Draught fan of range hood and range hood comprising draught fan

Abstract

The fan comprises a fan shell, a volute and a motor, the volute and the motor are arranged on the fan shell, at least one circle of heating elements are annularly arranged on at least an air inlet ring of the volute, the heating elements are attached to the volute, the volute is a metal shell, and the heating elements are electrically connected to an external power source; at least one opening is formed in the annular wall of the volute, and the fan is provided with an opening and closing device used for closing or opening the opening. According to the draught fan of the range hood and the range hood comprising the draught fan, oil stains are removed through the combination of the hot air mode and the contact heating mode, and the oil stains are removed more easily; meanwhile, the oil stain removing area is increased, internal circulation of hot air in the fan is achieved, flowing is more sufficient, and oil stains at all positions in the fan are removed more thoroughly; therefore, the cleaning effect is improved, the performance of the range hood is improved, and the energy consumption is reduced.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model relates to the technical field of range hoods, and in particular to a fan for a range hood and a range hood including the fan. Background Technology

[0002] Currently, range hoods generally use a multi-blade centrifugal fan to generate negative pressure at the front of the smoke collection chamber to remove the fumes produced during cooking.

[0003] However, because it directly extracts cooking fumes, after prolonged operation, thick layers of grease will accumulate on the surfaces of components such as the impeller, volute, and motor inside the fan. This absorbed grease severely affects the performance of the range hood. The grease in various locations and its impact are as follows:

[0004] (1) Oil stains on the impeller and blade surfaces. Adsorbed oil stains are equivalent to changing the geometric structure of the blades, causing the aerodynamic performance of the blades to deviate from the expected aerodynamic design, thereby greatly reducing the performance output of the fan, increasing energy consumption, and affecting the oil fume extraction effect.

[0005] (2) Oil stains on the surface of the volute. Adsorbed oil stains will cause changes in the geometry of the spiral, reduce the cross-sectional area of ​​the volute, and decrease the gas diffusion efficiency. In addition, the oil stains have high surface roughness and viscosity, which increases the flow loss of gas in contact with them, ultimately leading to a decrease in the efficiency of the fan.

[0006] (3) Oil stains on the motor surface. The motor shaft rotates relative to stationary parts, and the viscosity of the oil stains will create resistance to the rotation of the motor shaft, increasing motor losses and reducing motor efficiency. Utility Model Content

[0007] The technical problem to be solved by this utility model is to overcome the defects of existing range hoods, such as the difficulty in removing oil stains adsorbed inside the range hood, which leads to poor performance and high energy consumption. This utility model provides a fan for a range hood and a range hood including the fan.

[0008] The present invention solves the above-mentioned technical problems through the following technical solution:

[0009] A fan for a range hood includes a fan housing, a volute disposed on the fan housing, and a motor. The volute is provided with at least one ring of heating elements at least at the air inlet ring. The heating elements are attached to the volute. The volute is a metal housing. The heating elements are electrically connected to an external power source. At least one opening is provided on the circumferential wall of the volute. The fan is provided with an opening / closing device for closing or opening the opening.

[0010] In this design, the range hood's fan incorporates a heating element encircling the air inlet ring of the volute casing, which is then attached to the casing. This heating element heats the air entering the volute, thereby heating the air inside the range hood. The hot air continuously conducts heat to the grease adhering to the walls of various internal components (such as the impeller, blades, volute casing, and motor), raising the temperature of the grease, reducing its viscosity, and promoting its flowability, allowing it to detach from the walls. Simultaneously, the heating element, attached to the metal volute casing, directly transfers heat to the casing. The heated casing then conducts heat to the grease adhering to its inner wall, similarly causing the grease to heat up, flow, and detach. This combination of hot air and contact heating effectively removes grease, improving the range hood's performance and reducing energy consumption. By setting an opening in the annular wall of the volute and cooperating with an opening and closing device, combined with the control of motor speed and the energization of the heating element, the fan can achieve two operating states: normal operation and self-cleaning. In normal operation, the heating element is de-energized and does not heat, the opening and closing device closes the opening, and the motor runs at high speed, driving the impeller to exhaust smoke at high speed, ensuring effective smoke extraction. In self-cleaning mode, the heating element is energized and heats up, the opening and closing device opens the opening to connect the inner and outer spaces of the volute, the motor runs at low speed, and hot air circulates within and outside the volute, heating the grease stains (i.e., circulating and heating the grease stains within the fan). This design increases the area for removing grease stains, allows for more thorough hot air flow, and more complete removal of grease stains from all locations within the fan, improving cleaning efficiency and thus enhancing the performance of the range hood while reducing energy consumption. Furthermore, placing the heating element around the air inlet ring of the volute and attaching it to the volute increases the contact area of ​​the heating element, resulting in more uniform heating.

[0011] Preferably, the heating element is a heating wire.

[0012] In this solution, the heating element uses heating wire, which is readily available, low in cost, and heats up quickly.

[0013] Preferably, at least one ring of the heating element is disposed outside the end cap of the volute located at the air inlet ring.

[0014] In this design, at least one ring of heating elements is installed outside the end cover of the volute located at the air inlet ring to ensure that all incoming air passes through the heating elements, generating hot air more quickly and improving the efficiency of hot air generation.

[0015] Preferably, the heating element is provided both outside and inside the end cap of the volute located at the air inlet ring.

[0016] In this design, heating elements are installed both inside and outside the end cap of the volute located at the air inlet ring. This ensures the efficiency of generating hot air while also improving the efficiency of the heating elements inside the volute in generating heat through contact.

[0017] Preferably, at least one of the openings is located on the annular wall of the volute near the air outlet.

[0018] In this design, at least one opening is provided on the annular wall of the volute near the air outlet. High-pressure airflow near the outlet of the volute flows out from the opening in the annular wall of the volute, and the high-pressure airflow promotes the efficiency of internal circulation.

[0019] Preferably, the opening and closing device includes a button located on the outside of the fan housing, an opening and closing plate located on the inside of the fan housing, and a connector passing through the fan housing and connected to the button and the opening and closing plate, wherein the opening and closing plate is used to close or open the opening.

[0020] In this solution, the button, opening and closing plate and connector of the above structure are used to realize an opening and closing form of the opening and closing device. This opening and closing form has a simple structure and is easy to operate.

[0021] Preferably, the fan includes an electric drive unit for driving the button to close or open the opening via the opening / closing plate.

[0022] In this solution, the button is driven by an electric drive device, which realizes the automatic closing or opening of the opening, making the opening and closing operation easier to control.

[0023] Preferably, the electric drive device is electrically connected to the motor.

[0024] In this solution, the electric drive device is electrically connected to the motor to achieve direct control of the motor speed and automatic opening and closing. The opening and closing device can automatically open and close according to the motor speed, thereby satisfying the automatic opening and closing control of the fan in two operating states (normal operation state and self-cleaning state).

[0025] Preferably, the fan includes an air guide shroud connected to the air outlet of the volute, and the air guide shroud is provided with a check valve for closing or opening the air outlet, and the check valve is movably connected to the air guide shroud in a single direction along the air outlet direction.

[0026] In this solution, the check valve plate described above can close the air outlet by its own weight when the motor is running at low speed, forming a closed space inside the volute and improving the self-cleaning effect.

[0027] A range hood, the range hood comprising the fan as described above.

[0028] In this solution, the range hood removes grease stains by combining hot air and contact heating through the aforementioned fan, making it easier to remove grease stains, improving the performance of the range hood, and reducing energy consumption. At the same time, it increases the area for removing grease stains, and the hot air achieves internal circulation within the fan, resulting in more thorough flow and more complete removal of grease stains from all parts of the fan, thus improving the cleaning effect and further enhancing the performance of the range hood while reducing energy consumption.

[0029] The positive and progressive effects of this utility model are as follows: the range hood fan and the range hood including it remove oil stains by combining hot air and contact heating, making it easier to remove oil stains; at the same time, it increases the area for removing oil stains, and the hot air achieves internal circulation in the fan, with more sufficient flow, and oil stains in various positions in the fan are removed more thoroughly; thus improving the cleaning effect, thereby improving the performance of the range hood and reducing energy consumption. Attached Figure Description

[0030] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the internal structure of the range hood in Embodiment 1 of this utility model.

[0031] Figure 2 This is a partial structural diagram of the fan according to Embodiment 1 of this utility model, with the opening and closing device removed from the diagram.

[0032] Figure 3 This is a partial structural schematic diagram of the fan in Embodiment 1 of this utility model.

[0033] Figure 4 This is a partial structural schematic diagram of the range hood of Embodiment 1 of this utility model from a top view.

[0034] Explanation of reference numerals in the attached figures:

[0035] Range Hood 1

[0036] Fan 2

[0037] Fan casing 21

[0038] 22 volcano

[0039] Impeller 221

[0040] 222 air intake ring

[0041] Circular Wall 223

[0042] Opening 2231

[0043] End cap 224

[0044] Motor 23

[0045] Heating element 24

[0046] Air guide cover 25

[0047] Check valve plate 251

[0048] Opening and closing device 26

[0049] Button 261

[0050] Hinged panel 262

[0051] Connector 263

[0052] Air outlet direction A Detailed Implementation

[0053] The present invention will be described more clearly and completely below with reference to the accompanying drawings, using a preferred embodiment.

[0054] Example 1

[0055] This embodiment provides a fan 2 for a range hood 1, such as... Figure 1-3 As shown, the fan 2 includes a fan housing 21, a volute 22 disposed on the fan housing 21, and a motor 23. The volute 22 is provided with at least one ring of heating elements 24 at least at the air inlet ring 222. The heating elements 24 are attached to the volute 22. The volute 22 is a metal housing. The heating elements 24 are electrically connected to an external power source. At least one opening 2231 is provided on the ring wall 223 of the volute 22. The fan 2 is provided with an opening and closing device 26 for closing or opening the opening 2231.

[0056] Specifically, in this embodiment, the fan 2 is a multi-bladed centrifugal fan, and the heating element 24 uses heating wire, which is readily available, low in cost, and heats up quickly. A ring of heating wire surrounds the air inlet ring 222 of the volute 22 and is attached to the side end cover of the volute 22. In other embodiments, the heating element 24 can also be other elements with heating functions, such as heating plates or multiple small heating blocks connected in series to form a ring-shaped heating element 24. The number of heating elements 24 can be arranged as needed, with multiple rings of heating elements 24 set at different positions on the fan 2. Furthermore, the positions of multiple or more rings of heating elements 24 can also be arranged at different positions on the fan 2 as needed. However, in order to generate hot air more effectively, at least one ring of heating elements 24 needs to be set at the air inlet ring 222, and other positions can be equipped with different numbers and shapes of heating elements 24 as needed.

[0057] The fan 2 of the range hood 1 has a heating element 24 arranged around the air inlet ring 222 of the volute 22 and attached to the volute 22. When the fan 2 is running, before the air is drawn into the multi-blade centrifugal fan 2, it flows through the air inlet ring 222 and inevitably passes through the heating element. Therefore, the heating element can effectively heat the air entering the volute 22, thereby heating the air inside the range hood 1. The hot air continuously conducts heat to various components inside the range hood 1 (such as the impeller 221, blades, etc.). The oil stains adsorbed on the walls of the volute 22, motor 23, etc., are heated, their viscosity reduced, and their flow promoted, allowing them to detach from the walls. On the other hand, the heating element 24, attached to the metal volute 22, receives heat directly from the metal volute 22 due to its high thermal conductivity. The heated volute 22 then conducts this heat to the oil stains adhering to its inner wall, causing them to heat up, flow, and detach. The detached oil stains are discharged through the drip holes on the volute 22's annular wall 223. This combination of hot air and contact heating removes oil stains more easily, improving the performance of the range hood 1 and reducing energy consumption. By setting an opening 2231 on the annular wall 223 of the volute 22 and cooperating with the opening and closing device 26, and combining this with the speed control of the motor 23 and the power control of the heating element 24, the fan 2 can achieve two operating states: normal operation and self-cleaning. In the normal operation state, the heating element 24 is de-energized and does not heat, the opening and closing device 26 closes the opening 2231, the motor 23 runs at high speed, driving the impeller 221 to exhaust smoke at high speed, ensuring the smoke exhaust effect. In the self-cleaning state, the heating element 24 is energized and heated, the opening and closing device 26 opens the opening 2231 to connect the inner and outer spaces of the volute 22, the motor 23 runs at low speed, and hot air circulates in the inner and outer spaces of the volute 22, heating the oil stains (i.e., circulating and heating the oil stains inside the fan 2). Through the above settings, the area for removing oil stains is increased, the hot air flow is more sufficient, and the oil stains in various locations inside the fan 2 are removed more thoroughly, improving the cleaning effect, thereby also improving the performance of the range hood 1 and reducing energy consumption. The heating element 24 is arranged around the air inlet ring 222 of the volute 22 and attached to the volute 22, which increases the contact area of ​​the heating element 24 and makes the heating more uniform.

[0058] In this embodiment, the heating wire is specifically located outside the end cap 224 of the volute 22 at the air inlet ring 222, rather than inside. This ensures that all incoming air passes through the heating element 24, generating hot air more quickly and improving the efficiency of hot air generation. In other embodiments, the heating wire can also be located inside the end cap 224, but its effect is not as good as placing the heating wire outside the end cap 224, which heats the air at the point where the outside air must pass through, thus heating the air more quickly.

[0059] Alternatively, for better results, heating wires can be provided both outside and inside the end cap 224 of the volute 22 located at the air inlet ring 222. This not only ensures the efficiency of generating hot air, but also improves the efficiency of the heating element 24 inside the volute 22 in generating heat through contact.

[0060] In this embodiment, opening 2231 is an elongated opening 2231 on the annular wall 223 of the volute 22, located near the air outlet. In other embodiments, the number and shape of openings 2231 can be adjusted as needed. When there are multiple openings 2231, they can be set at different positions on the annular wall 223, not limited to the air outlet of the volute 22, but at least one opening 2231 is located on the annular wall 223 of the volute 22 near the air outlet. In this way, the high-pressure airflow near the outlet of the volute 22 flows out through the opening 2231 on the annular wall 223 of the volute 22, and the high-pressure airflow can promote the efficiency of internal circulation.

[0061] The opening and closing device 26 includes a button 261 located on the outside of the fan housing 21, an opening and closing plate 262 located on the inside of the fan housing 21, and a connector 263 passing through the fan housing 21 and connecting the button 261 and the opening and closing plate 262. The opening and closing plate 262 is used to close or open the opening 2231. When the button 261 is pulled outward, the opening and closing plate 262 opens the opening 2231, allowing direct communication between the inside and outside of the fan 2 through the opening 2231 of the annular wall 223 of the volute 22. When the button 261 is pushed inward, the opening 2231 of the annular wall 223 of the volute 22 is closed. Through the cooperation of the button 261, the opening and closing plate 262, and the connector 263, one opening and closing mode of the opening and closing device 26 is realized. This opening and closing mode has a simple structure and is easy to operate.

[0062] In other embodiments, the fan 2 may also be equipped with an electric drive device, which drives the button 261 to drive the opening and closing plate 262 to close or open the opening 2231, thereby realizing automatic closing or opening of the opening 2231 and making it easier to control the opening and closing operation.

[0063] Furthermore, when an electric drive unit is installed, an electrical connection can be established between the electric drive unit and the motor 23. This electrical connection can be either a direct connection between the electric drive unit and the motor 23, or an indirect connection, such as an electrical connection through a control system. By electrically connecting the electric drive unit to the motor 23, direct control of the motor 23's speed and automatic opening and closing can be achieved. The opening and closing device 26 can automatically open and close according to the motor 23's speed, thereby satisfying the automatic opening and closing control of the fan 2 in two operating states (normal operating state and self-cleaning state).

[0064] Among them, such as Figure 4As shown, the fan 2 includes an air guide shroud 25 connected to the air outlet of the volute 22. The air guide shroud 25 is provided with a check valve 251 for closing or opening the air outlet. The check valve 251 is movably connected to the air guide shroud 25 in a single direction along the air outlet direction A.

[0065] In this embodiment, the check valve plate 251 is composed of two metal plates, which are hinged to the air guide shroud 25 by the same pin and can only rotate and open in the air outlet direction A, forming a unidirectional movable connection. In other embodiments, the material, shape, and number of check valve plates 251 can be adjusted as needed, and other structural forms that can achieve a unidirectional movable connection can also be adopted.

[0066] In this structure, when the range hood 1 is in self-cleaning mode, the principle of the gradual heating of the air inside the range hood 1 is as follows: the heating element 24 is energized and heated, the opening and closing device 26 opens the opening 2231 to connect the inner and outer spaces of the volute 22, the motor 23 runs at low speed, the impeller 221 rotates at low speed, and the fan 2 operates in a low airflow condition. Due to the opening 2231 on the annular wall 223 of the volute 22, the high-pressure airflow near the outlet of the volute 22 flows out from the opening 2231 of the annular wall 223 of the volute 22, while the check valve 251 at the rear end is closed due to gravity and because the outlet pressure of the fan 2 has been released from the opening 2231 of the annular wall 223. The gas flowing out from the opening 2231 of the annular wall 223 of the volute 22 flows to the cavity of the fan 2 located outside the volute 22, and is finally drawn back into the impeller 221 by the fan 2, where it is heated again by the heating wire. The air circulates internally within the range hood 1, continuously heating up the oil stains on the blades. This heats up the oil stains, increasing their fluidity. The oil stains are then thrown towards the inner ring wall 223 of the volute 22 by the centrifugal force of the rotating blades, and finally flow out from the oil outlet at the bottom of the volute 22, flowing into the oil cup, thus improving the self-cleaning effect.

[0067] When the range hood 1 is in normal operation, the heating element 24 is de-energized and does not heat, the opening 2231 is closed by the opening 26, and the inner and outer sides of the volute 22 are relatively isolated. At this time, the speed of the motor 23 is adjusted to make the impeller 221 rotate at high speed, the fan 2 draws smoke from the smoke inlet of the smoke collection chamber, and the high wind pressure on the outlet side of the volute 22 blows open the check valve 251 at the rear of the range hood 1, allowing for normal smoke exhaust.

[0068] In other embodiments, other structural forms may be used to achieve a unidirectional movable connection with the air guide shroud 25.

[0069] Example 2

[0070] A range hood 1 includes a fan 2 as described in Embodiment 1. The range hood 1 removes grease stains by combining hot air and contact heating through the fan 2 as described in Embodiment 1, making it easier to remove grease stains, improving the performance of the range hood 1 and reducing energy consumption. At the same time, it increases the area for removing grease stains, and the hot air achieves internal circulation within the fan 2, resulting in more thorough flow and more complete removal of grease stains at various locations within the fan 2, thus improving the cleaning effect and further improving the performance of the range hood 1 while reducing energy consumption.

[0071] While specific embodiments of this utility model have been described above, those skilled in the art should understand that these are merely illustrative examples, and the scope of protection of this utility model is defined by the appended claims. Those skilled in the art can make various changes or modifications to these embodiments without departing from the principles and essence of this utility model, but all such changes and modifications fall within the scope of protection of this utility model.

Claims

1. A fan for a range hood, the fan comprising a fan housing and a volute and a motor disposed within the fan housing, characterized in that, The volute has at least one ring of heating elements around the air inlet ring. The heating elements are attached to the volute. The volute is a metal shell. The heating elements are electrically connected to an external power source. At least one opening is provided on the annular wall of the volute, and the fan is provided with an opening and closing device for closing or opening the opening.

2. The fan of the range hood as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The heating element is a heating wire.

3. The fan of the range hood as described in claim 1, characterized in that, At least one ring of the heating element is disposed outside the end cap of the volute located at the air inlet ring.

4. The fan of the range hood as described in claim 3, characterized in that, The heating element is provided both outside and inside the end cap of the volute located at the air inlet ring.

5. The fan of the range hood as described in claim 1, characterized in that, At least one of the openings is located on the annular wall of the volute near the air outlet.

6. The fan of the range hood as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The opening and closing device includes a button located on the outside of the fan housing, an opening and closing plate located on the inside of the fan housing, and a connector passing through the fan housing and connected to the button and the opening and closing plate. The opening and closing plate is used to close or open the opening.

7. The fan of the range hood as described in claim 6, characterized in that, The fan includes an electric drive unit, which drives the button to close or open the opening via the opening / closing plate.

8. The fan of the range hood as described in claim 7, characterized in that, The electric drive device is electrically connected to the motor.

9. The fan of the range hood as described in any one of claims 1-8, characterized in that, The fan includes an air guide shroud connected to the air outlet of the volute. The air guide shroud is provided with a check valve plate for closing or opening the air outlet. The check valve plate is movably connected to the air guide shroud in a single direction along the air outlet direction.

10. A range hood, characterized in that, The range hood includes a fan as described in any one of claims 1-9.

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