Extractor fan and method for removing a recirculation filter

Abstract

Extractor hood comprising at least one recirculation filter (100) comprising a frame (102) and a filter element (104) held in the frame (102) with an intake side (110) and a clean air side (120), wherein the recirculation filter (100) comprises at least one handle (160) which is a flexible tab arranged on a first side (130) of the recirculation filter (100), characterized in that the extractor hood is a table fan, with an air inlet opening (210) arranged at the top and a filter carrier (220) arranged laterally offset below the air inlet opening, in which the at least one recirculation filter (100) is inserted.

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a cooker hood with a recirculation filter according to the preamble of claim 1 and a method for removing a recirculation filter.

[0002] Extractor hoods are used to remove impurities from the fumes and vapors produced during cooking. These fumes and vapors are drawn in from the cooking area (pots, pans, etc.) and filtered. The filter system typically consists of a grease filter and an odor filter.

[0003] Extractor hoods are known that are arranged above a cooking area. Extractor hoods are also known that are integrated into or attached to a cooktop. These extractor hoods are also referred to as downdraft extractors or table extractors. In these extractor hoods, air is drawn downwards through an air inlet opening.

[0004] Users of extractor hoods usually have the option of replacing the filters, especially the activated carbon filter (odor filter). However, the geometry of the extractor hood can make installing and removing the filters difficult.

[0005] Extraction systems are known that include at least one odor filter. For example, an activated carbon filter can be used as the odor filter. The odor filter can be in the form of a plate, mat, or molded body. According to one embodiment, the extraction system has at least one odor filter located in the area of ​​the air inlet opening for the extraction system. While this offers the advantage of making the odor filter accessible from above through the air inlet opening, it lacks a system that simplifies the installation and removal of the odor filter.

[0006] Document DE 10 2009 019 859 A1 discloses a filter element, for example, a cabin air filter for a motor vehicle, comprising a pleated pack containing filter material and pleated sections, enclosed by a frame. The frame includes at least one side band for stabilizing the pleats of the pleated pack on the cross-sectional edges of the pleated sections and a pleated end section. The side band and / or a pleated end section has a breakable perforation for gripping the filter element.

[0007] Document US 6,200,465 B1 discloses an air filter. To facilitate removal of the air filter from a housing, the air filter has a flexible tab that allows for a finger grip. In a preferred embodiment, the flexible tab is arranged between a molded gasket and an expanded metal mesh that covers the downstream area or dirty side of a pleated filter medium.

[0008] Document US 2016 / 0296870A1 discloses a vent filter for a cooking appliance. The vent filter can be replaced by the user once it is used up or its filter capacity is exhausted. In disclosed embodiments, the filter is provided in or as part of a cartridge that can be reversibly installed in and removed from the appliance without tools.

[0009] Starting from the known state of the art, it is an object of the present invention to provide an improved extractor fan with an improved recirculation filter, as well as a corresponding method for removing a recirculation filter.

[0010] The problem is solved by a fume extraction device with the features of claim 1. Advantageous further developments are described in the dependent claims, the description and the figures.

[0011] Accordingly, a cooker hood comprising at least one recirculation filter is proposed, wherein the recirculation filter comprises a frame and a filter element held in the frame with an intake side and a clean air side, wherein the recirculation filter comprises at least one handle, which is a flexible tab arranged on a first side of the recirculation filter, characterized in that the cooker hood is a table fan, with an air inlet opening arranged at the top and a filter carrier arranged laterally offset below the air inlet opening, in which the at least one recirculation filter is inserted.

[0012] A range hood is a device used to extract contaminated air, particularly fumes and vapors produced during cooking. The range hood has an air intake opening through which air is drawn in. Typically, the air passes through a grease filter and then through an odor filter, also known as a recirculation filter. These recirculation filters are held in place by a corresponding filter frame. Air is drawn from the intake side of each recirculation filter through the filter element, i.e., the actual filter material, and exits the recirculation filter on the clean air side. The frame holds the filter element. In some cases, the frame may completely surround the filter element, enclosing all its external surfaces except for the intake and clean air sides.

[0013] Directional terms such as "top" and "bottom" refer, unless otherwise specified, to a recirculation filter installed in a range hood where the air inlet opening is located in a cooktop or worktop and the air is drawn downwards through it. Unless otherwise specified, the side of the recirculation filter facing the air inlet opening when installed is referred to as "front." The recirculation filter is preferably housed in a filter holder that is positioned laterally below the air inlet opening, allowing the filter to be inserted horizontally into the holder.

[0014] The recirculation filter can be cuboid or essentially cuboid, but it can also have other shapes, such as essentially a cylinder, particularly a circular cylinder. In this case, the frame surrounds the cylinder's outer surface, and the two bases correspond to the intake side and the clean air side, respectively. For an essentially cuboid recirculation filter, the "sides" refer to the lateral faces of the cuboid. For a non-cuboid recirculation filter, the "sides" refer to the outer surfaces that point substantially in a particular direction.

[0015] To facilitate the installation, insertion, removal, or removal of the recirculation filter in or from the extractor hood, at least one handle, which is a flexible tab, is provided on the recirculation filter.

[0016] This has the advantage that the recirculation filter can be held by at least one handle, especially with two fingers. This can facilitate installation and removal, particularly in tight and / or awkwardly shaped access areas to the intended installation position, especially because it means the entire recirculation filter does not need to be grasped. A further advantage is that, instead of the recirculation filter itself, which normally gets dirty through use, only the handle needs to be held during removal. This avoids the risk of soiling your hands.

[0017] The fact that at least one handle is a flexible tab has the advantage of simplifying installation. For example, the handle can point outwards, away from the frame, or be bent outwards for holding, but can then be laid flat against the outside again, so that the filter can be inserted into the filter holder without the handle obstructing the insertion.

[0018] Another advantage of an attached handle, which is a flexible tab, is that, because the tab can be thin and because it is flexible, the handle does not affect the position of another filter located next to the recirculation filter, such as a grease filter.

[0019] In an advantageous embodiment, the flexible flap can be a strip or a band. Preferably, the flap has a small thickness, more preferably less than 1 mm, and most preferably less than 0.2 mm. Advantageously, the flap is attached at one end to a side of the recirculation filter, for example, by gluing. In an advantageous embodiment, the flap is attached to the side such that it points substantially in the direction of the side normal. In an alternative embodiment, the flap is attached so that it lies against the side, i.e., that it points substantially in a direction parallel to the side. In this embodiment, the flap can, for example, have a flat side, and an end section of this flat side can be glued or otherwise attached to the side of the recirculation filter. The remaining portion of the flap is not glued to the side of the recirculation filter.

[0020] The at least one handle can be attached to any side of the recirculation filter. For example, on the intake side, particularly on the filter element. Preferably, however, the at least one handle is attached to one side of the frame. The at least one handle can, for example, be attached to an inner side of the frame, particularly between the frame and the filter element. It is advantageous if the handle protrudes towards one of the intake and clean air sides.

[0021] In a preferred embodiment, the at least one handle is arranged on a first side of the recirculation filter, wherein the first side is a side of the frame, in particular an outside of the frame.

[0022] Attaching at least one handle to the frame can have the advantage of ease of installation. Attaching at least one handle to the outside of the frame can further offer the advantage of good accessibility.

[0023] In one embodiment, the at least one handle is arranged such that it projects at least partially beyond the plane in which the intake side of the recirculation filter is located.

[0024] This can be advantageous because, if the recirculation filter is installed in a filter housing in such a way that only the intake side is accessible to the user, the handle, by partially protruding towards the intake side, remains accessible. This allows the user to at least partially remove the recirculation filter from the filter housing by pulling the handle. An additional benefit is that the user does not need to grasp the filter element itself, for example, by gripping a fin, thus avoiding getting their fingers dirty.

[0025] In a further development, at least one handle is designed in such a way that it can be folded or bent towards the clean air side, so that it no longer protrudes beyond the plane in which the intake side of the recirculation filter is located, and it folds or bends back at least partially when it is no longer held.

[0026] This can have the advantage that, during installation, the handle can be bent or folded back before being inserted into the filter holder, so that it no longer protrudes forward after insertion and thus does not unnecessarily obstruct the airflow during operation of the extractor hood. This is particularly advantageous when two or more recirculation filters are arranged side by side for the operation of the extractor hood. In this way, a first recirculation filter can, when installed, hold the handle of an adjacent second recirculation filter, preventing it from protruding forward. After the first recirculation filter is removed, and therefore the handle of the second recirculation filter is no longer held in place, it folds forward at least partially and can thus be easily grasped by the user to remove the second recirculation filter.Such a characteristic of at least one handle can be achieved by making it sufficiently flexible so that it bends or folds back, at least partially, into its original shape when it is no longer held.

[0027] In a further embodiment, the recirculation filter further comprises at least one second handle, which is a flexible tab, arranged on a second side of the recirculation filter, wherein the second side is a side, in particular an outside, of the frame.

[0028] This has the advantage that the recirculation filter can be held from two different sides. For example, by grasping and pulling at least one handle horizontally towards the intake side, the filter can be at least partially removed from the filter holder, making at least one second handle accessible. Then, by grasping and pulling at least one second handle, the recirculation filter can be moved in another direction, for example upwards, to remove the recirculation filter from a table fan, for instance.

[0029] In one embodiment, the at least one second handle is designed to be identical or similar to the at least one handle. For example, the at least one second handle can be made of the same material as the first handle, or it can be attached in the same way as the first handle, or it can have the same shape as the at least one handle.

[0030] In one embodiment, the second side is essentially perpendicular to the first side.

[0031] This has the advantage that the recirculation filter can be pulled in different directions, especially in different directions that are perpendicular to each other, preferably horizontal and vertical.

[0032] In one embodiment, the first and second sides are essentially perpendicular to the intake side.

[0033] This can have the advantage that the handles are not attached to the intake side, which can lead to simpler mounting since the intake side is not limited by the frame. Mounting to the frame can be simpler and / or more stable. In an advantageous embodiment, the at least one handle located on the first side projects beyond the plane of the intake side, so that the recirculation filter can be pulled into the intake side by means of this handle. Subsequently, the recirculation filter can be pulled in a direction parallel to the intake side, in particular vertically upwards, by means of the at least one second handle.

[0034] In one embodiment, the recirculation filter further comprises at least a third handle, which is a flexible tab, arranged on a third side of the recirculation filter, wherein the third side is a side, in particular an outside, of the frame that is parallel to the first side.

[0035] This has the advantage that the filter can also be gripped from a third side using a handle and / or pulled in a third direction.

[0036] In one embodiment, the at least one third handle is designed to be identical or similar to the at least one second and / or the first handle. For example, the at least one third handle may be made of the same material as the first and / or second handle, or it may be attached in the same way as the first and / or second handle, or it may have the same shape as the first and / or second handle.

[0037] At least one handle can be essentially permeable to air.

[0038] This has the advantage that the handle has less influence on the airflow, resulting in a lower pressure drop through the handle.

[0039] In one embodiment, the at least one second handle and / or the at least one third handle is also essentially air-permeable.

[0040] The at least one handle can essentially consist of a material that is also contained in the frame and / or the filter element. According to one embodiment, the handle consists of nonwoven fabric.

[0041] This has the advantage of simplifying the manufacturing process. Furthermore, it can ensure that the handles have the same material properties required for use in a range hood, such as air permeability, corrosion resistance, or temperature stability, as the frame and / or the filter element.

[0042] In one embodiment, the at least one second handle and / or the at least one third handle also consist essentially of a material that is also contained in the frame and / or in the filter element. In an advantageous embodiment, the recirculation filter is an odor filter, in particular an activated carbon filter.

[0043] A handle system is particularly advantageous for odor filters, as these are often located behind a grease filter and can therefore be more difficult to access.

[0044] A range hood device is proposed comprising at least one recirculation filter according to the invention.

[0045] A range hood with a recirculating filter that includes at least one handle in the form of a flexible tab is advantageous because it simplifies filter changes. The filters can be held by the handles, making installation and removal easier. Furthermore, the handles are not obtrusive, as they are designed as flexible tabs and can therefore be efficiently stored during use, for example, between the recirculating filter and the filter holder.

[0046] According to the invention, the extractor fan is a table fan with an air inlet opening arranged at the top and a filter carrier arranged laterally offset below the air inlet opening, in which at least one recirculation filter is inserted.

[0047] Space is often limited under the cooktop, where a downdraft extractor is typically located, necessitating a compact design. Consequently, access to the filter holders is often narrow and sometimes awkwardly angled, further complicating the installation and removal of a recirculation filter without handles. Therefore, in this design, it is particularly advantageous to provide a recirculation filter with at least one handle.

[0048] In one embodiment, the recirculation filter is accessible through the air inlet opening on the top of the table fan. The recirculation filter is arranged essentially laterally offset below the air inlet opening, in particular laterally offset along one of the long sides of the air inlet opening. However, the recirculation filter can also be arranged essentially directly below the air inlet opening.

[0049] In one embodiment, the table fan is configured so that when removing the filter, it is first pulled out of the filter holder from the side and then lifted out of the table fan through the air inlet opening, or configured so that a filter to be installed is first inserted downwards through the air inlet opening and then pushed into the filter holder from the side.

[0050] In one embodiment, the filter carrier can also accommodate a plurality of recirculation filters. The recirculation filters can, for example, be cuboid in shape, with the frame having two long sides and two short sides, the recirculation filters being arranged one after the other on each of the short sides of the frame. During installation, they can be inserted into the filter carrier sequentially, similar to installing batteries. It is advantageous if the at least one handle is located on one of the two short sides of the frame and protrudes from the plane of the intake side. This has the advantage that the handle is accessible to the user when the recirculation filter is installed. In a further advantageous embodiment, the recirculation filter includes at least one second handle, which is a flexible tab, arranged on one of the two long sides of the recirculation filter frame.When installed, this side can face upwards, essentially towards the air intake opening. This is advantageous because the user can hold the recirculation filter by this at least second handle when removing it from the table fan, or when installing it.

[0051] The problem stated above is further solved by a method for removing a recirculation filter with the features of claim 11. Advantageous embodiments of the method will become apparent from the present description and the figures.

[0052] Accordingly, a method for removing a recirculation filter according to the invention from a filter carrier of a table fan according to the invention is provided, wherein the method comprises the steps: - Pull on at least one handle to remove the recirculation filter at least partially from the filter holder, and - Pull on at least one second handle to remove the recirculation filter from the table fan.

[0053] Pulling on a handle means grasping the handle, particularly with two or more fingers, and moving it in one or more directions, especially by pulling. Moving the handle moves and / or rotates the recirculation filter.

[0054] Pulling on the at least one handle can be done in such a way that the recirculation filter is partially pulled horizontally out of or removed from the filter holder. This means that at least part of the filter protrudes from the filter holder. It is advantageous if the recirculation filter protrudes from the filter holder to such an extent that the at least one second handle has been partially or completely removed from the filter holder. In a particularly advantageous method, pulling on the at least one handle is done in such a way that the recirculation filter is completely removed from the filter holder.

[0055] Pulling on the at least one second handle can be done in such a way that the recirculation filter is completely removed from the table fan. It can be advantageous if, when pulling on the at least one second handle, the recirculation filter is first completely removed horizontally from the filter holder and then completely removed vertically from the table fan. It is also advantageous if the recirculation filter is moved upwards by pulling on the at least one second handle.

[0056] In a further embodiment, the method comprises a further step between pulling on the at least one handle and pulling on the at least one second handle: - Pull on at least one third handle to further remove the recirculation filter from the filter holder, wherein the third is a flexible tab located on a third side of the recirculation filter, the third side being an outside of the frame parallel to the first side.

[0057] This step involves pulling on another handle to remove the recirculation filter even further, preferably completely horizontally, from the filter holder.

[0058] It is advantageous if the recirculation filter is cuboid in shape, with the frame having two long sides and two short sides, with at least one handle being arranged on one of the two short sides of the frame and protruding towards the intake side from the plane in which the intake side is located.

[0059] It is further advantageous if at least one second handle is arranged on one of the two long sides of the recirculation filter frame. It is particularly advantageous if one of the two long sides of the recirculation filter frame points upwards when the recirculation filter is installed.

[0060] To install the recirculation filter in the table fan, hold the filter by at least one handle and insert it into the fan from above. Then, insert the recirculation filter into the filter holder from the side. It is advantageous to press, or in particular bend and / or fold, at least one handle towards the filter holder before or during insertion.

[0061] Advantages and features described with regard to the recirculation filter apply - where applicable - accordingly to the extractor hood and the method, and vice versa.

[0062] Preferred further embodiments of the invention are explained in more detail by the following description of the figures. These show: Fig. 1 a schematic representation of an activated carbon filter with two protruding handles; Fig. 2 a schematic representation of an activated carbon filter with two attached handles; Fig. 3 a schematic representation illustrating the construction of the first of two activated carbon filters; and Fig. Figure 4 shows a schematic representation illustrating the installation of a second of two activated carbon filters.

[0063] Preferred embodiments are described below with reference to the figures. Identical, similar, or equivalent elements in the different figures are designated with identical reference numerals, and repeated descriptions of these elements are sometimes omitted to avoid redundancy.

[0064] In Fig. Figure 1 schematically shows an embodiment of a recirculation filter 100. In this embodiment, the recirculation filter 100 is an activated carbon filter with a frame 102 and a filter element 104 held in the frame 102. The recirculation filter 100 has an intake side 110 and a clean air side, which is parallel to the intake side 110 and is not shown in the figure. The recirculation filter 100 further comprises a handle 160, which is attached to the first side 130. The handle 160 projects perpendicularly to the side 130, is flexible, and can therefore be bent. The recirculation filter 100 further comprises a second handle 170, which is attached to the second side 140. The second handle 170 projects perpendicularly to the side 140, is flexible, and can therefore be bent.

[0065] In Fig. Figure 2 schematically shows another embodiment of a recirculation filter 100. This differs from the embodiment in Fig. 1. The handles 160 and 170 are attached such that they rest against the corresponding sides, i.e., that they point substantially in a direction parallel to the corresponding side. In this embodiment, the handles 160 and 170 have a flat side, and an end section of this flat side is bonded to the corresponding side of the recirculation filter 100. The handle 160 is bonded to the side 130 such that the end opposite the bonded end projects towards the intake side beyond the plane in which the intake side 110 lies. This end of the handle 160 can therefore also be gripped, held, or pulled when the filter 100 is completely installed in a filter carrier 220 (not shown in this figure).

[0066] Fig. Figure 3 schematically shows the removal of the first of two activated carbon filters 100 from a table fan. The figure depicts a first activated carbon filter 100, comprising a handle 160, a second handle 170, and a third handle 180, as well as an intake side 110 and a clean air side 120. In the first step 310, the filter 100 is partially removed from the filter holder by pulling on the handle 160, so that the second handle 170 is removed from the filter holder and can now be grasped. In a second step 320, the filter 100 is completely removed from the filter holder 220 by pulling on the second handle 170 and then completely removed from the table fan by further pulling the handle 170 upwards through the air intake opening 210. It can also be seen that the third handle 180, which was previously held by a second filter between this and the first filter, folds forwards.

[0067] Fig.Figure 4 schematically shows the removal of the second of two activated carbon filters 100 from a table fan. The figure shows the second activated carbon filter 100, which includes a handle 160, a second handle 170, and a third handle 180. Since the first filter has been removed, the first handle 160 is folded forward and can be gripped by the user. In the first step 310, the filter 100 is completely removed from the filter holder 220 by pulling on the handle 160. In a second step 320, the filter 100 is completely removed from the table fan through the air inlet opening 210 by pulling upwards on the second handle. It can also be seen that the third handle 180, which was previously held by the filter holder 220 between it and the second filter, folds forwards.

[0068] Where applicable, all individual features shown in the exemplary embodiments can be combined and / or exchanged without leaving the scope of the invention. Reference symbol list 100 recirculation filters 102 frames 104 filter element 110 Intake side 120 Clean air side 130 First page 140 Second page 160 first grip 170 second handle 180 third grip 210 Air intake opening 220 filter holders 310 Pulling on at least one handle 320 Pulling on at least one second handle

Claims

[1] Extractor hood comprising at least one recirculation filter (100) comprising a frame (102) and a filter element (104) held in the frame (102) with an intake side (110) and a clean air side (120), wherein the recirculation filter (100) comprises at least one handle (160) which is a flexible tab arranged on a first side (130) of the recirculation filter (100), characterized by , that the extractor fan is a table fan, with an air inlet opening (210) arranged at the top and a filter carrier (220) arranged laterally below the air inlet opening, in which at least one recirculation filter (100) is inserted. [2] Extractor hood according to claim 1, wherein the first side (130) is a side of the frame (102), in particular an outside of the frame (102). [3] Extractor hood according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the at least one handle (160) is arranged such that it extends at least partially beyond the plane in which the intake side (110) of the recirculation filter (100) is located. [4] Extractor hood according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the at least one handle (160) is designed such that it can be folded or bent towards the clean air side (120) so that it no longer protrudes beyond the plane in which the intake side (110) of the recirculation filter (100) is located and at least partially folds or bends back when it is no longer held. [5] Extractor hood according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the recirculation filter (100) further comprises at least one second handle (170) which is a flexible tab which is arranged on a second side (140) of the recirculation filter (100), wherein the second side (140) is a side, in particular an outside, of the frame (102). [6] Extractor hood according to claim 5, wherein the second side (140) is perpendicular to the first side (130). [7] Extraction device according to one of claims 5 or 6, wherein the first and second sides (130, 140) are perpendicular to the intake side (110). [8] Extractor fan according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the recirculation filter (100) further comprises a third handle (180) which is a flexible tab which is arranged on a third side of the recirculation filter (100), wherein the third side is a side, in particular an outside, of the frame (102) which is parallel to the first side (130). [9] Extractor hood according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the at least one handle (160) is made of nonwoven fabric. [10] Extraction device according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the recirculation filter (100) is an odor filter, in particular an activated carbon filter. [11] Method for removing a recirculation filter (100) from a filter carrier (220) of a range hood according to any one of claims 5 to 10, which is a table fan, wherein the method comprises the steps: - Pull on at least one handle (160) to remove the recirculation filter (100) at least partially from the filter holder (220) (step 310), and - Pull on at least one second handle (170) to remove the recirculation filter (100) from the table fan (step 320).

Images