Device for extracting cooking fumes

Abstract

Device (1) for extracting cooking fumes in a direction pointing vertically below a hob plane, comprising a cooking fume extraction system arranged below the hob plane, comprising at least one control element (4) by means of which the cooking fume extraction system can be controlled, comprising a cooking fume inlet opening, and comprising a cover element (2) that is reversibly pivotable between a closed state and an open state, wherein the cover element (2) covers the cooking fume inlet opening in the closed state. characterized by the fact that the operating elements (4) are arranged on the cover element (2), and the cover element (2) is rotatably mounted about an axis and a multi-layered structure of the cover element (2) comprising at least one technical core which includes the operating elements (4), associated electrical components and power lines, wherein the power lines run over a rotation axis of the cover element (2).

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a device for extracting cooking fumes, which is used particularly in the preparation of food, according to the preamble of claim 1. The device comprises a cooking fume extraction system on a cooktop, which is covered in a closed position by a cover element, wherein the cover element is pivotably adjustable. The cooking fume extraction system is controllable by means of operating elements.

[0002] Devices with integrated extraction systems are known in the prior art. These are usually extendable and / or foldable and extract cooking fumes from the cooktop at a certain height. Many prior art devices feature so-called down-draft systems, in which the extraction unit is located to the side or behind the cooktop and, when in use, extends upwards from the worktop or cooktop.

[0003] German patent application DE 20 2008 013 350 U1 discloses a device in which an elongated cooking fume extraction unit extending across the entire width of the cooktop unit is provided in the rear edge area behind the cooktop unit or in the front edge area in front of the cooktop unit. The extraction unit and its controls are separate and therefore require considerable space within the cooktop. This significantly reduces the cooking surface compared to conventional cooktops.

[0004] The German patent application DE 10 2011 079 306 A1 also discloses an extraction system that can be installed in a worktop next to a cooktop. The extraction system is covered by a cover element. When the extraction system is in use, the cover element is adjusted, thereby opening the extraction system. Here, too, the extraction system and its controls are separate. This requires considerable space in the cooktop area. Furthermore, additional openings must be provided in the worktop or the front of the kitchen unit to accommodate the extraction system's controls.

[0005] Furthermore, the printed documents DE 10 2010 042 436 A1, DE 20 2012 001 839 U1 and DE 10 2007 059 786 A1 also show devices for extracting cooking fumes.

[0006] The object of the invention is to provide a device for extracting cooking fumes which eliminates the disadvantages of the prior art.

[0007] The problem is solved by a device for extracting cooking fumes with the features of claim 1. Advantageous embodiments are given in the subsequent dependent claims.

[0008] According to the invention, the device for extracting cooking fumes is arranged below a cooktop and is controllable by operating elements. The cooking fume extraction system has a cooking fume inlet opening near the cooktop, through which the cooking fumes are extracted. Typically, the cooking fume inlet opening is provided within a worktop in which the cooktop is also located. In the closed state, the cooking fume inlet opening is covered by at least one cover element, which is reversibly adjustable and pivotable between a closed and an open state.

[0009] According to the invention, the operating elements of the extraction system are arranged on the cover element.

[0010] The cover element is rotatably mounted about an axis. In the closed position, the cover element has a flat side that is essentially in the plane of the cooktop, while in the open position, a narrow side extends at least partially beyond the cooktop. The swiveling action can be mechanical or motorized. For mechanical swiveling, pressing on the cover element releases a locking mechanism, allowing the swiveling action to be performed by spring force. Alternatively, simple swiveling by the user to a position predefined by detents is also possible. Motorized swiveling can be achieved, for example, by the user pressing a button via a small motor on the cover element's pivot point. In one embodiment, the controls are located on this narrow side.This ensures that an extraction system positioned advantageously close to the source of cooking fumes does not require additional controls elsewhere. Besides a more visually appealing overall appearance due to fewer controls, it also allows for a clear and intuitive user-friendly allocation of controls to the specific part of the appliance being operated – in this case, the cooking fume extraction system.

[0011] In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the cooking fume inlet opening of the cooking fume extraction system is arranged within the surface of the cooktop. This makes it possible to integrate the cooking fume extraction system and the associated controls into the cooktop in a space-saving manner.

[0012] According to the invention, the cover element has a multi-layered structure which, in the closed state, comprises an upper layer and a lower layer, which enclose further layers. The upper layer preferably corresponds to the material of the cooktop. The multi-layered structure of the cover element includes at least one technical core, which contains the control elements, associated electrical components, and power cables. The cover element is thus firmly connected to the cooktop. Ideally, the power supply lines of the control panel should run along the axis of rotation of the cover element.

[0013] In one embodiment, the cover element features an additional element that can be folded out and / or extended, thereby increasing the surface area of ​​the cover element. This improves the extraction of cooking fumes, as the cooking fumes are more effectively dissipated. The increased surface area also provides more space for the controls, which can be positioned on this surface of the cover element.

[0014] The control elements can be sensor elements, such as inductive or capacitive touch sensors, infrared sensors, pushbuttons, or switches. However, other types of control elements are also conceivable.

[0015] In another embodiment, after the cover element moves from the closed to the open position, the end furthest from the user is positioned higher, while the end closer to the user is lower. This allows for rotation around an axis that is mounted higher at the end furthest from the user than at the end closer. A simpler and therefore less error-prone solution is to reposition the axis after the cover element has rotated. This allows the axis to be lowered or tilted at the end closer to the user once a maximum rotation angle is reached. This tilting action ensures that the operating elements on the narrow side of the cover element are easily legible and accessible to the user.This makes it easier for the user to see the controls even in poor visibility conditions, such as when there are many pots on the cooktop and a lot of cooking fumes, or in potentially unfavorable lighting conditions, and eliminates the need for the user to awkwardly crane their head over the cooktop. The controls can also be arranged in groups, and the cooking fume extraction can be zoned, with each zone controlled by a group of controls and / or the extraction system adjustable to different power levels.

[0016] When the extractor fan is switched off, the cooking fume extraction system and its controls are not visible through the cooktop according to the invention. In this way, the extractor fan integrates well into the kitchen environment. Furthermore, no valuable space needs to be allocated within the cooktop for operating the extractor fan. By integrating the controls into the cover element of the extractor fan, the extractor fan can be used across the full depth of the cooktop. The user can also activate special functions, such as "extra strong extraction," precisely where it is needed. The placement of the controls for the extractor fan is therefore optimal.

[0017] The invention is explained in more detail with reference to drawings. These show: Fig. 1 Cooking hob with hinged cover elements with laterally mounted pivot axes a) on the front side of the hob in the closed (top) and open (bottom) state, b) on the front and rear sides of the hob in the closed (top) and open (bottom) states, Fig. 2 a side view of hobs with hinged cover elements, wherein in a) the cover element has an additional hinged element, b) the cover element has an additional extendable element, Fig. 3 a cooktop with a cover element having a pivot axis mounted in the center of the cover element in a) three-dimensional view, b) Top view, c) Side view.

[0018] The device 1 for extracting cooking fumes with the cooking fume extractor is located below the hob 8. In Fig. 1 a) (above) a cooktop 8 is shown, which has an opening on its front side for the cooking fume extraction system (not shown) and is covered by the cover element 2. When the cooktop 8 is switched on and / or when the cooking fume extraction system is switched on, the cover element 2 opens. In the open state ( Fig. 1a) below) the cover element 2 is folded open such that the opening faces the center of the cooktop 8, allowing the extraction of cooking fumes. The axis around which the cover element 2 rotates is located on one of its long sides. The controls 4 for the extraction system are located on the flat surface 5 of the cover element 2. However, it is also conceivable that the controls 4 for the cooktop 8 are also located on the cover element 2. Furthermore, it is conceivable that switching on the extraction system and / or the cooktop 8, or operating additional controls 4, opens several cover elements 2, thus revealing the extraction openings. Fig. 1b)).

[0019] Another possible embodiment of the invention is in Fig. 2 shown. Fig. Figure 2a) shows how a cover element 2 is opened, on which an additional hinged element 7 is located. When the hob 8 or the cooking extractor is switched on, the closed cover element 2 opens ( Fig. 2a) above), by moving it over the laterally mounted pivot axis of the cover element 2 ( Fig. 2a) in the middle). In the open state, the additional element 7, which is located under the cover element 2 in the closed state, is folded over a further pivot axis attached to the cover element 2 in order to enlarge the area of ​​the operating elements 4 arranged on the top of the cover element 2 ( Fig. 2a) below).

[0020] Another form of the additional element 7 for enlarging the control area is in Fig. 2b) shown. Here, the additional element 7 is located in the cover element 2. When the hob 8 or the cooking extractor is switched on, the closed cover element 2 opens ( Fig. 2b) above), by moving it over the laterally mounted pivot axis of the cover element 2 ( Fig. 2b) in the middle). In the open state, the additional element 7, which (in the closed state) is located inside the cover element 2, is extended telescopically to enlarge the area of ​​the operating elements 4 arranged on the top of the cover element 2 ( Fig. 2b) below).

[0021] In Fig. Figure 3 shows a further embodiment of the invention. When the cooktop 8 or the cooking fume extractor is switched on, the cover element 2, which is located in the center of the cooktop 8 and extends from the front to the rear of the cooktop 8, is rotated by 90°. The axis of rotation is mounted centrally along the length of the cover element 2. This opens the cooking fume extractor. The opening occurs equally to the right and left sides of the cooktop 8. The control elements 4 are located on the narrow side 6 of the cover element 2, which has become visible from above due to the rotation of the cover element 2. The control elements 4 can be operated as shown in Fig.3b) shown in the top view, they should be arranged so that they are assigned to specific zones. This allows the user to activate special functions, such as "extra strong extraction," directly where needed. The assignment of the control elements 4 to the cooking fume extraction system is therefore optimal.

[0022] Since the preceding, detailed description of the cooktop is an exemplary embodiment, it can be extensively modified by a person skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the invention. In particular, the specific configurations of the extraction system can also differ from the one described here. Likewise, the control panel can be designed differently if necessary for reasons of space or design. Furthermore, the use of the indefinite articles "a" or "an" does not preclude the possibility that the relevant features may be present multiple times. Reference symbol list 1 Device 2 Cover element 4 Controls 5. Surface-shaped side of the cover element 6 Narrow side of the cover element 7 fold-out / extendable element 8 cooking zones

Claims

[1] Device (1) for extracting cooking fumes in a direction pointing vertically below a hob plane, comprising a cooking fume extraction system arranged below the hob plane, comprising at least one control element (4) by means of which the cooking fume extraction system can be controlled, comprising a cooking fume inlet opening, comprising a cover element (2) which is reversibly pivotable between a closed state and an open state, wherein the cover element (2) covers the cooking fume inlet opening in the closed state, characterized by , that the operating elements (4) are arranged on the cover element (2), and the cover element (2) is rotatably mounted about an axis and a multi-layered structure of the cover element (2) comprising at least one technical core which includes the operating elements (4), associated electrical components and power lines, wherein the power lines run over a rotation axis of the cover element (2). [2] Device (1) for extracting cooking fumes according to claim 1, characterized by , that the cooking fume inlet opening is arranged in the surface of a cooktop (8), wherein the cooktop (8) and / or the cooking fume extraction can be controlled by the control elements (4). [3] Device (1) for extracting cooking fumes according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by , that the cover element (2) in the closed state is arranged with a flat side (5) in the plane of the hob (8) and in the open state with a narrow side (6) protrudes at least partially beyond the hob (8), wherein in particular the control elements (4) are arranged on this narrow side (6). [4] Device (1) for extracting cooking fumes according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by, that the cover element (2) has a multi-layered structure which, in the closed state, has an upper layer and a lower layer which enclose further layers. [5] Device (1) for extracting cooking fumes according to claim 4, characterized by , that the upper layer corresponds to the material of the cooktop (8). [6] Device (1) for extracting cooking fumes according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by , that a further element (7) is attached to the cover element (2), which can be folded up and / or extended. [7] Device (1) for extracting cooking fumes according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by , that the operating elements (4) are sensor elements, push buttons or switches. [8] Device (1) for extracting cooking fumes according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by, that after the movement of the cover element (2) from the closed to the open state, the end of the cover element (2) facing away from the user is positioned higher and the end facing the user is positioned lower. [9] Device (1) for extracting cooking fumes according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by , that the control elements (4) are arranged in groups and the cooking fume extraction takes place in zones, wherein each zone can be operated with a group of control elements (4) and / or the cooking fume extraction can be regulated with different power levels.

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