Carrier unit for a fan of a cooker hood, fan assembly for a cooker hood, cooker hood and method for manufacturing a fan assembly

Abstract

The invention relates to a support unit (100) for a fan of a range hood. The support unit (100) comprises a body (110) which is designed to be connectable to the range hood. The body (110) comprises a support section (120) and a receiving section (130). The support section (120) is designed to support the fan. Mounting holes (125) for attaching the fan to the support unit (100) by means of fasteners are formed in the support section (120). The mounting holes (125) are arranged in a hole pattern with a geometry suitable for different types of fans. The receiving section (130) is designed to accommodate an electronic unit for controlling the fan.

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a support unit for a fan of an extractor hood, a fan assembly for an extractor hood, an extractor hood and a method for producing a fan assembly.

[0002] In conventional brackets for extractor hood fans, the mounting units for the electronics and the fan are usually separated for spatial and static reasons. DE 10 2021 204 153 A1 relates to a fan housing for a fan of an extractor hood, comprising a housing body and a housing attachment. The housing body serves to accommodate a fan wheel of the fan motor of the fan, and the housing attachment is detachably connected to the housing body via a mechanical interface. However, this fan housing can only accommodate special fan units, without the possibility of varying the fan and fan supplier.

[0003] The approach presented here aims to provide an improved support unit for a fan of a range hood, an improved fan assembly for a range hood, an improved range hood and an improved method for manufacturing a fan assembly.

[0004] According to the invention, this object is achieved by a support unit for a fan of an extractor hood, by a fan assembly for an extractor hood, by an extractor hood, and by a method for producing a fan assembly having the features of the main claims. Advantageous embodiments and further developments of the invention are set forth in the following subclaims.

[0005] The advantages achieved with the invention include, in addition to a combination of a mount for electronics and a fan, the ability to accommodate different fans or fan types. Not only can different fan types be accommodated, but the integration of various power and control electronics units is also possible.

[0006] A support unit for at least one fan of an extractor hood, comprising a body formed to be connectable to the extractor hood. The body comprises a support section and a receiving section. The support section is formed to support the fan. Mounting holes for attaching the fan to the support unit using fasteners are formed in the support section. The mounting holes are arranged in a hole pattern with a geometry suitable for different types of fans. The receiving section is formed to accommodate an electronic unit for controlling the fan.

[0007] The support unit can be designed to support the fan and the electronics unit. The extractor hood can be implemented as a household appliance. In particular, the extractor hood can be designed as a so-called headroom hood. The electronics unit can comprise a circuit board or printed circuit board that can be equipped with power and control electronics. The hole pattern represents a geometric arrangement of the mounting holes.

[0008] According to one embodiment, the body can be formed in one piece. The body can be formed, for example, from a plastic material. Such an embodiment offers the advantage that the support unit can be realized as a single, stable, and robust component. This allows the number of individual parts of an extractor hood to be reduced.

[0009] The mounting holes can also comprise a first subset of mounting holes for mounting a first type of fan and at least one further subset of mounting holes for mounting at least one further type of fan that differs from the first type. In this case, the subsets can comprise at least partially different mounting holes. Such a hole pattern of the mounting holes enables the attachment of different fan types to the support unit, since a sufficient number of suitably arranged mounting holes is provided.

[0010] Furthermore, an insertion opening for inserting a partial section of the fan can be formed in the support section. The mounting holes can be formed around the insertion opening. Such an embodiment offers the advantage of enabling a secure, fluidically favorable, and simple attachment of a fan to the support unit.

[0011] According to one embodiment, the support section and the receiving section can be arranged side by side. Additionally or alternatively, the support section can be arranged on a first side of the body, and the receiving section can be formed as a trough open toward a second side of the body facing away from the first side. Such an embodiment offers the advantage of enabling simple and space-saving installation of the fan and electronics.

[0012] A fan assembly for a range hood includes the following features: an embodiment of a carrier unit mentioned herein; the fan, wherein the fan is attachable or attached to the support portion of the support unit; and the electronics unit, wherein the electronics unit is or can be accommodated in the receiving section of the carrier unit.

[0013] The fan assembly can be connected to the extractor hood via the support unit, more precisely to a structural element of the extractor hood.

[0014] According to one embodiment, the fan assembly can comprise a cover for covering at least the receiving section of the carrier unit. The cover can be shaped to cover at least the receiving section of the carrier unit. Such an embodiment offers the advantage that an electronic unit accommodated in the receiving section can be reliably protected from external influences.

[0015] The fan assembly can also comprise a plurality of fastening means for attaching the fan to the support section of the support unit. The fastening means can be designed to interact with the fastening holes in the support section. The fastening means can be screws or the like. This allows for a simple and, if necessary, uncomplicated detachable attachment of the fan to the support unit.

[0016] An extractor hood comprises an embodiment of a support unit mentioned herein or an embodiment of a fan assembly mentioned herein.

[0017] A method of manufacturing an embodiment of a blower assembly as recited herein comprises the following steps: Providing the carrier unit; Attaching the fan to the support section of the support unit; and Receiving the electronics unit in the receiving section of the carrier unit.

[0018] By performing the manufacturing method, an embodiment of a blower assembly mentioned herein can be advantageously manufactured. The manufacturing method can also be referred to as an assembly method.

[0019] Although the approach described is based on a household appliance, the approach described here can be used accordingly in the context of a commercial or professional appliance.

[0020] An embodiment of the invention is shown purely schematically in the drawings and is described in more detail below. It shows Fig. 1 an embodiment of a support unit for a fan of an extractor hood; Fig. 2 an embodiment of a fan assembly for an extractor hood; Fig. 3 an embodiment of an extractor hood; and Fig. 4 a flow diagram of an embodiment of a method for manufacturing a blower assembly.

[0021] Fig. Figure 1 shows an embodiment of a support unit 100 for a fan of an extractor hood. The support unit 100 is shown in an oblique view. The support unit 100 is designed to support at least the fan of an extractor hood.

[0022] The support unit 100 has a body 110. The body 110 is shaped to be connectable to the extractor hood, or, in other words, is shaped to be connectable to the extractor hood. The body 110 comprises a support section 120 and a receiving section 130.

[0023] The support section 120 is designed to support the fan of the extractor hood. A plurality of mounting holes 125 are formed in the support section 120 for attaching the fan to the support unit 100 using fasteners. The mounting holes 125 are arranged in a hole pattern with a geometry suitable for different types of fans.

[0024] The receiving section 130 is shaped to accommodate an electronic unit for controlling the fan. The receiving section 130 is connected to the support section 120.

[0025] According to one embodiment, the body 110 is formed in one piece, for example, from a plastic material. The support section 120 and the receiving section 130 are connected to each other via a connecting section of the body 110.

[0026] In the presentation of Fig. 1, eight fastening holes 125 are shown merely by way of example. For example, the fastening holes 125 comprise a first subset of fastening holes 125 for fastening a first type of fan and at least one further subset of fastening holes 125 for fastening at least one further type of fan that is different from the first type. For example only, the first subset can comprise four first fastening holes 125, and a further subset of fastening holes 125 can comprise four further fastening holes 125 that are different from the first. Alternatively, the further subset of fastening holes 125 can comprise a different number of fastening holes 125 than the first subset. The subsets comprise at least partially different fastening holes 125. In other words, the subsets differ from one another with respect to at least one of the included fastening holes 125.

[0027] According to the exemplary embodiment illustrated here, an insertion opening 122 is formed in the support section 120, into which a partial section of the fan or at least a partial section of the fan can be inserted. The fastening holes 125 are arranged or formed around the insertion opening 122.

[0028] Furthermore, according to the exemplary embodiment illustrated here, the support section 120 and the receiving section 130 are arranged side by side. In particular, the support section 120 is arranged on a first side of the body 110, and the receiving section 130 is formed as a trough open toward a second side of the body 110 facing away from the first side.

[0029] Fig. Figure 2 shows an embodiment of a fan assembly 200 for an extractor hood. The fan assembly 200 is shown in an exploded view. The fan assembly 200 comprises a fan 220, an electronics unit 230, and a carrier unit 100, which is mounted on the carrier unit of Fig. 1. In other words, the blower assembly 200 comprises the carrier unit 100 of Fig. 1 or a similar carrier unit.

[0030] The fan 220, embodied here, for example, as a radial fan, can be attached to the support section of the support unit 100 or, in an assembled state of the fan assembly 200, is attached to the support section of the support unit 100. The electronics unit 230, embodied here, for example, as a printed circuit board or circuit board populated with components, can be received in the receiving section of the support unit 100 or, in the assembled state of the fan assembly 200, is received in the receiving section of the support unit 100.

[0031] According to one embodiment, the fan assembly 200 also includes a cover 210. The cover 210 is shaped to cover at least the receiving portion of the carrier unit 100. Thus, in the assembled state of the fan assembly 200, the electronics unit 230 accommodated in the receiving portion of the carrier unit 100 is additionally protected by the cover 210.

[0032] According to one embodiment, the fan assembly 200 also includes a plurality of fastening means 225, embodied here, for example, as screws, for fastening the fan 220 to the support section of the support unit 100. The fastening means 225 are designed to cooperate with the fastening holes in the support section of the support unit 100. The fan 220 can be fastened to the support section of the support unit 100 by means of the fastening means 225, embodied, for example, as screws, here merely four screws as an example. In the assembled state of the fan assembly 200, the fastening means 225 engage in the fastening holes in the support section of the support unit 100.

[0033] Fig. Figure 3 shows an embodiment of an extractor hood 300. The extractor hood 300 comprises at least one support unit 100, which corresponds to or is similar to the support unit in one of the above-mentioned figures. According to a variant, the extractor hood 300 comprises a fan assembly 200, which corresponds to the fan assembly in Fig. 2. More specifically, the extractor hood 300 according to one embodiment comprises the fan assembly of Fig. 2 or a similar blower assembly comprising the carrier unit 100, the blower 220, the electronics unit 230 and optionally additionally the cover 210 and / or the fastening means 225.

[0034] Fig.4 shows a flow diagram of an embodiment of a method 400 for manufacturing a blower assembly. The manufacturing method 400 is also referred to as an assembly method. The manufacturing method 400 is executable to manufacture or assemble the blower assembly from one of the figures described above or a similar blower assembly.

[0035] To this end, the manufacturing method 400 comprises a step 402 of providing the support unit, a step 404 of attaching the fan to the support section of the support unit, and a step 406 of receiving the electronics unit in the receiving section of the support unit. After an execution of the manufacturing method 400, the fan assembly is in the assembled state.

[0036] With reference to the figures described above, an embodiment is summarized again below and, in other words, briefly explained.

[0037] According to one exemplary embodiment, a support unit 100 is provided for an extractor hood fan 220 or for a fan 220 of an extractor hood 300. Fans such as the fan 220 are connected to the support unit 100, which can also be referred to as a support housing, by means of a screw connection. The geometry of the screw connection, i.e., the hole pattern of the fastening holes 125, is uniform across several fan types. The support unit 100, which can also be referred to as a support and support unit, forms the mechanical attachment of the fan 220, initially to the support unit 100 itself, and, when installed, forms the central receptacle for the fan 220 in the extractor hood 300. QUOTES CONTAINED IN THE DESCRIPTION

[0000] This list of documents submitted by the applicant was generated automatically and is included solely for the convenience of the reader. This list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA assumes no liability for any errors or omissions. Cited patent literature

[0000] DE 10 2021 204 153 A1

[0002]

Claims

[1] Support unit (100) for at least one fan (220) of an extractor hood (300), wherein the support unit (100) has a body (110) which is formed to be connectable to the extractor hood (300), wherein the body (110) has a support section (120) and a receiving section (130), wherein the support section (120) is formed to support the fan (220), wherein fastening holes (125) for fastening the fan (220) to the support unit (100) by means of fastening means (225) are formed in the support section (120), wherein the fastening holes (125) are arranged in a hole pattern with a geometry suitable for different types of fans, wherein the receiving section (130) is formed to accommodate an electronic unit (230) for controlling the fan (220). [2] Carrier unit (100) according to claim 1, wherein the body (110) is formed in one piece. [3] Support unit (100) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the fastening holes (125) have a first subset of fastening holes (125) for fastening a first type of fan (220) and at least one further subset of fastening holes (125) for fastening at least one further type of fan (220) different from the first type, wherein the subsets comprise at least partially different fastening holes (125). [4] Support unit (100) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein an insertion opening (122) for inserting a partial section of the fan (220) is formed in the support section (120), wherein the fastening holes (125) are formed around the insertion opening (122). [5] Carrier unit (100) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the carrier section (120) and the receiving section (130) are arranged next to one another and / or wherein the carrier section (120) is arranged on a first side of the body (110) and the receiving section (130) is formed as a trough open towards a second side of the body (110) facing away from the first side. [6] Fan assembly (200) for an extractor hood (300), the fan assembly (200) having the following features: a carrier unit (100) according to one of the preceding claims; the fan (220), wherein the fan (220) is attachable or attached to the support portion (120) of the support unit (100); and the electronics unit (230), wherein the electronics unit (230) can be received or is received in the receiving section (130) of the carrier unit (100). [7] Blower assembly (200) according to claim 6, comprising a cover (210) for covering at least the receiving portion (130) of the carrier unit (100). [8] Fan assembly (200) according to one of claims 6 to 7, comprising a plurality of fastening means (225) for fastening the fan (220) to the support section (120) of the support unit (100), wherein the fastening means (225) are designed to cooperate with the fastening holes (125) of the support section (120). [9] Extractor hood (300) comprising a support unit (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 5 or a fan assembly (200) according to any one of claims 6 to 8. [10] A method (400) for manufacturing a blower assembly (200) according to any one of claims 6 to 8, wherein the method (400) comprises the following steps: Providing (402) the carrier unit (100); Attaching (404) the fan (220) to the support section (120) of the support unit (100); and Receiving (406) the electronic unit (230) in the receiving section (130) of the carrier unit (100).

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