Extractor fan and method for operating an extractor fan

Abstract

The invention relates to a range hood (100) comprising a hood unit (110) designed to capture fumes (203) generated by a cooking process from a cooktop (201). The hood unit (110) includes a first control unit (112) comprising a logic unit (114) designed to process user input via a user interface (116) and, depending on the user input, to generate a control signal (115) for controlling the operation of the range hood (100). The range hood (100) also includes a fan unit (120) arranged separately from the hood unit (110). The fan unit (120) comprises a fan (126) and a second control unit (122). The blower (126) is designed to extract the vapors (203) taken up via the hood unit (110) from the hood unit (110) via an exhaust duct (140).The second control unit (122) includes a control device (124) configured to control the blower (126) of the blower unit (120) depending on the control signal (115). The exhaust hood (100) also includes a cable (130) configured to connect the first control unit (112) and the second control unit (122) to each other in a signal-transmitting manner.

Description

The invention relates to an extractor device and a method for operating an extractor device.An external fan for a vapor extraction device of a kitchen is known from EP 4 063 746 A1, wherein the external fan comprises a control unit for controlling the external fan and a communication interface for wireless communication with at least one transmission unit, and the control unit is connected to the communication interface. In some circumstances, disadvantageous in a system, as described in EP 4 063 746 A1, it may be in particular that the connection form presented is wireless and may thus be disadvantageous with regard to the points mentioned below: wireless communication usually requires at least one communication gateway or a router; the functionality may be influenceable by interference variables or building-related influencing factors such as steel beams etc.; in the event of a signal drop or connection termination, uncontrolled operation may possibly occur.The object of the invention is to provide an improved extractor device and an improved method for operating such an extractor device. According to the invention, this object is achieved by an extractor device and a method for operating an extractor device having the features of the main claims. Advantageous embodiments and further developments of the invention are evident from the following dependent claims.The advantages which can be achieved with the invention are obtained in particular in that both in the body of a extractor hood and in an external fan a simplified control unit is provided in each case, which control units are coupled to one another in a manner capable of transmitting signals via a cable connection. In this way, an advantageous control and an advantageous operation of a fume extraction hood with an external blower can be made possible. A solution available on the market for operating an external blower, in particular an external DC blower, for example as an external or ceiling blower, in conjunction with an extractor hood can be provided. This solution enables trouble-free operation of an external blower, in particular an external DC blower, in conjunction with an extractor hood. Thus, for example, a fail-safe operating system for external extractor hood blowers can be realized. Optionally, connection of multiple external fans may be enabled.An extractor device is presented, wherein the extractor device comprises the following features:a hood unit configured to receive a vapor generated by a cooking process from a cooking station, the hood unit comprising a first control unit, the first control unit comprising logic means configured to process a user input made via a user interface and generate a control signal for controlling an operation of the range extractor depending on the user input;a blower unit arranged separately from the hood unit, wherein the blower unit comprises a blower and a second control unit, wherein the blower is configured to suck off the vapor received via the hood unit from the hood unit via a discharge duct, wherein the second control unit comprises a control device configured to control the blower of the blower unit depending on the control signal; anda cable configured to connect the first control unit and the second control unit to each other in a signal-transmitting manner.The extractor device can be a household appliance. Even if the described approach is described on the basis of a household appliance, the approach described here can be used accordingly in conjunction with a commercial or professional appliance. Optionally, the extractor device can also comprise the extraction channel. The blower unit can be designed as an external blower unit. The blower unit may be disposed outside the hood unit. The blower unit may be disposed spaced apart from the hood unit. The blower may function as an outdoor blower or ceiling blower, wherein an outdoor blower may be mounted on an outer wall of a building and a ceiling blower may be mounted on a room ceiling of a building. The blower may be configured to convey the vapor suctioned from the hood unit to a vicinity of a building in which the vapor extraction device is mounted. The user interface can be embodied as part of the hood unit or another household appliance or a mobile terminal. The cable may be an electrical cable. The cable may also be referred to as a communication line.Each of the control units can be designed to carry out, control or implement the steps of a variant of a method presented here in corresponding devices. Each of the control units can be designed to read in input signals and to determine and provide output signals using the input signals. An input signal can represent, for example, a sensor signal that can be read in via an input interface of the control unit. An output signal may represent a control signal or a data signal that may be provided at an output interface of the control unit. Each of the control units can be designed to determine the output signals using a processing rule implemented in hardware or software. For example, for this purpose, the control unit can comprise a logic circuit, an integrated circuit or a software module and can be realized, for example, as a discrete component or be comprised by a discrete component.According to one embodiment, the first control unit can be designed as a minus-sized power electronics unit and the second control unit can be designed as a minus-sized power electronics unit. Such an embodiment offers the advantage that cost savings can be achieved by such a reduced mounting of two power electronics units.In an assembled state of the extractor device, the cable can also be guided in or on the extraction channel. Such an embodiment offers the advantage that a fluid channel which is already present between the hood unit and the blower unit can be used for cable guidance. Thus, the cable can be guided in a protected and secure manner.Furthermore, the cable can be designed as a voltage-guided and galvanically separated bus cable. Such an embodiment offers the advantage that a particularly trouble-free and reliable data connection between the control units can be achieved.In particular, the cable can be designed as a two-conductor system. Such an embodiment offers the advantage that a particularly secure communication between the control units and a particularly secure operation of the extractor device is made possible.In addition, the blower can be designed as a direct current blower. Such a blower may also be referred to as a DC blower, DC fan, DC fan, or DC blower or fan. Such an embodiment offers the advantage that a blower with minimized power consumption and reduced electromagnetic interference can be realized.According to one embodiment, the extractor device can have at least one further blower unit, which is arranged separately from the hood unit. The further blower unit may comprise a further blower and a further control unit. The further blower can be designed to suck away the vapor received via the hood unit from the hood unit via a further discharge duct. The further control unit can comprise a further control device which is designed to control the further blower of the further blower unit. The cable can be designed to connect the first control unit and the further control unit to one another in a signal-transmitting manner. The further blower unit can be identical or similar to the blower unit. Such an embodiment offers the advantage that the extractor device can be made scalable. Thus, an adaptation to a wide variety of requirements is possible.A method for operating an embodiment of an extractor device mentioned herein is also presented, wherein the method comprises the following steps:processing user input made via a user interface;generating a control signal for controlling an operation of the extractor depending on the user input; anddriving the blower of the blower unit in dependence on the control signal.By carrying out the steps of the method, an embodiment of a range extraction device mentioned herein can advantageously be operated and / or an operation thereof can advantageously be controlled. The steps of the method can be advantageously carried out using control units of an embodiment of an extractor device mentioned herein.A computer program product or computer program with program code which can be stored on a machine-readable carrier or storage medium such as a semiconductor memory, a hard disk memory or an optical memory is also advantageous. If the program product or program is executed on a computer or at least one control unit, the program product or program can be used to carry out, implement and / or control the steps of the method according to one of the embodiments described here.An exemplary embodiment of the invention is illustrated purely schematically in the drawings and is described in more detail below. It shows FIG. 1 shows a schematic illustration of an exemplary embodiment of an extractor device; FIG. 2 shows a schematic illustration of an exemplary embodiment of an extractor device; FIG. 3 shows a schematic illustration of an exemplary embodiment of an extractor device; and FIG. 4 shows a flow diagram of an exemplary embodiment of a method for operating a vapor extraction device.FIG. 1 shows a schematic illustration of an exemplary embodiment of an extractor device 100. The extractor 100 is designed, for example, as a household appliance. The exhaust device 100 includes a hood unit 110, a blower unit 120, and a cable 130.The hood unit 110 is configured to receive a vapor generated by a cooking process from a cooking place. The hood unit 110 comprises a first control unit 112, which in turn comprises a logic device 114. The logic device 114 is configured to process a user input made via a user interface 116 and to generate a control signal 115 for controlling an operation of the extractor device 100 depending on the user input. According to an embodiment, the hood unit 110 also includes the user interface 116. Alternatively, the user interface 116 can be realized separately from the extractor device 100, for example as part of another appliance, in particular another household appliance or a mobile appliance.The blower unit 120 is separate from the hood unit 110, is separate and / or spaced apart. The blower unit 120 is thus disposed outside the hood unit 110. The blower unit 120 comprises a blower 126 and a second control unit 122, which in turn comprises a control device 124. The blower 106. The drawing of FIG. 20 is configured to suck the vapor received via the hood unit 110 away from the hood unit 110 via a discharge duct 140. The drive device 124 is designed to drive the blower 106 and 20 of the blower unit 120 as a function of the control signal 115. According to an embodiment, the extractor 100 also comprises the extraction channel 140.The cable 130 is designed to connect the first control unit 112 and the second control unit 122 to one another in a signal-transmitting manner. Thus, the first control unit 112 and the second control unit 122 are connected to each other in a signal-transmitting manner via the cable 130. Consequently, the logic device 114 and the drive device 124 are also connected to one another in a signal-transmitting manner via the cable 130. In particular, the first control unit 112 is designed as a minus-sized power electronics unit and the second control unit 122 is designed as a minus-sized power electronics unit.The exhaust duct 140 is disposed between the hood unit 110 and the blower unit 120. The hood unit 110 and the blower unit 120 are fluidically connected to one another via the extraction duct 140. In particular, the blower 126 is designed as a direct current blower.According to one exemplary embodiment, in an assembled state of the vapor extraction device 100, the cable 130 is guided on the extraction channel 140 or on the extraction channel 140. According to another exemplary embodiment, in an assembled state of the vapor extraction device 100, the cable 130 is guided in the extraction channel 140. The cable 130 is an electric cable. According to one exemplary embodiment, the cable 130 is designed as a two-conductor system. The cable 130 is designed, for example, as a voltage-guided and galvanically separated bus cable.FIG. 2 shows a schematic illustration of an exemplary embodiment of an extractor device 100. The extractor 100 in FIG. 2 corresponds to the extractor from FIG. 1, wherein only some elements of the extractor 100 are not explicitly shown in the illustration of FIG. 2, but the cooking point 201, the vapor 203 and a wall 205 are additionally drawn in.Of the extractor 100 shown in the illustration of FIG. 2, the hood unit 110 with the first control unit 112, the blower unit 120 with the second control unit 122 and the blower 126, and the cable 130 are shown here. Also shown is the exhaust channel 140. The vapor 203 is shown symbolically between the cooking point 201 and the hood unit 110. The cooking point 201 is, for example, a hob or the like. According to the exemplary embodiment shown here, the extraction duct 140 extends through the wall 205, which is, for example, an outer wall of a building. Here, the hood unit 110 is disposed on a first side of the wall 205, for example, inside the building, and the blower unit 120 is disposed on a second side of the wall 205, for example, outside the building.FIG. 3 shows a schematic illustration of an exemplary embodiment of an extractor device 100. The extractor 100 in FIG. 3 corresponds to the extractor from FIG. 1 and / or FIG. 2, with the exception that the extractor 100 in FIG. 3 comprises a further blower unit 320 in addition to the blower unit 120. In this case, the further blower unit 320 corresponds to the blower unit 120.The further blower unit 320 is also arranged separately from the hood unit 110. The further blower unit 320 comprises a further blower 326 and a further control unit 322 with a further control device 324. The further blower 326 is designed to suck away the vapor received via the hood unit 110 from the hood unit 110 via a further discharge duct 340. The further drive device 324 is designed to drive the further blower 326 of the further blower unit 320. The cable 130 is designed to connect the first control unit 112 and the further control unit 322 to one another in a signal-transmitting manner. According to an embodiment, the vapor extraction device 100 also comprises the further extraction channel 340. Instead of a single cable 130, a further cable can also be provided in addition to the cable 130.FIG. 4 shows a flow diagram of an exemplary embodiment of a method 400 for operating a vapor extraction device. The method 400 for operating can be carried out in order to operate the extractor device from one of the above-described figures or a similar extractor device or to control an operation thereof. The method 400 for operating comprises a step 402 of processing, a step 404 of generating and a step 406 of driving.In the step 402 of processing, a user input made via a user interface is processed. Subsequently, in the generating step 404, a control signal for controlling an operation of the range extractor is generated depending on the user input. Again subsequently, in the step 406 of controlling, the blower of the blower unit is controlled as a function of the control signal.With reference to the above-described figures, an exemplary embodiment is again summarized below and explained briefly in other words.In the extractor device 100, there is an use of less-loaded power electronics units or power parts, i.e. the first control unit 112 and the second control unit 122, and optionally also the at least one further control unit 322, for example an use of two less-loaded power electronics units according to the exemplary embodiments illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2 or an use of at least three less-loaded power electronics units according to the exemplary embodiment illustrated in FIG. 3. In this case, the series or standard power electronics in the hood unit 110 are reduced by the actuation portion of the blower, i.e. a functional unit (FU). This results in the first control unit 112. The power electronics are connected to the blower unit 120 without the logic component, i.e. for the user interface (UI) and the application logic. This results in the second control unit 122.The two power electronics units or control units 112 and 122, for example, are connected to one another as cable 130 via a voltage-controlled and galvanically separated bus system (e.g. RS485). The connection is, for example, physically established by a 2-conductor system and guided in or on the channel system or extraction channel 140. In this case, according to the exemplary embodiments illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2, the cable 130 is guided along the extraction channel 140. According to the exemplary embodiment shown in FIG. 3, the cable 130 is guided, merely by way of example, to the second control unit 122 along the extraction channel 140 and to the further control unit 322 in the further extraction channel 340.References included in the specificationThis list of documents cited by the applicant has been produced in an automated manner and is only included for the better information of the reader. The list is not part of the German patent application or utility model application. The DPMA does not take any adhesion for any faults or omissions.Patent Literature citedEP 4 063 746 A1

[0002]

Claims

Extractor device (100), wherein the extractor device (100) comprises the following features: a hood unit (110) which is designed to receive a vapor (203) produced by a cooking process from a cooking point (201), wherein the hood unit (110) comprises a first control unit (112), wherein the first control unit (112) comprises a logic device (114) which is designed to process a user input made via a user interface (116) and to generate a control signal (115) for controlling an operation of the extractor device (100) on the basis of the user input; a blower unit (120) arranged separately from the hood unit (110), wherein the blower unit (120) comprises a blower (126) and a second control unit (122), wherein the blower (126) is configured to suck the vapor (203) received via the hood unit (110) from the hood unit (110) via a discharge duct (140), wherein the second control unit (122) comprises a drive device (124) configured to drive the blower (126) of the blower unit (120) depending on the control signal (115); and a cable (130) configured to connect the first control unit (112) and the second control unit (122) to one another in a signal-transmitting manner.Extractor device (100) according to claim 1, wherein the first control unit (112) is designed as a minus-sized power electronics unit and the second control unit (122) is designed as a minus-sized power electronics unit.Extractor device (100) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein in an assembled state of the extractor device (100), the cable (130) is guided in or on the extraction channel (140).Extractor device (100) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the cable (130) is designed as a voltage-guided and galvanically separated bus cable.Extractor device (100) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the cable (130) is designed as a two-wire system.Extractor device (100) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the fan (126) is designed as a direct current fan.Extractor device (100) according to one of the preceding claims, having at least one further blower unit (320) which is arranged separately from the hood unit (110), wherein the further blower unit (320) comprises a further blower (326) and a further control unit (322), wherein the further blower (326) is designed to suck the vapor (203) received via the hood unit (110) from the hood unit (110) via a further extraction duct (340), wherein the further control unit (322) comprises a further control device (324) which is designed to control the further blower (326) of the further blower unit (320), wherein the cable (130) is designed to connect the first control unit (112) and the further control unit (322) to one another in a signal-transmitting manner.Method (400) for operating an extractor device (100) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the method (400) comprises the following steps: processing (402) a user input made via a user interface (116); generating (404) a control signal (115) for controlling an operation of the extractor device (100) depending on the user input; and controlling (406) the blower (126) of the blower unit (120) depending on the control signal (115).Computer program product with program code for carrying out the method (400) according to Claim 8, when the computer program product is executed on at least one control unit (112, 122; 322).A machine readable storage medium having stored thereon the computer program product of claim 9.

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