WO2008056955A1

WO2008056955A1 - Cooking device and interface unit for the cooking device

Info

Publication number: WO2008056955A1
Application number: PCT/KR2007/005643
Authority: WO
Inventors: Eui-Su Jung; Eui-Seog Jeong
Original assignee: Lg Electronics Inc.
Priority date: 2006-11-09
Filing date: 2007-11-09
Publication date: 2008-05-15
Also published as: EP2087288B1; EP2087288A1; US20100193496A1; EP2087288A4

Abstract

In order to stably operate an interface unit by not subjecting to the influence of heat, firmly stand against outside impact, improve reliability of products, facilitate an assembly, actively satisfy consumer taste, and reduce manufacturing costs, an interface unit for a cooking device comprises: a frame having a front surface and a rear surface; a substrate supported on the frame; an LED mounted on the substrate; reflectors placed in the front of the substrate in order to guide the emitting light of the LED; a display panel having a plurality of VFDs; a display panel holder having a buffer unit in order to stably supporting the display panel; a glass placed in the front of the at least one reflector; and when the glass contacts the user, a capacitance recognizing unit receiving an input of the user.

Description

COOKING DEVICE AND INTERFACE UNIT FOR THE

COOKING DEVICE

Technical Field

[1] This document relates to a cooking device, and in particular to an interface unit for interfacing between a cooking device and a user. Background Art

[2] A cooking device is a device cooking foods and is illustrated as an oven or a hot plate. Other amongs, the oven has an inner space composed of a high temperature environment generated by means of resistance heat of electricity or heat generation of gas and is a device cooking foods by putting foods inside the space. The electric oven simultaneously heats the outside and inside of cooking material. Since the electrice oven is faster in cooking speed, higher in thermal efficiency, and higher in safety due to the use of electricity, as compared to a gas cooking device, its use shows a tendency to increase.

[3] In a general cooking device, in order to variously interface between the cooking device and the user, various information such as cooking kinds, current temperature, cooking time, etc. set by the user required for cooking foods is displayed on a front panel of the cooking device. The contents or kinds of the information is determined by setting the interface unit of the cooking device. And, the interface unit is mounted with components capable of controlling each part of the cooking device.

[4] The interface uint is provided with a printed circuit board (PCB) on which various circuits are formed and a frame on which the printed circuit board is installed. Since the printed circuit board is constituted by circuit elements with characteristics vulnerable to heat, the heat from the cooking device in a high temperature state directly or indirectly has an effect on the printed circuit board so that the failure in the cooking device is caused. Recently, the interface unit is constituted to be protruded upward from one side of the cooking device. However, the constitution of the interface unit so as not to directly or indirectly have the heat from the cooking device on the interface unit leads to new problem.

[5] Also, the interface unit is provided with a plurality of light emitting devices so that the user can conveniently see the operating state of the cooking device by the control of the light emitting state of the light emitting device. And, as one constitutin of the interface unit, it is an important function for the user to operate the cooking device.

[6] Intergrating such various functions with a single interface unit shows a tendency to increase. Providing the integrated interface unit increases the user's convenience, but a need of a new technology using a certain manner is raised to constitute the interface unit along with the change in such envrionments. Disclosure of Invention

Technical Problem

[7] It is an object of the present invention to provide a cooking device and an interface unit for the cooking device capable of stably operating the interface unit by not subjecting to the influence of heat from the cooking device, firmly standing against outside impact by stably connecting each component, improving reliability of proudcts, facilitating an assembly, actively satisfying consumer taste, and reducing manufacturing costs. Technical Solution

[8] In order to accomplish the objects, there is provided a cooking device according to the present invention comprising: at least two mechanisms selected from an oven having a cavity, a cook top placed on the upper portion of the oven and having a heating surface, and a warm drawer placed on the lower portion of the oven; and an interface unit controlling the at least two mechanisms selected, the interface unit comprises: a frame; a main printed circuit board placed on one surface of the frame and performing a general control action of the mechanisms provided; at least one auxiliary printed circuit board placed on the front surface of the frame and provided with a light emitting device; at least one reflector guiding the emitting light of the light emitting diode provided on the auxiliary printed circuit board; and a glass placed in the front of the at least one reflector and contacted to a user.

[9] In order to accomplish the objects, there is provided an interface unit for a cooking device according to another aspect of the present invention comprising: a frame having a front surface and a rear surface; a main printed circuit board placed on the rear surface of the frame; at least one auxiliary printed circuit board placed on the front surface of the frame; an LED mounted on at least one of the auxiliary printed circuit board; a display panel electrically connected to the main printed circuit board and provided with a plurality of VFDs; at least one reflector placed in the front of the auxiliary printed circuit board to guide the emitting light of the LED; a glass placed in at least one front of the at least one reflector and contacted to a user; and when the glass contacts the user, a capacitance recognizing unit provided on the rear surface of the glass in order to receive an input of the user.

[10] In order to accomplish the objects, there is provided an interface unit for a cooking device according to yet another aspect of the present invention comprising: a frame having a front surface and a rear surface; a substrate supported on the frame; an LED mounted on the substrate; reflectors placed in the front of the substrate in order to guide the emitting light of the LED; a display panel having a plurality of VFDs; a display panel holder having a buffer unit in order to stably supporting the display panel; a glass placed in the front of the at least one reflector; and when the glass contacts the user, a capacitance recognizing unit receiving an input of the user.

Advantageous Effects

[11] With an interface unit of a cooking device according to the present invention, the present invention can stably operate the interface unit by not subjecting to the influence of heat from the cooking device itself, firmly stand against outside impact, improve reliability of proudcts, facilitate an assembly, and actively satisfies consumer taste, and reduce manufacturing costs.

Brief Description of the Drawings [12] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a cooking device according to the present embodiment;

[13] FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of an interface unit of FIG. 1;

[14] FIG. 3 is a schematic view showing a shape that a first LED printed circuit board and a first reflector according to the present embodiment are connected. [15] FIG. 4 is a view showing a shape that a first reflector according to the present embodiment is assembled on a glass; [16] FIG. 5 is a schematic view showing a shape that a center of a first reflector conforms to a a center of a display panel; [17] FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a display panel holder according to the present embodiment; [18] FIG. 7 is a view showing a shape that a display panel is assembled in a display panel holder; [19] FIG. 8 is a rear perspective view of a reflector according to the present embodiment;

[20] FIG. 9 is a front view of a display panel according to the present embodiment;

[21] FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view taken along line I-I' of FIG. 1; and

[22] FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view taken along line I-I' of FIG. 1 according to another embodiment.

Best Mode for Carrying Out the Invention [23] Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present ivnention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. [24] Referring to FIG. 1, a cooking device 10 of the present invention comprises a cavity

1 on which a cooking material is placed, a door 3 opening and closing the front of the cavity 1, a cook top 2 installed on the upper side of the cavity 1; an interface unit 20 protruded upward from the rear portion of the cook top 2 to allow a user to see the operating state of the cooking device or control the operation of the cooking device.

[25] The cooking device 10 comprises the cavity 1 formed on the lower side of the cook top 2 to cook foods by means of thermal radiation and thermal convection and a warm drawer 5 performing a simple cooking function or a storage function. The front surface of the warm drawer 5 is formed with a door knob 7 for opening and closing the warm drawer 5.

[26] The exterior portion of the interface unit 20 for controlling the operation of the cooking device is installed with a glass to build an image as a premium product and the interface unit is rigid to remove the inconvenience of use. Also, in order to perfectly build the touch sense of the glass, the rear surface of the glass is formed with a conductive ITO(indium tin oxide) layer 110. When a user touches the glass, the glass may in a touch glass scheme according to a capacitance scheme having any control circuit capable of recognizing location information touched may be used. A scheme recognizing the touch signal of the user using the capacitance is referred to as a capacitance recognizing unit. With such a constitution, a user can easily operate a cooding device as the intention of operation only by touching his/her fingers to a certain position on the glass.

[27] Figure 2 shows an exploded perspective view of an interface unit of FIG. 1.

[28] Referring to FIG. 2, the front surface of the interface unit 20 is a glass, first and second reflectors 38, 30, first and second LED printed circuit boards 27, 28, a frame 24, and a main printed circuit board 26 in order.

[29] The glass 22 can control the operating state of the cooking device by touching it with user's fingers. Also, the front surface or the rear surface of the glass 22 may be coated with display units 21, 23 capable of confirming the operating state of the cooking device. The display unit is constituted by a first display unit 23 displaying the state of the cook top and a second display unit 21 displaying the operating state for an oven. Also, the display units 21, 23 allows a user to confirm the operating state with a naked eye and to derive a predetermined operation by touching a particular region of the corresponding display unit.

[30] Micro current is generated by the touch of the glass 22 and is transferred to the main printed board substrate 26. The main printed board substrate 26 controls the operation of the cooking device.

[31] The main printed circuit board 26 is received in the inside of the frame 24 and the first and second LED printed circuit board 27, 28 is safely seated on the front surface of the frame 24. The main printed circuit board 26 and the second LED printed circuit board 28 are fixed to the frame 24 by means of a bolt and/or a hooker, etc.

[32] The printed circuit board is referred to as a circuit board that electrically connects and fixes electronic components. The printed circuit board is a circuit board that can densely mount several kinds of many components on a panel made of reinforced glass fiber or plastic and densely fixes a circuit connecting between the respective components on a surface of a panel.

[33] The first and second LED printed circuit boards 27, 28 are a lamp light emitted on the printed circuit board, that is, a circuit board electrically connecting the LED elements. The first and second LED printed circuit boards 27, 28 light emits a particular region of the first and second display units 21, 23 of the glass 22 according to an instruction of the main printed circuit board 26 so that the user can easily grasp the operating state of the current cooking state. The LED light emitting body is very small devices that are directly mounted on the surface of the first and second LED printed circuit board 28. They can be placed by applying a surface mount device (SMD) technology.

[34] The frame 24 is a plate with a predetermined height. The inside of rear surface of the frame is formed with a predetermined space. The main printed circuit board 26 is received in the inside of the frame 24 and the first and second LED printed circuit boards 27, 28 are safely seated on the upper portion of the frame.

[35] The main printed circuit board 26 has a plurality of electronic components with characteristics vulnerable to heat over the first and second LED printed circuit boards 27, 28. Therefore, the inside of rear surface of the frame 24 receives the main printed circuit board 26 so that the heat transferred from the cavity in the cooking device to the main printed circuit board 26 can be shielded. Of course, since the heat transferred from the cook top 2 can be shielded by means of the frame 24, heat resistance is more improved.

[36] Separately from the main printed circuit board 26, the display panel 25 is electrically connected by an electrical lead wire. The operation signal of the cooking device is transferred from the main printed circuit board 26 to the display panel 25 and the display panel 25 displays the current operating state of the cooking device.

[37] In the present embodiment, the display panel 25 preferably uses a VFD panel having a characteristic of high resistance to heat. This is because the high heat from the cooking device is generated. The VFD panel is a self light emitting device light emitted by controlling electrons always emitted from a filament serving as a CRT electron gun at a grid electrode and an anode electrode and impacting them on a phosphor on the anode. The VFD has an advantage that it can obtain light with various colors and at the same time, can be used in the high temperature environment. Therefore, the VFD panel can be preferably applied to the cooking device.

[38] The display panel 25 is supported on a display panel holder 40. The main printed circuit board 26 can be coupled with the display panel holder by the hooker. The display panel holder 40 may be integrated with the frame or may be mounted with the frame as a separate thing.

[39] The front surfaces of the first and second LED printed circuit board 27, 28 are provided with the first and second reflectors 38, 30 connected to the LED printed circuit board 28 to collect the LED light. The reflector uniformly distributes the illumination of a character and a pattern and has a function reflecting the LED light to be able to thickly indicate the character. Of course, the reflector may perform a function not to illuminate the LED light to other neighboring regions and perform a function defining the illuminating region and size of the LED light by controlling its size.

[40] The first and second reflectors 38, 30 are connected with the first and second LED printed circuit boards 27, 28 by means of the hooker so that the assembly of the first and second reflectors 38, 30 are facilitated. In detail, the first LED printed circuit board 27 further comprises a light emitting body (see 101 of FIG. 5) for emitting light in order to display the current state of the cook top 2 in a light emitting state. It goes without saying that the light emitting body 101 is arranged in the first display unit 23.

[41] The second reflector 30 is formed with a light collecting hole 34 with a circular hole shape to light-collect the LED light. The second reflector 30 is coupled with the second LED printed circuit board 28 for displaying the current cooking state of the cooking device in the light emitting state by means of the hooker.

[42] Meanwhile, the side surface of the frame 24 is formed with the supporting part 35 of the cooking device so that the frame 24 can be coupled with the cooking device. A screw hole 37 is formed within the supporting part 35. Also, the frame supporting part 71 formed with a screw hole 73 is formed within the upper protruding part 70 for supporting the interface unit 20 to be coupled with the supporting part 35 of the frame 24. The supporting part 35 and the frame supporting part 71 correspond to each other and are coupled by means of the screw (S).

[43] Hereinafter, the detailed constitution and assembly method of each component as described above will be described.

[44] First, the constitution of the first reflector will be described in detail.

[45] Figure 3 shows a schematic view of a shape that a first LED printed circuit board and a first reflector according to the present embodiment are connected.

[46] Referring to FIG. 3, a first reflector 38 is attached to a first LED printed circuit board 27. The first reflector 38 can be coupled on the first LED printed circuit board 27 by means of a hook 105. The first reflector 38 transmits light only into a portion aligned with the first display unit 23 as aflat board of resin material and illuminates it outside and reflects light in other portions,

[47] Also, the first reflector 38 is formed with a sealing unit 103 capable of receiving a selant in order to seal the glass. The sealing unit 103 is formed with a plurality of grooves 104 capable of preventing the overflow of the sealant when contacting the glass.

[48] Also, the first reflector 38 may compries an adhesive tape so that the first reflector

38 is temporarily fixed on the glass. The adhesive tape 42 can selectively be performed to conform the center of the first reflector 38 to the center of the glass 22 so that the first reflector 38 can be assembled before it is sealed by being completely adhered to the glass.

[49] Figure 4 shows a view of a shape that a first reflector according to the present embodiment is assembled on a glass;

[50] Referring to FIG. 4, the first reflector 38 and the first LED printed circuit board 27 are coupled by means of the hook to form one assembly. Of course, it can further be coupled by a screw in order to achieve a tight coupling. In order to closely attach the first reflector 38 of the coupled assembly to the glass 22 by means of the sealant in liquid-phase, a zig 50 is contacted to one side end of the glass 22 to assembly the assembly of the reflector and the printed circuit board at a correct position.

[51] The corner of the first reflector 38 contacts the corner portion with ' π

' shape of the zig 50 so that the center of the first display unit 23 of the glass 22 conforms to the center of the light emitting body 40 on the first LED printed circuit board 27.

[52] The first reflector 38 is first attached to the glass 22 by means of the adhesive tape

22 so that it can confirm whether the center of the first reflector 38 conforms to the center of the glass 22. And, the first reflector 38 is completely attached to the glass 22 by depressing the rear surface of the sealing unit 34 receiving the sealant. Thereafter, they are sealed.

[53] With such a constitution, the alignment of the first reflector 38 and the first display unit 23 can be perfect and both thereof can not be separated in a fixed state

[54] Figure 5 shows a schematic view of a shape that a center of a first reflector conforms to a a center of a display panel.

[55] Referring to FIG. 5, it can be appreciated that the center of the first reflector conforms to the center of the display panel by attaching the first reflector 38 to the first display unit 23 of the diplay panel 22.

[56] Even when the buttons of the touch screen 22 are densely arranged, the first display unit 23, the center of the first display unit 23 of the display panel 22 conforms to the center of the first reflector 38, making it possible to assure the reliablity of the assembly. This can be made that the alignment state of the board and the reflector can perfectly be made by means of the hook, etc. The assembly in which both are coupled can be perfectly made at a correct position of the rear surface of the glass by means of the tape and the sealing member.

[57] Hereinafter, an assembly method of each component adjacent to the first reflector will be described with reference to FIGS. 2 to 5.

[58] First, the main printed circuit board 26 is received in the frame 24. And, the second

LED printed circuit board 28 is connected to the one side of front portion of the frame 24.

[59] And, the first LED printed circuit board 27 is coupled with the first reflector 38 light collecting the LED light by means of the hook, etc. so that they is constituted by one assembly. The first reflector 38 is closely attached to the glass 22 so that the center of the light emitting body 101 corresponding to the first reflector 38 of the assembly conforms to the center of the firs display unit 23. Thereafter, they are sealed.

[60] In the sealing step, they are temporarily fixed by means of the adhesive tape attached to the one side of the first reflector 38 to confirm whether the centers thereof are conformed. At this time, in order to conform the centers thereof, they are assembled by contacting the zig 10 to the one side of the glass 22.

[61] Also, in the sealing step, the sealing is completed by depressing the rear surface of the sealing unit 103 receiving the sealant on the first reflector 38. When the rear surface of the selaing unit 103 is depressed, the sealant within the sealing unit 103 is introduced into a plurality of grooves 104 formed in the sealing unit 103 due to the pressure, making it possible to prevent the pollution of the rear surface of the first display unit 23 due to the sealant.

[62] Thereafter, the glass 22 to which the first reflector 23 is attached is coupled on the frame, thereby completing the assembly.

[63] Hereinafter, the display panel holder 40 will be described in detail.

[64] The display panel 25 is supported to the display panel holder 40. And, the display panel holder 40 is coupled with the main printed circuit board received in the frame 24 by means of the hooker. The display panel holder 40 is formed with the buffer unit (see 45 of FIG. 6) capable of elastically supporting the display panel 25. The buffer unit is used for safely supporting the VFD vulnerable to impact.

[65] Figure 6 shows a perspective view of a display panel holder according to the present embodiment.

[66] Referring to FIG. 6, the display panel holder 40 has an outer appearance capable of safely seating the display panel 25. The display panel holder 40 comprises a supporting part 42 contacted and supported to and on the rear surface of the display panel 25, a first coupling member 48 formed on a longitudinal end of the supportion part 4, and a buffer unit 45 formed on the supporting part 42 to elastically support the display panel.

[67] The display panel holder 40 is positioned in the space of lower portion of the frame

24, making it possible to safely seat the display panel 25. [68] The supporting part 42 can be formed with an opening in a plate shape at a predetermined interval. The opening can emit heat generated from the display panel 25.

[69] The first coupling member 48 prevents the flow of the display panel 25 when the display panel 25 completely contacts the surface of the supporting part 42. The first coupling member is perferably formed in a hooker shape.

[70] The buffer unit 45 is formed to be integragted with the supporting part 42. The buffer unit 45 is preferably formed to elastically support the display panel 25.

[71] The buffer unit 45 comprises a flexible bar 47 in which the protruding part contacting the display panel 25 is formed and a cutout hole 46 having a cutout circumference in which the flexible bar 47 is formed.

[72] Also, the display panel holder 40 further comprises a guide 44 extendedly formed from the supporting part 42 to guide the upper portion of the display panel 25 when the display panel 25 is assembled. The upper portion of the guide 44 is inclinedly formed, making it possible to safely assembly the display panel 42 in the display panel holder 40.

[73] The rear portion of the display panel holder 40 is formed with the second coupling member 40. The second coupling member 49 is preferably the hooker and is coupled with the main printed circuit board 26.

[74] Figure 7 shows a view of a shape that a display panel is assembled in a display panel holder.

[75] Referring to FIG. 7, the display panel 25 electrically connected to the main printed circuit board 26 by means of the electrical wire is assembled in the display panel holder 40. Due to the flexible characteristics of the electrical lead, the display panel 25 is easily varied so that it can be received in the display panel holder 40.

[76] When the display panel 25 is assembled in the display panel holder 40, the guide 44 in an inclined shape guides the display panel 25 so that it can safely and easily be assembled. If the display panel 25 is completely received in the display panel holder 40, the first coupling member 48 fixes the display panel 25 so that the display panel 25 is not bounded forward.

[77] A process of assembling and using the display panel 25 in the display panel holder

40 as described above will be described.

[78] First, the main printed circuit board 26 is received in the inside of the frame 24 and the LED printed circuit board 28 is mounted to the front of the frame.

[79] And, the display panel 25 electrically connecting to the main printed circuit board

26 by means of the electrical lead is coupled with the display panel holder 40. At this time, the guide 44 inclinedly formed in the display panel holder 40 guides the display panel 25 so that the display panel 25 is safely coupled.

[80] Meanwhile, the buffer unit 45 is formed on the supporting part 42 of the display panel holder 40 to elastically support the display panel 25. The buffer unit can safely support the display panel 25 despite the outside impact or the vibration.

[81] Hereinafter, the component adjacent to the second reflector will be described.

[82] Figure 8 shows a rear perspective view of a reflector according to the present embodiment.

[83] Referring to FIG. 8, the area of a portion contacting the second LED printed circuit board 28 is increased as a light collecting hole 34 proceeds to the upper portion of the second reflector 30 so that the second reflector 30 can collect the LED light emitted from the second LED printed circuit board 28.

[84] The light collecting hole 34 of the second reflector 30 and the number of the LED on the second LED printed circuit board 28 may be differently formed according to the cooking state and the cooking time of the oven to be displayed on the second display unit 23.

[85] The rear surface of the second reflector 30 is provided with the hooker 36 so that it is easily coupled with the second LED printed circuit board. Also, the second reflector 30 also comprises a warm drawer LED light collecting hole capable of collecting the warm drawer LED light of the second LED printed circuit board 28.

[86] The center of warm drawer LED light collecting hole 32 conforms to the center of the warm drawer display unit of the second display unit 23. The center of the light collecting hole 34 conforms to all the centers of the LEDs of the second LED printed circuit board 28, thereby obtaining the uniform illumination on the display unit. Also, the light collecting hole 34 may have a circular shape or a quadrangluar shape as an example, but have other shapes. This may be easily varied according to the characteristics of the displayed information and the consumer taste.

[87] Hereinafter, the light emitting action of the display panel will be described.

[88] First, in the present embodiment, before the light emitted from the vacuum fluorescent display (hereinafter, referred to as VFD) in the display panel is emitted outside, the light passes through a predetermined filter so that the intensity of the transmitted light is varied per a wavelength. For example, when a red filter is installed, orignal green light passes through the red filter and is then recognized as white and degrades its brightness, while even when original red light passes through the red filter, it is recognized as red and does not degrade its brightness.

[89] Thereby, while the light emitted from the vacuum fluorescent display passes through the filter, brightness and color are varied so that the user's eye recognizes the controlled state by means of the precision control apparatus. When the light recognized by the user's eye is varied, the degree of rousing the circumference recognized by the user can be varied according to the importance of signal indicating the emitted light.

[90] Figure 9 shows a front view of a display panel according to the present embodiment.

[91] Referring to FIG. 9, the display panel according to the present embodiment is provided with a plurality of display units. In detail, the display panel comprises a time display unit 51 displaying the cooking time and the current time, etc, an operation display unit 52 displaying the operating state of the hot plate 2, a power supply display unit 53 displaying the operating state of the inside of the cavity 1, a state display unit 54 displaying an important signal such as malfunction, warning, or the like that must be transferred to the user, a user instruction unit 55 displaying any instruction contents to the user. Of course, the display units are illustrated by way of example and various display units may be provided according to the use state and situation of the cooking device. For example, a main power supply display unit displaying whether the main power supply is connected to the cooking device may be further provided.

[92] Meanwhile, the plurality of display units can form a group according to the vacuum fluorescent display providing the display unit. For example, the display unit can be divided into the first region 61 comprising the time display unit 51, a second region 62 comprising the operation display unit 52, the power supply display unit 53, and the state display unit 54, and a third region comprising the user instruction unit 55.

[93] Each region 61, 62, 63 is divided according to the color of light emitted from the vacuum fluorescent display when each display unit is operated. For example, when the filter may be red, the first region 61 green, the second region 62 is red, and the third regions 63 orange.

[94] With the arrangement of colors light emitted, the first region 61, which is originally light emitted into green, passes through the red filter and is then recognized as white by the user and at the same time, its brightness is suddenly reduced to about 1/10. The reason is because a wavelength band of other light is filtered except for red while the green light passes through the red filter to significantly attenuate the high intensity green with the wavelength band of 570 to 500nm so that it has uniform intensity in the entire wavelength band of visible ray.

[95] The second region 62, which is originally light emitted into red, passes through the red filter and is then recognized as red by the user as it is and its brightness maintains original brightness as it is. This is because the red filter transmits red light as it is.

[96] When the third region 63, which is originally light emitted into orange passes through the red filter, the orange with the wavelength band of 610 to 590nm is attenuated to some degree and is recognized as thin red by the user and its brightness is reduced to a half.

[97] Thereby, the red light emitted from the second region 62 maintains brightness as it is and at the same time, the user can simply and easily observe the corresponding signal by the attraction of red itself. Therefore, the second region 62 is perferably provided with the display unit providing the power supply or the warning display, which is the most important information of the cooking device. And, the first region 61 preferably displays the information such as the cooking time demanding a visual satisfaction by white, etc, which is not the important information. And, the third region 63 preferably displays the concrete information and at the same time, the operation information of the cooking device conveniently observable by the user.

[98] The interrelation of the filter and the region will be described analytically.

[99] First, the display unit displaying the most important contents that must be transferred to the user (in the present embodiment, the second region) and the filter with the same color are applied. And, the display unit displaying the second-important contents that must be transferred to the user (in the present embodiment, the third region) selects the vacuum fluorescent display emitting the light of the wavelength band approximate to the color of the filter. The display unit displaying the unimportant contents (in the present embodiment, the first region) selects the vacuum fluorescent display emitting the light of the wavelength band distant from the color of the filter.

[100] With such a constitution, although the luminescent brightness of the display unit transferring the most important information passes through the filter, it is transferred to the user without having the brightness attenuate. Thereafter, it can be appreciated that the attuenation is great in an important order. Also, the color of white can be implemented in the particular case so that it can replace the expensive white VFD with a short lifetime

[101] Preferably, the second region and the filter are red by considering that the information to be transferred to the user is the most importan.

[102] The display device is constituted based on the attraction of color, the brightness relation of the display unit, the kind of the display unit, and the importance of the user recognition.

[103] Figure 10 shows a cross-sectional view taken along line I-I' of FIG. 1.

[104] The display panel 25 according to the present embodiment comprises the glass formed at the outermost, the vacuum fluorescent display 73 provided inside thereof and light emitting other light per the region of the display unit, a light filter 72 interposed between the glass 22 and the vacuum fluorescent display 73 to control the color and the brightness.

[105] Since the VFD 73 is a member standing high heat generated from the cooking device as described above, it is a component properly usable in the cooking device, wherein it is already described that each vacuum fluorescent display tube light emits various colors and light according to the fluorescent materials introduced into the inside thereof.

[106] In this state, the light emitted from the vacuum fluorescent display tube of the second region 62 is preferably the same color as the light transmitting the light filter 72, and more preferably the light emitted from the second region 62 is red in order to raise the attraction of the user vision. And, the light emitted from the first region 61 is preferably light with the wavelength band that has the great difference in the wavelength band from the light emitted from the second region 62, and more preferably in order to improve the user satisfaction and to build an image as a premium product, it is better that the light is green to implement the white light after it passes through the light filter 72. The light emitted from the third region 63 is approximate to the wavelength and light emitted from the second region 62 so that it is better that the attenuation degree is smaller over the first region 62.

[107] In conclusion, the light filter 72 is a red filter, the first region 61 is a green VFD, the second region 62 is a red VFD, and the third region 63 is an orange VFD.

[108] Figure 11 shows a cross-sectional view taken along line I-I' of FIG. 1 according to another embodiment. In another portion, another embodiment is the same as the original embodiment and has the difference only in an aspect where the filter is installed. In detail, the filter according to the present embodiment is a print filter 74 printed on the rear surface of the glass 22. With the print filter 74, it can more conveniently provide the filter.

[109] The present invention is not limited to the preferred embodiments and may include other embodiments belonging to the scope of the present invention. Hereinafter, other embodiments covered by the same scope of the present invention will be described by way of example.

[110] As another form of the filters 72, 74, the filter provided to the front of the front shield 71 is not included in the present invention, but is also included in the scope of the present invention,. However, for the conveience of the stability and installation of the filter, the filter is more preferably provided in the inside of the glass 22 as described above.

[I l l] Also, in the embodiment as described above, three regions are divided according to the light emitted from the VFD provided to the display module, wherein each region is provided with the particular number of display units. However, this is only an example, but it can be expected that the display region of more colors is provided and each region is provided with another number of display units. This also belongs to the scope of the present invention.

[112] Also, it is alreay described that the glass senses the touch of the user's fingers, etc., by stacking the sensors in the touch scheme on the rear surface of the glass. However, the present invention is not limited to the conventional glass using ceramic as a material and may use any materials, for example, resin having the characteristics of transmitting light to some degree. Furthermore, for any components not associated with the touch scheme even in the sensor in the touch scheme, these components may easily be provided by any embodiments not requiring to apply the touch sensors.

[113] In addition, the scope of the present invention can be easily implemented by the proper combination of the constitutions proposed by the embodiment of the present invention and the combination of any new components easily considered. Industrial Applicability

[114] The present invention is applied to the cooking device so that it can stably operate the interface unit, firmly stand against outside impact, improve reliability of proudcts, facilitates an assembly, actively satisfy consumer taste, and reduce manufacturing costs. Also, even when the present invention is applied to any interface unit, it can obtain the effects as described above.

Claims

[1] An interface unit for a cooking device, comprising: a frame having a front surface and a rear surface; a main printed circuit board placed on the rear surface of the frame; at least one auxiliary printed circuit board placed on the front surface of the frame; an LED mounted on at least one of the auxiliary printed circuit board; a display panel electrically connected to the main printed circuit board and provided with a plurality of VFDs; at least one reflector placed in the front of the auxiliary printed circuit board to guide the emitting light of the LED; a glass placed in at least one front of the at least one reflector and contacted to a user; and a capacitance recognizing unit provided on the rear surface of the glass in order to receive an input of the user when the glass contacts the user.

[2] The interface unit as claimed in claim 1, wherein at least one of the reflectors is closely contacted to the rear of the glass and at least some region of the contact surface is interposed with sealant.

[3] The interface unit as claimed in claim 2, wherein the reflector interposed with the sealant is formed with a groove preventing the overflow of sealant.

[4] The interface unit as claimed in claim 1, wherein the main printed circuit board is received in the inside of the frame, thereby not to subjecting to the influence due to heat.

[5] The interface unit as claimed in claim 1, wherein the at least one of the at least one reflectors is coupled with the substrate by a hook or a screw.

[6] The interface unit as claimed in claim 1, further comprising a display panel holder in order to safely seat the display panel in the frame, the display panel holder comprises: a buffer unit to elastically support the display panel against outside impact; and a coupling member preventing the separation of the display panel through the supporting action by the buffer unit.

[7] The interface unit as claimed in claim 6, wherein the display panel holder is further formed with other coupling members so that it is coupled with the main printed circuit board.

[8] The interface unit as claimed in claim 6, wherein the buffer unit comprises: a flexible bar formed with a protruding part so that it is contacted to the display panel; and a cutout hole having the flexible bar whose circumference part is cutout in order to give the elasticity to the flexible bar.

[9] The interface unit as claimed in claim 6, wherein the display panel holder is provided with the frame in a unit or is coupled with the frame as a separate thing.

[10] The interface unit as claimed in claim 1, wherein at least one of the at least one reflector is coupled with the corresponding auxiliary printed circuit substrate by means of a hook.

[11] The interface unit as claimed in claim 1, wherein the at least one reflector is increased in size as it becomes distant from the LED

[12] The interface unit as claimed in claim 1, wherein the at least one reflector defines a portion transmitting light from the LED and a portion not transmitting light.

[13] The interface unit as claimed in claim 1, wherein the interval portion between the display panel and the glass is interposed with a filter.

[14] The interface unit as claimed in claim 13, wherein the filter is red and at least one of the VFDs light emits green light.

[15] A cooking device, comprising: at least two mechanisms selected from an oven having a cavity, a cook top placed on the upper portion of the oven and having a heating surface, and a warm drawer placed on the lower portion of the oven; and an interface unit controlling the at least two mechanisms selected, the interface unit comprises: a frame; a main printed circuit board placed on one surface of the frame and performing a general control action of the mechanisms provided; at least one auxiliary printed circuit board placed on the front surface of the frame and provided with a light emitting device; at least one reflector guiding the emitting light of the light emitting diode provided on the auxiliary printed circuit board; and a glass placed in the front of the at least one reflector and contacted to a user.

[16] The cooking device as claimed in claim 15, further comprising a capacitance recognizing unit recognizing the user's input when the user contacts to the glass.

[17] The cooking device as claimed in claim 15, further comprising a display panel provided with a plurality of VFDs in order to display the operating state of the mechanism provided; and a filter interposed between the display panel and the glass, wherein at least one of the plurality of VFDs is green and the filter is red.

[18] The cooking device as claimed in claim 15, further comprising a display unit provided in a region installed with the at least one reflector among the entire region; and a capacitance recognizing unit provided on the rear surface of the glass corresponding to at least the display unit.

[19] An interface unit for a cooking device, comprising: a frame having a front surface and a rear surface; a substrate supported on the frame; an LED mounted on the substrate; a reflector placed in the front of the substrate in order to guide the emitting light of the LED; a display panel having a plurality of VFDs; a display panel holder having a buffer unit in order to stably supporting the display panel; a glass placed in the front of the at least one reflector; and a capacitance recognizing unit receiving an input of the user, when the glass contacts the user.