Range hood device with smoke guide plate and lighting device

Abstract

The present invention relates to a range hood device having at least one smoke guide plate (3) and at least one lighting device (4). The range hood device (1) is characterized in that the smoke guide plate (3) represents a light conductor, the lighting device (4) comprises a housing (40) for at least one light source (430), the housing being at least partially made of a transparent material, at least one portion of the lighting device (4) made of the transparent material facing the smoke guide plate (3), and at least one portion of the edge (30) of the smoke guide plate (3) facing the lighting device (4) having light-scattering properties.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The invention relates to a range fumes extraction device with a smoke guide plate and a lighting device. Background Art

[0002] For range hood devices, it is known to generate light effects on the range hood devices. For example, DE 10 2009044 504 B3 describes a range hood with a lighting device, which includes at least one light source and a light-guiding element. Here, the hood body is constructed in multiple components. A connecting element is arranged inside the housing, via which the upper shell is connected to the lower shell. The light-guiding element is arranged in the middle of the shell and the light-emitting surface forms part of the edge surface of the hood cover shell, wherein the at least one light source is arranged on the connecting element inside the housing and is assigned to the light-guiding element in such a way that the light-emitting surface of the light-guiding element illuminates the edge of the hood cover shell in the boundary surface of the shell. Here, a reflection chamber is constructed in the hood body. In particular, the light is guided into the reflector and there is deflected into the light-guiding element via a diffuser.

[0003] A disadvantage of this extractor hood is that the construction is expensive and, due to the reflector and the diffuser, which comprises light-scattering and light-trapping elements, is also very lossy. Summary of the Invention

[0004] The object of the present invention is therefore to provide a solution by means of which a light-conducting element can be used in a simple manner in a range hood device and in which the light emitted by the light-conducting element is as homogeneous as possible.

[0005] The present invention therefore relates to a range hood extraction device having at least one smoke guide plate and at least one lighting device. The range hood extraction device is characterized in that the smoke guide plate represents a light conductor, the lighting device comprises a housing for at least one light source, the housing being at least partially made of a transparent material, at least one portion of the lighting device made of the transparent material facing the smoke guide plate, and at least one portion of the edge of the smoke guide plate facing the lighting device having light-scattering properties.

[0006] A range hood extractor is a device for purifying contaminated air, in particular steam and smoke, generated during cooking. The range hood extractor has at least one smoke guide plate. A smoke guide plate is a planar element that guides the air drawn in by a blower inside the range hood extractor to the intake port of the range hood extractor. Multiple smoke guide plates can also be provided on the range hood extractor. In particular, one smoke guide plate can be arranged in front of the intake port and another in the back of the intake port, in order to form a transport channel in front of the intake port in the direction of flow.

[0007] According to the present invention, the at least one smoke guide plate represents a light guide. In particular, the smoke guide plate is made of a material suitable for light conduction. According to one embodiment, the smoke guide plate is made of glass, that is, formed by a glass plate. The surface of the glass plate is preferably polished, so that light introduced into the glass plate via one of the edges is reflected on the surface and thus further conducted.

[0008] A lighting device, which can also be referred to as a lighting module or lighting device, is a device that emits light. According to the present invention, the lighting device comprises a housing for at least one light source. The light source can be an LED (light-emitting diode). The housing is at least partially made of a transparent material. In particular, the housing is at least partially made of a material that is transparent and free of scattering and light-trapping particles. Furthermore, the surfaces of the housing material are preferably designed so that no or no significant light scattering occurs on these surfaces. The housing is at least partially slightly opaque or has no transparency.

[0009] According to the present invention, at least one portion of the lighting device made of a transparent material faces the smoke guide plate. In particular, the portion of the lighting device faces an edge of the smoke guide plate. "Toward the smoke guide plate" refers to an orientation of the lighting device component in which the light emitted by the lighting device can directly reach the smoke guide plate and, in particular, the edge of the smoke guide plate, i.e., without deflection elements. According to one embodiment, the lighting device can thus rest against the edge of the smoke guide plate. However, it is also within the scope of the present invention for there to be a distance between the portion of the lighting device made of a transparent material and the edge of the smoke guide plate.

[0010] According to the present invention, at least a portion of the edge of the smoke guide plate facing the lighting device has light-scattering properties. The light-scattering properties are preferably achieved by surface treatment, in particular by roughening.

[0011] According to a preferred embodiment, the edge of the smoke guide plate facing the lighting device has completely light-scattering properties. In particular, the edge is preferably roughened over its entire length.

[0012] The range hood device according to the invention thus provides a solution by means of which light can be reliably introduced from the lighting device into the smoke guide plate.

[0013] The lighting device is mechanically decoupled from the smoke guide plate, and thus the smoke guide plate can be easily removed from the range hood and thus from the lighting device. In addition, a uniform light output from the smoke guide plate can be ensured.

[0014] Directional specifications such as top and bottom, as well as specifications such as width and height, unless otherwise stated, relate to a range hood arrangement and its components in the installed state. In particular, these specifications relate to a range hood arrangement having at least one vertically arranged smoke guide plate, wherein the range hood arrangement is installed in a horizontal worktop behind a cooktop and extends behind the cooktop in the width direction of the cooktop.

[0015] According to one embodiment, the housing of the lighting device is a one-piece housing. This simplifies the overall construction of the lighting device. Furthermore, installation of the lighting device is simplified because there is no risk of transparent components, such as transparent panels, slipping during installation. Furthermore, the relative position of the transparent components of the housing relative to the light source is fixed and does not require adjustment through calibration.

[0016] According to one embodiment, the entire housing is made of a transparent material, thereby simplifying the production on the one hand and preventing the light source from being accidentally covered by the opaque parts of the housing on the other hand.

[0017] According to a preferred embodiment, the housing represents a closed housing. A closed housing is one that has walls on at least four sides. These walls are preferably integrally connected to one another. On the other two sides, the housing may have closure caps that can be connected to, for example, inserted into, the four other walls defining a cavity. Therefore, the housing is preferably closed on all sides. This prevents impurities from entering the interior and, therefore, contamination of the at least one light source disposed within the housing.

[0018] According to one embodiment, the housing is an extruded profile. The advantage of an extruded profile is that complex geometries, such as webs, can be produced in a simple manner by extrusion.

[0019] The housing is preferably made of plastic. This has the advantage, on the one hand, that the housing can be produced in a simple manner and, on the other hand, that the transparent properties of at least one part of the housing can be adjusted in a simple manner.

[0020] According to one embodiment, the lighting device includes a lighting unit comprising at least one light source, and the lighting unit is inserted into a housing of the lighting device. In particular, the lighting unit can be inserted through the end face of the elongated housing. The at least one light source is fixedly mounted in the lighting unit, thereby eliminating the need for individual alignment of each light source. Particularly preferably, the at least one light source is arranged on a circuit board.

[0021] According to one embodiment, the lighting device thus comprises a lighting unit with a printed circuit board. In this embodiment, all light sources are arranged on a single printed circuit board. Preferably, the light sources are equidistant, that is, arranged in a row at equal distances from one another. This printed circuit board with the light sources can be easily inserted into a housing, which can in particular represent an extruded profile, thereby simplifying production.

[0022] According to an alternative embodiment, the lighting device includes a lighting unit having at least two circuit boards. A single light source, or preferably at least two light sources, can be arranged on each circuit board. The provision of multiple circuit boards allows for replacement of a defective circuit board if one of the circuit boards or the light source mounted thereon fails, without having to replace the entire lighting unit.

[0023] According to one embodiment, the at least two circuit boards are in direct contact. This means that the circuit boards rest directly against each other and are in direct contact without any intermediate components. This embodiment allows for keeping the spacing between power sources arranged near the edges of the respective circuit boards small, thereby improving the uniformity of the light output.

[0024] According to another embodiment, at least two circuit boards are provided in the lighting unit, each of which is connected to another via a spacer. In particular, a spacer is provided between each of the two circuit boards. The provision of the spacer, which can also be referred to as a contact bridge, simplifies the replacement of defective circuit boards and reduces costs, since the circuit boards do not need to extend over the entire length of the lighting device.

[0025] According to one embodiment, the edges of the smoke guide plate having light-scattering properties have a roughened surface. Roughening allows the scattering properties to be adjusted without introducing light-trapping particles into the material.

[0026] Edges that do not face the lighting device can be processed to influence the light output. In particular, one or more edges can be ground to deflect the light beam incident thereon. By reflecting or deflecting the light beam in this way, the light directed into the smoke guide plate can be used to illuminate a specific area surrounding the smoke guide plate, such as a stovetop.

[0027] According to one embodiment, at least one scattering edge of the smoke guide plate faces away from at least one lighting device. This allows light introduced into the smoke guide plate by the lighting device and directed through the smoke guide plate to be emitted in a scattered manner from the opposite edge. This further improves the homogeneity of the emitted light.

[0028] According to a preferred embodiment, the smoke guiding plate is made of glass. As an alternative, the smoke guiding plate can also be made of Plexiglas, plastic or other light-conducting materials.

[0029] According to one embodiment, the range hood device has an intake opening through which air is drawn downward, and the at least one smoke guide plate is arranged adjacent to the intake opening. In this embodiment, the present invention can also be referred to as a tabletop ventilator or a recessed ventilator. In this embodiment, the design according to the invention of the smoke guide plate as a light conductor can be particularly well utilized. In particular, the smoke guide plate can be used as a design element or functional light by directing light from a lighting device.

[0030] According to one embodiment, the smoke guide plate is oriented vertically, at least a portion of the smoke guide plate projects upward beyond the plane of the intake opening, and at least the portion of the edge that projects beyond the plane of the intake opening is at least partially roughened. As a result, all edges of the smoke guide plate visible to the user can be used for uniform light output. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0031] The present invention will be described again below with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein:

[0032] Figure 1 A schematic perspective view of an embodiment of the range hood extraction device according to the present invention is shown;

[0033] Figure 2 A schematic sectional view of an embodiment of the range hood device according to the invention is shown in the region of the lighting device;

[0034] Figure 3 A schematic cross-sectional view showing an embodiment of the lighting device;

[0035] Figure 4 shows a schematic longitudinal sectional view of an embodiment of the device according to the invention;

[0036] Figure 5 A schematic longitudinal sectional view of another embodiment of the lighting device is shown; and

[0037] Figure 6 A schematic longitudinal sectional view of another embodiment of the lighting device is shown. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0038] exist Figure 1 A perspective view of an embodiment of the range hood device 1 according to the present invention is shown in FIG. The range hood device 1 is arranged behind the cooktop 5 in the worktop 6. The range hood device 1 comprises a range hood housing 2 in which a Figure 1 Only the top side can be seen. An intake port 20 is provided in the top side of the range hood housing 2. Steam and smoke generated during cooking on the cooktop 5 can be drawn into the range hood device 1 through this intake port 20. For this purpose, the range hood device 1 has a blower (not shown in the drawing).

[0039] exist Figure 1 In the embodiment shown, the range hood device 1 has two smoke guide plates 3. In particular, a smoke guide plate 3 is provided in front of the intake opening 20, that is, between the intake opening 30 and the cooktop 5 and behind the intake opening 20. The smoke guide plates 3 are located in a vertical line and represent flat plates, in particular glass plates. The front smoke guide plate 3 has a smaller width and height than the rear smoke guide plate 3. Below the intake opening 20, an illumination device (in the range hood housing 2) is arranged in the range hood device 1 and in particular in the range hood housing 2. Figure 1 (not visible in the figure), light can be introduced into the smoke guide plate 3 via the lighting device.

[0040] exist Figure 2, a schematic sectional view of an embodiment of the range hood device 1 in the region of the lighting device 4 is shown. In this embodiment, the range hood device 1 has only one smoke guide plate 3. The smoke guide plate 3 is guided in the range hood housing 2 by a vertically extending guide portion 21. The lower edge 30 of the smoke guide plate 30 faces the lighting device 4 and is arranged at a certain distance relative to the lighting device 4. In the embodiment shown, the lower edge 30 has a rounded shape, which represents a C-shape, in particular a C-ground surface in cross section. The lighting device 4 has a lighting unit 43, which has a circuit board 431 and a light source 430 arranged on the circuit board 431, in which the light source is located. Figure 2 Only one light source 430 can be seen. The circuit board 431 and the light source 430 are received in the housing 40. In addition, the lighting device 4 has a connector 42, through which the lighting device 4 can be connected to a power supply. Figure 2 The connecting cable can be seen from the connector 42 .

[0041] The lighting device 4 is arranged in the range hood housing 2 below the smoke guide plate 3. The lighting device 4 is oriented such that the light source 430 points upward. In particular, the lighting device 4 is oriented such that the light emitted by the light source 430 is directed toward the lower edge 30 of the smoke guide plate 3.

[0042] Since the housing 40 is transparent and the edge 30 of the smoke guide plate 3 facing the lighting device 4 has light-scattering properties and, in particular, has a roughened surface, light from the light source 430 can reach the smoke guide plate 3 without being scattered by the material of the housing 40 and there be scattered on the lower edge 30 and thus be uniformly introduced into the interior of the smoke guide plate 3. The front and back sides of the smoke guide plate 3 have reflective properties. In particular, the front and back sides of the smoke guide plate 3 can be polished. If, as in Figure 1 As outlined in FIG, at least the upper edge and, if appropriate, the side edges of the smoke guide plate 3 are also roughened, so that the light guided from the lower edge 30 by the smoke guide plate 3 to the upper or side edges by means of reflection can be emitted uniformly by scattering through these edges.

[0043] exist Figure 3FIGURE 1 shows an embodiment of the lighting device 4 of the range hood device 1 according to the present invention. The lighting device 4 comprises a housing 40 and a lighting unit 43 accommodated in the housing 40. In the embodiment shown, the housing 40 represents a one-piece housing, which is preferably produced by extrusion. Furthermore, the housing 40 represents a closed housing having closed walls on its top, bottom, and two side surfaces.

[0044] In the illustrated embodiment, the housing 40 has a rectangular cross-section. However, it is also within the scope of the present invention for the housing 40 to have another cross-section, such as a circular or oval cross-section. Two webs 402 are formed on opposing side walls within the housing 40, creating a groove 401 between them. The webs 402, and thus the groove, preferably extend over the entire length of the housing 40, which, when the lighting device 4 is installed in the range hood device 1, lies in the width direction of the range hood device 1. The circuit board 431 of the lighting unit 43 is inserted into the groove 401. In particular, the circuit board 431, together with the light source 430 mounted thereon, is inserted into the groove 401.

[0045] In the embodiment shown, at least the upper side of the housing 40 is transparent. The lighting unit 43 is received in the housing 40 in such a manner that the light source 430 faces this upper side.

[0046] exist Figure 4 、 5 6 show an embodiment of the lighting device 4 of the range hood device 1 in longitudinal sections. In these embodiments, the lighting device 4 has a closing cap 41 at each longitudinal end of the housing 40. The housing 40 represents, for example, an extruded profile, which is usually open at the longitudinal ends. By inserting or otherwise fixing the closing cap 41 at the longitudinal end, the housing 40 can be closed after the light-emitting unit 43 is placed in the interior of the housing 40. In addition, in the embodiment shown, a channel for a connector 42 is provided on the closing cap 41. The connector 42 rests on a circuit board 431 adjacent to the closing cap 41 in the interior of the housing 40.

[0047] In accordance with the lighting device 4 Figure 4In the embodiment of FIG, the lighting unit 43 is composed of a single circuit board 431 and four light sources 430 arranged thereon. The light sources 430 are not arranged equidistantly here. This is possible because, in the range hood device 1 according to the present invention, the light introduction into the smoke guide plate 3 and, therefore, the light output from the smoke guide plate 3 are uniform due to the properties of the edges of the housing 40 and the smoke guide plate 3.

[0048] In accordance with the lighting device 4 Figure 5 In the embodiment of FIG, the lighting unit 43 is composed of two circuit boards 431 and four light sources 430 arranged thereon. Two light sources 430 are arranged on each circuit board 431. In this embodiment, the circuit boards 431 are shorter than the housing 40. The circuit boards 431 are connected to each other via spacer elements 432, which can also be referred to as contact bridges. The spacer elements 432 serve in particular to establish electrical contact between the circuit boards 431, but can also mechanically support the circuit boards against each other.

[0049] In accordance with the lighting device 4 Figure 6 In the embodiment of FIG. 4 , the lighting unit 43 is composed of two circuit boards 431 and four light sources 430 disposed thereon. Two light sources 430 are disposed on each circuit board 431. In this embodiment, the circuit boards 431 are shorter than the housing 40. The circuit boards 431 directly abut against each other at contact locations 433.

[0050] According to one embodiment, the lighting device, which can also be referred to as a light strip, comprises a transparent profile having n-fold serially connected PCB segments (printed circuit board segments). The PCB segments can optionally comprise a continuous circuit board with LED groups or multiple circuit boards. Alternatively, in the transparent profile, the n-fold serially connected PCB segments can be contacted with one another, optionally using intermediate elements or without intermediate elements, by being arranged in rows.

[0051] The present invention is not limited to the embodiments shown. In particular, the number of light sources in the lighting unit can be greater than four and can also be an odd number. The number of circuit boards in the lighting unit can also be greater than two and can also be an odd number.

[0052] In the present invention, the illumination of at least one edge of the smoke guide plate (which can also be referred to as glass edge illumination) can be mechanically decoupled from the lighting device, and in particular the light source. This allows the edge of the smoke guide plate, in particular the glass edge, facing away from the lighting device, which can also be referred to as a light module, to be decoratively and uniformly illuminated. However, the present invention also allows the edge of the smoke guide plate, in particular the glass edge, to be configured to illuminate a work surface, in particular a stovetop, by redirecting light. In any case, the light source is preferably invisible and remains in the range hood arrangement when the smoke guide plate, in particular the glass pane or another passive light-conducting plate, is removed.

[0053] The invention allows light to be introduced into edges, in particular glass edges, of the smoke guide plate in order to illuminate the edges, in particular glass edges, of the smoke guide plate that are visible and extend beyond the plane of the worktop and in particular the cooktop.

[0054] The light introduction can be carried out within the entire glass edge length of the smoke guide plate by means of an extruded profile, preferably as a closed tubular profile, which is transparent in one piece. Here, this tube is constructed so that at least one LED printed circuit board can be inserted.

[0055] Crucial for a uniform lighting effect are the rough, light-scattering edges of the smoke guide plate, in particular glass edges, so that light beams entering the smoke guide plate and in particular the glass are scattered and thus better distributed in all directions.

[0056] On the emission surface, the rough edge of the smoke guiding plate, in particular the glass edge, leads to a diffusely luminous surface which significantly amplifies the visual perception of luminescence and brightness.

[0057] The lighting device required for this purpose, also referred to as a light module, is preferably produced in one piece as a closed tube (extrusion profile) made of clear plastic or another transparent material.

[0058] In the present invention, the uniformity of the light emitted by the smoke guide plate is achieved not by the scattering (opacity) of the material of the housing of the lighting device, but rather by the light-scattering properties of the edges of the smoke guide plate, in particular the light-scattering properties of the roughened edges of the glass pane. This method of producing uniformity has the advantage, in particular, that, compared to scattering, such as in diffusers, which results in significant losses in brightness (because this is always caused by light-trapping and light-scattering particles in the plastic due to manufacturing reasons), there is no or only a small loss of brightness to be expected with the range hood device according to the present invention.

[0059] Furthermore, in the present invention, the individual dots of the light source on the smoke guide plate are not visible.

[0060] Another advantage of the present invention is that when light is introduced into roughened glass, brightness losses are minimal or negligible, since there are no light-trapping elements. Instead, the uniform illumination of the glass surface, and in particular the glass edges, is preferably diffusely scattered in different directions simply by the rough surface and is thus perceived as a uniformly illuminated surface. There are no light-trapping elements.

[0061] To minimize brightness loss, actual light modules are preferably manufactured from clear, transparent, and non-turbid materials. Polished edges or surfaces of light-conducting materials reflect light on the inner surface and redirect it according to the physical principle of "incident angle = exit angle." In this case, only the individual reflected beams that reach the human eye are perceived as light. In the present invention, however, the edges are preferably roughened. This effectively diffusely scatters all incident light beams to the sides. This allows significantly more light beams to be captured by the eye, which in turn significantly increases the luminous density of the roughened surface, and with it, the brightness.

[0062] List of reference numerals:

[0063] 1 Range hood

[0064] 2 Range hood housing

[0065] 20 suction port

[0066] 21 Guide

[0067] 3 Smoke guide plate

[0068] 30 Lower edge

[0069] 4 lighting fixtures

[0070] 40 shell

[0071] 401 slot

[0072] 402 spacer

[0073] 41 Closure Cap

[0074] 42 connectors

[0075] 43 light-emitting units

[0076] 430 Light Source

[0077] 431 Circuit Board

[0078] 432 Spacers

[0079] 433 contact position

[0080] 5. Stove

[0081] 6 Work Boards.

Claims

1. A fume extraction device comprising at least one fume guide plate (3), an intake opening (20) and at least one lighting device (4), wherein: The smoke guide plate (3) is a planar element that guides air sucked in by a blower inside the range hood device to the suction port (20), characterized in that the smoke guide plate (3) represents a light conductor, the lighting device (4) comprises a housing (40) for at least one light source (430), the housing being at least partially made of a transparent material, at least one portion of the lighting device (4) made of the transparent material facing the smoke guide plate (3), and at least one portion of the edge (30) of the smoke guide plate (3) facing the lighting device (4) having light scattering properties, wherein the housing (40) represents a closed housing (40), wherein the lighting device (4) comprises The invention relates to a lighting unit (43), wherein the lighting unit comprises at least one light source (430) and a circuit board (431), and the lighting unit (43) is inserted into the housing (40) of the lighting device (4), and two spacers (402) are respectively constructed on mutually opposite side walls inside the housing (40), and a groove (401) is generated between the spacers, and the spacers (402) and thus the groove extend over the entire length of the housing (40), and the entire length is in the width direction of the range hood device (1) when the lighting device (4) is installed in the range hood device (1), and the circuit board (431) together with the light source (430) arranged thereon is inserted into the groove (401).

2. The range hood extraction device according to claim 1, wherein the housing (40) of the lighting device (4) represents an integrated housing (40).

3. The range hood extraction device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the entire housing (40) is made of a transparent material.

4. The range hood device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the housing (40) represents an extruded profile made of plastic.

5. The range hood extraction device according to claim 1, wherein the lighting device (4) has a light-emitting unit (43), the light-emitting unit having a circuit board (431), at least two directly contacting circuit boards (431), or at least two circuit boards (431) connected to each other via a spacer (432). 6 . The range hood device according to claim 1 , wherein the edge ( 30 ) of the smoke guide plate ( 3 ) having light-scattering properties has a roughened surface.

7. The range hood device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein at least one edge of the smoke guide plate (3) having light-scattering properties faces away from the at least one lighting device (4).

8. The range hood device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the smoke guide plate (3) is made of glass.

9. The range hood extraction device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the range hood extraction device (1) has an intake port (20) through which air is sucked downward, and the at least one smoke guide plate (3) is arranged adjacent to the intake port (20).

10. The range hood device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the smoke guide plate (3) is oriented vertically, at least one portion of the smoke guide plate (3) extends upward beyond the plane in which the suction port (20) is located, and at least the portion of the edge of the smoke guide plate (3) extending beyond the plane of the suction port is at least partially roughened.

Images