Cooktop downdraft extractor

Abstract

Cooktop downdraft extractor (K) with a hob surface (1) and a vapor passage (2) and a negative pressure source (3) and a housing (4), wherein the negative pressure source (3) forms a cooking vapor envelope (5) and comprises a cooking vapor discharge (6), wherein the vapor passage (2) and the cooking vapor envelope (5) are operatively connected, characterized in that the vapor passage (2) is arranged in a corner region of the hob surface (1), wherein four vapor passages (2) are arranged in four corner regions of the hob surface (1), wherein the hob surface (1) and the vapor passages (2) are designed complementary to each other in order to form a rectangle.

Description

Technical field

[0001] The invention relates to a cooktop downdraft extractor according to the preamble of claim 1. State of the art

[0002] Such cooktop downdraft extractors are already known and commonly used in a variety of forms and designs. For example, DE 10 2013 007 722 A1 shows a downdraft extractor in which the recess for extracting cooking fumes is located in the center of the cooktop surface. This design does not utilize the cooktop surface optimally, so only a smaller number of cooking zones can be provided.

[0003] In this context, reference is made to US 4 446 849 A, which discloses a cooktop in which an exhaust vent is arranged next to the cooktop.

[0004] Reference is also made to DE 42 35 263 A1, which discloses a cooktop in which the operating elements, such as the on / off switch or temperature control, are arranged in the corner areas.

[0005] Reference is also made to DE 10 2019 217 111 A1, which reveals a cooktop with a central extractor hood.

[0006] Reference is also made to DE 20 2013 010 646 U1, in which a downdraft extractor is arranged between two cooking zones.

[0007] Finally, reference is made to EP 2 397 770 A1. This discloses a cooking appliance in which a hob and an oven can be operated independently of each other from different control panels, some of which can be swivelled towards the user. Object of the invention

[0008] The object of the present invention is to overcome the disadvantages of the prior art. In particular, it aims to provide a cooktop exhaust system that makes it possible to accommodate a large number of cooking zones on the smallest possible cooktop surface while still ensuring optimal extraction of cooking fumes. Solution to the task

[0009] The features according to claim 1 lead to the solution of the problem.

[0010] Advantageous embodiments are described in the dependent claims.

[0011] A cooktop downdraft extractor according to the invention comprises a hob surface and a vapor passage, as well as a negative pressure source and a housing containing all essential components. The negative pressure source includes a vapor intake and a vapor discharge. The vapor passage and the vapor intake are operatively connected. This operative connection means that the negative pressure generated by the negative pressure source and the suction effect, acting as a vapor intake, draw the cooking vapors generated on the hob surface through the vapor passages. The vapor intake is controlled by the negative pressure source and corresponding guide vanes or baffles within the housing.

[0012] The steam vent is located in a corner of the cooktop. This makes particularly advantageous use of an area of ​​the cooktop that was previously either unused or only used at its edges. Prior art steam vents are either located in the center of the cooktop or extend along its entire edge, which has the disadvantage of limiting the number of cooking zones that can be accommodated. Concentrating the steam vents exclusively in the corners is advantageous according to the invention, as these areas were previously either unused or insufficiently utilized. The steam vents are limited to an area between 8 and 15 cm from the respective corners of the cooktop and / or the housing.

[0013] Of particular note is the embodiment with four vapor vents in the four corner areas of the rectangular cooktop. Rectangular cooktops in standard dimensions represent the usual design and can thus be quickly and easily upgraded with the cooktop downdraft extractor according to the invention. For this purpose, the existing standard cutout in the countertop is fitted with the cooktop downdraft extractor according to the invention and connected, and a cooktop previously equipped with four cooking zones can now be operated with six cooking zones, without having to forgo downdraft ventilation.

[0014] Each steam vent has an activated carbon filter and / or a grease filter. The activated carbon filter absorbs odors and can be easily replaced by either removing and opening the entire steam vent or simply lifting off a cover grille and replacing the activated carbon filter. The grease filter absorbs grease contained in the cooking fumes. The grease filter can also be easily installed and replaced within the steam vent.

[0015] In a preferred embodiment, the steam vent is a prism-shaped vent. This is a prism-shaped tube through which the cooking steam is drawn towards the source of negative pressure. The prism shape is particularly well suited for installation in the corner areas of the cooktop.

[0016] The vapor vent has an inlet area. Additionally, the vapor vent also has a flow area. "In the installed position" within the scope of the invention means when the cooktop downdraft extractor is installed in a kitchen countertop for normal use. In the installed position, the inlet area is located essentially on one plane of the cooktop surface, and the flow area is located essentially on another plane of the negative pressure source.

[0017] The inlet area has a cover grid as described above, and the passage area has the activated carbon filter.

[0018] The vacuum source is positioned centrally below the hob surface when installed.

[0019] Furthermore, the cooking fume ejection system, which either expels the cooking fumes drawn in by the negative pressure source through the fume vents or back into the cooking chamber, features a photocatalytic device. This photocatalytic device serves to neutralize odors or disinfect the cooking fumes. The cooking fumes enter the housing through the fume vents and pass through the photocatalytic device before exiting. This process is called photocatalysis.

[0020] The photocatalytic device consists of a UV-A light source and a titanium dioxide array. UV-A light source refers to a source of ultraviolet radiation of category A. Category A radiation is invisible to the human eye and has a wavelength range of 280-315 nm.

[0021] It is irrelevant whether the airflow passes through the UV-A light source or the titanium dioxide array first. This is because the UV-A light source primarily illuminates only the titanium dioxide array. The titanium dioxide array is activated by the UV-A radiation. The activated titanium dioxide array enables continuous, low-maintenance odor neutralization with minimal to no loss of efficiency.

[0022] The titanium dioxide arrangement can be used in various configurations. For example, the titanium dioxide arrangement could be a grid coated with titanium dioxide. The grid would be advantageous because it allows the airflow to pass through easily, thus enabling particularly effective odor neutralization.

[0023] The titanium dioxide arrangement can also be designed such that an inner surface of the housing is coated with titanium dioxide. This coating can cover the entire inner surface or only a portion of it.

[0024] The UV-A light source can be implemented as a light-emitting diode (LED). This has the advantages of cost-effective manufacturing, adjustability, and longevity.

[0025] The hob surface can have up to or exactly six contiguous cooking zones within the usual standard sizes. In exceptional cases, there may be more than six cooking zones.

[0026] One of the usual standard sizes for hob surfaces is a rectangle, with the hob surface including a frame or cover frame having a first edge length of 78 cm and a second edge length of 51 cm.

[0027] The steam vent also features a water collection tray. This is designed to prevent boil-over or spilled water from running under the hob surface, where it could damage the appliance and be difficult to clean.

[0028] The cooktop surface and the steam vent are designed to complement each other, forming a rectangle. This means that the cooktop surface and the steam vent are shaped in such a way that as many cooking zones as possible can be incorporated into known standard sizes.

[0029] The steam vent is removable from the housing and therefore easily replaceable. Cleaning or replacing the activated carbon filter and / or grease filter is also possible in this way.

[0030] It is also conceivable within the scope of the invention that a filter unit is arranged in the vapor passage, which is positively fitted into the vapor passage. The filter unit can, for example, comprise an active and / or grease filter. The filter unit can then be clipped into the vapor passage and thus arranged and removed in a defined manner. This, in turn, simplifies replacement. Character description

[0031] Further advantages, features and details of the invention will become apparent from the following description of preferred embodiments and from the drawings; these show in: Fig. 1. A top view of a cooktop downdraft extractor; Fig. 2 an exploded view of the cooktop downdraft extractor Fig. 1; Fig. 3 A top view of the cooktop downdraft extractor from the Fig. 1. Example of implementation

[0032] In Fig. Figure 1 is a top view of a cooktop downdraft extractor K. A cooktop surface 1 and four vapor outlets 2 are visible. The vapor outlets 2 are each located in a corner of the cooktop surface 1.

[0033] The cooking surface 1 and the four steam vents 2 are designed to be complementary to each other. This means that the four steam vents 2, arranged in the corner areas and appearing triangular in plan view, together form a rectangle in plan view with corresponding cutouts in the cooking surface 1 in the corner areas.

[0034] Furthermore, in the Fig. Figure 1 shows a housing 4 which accommodates the technology arranged below the hob surface 1. The housing 4 also forms a frame 13.

[0035] In a preferred embodiment, the frame 13 forms a rectangle with a first edge length 14 of 78 cm and a second edge length 15 of 51 cm. The first edge length 14 and the second edge length 15 are well aligned in the Fig. 3. The housing 4 has a height of 17 cm including the built-in hob surface 1.

[0036] In this preferred embodiment, the cooktop surface 1 has exactly six contiguous cooking zones 12.1 - 12.6. These contiguous cooking zones 12.1 - 12.6 are defined by the fact that no vapor vents 2 are arranged between the individual cooking zones 12.1 - 12.6. This advantageously allows exactly six cooking zones 12.1 - 12.6 to be used within a standard size of 78 cm by 51 cm, including the frame 13, even though a downdraft ventilation system is present.

[0037] In Fig. Figure 2 clearly shows how the technology is arranged within the housing 4. A vacuum source 3 is located there, and this vacuum source 3 incorporates a cooking fume hood 5. The cooking fume hood is a generated vacuum that draws the cooking fumes from above the cooktop 1 through the fume vents 2 and expels them through a cooking fume outlet 6. The fume vent 2 and the cooking fume hood 5 are functionally connected. Functionally connected means that the vacuum source 3 generates a vacuum within the housing 4. This vacuum is the cooking fume hood 5, which is generated by the vacuum source 3.

[0038] In the preferred embodiment, the hob surface 1 consists of a glass pane 16, a radiant heating element 17 consisting of six fields, and a mounting frame 18. The mounting frame 18 has the radiant heating element 17 on one side and an intermediate element 19 on the other.

[0039] In this embodiment, the steam vents 2 are designed as prism-shaped vents. However, they can take on any other shape, as long as they can be arranged complementarily in a corner area of ​​the cooktop surface 1.

[0040] The vacuum source 3 is positioned centrally below the cooktop surface 1 in the housing 4. A cover plate 20 is located between the vacuum source 3 and the intermediate element 19. The cover plate 20 serves to cover the vacuum source 3 and to control the resulting vacuum flows, also referred to as the cooking fume hood 5.

[0041] Furthermore, four partition plates 21 are provided, which can accommodate the vapor passages 2 in a defined shape in the corner areas of the housing 4. The partition plates 21 have recesses. These recesses correspond, in the installed position, to passage areas 9 of the vapor passages 2. Each passage area 9 also has an activated carbon filter 7. In another embodiment, a grease filter can be provided in addition to or as an alternative to the activated carbon filter 7.

[0042] The housing 4 forms a discharge opening 22 into which, in the installed position, a cooking fume discharge chute 6 enters and passes, as is also the case in the Fig. 3 can be seen in the installed position.

[0043] As can be seen from the Fig. As can be seen from Figure 2, each of the vapor passages 2 has an inlet area 8. The inlet area 8 is covered by the cover grille 10 and attracts the cooking vapors. In addition, each of the vapor passages 2 has a passage area 9, in which the Fig. 2. The passage areas 9 are only recognizable in two of the four vapor passages 2. In the installed position, the inlet area 8 is arranged approximately on one plane of the hob surface 1 and the passage area 9 is arranged approximately on another plane of the negative pressure source 3.

[0044] Also in the Fig. Figure 2 shows that the cooking fume outlet 6 has a photocatalytic device 11. The photocatalytic device 11 is arranged between the negative pressure source 3 and the cooking fume outlet 6. In a further embodiment, the photocatalytic device 11 can be omitted. In this further embodiment, all necessary filters, such as activated carbon and / or grease filters or the like, can then be arranged in the fume passage 2.

[0045] Fig. Figure 3 shows, in addition to what has been written so far, the first edge length 14 and the second edge length 15. It is also clearly visible how the vapor openings 2 are arranged complementarily in the corner areas of the hob surface 1 and thus cut through the hob surface 1 and therefore also the cooking zones 12.1 — 12.6. Reference symbol list K Cooktop downdraft extractor 1 hob surface 2 vapor passages 3. Source of negative pressure 4 cases 5 cooking fume suits 6 Cooking fume discharge 7 activated carbon filters 8 Entrance area 9 Passage area 10 cover grilles 11 Photocatalysis device 12.1 - 12.6 cooking zones 13 frames 14 First edge length 15 Second edge length 16 glass panes 17 radiant heaters 18 mounting frames 19 Intermediate element 20 Cover plate 21 Dividing plate 22 Ejection cutout

Claims

[1] Cooktop downdraft extractor (K) with a hob surface (1) and a vapor passage (2) and a negative pressure source (3) and a housing (4), wherein the negative pressure source (3) forms a cooking vapor envelope (5) and comprises a cooking vapor discharge (6), wherein the vapor passage (2) and the cooking vapor envelope (5) are operatively connected, characterized by , that the vapor passage (2) is arranged in a corner area of ​​the hob surface (1), wherein four vapor passages (2) are arranged in four corner areas of the hob surface (1), wherein the hob surface (1) and the vapor passages (2) are designed to be complementary to each other in order to form a rectangle. [2] Cooktop downdraft extractor (K) according to the previous claim, characterized by that the vapor passage (2) has an activated carbon filter (7) and / or a grease filter. [3] Cooktop downdraft extractor (K) according to any of the preceding claims, characterized by , that the vapor passage (2) is a prism passage. [4] Cooktop downdraft extractor (K) according to claim 3, characterized by , that the vapor passage (2) has an inlet area (8) and a passage area (9), wherein in one installation position the inlet area (8) is arranged on one plane of the hob surface (1) and the passage area (9) is arranged on another plane of the vacuum source (3). [5] Cooktop downdraft extractor (K) according to claim 4, characterized by , that the inlet area (8) has a cover grid (10) and the passage area (9) has the activated carbon filter (7). [6] Cooktop downdraft extractor (K) according to any of the preceding claims, characterized by , that the vacuum source (3) is arranged centrally below the hob surface (1) in the installed position. [7] Cooktop downdraft extractor (K) according to any of the preceding claims, characterized by , that the cooking fume discharge (6) has a photocatalytic device (11). [8] Cooktop downdraft extractor (K) according to any of the preceding claims, characterized by, that the hob surface (1) has up to or exactly six connected cooking zones (12.1 - 12.6). [9] Cooktop downdraft extractor (K) according to any of the preceding claims, characterized by , that the hob surface (1) including a frame (13) has a first edge length of 78 cm and a second edge length of 51 cm. [10] Cooktop downdraft extractor (K) according to any of the preceding claims, characterized by , that the vapor passage (2) has a water collection. [11] Cooktop downdraft extractor (K) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by , that the vapor passage (2) is replaceable and / or removable from the housing (4).

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