U.S. patent application number 11/167755 was filed with the patent office on 2006-06-29 for heating apparatus and method for cooking.
This patent application is currently assigned to SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.. Invention is credited to Yu Jeub Ha, Sung Wook Kang, Cheol Jin Kim, Kyoung Ho Kim, Kil Young Lee, Sung Soo Park, Suk Yoon Yum.
Application Number | 20060137675 11/167755 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 36061574 |
Filed Date | 2006-06-29 |
United States Patent
Application |
20060137675 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Kim; Kyoung Ho ; et
al. |
June 29, 2006 |
Heating apparatus and method for cooking
Abstract
A heating apparatus for cooking, which ventilates the insides of
cooking chambers after the cooking of food in the cooking chambers
is completed, to rapidly cook the insides of the cooking chambers,
and selectively ventilates one out of the cooking chambers. The
heating apparatus for cooking includes a main body including a
plurality of cooking chambers, which are separable from each other;
a plurality of heaters for respectively heating the cooking
chambers; and a ventilating device for ventilating the cooking
chambers by introducing external air, wherein the ventilating
device includes an air blowing unit for blowing the external air to
the insides of the cooking chambers, and a flow change unit for
selectively supplying air blown by the air blowing unit to the
cooking chambers. In addition, methods to achieve the above are
disclosed.
Inventors: |
Kim; Kyoung Ho; (Suwon-Si,
KR) ; Kim; Cheol Jin; (Suwon-Si, KR) ; Ha; Yu
Jeub; (Suwon-Si, KR) ; Lee; Kil Young;
(Suwon-Si, KR) ; Yum; Suk Yoon; (Seoul, KR)
; Park; Sung Soo; (Hwaseong-Si, KR) ; Kang; Sung
Wook; (Seoul, KR) |
Correspondence
Address: |
SUGHRUE MION, PLLC
2100 PENNSYLVANIA AVENUE, N.W.
SUITE 800
WASHINGTON
DC
20037
US
|
Assignee: |
SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO.,
LTD.
|
Family ID: |
36061574 |
Appl. No.: |
11/167755 |
Filed: |
June 28, 2005 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
126/21A |
Current CPC
Class: |
F24C 15/325 20130101;
F24C 15/001 20130101; F24C 15/006 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
126/021.00A |
International
Class: |
F24C 15/32 20060101
F24C015/32 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Dec 27, 2004 |
KR |
2004-113104 |
Dec 27, 2004 |
KR |
2004-113105 |
Claims
1. A heating apparatus for cooking comprising: a main body
comprising a plurality of cooking chambers which are separable from
each other; a plurality of heaters for respectively heating the
plurality of cooking chambers; and a ventilating device for
ventilating at least one of the plurality of cooking chambers by
introducing external air, wherein the ventilating device comprises
an air blowing unit for blowing the external air to insides of the
at least one of the plurality of cooking chambers, and a flow
change unit for selectively supplying air blown by the air blowing
unit to the at least one of the plurality of cooking chambers.
2. The heating apparatus as set forth in claim 1, wherein the
plurality of cooking chambers comprises a first cooking chamber and
a second cooking chamber, and the plurality of heaters comprises a
first heater for heating the first cooking chamber and a second
heater for heating the second cooking chamber.
3. The heating apparatus as set forth in claim 2, wherein the flow
change unit comprises: a housing having an inlet connected to an
outlet of the air blowing unit, and a first outlet and a second
outlet respectively connected to the first and the second cooking
chambers; an adjusting member rotatably installed in the housing
for selectively opening one of the first and the second outlets;
and a flow control motor for rotating the adjusting member.
4. The heating apparatus as set forth in claim 3, wherein: the
housing and the adjusting member have a cylindrical structure; and
the adjusting member comprises an inlet having a width larger than
a rotating range of the adjusting member, and a third outlet having
a width corresponding to the width of the first or the second
outlet of the housing.
5. The heating apparatus as set forth in claim 4, wherein the flow
change unit further comprises a sensing unit for sensing a position
of the third outlet of the adjusting member.
6. The heating apparatus as set forth in claim 5, wherein the
sensing unit comprises: a plurality of sensing switches for
respectively sensing whether or not the third outlet of the
adjusting member coincides with the first outlet of the housing
concides with the second outlet of the housing, or is located
between the first and the second outlets of the housing; and a
sensing cam connected to a shaft of the flow control motor so that
the sensing cam can selectively contact one of the plurality of
sensing switches.
7. The heating apparatus as set forth in claim 3, wherein the
ventilating device comprises: a first air supply guide member
connecting the air blowing unit and the inlet of the housing; a
second air supply guide member connecting the first outlet of the
housing and the first cooking chamber; a third air supply guide
member connecting the second outlet of the housing and the second
cooking chamber; and a first air exhaust guide member and a second
air exhaust guide member for respectively exhausting air from the
first and the second cooking chambers.
8. The cooking chamber as set forth in claim 2, wherein the first
and second cooking chambers are separated from each other by
installing a detachable partition, or communicate with each other
by eliminating the partition.
9. A heating apparatus for cooking comprising: a main body
comprising a cooking chamber; a heater for heating an inside of the
cooking chamber; a ventilating device for ventilating the cooking
chamber; and a control unit for controlling the ventilating device
so that the ventilating device is operated when cooking of food is
completed.
10. The heating apparatus as set forth in claim 9, wherein the
ventilating device comprises: an air blowing unit for blowing
external air to the inside of the cooking chamber; an air supply
guide member for guiding air blown by the air blowing unit; and an
air exhaust guide member for guiding air exhausted from the cooking
chamber to the outside.
11. A heating apparatus for cooking comprising: a main body
comprising a plurality of cooking chambers which are separable from
each other; a plurality of heaters for respectively heating the
plurality of cooking chambers; and a ventilating device for
ventilating at least one of the plurality of cooking chambers by
introducing external air, wherein the ventilating device comprises
an air blowing unit for blowing the external air to insides of the
at least one of the plurality of cooking chambers, and a flow
change unit formed integrally with the air blowing unit for
selectively supplying air blown by the air blowing unit to the at
least one of the plurality of cooking chambers.
12. The heating apparatus as set forth in claim 11, wherein the air
blowing unit comprises: a housing comprising an inlet formed
through a central portion thereof, and a plurality of outlets
formed through separated positions of a circumference thereof; an
air blowing fan installed in the housing; and an air blowing motor
installed outside the housing for rotating the air blowing fan.
13. The heating apparatus as set forth in claim 12, wherein the
flow change unit comprises: a cylindrical adjusting member
rotatably installed in the housing, and comprising an outlet
selectively communicating with one of the plurality of outlets of
the housing; and a flow control motor for rotating the adjusting
member.
14. The heating apparatus as set forth in claim 13, further
comprising: a connection shaft extended from a rotary center of the
adjusting member to an outside of the housing, and provided with a
through hole formed through the central portion thereof for passing
a shaft of the air blowing motor; and a plurality of gears
installed outside the housing for transmitting a rotation of the
flow control motor to the connection shaft.
15. The heating apparatus as set forth in claim 12, further
comprising: a plurality of air supply guide members for
respectively connecting the plurality of outlets of the housing and
the plurality of cooking chambers; and a plurality of air exhaust
guide members for exhausting air from the plurality of cooking
chambers.
16. A method for cooking comprising: receiving external air;
selectively supplying the external air to one of a plurality of air
supply guides to generate guided air; introducing the guided air
into one of a plurality of cooking chambers, the one of the
plurality of cooking chamber having heated air; and cooling the
heated air in the one of the plurality of cooking chambers.
17. The method of claim 16, wherein the operation of selectively
supplying the external air comprises: communicating one of the
plurality of air supply guides to the received external air if the
one of the plurality of cooking chambers is to be cooled; and
alternatingly communicating two of the plurality of air supply
guides to the received external air if two of the plurality of
cooking chambers are to be cooled.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] This application claims the benefit of Korean Patent
Application Nos. 2004-113104 and 2004-113105, filed Dec. 27, 2004,
in the Korean Intellectual Property Office, the disclosure of which
is incorporated herein by reference.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] 1. Field of the Invention
[0003] Apparatuses and methods consistent with the present
invention relate to a heating apparatus and method for cooking, and
more particularly, to a heating apparatus having a ventilating
device for selectively supplying air to a plurality of cooking
chambers.
[0004] 2. Description of the Related Art
[0005] As disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-open Publication Nos.
Heisei 8-247473 and 2002-71139, a conventional heating apparatus
for cooking comprises a cooking chamber provided with a door, which
is opened and closed, installed at the front surface thereof, a
heater chamber installed in the rear portion of the inside of the
cooking chamber for heating the cooking chamber, a centrifugal
circulation fan installed in the heater chamber for circulating air
in the cooking chamber, and a heater for heating the air blown by
the circulation fan.
[0006] When the circulation fan in the heater chamber is operated
by driving a motor, the air in the cooking chamber is circulated to
the inside of the heater chamber so that the air is heated by the
heater and is then re-supplied to the inside of the cooking
chamber. Accordingly, food placed in the cooking chamber is heated
and cooked by hot air.
[0007] Since the inside of the cooking chamber of the above heating
apparatus for cooking is maintained at a high temperature by
residual hot air remaining for a designated time even after the
cooking of the food is completed, when a user carelessly takes the
food from the cooking chamber, the user may be burned by the hot
air in the cooking chamber.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0008] Therefore, one aspect of the invention is to provide a
heating apparatus for cooking, which ventilates the insides of
cooking chambers after the cooking of food in the cooking chambers
is completed, thereby rapidly cooling the insides of the cooking
chambers.
[0009] Another aspect of the invention is to provide a heating
apparatus for cooking, which selectively ventilates one out of a
plurality of cooking chambers, thereby cooling the selected cooking
chamber.
[0010] In accordance with one aspect, the present invention
provides a heating apparatus for cooking comprising: a main body
including a plurality of cooking chambers, which are separable from
each other; a plurality of heaters for respectively heating the
plurality of cooking chambers; and a ventilating device for
ventilating at least one of the plurality of cooking chambers by
introducing external air, wherein the ventilating device includes
an air blowing unit for blowing the external air to the insides of
the at least one of the plurality of cooking chambers, and a flow
change unit for selectively supplying air blown by the air blowing
unit to the at least one of the plurality of cooking chambers.
[0011] The plurality of cooking chambers include a first cooking
chamber and a second cooking chamber, and the heaters include a
first heater for heating the first cooking chamber and a second
heater for heating the second cooking chamber.
[0012] The flow change unit includes: a housing having an inlet
connected to an outlet of the air blowing unit, and first and
second outlets respectively connected to the first and second
cooking chambers; an adjusting member rotatably installed in the
housing for selectively opening one of the first and second
outlets; and a flow control motor for rotating the adjusting
member.
[0013] The housing and the adjusting member have a cylindrical
structure; and the adjusting member includes an inlet having a
width larger than the rotating range of the adjusting member, and a
third outlet having a width corresponding to the width of the first
or second outlet of the housing.
[0014] The flow change unit further includes a sensing unit for
sensing the position of the third outlet of the adjusting
member.
[0015] The sensing unit includes: a plurality of sensing switches
for respectively sensing whether or not the third outlet of the
adjusting member coincides with the first outlet of the housing,
coincides with the second outlet of the housing, or is located
between the first and second outlets of the housing; and a sensing
cam connected to a shaft of the flow control motor so that the
sensing cam can selectively contact one of the plurality of sensing
switches.
[0016] The ventilating device includes: a first air supply guide
member connecting the air blowing unit and the inlet of the
housing; a second air supply guide member connecting the first
outlet of the housing and the first cooking chamber; a third air
supply guide member connecting the second outlet of the housing and
the second cooking chamber; and first and second air exhaust guide
members for respectively exhausting air from the first and second
cooking chambers.
[0017] The first and second cooking chambers are separated from
each other by installing a detachable partition, or communicate
with each other by eliminating the partition.
[0018] In accordance with another aspect, the present invention
provides a heating apparatus for cooking comprising: a main body
including a cooking chamber; a heater for heating the inside of the
cooking chamber; a ventilating device for ventilating the cooking
chamber; and a control unit for controlling the ventilating device
so that the ventilating device is operated when cooking of food is
completed.
[0019] The ventilating device includes: an air blowing unit for
blowing external air to the inside of the cooking chamber; an air
supply guide member for guiding the air blown by the air blowing
unit; and an air exhaust guide member for guiding the exhaust of
the air from the cooking chamber to the outside.
[0020] In accordance with yet another aspect, the present invention
provides a heating apparatus for cooking comprising: a main body
including a plurality of cooking chambers, which are separable from
each other; a plurality of heaters for respectively heating the
plurality of cooking chambers; and a ventilating device for
ventilating at least one of the plurality of cooking chambers by
introducing external air, wherein the ventilating device includes
an air blowing unit for blowing the external air to the insides of
the at least one of the plurality of cooking chambers, and a flow
change unit formed integrally with the air blowing unit for
selectively supplying air blown by the air blowing unit to the at
least one of the plurality of cooking chambers.
[0021] The air blowing unit includes: a housing including an inlet
formed through the central portion thereof, and a plurality of
outlets formed through separated positions of the circumference
thereof; an air blowing fan installed in the housing; and an air
blowing motor installed outside the housing for rotating the air
blowing fan.
[0022] The flow change unit includes: a cylindrical adjusting
member rotatably installed in the housing, and including an outlet
selectively communicating with one of the plural outlets of the
housing; and a flow control motor for rotating the adjusting
member.
[0023] The heating apparatus for cooking further comprises a
connection shaft extended from the rotary center of the adjusting
member to the outside of the housing, and provided with a through
hole formed through the central portion thereof for passing a shaft
of the air blowing motor; and a plurality of gears installed
outside the housing for transmitting the rotation of the flow
control motor to the connection shaft.
[0024] Other aspects of the invention include methods for achieving
the above.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0025] These and/or other aspects and advantages of the invention
will become apparent and more readily appreciated from the
following description of the embodiments, taken in conjunction with
the accompanying drawings in which:
[0026] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a heating apparatus for
cooking in accordance with a first embodiment of the present
invention;
[0027] FIG. 2 is a sectional view of the heating apparatus for
cooking in accordance with the first embodiment of the present
invention;
[0028] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a ventilating device of the
heating apparatus for cooking in accordance with the first
embodiment of the present invention;
[0029] FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view of a flow change
device of the heating apparatus for cooking in accordance with the
first embodiment of the present invention;
[0030] FIG. 5 is a sectional view of the flow change device of the
heating apparatus for cooking in accordance with the first
embodiment of the present invention in a state in which a first
outlet of the flow change device communicates with a first cooking
chamber;
[0031] FIG. 6 is a sectional view of the flow change device of the
heating apparatus for cooking in accordance with the first
embodiment of the present invention in a state in which a second
outlet of the flow change device communicates with a second cooking
chamber;
[0032] FIG. 7 is a sectional view of the flow change device of the
heating apparatus for cooking in accordance with the first
embodiment of the present invention in a state in which the first
and second outlets of the flow change device are closed;
[0033] FIG. 8 is a sectional view of a heating apparatus for
cooking in accordance with a second embodiment of the present
invention;
[0034] FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a ventilating device of the
heating apparatus for cooking in accordance with the second
embodiment of the present invention;
[0035] FIG. 10 is an exploded perspective view illustrating an air
blowing device and a flow change device of the heating apparatus
for cooking in accordance with the second embodiment of the present
invention;
[0036] FIG. 11 is a sectional view illustrating the air blowing
device and the flow change device of the heating apparatus for
cooking in accordance with the second embodiment of the present
invention;
[0037] FIG. 12 is a sectional view taken along the line A-A' of
FIG. 11 illustrating a state in which an outlet of an adjusting
member is communicated with a first cooking chamber; and
[0038] FIG. 13 is a sectional view taken along the line A-A' of
FIG. 11 illustrating a state in which the outlet of the adjusting
member is communicated with a second cooking chamber.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS
[0039] Reference will now be made in detail to the embodiments of
the present invention, an example of which is illustrated in the
accompanying drawings, wherein like reference numerals refer to
like elements throughout. The embodiments are described below to
explain the present invention by referring to the annexed
drawings.
[0040] FIGS. 1 to 7 illustrate a heating apparatus for cooking in
accordance with a first embodiment of the present invention. As
shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the heating apparatus for cooking of this
embodiment comprises a main body 10 provided with a cooking chamber
11 installed therein. The main body 10 includes an external case 12
made of an iron plate, and an internal case 13 installed in the
external case 12 for defining the cooking chamber 11 under the
condition that the internal case 13 is separated from the external
case 12. The front surface of the cooking chamber 11 is opened so
that food to be cooked is inserted into or taken out of the cooking
chamber 11.
[0041] A door 14 vertically rotated for opening and closing the
cooking chamber 11 is installed at the front surface of the main
body 10, and an operating panel 15 including a display unit 15a for
displaying the operating state of the heating apparatus, operating
buttons 15b, and operating switches 15c is installed on the front
surface of the main body 10 above the door 14.
[0042] The cooking chamber 11 is divided into a first cooking
chamber 11a located at the upper portion thereof and a second
cooking chamber 11b located at the lower portion thereof by a
detachable partition 16. That is, the cooking chamber 11 is divided
into the first cooking chamber 11a and the second cooking chamber
11b by installing the partition 16 therein, and the first cooking
chamber 11a and the second cooking chamber 11b are combined into
the cooking chamber 11 by eliminating the partition 16. Food racks
17a and 17b for placing food thereon are respectively installed in
the first and second cooking chambers 11a and 11b, and a plurality
of support rails 18a, 18b, and 18c for detachably supporting the
partition 16 and the food racks 17a and 17b are formed on both side
surfaces of the cooking chamber 11. After the partition 16 is
separated from the cooking chamber 1, another food rack having the
same shape as those of the food racks 17a and 17b of the first and
second cooking chambers 11a and 11b may be installed at the
position of the partition 16.
[0043] As shown in FIG. 2, a heater case portion 21 for forming a
heater chamber 20 is recessed in the rear surface of the internal
case 13 by a designated depth. A first circulation fan 22a for
circulating air in the first cooking chamber 11a is installed in
the upper portion of the inside of the heater chamber 20, and a
first heater 23a is installed at the outside of the first
circulation fan 22a. A second circulation fan 22b for circulating
air in the second cooking chamber 11b is installed in the lower
portion of the inside of the heater chamber 20, and a second heater
23b is installed at the outside of the second circulation fan 22b.
The upper and lower portions of the heater chamber 20 are divided
by a partition member 28, and first and second motors 24a and 24b
for respectively driving the first and second circulation fans 22a
and 22b are installed on the rear surface of the heater case
portion 21. A cover 25 for covering the heater chamber 20 is
installed at the front surface of the heater chamber 20, and inlets
26a and 26b and outlets 27a and 27b communicating with the first
and second cooking chambers 11a and 11b are formed through the
cover 25 so that air can be circulated through the inlets 26a and
26b and the outlets 27a and 27b.
[0044] The above configuration causes the air in the first and
second cooking chambers 11a and 11b to be respectively heated by
the first and second heaters 23a and 23b when the air in the first
and second cooking chambers 11a and 116 is circulated by the
operation of the first and second circulation fans 22a and 22b. The
first circulation fan 22a and the first heater 23a, or the second
circulation fan 22b and the second heater 23b are selectively
operated as occasion demands, thereby allowing one or all of the
first and second cooking chambers 11a and 11b to be operated to
cook food therein.
[0045] As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the heating apparatus for cooking
of this embodiment further comprises a ventilating device 30 for
selectively ventilating one of the first and second cooking
chambers 11a and 11b. The ventilating device 30 includes an air
blowing unit 31 installed between the internal case 13 and the
external case 12 above the first cooking chamber 11a for blowing
external air to the insides of the first and second cooking
chambers 11a and 11b, a flow change unit 40 installed on the first
cooking chamber 11a for selectively distributing the air blown by
the air blown unit 31 to the first and second cooking chambers 11a
and 11b, air supply guide members 32a, 32b, 32c and 33 for guiding
the air to the first and second cooking chambers 1a and 11b, and
air exhaust guide members 34a and 34b for guiding the air from the
first and second cooking chambers 11a and 11b to the outside.
[0046] As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the flow change unit 40 includes
an inlet 41a connected to an outlet 31b of the air blowing unit 31,
and first and second outlets 41b and 41c respectively connected to
the first and second cooking chambers 11a and 11b. As shown in FIG.
3, the air supply guide members 32a, 32b, 32c and 33 include a
first air supply guide member 32a having a pipe structure and
connecting the outlet 31b of the air blowing unit 31 and the inlet
41a of the flow change unit 40, a second air supply guide member
32b connecting the first outlet 41b of the flow change unit 40 and
the rear part of the first cooking chamber 11a, a third air supply
guide member 32c connecting the second outlet 41c of the flow
change unit 40 and the rear part of the second cooking chamber 11b,
and a suction duct 33 for guiding the external air to an inlet 31a
of the air blowing unit 31. The air exhaust guide members 34a and
34b include a first air exhaust guide member 34a for exhausting air
from the first cooking chamber 11a, and a second air exhaust guide
member 34b for exhausting air from the second cooking chamber
11b.
[0047] The air blown by the operation of the air blowing unit 31 is
selectively supplied to one of the first and second cooking
chambers 11a and 11b by the operation of the flow change unit 40,
thereby rapidly cooling the corresponding one of the first and
second cooking chambers 11a and 11b. Further, the air in the first
and second cooking chamber 11a and 11b is exhausted to the outside
through the air exhaust guide members 34a and 33b in proportion to
the amount of the air supplied to the first and second cooking
chamber 11a and 11b.
[0048] As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the flow change unit 40 includes
a cylindrical housing 41, the upper surface of which is opened, a
cover 42 for covering the opened upper surface of the housing 41, a
cylindrical adjusting member 43 rotatably installed in the housing
41 for adjusting the air blowing direction, a flow control motor 44
for rotating the adjusting member 43 in regular and reverse
directions, and a sensing unit 50 for sensing the rotation of the
adjusting member 43.
[0049] The housing 41 includes an inlet 41a formed at one side
thereof and connected to the air blowing unit 31, and first and
second outlets 41b and 41c formed at the other side thereof. The
first and second outlet 41b and 41c are separated from each other
by a designated interval. Here, the first air supply guide member
32a extended from the air blowing unit 31 is connected to the inlet
41a of the housing 41, the second air supply guide member 32b
connected to the first cooking chamber 11a is connected to the
first outlet 41b of the housing 41, and the third air supply guide
member 32c connected to the second cooking chamber 11b is connected
to the second outlet 41c of the housing 41.
[0050] The adjusting member 43 in the housing 41 includes an inlet
43a, having a width larger than the rotating range of the adjusting
member 43, formed through the cylindrical side surface thereof so
that the inside of the adjusting member 43 is communicated with the
inlet 41a of the housing 41, and an outlet 43b, having a size
corresponding to the width of the outlets 41b and 41c of the
housing 41, formed through the cylindrical side surface thereof at
a position corresponding to the positions of the first and second
outlets 41b and 41c of the housing 41. The adjusting member 43
further includes a rotary shaft 43c extended inwardly and outwardly
from the central portion of the closed upper surface thereof so
that the adjusting member 43 is rotatably connected to the housing
41. The rotary shaft 43c of the adjusting member 43 is extended
outwardly so that the rotary shaft 43c passes through the central
portion of the cover 42, and is connected to a shaft 44a of the
flow control motor 44.
[0051] The sensing unit 50 senses the rotation of the adjusting
member 43, thus sensing the position of the outlet 43b of the
adjusting member 43. The sensing unit 50 includes first, second,
and third sensing switches 51, 52, and 53 installed on the outer
surface of the cover 42 along the rotating direction of the
adjusting member 43, and a sensing cam 54 installed on the shaft
44a of the flow control motor 44 so that the sensing cam 54 can
selectively contact the sensing switches 51, 52, and 53. Reference
numeral 45 represents a motor support plate for supporting the flow
control motor 44.
[0052] The adjusting member 43 in the housing 41 of the flow change
unit 40 is rotated in a regular or reverse direction by the
operation of the flow control motor 44 so that the outlet 43b of
the adjusting member 43 is located at a position coinciding with
one of the first and second outlet 41b and 41c of the housing 41,
thereby causing air introduced into the housing 41 to be exhausted
to one of the first and second outlets 41b and 41c of the housing
41, or cutting off the circulation of the air.
[0053] That is, when the adjusting member 43 is rotated in the
direction of the arrow A as shown in FIG. 5 so that the outlet 43b
of the adjusting member 43 coincides with the first outlet 41b of
the housing 41, the air introduced into the inlet 41a of the
housing 41 is exhausted to the first outlet 41b, and when the
adjusting member 43 is rotated in the direction of the arrow B as
shown in FIG. 6 so that the outlet 43b of the adjusting member 43
coincides with the second outlet 41c of the housing 41, the air
introduced into the inlet 41a of the housing 41 is exhausted to the
second outlet 41c. Further, when the outlet 43b of the adjusting
member 43 is located between the first and second outlets 41b and
41c of the housing 41 as shown in FIG. 7, both the first and second
outlets 41b and 41c are closed. Since the width of the inlet 43a of
the adjusting member 43 is larger than the rotating range of the
adjusting member 43, the inlet 43a of the adjusting member 43
communicates with the inlet 41a of the housing 41 at all times.
[0054] Since the first to third sensing switches 51, 52, and 53
sense the position of the outlet 43b of the adjusting member 43 of
the flow change unit 40, the operation of the flow control motor 44
is controlled so that the flow of the air is converted based on the
sensed position of the outlet 43b. That is, when the sensing cam 54
rotated together with the rotation of the adjusting member 43
contacts the first sensing switch 51 as shown in FIG. 5, the outlet
43b of the adjusting member 43 is communicated with the first
outlet 41b of the housing 41, when the sensing cam 54 contacts the
third sensing switch 53 as shown in FIG. 6, the outlet 43b of the
adjusting member 43 is communicated with the second outlet 41c of
the housing 41, and when the sensing cam 54 contacts the second
sensing switch 52 as shown in FIG. 7, the outlet 43b of the
adjusting member 43 is located between the first and second outlets
41b and 41c of the housing 41.
[0055] Hereinafter, the usage and operation of the heating
apparatus for cooking in accordance with the first embodiment will
be described in detail.
[0056] When the quantity of food to be cooked is small, a user
selects one of the two cooking chambers 11a and 11b so that the
food is cooked only in the selected cooking chamber 11a or 11b. For
example, when the user selects the first cooking chamber 11a, the
first heater 23a and the first circulation fan 22a in the rear of
the first cooking chamber 11a are operated. Here, the second heater
23b and the second circulation fan 22b in the rear of the
non-selected second cooking chamber 11b are not operated.
Accordingly, the user cooks the small quantity of food under the
condition that consumption of energy for cooking the food is
reduced.
[0057] When the user selects the second cooking chamber 11b so that
food is cooked in the second cooking chamber 11b, the second heater
23b and the second circulation fan 22b are operated, and the first
heater 23a and the first circulation fan 22a are not operated.
Further, when the partition 16 is removed from the cooking chamber
11 so that the two cooking chambers 11a and 11b are used, the first
and second heaters 23a and 23b and the first and second circulation
fans 22a and 22b are operated, thereby allowing a large quantity of
food to be cooked.
[0058] During the cooking of the food, the air blowing unit 31 is
not operated, and the closed states of the first and second outlets
41b and 41c of the flow change unit 40 are maintained as shown in
FIG. 7. This prevents the cooking chamber 11 from being ventilated
during the cooking of the food, thereby reducing heat loss.
[0059] After the cooking of the food is completed, the operations
of the heaters 23a and 23b and the circulation fans 23a and 23b are
terminated and the first cooking chamber 11a or the second cooking
chamber 11b is ventilated by the operation of the air blowing unit
31, thereby cooling the first or second cooking chamber 11a or 11b.
Accordingly, the user can take the cooked food from the first or
second cooking chamber 11a or 11b without the danger of a burn. The
above operations are achieved under the control of a predetermined
program.
[0060] That is, when food is cooked in the first cooking chamber
11a, a control unit (not shown) of the heating apparatus for
cooking terminates the operations of the first heater 23a and the
first circulation fan 22a after a cooking time determined by the
user has elapsed, and operates the air blowing unit 31. Further,
the control unit controls the operation of the flow change unit 40
so that the blown air is introduced into the first cooking chamber
1a. Here, in the flow change unit 40, the outlet 43b of the
adjusting member 43 is communicated with the first outlet 41b of
the housing 41 by the operation of the flow control motor 44,
thereby causing the blown air to be introduced into the first
cooking chamber 11a. Since hot air in the first cooking chamber 11a
in an amount corresponding to the amount of the newly introduced
external air is exhausted to the outside through the first air
exhaust guide member 34a, the first cooking chamber 11a is rapidly
cooled.
[0061] When food is cooked in the second cooking chamber 11b, in
the same manner, the control unit terminates the operations of the
second heater 23b and the second circulation fan 22b after the
cooking time determined by the user has elapsed, and operates the
air blowing unit 31. The blown air is introduced into the second
cooking chamber 11b by the operation of the flow change unit 40.
Here, the control unit controls the operation of the flow control
motor 44 so that the outlet 43b of the adjusting member 43 is
communicated with the second outlet 41c of the housing 41, thereby
causing the blown air to be introduced into the second cooking
chamber 11b.
[0062] When foods in the first and second cooking chambers 11a and
11b are simultaneously cooked, even if air is introduced into one
of the first and second cooking chambers 11a and 11b, the first or
second cooking chamber 11a or 11b can be ventilated. Accordingly,
the flow change unit 40 is controlled such that any one of the
outlets 41b and 41c of the housing 41 is communicated with one of
the two cooking chambers 11a and 11b. In an exemplary embodiment,
the flow control motor 44 is alternately rotated in regular and
reverse directions by the control of the control unit so that air
is alternately blown to the two cooking chambers 11a and 11b.
[0063] FIGS. 8 to 14 illustrate a heating apparatus for cooking in
accordance with a second embodiment of the present invention. As
shown in FIG. 8, the heating apparatus for cooking of the second
embodiment comprises a main body 100 provided with a cooking
chamber 111 installed therein. The main body 100 includes an
external case 120 made of an iron plate, and an internal case 130
installed in the external case 120 for defining the cooking chamber
110 under the condition that the internal case 130 is separated
from the external case 120. The front surface of the cooking
chamber 110 is opened so that food to be cooked is inserted into or
taken out of the cooking chamber 110.
[0064] A door 140 vertically rotated for opening and closing the
cooking chamber 110 is installed at the front surface of the main
body 100, and an operating panel 150 is installed on the front
surface of the main body 100 above the door 140.
[0065] The cooking chamber 110 is divided into a first cooking
chamber 111 located at the upper portion thereof and a second
cooking chamber 112 located at the lower portion thereof by a
detachable partition 160. That is, the cooking chamber 110 is
divided into the first cooking chamber 111 and the second cooking
chamber 112 by installing the partition 160 therein, and the first
cooking chamber 111 and the second cooking chamber 112 are combined
into the cooking chamber 110 by eliminating the partition 160. Food
racks 171 and 172 for placing food thereon are respectively
installed in the first and second cooking chambers 111 and 112, and
a plurality of support rails 181, 182, and 183 for detachably
supporting the partition 160 and the food racks 171 and 172 are
formed on both side surfaces of the cooking chamber 110. After the
partition 160 is separated from the cooking chamber 110, another
food rack having the same shape as those of the food racks 171 and
172 of the first and second cooking chambers 111 and 112 may be
installed at the position of the partition 160.
[0066] As shown in FIG. 8, a heater case portion 210 for forming a
heater chamber 200 is recessed in the rear surface of the internal
case 130 by a designated depth. A first circulation fan 221 for
circulating air in the first cooking chamber 111 is installed in
the upper portion of the inside of the heater chamber 200, and a
first heater 231 is installed at the outside of the first
circulation fan 221. A second circulation fan 222 for circulating
air in the second cooking chamber 112 is installed in the lower
portion of the inside of the heater chamber 200, and a second
heater 232 is installed at the outside of the second circulation
fan 222. The upper and lower portions of the heater chamber 200 are
divided by a partition member 280, and first and second motors 241
and 242 for respectively driving the first and second circulation
fans 221 and 222 are installed on the rear surface of the heater
case portion 210. A cover 250 for covering the heater chamber 200
is installed at the front surface of the heater chamber 200, and
inlets 261 and 262 and outlets 271 and 272 communicated with the
first and second cooking chambers 111 and 112 are formed through
the cover 250 so that air can be circulated through the inlets 261
and 262 and the outlets 271 and 272.
[0067] The above configuration causes the air in the first and
second cooking chambers 111 and 112 to be respectively heated by
the first and second heaters 231 and 232 when the air in the first
and second cooking chambers 111 and 112 is circulated by the
operation of the first and second circulation fans 221 and 222. The
first circulation fan 221 and the first heater 231, or the second
circulation fan 222 and the second heater 232 are selectively
operated as occasion demands, thereby allowing one or all of the
first and second cooking chambers 111 and 112 to be operated to
cook food therein.
[0068] As shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, the heating apparatus for cooking
of the second embodiment further comprises a ventilating device 300
for selectively ventilating one of the first and second cooking
chambers 111 and 112. The ventilating device 300 includes an air
blowing unit 400 installed between the internal case 130 and the
external case 120 above the first cooking chamber 111 for blowing
external air to the insides of the first and second cooking
chambers 111 and 112, a flow change unit formed integrally with the
air blowing unit 400 for selectively distributing the air blown by
the air blown unit 400 to the first and second cooking chambers 111
and 112, air supply guide members 321, 322, and 323 for guiding the
air to the first and second cooking chambers 111 and 112, and air
exhaust guide members 331 and 332 for guiding the air from the
first and second cooking chambers 111 and 112 to the outside.
[0069] As shown in FIGS. 10 and 11, the air blowing unit 400
includes a housing 410, the upper surface of which is opened,
having an inlet 411 formed through the central portion thereof and
first and second outlets 412 and 413 formed through separated
positions of the circumference thereof, a cover 420 for covering
the opened upper surface of the housing 410, a centrifugal air
blowing fan 430 rotatably installed in the housing 410, and an air
blowing motor 440 installed outside the housing 410 for rotating
the air blowing fan 430. The air blowing fan 430 is rotated by the
operation of the air blowing motor 440, thereby causing the air
inhaled through the inlet 411 to be blown to the two outlets 412
and 413.
[0070] As shown in FIG. 9, the air supply guide members 321, 322,
and 323 include a first air supply guide member 321 connected to
the inlet 411 of the housing 410 of the air blowing unit 400 for
introducing external air, a second air supply guide member 322
connecting the first outlet 412 of the housing 410 and the rear
part of the first cooking chamber 111, and a third air supply guide
member 323 connecting the second outlet 413 of the housing 410 and
the rear part of the second cooking chamber 112. The air exhaust
guide members 331 and 332 include a first air exhaust guide member
331 for exhausting air from the first cooking chamber 111, and a
second air exhaust guide member 332 for exhausting air from the
second cooking chamber 112.
[0071] The air blown by the operation of the air blowing unit 430
is selectively supplied to one of the first and second cooking
chambers 111 and 112, thereby rapidly cooling the corresponding one
of the first and second cooking chambers 111 and 112. Further, the
air in the first and second cooking chambers 111 and 112 is
exhausted to the outside through the air exhaust guide members 331
and 332 in proportion to the amount of the air supplied to the
first and second cooking chambers 111 and 112.
[0072] As shown in FIGS. 10 and 11, the flow change unit formed
integrally with the air blowing unit 400 includes a cylindrical
adjusting member 500 rotatably installed outside the air blowing
fan 430 in a housing 410, a flow control motor 510 for rotating the
adjusting member 500 in regular and reverse directions, and a
driving gear 520 and a driven gear 530 for transmitting the
rotation of the flow control motor 510 to the adjusting member
500.
[0073] The adjusting member 500 has a cylindrical structure having
the inner diameter larger than the outer diameter of the air
blowing fan 430 so that the air blowing fan 430 is contained in the
adjusting member 500, and the outer surface of the adjusting member
500 is guided by the inner surface of the housing 410 and rotated.
The adjusting member 500 includes an outlet 501 formed through the
circumference thereof so that the inside of the adjusting member
500 is selectively communicated with one of the first and second
outlets 412 and 413 of the housing 410. The adjusting member 500
further includes a connection shaft 502 extended from the rotary
center thereof to the outside through the cover 420 of the housing
410 and provided with a through hole 503 formed through the central
portion thereof for passing a shaft 441 of the air blowing motor
440. As shown in FIG. 5, the shaft 441 extended from the air
blowing motor 440 passes through the through hole 503 of the
connection shaft 502 of the adjusting member 500, and is connected
to the air blowing fan 430.
[0074] The flow control motor 510 is installed at one side of the
air blowing motor 440 such that the flow control motor 510 is not
interfered with the air blowing motor 440, and a shaft 511 of the
flow control motor 510 and the connection shaft 502 of the
adjusting member 500 are connected by the driving gear 520 and the
driven gear 530 so that the rotation of the flow control motor 510
is transmitted to the adjusting member 500. That is, the driving
gear 520 is installed on the shaft 511 of the flow control motor
510, and the driven gear 530 is installed on the connection shaft
502 under the condition that the driven gear 530 is engaged with
the driving gear 520. The above structure transmits the rotation of
the flow control motor 510 to the adjusting member 500 through the
driving gear 520 and the driven gear 530, thus allowing the
adjusting member 500 to be rotated. The direction of the air
exhausted by the above procedure is adjustable. That is, when the
adjusting member 500 is rotated in the direction of the arrow A as
shown in FIG. 12 so that the outlet 501 of the adjusting member 500
coincides with the first outlet 412 of the housing 410, the air
introduced into the inlet 411 of the housing 410 is exhausted to
the first outlet 412, and when the adjusting member 500 is rotated
in the direction of the arrow B as shown in FIG. 13 so that the
outlet 501 of the adjusting member 500 coincides with the second
outlet 413 of the housing 410, the air introduced into the inlet
411 of the housing 410 is exhausted to the second outlet 413.
[0075] Hereinafter, the usage and operation of the heating
apparatus for cooking in accordance with the second embodiment will
be described in detail.
[0076] When the quantity of food to be cooked is small, a user
selects one of the two cooking chambers 111 and 112 so that the
food is cooked only in the selected cooking chamber 11 or 112. For
example, when the user selects the first cooking chamber 111, the
first heater 231 and the first circulation fan 221 in the rear of
the first cooking chamber 111 are operated. Here, the second heater
232 and the second circulation fan 222 in the rear of the
non-selected second cooking chamber 112 are not operated.
Accordingly, the user cooks the small quantity of food under the
condition that consumption of energy for cooking the food is
reduced.
[0077] When the user selects the second cooking chamber 112 so that
food is cooked in the second cooking chamber 112, the second heater
232 and the second circulation fan 222 are operated, and the first
heater 231 and the first circulation fan 221 are not operated.
Further, when the partition 160 is removed from the cooking chamber
110 so that the two cooking chambers 111 and 112 are used, the
first and second heaters 231 and 232 and the first and second
circulation fans 221 and 222 are operated, thereby allowing a large
quantity of food to be cooked.
[0078] After the cooking of the food is completed, the operations
of the heaters 231 and 232 and the circulation fans 231 and 232 are
terminated and the first cooking chamber 111 or the second cooking
chamber 112 is ventilated by the operation of the air blowing unit
400, thereby cooling the first or second cooking chamber 111 or
112. Accordingly, the user can take the cooked food from the first
or second cooking chamber 111 or 112 without the danger of a burn.
The above operations are achieved under the control of a
predetermined program.
[0079] That is, when food is cooked in the first cooking chamber
111, a control unit (not shown) of the heating apparatus for
cooking terminates the operations of the first heater 231 and the
first circulation fan 221 after a cooking time determined by the
user has elapsed, and operates the air blowing unit 400. Further,
the control unit controls the operation of the flow change unit so
that the blown air is introduced into the first cooking chamber
111. Here, in the flow change unit, the outlet 501 of the adjusting
member 500 is communicated with the first outlet 412 of the housing
410 by the operation of the flow control motor 510, thereby causing
the blown air to be introduced into the first cooking chamber 111.
Since hot air in the first cooking chamber 111 in an amount
corresponding to the amount of the newly introduced external air is
exhausted to the outside through the first air exhaust guide member
331, the first cooking chamber 111 is rapidly cooled.
[0080] When food is cooked in the second cooking chamber 112, in
the same manner, the control unit terminates the operations of the
second heater 232 and the second circulation fan 222 after the
cooking time determined by the user has elapsed, and operates the
air blowing unit 400. The blown air is introduced into the second
cooking chamber 112 by the operation of the flow change unit. Here,
the control unit controls the operation of the flow control motor
510 so that the outlet 501 of the adjusting member 500 is
communicated with the second outlet 413 of the housing 410, thereby
causing the blown air to be introduced into the second cooking
chamber 112.
[0081] When foods in the first and second cooking chambers 111 and
112 are simultaneously cooked, even if air is introduced into one
of the first and second cooking chambers 111 and 112, the first or
second cooking chamber 111 or 112 can be ventilated. Accordingly,
the flow change unit is controlled such that the outlet 510 of the
adjusting member 500 is communicated with one of the two cooking
chambers 111 and 112. In an exemplary embodiment, the flow control
motor 510 is alternately rotated in regular and reverse directions
by the control of the control unit so that air is alternately blown
to the two cooking chambers 111 and 112.
[0082] As apparent from the above description, the present
invention provides a heating apparatus for cooking, which
ventilates the insides of cooking chambers after the cooking of
food in the cooking chambers is completed, thereby rapidly cooking
the insides of the cooking chambers.
[0083] Further, the heating apparatus for cooking adjusts the
direction of blown air using a flow change unit to selectively
ventilate one out of a plurality of cooking chambers, thereby
cooling the selected cooking chamber.
[0084] Although embodiments of the invention have been shown and
described, it would be appreciated by those skilled in the art that
changes may be made in these embodiments without departing from the
principles and spirit of the invention, the scope of which is
defined in the claims and their equivalents.
* * * * *