Self-cleaning range hood and self-cleaning control method

Abstract

The present application relates to a kind of self-cleaning fan, range hood and self-cleaning control method.The self-cleaning fan includes fan main body and cleaning device.The fan main body includes: fan main body, the fan main body includes the volute with axial strip-shaped hole and the impeller being rotatably arranged in the volute;Volute baffle, the volute baffle is slidably arranged in the volute;And cleaning device, the cleaning device includes the cleaning piece being linked with the volute baffle and the driving mechanism being drivingly connected with the cleaning piece;When the cleaning piece is axially moved relative to the volute by the driving of the driving mechanism to approach or away from the axial strip-shaped hole, the volute baffle is slid relative to the volute under the driving of the cleaning piece to open or close the axial strip-shaped hole.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present application relates to the technical field of kitchen equipment, in particular to a self-cleaning fan, a range hood and a self-cleaning control method. BACKGROUND

[0002] At present, in order to realize the self-cleaning function of the range hood, the cleaning is usually carried out in the way of spraying water jet, water vapor, spraying and drum washing. With the continuous progress of the self-cleaning technology of the range hood, the steam cleaning or water jet cleaning method has been widely applied in the self-cleaning field of the range hood due to water saving and good cleaning effect. The basic principle is that the steam generator generates steam or the water pump pumps water, and the steam or water is delivered to the nozzle at the end of the spray pipe. The steam or water is quickly sprayed from the nozzle to clean the impeller and the volute.

[0003] A self-cleaning scheme in the prior art is to fixedly arrange a cleaning device in the flow channel of the fan towards the impeller blades to spray cleaning medium. However, this not only affects the effect of the range hood due to the occupation of the flow channel space by the cleaning device, but also cannot achieve comprehensive cleaning due to the fixed nozzle of the cleaning device.

[0004] In order to achieve comprehensive cleaning, the prior application of the applicant, Chinese patent No. CN202211517097.4, “Self-cleaning fan, range hood and self-cleaning method for range hood” proposes to clean each position on the blade by slotting the volute ring wall and rotating the nozzle into the volute. However, this rotating spray method can achieve larger area cleaning and does not occupy the flow channel space in the state of the range hood. On the one hand, the slot on the volute ring wall affects the overall performance of the fan system, and on the other hand, the jet spray distance becomes smaller first and then larger with the rotation of the nozzle. Since the impact force of the jet is inversely proportional to the spray distance, the impact force on the middle part of the blade will be greater than that on the two ends of the blade. Therefore, the cleaning effect on different parts of each blade will be inconsistent, i.e. the cleaning effect on the middle part of the blade will be better than that on the two ends of the blade, resulting in that the oil stains on the two ends of the blade are difficult to clean due to the small impact force. SUMMARY

[0005] Therefore, it is necessary to solve the problems of the cleaning device affecting the overall performance of the fan system and the inconsistent cleaning effect. The present application provides a self-cleaning fan, a range hood and a self-cleaning control method.

[0006] In one embodiment of the present application, the present application provides a self-cleaning fan, comprising:

[0007] a fan body, the fan body comprising a volute having an axial strip-shaped hole and an impeller rotatably arranged in the volute;

[0008] A volute baffle, the volute baffle being slidably disposed on the volute; and

[0009] A cleaning device includes a cleaning component linked to the volute baffle and a driving mechanism driven by the cleaning component; when the cleaning component moves axially relative to the volute under the drive of the driving mechanism to approach or move away from the axial slot, the volute baffle slides relative to the volute under the drive of the cleaning component to open or close the axial slot.

[0010] In one embodiment of this application, the volute includes an annular wall, a volute tongue protruding outward from the annular wall, and a pair of end plates connected to the two axial ends of the annular wall; the axial slot is formed in the annular wall; the volute baffle can be circumferentially slidable on the annular wall, so as to slide circumferentially against the annular wall under the action of the cleaning member.

[0011] In one embodiment of this application, the volute baffle has a guide slide with a linkage section extending obliquely relative to the rotation axis of the impeller; the cleaning component includes an actuating block driven by the drive mechanism, a nozzle disposed on the actuating block, and a guide post disposed on the actuating block, the guide post extending from the actuating block to the guide slide to slide along the linkage section under the drive of the actuating block.

[0012] In one embodiment of this application, the linkage section of the guide slide has a closed end adjacent to the edge of the volute baffle and an open end away from the edge of the volute baffle.

[0013] In one embodiment of this application, the guide rail further includes a single-row segment extending axially from the open end of the linkage section.

[0014] In one embodiment of this application, the volute baffle includes a cover plate portion for sealing the axial strip hole, a pair of sliding portions extending outward from both axial ends of the cover plate portion, and a guide rail portion protruding from the cover plate portion; the sliding portions of the volute baffle are slidably connected to the end plate of the volute, and the guide rail portion extends bently on the cover plate portion to provide the guide slide.

[0015] In one embodiment of this application, the end plate of the volute is provided with a circumferentially extending forming groove, and the sliding part of the volute baffle is slidably embedded in the forming groove.

[0016] In one embodiment of this application, the cleaning component further includes an oil sensor disposed on the actuating block; the oil sensor is located on the actuating block adjacent to the nozzle.

[0017] In one embodiment of this application, the volute further includes an air outlet plate disposed on the volute tongue, the axial strip hole is located on the annular wall adjacent to the volute tongue, and the drive mechanism is disposed on the air outlet plate.

[0018] In one embodiment of this application, the driving mechanism includes a drive motor mounted on the air outlet plate, a lead screw connected to the output shaft of the drive motor, a ball sleeve threadedly connected to the lead screw, and a slide rod arranged parallel to the lead screw; the actuating block of the cleaning component is slidably fitted onto the slide rod, and the actuating block is fixedly connected to the ball sleeve.

[0019] According to another aspect of this application, this application further provides a range hood, comprising:

[0020] shell; and

[0021] The self-cleaning fan described above is disposed within the housing.

[0022] According to another aspect of this application, this application further provides a self-cleaning control method, comprising the steps of:

[0023] S100: When the cleaning mode is started, the impeller is controlled to rotate at a predetermined speed, and the drive mechanism is controlled to drive the cleaning parts to move axially so as to drive the volute baffle to slide and open the axial strip hole.

[0024] S200: Controls the nozzle of the cleaning component to spray cleaning medium during axial movement, so as to propel it through the axial slot towards the impeller blades; and

[0025] S300: After all the blades of the impeller have been cleaned, control the drive mechanism to drive the cleaning component to move axially, thereby causing the volute baffle to slide in the opposite direction and close the axial strip hole, thus stopping the cleaning mode.

[0026] In one embodiment of this application, step S200 of the self-cleaning control method includes the following steps:

[0027] S210: Control the nozzle to continuously spray cleaning medium onto the impeller at the current axial position;

[0028] S220: The oil stain sensor controlling the cleaning component measures the fluorescence intensity at the current axial position for a predetermined time step, and compares the measured fluorescence intensity with a preset threshold.

[0029] S230: In response to the measured fluorescence intensity being less than the preset threshold, the drive mechanism is controlled to move the cleaning component axially to the next axial position, and then the process returns to step S210; and

[0030] S240: In response to the measured fluorescence intensity being greater than or equal to the preset threshold, continue to execute step S220.

[0031] In summary, the self-cleaning fan of this application uses only one drive mechanism to realize the movement of the cleaning component and the sliding of the volute baffle, simplifying the fan structure and eliminating the need for cooperation between two drive mechanisms, thus facilitating control. Driven by the drive mechanism, the cleaning component moves axially to slide the volute baffle and open the axial slot, allowing the cleaning medium to be sprayed evenly to different axial parts of the impeller through the axial slot, ensuring a high degree of consistency in cleaning effect. Similarly, the axial movement of the cleaning component, driven by the drive mechanism, can also cause the volute baffle to slide in the opposite direction and close the axial slot. This not only does not affect the fume extraction effect but also prevents fumes inside the volute from leaking through the axial slot and contaminating the cleaning component, thereby preventing pressure loss inside the volute, avoiding noise caused by airflow disturbance, and contributing to improved fume extraction efficiency. Attached Figure Description

[0032] Figure 1 This is a perspective view of a range hood according to an embodiment of this application;

[0033] Figure 2 An exploded schematic diagram of a range hood according to the above embodiments of this application is shown;

[0034] Figure 3 A perspective view of a self-cleaning fan in a range hood according to the above embodiments of this application is shown;

[0035] Figure 4 An explosion diagram of a self-cleaning fan according to the above embodiments of this application is shown;

[0036] Figure 5 A perspective cross-sectional view of a self-cleaning fan according to the above embodiments of this application is shown;

[0037] Figure 6 A perspective view of the volute baffle in the self-cleaning fan according to the above embodiments of this application is shown;

[0038] Figure 7 A perspective view of a cleaning device in a self-cleaning fan according to the above embodiments of this application is shown;

[0039] Figure 8 A schematic diagram illustrating the state switching of a self-cleaning fan according to the above embodiments of this application is shown.

[0040] Figure 9This is a schematic flowchart of a self-cleaning control method according to an embodiment of this application;

[0041] Figure 10 A flowchart illustrating the cleaning step in a self-cleaning control method according to an embodiment of this application is shown.

[0042] Explanation of main component symbols: 1. Self-cleaning fan; 10. Fan body; 11. Volute; 110. Axial strip hole; 111. Annular wall; 112. Volute tongue; 113. End plate; 1130. Forming groove; 114. Air outlet plate; 12. Impeller; 120. Blade; 20. Volute baffle; 200. Guide slide; 201. Linkage section; 2011. Closed end; 2012. Open end; 202. Single section; 21. Cover plate; 22. Sliding joint; 23. Guide rail; 30. Cleaning device; 31. Cleaning component; 311. Actuating block; 312. Nozzle; 313. Guide column; 314. Oil stain sensor; 32. Drive mechanism; 321. Drive motor; 322. Lead screw; 323. Ball sleeve; 324. Slide rod; 2. Housing.

[0043] The above description of the main component symbols, together with the accompanying drawings and specific embodiments, provides a more detailed explanation of the present invention. Detailed Implementation

[0044] To make the above-mentioned objects, features, and advantages of the present invention more apparent and understandable, specific embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Many specific details are set forth in the following description to provide a thorough understanding of the present invention. However, the present invention can be practiced in many other ways different from those described herein, and those skilled in the art can make similar modifications without departing from the spirit of the present invention. Therefore, the present invention is not limited to the specific embodiments disclosed below.

[0045] In the description of this invention, it should be understood that the terms "center," "longitudinal," "lateral," "length," "width," "thickness," "upper," "lower," "front," "rear," "left," "right," "vertical," "horizontal," "top," "bottom," "inner," "outer," "clockwise," "counterclockwise," "axial," "radial," and "circumferential" indicate the orientation or positional relationship based on the orientation shown in the accompanying drawings.

[0046] The positional relationships are provided only for the convenience of describing the invention and for simplifying the description, and are not intended to indicate or imply that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, or be constructed and operated in a specific orientation, and therefore should not be construed as limiting the invention.

[0047] Furthermore, the terms "first" and "second" are used for descriptive purposes only and should not be construed as indicating or implying relative importance or implicitly specifying the number of technical features indicated. Thus, a feature defined as "first" or "second" may explicitly or implicitly include at least one of that feature. In the description of this invention, "a plurality of" means at least two, such as two, three, etc., unless otherwise explicitly specified.

[0048] In this invention, unless otherwise explicitly specified and limited, the terms "installation," "connection," "linking," and "fixing," etc., should be interpreted broadly. For example, they can refer to a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or an integral part; they can refer to a mechanical connection or an electrical connection; they can refer to a direct connection or an indirect connection through an intermediate medium; they can refer to the internal communication of two components or the interaction between two components, unless otherwise explicitly limited. Those skilled in the art can understand the specific meaning of the above terms in this invention according to the specific circumstances.

[0049] In this invention, unless otherwise explicitly specified and limited, "above" or "below" the second feature can mean that the first feature is in direct contact with the second feature, or that the first feature is in indirect contact with the second feature through an intermediate medium. Furthermore, "above," "over," and "on top" of the second feature can mean that the first feature is directly above or diagonally above the second feature, or simply that the first feature is at a higher horizontal level than the second feature. "Below," "below," and "under" the second feature can mean that the first feature is directly below or diagonally below the second feature, or simply that the first feature is at a lower horizontal level than the second feature.

[0050] It should be noted that when an element is referred to as being "fixed to" or "set on" another element, it can be directly on the other element or there may be an intervening element. When an element is considered to be "connected to" another element, it can be directly connected to the other element or there may be an intervening element. The terms "vertical," "horizontal," "upper," "lower," "left," "right," and similar expressions used herein are for illustrative purposes only and do not represent the only possible implementation.

[0051] While existing rotary jet cleaning solutions can achieve larger cleaning areas, the grooves on the volute ring wall affect the overall performance of the fan system. Furthermore, the jet distance initially decreases and then increases as the nozzle rotates, resulting in better cleaning of the middle section of the blades than the ends, making it difficult to clean the oil stains at the blade ends due to the weaker impact force. Therefore, this application provides a self-cleaning fan, a range hood, and a self-cleaning control method that maintains consistent cleaning results without affecting the overall performance of the fan system.

[0052] Specifically, see the attached document. Figure 1 and Figure 2 As shown, one embodiment of this application provides a range hood, which may include a housing 2 and a self-cleaning fan 1 mounted on the housing for absorbing cooking fumes. It is understood that the range hood of this application may also include, but is not limited to, cleaning media supply components (such as a water tank and / or steam generator), a water receiving box, and / or sensors to assist in completing the functions of fume extraction and self-cleaning; these will not be elaborated upon here.

[0053] More specifically, such as Figures 3 to 8 As shown, the self-cleaning fan 1 may include a fan body 10, a volute baffle 20, and a cleaning device 30. The fan body 10 includes a volute 11 with an axial slotted hole 110 and an impeller 12 rotatably disposed within the volute 11. The volute baffle 20 is slidably disposed within the volute 11. The cleaning device 30 includes a cleaning component 31 linked to the volute baffle 20 and a drive mechanism 32 drivenly connected to the cleaning component 31; when the cleaning component 31 moves axially relative to the volute 11 to approach or move away from the axial slotted hole 110 under the drive of the drive mechanism 32, the volute baffle 20 slides relative to the volute 11 under the drive of the cleaning component 31 to open or close the axial slotted hole 110. It is understood that the axial direction mentioned in this application refers to the extension direction of the rotation axis of the impeller 12; that is, the length direction of the axial slotted hole 110 is consistent with the extension direction of the rotation axis of the impeller 12.

[0054] It is worth noting that the self-cleaning fan 1 of this application can realize the movement of the cleaning component 31 and the sliding of the volute baffle 20 using only one drive mechanism 32, which simplifies the fan structure and eliminates the need for cooperation between two drive mechanisms, making it easier to control. In other words, the self-cleaning fan 1 of this application only needs to control the drive mechanism 32 to drive the cleaning component 31 to rotate relative to the volute 11, which can drive the volute baffle 20 to slide relative to the volute 11, thereby realizing the switching of the fan's state.

[0055] On the one hand, when it is necessary to clean oil stains (i.e. during the cleaning of impeller 12), the drive mechanism 32 can drive the cleaning component 31 to move axially to approach the axial slot 110, so that the cleaning component 31 drives the volute baffle 20 to slide to open the axial slot 110, thereby allowing the self-cleaning fan 1 to enter the cleaning state; at this time, the cleaning component 31 can spray the cleaning medium onto the impeller 12 through the axial slot 110, and as the cleaning component 31 moves further axially to move along the length direction of the axial slot 110, the cleaning component 31 can spray the cleaning medium onto different axial parts of the impeller 12 at the same spray distance, ensuring that the cleaning effect remains highly consistent.

[0056] On the other hand, when it is necessary to extract oil fumes (i.e. before or after cleaning the impeller 12), the drive mechanism 32 can drive the cleaning component 31 to move axially away from the axial strip hole 110, so that the cleaning component 31 drives the volute baffle 20 to slide to close the axial strip hole 110, thereby enabling the self-cleaning fan 1 to enter the oil fume extraction state. At this time, the axial strip hole 110 is blocked, which not only does not affect the oil fume extraction effect, but also prevents the oil fumes inside the volute 11 from leaking through the axial strip hole 110 and contaminating the cleaning component 31, thereby preventing the loss of wind pressure inside the volute 11, avoiding noise caused by airflow disturbance, and helping to improve the oil fume extraction effect.

[0057] Furthermore, regardless of whether it is in the cleaning state or the fume extraction state (i.e., the non-cleaning state), the cleaning device 30 in the self-cleaning fan 1 of this application will not occupy the flow channel space of the fan, and the axial strip hole 110 that is closed in the fume extraction state will not affect the overall performance of the fan system.

[0058] For example, such as Figure 3 , Figure 4 as well as Figure 8 As shown, the volute 11 includes an annular wall 111, a volute tongue 112 protruding outward from the annular wall 111, and a pair of end plates 113 connected to the two axial ends of the annular wall 111. The axial slotted hole 110 is formed in the annular wall 111. The volute baffle 20 can slide circumferentially on the annular wall 111, so as to slide circumferentially against the annular wall 111 under the action of the cleaning member 31, to open or close the axial slotted hole 110 without protruding from the end plates 113 of the volute 11, thus avoiding increasing the axial dimension of the fan. The impeller 12 has multiple blades 120 arranged circumferentially and extending axially. In this way, when the impeller 12 rotates in the volute 11, the gas in the volute 11 is driven by the blades 120 to be discharged from the volute tongue 112, forming a negative pressure in the central region of the volute 11, thereby drawing in external oil fumes through the opening of the end plate 113, so as to achieve the effect of oil fume extraction.

[0059] Optionally, such as Figure 4 , Figure 5 as well as Figure 7 As shown, the volute baffle 20 has a guide slide 200, which has a linkage section 201 extending obliquely relative to the rotation axis of the impeller 12. Figure 4 and Figure 6As shown, the cleaning component 31 includes an actuating block 311 connected to the driving mechanism 32, a nozzle 312 disposed on the actuating block 311, and a guide post 313 disposed on the actuating block 311. The guide post 313 extends from the actuating block 311 to the guide slide 200, so as to slide along the linkage section 201 under the drive of the actuating block 311. It can be understood that since the linkage section 201 of this application is inclined relative to the rotation axis of the impeller 12, when the guide post 313 moves axially under the drive of the actuating block 311 to slide along the linkage section 201, the guide post 313 will drive the volute baffle 20 to slide circumferentially against the annular wall 111 to open or close the axial strip hole 110, thereby realizing the linkage connection between the cleaning component 31 and the volute baffle 20.

[0060] Optionally, such as Figure 5 , Figure 7 as well as Figure 8 As shown, the linkage section 201 of the guide slide 200 has a closed end 2011 adjacent to the edge of the volute baffle 20 and an open end 2012 away from the edge of the volute baffle 20. Thus, when the drive mechanism 32 drives the actuating block 311 of the cleaning member 31 to move axially closer to the axial slot 110, the guide post 313, driven by the actuating block 311, slides along the linkage section 201 of the guide slide 200 toward the open end 2012; at this time, the volute baffle 20 is driven by the guide post 313 to slide circumferentially away from the axial slot 110 along the annular wall 111, so that the axial slot 110 is opened, facilitating the cleaning medium sprayed through the nozzle 312 to be directly sprayed onto the impeller 12 through the axial slot 110. When the drive mechanism 32 drives the actuating block 311 of the cleaning component 31 to move axially away from the axial strip hole 110, the guide post 313, driven by the actuating block 311, slides along the linkage section 201 of the guide slide 200 toward the closed end 2011. At this time, the volute baffle 20 is driven by the guide post 313 to slide circumferentially close to the axial strip hole 110 along the annular wall 111, so that the axial strip hole 110 is closed, preventing the loss of wind pressure inside the volute 11 and improving the oil fume extraction effect.

[0061] Optionally, such as Figure 5 , Figure 7 as well as Figure 8As shown, the guide slide 200 further has a single-row section 202 extending axially from the open end 2012 of the linkage section 201, so that the guide post 313 can slide along the linkage section 201 under the action of the actuating block 311. Thus, after the guide post 313 slides from the open end 2012 of the linkage section 201 into the single-row section 202 under the drive of the actuating block 311, the axially moving guide post 313 will slide within the axially extending single-row section 202, and will no longer drive the volute baffle 20 to slide circumferentially relative to the annular wall 111. That is to say, when the guide post 313 slides from the open end 2012 of the linkage section 201 into the single-row section 202, the axial strip hole 110 has already been opened. Afterwards, as the guide post 313 is further driven to slide along the single-row section 202, the volute baffle 20 is fixed relative to the annular wall 111, which helps to reduce the axial movement resistance of the guide post 313, thereby reducing the driving force of the drive mechanism 32, so as to save energy and improve the control accuracy of the moving position of the nozzle 312. Understandably, after the guide post 313 is driven to slide from the single section 202 into the linkage section 201, the guide post 313 will resume its function of driving the volute baffle 20 to slide circumferentially relative to the annular wall 111.

[0062] Optionally, such as Figure 5 and Figure 7 As shown, the volute baffle 20 may include a cover plate portion 21 for sealing the axial strip hole 110, a pair of sliding portions 22 extending outward from both axial ends of the cover plate portion 21, and a guide rail portion 23 protruding from the cover plate portion 21; the sliding portion 22 of the volute baffle 20 is slidably connected to the end plate 113 of the volute 11 so that the cover plate portion 21 is attached to the outer surface of the annular wall 111; the guide rail portion 23 extends bently on the cover plate portion 21 to provide the guide slide 200.

[0063] Optionally, such as Figure 4 , Figure 5 as well as Figure 8 As shown, the end plate 113 of the volute 11 is provided with a circumferentially extending molding groove 1130. The sliding part 22 of the volute baffle 20 is slidably embedded in the molding groove 1130 to slide along the molding groove 1130, so that the volute baffle 20 can only slide circumferentially to open or close the axial strip hole 110.

[0064] Optionally, the inner surface of the cover plate portion 21 of the volute baffle 20 is made curved, and the radius of curvature of the inner surface of the cover plate portion 21 is preferably equal to the radius of curvature of the outer surface of the annular wall 111, so that the cover plate portion 21 can fit tightly against the annular wall 111 in order to better seal the axial strip hole 110.

[0065] Optionally, such asFigure 3 and Figure 4 As shown, the volute 11 may further include an air outlet plate 114 disposed on the volute tongue 112. The axial strip hole 110 is located on the annular wall 111 adjacent to the volute tongue 112. The drive mechanism 32 is disposed on the air outlet plate 114 to drive the cleaning component 31 to move axially closer to or away from the axial strip hole 110. In this way, on the one hand, the axial strip hole 110 can correspond to the area with lower wind pressure on the volute 11, which helps to reduce the risk of oil fume leakage; on the other hand, the cleaning device 30 makes full use of the empty area of ​​the volute 11, making the structure of the fan compact and not increasing the size of the fan, which helps to ensure the small size of the range hood. It is understood that in other examples of this application, the drive mechanism 32 may also be disposed in other positions such as the housing 2, as long as it can provide driving force for the cleaning component 31, which will not be described in detail in this application.

[0066] It is worth noting that, in order to test the degree of oil contamination and the effectiveness of oil cleaning, such as Figure 4 and Figure 6 As shown, the cleaning component 31 of this application may further include an oil stain sensor 314 disposed on the actuating block 311. This sensor can use fluorescence spectroscopy to detect oil stains on the impeller 12, enabling closed-loop control based on sensor feedback and balancing water usage and cleanliness to a certain extent. For example, the oil stain sensor 314 may be equipped with an ultraviolet light generator emitting a specific wavelength and a photodiode for measuring ultraviolet fluorescence intensity, so as to determine the degree of oil contamination based on the measured ultraviolet fluorescence intensity; that is, the stronger the ultraviolet fluorescence intensity, the greater the degree of oil contamination, requiring more cleaning medium to be sprayed for cleaning; and vice versa.

[0067] Optionally, such as Figure 4 and Figure 6 As shown, the oil stain sensor 314 is located on the actuating block 311 near the nozzle 312, so that after the cleaning member 31 approaches the axial strip hole 110 axially to open the axial strip hole 110, the part detected by the oil stain sensor 314 is consistent with the part sprayed by the nozzle 312, so as to determine the duration of spray cleaning according to the measured degree of oil stain contamination.

[0068] It is worth noting that the oil stain sensor 314 is preferably located on the side of the nozzle 312 away from the axial slot 110. This way, when the self-cleaning fan 1 is in the fume extraction state, the oil stain sensor 314 can be located at a position far from the axial slot 110, preventing oil fumes leaking through the axial slot 110 from contaminating the oil stain sensor 314. Furthermore, the nozzle 312, which moves along the length of the axial slot 110, can spray cleaning media to any axial position of the impeller 12 to clean the entire area of ​​the corresponding blade 120. By rotating the impeller 12, all blades 120 can be cleaned, achieving full-area cleaning of the impeller 12.

[0069] According to the above embodiments of this application, as Figure 3 and Figure 6 As shown, the drive mechanism 32 may include a drive motor 321 mounted on the air outlet plate 114, a lead screw 322 connected to the output shaft of the drive motor 321, a ball sleeve 323 threadedly connected to the lead screw 322, and a slide rod 324 arranged parallel to the lead screw 322. The actuating block 311 of the cleaning component 31 is slidably fitted onto the slide rod 324, and the actuating block 311 is fixedly connected to the ball sleeve 323. Thus, when the drive motor 321 drives the lead screw 322 to rotate, the ball sleeve 323 moves linearly along the length direction of the lead screw 322 to drive the actuating block 311 to slide along the slide rod 324, thereby driving the nozzle 312, the guide post 313, and the oil stain sensor 314 to move axially through the actuating block 311 to achieve the desired self-cleaning effect. It is understood that in other embodiments of this application, the drive mechanism 32 may also be implemented as other types of drive mechanisms such as hydraulic drive, linear motor and pneumatic drive, as long as it can drive the cleaning component 31 to move axially. This application will not elaborate on this further.

[0070] According to another aspect of this application, such as Figure 9 As shown, one embodiment of this application further provides a self-cleaning control method, which may include the steps of:

[0071] S100: When the cleaning mode is started, the impeller is controlled to rotate at a predetermined speed, and the drive mechanism is controlled to drive the cleaning parts to move axially so as to drive the volute baffle to slide and open the axial strip hole.

[0072] S200: Controls the nozzle of the cleaning component to spray cleaning medium through the axial slot towards the impeller blades during axial movement; and

[0073] S300: After all the blades of the impeller have been cleaned, control the drive mechanism to drive the cleaning component to move axially so that the volute baffle slides in the opposite direction to close the axial strip hole, and stop the cleaning mode.

[0074] It is worth noting that, in one example of this application, such as Figure 10 As shown, step S200 of the self-cleaning control method of this application may include the following steps:

[0075] S210: Control the nozzle to continuously spray cleaning medium onto the impeller at the current axial position;

[0076] S220: The oil stain sensor controlling the cleaning component measures the fluorescence intensity at the current axial position for a predetermined time step, and compares the measured fluorescence intensity with a preset threshold.

[0077] S230: In response to the measured fluorescence intensity being less than the preset threshold, the drive mechanism is controlled to move the cleaning component axially to the next axial position to repeat step S210; and

[0078] S240: In response to the measured fluorescence intensity being greater than or equal to the preset threshold, continue to execute step S220.

[0079] Optionally, the predetermined time step t mentioned in this application can be, but is not limited to, t = 60 / n, where n is the rotational speed of the impeller. It is understood that the preset threshold mentioned in this application can be set according to the cleaning compliance requirements; that is, when the measured fluorescence intensity is less than the preset threshold, the cleaning is considered to be compliant. This threshold can be obtained through an oil stain cleaning test, which will not be elaborated upon in this application.

[0080] The technical features of the above embodiments can be combined in any way. For the sake of brevity, not all possible combinations of the technical features in the above embodiments are described. However, as long as there is no contradiction in the combination of these technical features, they should be considered to be within the scope of this specification.

[0081] The above embodiments merely illustrate several implementation methods of the present invention, and their descriptions are relatively specific and detailed, but they should not be construed as limiting the scope of the invention patent. It should be noted that those skilled in the art can make various modifications and improvements without departing from the concept of the present invention, and these all fall within the protection scope of the present invention. Therefore, the protection scope of this invention patent should be determined by the appended claims.

Claims

1. A self-cleaning fan, characterized in that, include: The fan body includes a volute with an axial slot and an impeller rotatably disposed within the volute; the impeller has multiple blades arranged circumferentially and extending axially. A volute baffle, the volute baffle being slidably disposed on the volute; as well as A cleaning device, comprising a cleaning component linked to the volute baffle and a driving mechanism driven by the cleaning component; when the cleaning component moves axially relative to the volute under the drive of the driving mechanism to approach or move away from the axial slot, the volute baffle slides relative to the volute under the drive of the cleaning component to open or close the axial slot. The volute includes an annular wall, a volute tongue protruding outward from the annular wall, and a pair of end plates connected to the two ends of the annular wall axially; the axial slot is formed in the annular wall; the volute baffle can be circumferentially slidable on the annular wall, so as to slide circumferentially against the annular wall under the action of the cleaning component; The volute baffle has a guide slide, which has a linkage section that extends obliquely relative to the rotation axis of the impeller; the cleaning component includes an actuating block that is kinetically connected to the drive mechanism, a nozzle disposed on the actuating block, and a guide post disposed on the actuating block, the guide post extending from the actuating block to the guide slide to slide along the linkage section under the drive of the actuating block.

2. The self-cleaning fan according to claim 1, characterized in that, The linkage section of the guide slide has a closed end adjacent to the edge of the volute baffle and an open end away from the edge of the volute baffle.

3. The self-cleaning fan according to claim 2, characterized in that, The guide slide further includes a single-row section extending axially from the open end of the linkage section.

4. The self-cleaning fan according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that, The volute baffle includes a cover plate portion for sealing the axial strip hole, a pair of sliding portions extending outward from both axial ends of the cover plate portion, and a guide rail portion protruding from the cover plate portion; the sliding portions of the volute baffle are slidably connected to the end plate of the volute, and the guide rail portion extends bent on the cover plate portion to provide the guide slide.

5. The self-cleaning fan according to claim 4, characterized in that, The end plate of the volute is provided with a circumferentially extending forming groove, and the sliding part of the volute baffle is slidably embedded in the forming groove.

6. The self-cleaning fan according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that, The cleaning component further includes an oil sensor disposed on the actuating block; the oil sensor is located on the actuating block adjacent to the nozzle.

7. The self-cleaning fan according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that, The volute further includes an air outlet plate disposed on the volute tongue, the axial strip hole is located on the annular wall adjacent to the volute tongue, and the drive mechanism is disposed on the air outlet plate.

8. The self-cleaning fan according to claim 7, characterized in that, The drive mechanism includes a drive motor mounted on the air outlet plate, a lead screw connected to the output shaft of the drive motor, a ball sleeve threaded to the lead screw, and a slide rod arranged parallel to the lead screw; the actuating block of the cleaning component is slidably fitted onto the slide rod, and the actuating block is fixedly connected to the ball sleeve.

9. A range hood, characterized in that, include: case; and The self-cleaning fan as described in any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the self-cleaning fan is disposed within the housing.

10. A self-cleaning control method, characterized in that, For a self-cleaning fan as described in any one of claims 1 to 8, the steps include: S100: When the cleaning mode is started, the impeller is controlled to rotate at a predetermined speed, and the drive mechanism is controlled to drive the cleaning parts to move axially so as to drive the volute baffle to slide and open the axial strip hole. S200: Control the nozzle of the cleaning component to spray cleaning medium during axial movement, so as to shoot it towards the blades of the impeller through the axial strip hole; as well as S300: After all the blades of the impeller have been cleaned, control the drive mechanism to drive the cleaning component to move axially, thereby causing the volute baffle to slide in the opposite direction and close the axial strip hole, thus stopping the cleaning mode.

11. The self-cleaning control method according to claim 10, characterized in that, Step S200 of the self-cleaning control method includes the following steps: S210: Control the nozzle to continuously spray cleaning medium onto the impeller at the current axial position; S220: The oil stain sensor controlling the cleaning component measures the fluorescence intensity at the current axial position for a predetermined time step, and compares the measured fluorescence intensity with a preset threshold. S230: In response to the measured fluorescence intensity being less than the preset threshold, the drive mechanism is controlled to move the cleaning component axially to the next axial position, and then the process returns to step S210; and S240: In response to the measured fluorescence intensity being greater than or equal to the preset threshold, continue to execute step S220.

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