EP4712695A1

EP4712695A1 - Electric range

Info

Publication number: EP4712695A1
Application number: EP24868628.9A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Seongjun Kim; Jaepyo Hong; Yongsoo Lee
Original assignee: LG Electronics Inc
Current assignee: LG Electronics Inc
Priority date: 2023-09-21
Filing date: 2024-09-13
Publication date: 2026-03-18
Also published as: WO2025063651A1; CN121533136A; AU2024346064A1

Abstract

An electric range in one embodiment may comprise: a cover plate having a top surface on which an object to be heated is arranged; a supporter accommodated in a case; a plurality of coil substrates which are arranged on the top of the supporter and spaced apart from each other, and on which a working coil is printed; a first insulator arranged between the supporter and the cover plate; and a second insulator arranged between the supporter and the cover plate and positioned at the upper side and/or the lower side of the first insulator.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates to an electric range, and more particularly, to an induction heating type electric range.

BACKGROUND ART

The contents described in this section merely provides background information on the present disclosure and does not constitute the prior art.
Various types of cooking appliances are used to heat food at home or in restaurants. The above-described cooking appliance comprises a gas range using gas and an electric range using electricity.
Electric ranges are largely classified into a resistive heating type range and an induction heating type range.
The electric resistance heating type range uses a scheme of applying a current to a metal resistance line or a non-metal heating element such as silicon carbide to generate heat, and radiating or conducting the generated heat to heat a heating target (e.g., a cooking container such as a pot or a frying pan).
The induction heating type range uses a scheme of generating a magnetic field around a coil by applying high-frequency power to the coil, and heating the heating target made of a metal component using an eddy current generated from the generated magnetic field.
In the basic heating principle of the induction heating scheme, when a current is applied to a working coil, heat is generated while the heating target is induction-heated, and the heating target is heated by the generated heat.
In a general electric range, an area of the coil to which power is applied is large. In addition, the heating target should be placed in a position overlapping such a large-area coil such that the heating target can be heated.
Therefore, since the coil of the electric range occupies the large area, each heated area corresponding to each of a small number of coils having a large area is disposed in a top of the electric range.
Since the number of heated areas is small and the size of each heated area is large, a cover plate of the electric range having a limited area is provided with a small number of heating aeras. In addition, the area size of the heated area is large, such that even when a plurality of heated areas are provided in the electric range, a non-heated area defined between the heated areas occupies a large area.
Due to this structure, a space in which the heating target may be placed on the electric range becomes narrow. Even when a small object is heated, one heated area having a large area size is used, thereby increasing power consumption. This causes inconvenience to the user.
In order to compensate for this disadvantage, a coil having a plate-shaped structure with a small areas size may be disposed in the electric range. When a plurality of coils, each having a small area size, are disposed in the electric range, a space between the coils is reduced and only a coil on which the heating target is placed is operated, thereby increasing the space efficiency of the electric range and reducing power consumption.

SUMMARY OF DISCLOSURE

TECHNICAL PURPOSE

A purpose of the present disclosure is to provide is to provide an electric range having a structure for blocking heat transfer from a heating target to internal components.
Further, a purpose of the present disclosure is to provide an electric range having a thermistor that indirectly measures a temperature of a heating target.
Further, a purpose of the present disclosure is to provide an electric range having a structure in which a thermistor may more accurately measure a temperature of a heating target.
The purposes of the present disclosure are not limited to the above-mentioned purposes, and other purposes and advantages of the present disclosure that are not mentioned may be understood based on the following descriptions, and will be more clearly understood based on the embodiment of the present disclosure. In addition, it will be readily appreciated that the purposes and advantages of the present disclosure may be realized by means recited in the claims and combinations thereof.

TECHNICAL SOLUTION

An embodiment of the electric range may comprise: a cover plate having an upper surface on which a heating target is placed; a supporter accommodated in a casing; a plurality of coil substrates disposed on top of the supporter and spaced apart from each other, wherein a working coil is printed on each of the coil substrates; a first thermal insulator disposed between the supporter and the cover plate; and a second thermal insulator disposed between the supporter and the cover plate and disposed on at least one of an upper surface or a lower surface of the first thermal insulator.
The first thermal insulator may include first thermal insulators arranged so as to be spaced from each other in a longitudinal direction of the electric range, wherein each of the first thermal insulators may be a single body extending in a transverse direction of the electric range, wherein the second thermal insulator may include second thermal insulators arranged so as to be spaced from each other in the longitudinal direction of the electric range, wherein each of the second thermal insulators may be a single body extending in the transverse direction of the electric range, wherein each of the first thermal insulator and the second thermal insulator may cover an entirety of an array of the plurality of working coils arranged to be spaced from each other in the transverse direction of the electric range.
The first thermal insulator and the second thermal insulator may be between the cover plate and the coil substrate, such that heat transfer from the heating target to the supporter may be suppressed.
The electric range may further comprise a plurality of thermistors disposed on at least one of an upper surface of the working coil or a coil boundary area defined between adjacent ones of the plurality of working coils, wherein the plurality of thermistors are arranged to be spaced apart from each other.
The electric range may further comprise a plurality of thermal pads respectively disposed at positions corresponding to positions of the plurality of thermistors and arranged to be spaced apart from each other, wherein at least some of the plurality of thermal pads are disposed to be in contact with a lower surface of the cover plate.
The thermal pad may be made of a thermally conductive material.
The thermistors may be evenly arranged across the entire coil substrate while being disposed on the upper surface of the coil substrate.
The thermal pad may be disposed in contact with or very close to the thermal pad, so that the thermal pad may measure the temperature of heat transferred from the thermal pad.
The first thermal insulator may comprise a first hole formed at a position corresponding to a position of the thermistor, wherein at least a portion of the thermistor is inserted into the first hole, wherein the second thermal insulator may comprise a second hole formed at a position corresponding to a position of each of the thermistor and the first hole, wherein at least a portion of the thermistor is inserted into the second hole.
The thermistor may be disposed on the coil boundary area defined between adjacent ones of the plurality of working coils arranged to be spaced from each other in the transverse direction, wherein some of the first holes and some of the second holes may be formed at positions corresponding to the coil boundary area.
In the electric range, while the first thermal insulator and the second thermal insulator prevent the heat from being transferred from the heating target to the coil substrate, the thermistor coupled to the coil substrate may be disposed in the first hole and the second hole and may receive heat from the thermal pad and accurately measure the temperature of the heating target.

TECHNICAL EFFECT

In the electric range according to the present disclosure, the first thermal insulator and the second thermal insulator are disposed between the cover plate and the coil substrate to suppress the heat transfer from the heating target to the supporter, thereby suppressing overheating of the components coupled to the supporter and improving the operating performance of the electric range.
In addition, the first thermal insulator and the second thermal insulator suppress the melting of the soldering for coupling the thermistor to the upper surface of the coil substrate, thereby suppressing the damage to the thermistor and improving the durability of the electric range.
In addition, in the electric range according to the present disclosure, the thermistors may be evenly arranged over the entire coil substrate while being disposed on the upper surface of the coil substrate. Due to this structure, the electric range may indirectly measure the temperature of the heating target over the entire coil substrate using the thermistor.
In addition, in the electric range according to the present disclosure, when the coil substrate, the first thermal insulator, and the second thermal insulator have been assembled with each other, the thermistor coupled to the upper surface of the coil substrate may be inserted into the first hole and the second hole formed in the first thermal insulator and the second thermal insulator, and may be disposed to be in contact with or be very close to the thermal pad disposed thereon even though being not in contact with the thermal pad disposed thereon.
Due to this structure, while the first thermal insulator and the second thermal insulator prevent the heat from being transferred from the heating target to the coil substrate, the thermistor coupled to the coil substrate may be disposed in the first hole and the second hole and may receive heat from the thermal pad and accurately measure the temperature of the heating target.
In addition to the above-described effects, specific effects of the present disclosure will be described together while describing specific matters for implementing the present disclosure.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating an electric range according to an embodiment.
FIG. 2 is a front view illustrating an electric range according to an embodiment.
FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view illustrating an electric range according to an embodiment.
FIG. 4A is a plan view of FIG. 1 in which a cover plate is omitted.
FIG. 4B is a plan view illustrating a coil substrate according to an embodiment.
FIG. 4C is a plan view illustrating a portion of a sensing coil illustrated in FIG. 4B.
FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view in a direction 5-5 of FIG. 4.
FIG. 6 is a bottom view showing an electric range according to an embodiment.
FIG. 7 is a diagram in which a casing is omitted from FIG. 6.
FIG. 8 is a perspective view illustrating a supporter according to an embodiment.
FIG. 9 is a plan view illustrating a supporter according to an embodiment.
FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view in a direction 10-10 of FIG. 9.
FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view in a direction 11-11 of FIG. 9.
FIG. 12 is an exploded perspective view illustrating a supporter and a ferrite module.
FIG. 13 is a plan view illustrating a state in which a ferrite module is coupled to a supporter.
FIG. 14 is a plan view illustrating a state in which a coil substrate is coupled in the state of FIG. 13.
FIG. 15 is a bottom view of the supporter.
FIG. 16 is a diagram illustrating a state in which an indicator board is coupled in the state of FIG. 15.
FIG. 17 is a diagram illustrating a state in which various components are coupled in the state of FIG. 16.
FIG. 18 is an exploded view showing some of components constituting an electric range.
FIG. 19 is a perspective view illustrating a second thermal insulator and a thermal pad according to an embodiment.
FIG. 20A is a plan view illustrating a state in which a coil substrate is mounted on a supporter.
FIG. 20B is a diagram illustrating a supporter according to another embodiment.
FIG. 20C is a cross-sectional view taken along a 20c-20c direction of FIG. 20B.
FIG. 20D is a diagram illustrating a supporter according to another embodiment.
FIG. 20E is a diagram illustrating a supporter according to another embodiment.
FIG. 20F is a cross-sectional view taken along a 20f-20f direction of FIG. 20E.
FIG. 21 is a plan view illustrating a state in which a second thermal insulator is placed on top of a supporter.
FIG. 22 is a perspective view illustrating a coil substrate according to an embodiment.
FIG. 23 is a side view of FIG. 22.
FIG. 24 is a perspective view illustrating a first thermal insulator according to an embodiment.
FIG. 25 is a perspective view illustrating an entirety of the first thermal insulator.
FIG. 26 is a cross-sectional view of the electric range as viewed in a direction 26-26 of FIG. 21.
FIG. 27 is a cross-sectional view of the electric range as viewed in a direction 27-27 of FIG. 21.
FIG. 28 is an enlarged view of portions 28(a) and 28(b) in FIG. 26.
FIG. 29 is a perspective view of FIG. 28.
FIG. 30 is an exploded view showing a temperature sensor as a temperature sensing device, and a sensor holder supporting the temperature sensor according to another embodiment.
FIG. 31 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a state in which the temperature sensor is mounted on the electric range.
FIG. 32 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a state in which the temperature sensor and the sensor holder are coupled to each other.

DETAILED DESCRIPTIONS

The above-mentioned purposes, features, and advantages will be described in detail later with reference to the attached drawings, so that those skilled in the art in the technical field to which the present disclosure belongs may easily practice the technical ideas of the present disclosure. In describing the present disclosure, when it is determined that a detailed description of the publicly known technology related to the present disclosure may unnecessarily obscure the gist of the present disclosure, the detailed description thereof will be omitted. Hereinafter, a preferred embodiment according to the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the attached drawings. In the drawings, identical reference numerals are used to indicate identical or similar components.
Although first, second, etc. are used to describe various components, these components are not limited by these terms. These terms are merely used to distinguish one component from another component. Thus, unless specifically stated to the contrary, the first component may be the second component.
As used herein, unless otherwise stated, each component may be provided as one or more components.
As used herein, the singular constitutes "a" and "an" are intended to include the plural constitutes as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. Further, the terms "comprise", "comprising", "include", and "including" as used herein should not be construed as necessarily including all of various components or steps as described herein, and may be construed as excluding some components or some steps thereof. It will be further understood that the terms "comprise", "comprising", "include", and "including" as used herein specify presence of a component or a step, but do not preclude the presence or addition of another component or step.
Throughout the present disclosure, "A and/or B" means A, B, or A and B, unless otherwise specified, and "C to D" means C inclusive to D inclusive unless otherwise specified.
Throughout the present disclosure, "upward direction", "downward direction", or "up-down direction" refers to the upward, downward, or up-down direction of the electric range in a state in which the electric range is installed to be used on a daily basis. " Both lateral direction" or "lateral direction" means a direction orthogonal to the up-down direction. Both lateral direction or lateral direction may comprise "left-right direction" and "front-rear direction", and the left-right direction and the front-rear direction are orthogonal to each other.
FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating an electric range according to an embodiment. FIG. 2 is a front view illustrating an electric range according to an embodiment. FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view illustrating an electric range according to an embodiment.
The electric range according to the embodiment may heat a heating target in an induction heating manner. In this regard, a heating target may be, for example, a dish containing a metal material such as stainless steel or iron.
In the induction heating manner, high frequency power is applied to a working coil 140a to generate a magnetic field around the working coil 140a, and an eddy current generated from the generated magnetic field is used to heat the heating target made of a metal component.
That is, when the working coil 140a and a ferrite material are disposed to be adjacent to each other and high-frequency power is applied to the working coil 140a, the working coil 140a may generate a magnetic field.
When the magnetic field is generated around the working coil 140a and the heating target is placed in the area of the generated magnetic field, an eddy current is induced in the heating target under the magnetic field and the Joule's heat is generated from the eddy current, so that the heating target may be heated. The dish as the heating target is heated such that the food contained in the heating target may be heated and cooked.
The electric range according to an embodiment may comprise a casing 110, a cover plate 120, a supporter (upper supporter) 130, a coil substrate 140, and a ferrite module 150.
The casing 110 may function to protect components constituting the electric range. For example, the casing 110 may be made of an aluminum material. However, embodiments of the present disclosure are not limited thereto. In one example, the casing 110 may be thermally insulated to suppress heat generated from the coil substrate 140 from being discharged to the outside.
The casing 110 may accommodate therein components constituting the electric range, and an upper portion thereof is opened, and the open portion thereof may be closed with the cover plate 120. The casing 110 may be formed by processing a plate-shaped material into a box shape.
The casing 110 may comprise a bottom plate 111 and a sidewall 112. The bottom plate 111 may define a bottom surface of the casing 110. The bottom plate 111 may support the internal components of the electric range.
The sidewall 112 may be bent from the bottom plate 111 to define an accommodation space of the components. The sidewall 112 may be bent upwardly from an edge of the bottom plate 111 to define a side surface of the electric range.
The sidewall 112 may be disposed at each of four sides of the bottom plate 111 generally formed in a quadrangular shape. The sidewall 112 may reinforce the rigidity of the entire casing 110. That is, the sidewall 112 formed to be bent from the bottom plate 111 may prevent the plate-shaped bottom plate 111 to be bent or damaged by the weight of the received components or an external force.
In addition, the cover plate 120 may be coupled to a top of the sidewall 112. In this way, the casing 110 and the cover plate 120 are coupled to each other to close the inner space of the casing 110, and the inner space in which various components are disposed may be defined inside the casing 110.
The cover plate 120 may be coupled to an upper end of the casing 110, and the heating target may be disposed on an upper surface thereof. The cover plate 120 may close the open upper portion of the casing 110 to protect the components accommodated in the casing 110.
The heating target is placed on the upper surface of the cover plate 120, and the magnetic field generated from the coil substrate and the ferrite module 150 may pass through the cover plate 120 to reach the heating target. The cover plate 120 may be made of, for example, a material including ceramic. However, embodiments of the present disclosure are not limited thereto.
The cover plate 120 may be made of, for example, a glass material, and may be manufactured to be transparent or translucent so that light irradiated from an indicator board 250 passes therethrough.
An input interface 160 for receiving an input from a user may be installed in the electric range. The input interface 160 may be installed to overlap a specific area of the cover plate 120 and may display a specific image.
For example, the input interface 160 may be embedded in the cover plate 120 in a flat manner or may be installed to contact a lower surface of the cover plate 120.
The input interface 160 may receive a touch input from the user, and the electric range may operate based on the received touch input.
For example, the input interface 160 refers to a module for the user to input a heating intensity or a heating time desired by the user, and may be implemented as a physical button or a touch panel.
For example, the input interface 160 may be a thin film transistor liquid crystal display (TFT LCD). However, embodiments of the present disclosure are not limited thereto.
The cover plate 120 may be provided with a cover frame 121 for coupling the supporter 130 and the cover plate 120 to each other. The cover frame 121 may be formed adjacent to an edge of the cover plate 120 and protrude downwardly from the cover plate 120 so as to face a side plate 136 of the supporter 130.
When the cover plate 120 is coupled to the supporter 130, the cover frame 121 may be disposed to surround an outer side surface of the side plate 136 of the supporter 130. A hole may be formed in the cover frame 121, and a protrusion may be formed on the supporter 130 at a position corresponding to a position of the hole.
Accordingly, at a position where the cover frame 121 and the side plate 136 of the supporter 130 laterally overlap each other, the protrusion of the supporter 130 may be inserted into the hole of the cover frame 121 so that the cover plate 120 and the supporter 130 may be coupled to each other.
The supporter 130 may be accommodated in the casing 110. The supporter 130 may be accommodated in the casing 110, and various components used for operating the electric range may be coupled thereto.
The coil substrate 140 and the ferrite module 150 generating the magnetic field may be disposed on an upper surface on the supporter 130. In addition, various circuit boards used to operate the electric range and a cooling device for cooling the circuit boards may be disposed under the supporter 130.
In order that a large number of such components are disposed thereon, the supporter 130 may have a complex shape. Therefore, the supporter 130 may be easily manufactured in a complex shape by injection molding, for example, a plastic material. A detailed structure of the supporter 130 will be described in detail below.
The coil substrate 140 may be disposed on an upper surface of the supporter 130 and may include a plurality of coil substrates spaced apart from each other in the lateral direction, and the working coil 140a may be printed thereon.
The general working coil 140a is manufactured by spirally winding the coil. Regarding the working coil 140a, the entire working coil 140a may be enlarged to wind the coil. The large working coil 140a lowers the spatial efficiency of the heated area of the electric range and increases power consumption.
In an embodiment, the coil substrate 140 on which the working coil 140a is printed may be used. The coil substrate 140 may be provided in a manner in which the working coil 140a is printed on the coil substrate 140, rather than in a manner in which the working coil 140a is wound around the coil substrate 140.
When the working coil 140a is printed on the coil substrate 140, the working coil 140a may be printed densely in a small area, and the working coils 140a may be printed in the up-down direction of the coil substrate to form multiple layers.
The multilayer structure may be, for example, formed by masking and printing a shape of a coil and a circuit pattern on a copper thin film, and forming a pattern by removing an unnecessary portion through an etching process, and coating an insulating material on the formed pattern to form a coil and a circuit pattern constituting a first layer.
Again, a copper thin film may be attached on the insulating material coating, and a masking printing process and an etching process may be performed on the copper thin film to form a coil and a circuit pattern constituting a second layer. By repeating this process, the coil substrate 140 provided with the multi-layered working coil 140a may be manufactured.
Accordingly, when the working coil 140a is printed on the coil substrate 140, the area of the coil substrate 140 may be reduced and the length of the working coil 140a may be sufficiently extended compared to the manner in which the working coil 140a is wound. Accordingly, the coil substrate 140 provided with the working coil 140a having a small area may be manufactured.
In addition, since the coil substrate 140 has a thin film shape, the coil substrate 140 provided with the working coil 140a may have a very slim shape compared to that in the manner in which the working coil 140a is wound.
Accordingly, in the embodiment, using the coil substrate 140 on which the working coil 140a is printed, the volume occupied with the working coil 140a may be reduced and a total length of the working coil 140a may be sufficiently extended. Accordingly, the entire electric range may be manufactured to be slim.
As shown in FIG. 3, compared to a manner in which the working coil 140a is wound, in an embodiment, a very large number of coil substrates 140, each having a small area, may be disposed in the electric range. Accordingly, a plurality of working coils 140a may be densely arranged in the electric range.
The coil substrates 140 may be arranged with each other without a gap being defined with the adjacent coil substrates 140, compared to the manner in which the working coil 140a is wound. Due to this structure, the plurality of coil substrates 140 may be densely arranged in the electric range without an empty space.
Accordingly, an empty space free of the working coil 140a may be minimized in an area where the coil substrate 140 is disposed, such that a large number of heating targets may be simultaneously heated, thereby improving the space efficiency of the electric range.
In addition, the working coil 140a is printed on the coil substrate 140, such that it is not necessary to form the working coil 140a in a circular shape. For example, the working coil 140a may be printed in a spiral manner and in a generally rectangular shape corresponding to the shape of the rectangular coil substrate 140.
Due to the above-described structure, the working coil 140a having a very great total length may be provided. In addition, the working coils 140a may be densely arranged the coil substrate 140, and the working coils 140a may be spaced from each other and operate independently from each other.
Accordingly, only the working coils 140a in an area at least partially overlapping with the heating target may operate to generate the magnetic field, and the remaining working coils 140a may not operate. Due to this structure, the user may freely place the heating target anywhere on the cover plate 120.
Accordingly, convenience is provided to the user. Further, the working coil 140a that does not overlap the heating target does not operate, such that power consumption may be significantly reduced.
The ferrite module 150 may be disposed on top of the supporter 130, may be disposed under the coil substrate 140, and may include a plurality of ferrite modules positioned at positions respectively corresponding to the plurality of working coils 140a.
The working coil 140a is printed on the coil substrate 140. Thus, when high-frequency power is applied to the working coil 140a, the magnetic field may be generated around the ferrite module 150 and the coil substrate 140, and the generated magnetic field may generate the eddy current in the heating target.
The ferrite module 150 may be disposed under the coil substrate 140. The number of the ferrite modules may correspond to the number of the working coils 140a and the positions thereof may correspond to positions of the working coils 140a. In the embodiment, the ferrite module 150 may be provided in a generally rectangular shape.
The ferrite module 150 may be formed by insert injection molding of a ferrite material and a plastic material. In this regard, in one ferrite module 150, a plurality of pieces of ferrite materials may be arranged to be spaced apart from each other. The ferrite module 150 will be described in detail below.
Various boards provided with various control devices and electric circuits for the operation of the electric range may be provided in the electric range. The boards may comprise a main board 170, an electro magnetic interference (EMI) filter 190, a switched mode power supply (SMPS) board 180, an inverter board 210, a resonator substrate 220, and an indicator board 250.
The main board 170 may be provided with a controller for controlling the electric range. The main board 170 may receive power from an external power source and may be configured to communicate with an external device in a wired or wireless manner.
The EMI filter 190 may suppress electromagnetic interference generated from electricity. The EMI filter 190 may receive AC power from an external power source. In addition, the EMI filter 190 may reduce noise of the received AC power (i.e., Electro Magnetic Interference (EMI)), and may provide the noise-reduced AC power to the SMPS board 180.
The SMPS board 180 may supply electricity to the electric range. The SMPS board 180 may receive AC power with reduced noise from the EMI filter 190. In addition, the SMPS board 180 may rectify the received AC power into DC power, and may provide the rectified DC power to the inverter board 210.
The inverter board 210 may apply a resonant current to the working coil 140a. The inverter board 210 may comprise an inverter that applies a resonant current to the working coil 140a via a switching operation. A plurality of inverters may be provided, and the switching operation of the inverter may be controlled by a controller disposed on the main board 170.
In this regard, the inverter may receive the DC power from the SMPS board 180 and perform a switching operation based on the received DC power to apply a resonant current to the working coil 140a.
In addition, two switching elements may be comprised in the inverter, and the two switching elements may be alternately turned on and turned off based on a switching signal provided from the controller. In addition, an alternating current of a high frequency (that is, a resonant current) may be generated from the switching operation of the two switching elements, and the generated alternating current of the high frequency may be applied to the working coil 140a.
Referring to FIGS. 3 and 7, the inverter board 210 according to an embodiment may comprise a resonant capacitor. That is, the inverter board 210 illustrated in FIG. 3 has a structure in which the inverter and the resonant capacitor are integrated with each other.
Referring to FIG. 17, the inverter board 210 according to another embodiment may comprise only the inverter without including the resonant capacitor. In this regard, a separate resonator substrate 220 including the resonant capacitor may be provided in the electric range.
Hereinafter, the resonator substrate 220 and the resonant capacitor will be described first. The resonant capacitor is electrically connected to the inverter. When a resonant current is applied to the working coil 140a by a switching operation of the inverter, resonance of the resonant capacitor starts.
In addition, when the resonant capacitor resonates, the current flowing through the working coil 140a connected to the resonant capacitor increases. That is, through such a process, the eddy current may be induced in the heating target disposed on top of the working coil 140a connected to the resonant capacitor.
A plurality of resonant capacitors may be provided. In the case of an integrated structure in which both the inverter and the resonant capacitor are disposed in the inverter board 210, the resonant capacitor may be disposed to be spaced apart from the inverter in the inverter board 210
In another example, when the inverter board 210 and the resonator substrate 220 are spaced from each other and exist separately, the resonant capacitor may be disposed in the resonator substrate 220.
The indicator board 250 may comprise a light source. The light source may be provided, for example, in a form in which a plurality of LEDs are arranged in a row.
The indicator board 250 may be turned on when the electric range is operated to inform the user of whether the heating unit is operated. In addition, the indicator board 250 may change the lighting shape, color, etc. of the plurality of LEDs to inform the user of the operating state of the electric range.
The electric range may comprise a support plate (lower supporter) 260 disposed on top of the bottom plate 111 of the casing 110. The support plate 260 may be disposed under the supporter 130, accommodated in the casing 110, disposed under the boards coupled to a lower surface of the supporter 130, and may support the supporter 130.
The support plate 260 may be formed in a plate shape, and holes may be formed therein in positions corresponding to positions of inlet holes 1112 and outlet holes 1113 formed in the bottom plate 111 to be described later, respectively, so that the air flows through the inlet holes 1112 and the outlet holes 1113 formed in the bottom plate 111.
The plurality of boards, a blower fan 230, a heat sink 240, the ferrite module 150, and the coil substrate 140 may be disposed on the supporter 130, and the supporter 130 may support the loads of these components. Since the plurality of components are coupled to the supporter, the supporter 130 may be deformed so as to sag downwardly due to the load of these components.
Accordingly, the support plate 260 may be disposed under the supporter 130 to support the supporter 130 to which the plurality of components are coupled, thereby preventing the supporter 130 from sagging downwards.
In another embodiment, components such as the plurality of boards, the blower fan 230, the heat sink 240, etc. may be coupled to the support plate (lower supporter) 260. In this structure, the load applied to the supporter 130 may be reduced, so that the occurrence of deformation in which the supporter 130 sags downwards may be suppressed to some extent.
When the electric range has been assembled, the support plate 260 may be disposed at a position spaced apart from the support plate 260 in the up-down direction by a spacing sufficient for the support plate to support the elements having a relatively large volume provided in the various boards, and the blower fan 230 and the heat sink 240 having a larger volume than other components.
Protrusions for supporting the supporter 130 or components coupled to the lower surface of the supporter 130 may protrude upwardly from an upper surface of the support plate 260. In one example, protrusions for supporting the support plate 260 may protrude upwardly from an upper surface of the bottom plate 111 of the casing 110.
The various boards may be disposed on top of the support plate 260. Accordingly, it is necessary to prevent electric leakage and electrical short circuit by electrically insulating the boards that may contact the support plate 260 from the bottom plate 111 of the casing 110 made of a material such as aluminum.
Accordingly, the support plate 260 may be made of an electrically insulating material and may be disposed between the bottom plate 111 of the casing 110 and the boards to electrically insulate the boards from the bottom plate 111. The support plate 260 may be made of, for example, a mica material, which is an electrically insulating material or may be made of a plastic material.
The electric range may comprise a first thermal insulator 270 and a second thermal insulator 280. The first thermal insulator 270 may be disposed between the supporter 130 and the cover plate 120 to suppress heat transfer from the heating target to the supporter 130.
Heat generated by heating the heating target may pass through the cover plate 120 and be transmitted to the supporter 130 and various components coupled thereto disposed inside the electric range.
Such heat transfer heats the inside of the electric range, and in particular, may adversely affect the operation of the electric range when it is transferred to the various boards. Therefore, the first thermal insulator 270 is disposed between the cover plate 120 and the supporter 130 to suppress heat transfer from the heating target into the electric range, thereby preventing heating of the internal components and improving the operation performance of the electric range.
The first thermal insulator 270 may be made of, for example, a carbon material having good thermal insulation performance even when being manufactured to have a relatively small thickness. However, embodiments of the present disclosure are not limited thereto.
The first thermal insulator 270 may be formed in a plate shape and include a plurality of thermal insulators to cover the coil substrates 140, respectively. The thermal insulators 270 may be spaced from each other in a longitudinal direction of the electric range as viewed as a whole, and may be integrally formed with each other in a transverse direction thereof. That is, a longitudinal direction of one first thermal insulator 270 may be parallel to the transverse direction of the electric range.
The second thermal insulator 280 may be disposed between the supporter 130 and the cover plate 120, and may be disposed on at least one of an upper surface or a lower surface of the first thermal insulator 270.
In the embodiment shown in FIG. 3, the second thermal insulator 280 is disposed on each of both the upper and lower surfaces of the first thermal insulator 270. In another embodiment, the second thermal insulator 280 may be disposed only on one of the upper surface or the lower surface of the first thermal insulator 270.
The second thermal insulator 280 may be provided in a shape corresponding to that of the first thermal insulator 270. Accordingly, the second thermal insulators 280 may be spaced from each other in the longitudinal direction of the electric range as viewed as a whole, and may be integrally formed with each other in the transverse direction thereof. That is, the longitudinal direction of one second thermal insulator 280 may be parallel to the transverse direction of the electric range.
The second thermal insulator 280 is made of a mica material, and the second thermal insulator 280 together with the first thermal insulator 270 may suppress the heat transfer from the heating target to the supporter 130 inside the electric range. In addition, the second thermal insulator 280 may be disposed to be in contact with the first thermal insulator 270 to suppress the first thermal insulator 270 from being damaged by impact.
In particular, since the first thermal insulator 270 made of carbon is vulnerable to impact and is easily damaged, the second thermal insulator 280 may support the first thermal insulator 270 to suppress the damage of the first thermal insulator 270, thereby increasing the durability of the first thermal insulator 270.
In one example, each of the first thermal insulator 270 and the second thermal insulator 280 in an area where the input interface 160 is disposed may be formed to have a shorter length than that of each of the thermal insulators 270 and the second thermal insulators 280 in an area where the input interface 160 is not disposed so as not to screen the input interface 160,and thus may non-overlap the input interface 160. Hereinafter, unless otherwise stated, the embodiment as shown in FIG. 3B will be described.
FIG. 4A is a plan view in which the cover plate 120 is omitted from FIG. 1. FIG. 4A is a plan view illustrating the coil substrate 140 according to an embodiment. FIG. 4C is a plan view illustrating a portion of the sensing coil 2514 illustrated in FIG. 4A.
In FIG. 4A, for clear illustration, the working coil 140a and a sensing coil 2514 are illustrated in an overlapping form. In the actual structure, the working coil 140a may be disposed under the sensing coil 2514, and the layer of the working coil 140a and the layer of the sensing coil 2514 may be disposed to be spaced apart from each other in the up-down direction of the electric range and be insulated from each other by an insulating material.
The sensing coil 2514 for sensing that the heating target is seated on the upper surface of the cover plate 120 may be printed on the coil substrate 140. The sensing coil 2514 may be disposed, for example, at the uppermost layer on the coil substrate 140.
The sensing coil 2514 may be disposed to constitute a plurality of layers on the coil substrate 140. For example, the sensing coil 2514 may be disposed at the uppermost layer and a layer thereunder on the coil substrate 140, and the working coil 140a constituting a plurality of layers may be disposed under the layers of the sensing coil 2514.
The sensing coil 2514 may be manufactured to form the plurality of layers on the working coil 140a by performing a masking printing process and an etching process as described above.
The sensing coil 2514 may be generally provided in a circular shape and may be formed to have an area smaller than that of the working coil 140a. A plurality of sensing coils 2514 may be disposed on the coil substrate 140 so as to be spaced apart from each other. The sensing coil 2514 may be disposed in an area where the working coil 140a is disposed, and may also be disposed in a coil boundary area 1412 between the working coils 140a adjacent to each other.
The plurality of sensing coils 2514 are disposed on the coil substrate 140. Thus, even when the heating target is placed on any position of the upper surface of the cover plate 120, the position of the heating target may be accurately sensed by the sensing coil 2514.
A screw hole H_sc may be formed to pass through an edge of the coil substrate 140. For example, a fastening means such as a screw bolt may pass through the screw hole H_sc and be coupled to the supporter 130, and accordingly, the coil substrate 140 may be stably and firmly coupled to the supporter 130.
Referring to FIG. 4C, the sensing coil 2514 may generally have a circular shape and may extend in a spiral shape. In this shape, a central area 2514c on which the coil is not printed may be formed inwardly of the sensing coil 2514.
A thermistor 320 for indirectly measuring the temperature of the heating target may be disposed in the central area 2514c. In addition, a sensor pad P_s for electrical connection with two electrodes of the thermistor 320 may be disposed in the central area 2514c.
The sensor pad P_s may be formed in a printed manner on the upper surface of the coil substrate 140, and may be provided in a form of, for example, a via hole. The sensor pad P_s may be electrically connected to a controller, and the temperature information measured by the thermistor 320 may be transmitted to the controller.
The sensor pad P_s and the electrode of the coil substrate 140 may be electrically connected to each other via, for example, soldering. The detailed structure of the thermistor 320 is described below with reference to the drawings.
For example, the sensor pad P_s and the thermistor 320 may be disposed to bypass a printed position of the coil of the working coil 140a. Accordingly, the central area 2514c of the sensing coil 2514 disposed in the area where the working coil 140a is placed may be disposed to bypass the area where the coil serving as a conducting wire of the working coil 140a is printed.
In one example, the central area 2514c of the sensing coil 2514 may be positioned in the coil boundary portion 1412 in which the working coil 140a is not disposed. Accordingly, the sensor pad P_s and the thermistor 320 may be disposed to bypass the coil of the working coil 140a.
FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view in a direction 5-5 of FIG. 4A. FIG. 6 is a bottom view showing an electric range according to an embodiment.
Elements that generate heat during operation of the electric range may be mounted on the various boards.
For example, the switching elements in charge of on/off control in the electric range have high heat generation. Therefore, these elements should be subject to forced cooling in order to suppress the occurrence of shutdown or failure of the electric range due to overheating thereof.
To this end, the electric range may comprise the blower fan 230 and the heat sink 240. The blower fan 230 and the heat sink 240 may serve to cool the various heated boards and other components.
The blower fan 230 may be coupled to the lower surface of the supporter 130 and may be disposed at a position spaced apart from the boards. The blower fan 230 may be provided to face the heat sink 240 and discharge air thereto. The blower fan 230 may be electrically connected to the main board 170, and an operation thereof may be controlled by the controller provided in the main board 170.
The heat sink 240 may be disposed under the supporter 130, and may be oriented in which the longitudinal direction thereof is parallel to the air discharge direction in which the blower fan 230 discharge the air. The heat sink 240 may be coupled to the lower surface of the inverter board 210.
In an embodiment, the inverter board 210 includes a pair of inverter boards spaced apart from each other. Thus, the heat sink 240 may include a pair of heat sinks respectively coupled to the pair of inverter boards 210. In a corresponding manner to the pair of heat sinks 240, the blower fan 230 may include a pair of blower fans disposed at positions corresponding to the pair of heat sinks 240, respectively.
A plurality of cooling fins may be formed in the heat sink 240, and an air flow path through which air passes may be formed therein and extend in a direction parallel to the longitudinal direction thereof. Accordingly, the air discharged from the outlet of the blower fan 230 cools the heat sink 240 while flowing along and on the outer surface of the heat sink 240 and through the internal air flow path, and accordingly, the inverter board 210 may be effectively cooled.
The heat sink 240 may be coupled to the inverter board 210 to increase the heat dissipation area of the inverter board 210 so that the inverter board 210 may be effectively cooled by air flowing under the operation of the blower fan 230.
Since the inverter which is a switching element is provided in the inverter board 210, the inverter consumes a relatively large amount of power, so that the inverter may be heated to a higher temperature than a temperature to which other elements may be heated. Therefore, the heat sink 240 may be coupled to the inverter board 210 to effectively cool the inverter.
The air flowing under the operation of the blower fan 230 flows through an entire area under the support plate 260, such that the other boards other than the inverter board 210 may also be cooled by the air forcibly flowing, so that the inside of the electric range may be entirely cooled.
As illustrated in FIG. 6, the bottom plate 111 of the casing 110 may comprise an inlet hole 1112 and an outlet hole 1113. The inlet hole 1112 may be formed at a position corresponding to a position of the blower fan 230, and air may be introduced into the inlet hole 1112 from the outside.
The outlet hole 1113 may be formed at a position corresponding to that of an air discharge area of the heat sink 240, and air may be discharged from the outlet hole 1113. The outlet hole 1113 may be formed at a position adjacent to an air outlet of the air flow path formed in the heat sink 240. Since the heat sink 240 is provided as the pair of heat sinks and the blower fan 230 is provided as the pair of blower fans, the inlet hole 1112 may be provided as a pair of inlet holes and the outlet hole 1113 may be provided as a pair of outlet holes.
The working coil 140a may be formed in multiple layers on the coil substrate 140. For example, the multiple layers of the coils may be printed on the coil substrate 140 such that the uppermost one of the layers may be composed of the sensing coil 2514 for sensing the heating target, and the remaining layers thereunder may be composed of the plurality of working coils 140a.
In FIG. 4B, the working coil 140a has a general rectangular shape and is formed in a spiral shape. Due to this structure, the working coil 140a may be densely printed while having a shape corresponding to each of a rectangular seating groove 131 and the ferrite module 150, thereby increasing the total length of the working coil 140a.
However, in another example, the working coil 140a may be formed in a polygonal shape, a circular shape, or an elliptical shape.
As described above, one working coil 140a illustrated in FIG. 4A may constitute a single layer, and the plurality of working coils 140a may respectively constitute the plurality of layers spaced apart from each other in the up-down direction while being disposed on the coil substrate 140. However, for clear illustration, hereinafter, each of the plurality of working coils 140a overlapping with each other in the up-down direction and respectively constituting the plurality of layers may be referred to as one same working coil 140a.
As illustrated in FIG. 4B, the plurality of working coils 140a may be disposed on one coil substrate 140 and may be arranged in the lateral direction of the coil substrate 140.
In FIG. 4B, for example, one coil substrate 140 on which two working coils 140a arranged in a transverse direction thereof are printed and four working coils 140a arranged in a longitudinal direction thereof are printed is illustrated. However, embodiments of the present disclosure are not limited thereto, and the size of the coil substrate 140 and the number of working coils 140a printed on one coil substrate 140 may vary in consideration of the shape or size of the entire electric range and the ease of assembly or disassembly thereof.
In one example, a through-hole 1419 may be formed in one coil substrate 140 and between the working coils 140a adjacent to each other. A first piece 1321 of the supporter 130 may be fitted into the through-hole 1419. As the first piece 1321 is fitted into the through-hole 1419, the coil substrate 140 may be placed in a designed position. The through-hole 1419 may have a shape corresponding to that of each of the first piece 1321 and the slit 1323 of the supporter 130.
In addition, due to this structure, the slit 1323 formed in the first piece 1321 is not blocked by the coil substrate 140, and light irradiated from the indicator board 250 may pass through the slit 1323 of the supporter 130 and pass through the cover plate 120.
One working coil 140a may be disposed in an area corresponding to one ferrite module 150 and may overlap therewith in the up-down direction. That is, one working coil 140a may be disposed to correspond to one ferrite module 150.
In this regard, a coil boundary area 1412 may be provided between the working coils 140a adjacent to each other. A longitudinal direction of the coil boundary area 1412 intersects a longitudinal direction of the through-hole 1419. In this regard, the through-hole 1419 is not formed in the coil boundary area 1412.
The lower surface of the coil substrate 140 is supported by a second piece 1322, and in this regard, the coil boundary area 1412 may be disposed at a position corresponding to a position of the second piece 1322 of a boundary rib 132.
In FIG. 5, a flow direction of air is illustrated by an arrow. When the blower fan 230 operates, air may be introduced into the electric range from the outside through the inlet hole 1112. A portion of the introduced air may pass on and along the outer surface of the heat sink 240 and through the air flow path formed inside the heat sink 240, and the rest of the introduced air may be entirely diffused inside the casing 110 of the electric range.
The air forcibly flowing inside the casing 110 may be discharged to the outside through the outlet hole 1113. In particular, the inverter board 210 to which the heat sink 240 is coupled may be well cooled by the forced flow of air. Therefore, the inverter which is the switching element heated to a high temperature, may be effectively cooled by the heat sink 240 and air.
In an embodiment, the blower fan 230 is coupled to the lower surface of the supporter 130, the heat sink 240 is coupled to the inverter board 210, and the inverter board 210 is coupled to the lower surface of the supporter 130. As a result, both the blower fan 230 and the heat sink 240 as the cooling devices are coupled to the supporter 130, such that a separate structure for coupling the blower fan 230 and the heat sink 240 to each other may not be provided in the casing 110.
Therefore, the support structure of the electric range is generally simplified, thereby simplifying the structure of the electric range and reducing a manufacturing cost.
In addition, a structure in contact with the blower fan 230 and the heat sink 240 is omitted from the casing 110, such that assembly and disassembly of the casing 110 may be facilitated, and repair of the electric range may be facilitated.
FIG. 7 is a diagram in which the casing 110 is omitted from FIG. 6. FIG. 8 is a perspective view illustrating the supporter 130 according to an embodiment. FIG. 9 is a plan view illustrating the supporter 130 according to an embodiment.
FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view in a direction 10-10 of FIG. 9. FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view in a direction 11-11 of FIG. 9.
The supporter 130 may comprise a flat plate 135 extending in a direction parallel to a lateral direction of the electric range, and a side plate 136 bent downwardly from an edge of the flat plate 135. The ferrite module 150 and the coil substrate 140 may be disposed on the flat plate 135, and the side plate 136 may support the flat plate 135 while being disposed under the edge of the flat plate 135.
The supporter 130 may comprise the seating groove 131 and the boundary rib 132.
The seating groove 131 may be formed by recessing the flat plate 135. The seating groove may include a plurality of seating grooves arranged in the longitudinal and transverse directions of the supporter 130, so that each of the plurality of ferrite modules 150 is seated in each of the plurality of seating grooves. The seating groove 131 is generally formed in a quadrangular shape, and thus, each of the coil substrate 140 and the ferrite module 150 having a quadrangular shape may be fitted into the seating groove 131.
The boundary rib 132 may define a boundary of each of the plurality of seating grooves 131, may be provided to protrude upwardly from the upper surface of the supporter 130, and may include a plurality of boundary ribs.
The boundary rib 132 may comprise the first piece 1321 and the second piece 1322. The first piece 1321 may extend in the transverse direction of the supporter 130. The second piece 1322 may extend in the longitudinal direction of the supporter 130 so as to intersect the extension direction of the first piece 1321.
Referring to FIG. 4A, the first piece 1321 may extend in the transverse direction of the supporter 130 and the second piece 1322 may extend in the longitudinal direction of the supporter 130. The first piece 1321 and the second piece 1322 may intersect each other, such that the upper surface of the supporter 130 may be entirely formed in a grid shape.
The slit 1323 may be formed in the first piece 1321. The slit 1323 may extend through the supporter 130 in the up-down direction and may be formed in a narrow and elongate hole shape in a plan view. The indicator board 250 may be disposed at a position corresponding to a position of the supporter 130 where the slit 1323 is formed.
Accordingly, the first piece 1321 and the slit 1323 extend in the transverse direction of the supporter 130, such that the length direction of the indicator board 250 may also be parallel to the transverse direction of the supporter 130.
The light source of the indicator board 250 emits light in an upward direction, and the irradiated light passes through the slit 1323 and passes through the cover plate 120 made of glass, so that the user may see the irradiated light.
Both the slit 1323 and the indicator board 250 extend in a parallel manner to the transverse direction of the supporter 130. The silts are spaced apart from each other and the indicator boards 250 are spaced apart from each other. Thus, the user may see the irradiated light in a form that the light extends in an elongated manner in the transverse direction and the light beams are spaced apart from each other in the longitudinal direction.
The first piece 1321 may be formed to have a relatively great height, and the second piece 1322 may be formed to have a smaller height than that of the first piece 1321. The slit 1323 is formed in the first piece 1321 and the light passing through the slit 1323 needs to be clearly visible to the user without being diffused. For this reason, the first piece 1321 may be formed to have a relatively larger vertical length so that the light does not spread until it passes through the upper surface of the cover plate 120.
The first thermal insulator 270 and the second thermal insulator 280 disposed on top of the first piece 1321 are spaced from each other via the slit 1323. Thus, the first thermal insulator 270 and the second thermal insulator 280 do not screen the slit 1323, and thus the light passing through the slit 1323 may directly reach the cover plate 120.
The second piece 1322 may be formed to have a relatively smaller vertical length, and the first thermal insulator 270 and the second thermal insulator 280 may be disposed on top of the second piece 1322. The first thermal insulator 270 or the second thermal insulator 280 may have a length direction parallel to the transverse direction of the supporter 130.
Accordingly, each of the first thermal insulator 270 and the second thermal insulator 280 may be integrally formed as a single body extending in the transverse direction of the supporter 130. The thermal insulators 270 may be arranged to be spaced from each other in the longitudinal direction, and the second thermal insulators 280 may be arranged to be spaced from each other in the longitudinal direction. The thermal insulators 270 may be spaced from each other via the first piece 1321 as a boundary therebetween. The second thermal insulators 280 may be spaced from each other via the first piece 1321 as a boundary therebetween.
That is, the plurality of thermal insulators 270 may be spaced from each other via the first piece 1321 while the second thermal insulators 280 may be spaced from each other via the first piece 1321. Each of the first thermal insulator 270 and the second thermal insulator 280 may be disposed on top of the second piece 1322. Accordingly, the second piece 1322 may be formed to have a relatively smaller vertical length to define a space in which the first thermal insulator 270, the second thermal insulator 280, and the coil boundary area 1412 of the coil substrate 140 are disposed.
The ferrite module 150 may comprise a ferrite core 151 and a core fixing portion 152. When high-frequency power is applied to the working coil 140a printed on the coil substrate 140, a magnetic field may be generated around the working coil 140a, and the generated magnetic field may generate an eddy current in the heating target. The ferrite core 151 may allow the generated magnetic field to move in an upward direction toward the heating target.
The ferrite core 151 may be mounted in the core fixing portion 152 such that the ferrite core 151 may be fixed to the seating groove 131. The core fixing portion 152 may be coupled to the supporter 130, may be formed by insert injection molding as the ferrite core 151 may be, and may fix the ferrite core 151.
The core fixing portion 152 may define an outer shape of the ferrite module 150 and may be generally formed in a quadrangular shape. In one example, the ferrite core 151 may be formed in a plurality of pieces and may be coupled to the core fixing portion 152 via insert injection molding. Accordingly, the ferrite module 150 may generally have a rectangular shape.
FIG. 12 is an exploded perspective view illustrating the supporter 130 and the ferrite module 150. FIG. 13 is a plan view illustrating a state in which the ferrite module 150 is coupled to the supporter 130. FIG. 14 is a plan view illustrating a state in which the coil substrate 140 is coupled in the state of FIG. 13.
As shown in FIGS. 12 to 14, the ferrite module 150 may be mounted in the seating groove 131 formed on the upper surface of the supporter 130. Next, after the ferrite module 150 is mounted in the seating groove, the coil substrate 140 may be mounted on the supporter 130. In this order, the mounting of the coil substrate 140 on the supporter 130 may be completed.
The coil substrate 140 and the ferrite module 150 may be provided to be supported by the boundary rib 132 in a state of being placed in the seating groove 131.
Each ferrite module 150 may be independently inserted into each seating groove 131. When each of the ferrite modules 150 is inserted into the seating groove 131, a side surface of the ferrite module 150 may be more stably supported by the first piece 1321 and the second piece 1322 of the boundary rib 132.
When the coil substrate 140 is placed on the upper surface of the supporter 130, the lower surface of the coil substrate 140 may be supported by the second piece 1322 of the boundary rib 132. In this regard, the coil boundary area 1412 of the coil substrate 140 may be positioned on an upper surface of the second piece 1322.
The first piece 1321 of the boundary rib 132 may be fitted into the through-hole 1419 of the coil substrate 140. Accordingly, the coil substrate 140 may be placed in a designed position, and may be supported by the first piece 1321 to suppress lateral movement of the supporter 130.
A substrate coupling portion 141 may be provided to stably mount the coil substrate 140 to the supporter 130. The substrate coupling portion 141 may be coupled to the coil substrate 140, and may couple the coil substrate 140 to the supporter 130. The substrate coupling portion 141 may be integrally formed with the coil substrate 140 or may be separately manufactured and be coupled to the coil substrate 140.
The substrate coupling portion 141 may be formed to protrude from a side end extending in the longitudinal direction of the coil substrate 140. The protruding substrate coupling portion 141 may be coupled to the supporter 130 by a fastening means such as a screw bolt.
A connection pin 1411 may be provided at an edge of the coil substrate 140. When the coil substrate 140 is coupled to the supporter 130 using the substrate coupling portion 141, a terminal formed on the supporter 130 and the connection pin 1411 may be in contact with each other, and accordingly, the connection pin 1411 and the terminal of the supporter 130 may be electrically connected to each other.
The terminal of the supporter 130 may be electrically connected to other electrical components via a cable or the like.
In an embodiment, the ferrite module 150 may be easily and stably mounted on the supporter 130 by the seating groove 131 formed in the upper surface of the supporter 130 and the boundary rib 132 formed to surround the seating groove 131.
In addition, the first piece 1321 is fitted into the coil substrate 140, such that the coil substrate 140 may be placed in a designed position when the coil substate is mounted on the supporter 130. The coil substrate is prevented from moving in the lateral direction of the supporter 130, that is, in the longitudinal and transverse directions of the supporter 130, such that the coil substrate 140 may be easily assembled to the supporter 130.
The electric range may comprise the input interface 160 seated on the upper surface of the supporter 130. The input interface 160 may be coupled to the supporter 130. To this end, the supporter 130 may comprise a receiving groove 134 formed by recessing the upper surface thereof downward. The input interface 160 is inserted into the receiving groove 134.
The receiving groove 134 may be formed in a generally rectangular shape in a corresponding manner to a shape of the input interface 160 having the rectangular shape. Each of the receiving groove 134 and the input interface 160 may be disposed in a center of a front area of the electric range so that the user may easily manipulate the input interface from the user's point of view.
A hole through which a cable or the like may pass may be formed in a portion under the receiving groove 134. The cable may establish electrical connection between the input interface 160 and other components.
FIG. 15 is a bottom view of the supporter 130. FIG. 16 is a diagram illustrating a state in which the indicator board 250 is coupled in the state of FIG. 15. FIG. 17 is a diagram illustrating a state in which various components are coupled in the state of FIG. 16.
The various boards may be coupled to the lower surface of the supporter 130. These boards may be coupled thereto, by, for example, a fastening means such as a screw bolt.
The main board 170 may be coupled to the lower surface of the supporter 130 and may have the controller for controlling the electric range.
The SMPS board 180 may be coupled to the lower surface of the supporter 130 and may supply electricity to the electric range. A pair of SMPS boards 180 may be provided to supply electricity to the plurality of working coils 140a.
The EMI filter 190 may be coupled to the lower surface of the supporter 130 and may suppress electromagnetic interference generated from electricity. Since the EMI filter 190 is electrically connected to the SMPS board 180, the pair of SMPS filters may be provided in a corresponding manner to the pair of PCBs 180, respectively.
The inverter board 210 may be coupled to the lower surface of the supporter 130, and may apply the resonant current to the working coil 140a. A pair of inverter boards 210 may be provided to supply the resonant current to the plurality of working coils 140a.
In one example, as illustrated in FIG. 17, an electric range in which the inverter board 210 and the resonator substrate 220 are spaced from each other may be provided. The resonator substrate 220 may be coupled to the lower surface of the supporter 130, may be disposed to be separated from the inverter board 210, and may comprise the resonant capacitor.
As such, the various boards necessary for the operation of the electric range may be disposed on the lower surface of the supporter 130. In this regard, the boards may be disposed on the lower surface of the supporter 130 and at positions spaced apart from each other.
Each of the boards may be coupled to the lower surface of the supporter 130 in an inverted manner. That is, elements occupying a relatively large volume among the elements disposed on each board may be disposed on a lower surface of the board.
Due to this structure, the various boards may be easily coupled to the lower surface of the supporter 130 without obstacles.
In one example, the indicator board 250 may be coupled to the lower surface of the supporter 130, may be provided as a plurality of indicator boards spaced apart from each other, and may comprise a light source. Unlike the other boards, the indicator board 250 may be disposed at a position partially overlapping other boards.
The indicator board 250 may be formed in a bar shape, and the longitudinal direction thereof may be in parallel with the transverse direction of the supporter 130.
Referring to FIGS. 15 and 16, each of the slits 1323 formed in the supporter 130 may be formed such that the longitudinal direction thereof is parallel to the transverse direction of the supporter 130. The slits may be arranged in a line in the transverse direction of the supporter. In addition, the slits 1323 may be arranged to be spaced apart from each other in the longitudinal direction of the supporter 130.
The indicator board 250 may be disposed at a position overlapping the slit 1323 through which light passes. Accordingly, the indicator board 250 may be disposed on the lower surface of the supporter 130 and may cover the slit 1323.
Accordingly, the indicator board 250 may be disposed such that the longitudinal direction thereof is parallel to the transverse direction of the supporter 130, and may be provided as the plurality of indicator boards spaced apart from each other in the longitudinal direction of the supporter 130.
Except for the indicator board 250, the various boards for operating the electric range described above may be coupled to the lower surface of the supporter and be spaced apart from each other. The pair of boards may be arranged to be spaced apart from each other.
In addition, the blower fan 230 constituting the cooling device may be disposed on the lower surface of the supporter 130 and at a position spaced apart from the boards. In one example, the heat sink 240 constituting the cooling device may be coupled to the supporter 130 so as to be coupled to the lower surface of the inverter board 210.
In an embodiment, the ferrite module 150 and the coil substrate 140 may be coupled to the upper surface of the supporter, and the various boards for operating the electric range and the cooling device may be coupled to the lower surface of the supporter.
As described above, most of the electric components such as the boards which operate upon receiving electricity and are involved in the operation of the electric range, the blower fan 230, etc. may be coupled to the supporter 130. Due to this structure, the assembly performance and the disassembly performance of the electric range may be significantly improved.
That is, when assembling the electric range, the ferrite module 150, the coil substrate 140, and the input interface 160 may be first assembled on the upper surface of the supporter 130, while the various boards and the cooling devices may be assembled on the lower surface of the supporter 130.
Next, the first thermal insulator 270 and the second thermal insulator 280 are placed on top of the supporter 130, the support plate 260 is placed under the supporter 130, and then the cover plate 120 and the casing 110 are coupled to each other, thereby completing the assembly of the electric range.
In this regard, since the casing 110 does not have a support structure for supporting the components coupled to the supporter 130, it is not necessary to align these components to the support structure, and thus the assembly of the casing 110 may be very easy.
Similarly, when the casing 110 and the cover plate 120 are disassembled from each other and the support plate 260 is disassembled therefrom to repair the electric range, the repairing person may immediately access the supporter 130 to which the various components are coupled, and abnormal components may be easily replaced.
In addition, since the ferrite modules 150 are respectively inserted into the seating grooves 131 of the supporters 130 in an separated manner from each other, only the ferrite module 150 having an abnormality may be replaced, so that the repair work of the electric range may be easily performed.
In one example, referring to FIGS. 15 to 17, the operation of assembling the various components onto the lower surface of the supporter 130 may be performed in the following order. First, the indicator board 250 may be coupled onto the lower surface of the supporter 130 at a position where the slit 1323 is formed so as to cover the slit 1323.
Next, the various boards and the blower fan 230 may be placed on the lower surface of the supporter 130 at designed positions, and may be fastened to the supporter 130. In this regard, the heat sink 240 may be coupled to the inverter board 210. The various boards except for the heat sink 240 and the indicator board 250 may be coupled onto the lower surface of the supporter 130 and at the positions spaced apart from each other.
Next, a cable coupling operation for electrical connection between the various electrical components and electrical connection of the electrical components with an external power source may be performed.
In addition, the disassembly operation may be performed in the reverse order of the above-described assembly operation.
FIG. 18 is an exploded view showing some of components constituting an electric range.
When the electric range operates, the heating target placed on the upper surface of the cover plate 120 is heated, and heat may be transferred from the heating target into the electric range. The heat of the heating target may pass through the cover plate 120 and may be transferred to the coil substrate 140 and various other boards under the cover plate 120.
This heat transfer may adversely affect the operation of the electric range. For example, when the excessive heat transfer occurs inside the electric range, the electric range may stop operating to protect the internal components. This may cause inconvenience to the user.
In addition, in order to indirectly measure the temperature of the heating target, the thermistor 320 may be coupled to the upper surface of the coil substrate 140. The thermistor 320 may be integrally coupled to the coil substrate 140. For example, the thermistor 320 may be coupled to the upper surface of the coil substrate 140 via soldering.
The melting point of the lead is relatively low. Thus, when excessive heat is transferred from the heating target to the coil substrate 140, the lead may melt again. In this case, the coupling between the thermistor 320 and the coil substrate 140 via the soldering may be broken such that the thermistor 320 may malfunction.
Therefore, in order to suppress the melting of the soldering, it is necessary to block the heat transfer from the heating target to the coil substrate 140.
In order to block the heat transfer, in the electric range of the embodiment, a first thermal insulator 270 and the second thermal insulator 280 may be disposed between the cover plate 120 and the coil substrate 140.
The first thermal insulator 270 may be disposed between the supporter 130 and the cover plate 120 to suppress heat transfer from the heating target to the coil substrate 140 coupled to the supporter 130. The first thermal insulator 270 may suppress the heat transfer from the heating target into the electric range to prevent heating of the internal components, thereby improving the operating performance of the electric range.
The first thermal insulator 270 may be formed to have a substantially plate shape. The first thermal insulator 270 may be made of, for example, a carbon material having good thermal insulation performance even when being manufactured to have a relatively small thickness. However, embodiments of the present disclosure are not limited thereto.
The first thermal insulator 270 may be formed in a plate shape and provided as a plurality of first thermal insulators so as to cover the coil substrate 140. The first thermal insulators 270 may be spaced from each other in the longitudinal direction of the electric range, and each of the first thermal insulators 270 extending in the transverse direction of the electric range may be integrally formed. That is, the longitudinal direction of one first thermal insulator 270 may be parallel to the transverse direction of the electric range.
The second thermal insulator 280 may be disposed between the supporter 130 and the cover plate 120, and may be disposed on at least one of an upper surface or a lower surface of the first thermal insulator 270. The second thermal insulator 280 may be formed to have a substantially plate shape.
In FIG. 18, the second thermal insulator 280 is disposed on top of the first thermal insulator 270. However, in another embodiment, the second thermal insulator 280 may be disposed under the first thermal insulator 270. Alternatively, the second thermal insulator 280 may be disposed on each of the upper surface and the lower surface of the first thermal insulator 270. Such an embodiment will be described in detail below.
The second thermal insulator 280 may be provided in a shape corresponding to that of the first thermal insulator 270. Accordingly, the second thermal insulators 280 may be spaced from each other in the longitudinal direction of the electric range, and each of the second thermal insulators 280 extending in the transverse direction of the electric range may be integrally formed. That is, the longitudinal direction of one first thermal insulator 270 may be parallel to the transverse direction of the electric range.
The second thermal insulator 280 may be made of a mica material, and the second thermal insulator 280 together with the first thermal insulator 270 may suppress heat transfer from the heating target to the supporter 130 inside the electric range. In addition, the second thermal insulator 280 may be disposed to be in contact with the first thermal insulator 270 to suppress the first thermal insulator 270 from being damaged by impact.
In particular, since the first thermal insulator 270 made of carbon is vulnerable to impact and is easily damaged, the second thermal insulator 280 made of a solid mica material may support the first thermal insulator 270 to suppress damage to the first thermal insulator 270, thereby increasing the durability of the first thermal insulator 270.
In one example, each of the first thermal insulator 270 and the second thermal insulator 280 in an area which the input interface is disposed may be formed to have a shorter length than a length of each of the first thermal insulator 270 and the second thermal insulator 280 in an area which the input interface is not disposed so as not to cover the input interface, thereby bypassing the input interface.
In an embodiment, the first thermal insulator 270 and the second thermal insulator 280 are disposed between the cover plate 120 and the coil substrate 140 to suppress heat transfer from the heating target to the supporter 130, thereby suppressing overheating of components coupled to the supporter 130, thereby improving the operating performance of the electric range.
In addition, the first thermal insulator 270 and the second thermal insulator 280 may suppress melting of the soldering for coupling the thermistor 320 to the upper surface of the coil substrate 140, thereby suppressing damage to the thermistor 320 and improving the durability of the electric range.
In this regard, the thermistor 320 measures the temperature of the heat passing through the cover plate 120. The first thermal insulator and the second thermal insulator does not suppress the heat transfer to the thermistor 320, but may suppress the heat transfer from the heating target to the supporter 130 in an area other than the position where the thermistor 320 is disposed, such that the amount of heat transferred to the soldering may be reduced, thereby effectively suppressing the melting of the soldering.
The thermistor 320 may be disposed on and be soldered to the upper surface of the coil substrate 140. The thermistor 320 may be disposed to protrude upwardly from the upper surface of the coil substrate 140.
The thermistor 320 may indirectly measure the temperature of the heating target. That is, the thermistor 320 may not be in direct contact with the heating target, and may be disposed adjacent to the lower surface of the cover plate 120. Accordingly, the temperature of the heating target may be indirectly known by the thermistor 320 measuring the temperature of the heat passing through the cover plate 120.
The thermistor 320 may be disposed to be in contact with a thermal pad 330 or to be very close to the thermal pad 330, and accordingly, may measure the temperature of heat transferred from the heating target.
The controller may control the operation of the electric range based on the information on the temperature measured by the thermistor 320. For example, when the temperature measured by the thermistor 320 exceeds a set value, the amount of current applied to the working coil may be reduced or the operation of the working coil may be turned off in order to prevent overheating of the various boards and other components provided in the electric range.
The thermistor 320 may be provided in various shapes. For example, in the embodiment, the thermistor 320 is generally provided in a rectangular shape. However, embodiments of the present disclosure are not limited thereto and thermistor 320 may be formed in a circular shape, an oval shape, or a polygonal shape.
The thermistor 320 may be disposed on at least one of the upper surface of the working coil or the coil boundary area 1412 between adjacent ones of the plurality of working coils, and may include a plurality of thermistors spaced apart from each other.
In order to clearly measure the temperature of the heat transferred to the entire coil substrate 140, the plurality of thermistors 320 need to be uniformly and relatively densely arranged while being disposed on the entire coil substrate 140.
Accordingly, in an embodiment, the plurality of thermistors 320 may be disposed on an area of the coil substrate 140 where the working coil is disposed, and the plurality of thermistors 320 may also be disposed on the coil boundary area 1412 where the working coil is not disposed.
In an embodiment, the thermistors 320 may be uniformly arranged on the entire upper surface of the coil substrate 140. Due to this structure, the electric range may indirectly measure the temperature of the heating target throughout the coil substrate 140 using the thermistor 320.
Since an action may be taken to prevent the inside of the electric range from being overheated using the measured temperature information, the operating performance of the electric range may be improved.
In an embodiment, the thermistor 320 may be formed in a substantially rectangular shape. Accordingly, at the position where the working coil is disposed, the thermistor 320 may be oriented in a direction in which the longitudinal direction thereof intersects the longitudinal direction of the coil boundary area 1412.
In addition, in the coil boundary area 1412 having a relatively narrow width, the thermistor 320 may be disposed such that the longitudinal direction thereof is parallel to the longitudinal direction of the coil boundary area 1412.
FIG. 19 is a perspective view illustrating the second thermal insulator 280 and the thermal pad 330 according to an embodiment. The electric range may comprise the thermal pad 330.
The thermal pad 330 may be disposed at a position corresponding to a position of the thermistor 320 and may include a plurality of thermal pads spaced apart from each other, and at least some of the plurality of thermal pads may be disposed to be in contact with the lower surface of the cover plate 120.
The thermal pad 330 may be made of a thermally conductive material, and may be made of a material having an adhesive force and deformable under an external force. That is, the thermal pad 330 may be provided in a form of a gel having fluidity so as to be deformable under the external force.
Accordingly, even when the thermal pad 330 and the thermistor 320 collide with each other, the thermal pad 330 is deformable, and thus, the thermal pad 330 may mitigate an impact applied to the thermistor 320 and protect the thermistor 320. In addition, since the thermal pad 330 is made of a thermally conductive material, heat of the cover plate 120 may be smoothly transferred to the thermistor 320.
The thermal pad 330 may be adhered to the lower surface of the cover plate 120 at a position corresponding to a position of the position of the thermistor 320, and may effectively prevent the thermistor 320 from directly colliding with the cover plate 120 made of a hard material.
The thermal pad 330 may directly contact the cover plate 120 and the thermistor 320 to prevent the thermal pad 330 from being damaged due to impact from the cover plate 120, and may buffer the impact from the thermistor 320 due to the external force to prevent the damage to the thermistor 320.
FIG. 20A is a plan view illustrating a state in which the coil substrate 140 is mounted on the supporter 130. FIG. 21 is a plan view illustrating a state in which the second thermal insulator 280 is placed on the upper surface of the supporter 130.
One first thermal insulator 270 as one body and one second thermal insulator 280 as one body may be formed in the same shape and may be disposed at positions overlapping each other.
For example, as illustrated in FIGS. 20 and 21, the first thermal insulators 270 may be arranged to be spaced from each other in the longitudinal direction of the supporter, and the second thermal insulators 280 may be arranged to be spaced from each other in the longitudinal direction of the supporter. Each of the first thermal insulators 270 may be formed as one body and extend in the transverse direction of the supporter. Each of the second thermal insulators 280 may be formed as one body and extend in the transverse direction of the supporter. Thus, one first thermal insulator 270 and one second thermal insulator 280 may cover all of the plurality of working coils arranged so as to be spaced from each other in the transverse direction.
Due to this structure, each of one first thermal insulator 270 and one second thermal insulator 280 may be manufactured to have a maximum area that may be mounted in the electric range while not blocking the slit 1323 through which light irradiated from the indicator board 250 passes.
In one example, a ventilation hole 137 through which air cooling the coil substrate 140 and the ferrite module 150 disposed on top of the supporter 130 is introduced may be formed in the supporter 130. The ventilation holes 137 may serve as air discharge holes through which air introduced into the blower fan 230 is discharged.
The ventilation hole 137 may be provided in various embodiments, and each of the embodiments will be described below.
FIG. 20B is a diagram illustrating the supporter 130 according to another embodiment. FIG. 20C is a cross-sectional view as taken along a 20c-20c direction of FIG. 20B. The ventilation hole 137 may be formed to extend through the flat plate 135 of the supporter 130.
The air forcibly flowing into a space under the supporter 130 under the operation of the blower fan 230 may pass through the ventilation hole 137 and thus the supporter 130 and then be introduced into an area on top of the supporter 130. The air introduced into the area on top of the supporter 130 may be in contact with the coil substrate 140 and the ferrite module 150 disposed on the upper surface of the supporter 130 to cool the coil substrate 140 and the ferrite module 150, thereby effectively suppressing overheating of the coil substrate 140 and the ferrite module 150.
The ventilation hole 137 may be formed in the flat plate 135 of the supporter 130 in an area where the coil substrate 140 and the ferrite module 150 are not disposed, and in an area where the slit 1323 through which the light irradiated from the indicator board 250 passes is not formed.
For example, as illustrated in FIG. 20B, the ventilation hole 137 may be formed in at least one of a rear edge or a front edge of the supporter 130. The ventilation hole 137 may be formed in an elongated manner along the edge of the supporter 130.
Accordingly, the ventilation hole 137 may have a longitudinal direction parallel to the lateral direction of the supporter 130. In one example, the ventilation hole 137 may be disposed in the front edge of the supporter 130, and may be formed, for example, in rear of the input interface 160.
Referring to FIG. 20C, at least a portion of the ventilation hole 137 disposed at the front or rear edge of the supporter 130 may be disposed to face the lower surface of the cover plate 120. Accordingly, the air introduced through the ventilation hole 137 may be in contact with the lower surface of the cover plate 120 to cool the cover plate 120.
In addition, a space may be defined by the cover plate 120, the second thermal insulator 280 and the thermal pad 330, and the forcedly flowing air may flow through the space to cool the entire lower surface of the cover plate 120.
Accordingly, the forcedly flowing air may effectively cool the cover plate 120 heated by heat conduction from the heating target, thereby effectively suppressing the heating of each of the components under the cover plate 120.
FIG. 20D is a diagram illustrating the supporter 130 according to another embodiment. The ventilation hole 137 may be disposed at each of both opposing edges of the supporter 130. In this regard, the ventilation hole 137 may be formed to be thin and long, and the longitudinal direction thereof may be parallel to the front-rear direction of the supporter 130.
In one example, in an embodiment different from that shown in FIG. 20C, the ventilation hole 137 may be disposed at a front edge of the supporter 130, and may be formed, for example, in front of the input interface 160.
When the embodiments shown in FIGS. 20B and 20D are combined with each other, the ventilation hole 137 may be formed to be thin and elongated along the edge while being formed in at least one of the front edge, the rear edge, or both opposing edges of the supporter 130.
FIG. 20E is a diagram illustrating the supporter 130 according to another embodiment. FIG. 20F is a cross-sectional view taken along a 20f-20f direction of FIG. 20E. For clarity of illustration, in FIG. 20F, the first thermal insulator 270, the second thermal insulator 280, and the cover plate 120 are illustrated.
The ventilation hole 137 may be formed in a central area of the flat plate 135 of the supporter 130 and at a position where the coil substrate 140 and the ferrite module 150 are not disposed, a position where the slit 1323 is not formed, and a position where the first thermal insulator 270 and the second thermal insulator 280 are not disposed.
The second piece 1322 disposed on the flat plate 135 may continuously extend in the front-rear direction of the supporter 130 while being disposed on the flat plate 135 of the supporter 130. For example, the ventilation hole 137 may be formed in the second piece 1322 and at a position corresponding to a position between two adjacent slits 1323.
That is, as illustrated in FIG. 20F, the ventilation hole 137 may be formed in the second piece 1322 at a position corresponding between two adjacent slits 1323 so as to extend through the second piece 1322 in the up-down direction. In this case, the ventilation hole 137 may be formed in a shape such as a circle, an ellipse, or a polygon in a plan view.
In an embodiment, the ventilation hole 137 is formed in the supporter 130, such that the cover plate 120, and the coil substrate 140 and the ferrite module 150 disposed on top of the supporter 130 may be effectively cooled using the forcibly flowing air, thereby effectively suppressing overheating of the electric range.
FIG. 22 is a perspective view illustrating the coil substrate 140 according to an embodiment. FIG. 23 is a side view of FIG. 22. FIG. 24 is a perspective view illustrating the first thermal insulator 270 according to an embodiment. FIG. 25 is a perspective view illustrating the entirety of the first thermal insulator 270.
The first thermal insulator 270 may comprise a first hole 271 which is formed at a position corresponding to a position of the thermistor 320 and into which at least a portion of the thermistor 320 is inserted.
The second thermal insulator 280 may comprise a second hole 281 which is formed at a position corresponding to a position of each of the thermistor 320 and the first hole 271 and into which at least a portion of the thermistor 320 is inserted.
The thermistor 320 may be disposed in the coil boundary area 1412 defined between ones adjacent to each other in the transverse direction of the plurality of working coils. Some of the first holes 271 and some of the second holes 281 may be formed at positions corresponding to the coil boundary area 1412 between the adjacent ones of the plurality of working coils.
Some of the thermistors 320 may be disposed in an area in which the working coil is disposed, and the remaining ones thereof may be disposed in the coil boundary area 1412 between the working coils. Accordingly, some of the first holes 271 and some of the second holes 281 may be formed at positions corresponding to positions of the working coils, and the remaining first and second holes thereof may be formed at positions corresponding to the coil boundary area 1412.
Each of the first hole 271 and the second hole 281 may be provided in a shape corresponding to the shape of the thermistor 320. For example, when the thermistor 320 is formed in a rectangular shape, each of the first hole 271 and the second hole 281 may also be formed in a rectangular shape. The area of each of the first hole 271 and the second hole 281 is larger than the area of the thermistor 320, such that the thermistor 320 may be easily inserted into each of the first hole 271 and the second hole 281.
When the coil substrate 140, the first thermal insulator 270, and the second thermal insulator 280 are assembled with each other, the thermistor 320 coupled to the upper surface of the coil substrate 140 may be inserted into the first hole 271 and the second hole 281 respectively formed in the first thermal insulator 270 and the second thermal insulator 280, and may be disposed to in be contact with the thermal pad 330 disposed thereon, or may be disposed to be very close to the thermal pad 330 even though being not in contact therewith.
Due to this structure, while the first thermal insulator 270 and the second thermal insulator 280 prevent the heat from being transferred from the heating target to the coil substrate 140, the thermistor 320 coupled to the coil substrate 140 may be disposed in the first hole 271 and the second hole 281 to receive the heat from the thermal pad 330 and accurately measure the temperature of the heating target.
The thermistor 320 receives the heat from the thermal pad to measure the temperature. Thus, the temperature of the heating target may be indirectly measured. For example, when the electric range stores and maintains information on the temperature value of the position in the cover plate 120 which decreases as the cover plate extends from a bottom to a top, the temperature of the heating target may be more accurately measured by adding the decreasing temperature value to the temperature actually measured by the thermistor 320.
As described above, the first thermal insulator 270 and the second thermal insulator 280 may be provided in various embodiments in which the stacking order and the number of stacks thereof are different from each other. This will be described.
In an embodiment, as illustrated in FIG. 18, the first thermal insulator 270 may be disposed on top of the coil substrate 140, the second thermal insulator 280 may be disposed on top of the first thermal insulator 270, and the thermal pad 330 may be disposed on top of the second thermal insulator 280 and may be constructed to close the upper end of the second hole 281.
In the case of such a structure, the coil substrate 140, the first thermal insulator 270, the second thermal insulator 280, and the thermal pad 330 may be sequentially stacked in a direction from the bottom to the top in the electric range. The thermal pad 330 may be disposed to be adhered to the lower surface of the cover plate 120 and the upper surface of the second thermal insulator 280.
In this case, the first thermal insulator 270 and the cover plate 120 made of a solid material may be prevented from directly contacting each other, and the second thermal insulator 280 made of a material resistant to external impact may be disposed therebetween.
Therefore, the first thermal insulator 270 made of a relatively brittle material may be prevented from being damaged upon colliding with the cover plate 120 due to an external impact.
In another embodiment, as illustrated in FIG. 3, the electric range may comprise the second thermal insulator 280 disposed between the coil substrate 140 and the first thermal insulator 270 in the above-described stacked structure.
The second thermal insulator 280 is disposed between the coil substrate 140 and the first thermal insulator 270. Thus, the second thermal insulator 280 protects the first thermal insulator 270, such that damage to the first thermal insulator 270 by the coil substrate 140 and the supporter 130 to which the coil substrate 140 is coupled may be effectively suppressed.
In another embodiment, the second thermal insulator 280 may be disposed on top of the coil substrate 140, the first thermal insulator 270 may be disposed on top of the second thermal insulator 280, and the thermal pad 330 may be disposed on top of the first thermal insulator 270 and may be constructed to close the upper end of the first hole 271.
In the case of such a structure, the coil substrate 140, the second thermal insulator 280, the first thermal insulator 270, and the thermal pad 330 may be sequentially stacked in a direction from the bottom to the top in the electric range.
Since the first thermal insulator 270 having higher insulation performance than that of the second thermal insulator 280 faces the cover plate 120, the first thermal insulator 270 may effectively block the heat transfer from the cover plate 120 into the electric range.
In this regard, the thermal pad 330 may be disposed between the cover plate 120 and the first thermal insulator 270, and upper and lower surfaces thereof may be attached to the cover plate 120. Accordingly, the thermal pad 330 may protect the first thermal insulator 270 facing the cover plate 120 from the impact, thereby preventing the first thermal insulator 270 from being damaged upon colliding with the cover plate 120.
In one example, the second thermal insulator 280 disposed between the first thermal insulator 270 and the coil substrate 140 protects the first thermal insulator 270, such that the damage to the first thermal insulator 270 by the coil substrate 140 and the supporter 130 to which the coil substrate 140 is coupled may be effectively suppressed.
FIG. 26 is a cross-sectional view of the electric range in a direction 26-26 of FIG. 21. FIG. 27 is a cross-sectional view of the electric range in a direction 27-27 of FIG. 21. For clear illustration, in FIGS. 26 and 27, the cover plate 120 is shown. FIG. 28 is an enlarged view of portions 28(a) and 28(b) in FIG. 26.
FIG. 29 is a perspective view of FIG. 28. For clear illustration, the cover plate 120 is omitted in FIG. 29.
FIGS. 26 and 27 illustrate a structure in which the coil substrate 140, the first thermal insulator 270, the second thermal insulator 280, and the thermal pad 330 illustrated in FIG. 18 are sequentially stacked.
As illustrated in FIGS. 26 and 27, the thermal pad 330 may be disposed between the cover plate 120 and the second thermal insulator 280, and may be disposed to close an upper end of the second hole 281 formed in the second thermal insulator 280.
As illustrated in FIGS. 26 and 27, the thermistor 320 may be inserted into the first hole 271 formed in the first thermal insulator 270 and the second hole 281 formed in the second thermal insulator 280 so as to face the thermal pad 330. The first thermal insulator 270 and the second thermal insulator 280 may block the heat transferred from the heating target in an area other than the first hole 271 and the second hole 281.
Accordingly, the heat generated from the heating target may be transferred to the thermistor 320 through the thermal pad 330. The thermistor 320 may indirectly measure the temperature of the heating target using the transferred heat.
Referring to FIG. 28, the thermistor 320 may comprise a body 320a and an electrode 320b. The body 320a may have a sensing chip for sensing a temperature disposed therein. The electrode 320b may be provided as a pair of electrodes respectively disposed on both opposing sides of the body 320a, and may be electrically connected to the sensing chip.
Referring to FIG. 29, the body 320a may have a generally hexahedral shape in which a curved surface is formed at a corner thereof. The electrodes 320b may be disposed respectively on both opposing sides of the body 320a and each thereof may have a disk shape.
A pair of sensor pads P_s printed on the upper surface of the coil substrate 140 and the pair of electrodes 320b may be respectively connected to each other using, for example, a soldering 320c.
The soldering 320c may be attached to an outer side surface of the electrode 320b and an upper surface of the sensor pad P_s to electrically connect the electrode 320b and the sensor pad P_s to each other. As long as the electrode 320b and the sensor pad P_s may be electrically connected to each other, the soldering 320c may have various shapes.
When a distance between the electrode 320b and the sensor pad P_s is somewhat large, and thus, it is difficult to connect the electrode 320b and the sensor pad P_s to each other only using the soldering. In this case, a lead wire connecting the electrode 320a and the sensor pad P_s to each other may be provided, and the soldering 320c may be formed on the lead wire to firmly couple the electrode 320b and the sensor pad P_s to each other.
When the excessive heat is transferred from the heating target to the thermistor 320, the soldering 320c may melt, and accordingly, the thermistor 320 may be damaged or malfunction thereof may occur.
Accordingly, in an embodiment, the first thermal insulator 270 and the second thermal insulator 280 may block the heat transferred from the heating target in an area other than the first hole 271 and the second hole 281 into which the thermistor 320 is inserted.
When the working coil 140a operates on the coil substrate 140, considerable heat may be generated in the coil substrate 140. In this regard, when the body 320a of the thermistor 320 is in contact with the coil substrate 140 or is in a very close position to the coil substrate 140, the temperature of the heat generated in the coil substrate 140 may be measured using the thermistor 320.
The thermistor 320 is intended for measuring the heat transferred from the heating target. However, when the temperature of the coil substrate 140 is measured by the thermistor 320, the accuracy of temperature measurement of the thermistor 320 may be degraded. Accordingly, it is necessary to sufficiently space the body 320a of the thermistor 320 from the upper surface of the coil substrate 140 so as to prevent the thermistor 320 from measuring the temperature of the coil substrate 140.
To this end, a recessed groove G_th recessed downwardly may be formed in an upper portion of the coil substrate 140 and in an area overlapping the body 320a of the thermistor 320. A shape of the recessed groove G_th may correspond to the shape of the body 320a, but may be sized to have a cross-sectional area larger than that of the body 320a. Since the recessed groove G_th is provided, the body 320a of the thermistor 320 is sufficiently spaced apart from the coil substrate 140 in the up-down direction, so that the thermistor 320 may measure the temperature of the heat transferred from the heating target without following the temperature of the coil substrate 140. Thus, the temperature measurement accuracy may be improved.
In another embodiment, a hole passing through the coil substrate 140 may be formed in a position and shape corresponding to in a position and a shape of the recessed groove G_th. In still another embodiment, the body 320a of the thermistor 320 and the coil substrate 140 may be spaced apart from each other via a space formed as a combination of the hole and the groove.
At least some of the plurality of thermal pads 330 and at least some of the plurality of thermistors 320 may be in respective contact with each other. Each of all of the plurality of thermistors 320 may not be in contact with each of all of the thermal pads 330 due to processing defects, assembly tolerances, or the like. Rather, at least some of the plurality of thermal pads 330 and at least some of the plurality of thermistors 320 may be in respective contact with each other.
However, even when the thermal pad 330 and the thermistor 320 are not in contact with each other, they are disposed very close to each other, so that an error in the measurement temperature due to the non-contact may be significantly reduced.
As described above, when the thermal pad 330 and the thermistor 320 are in contact with each other, the thermal pad 330 may be deformed by an external force. Accordingly, even when the thermistor 320 collides with the thermal pad 330, the thermal pad 330 is deformed to mitigate the impact of the thermistor 320, and thus the damage of the thermistor 320 may be effectively prevented.
FIG. 30 is an exploded view showing a temperature sensor 2515-1 which is a temperature sensing device, and a sensor holder 2519 supporting the same according to another embodiment. FIG. 31 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a state in which the temperature sensor 2515-1 is mounted in the electric range. FIG. 32 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a state in which the temperature sensor 2515-1 and the sensor holder 2519 are coupled to each other.
FIG. 30 shows an embodiment in which a receiving hole H_th having a circular cross-section is formed to pass through the coil substrate 140 so that the temperature sensor 2515-1 having a circular cross-section may be at least partially inserted into the receiving hole H_th.
The present disclosure is not limited thereto. However, the present disclosure will be described below based on the receiving hole H_th having a circular cross-section as shown.
The cross-sectional area of the receiving hole H_th may be sized to be larger than the maximum cross-sectional area in the horizontal direction of the temperature sensor 2515-1.
As will be described later, the maximum horizontal cross-sectional area of the temperature sensor 2515-1 may be positioned at a protruding surface portion 2515b-13 of the sensor body 2515b-1.
Accordingly, as the cross-sectional area of the receiving hole H_th is sized to be larger than the maximum cross-sectional area in the horizontal direction of the temperature sensor 2515-1, the temperature sensor 2515-1 may be inserted into the receiving hole H_th without interference with and contacting the coil substrate 140.
In one example, the temperature sensor 2515-1 may be constructed to be indirectly supported in the receiving hole H_th of the coil substrate 140 in a state of being spaced from the coil substrate 140 by the sensor holder 2519.
As will be described later, the radially outer end of the sensor holder 2519 is coupled to an edge defining the receiving hole H^_th, and the radially inner end of the sensor holder 2519 is coupled to the sensor body 2515b-1 of the temperature sensor 2515-1, so that the temperature sensor 2515-1 may be spaced from the receiving hole H_th and the coil substrate 140. Thus, an amount of the heat generated in the working coil 140a and then conducted to the temperature sensor 2515-1 may be minimized, and the temperature sensor 2515-1 may follow the temperature of the cover plate 120.
The temperature sensor 2515-1 may be disposed to overlap the thermistor 320 described above in the up-down direction in the electric range. Hereinafter, a detailed example configuration of the temperature sensor 2515-1 and the sensor holder 2519 according to the present disclosure will be described with reference to FIGS. 30 to 32.
Referring to FIGS. 30 to 32, the temperature sensor 2515-1 may comprise a sensing chip 2515a-1 generating an output signal related to the sensed temperature, the sensor body 2515b-1 accommodating the sensing chip 2515a-1 therein, and a pair of lead cables 2515c-1 electrically connected to the sensing chip 2515a-1, arranged to be spaced apart from each other with the sensor body 2515b-1 interposed therebetween, and electrically connected to the sensing chip 2515a.
FIGS. 30 to 32 illustrate the temperature sensor 2515-1 having a configuration in which the sensing chip 2515b-1 is disposed inside the sensor body 2515a-1 having a generally cylindrical shape and is disposed adjacent to an upper end surface 2515b-11 serving as a temperature sensing surface.
Each of the pair of lead cables 2515c-1 may pass through the lower end surface 2515b-12 of the sensor body 2515b-1 so as to extend into the sensor body 2515b-1 such that one end thereof may be positioned in the sensor body may be electrically connected to the sensing chip 2515a-1. Each of the pair of lead cables 2515c-1 may pass through the ferrite core module 27 as illustrated such that the other end thereof may be electrically connected to the above-described main board 170.
Like the thermistor 320, the temperature sensor 2515-1 may sense the temperature of the cover plate 120 and indirectly measure the temperature of the heating target. In order to easily sense the temperature of the cover plate 120, the upper end surface 2515b-11 of the sensor body 2515b-1 serving as the temperature sensing surface may be disposed to be in direct contact with or very close to the thermal pad 330.
As described above, when the thermal pad 330 and the temperature sensor 2515-1 are in contact with each other, the thermal pad 330 may be deformed by an external force. Accordingly, even when the temperature sensor 2515-1 collides with the thermal pad 330, the thermal pad 330 is deformed to mitigate the impact applied to the temperature sensor 2515-1, thereby effectively preventing damage to the temperature sensor 2515-1.
In addition, in a similar manner to the thermistor 320, the temperature sensor 2515-1 may be disposed at a position corresponding to a position of each of the first hole 271 and the second hole 281.
In one example, the sensor body 2515b-1 may comprise the protruding surface portion 2515b-13 formed between the upper end surface 2515b-11 and the lower end surface 2515b-12 and positioned at a position closer to the upper end surface 2515b-11.
As illustrated, the protruding surface portion 2515b-13 may be formed in a cylindrical shape protruding radially outwardly to have a larger outer diameter than that of each of the upper end and the lower end of the sensor body 2515b-1.
As described above, the protruding surface portion 2515b-13 is formed to have the outer diameter greater than the outer diameter of the lower end of the sensor body 2515b-1. Thus, as described below, the protruding surface portion 2515b-13 may function as a stopper for preventing the sensor body 2515a from moving downwards or being removed from the sensor holder 2519 after the lower end of the sensor body 2515b-1 is coupled to the sensor coupling portion 2519b-1 of the sensor holder 2519.
In addition, the electric range may further comprise the sensor holder 2519 supporting the temperature sensor 2515-1 in a state in which the temperature sensor 2515-1 is spaced from the coil substrate 140.
The sensor holder 2519 may comprise a sensor coupling portion 2519a to which the temperature sensor 2515-1 is at least partially inserted and coupled, a substrate coupling portion 2519b coupled to the receiving hole H_th of the coil substrate 140, and a bridge portion 2519c disposed between the sensor coupling portion 2519a and the substrate coupling portion 2519b and connecting the sensor coupling portion 2519a and the substrate coupling portion 2519b to each other.
The lower end of the sensor body 2515b-1 is displaced downwardly and is inserted into the sensor coupling portion 2519a. In the state in which the lower end of the sensor body 2515b-1 is inserted into the sensor coupling portion 2519a, the sensor coupling portion 2519a is elastically detachably coupled to the lower end of the sensor body 2515b-1, thereby preventing the sensor body 2515b-1 from being removed therefrom.
As described above, the sensor coupling portion 2519b-1 may be formed to have a hollow cylindrical shape corresponding to a shape of the lower end of the sensor body 2515a having a cylindrical shape.
In this regard, an inner diameter of the sensor coupling portion 2519b-1 may be sized to be slightly smaller than the diameter of the lower end of the sensor body 2515b-1 so that the sensor coupling portion 2519a may be elastically coupled to the outer circumferential surface of the lower end of the sensor body 2515b-1 after the lower end of the sensor body 2515a is inserted into the sensor coupling portion 2519a.
Accordingly, when the lower end of the sensor body 2515b-1 is inserted into the sensor coupling portion 2519a, the sensor coupling portion 2519a may be elastically deformed and elastically coupled to the outer circumferential surface of the lower end of the sensor body 2515b-1.
In order to allow the elastic coupling to be easily achieved, the sensor coupling portion 2519a may be made of an elastic material, and preferably, a material capable of predetermined elastic deformation, such as natural rubber or synthetic rubber, may be selected as the material thereof.
In one example, the substrate coupling portion 2519b is elastically and detachably coupled to the edge defining the receiving hole H_th of the coil substrate 140 to prevent the sensor holder 2519 from being removed from the coil substrate 140.
The substrate coupling portion 2519b may be formed to have a ring shape having a predetermined radial width corresponding to the shape of the receiving hole H_th having a circular cross-section.
In this regard, a ring-shaped engagement groove 2519b-1 may be formed in a side surface of the sensor coupling portion 2519a so as to be concavely recessed inwardly and in the radial direction thereof so as to be elastically coupled to the edge defining the receiving hole H_th of the coil substrate 140.
A length in the up-down direction of the engagement groove 2519b-1 may be formed to be slightly smaller than a thickness in the up-down direction of the coil substrate 140.
Accordingly, when the edge defining the receiving hole H_th is inserted into the engagement groove 2519b-1, the substrate coupling portion 2519b may be elastically deformed and elastically coupled to the edge defining the receiving hole H_th.
In one example, in order for the substrate coupling portion 2519b not to be removed from the receiving hole H_th after the engagement groove 2519b-1 is elastically coupled to the edge defining the receiving hole H_th, the outer diameter of the engagement groove 2519b-1 may be set to be larger than the diameter of the receiving hole H_th, and the inner diameter of the engagement groove 2519b-1 may be set to be smaller than or equal to the diameter of the receiving hole H_th.
Accordingly, as illustrated in FIGS. 31 and 32, the substrate coupling portion 2519b may be effectively prevented from being removed from the receiving hole H_th in the up-down direction and the horizontal direction in a state of being coupled to the receiving hole H_th.
In order to allow the elastic coupling as described above to be easily achieved, the substrate coupling portion 2519b may be made of an elastic material, like the sensor coupling portion 2519a described above, and preferably, a material capable of predetermined elastic deformation, such as natural rubber, synthetic rubber, or the like, may be selected as the material of the substrate coupling portion 2519b.
In one example, the bridge portion 2519c serves to connect the sensor coupling portion 2519a and the substrate coupling portion 2519b to each other.
As illustrated, for example, the bridge portion 2519c may be formed in the form of a plate-shaped ring in which the radially inner end is integrally connected to the outer circumferential surface of the sensor coupling portion 2519a and the radially outer end thereof is integrally connected to the inner circumferential surface of the substrate coupling portion 2519b.
Accordingly, the radial width of the bridge portion 2519c may correspond to a spacing between the sensor coupling portion 2519a and the substrate coupling portion 2519b.
In one example, the bridge portion 2519c may be constructed to apply a pressing force to push the upper end surface 2515b-11 of the sensor body 2515b-1 toward the cover plate 120 in a state in which the temperature sensor 2515-1 has been coupled to the sensor coupling portion 2519a and the substrate coupling portion 2519b has been coupled to the edge defining the receiving hole H_th.
To this end, as illustrated in FIGS. 31 and 32, the bridge portion 2519c may be formed in a conical shape having an upward inclination while extending from the radially outer end toward the radially inner end.
That is, the bridge portion 2519c is formed in the conical shape as described above, such that when the temperature sensor 2515-1 is disposed under the cover plate 120, the bridge portion 2519c may perform a function similar to a kind of a dish spring that generates a restoring force that acts to press the upper surface of the sensor body 2515b-1 toward the cover plate 120.
In order that a restoring force through elastic deformation easily acts, the bridge portion 2519c may be made of an elastic material in the same manner as the sensor coupling portion 2519a and the substrate coupling portion 2519b described above, and preferably, a material capable of predetermined elastic deformation, such as natural rubber, synthetic rubber, or the like, may be selected as the material of the bridge portion 2519c.
In another example, at least one ventilation hole formed to pass through the bridge portion 2519c of the sensor holder 2519 along the up-down direction may be provided.
Through the ventilation hole, overheating of the coil substrate 140 may be effectively prevented, and the phenomenon in which the temperature sensor 2515-1 follows the temperature of the coil substrate 140 due to the heat generation of the working coil 140a may be further suppressed.
In one example, the sensor holder 2519 is provided in the cylindrical shape, and correspondingly, each of the first hole 271 and the second hole 281 may be formed in a circular shape in a plan view.
Although the present disclosure has been described above with reference to the drawings, the present disclosure is not limited to the embodiments disclosed herein and the drawings, and it is obvious that various modifications may be made thereto by those skilled in the art within the scope of the technical idea of the present disclosure. In addition, even when the effects according to the configurations of the present disclosure were not explicitly described while describing the embodiments of the present disclosure, it is obvious that the effects predictable from the configurations should also be acknowledged.

Claims

An electric range comprising:
a casing;

a cover plate coupled to an upper end of the casing, wherein a heating target is placed on an upper surface of the cover plate;

a supporter accommodated in the casing;

a plurality of coil substrates disposed on top of the supporter and arranged to be spaced apart from each other, wherein a working coil is printed on each of the plurality of coil substrates; and

a first thermal insulator disposed between the supporter and the cover plate.
The electric range of claim 1, wherein the electric range further comprises a plurality of thermistors disposed on at least one of an upper surface of the working coil or a coil boundary area defined between adjacent ones of the plurality of working coils, wherein the plurality of thermistors are arranged to be spaced apart from each other.
The electric range of claim 2, wherein the electric range further comprises a plurality of thermal pads respectively disposed at positions corresponding to positions of the plurality of thermistors and arranged to be spaced apart from each other, wherein at least some of the plurality of thermal pads are disposed to be in contact with a lower surface of the cover plate.
The electric range of claim 3, wherein the electric range further comprises a second thermal insulator disposed between the supporter and the cover plate, wherein the second thermal insulator is disposed on at least one of an upper surface or a lower surface of the first thermal insulator,
wherein the first thermal insulator comprises a first hole formed at a position corresponding to a position of the thermistor, wherein at least a portion of the thermistor is inserted into the first hole,

wherein the second thermal insulator comprises a second hole formed at a position corresponding to a position of each of the thermistor and the first hole, wherein at least a portion of the thermistor is inserted into the second hole.
The electric range of claim 4, wherein the first thermal insulator is disposed on top of the coil substrate, and the second thermal insulator is disposed on top of the first thermal insulator,
wherein the thermal pad is disposed on top of the second thermal insulator and is constructed to close an upper end of the second hole.
The electric range of claim 5, wherein the second thermal insulator is further disposed between the coil substrate and the first thermal insulator.
The electric range of claim 4, wherein the second thermal insulator is disposed on top of the coil substrate, and the first thermal insulator is disposed on top of the second thermal insulator,
wherein the thermal pad is disposed on top of the first thermal insulator and is constructed to close an upper end of the first hole.
The electric range of claim 4, wherein the first thermal insulator includes first thermal insulators arranged so as to be spaced from each other in a longitudinal direction of the electric range, wherein each of the first thermal insulators is a single body extending in a transverse direction of the electric range,
wherein the second thermal insulator includes second thermal insulators arranged so as to be spaced from each other in the longitudinal direction of the electric range, wherein each of the second thermal insulators is a single body extending in the transverse direction of the electric range,

wherein each of the first thermal insulator and the second thermal insulator covers an entirety of an array of the plurality of working coils arranged to be spaced from each other in the transverse direction of the electric range.
The electric range of claim 8, wherein the thermistor is disposed on the coil boundary area defined between adjacent ones of the plurality of working coils arranged to be spaced from each other in the transverse direction,
wherein some of the first holes and some of the second holes are formed at positions corresponding to the coil boundary area.
The electric range of claim 1, wherein the electric range further comprises:
a main board coupled to a lower surface of the supporter and including a controller configured to control the electric range;

a switched mode power supply (SMPS) board coupled to the lower surface of the supporter and supplying electricity to the electric range;

an EMI filter coupled to the lower surface of the supporter and suppressing electromagnetic interference generated from electricity; and

an inverter board coupled to the lower surface of the supporter and applying a resonant current to the working coil.
The electric range of claim 1, wherein the electric range further comprises:
a blower fan coupled to the lower surface of the supporter and disposed at a position spaced apart from the main board, the SMPS board, the EMI filter, and the inverter board; and

a heat sink disposed under the supporter and having a longitudinal direction parallel to an air discharge direction of the blower fan.
The electric range of claim 2, wherein the working coil is printed in multiple layers on the coil substrate, and the thermistor is integrally coupled to the coil substrate.
The electric range of claim 1, wherein the electric range further comprises a support plate disposed under the supporter and supporting the supporter,
wherein the support plate is made of an electrically insulating material.
An electric range comprising:
a casing;

a cover plate coupled to an upper end of the casing, wherein a heating target is placed on an upper surface of the cover plate;

an upper supporter accommodated in the casing;

a plurality of coil substrates disposed on top of the upper supporter and arranged to be spaced apart from each other, wherein a working coil is printed on each of the coil substrates;

a first thermal insulator disposed between the upper supporter and the cover plate; and

a second thermal insulator disposed between the upper supporter and the cover plate and disposed on at least one of an upper surface or a lower surface of the first thermal insulator.
The electric range of claim 14, wherein the electric range further comprises:
a plurality of thermistors disposed on at least one of an upper surface of the working coil or a coil boundary area defined between adjacent ones of the plurality of working coils, wherein the plurality of thermistors are arranged to be spaced apart from each other; and

a plurality of thermal pads respectively disposed at positions corresponding to positions of the plurality of thermistors and arranged to be spaced apart from each other, wherein at least some of the plurality of thermal pads are disposed to be in contact with a lower surface of the cover plate.