Range hood and working method thereof

Abstract

The invention relates to a range hood which comprises a shell, a controller, an exhaust fume collecting hood, a first lifting driving mechanism which is arranged in the shell and is in driving connection with the exhaust fume collecting hood, and distance detectors which are arranged corresponding to kitchen range placement positions and are arranged at the rear part of the lower surface of the exhaust fume collecting hood, the detection direction of the distance detector is horizontally forward and is opposite to the center of the stove placement position, and the controller is in electric signal connection with the first lifting driving mechanism and the distance detector. The invention further relates to a working method of the range hood, when the exhaust fume collecting hood moves downwards, the controller obtains a detection value of the distance detector in real time, and the distance L between the distance detector and a front obstacle is calculated according to the detection value; the L is compared with a preset distance threshold value L0; if L is smaller than or equal to L0, it is judged that the risk of colliding with the cookware exists, and meanwhile the controller controls the exhaust fume collecting hood to stop moving downwards. According to the range hood and the working method thereof, whether the exhaust fume collecting hood is in contact and collision with the cookware or not can be accurately judged, and misjudgment of collision is avoided.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The invention relates to a range hood and a working method thereof. Background Art

[0002] A lifting range hood is a range hood with a smoke collecting chamber that can be raised and lowered. By changing the position of the smoke collecting chamber, the distance between the smoke collecting chamber and the pot can be reduced when the oil smoke is sucked to improve the suction effect. At the same time, the smoke collecting chamber can be retracted when not in use to reduce the space occupied by the range hood, making it easier for users to use the kitchen space. However, there is a problem with the use of a lifting range hood: the smoke collecting chamber is prone to collide with the pot during the descent process, affecting cooking safety.

[0003] The Chinese invention patent "A lifting range hood and its lifting control method" with authorization announcement number CN115823635B (application number 202310105371.5) discloses a lifting range hood including a housing assembly, a smoke hood, a lifting mechanism and a fan. The lifting range hood also includes a tilt detector and a controller. The tilt detector is used to detect the distance of the obstacle in front. The tilt detector is installed under the smoke hood. The detection direction of the tilt detector has an angle with the plumb line. The lifting mechanism and the tilt detector are both connected to the controller. The distance between the smoke hood and the highest point of the pot is detected by the tilt detector. The final descending height of the smoke hood is determined based on the detected distance and the preset safety distance. This can effectively prevent the smoke hood from hitting the pot and improve the safety of the lifting range hood. There are still some problems in this lifting control method. One problem is: there is angle calculation in the calculation process, but after the tilt detector is installed, the angle between it and the plumb line cannot be accurately obtained, that is, there is a longitude problem in the detection of the angle, which directly affects the calculation results and the accuracy of the collision judgment. Another problem is: when using a tilt detector to detect the highest point position of the cookware, based on its working principle, it detects the distance of the highest point corresponding to the outer edge of the cookware. However, as shown in Figure 4 of the accompanying drawings of the invention patent specification, since the cookware is placed outside the movement range of the lifting smoke hood, even if the smoke hood drops to a position lower than the highest point of the cookware, there will be no problem of collision with the cookware. However, based on the lifting control method, misjudgment of collision may occur, which in turn leads to limiting the movement range of the smoke hood due to the misjudgment of collision, making it impossible for the smoke hood to achieve the best oil fume extraction effect. Summary of the invention

[0004] The first technical problem to be solved by the present invention is to provide a range hood that can accurately determine whether the smoke hood and the cooker are in contact or collision, thereby avoiding misjudgment of collision, in view of the above-mentioned prior art.

[0005] The second technical problem to be solved by the present invention is to provide a working method of the aforementioned range hood in view of the above-mentioned prior art, so as to simply and accurately determine whether the smoke hood and the cookware are in contact or collision.

[0006] The technical solution adopted by the present invention to solve the above-mentioned first technical problem is: a range hood, including a casing, a controller, a smoke hood which can be lifted and lowered on the casing, and a first lifting drive mechanism arranged in the casing and drivingly connected to the smoke hood, characterized in that it also includes a distance detector arranged corresponding to each stove placement position, the distance detector is arranged at the rear part of the lower surface of the smoke hood, the detection direction of the distance detector is horizontally forward and opposite to the center of the stove placement position, and the controller is electrically signal-connected to the first lifting drive mechanism and the distance detector respectively.

[0007] In order to improve the aesthetics of the range hood and also to increase the service life of the distance detector, the distance detector is embedded in the smoke collecting hood in a liftable manner.

[0008] For easy installation, a liftable mounting seat is embedded on the lower surface of the smoke collecting hood, a second lifting drive mechanism drivingly connected to the mounting seat is arranged in the smoke collecting hood, and the second lifting drive mechanism is connected to the controller by electrical signals.

[0009] Optionally, the distance sensor is an infrared distance sensor, a laser distance sensor, an ultrasonic distance sensor or a radar distance sensor.

[0010] In order to improve the aesthetics of the range hood and to increase the range of the fume hood's descending distance and improve the fume extraction effect, the fume hood is arranged flat at the rear of the casing in the vertical direction.

[0011] The technical solution adopted by the present invention to solve the second technical problem is: a working method of a range hood, characterized in that: the range hood is the range hood as described above;

[0012] The working method of the range hood comprises the following steps: when the smoke collecting hood moves downward, the controller obtains the detection value of the distance detector in real time, and calculates the distance L between the distance detector and the obstacle in front according to the detection value;

[0013] Compare L with a preset distance threshold L0;

[0014] If L≤L0, it is determined that there is a risk of collision with the cookware, and the controller controls the smoke hood to stop moving downward.

[0015] As an improvement, if L>L1, it is determined that the user is standing in front of the range hood, and L1 is the horizontal distance between the distance detector (3) and the front edge of the table where the cooker is located.

[0016] Preferably, when it is detected that a user is standing in front of the range hood, the controller controls the range hood to start a human-computer interaction function of the range hood.

[0017] Preferably, the distance threshold L0 is the horizontal distance between the distance detector and a vertical plane extending in the left-right direction where the center of the stove placement position is located; or

[0018] The distance threshold L0 is the horizontal distance between the distance detector and a vertical plane extending in the left-right direction where the front side of the smoke collecting hood is located.

[0019] As an improvement, the distance detector is embedded in the smoke collecting hood in a liftable manner. When the smoke collecting hood moves downward, the distance detector is controlled to move downward and be exposed below the smoke collecting hood.

[0020] Compared with the prior art, the advantages of the present invention are: the range hood of the present invention is provided with a distance detector located below the fume hood. Based on its working method, through the distance detection of the distance detector in the horizontal direction, it is possible to predict in advance whether there is a risk of the fume hood colliding with the cookware, and the judgment is based on the rear side of the obstacle as the judgment reference, thereby avoiding collision misjudgment when there is no collision risk, and ensuring the reliable operation of the range hood. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0021] Figure 1 It is a three-dimensional diagram of a range hood in an embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0022] The present invention is further described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0023] like Figure 1 As shown, the range hood in this embodiment includes a housing 1, a controller, a fume collecting hood 2, a first lifting drive mechanism, and a distance detector 3. The controller is electrically connected to the first lifting drive mechanism and the distance detector 3 respectively.

[0024] The smoke hood 2 can be lifted and lowered on the casing 1. The first lifting drive mechanism is arranged in the casing 1 and is drivingly connected to the smoke hood 2. The first lifting drive mechanism drives the smoke hood 2 to lift and lower based on the control command of the controller. When it is usually necessary to perform oil fume extraction, the first lifting drive mechanism drives the smoke hood 2 to descend. In the absence of obstacles, the smoke hood 2 is driven downward to the designed lowest position to achieve the best oil fume extraction effect. When there are obstacles, such as when the pot is partially located under the smoke hood 2, it is necessary to judge the obstacle, and then control the smoke hood 2 to stop above the obstacle to avoid the smoke hood 2 colliding with obstacles such as the pot.

[0025] A stove is usually arranged below the range hood. Depending on the type of stove, one, two or other stove placement positions 5 may be arranged on the stove to facilitate the placement of pots. In this embodiment, a distance detector 3 is arranged for each stove placement position 5. The distance detector 3 is arranged at the rear of the lower surface of the fume hood 2, that is, the distance detector 3 is basically arranged close to the rear mounting surface of the range hood. After the pot is placed at the placement position of the stove, there is usually a certain distance between it and the rear mounting surface of the range hood, that is, the distance detector 3 is located outside the pot placement range in the horizontal direction, so that the distance detector 3 is effectively prevented from colliding with the pot in the process of moving downward with the fume hood 2.

[0026] In addition, the detection direction of the distance detector 3 is horizontally forward and opposite to the center of the stove placement position 5. The distance detector 3 is installed using a mature horizontal installation method in the prior art. Compared with the prior art that requires the detector to be installed at an angle, its installation is more accurate. Based on the installation position of the distance detector 3 on the smoke hood 2 and the detection direction of the distance detector 3, the distance detector 3 can detect the pot before the smoke hood 2 touches the pot.

[0027] In addition, for the aesthetics of the range hood, and also to increase the service life of the distance detector 3 and reduce the time that the distance detector 3 is in a high temperature environment, the distance detector 3 in the present embodiment is liftably embedded in the smoke hood 2. When in use, the distance detector 3 can be driven downward to be exposed outside the smoke hood 2 only when the smoke hood 2 moves downward, and at other times, the distance detector 3 is controlled to retract into the smoke hood 2. The distance detector 3 is protected to a certain extent by the smoke hood 2, thereby increasing its service life.

[0028] Specifically, a liftable mounting seat 4 is embedded on the lower surface of the smoke hood 2, and a second lift drive mechanism is provided in the smoke hood 2, which is drive-connected to the mounting seat 4, and the second lift drive mechanism is connected to the controller by electrical signals. When the mounting seat 4 is located in the smoke hood 2, the lower surface of the mounting seat 4 is flush with the lower surface of the smoke hood 2, ensuring the aesthetic appearance. When the distance detector 3 is needed, the second lift drive mechanism drives the mounting seat 4 to move downward, thereby also driving the distance detector 3 to move downward synchronously and be exposed below the smoke hood 2.

[0029] The first lifting drive mechanism and the second lifting drive mechanism in this embodiment can adopt various structures capable of realizing lifting drive in the prior art.

[0030] The distance sensor can be an infrared distance sensor, a laser distance sensor, an ultrasonic distance sensor or a radar distance sensor as required.

[0031] For the sake of aesthetics of the range hood and to minimize the possibility of the smoke hood 2 touching the cookware from a structural perspective, thereby increasing the range of the smoke hood 2's descent and improving the smoke extraction effect, the smoke hood 2 in this embodiment is flatly arranged at the rear of the casing 1 in the vertical direction.

[0032] The working method of the range hood mentioned above comprises the following steps: when the smoke hood 2 moves downward based on the driving of the first lifting drive mechanism, the controller controls the second lifting drive mechanism to drive the distance detector 3 to move downward and be exposed below the smoke hood 2. The controller obtains the detection value of the distance detector 3 in real time, and the distance detector 3 detects the obstacle in front of it in real time. The controller calculates the distance L between the distance detector 3 and the obstacle in front according to the detection value. L is compared with the preset distance threshold L0.

[0033] The L0 is specifically designed according to the specific structure of the smoke collecting hood 2. If the designed smoke collecting hood 2 is relatively thick in the front-to-back direction, the frontmost side of the smoke collecting hood 2 generally covers the rear part of the stove where ordinary pots are placed in the horizontal direction, and the distance threshold L0 is set to the horizontal distance between the distance detector 3 and the vertical plane extending in the left-right direction where the center of the stove placement position 5 is located, because the pot is to be placed on the stove placement position 5, and the rear edge of the pot is generally not located in front of the center of the stove placement position 5.

[0034] If the designed thickness of the smoke hood 2 in the front-to-back direction is small, and the frontmost side of the smoke hood 2 is usually located outside the rear edge of the cooker where ordinary pots are placed, the distance threshold L0 can be set to the horizontal distance between the distance detector 3 and the vertical plane extending in the left-right direction where the front side of the smoke hood 2 is located.

[0035] If L≤L0, it is determined that there is a risk of collision with the cookware, and the controller controls the fume hood 2 to stop moving downward, thereby preventing the fume hood 2 from colliding with the cookware.

[0036] If L>L1, it is determined that the user is standing in front of the range hood, and L1 is the horizontal distance between the distance detector 3 and the front edge of the table where the cooker is located. When it is detected that the user is standing in front of the range hood, the controller controls the range hood to start the human-computer interaction function of the range hood. For example, a backlight connected to the controller's electrical signal can be set in the range hood. When it is determined that the user is standing in front of the range hood, the backlight is automatically controlled to light up. Of course, based on the different functions of the range hood, other intelligent functions in the range hood can be automatically turned on based on the detection of the user standing in front of the range hood.

[0037] When judging whether there is a risk of collision with the cookware based on the distance detector 3, since the distance detector 3 is located below the smoke hood 2, the distance detector 3 can detect the cookware before the smoke hood 2 collides with the cookware, and then when it is judged that there is a risk of collision, the smoke hood 2 can be prevented from continuing to move downward.

[0038] The range hood of the present invention is provided with a distance detector 3 located below the fume hood 2. Based on its working method, through the distance detection of the distance detector 3 in the horizontal direction, it is possible to predict in advance whether there is a risk of the fume hood 2 colliding with the pot, and when judging, it is based on the rear side of the obstacle as a judgment reference, and it is possible to accurately judge whether the fume hood 2 and the pot are in contact and collided, thereby avoiding misjudgment of collision, thereby avoiding misjudgment of collision when there is no collision risk, and ensuring the reliable operation of the range hood.

[0039] In the specification and claims of the present invention, terms indicating directions, such as "front", "rear", "up", "down", "left", "right", "side", "top", "bottom", etc., are used to describe various exemplary structural parts and elements of the present invention, but these terms are used here only for the purpose of convenience of description and are determined based on the exemplary orientations shown in the accompanying drawings. Since the embodiments disclosed in the present invention can be arranged in different directions, these terms indicating directions are only used as explanations and should not be regarded as limitations. For example, "up" and "down" are not necessarily limited to directions opposite to or consistent with the direction of gravity.

Claims

1. A range hood, comprising a housing (1), a controller, a fume hood (2) which is arranged on the housing (1) and can be raised and lowered, and a first lifting drive mechanism which is arranged in the housing (1) and is drivingly connected to the fume hood (2), characterized in that: The device also comprises a distance detector (3) arranged corresponding to each stove placement position (5), wherein the distance detector (3) is arranged at the rear of the lower surface of the smoke collecting hood (2), the detection direction of the distance detector (3) is horizontally forward and opposite to the center of the stove placement position (5), and the controller is respectively connected to the first lifting drive mechanism and the distance detector (3) by electrical signals.

2. The range hood according to claim 1, characterized in that: The distance detector (3) is embedded in the smoke collecting hood (2) in a liftable manner.

3. The range hood according to claim 2, characterized in that: A liftable mounting seat (4) is embedded on the lower surface of the smoke hood (2), a second lift drive mechanism drivingly connected to the mounting seat (4) is provided in the smoke hood (2), and the second lift drive mechanism is connected to a controller by electrical signals.

4. The range hood according to claim 1, characterized in that: The distance sensor is an infrared distance sensor, a laser distance sensor, an ultrasonic distance sensor or a radar distance sensor.

5. The range hood according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that: The smoke collecting hood (2) is arranged flatly at the rear of the casing (1) in the vertical direction.

6. A method for operating a range hood, characterized in that: The range hood is the range hood according to any one of claims 1 to 5; The working method of the range hood comprises the following steps: when the smoke collecting hood (2) moves downward, the controller obtains the detection value of the distance detector (3) in real time, and calculates the distance L between the distance detector (3) and the obstacle in front according to the detection value; Compare L with a preset distance threshold L0; If L≤L0, it is determined that there is a risk of collision with the cookware, and the controller controls the fume hood (2) to stop moving downward.

7. The working method according to claim 6, characterized in that: If L>L1, it is determined that the user is standing in front of the range hood, and L1 is the horizontal distance between the distance detector (3) and the front edge of the table where the cooker is located.

8. The working method according to claim 7, characterized in that: When it is detected that a user is standing in front of the range hood, the controller controls the range hood to start the human-computer interaction function of the range hood.

9. The working method according to claim 6, characterized in that: The distance threshold L0 is the horizontal distance between the distance detector (3) and a vertical plane extending in the left-right direction where the center of the stove placement position (5) is located; or The distance threshold L0 is the horizontal distance between the distance detector (3) and a vertical plane extending in the left-right direction where the front side of the smoke collecting hood (2) is located.

10. The working method according to claim 6, characterized in that: The distance detector (3) is embedded in the smoke collecting hood (2) in a liftable manner; when the smoke collecting hood (2) moves downward, the distance detector (3) is controlled to move downward and be exposed below the smoke collecting hood (2).

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