Cooking device and interface unit for the cooking device

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.

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.