Range hood

Abstract

The utility model relates to a kind of range hood, comprising: cabinet, its front portion has air inlet and the fixed panel in the upper portion of air inlet;Movable panel, can be driven by drive mechanism and relatively the cabinet moves to open and close the air inlet;Oil cup, set in the bottom of the cabinet, the top of this oil cup is open, for receiving the oil liquid falling from above;In the movable panel closes the air inlet state, the projection of the movable panel in vertical direction is located in the oil cup, and the height of the bottom wall edge of this movable panel is lower than the top of the front side edge of the oil cup. Advantage lies in: product front appearance is high and can guarantee movable panel upper front and back oil liquid to drop down in oil cup.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model relates to the field of kitchen appliance technology, and in particular to a range hood. Background Technology

[0002] Range hoods are an indispensable kitchen appliance in modern homes. To improve smoke extraction, range hoods typically have a baffle plate at the air inlet, which opens and closes by moving the baffle. Currently, the air inlet panels of existing range hoods are generally classified as one-section (full-screen), two-section (one section is a fixed panel, and the other is a movable panel, i.e., the baffle), and three-section (the top and bottom sections are fixed panels, and the middle section is a movable panel, i.e., the baffle). For two-section or three-section range hoods, there are at least two independent panels on the same plane. In traditional range hoods, the movable panel opens and closes the air inlet by flipping it.

[0003] To achieve a slim range hood design, existing technologies often incorporate vertically extending air inlet chambers and movable panels with a composite translational movement. These movable panels typically utilize a four-bar linkage as their motion mechanism, as disclosed in Chinese Utility Model Patent Application No. CN202021530141.1. The oil cup, a crucial component of the range hood, collects oil. In the aforementioned slim range hoods, the oil cup is suspended at the bottom of the unit, an exposed structure, with the movable panel positioned vertically. In the open state, the bottom edge of the movable panel lies outside the oil cup; in the closed state, the entire movable panel is positioned above the oil cup, with its vertical projection inside the cup. This design allows oil to be drawn into the oil cup from both the front and back of the movable panel. However, from the front, a gap exists between the bottom edge of the movable panel and the oil cup, resulting in a less aesthetically pleasing appearance and affecting the product's overall refinement. Some designs also feature a hidden oil cup, which is located at the bottom inside the main body of the range hood. When viewed from the front, the entire movable panel covers the oil cup, resulting in a better sense of unity. However, oil from the front and back of the movable panel cannot be directed into the oil cup, and an external container must be used to release the oil stored in the oil cup, which causes some operational inconvenience. Moreover, the external container is easy to lose.

[0004] Therefore, the above-mentioned method of matching the movable panel of the range hood with the oil cup still has certain shortcomings. Utility Model Content

[0005] The technical problem to be solved by this utility model is to provide a range hood with a high degree of refinement in the front appearance of the product and to ensure that the oil on the front and back of the movable panel drips down into the oil cup.

[0006] The technical solution adopted by this utility model to solve the above-mentioned technical problems is: a range hood, comprising:

[0007] The casing has an air inlet at the front and a fixed panel located above the air inlet.

[0008] The movable panel can be moved relative to the housing by a drive mechanism to open and close the air inlet;

[0009] An oil cup is located at the bottom of the housing, with an open top to collect dripping oil from above.

[0010] When the air inlet is closed by the movable panel, the vertical projection of the movable panel is located inside the oil cup, and the height of the bottom edge of the movable panel is lower than the top of the front edge of the oil cup.

[0011] Considering that if there is no gap between the movable panel and the oil cup (vertically), interference during movement may cause the movable panel to jam or oil to splash. Additionally, the lack of a shield on the front of the oil cup allows oil to easily splash out from the front. As an improvement, the front edge of the oil cup includes an extension edge extending upwards from the main body of the oil cup. When the movable panel is in the closed air inlet state, the height of the bottom edge of the movable panel is lower than the top of the extension edge of the oil cup, and there is a gap between the front side of the movable panel and the extension edge in the front-rear direction. This extension edge provides additional shielding to prevent oil from splashing forward; the gap design avoids contact between the movable panel and the oil cup, ensuring smooth panel movement while allowing oil to flow smoothly into the oil cup.

[0012] As an improvement, when the air inlet is closed by the movable panel, the distance between the front side of the movable panel and the extended edge in the front-rear direction is denoted as e, where e ≥ 3mm. The above parameters are designed primarily to ensure that if the gap is too small, manufacturing tolerances, thermal expansion, or vibration may cause the movable panel to contact the oil cup, resulting in noise, wear, or obstructed movement. Ensuring a minimum gap (e ≥ 3mm) effectively avoids movement interference and improves reliability.

[0013] As an improvement, the front side of the movable panel has a sloping surface that curves backward from top to bottom near its bottom edge. This sloping surface guides oil droplets backward into the oil cup, rather than dripping forward, further reducing the risk of oil leakage and improving collection efficiency. Simultaneously, the sloping surface also prevents interference between the bottom front side of the movable panel and the front edge of the oil cup.

[0014] As an improvement, with the movable panel open above the air inlet, the movable panel is positioned above and in front of the air inlet, and abuts against the front side of the fixed panel. With the movable panel abutting against the front side of the fixed panel, the front-to-back depth is small when the movable panel is open, resulting in a compact and neat appearance for the range hood, meeting the design requirements of a slim range hood; at the same time, it ensures that the air inlet is fully exposed, optimizing the smoke extraction effect.

[0015] Considering that an excessively protruding oil cup may affect the overall aesthetics of the front of the range hood, when the air inlet is open on the movable panel, the projection of the front wall of the movable panel in the vertical direction is located in front of the oil cup.

[0016] As an improvement, a guide plate is also included, located inside the housing and adjacent to the air inlet. The main body of the guide plate extends at an angle from front to back. The guide plate guides the flow of oil fumes, causing oil droplets to flow along the inclined surface towards the oil cup, reducing internal oil accumulation and improving oil droplet separation efficiency and oil fume absorption performance.

[0017] Considering that if the front edge of the baffle is higher than the edge of the oil cup, the bottom edge of the baffle would be visible from the front, affecting the aesthetics of the range hood when the air inlet is open, the top of the front edge of the oil cup is positioned higher than the front edge of the baffle. This design also ensures that oil droplets flowing from the baffle fall directly into the oil cup, preventing oil leakage and improving collection reliability.

[0018] Considering that a single-angled guide plate may not optimize the flow of oil fumes, leading to oil droplet retention or poor flow, as an improvement, the guide plate includes a first guide section and a second guide section connected sequentially from front to back. The angle between the first guide section and the horizontal direction is smaller than the angle between the second guide section and the horizontal direction. The first guide section of the guide plate has a gentler angle, smoothly guiding the oil fumes in; the second guide section has a steeper angle, accelerating the flow of oil droplets towards the oil cup, improving separation efficiency and collection speed.

[0019] As an improvement, a panel bracket is provided on the back of the movable panel near the lower edge. A vertically extending and open-top clearance groove is formed between the panel bracket itself or between the panel bracket and the back of the movable panel. When the movable panel opens the air inlet, the movable panel is against the front side of the fixed panel and parallel to the fixed panel. At least the bottom edge of the fixed panel is embedded in the clearance groove.

[0020] The "attached" in the above-mentioned "movable panel abutting against the front side of the fixed panel" can be understood as the movable panel and the fixed panel being in contact front to back or the distance between them in the front-back direction is not large. Therefore, even when the air inlet of the movable panel is open, the front-back depth of the range hood is not large, which meets the design purpose of a slim range hood.

[0021] When the range hood's movable panel is in the open air inlet position, it does not slide forward significantly or flip over; instead, it rests against and parallel to the front of the fixed panel. This retractable opening design minimizes the overall depth of the range hood's front, significantly optimizing its overall thickness and better meeting the aesthetic and space requirements of modern slim range hoods. Furthermore, the structural design of this range hood effectively catches dripping oil from the movable panel without requiring a larger oil cup, maintaining a clean appearance. In summary, this invention achieves an ultra-thin appearance while cleverly balancing cleanliness and convenience, comprehensively improving both the product's practicality and aesthetics.

[0022] As an improvement, the drive mechanism includes a drive motor and a four-bar linkage. The output shaft of the drive motor is connected to the power output end of the four-bar linkage, which is connected to the panel bracket. During the movement of the movable panel relative to the housing driven by the drive mechanism, the movable panel remains parallel to the fixed panel. The combination of the four-bar linkage and the drive motor provides a stable and smooth motion trajectory, ensuring the movable panel remains vertical during movement. It also makes the opening and closing process smoother, reduces impact and noise, and extends the lifespan of the drive mechanism.

[0023] As an improvement, the fixed panel extends vertically, and the movable panel, when the air inlet is closed, also extends vertically. Furthermore, the front wall of the movable panel and the front wall of the fixed panel are located on the same vertical plane. Having the front walls of both the movable and fixed panels on the same vertical plane results in a flat and aesthetically pleasing appearance when the panel is closed, enhancing the overall visual integrity and premium feel of the product.

[0024] Compared with existing technologies, the advantages of this invention are as follows: When the air inlet of the range hood's movable panel is closed, its vertical projection is located inside the oil cup, and the height of its bottom edge is lower than the top of the front edge of the oil cup. This structural design significantly improves the aesthetic appeal of the product's front. Since the movable panel completely covers the upper part of the oil cup when closed, there is no visible gap between the movable panel and the oil cup from the front view, achieving a smooth, integrated visual effect. This avoids the rough appearance caused by the exposed oil cup in traditional designs, making the range hood appear more concise and upscale. Furthermore, it ensures efficient oil collection. The bottom edge of the movable panel is lower than the top of the front edge of the oil cup, allowing oil dripping from both the front and back of the movable panel to be directly channeled into the open end of the oil cup without the need for an external container. This prevents oil spillage, simplifies maintenance, and avoids the collection difficulties caused by concealed oil cup designs. Attached Figure Description

[0025] Figure 1This is a three-dimensional structural diagram of the range hood according to an embodiment of the present utility model, with the movable panel in the closed air inlet state;

[0026] Figure 2 This is a cross-sectional view of the range hood of this utility model, cut along the front-to-back direction, with the movable panel in the closed air inlet state;

[0027] Figure 3 This is a three-dimensional structural diagram of the fixed panel, movable panel, and panel support of the range hood according to an embodiment of the present utility model.

[0028] Figure 4 This is a sectional perspective view of the fixed panel, movable panel, and panel support of the range hood according to an embodiment of the present utility model.

[0029] Figure 5 This is a cross-sectional view of the movable panel and panel support in the combined state according to an embodiment of the present utility model;

[0030] Figure 6 This is a three-dimensional structural diagram of the range hood according to an embodiment of the present utility model, with the movable panel in the open air inlet state;

[0031] Figure 7 This is a cross-sectional view of the range hood of this utility model, cut along the front-to-back direction, with the movable panel in the open air inlet state. Detailed Implementation

[0032] The present invention will be further described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings and embodiments.

[0033] In the specification and claims of this utility model, terms indicating direction, such as "front," "rear," "upper," "lower," "left," "right," "side," "top," and "bottom," are used to describe various exemplary structural parts and elements of this utility model. However, the use of these terms is merely for the purpose of explanation and is based on the exemplary orientations shown in the accompanying drawings. Since the embodiments disclosed in this utility model can be arranged in different orientations, these terms indicating direction are for illustrative purposes only and should not be regarded as limitations. For example, "upper" and "lower" are not necessarily limited to directions opposite to or consistent with the direction of gravity.

[0034] Figures 1-7 A preferred embodiment of the range hood of this utility model is shown. The range hood includes a housing 1, a movable panel 13, a drive mechanism 3, a panel support 14, a baffle plate 2, and an oil cup 11.

[0035] The front of the casing 1 is provided with an air inlet 10, and a fixed panel 12 is fixedly installed above the air inlet 10. The fixed panel 12 is a vertically extending flat plate structure with a flat front wall. The movable panel 13 is also a vertically extending flat plate structure. When the air inlet 10 is closed, the front wall of the movable panel 13 and the front wall of the fixed panel 12 are located on the same vertical plane, forming a flat appearance that is easy to clean.

[0036] The upper part of the housing 1 also has a forward-protruding head, and the bottom wall of the head is provided with a top air intake and a smoke baffle 151 that can be opened and closed relative to the housing 1.

[0037] The upper part of the casing 1 is generally also provided with an upper box, and a fan system is installed inside the upper box. The upper box is connected to the casing 1.

[0038] A panel bracket 14 is fixedly connected to the back of the movable panel 13 near its lower edge. The panel bracket 14 includes a front wall panel 141 and a rear wall panel 142, which are opposite each other. The bottom of the front wall panel 141 and the bottom of the rear wall panel 142 are connected by a bottom wall panel 143, forming a roughly U-shaped cross-section. The lowest point of the bottom wall panel 143 is higher than the bottom edge of the movable panel 13 (i.e.,...). Figure 7 The oil collection groove is formed on the back of the movable panel 13 by a factor of A (where A is greater than 0). The bottom wall plate 143 slopes downward from front to back, with an angle of inclination (relative to the horizontal direction) of 5° to 35° to facilitate the flow of oil to the rear under gravity. An oil drain hole 1401 is formed at the junction of the rear edge of the bottom wall plate 143 and the bottom edge of the rear wall plate 142. At least two oil drain holes 1401 are arranged sequentially in the left-right direction to drain the collected oil. Furthermore, a ventilation duct 1402 is provided at the same junction of the bottom wall plate 143 and the rear wall plate 142. The ventilation duct 1402 extends upward from front to back, with an angle α of approximately 30° between its extension direction and the horizontal direction. Multiple ventilation ducts 1402 are arranged in the left-right direction to disperse airflow and enhance the structural strength of the panel support 14.

[0039] The drive mechanism 3 is located inside the housing 1 and includes a drive motor and a four-bar linkage. The output shaft of the drive motor is connected to one link of the four-bar linkage via a swing arm assembly, which serves as the power output end. Two adjacent hinge points on the four-bar linkage are fixedly connected to the rear wall plate 142 of the panel support 14. When the drive motor is working, the four-bar linkage drives the panel support 14 and the movable panel 13 to move, ensuring that the movable panel 13 remains vertical and moves smoothly during the opening and closing of the air inlet 10. When the air inlet 10 is open, the movable panel 13 moves to the front and above the air inlet 10 and rests against the front side of the fixed panel 12, thus achieving a thin design.

[0040] See Figure 7 A baffle 2 is installed inside the casing 1 near the air inlet 10. The baffle 2 includes a first baffle section 21 and a second baffle section 22 connected sequentially from front to back. The first baffle section 21 is located below the panel support 14, with an angle of approximately 15° to the horizontal direction; the second baffle section 22 is located below and behind the panel support 14, with an angle of approximately 30° to the horizontal direction. The angle between the first baffle section 21 and the horizontal direction is smaller than the angle between the second baffle section 22 and the horizontal direction, and this segmented design optimizes the airflow path. The extension angle a (30°) of the air vent 1402 is equal to the extension angle b (30°) of the second baffle section 22, ensuring that the airflow smoothly enters from the air vent 1402 and coordinates with the airflow guided by the baffle 2, reducing turbulence and improving suction efficiency. It is conceivable that the baffle 2 could also be a single inclined section with an angle b of 20° to the horizontal direction, satisfying the requirement a≥b.

[0041] An oil cup 11 is located at the bottom of the housing 1. The oil cup 11 is elongated and extends in the left-right direction with an open top to collect oil dripping from inside the housing 1. Regardless of whether the movable panel 13 is in the open or closed state of the air inlet 10, the vertical projection of the oil drain hole 1401 on the panel bracket 14 falls within the open area of ​​the oil cup 11, ensuring that the oil is directly collected into the oil cup 11 and preventing leakage.

[0042] With the air inlet 10 closed, the movable panel 13 is positioned entirely above the oil cup 11, and its vertical projection falls completely within the open area of ​​the oil cup 11. At this time, the bottom edge of the movable panel 13 is lower than the top of the front edge of the oil cup 11 (i.e.,...). Figure 2 (where f is greater than 0), and the front side of the movable panel 13 and the front edge of the oil cup 11 maintain a distance of not less than 3mm in the front-rear direction (e.g., f is greater than 0), and the distance between the front side of the movable panel 13 and the front edge of the oil cup 11 is not less than 3mm in the front-rear direction (e.g., f is greater than 0). Figure 2 (where 'e' represents the distance). This spacing design effectively avoids jamming or wear between the movable panel 13 and the oil cup 11 due to motion interference, while providing a channel for the oil to flow smoothly into the oil cup 11. Specifically, there is a certain distance 'n' between the front edge of the oil cup 11 and the left and right edges of the air inlet 10 of the housing 1, thus ensuring that the vertical projection of the movable panel 13 when the air inlet 10 is closed falls completely within the open area of ​​the oil cup 11.

[0043] The oil cup 11 has an extension edge 111 extending upward from its main body along its front edge. When the movable panel 13 is closed, this extension edge 111 is located behind the front side of the movable panel 13, serving as a shield to prevent oil from splashing forward. Near the bottom edge of the front side of the movable panel 13, an inclined surface 131 is formed, sloping backward from top to bottom. This inclined surface 131 can guide oil droplets adhering to the front of the panel to flow backward into the oil cup 11, further reducing oil leakage.

[0044] With the air inlet 10 open via the movable panel 13, the movable panel 13 moves to the front and above the air inlet 10 via a four-bar linkage mechanism, and rests against the front side of the fixed panel 12, parallel to the fixed panel 12. At this time, the vertical projection of the front wall of the movable panel 13 is located on the front side of the oil cup 11, preventing the oil cup 11 from protruding excessively and maintaining the slim appearance of the front of the range hood.

[0045] In this embodiment, the top of the front edge of the oil cup 11 is higher than the front edge of the guide plate 2 (i.e., Figure 7 (where m is greater than 0) ensures that the oil droplets flowing down from the guide plate 2 can fall directly into the oil cup 11, preventing oil leakage. In particular, the bottom edge of the guide plate 2 can be blocked by the front edge of the oil cup 11 and is not visible from the front, ensuring the aesthetics of the range hood's air inlet 10 when it is open.

[0046] See Figure 3 The front wall panel 141 of the panel bracket 14 has protruding edges 1411 on its left and right sides, respectively, that protrude to the left and right sides of the rear wall panel 142. Each protruding edge 1411 has vibration damping pads 1412 on its upper and lower sides. The vibration damping pads 1412 are made of rubber and are fixed to the corresponding mounting holes on the protruding edge 1411 by an embedded method. When the movable panel 13 is in the closed air inlet 10 state, the bottom wall panel 143 and rear wall panel 142 of the panel bracket 14 extend into the housing 1 through the air inlet 10. The protruding edges 1411 of the front wall panel 141 abut against the side panels on the left and right sides of the air inlet 10 on the housing 1 through the vibration damping pads 1412, effectively reducing vibration and noise.

[0047] The panel bracket 14 has a vertically extending relief groove 140 that is open at the top. When the movable panel 13 has the air inlet 10 open, the bottom edge of the fixed panel 12 is embedded in the relief groove 140, ensuring that the movable panel 13 is tightly against the fixed panel 12, further ensuring the realization of the thin design.

[0048] The working process of the range hood in this embodiment is as follows: When the range hood is started, the drive motor drives the movable panel 13 to move upward and forward through the four-bar linkage mechanism, so that the movable panel 13 moves from the closed state to the front and above the air inlet 10 and abuts against the fixed panel 12, opening the air inlet 10. At this time, external airflow is drawn in through the air inlet 10, the air vent 1402 guides the airflow to reduce turbulence, and the guide plate 2 further optimizes the airflow path. The oil attached to the movable panel 13 flows down the panel along the bottom wall plate 143 of the panel support 14 under the action of gravity. Since the bottom wall plate 143 is tilted backward, the oil flows to the oil drain hole 1401 and drips into the oil cup 11. When closed, the movable panel 13 moves in the opposite direction, and the vibration damping pad 1412 contacts the side plate of the casing 1, reducing impact and noise.

[0049] The range hood (such as the opening and closing control of the movable panel, the air volume control of the centrifugal fan, etc.) can be controlled by a voice module. It is equipped with a controller, a voice receiving module, and a voice parsing module. The voice receiving module receives the user's instructions, and the voice parsing module parses the instructions. Based on the parsed instructions, the controller controls the range hood to perform the corresponding operations, thereby realizing the intelligent control of the range hood and improving the user experience.

Claims

1. A range hood, comprising: The housing (1) has an air inlet (10) at the front and a fixed panel (12) located above the air inlet (10); The movable panel (13) can be moved relative to the housing (1) by the drive mechanism (3) to open and close the air inlet (10); An oil cup (11) is located at the bottom of the housing (1), with an open top for receiving dripping oil from above. The feature is that: when the movable panel (13) closes the air inlet (10), the projection of the movable panel (13) in the vertical direction is located inside the oil cup (11), and the height of the bottom edge of the movable panel (13) is lower than the top of the front edge of the oil cup (11).

2. The range hood according to claim 1, characterized in that: The front edge of the oil cup (11) includes an extension edge (111) extending upward from the body of the oil cup (11). When the air inlet (10) is closed by the movable panel (13), the height of the bottom edge of the movable panel (13) is lower than the top of the extension edge (111) of the oil cup (11), and the front side of the movable panel (13) and the extension edge (111) are spaced apart in the front-back direction.

3. The range hood according to claim 2, characterized in that: When the air inlet (10) is closed by the movable panel (13), the distance between the front side of the movable panel (13) and the extension edge (111) in the front-rear direction is denoted as e, where e ≥ 3 mm.

4. The range hood according to claim 1, characterized in that: The front side of the active panel (13) near its bottom edge has an inclined surface (131) that slopes backward from top to bottom.

5. The range hood according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that: With the air inlet (10) open by the movable panel (13), the movable panel (13) is located above and in front of the air inlet (10) and is attached to the front side of the fixed panel (12).

6. The range hood according to claim 5, characterized in that: When the air inlet (10) is open on the movable panel (13), the projection of the front wall of the movable panel (13) in the vertical direction is located on the front side of the oil cup (11).

7. The range hood according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that: It also includes a guide plate (2) located inside the housing (1) and adjacent to the air inlet (10), the main body of the guide plate (2) extending forward at an angle from front to back.

8. The range hood according to claim 7, characterized in that: The top of the front edge of the oil cup (11) is at a higher height than the front edge of the guide plate (2).

9. The range hood according to claim 7, characterized in that: The guide plate (2) includes a first guide section (21) and a second guide section (22) connected sequentially from front to back. The angle between the first guide section (21) and the horizontal direction is smaller than the angle between the second guide section (22) and the horizontal direction.

10. The range hood according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that: A panel support (14) is provided on the back of the movable panel (13) near the lower edge. A vertically extending and open-top relief groove (140) is formed between the panel support (14) itself or between the panel support (14) and the back of the movable panel (13). When the movable panel (13) opens the air inlet (10), the movable panel (13) is against the front side of the fixed panel (12) and parallel to the fixed panel (12). At least the bottom edge of the fixed panel (12) is embedded in the relief groove (140).

11. The range hood according to claim 10, characterized in that: The drive mechanism (3) includes a drive motor and a four-bar linkage. The output shaft of the drive motor is connected to the power output end of the four-bar linkage. The power output end of the four-bar linkage is connected to the panel bracket (14). During the movement of the movable panel (13) relative to the housing (1) driven by the drive mechanism (3), the movable panel (13) always remains parallel to the fixed panel (12).

12. The range hood according to claim 11, characterized in that: The fixed panel (12) extends vertically, and the movable panel (13) in the closed air inlet (10) state also extends vertically, and the front wall of the movable panel (13) and the front wall of the fixed panel (12) are located on the same vertical plane.

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