circumferential direction when the lock button (140) rotates, so it is difficult to perform an operation that deviates from the limiting part (113) along the radial direction.

[0110] If the button shaft (H) is extended in a direction perpendicular to the axial direction, the entire lock button (140) can be easily rotated even if any part of the operating part (143) that rotates around the button shaft (H) is pressed. Additionally, if the button shaft (H) is extended in a direction perpendicular to the axial direction, the button shaft (H) can be formed relatively long, and the lock button (140) can be rotated more stably.

[0111] Referring to FIG. 8, a first mounting groove (128) may be formed in the first knob body (120). The first mounting groove (128) may be formed at a position adjacent to the operating hole (125). Although the second mounting groove (138) is not depicted in the cross-sectional position in FIG. 8, the first mounting groove (128) is formed to face the second mounting groove (138), and the first mounting groove (128) and the second mounting groove (138) together may form an approximately circular cross-sectional shape.

[0112] Referring again to FIG. 6, a guide surface (144) may be provided on the upper side of the operating part (143). The guide surface (144) may be formed in a direction that expands the upper surface area of ​​the operating part (143). The guide surface (144) may be arranged parallel to the button body (141) but may extend in opposite directions. The guide surface (144) is placed in the operating space (MS, see FIG. 8) and may face the inner surface of the first knob body (120) during the rotation of the lock button (140).

[0113] The above-mentioned operating part (143) may be provided with an elastic support part (145). The elastic support part (145) supports one end of the elastic member (S). The elastic support part (145) may be provided on each side of the above-mentioned operating part (143) to support one end of each of a pair of the elastic members (S). The elastic support part (145) may protrude further toward the center of the internal space (121a) than the above-mentioned operating part (143). The surface of the elastic support part (145) may be formed as a flat structure.

[0114] In this embodiment, a pair of elastic support members (145) are positioned outside the support plate (136) of the second knob body (130). The pair of elastic members (S) are positioned on each side of the support plate (136), and the pair of elastic members (S) can each be supported by the pair of elastic support members (145). Accordingly, when one end of each of the pair of elastic members (S) is supported by the pair of elastic support members (145), the spacing between the pair of elastic members (S) can be maintained by the support plate (136).

[0115] The elastic member (S) can provide elastic force to the lock button (140) in a direction that rotates the lock button (140) to a first rotational position. In this embodiment, the elastic member (S) is placed on both sides of the support plate (136). A pair of elastic members (S) can be made to reciprocate in a constant direction without the lock button (140) being deviated or twisted in either direction.

[0116] Both ends of the elastic member (S) may be supported on the surface of the knob body (NB) and the surface of the lock button (140), respectively, which are positioned facing each other. More precisely, one end of the elastic member (S) may be supported on the elastic support member (145), and the other end of the elastic member (S) may be supported on the inner wall of the first knob body (120).

[0117] Referring to FIGS. 5 and 6, the knob body (NB) may be provided with a safety pin (150) that interferes with or is released from interference with the knob base (110). The safety pin (150) may protrude further along the axial direction toward the knob base (110) than the lock button (140). The safety pin (150) may be approximately cantilevered. At the first rotational position, the safety pin (150) becomes a part that substantially interferes with the knob base (110).

[0118] The knob body (NB) moves linearly in the first direction, which is the axial direction, and the lock button (140) can be rotated between the first rotation position and the second rotation position along a second direction different from the first direction. At this time, the safety pin (150) can rotate along the lock button (140) in conjunction with the lock button (140). The safety pin (150) protrudes in the first direction, and the safety pin (150) can be rotated between the first rotation position and the second rotation position by the lock button (140).

[0119] The safety pin (150) may interfere with the limiting part (113) of the knob base (110). In the first rotational position, the limiting part (113) interferes with the safety pin (150) in the circumferential direction. Here, the circumferential direction is the same as the rotational direction of the lock button (140) and the knob body (NB). In the second rotational position, the limiting part (113) is positioned offset from the safety pin (150) in the circumferential direction, thereby releasing the interference. In this way, depending on the position of the lock button (140), the safety pin (150) may interfere with the limiting part (113) or the interference may be released. This structure will be explained again below.

[0120] As another example, the safety pin (150) may be omitted, and a protrusion (not shown) may be provided directly on the lock button (140). A part of the lock button (140) may protrude in the first direction, which is the axial direction, to form a protrusion. As yet another example, the lock button (140) may be viewed as a part of the safety pin (150). As yet another example, the lock button (140) may be omitted, and the safety pin (150) may be directly connected to the knob body (NB). If the lock button (140) is omitted, the safety pin (150) can be operated directly by the user.

[0121] As another example, the safety pin (150) may be assembled to the lock button (140) in a detachable manner. As another example, the knob body (NB) may be provided with a plurality of safety pins (150). Each of the plurality of safety pins (150) may interfere with a plurality of limiting parts (113) or the surface of the knob base (110).

[0122] Referring to FIG. 6, the operation of the knob body (NB) and the lock button (140) can be observed. The lock button (140) can be pressed in the direction of arrow ①. When the lock button (140) is pressed in the direction of arrow ①, the lock button (140) rotates from a first rotation position to a second rotation position. For reference, in FIG. 6, the lock button (140) is positioned in the first rotation position, and rotation in the circumferential direction is restricted. More precisely, the safety pin (150) is positioned between the restriction part (113) and interferes in the direction of rotation.

[0123] When the lock button (140) is pressed in the direction of arrow ①, the lock button (140) rotates around the button axis (H), and the safety pin (150) rotates in the direction of arrow ①'. In this process, the safety pin (150) moves away from the position between the limiting parts (113), and the interference can be released. When the safety pin (150) moves away from the interference with the limiting parts (113) in this way, the knob assembly (100), including the second knob body (130) excluding the knob base (110), becomes rotatable, that is, the knob is released.

[0124] When the lock button (140) is pressed in the direction of arrow ①, the entire knob body (NB) can be pressed axially (in the direction of arrow ②) while the safety pin (150) is displaced from the position of the limiting part (113). That is, when the lock button (140) is pressed and the knob is released, the entire knob body (NB) is pushed. In this process, the drive shaft (71) is also pressed axially to drive the heating device (28).

[0125] Next, the entire knob assembly (100) can be rotated. The knob assembly (100) can be turned by rotating in a counterclockwise direction (arrow direction ③) or in the opposite direction with respect to FIG. 6. As previously mentioned, since the safety pin (150) has moved out of the position of the limiting part (113), the knob assembly (100) can be rotated without interference from the limiting part (113). The knob assembly (100) can turn on the heating device (28) by rotating the drive shaft (71).

[0126] Meanwhile, when the user removes the external force that was pressing the lock button (140), the lock button (140) can be pressed in the direction of arrow ④ by the elastic member (S) and return to the first rotational position. That is, the movement of the lock button (140) from the second rotational position to the first rotational position can be automatically performed by the elastic member (S).

[0127] When the lock button (140) returns to the first rotational position, the safety pin (150) is also positioned between the limiting parts (113). Accordingly, the two sides (152) of the safety pin (150) interfere with the limiting parts (113), thereby restricting the rotation of the lock button (140) and the knob body (NB). Arrow ⑤ indicates the direction in which the safety pin (150) interferes with the limiting parts (113), but in this embodiment, interference also occurs in the opposite direction.

[0128] Referring again to FIGS. 4 and 5, a weight plate (160) that rotates and moves together with the knob body (NB) may be coupled to the knob body (NB). The weight plate (160) may have a disc structure corresponding to the internal space (121a). The weight plate (160) can increase the total weight of the knob assembly (100) to improve the operability of the knob assembly (100). To this end, the weight plate (160) may be made of a metal material.

[0129] An axle passage hole (161) into which the drive shaft (71) is inserted may be formed through the center of the weight plate (160). Centered on the axle passage hole (161), a plate fastening hole (164) through which a second fastening member (B2) passes may be formed around the axle passage hole (161).

[0130] A pin through hole (165) may be formed through the weight plate (160). The pin through hole (165) is the portion through which the safety pin (150) passes. At this time, since the safety pin (150) must move from the first rotation position to the second rotation position, the pin through hole (165) may be extended along the radial direction of the weight plate (160). One end of the pin through hole (165) may be open along the radial direction of the weight plate (160). The safety pin (150) can move from the first rotation position to the second rotation position while inserted into the pin through hole (165).

[0131] FIGS. 7 to 13 sequentially illustrate the operation of the components constituting the present embodiment. First, looking at FIGS. 7 and FIGS. 8, the state in which the lock button (140) is in the first rotational position is illustrated. When the lock button (140) is in the first rotational position, the operating part (143) is in a state where it protrudes outward from the operating hole (125). When the lock button (140) is in the first rotational position, the safety pin (150) interferes in the circumferential direction with the limiting part (113) of the knob base (110), thereby restricting the circumferential movement, i.e., rotation, of the safety pin (150).

[0132] In FIG. 8, the safety pin (150) and the limiting part (113) are shown aligned in a circumferential direction and overlapping. In the enlarged portion of FIG. 8, a part of the limiting part (113) that is hidden and positioned behind the end (151) of the safety pin (150) is shown through a dotted line. As such, the safety pin (150) and the limiting part (113) are aligned with each other in a circumferential direction; more precisely, the two sides (152) of the end (151) of the safety pin (150) each interfere with the two sides (113a) of the limiting part (113).

[0133] In FIG. 8, reference numeral G1 indicates the distance between the knob body (NB) and the knob base (110). When the lock button (140) is placed in a second rotational position, the knob body (NB) and the lock button (140) can move together in a direction that narrows the distance (G).

[0134] In this state, when the user presses the control part (143) in the direction of the arrow in Fig. 9, the lock button (140) rotates around the button axis (H), and the control part (143) can be inserted into the inside of the knob body (NB). At this time, the user must press the control part (143) while overcoming the elastic force of the elastic member (S). When this happens, the lock button (140) can move to a second rotational position. In this way, the user can naturally press the lock button (140) that protrudes laterally while gripping the knob body (NB). Therefore, even if the lock button (140) is added, the operability of the knob assembly (100) is not reduced, and the user can easily operate the cooking device.

[0135] Referring to FIG. 10, the safety pin (150) is not aligned circumferentially with the limiting portion (113) of the knob base (110) and is positioned away from the limiting portion (113). Here, a position away means that the safety pin (150) and the limiting portion (113) do not have a position where they are aligned circumferentially. Therefore, the safety pin (150) can move, i.e., rotate, circumferentially without interference from the limiting portion (113). That is, the entire lock button (140) and knob body (NB) have a knob unlock position.

[0136] Comparing FIG. 8 and FIG. 10, the radial distance between the safety pin (150) and the drive shaft (71) in the first rotational position and the second rotational position may be formed differently. Here, the radial distance between the safety pin (150) and the drive shaft (71) refers to the left-right separation distance between the safety pin (150) and the drive shaft (71) when viewed with respect to the drawing. More precisely, the radial distance between the safety pin (150) and the drive shaft (71) in the first rotational position is formed to be shorter than the radial distance between the safety pin (150) and the drive shaft (71) in the second rotational position. That is, when the user presses the lock button (140), the safety pin (150) moves further away from the drive shaft (71) along the radial direction.

[0137] The axial separation distance between the lock button (140) and the control panel (30) may also differ between the first rotation position and the second rotation position. Referring to FIG. 8, a first separation distance (H1) is formed along the axial direction between the lock button (140) and the control panel (30) at the first rotation position. More precisely, in this embodiment, a first separation distance (H1) is formed along the axial direction between the lock button (140) and the knob base (110) placed on the control panel (30) at the first rotation position. Meanwhile, referring to FIG. 10, a second separation distance (H2) is formed along the axial direction between the lock button (140) and the control panel (30) at the first rotation position, which is further than the first separation distance (H1). Additionally, it may be considered that in the first rotational position, the lock button (140) forms a first separation distance in the axial direction with the knob base (110), and in the second rotational position, the lock button (140) forms a second separation distance in the axial direction that is longer than the first separation distance with the knob base (110).

[0138] Meanwhile, the user can press the lock button (140), hold the gripping part (123), and press the knob body (NB) axially. In FIG. 11, the arrow indicates the direction in which the knob body (NB) is pressed axially. When this happens, the knob body (NB), the lock button (140), and the weight plate (160) can move simultaneously toward the front plate (31).

[0139] In this embodiment, the lock button (140) can be operated in a direction different from the axial movement of the knob body (NB). If the direction in which the lock button (140) is pressed and the direction in which the knob body (NB) is pressed are formed differently, the possibility of the user accidentally operating the knob assembly (100) is reduced.

[0140] More specifically, the operating part (143) of the lock button (140) can move linearly in the axial direction (first direction, up and down direction in FIG. 10), which is the linear movement direction of the knob body (NB), and in the second direction (left and right direction in FIG. 10), which is different from the rotation direction of the knob body (NB). Accordingly, the possibility of the knob assembly (100) being operated arbitrarily due to user error or interference with objects around the cooking appliance can be further reduced.

[0141] At this time, if the knob body (NB) is pressed axially without moving it to the second rotation position by pressing the lock button (140) as described above, the safety pin (150) may interfere axially with the bottom surface of the limiting part (113). Accordingly, the knob body (NB) and the drive shaft (71) may not be able to move axially by a set height. As another example, the depth of the limiting part (113) may be formed sufficiently deep so that the knob body (NB) and the drive shaft (71) can be configured to move axially by a set height even without pressing the lock button (140).

[0142] Referring to FIG. 12, compared to FIG. 10, the knob body (NB), the lock button (140), and the weight plate (160) are shown moved closer to the control panel (30). Reference numeral G2 indicates the distance between the knob body (NB) and the knob base (110). In this embodiment, when the knob body (NB) descends in the axial direction, the distance (G2) is formed to be very short.

[0143] When the knob body (NB), the lock button (140), and the weight plate (160) move in the axial direction in this manner, the second knob body (130), which fixes the drive shaft (71) through the shaft coupling part (131), moves the drive shaft (71) together in the axial direction. The drive shaft (71) that has moved in the axial direction can drive the heating drive unit (70) of the cooking appliance. Here, the driving of the heating drive unit (70) includes various operations such as turning the cooking appliance on / off and selecting the cooking mode of the cooking appliance.

[0144] When the drive shaft (71) moves by a reference distance in the axial direction, the drive shaft (71) can be rotated. In this embodiment, the heating drive unit (70) is restricted to rotate only when the drive shaft (71) moves by a reference distance in the axial direction. FIG. 13 shows the knob body (NB) rotated clockwise, and the drive shaft (71) can also be rotated clockwise together with the knob body (NB). When the knob body (NB) is rotated in this way, the lock button (140) can be moved to a third position. At this time, when the drive shaft (71) is rotated together with the knob body (NB), functions such as controlling the heat of the cooking appliance, the number of drives of the heating device (28), and selecting a cooking mode can be implemented.

[0145] Thus, in this embodiment, the operation of the lock button (140) precedes the subsequent operation of the knob body (NB). The rotation of the knob body (NB) can only occur when the lock button (140) moves to a second rotation position, and in the process, the drive shaft (71) dependent on the knob body (NB) can also rotate together.

[0146] FIGS. 14 and 15 illustrate a second embodiment of a knob assembly (100) according to the present invention. Below, parts that differ from the structure of the previously described embodiment will be described. A lock button (140) is disposed on the knob assembly (100), and the lock button (140) rotates relative to the knob body (NB). The lock button (140) has a first rotational position that restricts rotation or axial movement of the knob body (NB), and a second rotational position that rotates around the button axis (H) from the first rotational position to allow rotation or axial movement of the knob body (NB).

[0147] FIG. 14 illustrates a lock button (140) in the first rotational position. The lock button (140) may be prevented from rotating by interfering with the knob base (110) in the first rotational position. More precisely, the safety pin (150) of the lock button (140) interferes circumferentially with the limiting part (113) provided on the knob base (110), and accordingly, the entire lock button (140) and knob body (NB) cannot rotate around the drive shaft (71).

[0148] The lock button (140) can be rotated relative to the knob body (NB) around the button axis (H). As shown in the drawing, the button axis (H) can be positioned at the upper end of the lock button (140). When the button axis (H) is positioned at the upper end of the lock button (140), the entire remaining part of the lock button (140) corresponding to the lower end of the button axis (H) can be rotated.

[0149] Referring to FIG. 15, the lock button (140) is shown pressed in the direction of the arrow. When the lock button (140) is pressed, the lock button (140) is rotated counterclockwise with respect to the button axis (H), and the lock button (140) is moved to a second rotation position. When the entire lock button (140) is rotated in this manner, the safety pin (150) placed on the lock button (140) can move to a position close to the drive axis (71). When the safety pin (150) moves close to the drive axis (71) along the radial direction, the safety pin (150) moves out of the limiting part (113). Thus, the entire lock button (140) and knob body (NB) can be rotated.

[0150] FIG. 16 illustrates a third embodiment of a knob assembly (100) according to the present invention. Below, parts that differ from the structure of the previously described embodiment will be described. A lock button (140) placed on the knob assembly (100) interferes with the knob base (110), thereby restricting circumferential rotation. The knob base (110) is provided with a limiting part (113) in which a safety pin (150) of the lock button (140) is placed. The limiting part (113) can restrict the circumferential rotation of the safety pin (150).

[0151] Meanwhile, the limiting part (113) may be provided with a stopper (115) protruding in the axial direction. The stopper (115) protrudes axially to face the safety pin (150). The stopper (115) may form the bottom surface of the limiting part (113). When the lock button (140) is in the first rotational position, the stopper (115) is aligned with the safety pin (150) in the axial direction to prevent axial movement of the safety pin (150). More precisely, the stopper (115) interferes axially with the safety pin (150) to prevent pressing of the lock button (140) and the knob body (NB).

[0152] When the lock button (140) is pressed, the lock button (140) rotates around the button axis (H) to move to a second rotational position, and the safety pin (150) can be freed from axial interference with the stopper (115). Accordingly, the entire knob assembly (100) can move axially.

[0153] As another example, the limiting part (113) may be omitted from the knob base (110), and only the stopper (115) may be provided. That is, the stopper (115) is provided on the upper surface of the base ring part (112), but is provided to protrude further in the axial direction than the base ring part (112). In this way, at the first rotational position, the stopper (115) restricts the axial movement of the lock button (140), but the lock button (140) and the knob body (NB) can rotate around the drive axis (71). However, since the axial movement of the entire knob assembly (100) is restricted, a push operation cannot be performed, and therefore the heating device (28) cannot be driven. When the lock button (140) rotates to move to a second rotation position, the safety pin (150) is released from the state of axial interference with the stopper (115), so the entire knob assembly (100) can move axially.

[0154] FIG. 17 illustrates a fourth embodiment of a knob assembly (100) according to the present invention. Below, parts that differ from the structure of the previously described embodiment will be described. A lock button (140) placed on the knob assembly (100) interferes with the knob base (110), thereby restricting circumferential rotation. The knob base (110) is provided with a limiting part (113) that interferes with the lock button (140). The limiting part (113) can restrict circumferential rotation or axial linear movement of the lock button (140).

[0155] At this time, the button axis (H), which serves as the rotation center of the lock button (140), may be extended in the axial direction. Looking at the button axis (H) represented by a dotted line in FIG. 17, the button axis (H) is positioned in the front-rear direction, that is, in a direction parallel to the axial direction. Accordingly, based on the drawing, when a user presses the lock button (140) in the direction of the arrow, the part corresponding to the upper portion of the button axis (H) can rotate inward toward the knob body (NB) and move toward the center of the knob body (NB). In this way, the lock button (140) becomes capable of circumferential rotation or axial linear movement.

[0156] Meanwhile, although not illustrated, the limiting portion (113) may prevent the safety pin (150) from rotating only in either a clockwise or counterclockwise direction around the drive shaft (71). In this case, the limiting portion (113) may not be in a recessed shape from the base ring portion (112) as shown in FIG. 6, but may be a structure that protrudes axially from the base ring portion (112) to form a step.

[0157] The foregoing description is merely an illustrative explanation of the technical concept of the present invention, and those skilled in the art to which the present invention pertains will be able to make various modifications and variations within the scope of the essential characteristics of the present invention. Accordingly, the embodiments disclosed in the present invention are intended to explain, not limit, the technical concept of the present invention, and the scope of the technical concept of the present invention is not limited by such embodiments. The scope of protection of the present invention shall be interpreted by the claims below, and all technical concepts within an equivalent scope shall be interpreted as being included within the scope of rights of the present invention.

Claims

1. A knob body that rotates around a drive shaft protruding from the control panel and moves linearly in the axial direction of the drive shaft; and A lock button that rotates relative to the knob body; including The above lock button is a knob assembly having a first rotational position that restricts rotation or axial movement of the knob body and a second rotational position that rotates around a button axis from the first rotational position to allow rotation or axial movement of the knob body.

2. In claim 1, a safety pin protruding toward the control panel is disposed on the lock button, and The above safety pin restricts rotation or axial movement of the knob body at the first rotational position, and A knob assembly in which the radial distance between the safety pin and the drive shaft is formed differently at the first rotational position and the second rotational position.

3. A knob assembly according to claim 2, wherein the radial distance between the safety pin and the drive shaft at the first rotational position is shorter than the radial distance between the safety pin and the drive shaft at the second rotational position.

4. In claim 1, a knob base through which the drive shaft passes is disposed on the operating panel, and A knob assembly in which the lock button at the first rotational position interferes with the knob base along the circumferential direction to prevent rotation.

5. In claim 1, a first separation distance is formed along the axial direction between the lock button and the operation panel at the first rotational position, and A knob assembly in which a second separation distance greater than the first separation distance is formed along the axial direction between the lock button and the operating panel at the first rotational position.

6. In claim 1, a knob base is disposed on the control panel, and The above knob base includes a limiting portion formed with a different axial height, and A safety pin protruding toward the knob base is disposed on the lock button above, and A knob assembly in which the safety pin interferes circumferentially with the limiting part at the first rotational position, or the safety pin interferes axially with the limiting part.

7. In claim 6, the limiting portion is recessed in the axial direction from the knob base, and A knob assembly that interferes with each of the two sides of the safety pin at the first rotational position.

8. In claim 1, the button shaft is disposed in the knob body, and The above lock button is a knob assembly rotatably connected to the above button shaft.

9. The knob assembly of claim 1, wherein both ends of the button shaft are rotatably supported inside the knob body.

10. The knob assembly of claim 1, wherein the button shaft is disposed in the knob body in a direction orthogonal to the axial direction.

11. In claim 1, the knob body A first knob body having an internal space open toward the above-mentioned control panel; and A second knob body disposed in the internal space and rotating and linearly moving together with the first knob body; comprising The above button shaft is a knob assembly disposed between the first knob body and the second knob body.

12. A knob assembly according to claim 1, wherein the first knob body has an operating hole penetrating it to expose the operating portion of the lock button.

13. In claim 1, the lock button An operating part exposed to the outside of the above knob body; and Includes a safety pin protruding toward the above-mentioned control panel; A knob assembly in which the above-mentioned operating part and the above-mentioned safety pin are respectively positioned on opposite sides with respect to the above-mentioned button axis.

14. In claim 1, the lock button is provided with an operating part that rotates about the button axis and is exposed to the outside of the knob body, and A knob assembly in which, when the above-mentioned operating part moves toward the center of the knob body, the lock button moves from the first rotational position to the second rotational position.

15. In claim 1, a knob base is disposed on the control panel, and The knob body is provided with a safety pin that protrudes toward the operating panel or the knob base and interferes with or is released from interference along the circumferential direction with the operating panel or the knob base. The above safety pin is a knob assembly that rotates together with the lock button in conjunction with the lock button.

16. In claim 1, a knob base is disposed on the control panel, and At the first rotational position, the lock button forms a first separation distance in the axial direction with the knob base, and A knob assembly in the second rotational position that forms a second separation distance in the axial direction longer than the first separation distance with the knob base.

17. In claim 1, an elastic member is provided inside the knob body, and The above elastic member is a knob assembly that provides elastic force to the lock button in the direction of the first rotational position.

18. In claim 1, the lock button is provided with an operating part that rotates about the button axis and is exposed to the outside of the knob body, and Both ends of the above elastic member are knob assemblies supported inside the operating part and the knob body, respectively.

19. A knob body that rotates around a drive shaft extended in a first direction and moves linearly in the axial direction of the drive shaft; and A lock button disposed on the knob body and rotated independently of the knob body; comprising The above lock button is a knob assembly having a first rotational position that restricts the rotation of the knob body and a second rotational position that rotates around the button axis from the first rotational position to allow rotation or axial movement of the knob body.

20. Heating device; An operating panel positioned in front of the heating device; A drive shaft connected to the heating device and protruding forward of the control panel; A knob base disposed on the above-mentioned control panel and through which the above-mentioned drive shaft passes; A knob body that rotates around the above-mentioned drive shaft and moves linearly in the axial direction of the above-mentioned drive shaft; and A lock button that rotates relative to the knob body; including A cooking appliance having a lock button having a first rotational position that interferes with the knob base and a second rotational position that rotates from the first rotational position around a button axis to release interference with the knob base.

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