Intake duct for a hob and hob with an intake duct

Abstract

The invention relates to an intake shaft (105) for a hob (100), wherein the intake shaft (105) has a light source (110) which is designed to illuminate the intake shaft (105) and / or the hob (100).

Description

[0001] The invention relates to an intake duct for a hob and a hob with an intake duct.

[0002] When cleaning a vapor exhaust duct in a cooking environment, dirty areas are often difficult to see, especially in awkward or hard-to-reach places. This particularly applies to a vapor intake duct.

[0003] The approach presented here aims to create an improved intake duct for a hob and an improved hob with an intake duct.

[0004] According to the invention, this object is achieved by an intake duct for a hob and a hob with an intake duct 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 achievable with the invention consist of better visibility of dirty areas in the intake shaft, since the intake shaft can be illuminated by a light source for a hob, wherein the light source is designed, for example, to illuminate both the hob and the intake shaft of the hob.

[0006] The approach presented here proposes an intake duct for a cooktop. The intake duct incorporates a light source designed to illuminate the intake duct and / or the cooktop.

[0007] According to one embodiment, the intake duct can be designed as a vapor passage. The cooktop can be, for example, an induction cooktop or a ceramic cooktop. According to one embodiment, the light source can comprise a light-emitting diode. According to an alternative embodiment, the light source can also comprise an incandescent lamp. The light source can also illuminate the area to be cleaned.

[0008] The proposed approach is based on the realization that providing a light source in or on the intake shaft enables good and sufficient illumination of areas where dirt can accumulate or deposit, and which can also be quickly and clearly identified by the light from the light source. This allows, for example, the affected area to be manually cleaned with a cleaning cloth, thus allowing the user to easily and conveniently keep the cooktop hygienically clean.

[0009] According to one embodiment, the light source can be arranged on a connection provided for contact with a cooktop plate. The connection can be arranged adjacent to the intake duct. The cooktop plate can be suitable for placing cookware. Such an embodiment offers the advantage that, by arranging the light source on or in the connection via which the intake duct is connected to the cooktop plate, the dirty areas in the intake duct can be clearly identified by the light source in an area that is usually easily visible to the user.

[0010] According to one embodiment, a closure element can be provided to close the intake shaft. The closure element can be formed from a partially translucent material. This allows the light from the light source to illuminate not only the intake shaft, but also the closure element when closed. Depending on the translucency of the material, a specific translucent opening can be created, for example, using a barrier pressure, which can then be translucently illuminated. This can significantly influence the design when the closure element is closed. The hob can also be at least partially illuminated. At the same time, such an embodiment of the proposed approach offers the advantage of being able to close the intake duct, for example, to actively prevent liquids from entering the intake duct.

[0011] According to one embodiment, the closure element carrier can be provided to hold the closure element in a desired position. The closure element carrier can be arranged on the closure element and also be formed from an at least partially translucent material. The closure element carrier can thus fulfill a structural and an optical and / or light-guiding function. Such an embodiment of the approach proposed here further offers the advantage of producing the closure element and the closure element carrier, for example, from different materials, which can reduce costs or, due to the respective physical properties, extend the service life.

[0012] According to one embodiment, a fixing device can fix the closure element carrier in one position. The fixing device can be arranged in the region of an opening in the intake shaft. The closure element carrier can be rotated around the fixing device. This avoids the need for a large structure inside the intake shaft. At the same time, such a fixing device can also be cleaned quickly and easily if it becomes contaminated, for example due to the penetration of liquids or particles into the intake shaft, or contributes to improved cleanability of the entire device because it allows parts to be removed and thus cleaned separately.

[0013] In addition, according to one embodiment, the closure element and / or the closure element carrier can comprise at least a partially translucent material. For example, the closure element and the closure element carrier can be formed from glass. Such an embodiment offers the advantage of allowing light to be transmitted from within the intake shaft to a surface of the hob even when the closure element is closed, so that, for example, soiling on a surface of the hob can be detected and it can also be detected that, for example, the light is still switched on, even if, for example, the hob has been cleaned and / or is no longer in use. In this case, the approach proposed here can prompt a user to switch off the light and thus save energy.

[0014] According to one embodiment, the intake duct is designed to convey vapors generated on the cooktop. Such an embodiment offers the advantage of quickly and efficiently extracting and discharging the vapors often generated during cooking from the cooking area, thus increasing the comfort of the cooktop user during the cooking process.

[0015] According to one embodiment, the cooktop can include a fan configured to suck in vapors. According to one embodiment, the fan can be configured to suck vapors generated on the cooktop through the intake duct. Such an embodiment offers the advantage of actively sucking out vapors, thus keeping the cooking area clearly visible and keeping furniture or wall areas adjacent to the cooking area as free as possible from condensate.

[0016] Furthermore, a cooktop with an intake duct adjacent to a cooktop plate designed for placing cookware is presented. Such an embodiment offers the advantage of being able to provide a compact and functional kitchen element to realize the aforementioned advantages.

[0017] According to another embodiment, the cooktop plate can be formed from a glass-ceramic material. This allows for uniformity in the material of the surfaces, the cooktop plate, and the closure element. This, in turn, leads to simplified production, an appealing user appearance, and a functional kitchen element for handling hot cookware.

[0018] According to a favorable embodiment, an opening in the cooktop for passing vapors can have a smaller cross-section than the intake duct. This protects the side walls of the intake duct from liquids flowing directly from the cooktop.

[0019] According to a further embodiment, a gap can be arranged between the closure element and a side wall of the opening in the cooktop plate. The gap is designed, for example, to direct light waves from the light source onto the cooktop plate. This not only illuminates the interior of the intake shaft, but also a portion of the cooktop plate. The design of the light gap can be influenced by the geometric configuration of the gap, e.g., straight or wavy.

[0020] The light source can be positioned recessed from the opening. This provides better thermal protection for the light source, keeping the temperature of the cookware away from the light source. At the same time, the light source can be better protected from contamination.

[0021] Although the approach described is based on a household appliance, the approach described here can be used accordingly in connection with a commercial or professional device, for example a medical device, such as a cleaning or disinfection device, a small sterilizer, a large-capacity disinfector or a container washing system.

[0022] An embodiment of the invention is shown purely schematically in the drawings and is described in more detail below. It shows Fig. 1 a schematic representation of an embodiment of a hob; Fig. 2 shows a further schematic representation of an embodiment of a hob; Fig. 3 shows a further schematic representation of an embodiment of a hob; Fig. 4 shows a further schematic representation of an embodiment of a hob; and Fig. 5 a further schematic representation of an embodiment of a hob.

[0023] Fig. 1 shows a schematic representation of an embodiment of a cooktop 100. The cooktop 100 has an intake duct 105. The intake duct 105 is designed to allow or absorb vapors that arise on the cooktop 100.

[0024] A light source 110 is arranged in the intake shaft 105. According to one embodiment, the light source 110 can be formed as an LED element or LED strip. According to another embodiment, the light source 110 is formed as an incandescent lamp.

[0025] The light source 110 is arranged at a connector 115, which is provided for contacting a cooktop plate 120. The connector 115 is recessed relative to an opening 125. This connector can, for example, have fastening tabs by means of which the extraction shaft of a cooktop plate 120 can be attached.

[0026] Fig. 2 shows a further schematic representation of an embodiment of a cooking hob 100. The intake duct 105 is designed according to one embodiment to conduct vapors that arise during cooking on the cooking hob 100. The structure of the intake duct 105 can be similar to the structure of the intake duct 105 according to the illustration in the Fig. 1 correspond.

[0027] In this embodiment, the vapors generated during cooking are sucked in through the intake duct 105 by a fan 205. According to one embodiment, the fan 205 is arranged in the lower region of the intake duct 105. According to an alternative embodiment, the fan 205 can also be arranged outside the intake duct 105.

[0028] Fig. 3 shows a further schematic representation of an embodiment of a cooking hob 100. The structure of the suction shaft 105 can be the same as the structure of the suction shaft 105 according to the representation in the Fig. 1 or Fig. 2. In this figure, the intake shaft 105 can also be closed by a closure element 305. The closure element 305 is arranged or fastened to a closure element carrier 310 and is designed to close the intake shaft 105. The closure element carrier 310 is designed to hold the closure element 305 in a desired position. For example, the closure element 305 can be held in an open position, as shown in Fig. 1 or Fig. 2, so that vapor can be compressed through the opening into the intake shaft 105. In the Fig. 3, however, the closure element 305 is shown in a closed position, in which it closes the opening of the intake shaft 105. In this way, for example, it can be prevented that parts or liquids enter the intake shaft 105 and cause contamination or damage components in this intake shaft 105.

[0029] Fig. 4 shows a further schematic representation of an embodiment of a cooking hob 100. The structure of the suction shaft 105 can be similar to the structure of the suction shaft 105 according to the representation in the Fig. 1, Fig. 2 or Fig. 3. The intake shaft 105 of the hob 100 is adjacent to the hob plate 120, which, according to one embodiment, is formed from a glass-ceramic material.

[0030] According to this embodiment, the closure element 305 is in the closed position. The closure element 305 closes the opening 125 of the intake duct 105, wherein the opening 125 has a smaller cross-section than the intake duct 105. This offers the advantage that a protruding part of the cooktop plate 120 protects the light source 110, which is arranged on the recessed wall 115. Thus, the light source 110 is better protected from cooking byproducts, such as splashing fat or high temperatures.

[0031] The cooktop plate 120 has a gap 405 between the closure element 305 and a side wall 410 of the opening 125. The gap 405 serves to guide light waves onto the cooktop plate 120. Furthermore, the closure element 305 and the closure element carrier 310 are formed from an at least partially translucent material, for example, glass, according to one exemplary embodiment. This allows the light waves of the light source 110 to shine through the closure element 305 and the closure element carrier 310 and to better illuminate parts of the cooktop plate 120 through the gap 405. This can, for example, visually indicate to a user of the cooktop 100 the location of the inlet into the intake shaft 105, so that, for example, no pots or other cookware should be placed there.It is also conceivable that the emergence of light via this gap 405 can give the user of the hob 100 (DIN) the information that the light source 110 is activated, so that it can be switched off to save energy when the hob 100 is taken out of service.

[0032] The light source 110 is to be positioned in the device so that, when the closure element 305 closes the intake shaft 105 of the fan 205, it illuminates the light-conducting support structure, also called the closure element support 310. In this exemplary embodiment, light can then emerge at the gap 405 between the glass ceramic and the closure element 305. At the same time, the light source 110 is arranged so that, when the intake opening, also called opening 125, is open, it illuminates the intake area or intake shaft 105 for easier cleaning.

[0033] According to one embodiment, the light source 110 is thus designed to illuminate both the intake shaft 105 and parts of the hob plate 120. The light source 110 also serves as ambient lighting for a downdraft extractor closure, also called closure element 305.

[0034] The approach presented here enables the illumination of the circumferential gap 405 between the closure element 305 and the cutout in the glass ceramic. Furthermore, depending on the use of a transparent or translucent material for the closure element 305, the invention enables the illumination of the entire closure element 305. With the additional use of barrier prints on the translucent material, only partial areas, for example design patterns or information symbols, can be backlit. The extended benefit in the open state is that the light source 110 used can also be used to illuminate the interior of the intake shaft 105 during a cleaning process. For this purpose, an angle of the light source 110 should be selected that is suitable for both applications.

[0035] Fig.5 shows a further schematic representation of an embodiment of a cooktop 100. The closure element 305 is in the closed state. Thus, the closure element 305 is held in position by the closure element carrier 310. A fixing device 505 enables the closure element carrier 310 to rotate around the fixing device 505. According to one embodiment, the fixing device 505 is arranged at one end of the closure element carrier 310.

Claims

[1] Suction shaft (105) for a hob (100), wherein the suction shaft (105) has a light source (110) which is designed to illuminate the suction shaft (105) and / or the hob (100). [2] Intake shaft (105) according to claim 1, wherein the light source (110) is arranged on a terminal (115) which is provided for contacting a hob plate (120). [3] Intake shaft (105) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the light source (110) is designed as an LED light source (110). [4] Intake shaft (105) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein a closure element (305) is provided to close the intake shaft (105). [5] Intake shaft (105) according to claim 4, wherein a closure element carrier (310) is provided to hold the closure element (305) in a desired position. [6] Intake shaft (105) according to claim 5, comprising a fixing device (505) which is designed to fix the closure element carrier (310) in a position. [7] Suction shaft (105) according to claim 5 or 6, wherein the closure element carrier (310) is rotatably movable around the fixing device (505). [8] Intake shaft (105) according to one of claims 4 to 7, wherein the closure element (305) and / or the closure element carrier (310) comprises at least a partially translucent material. [9] Intake duct (105) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the intake duct (105) is designed to pass through vapors that arise on the cooking surface (100). [10] Intake shaft (105) according to one of the preceding claims with a fan (205) for sucking in vapors. [11] Hob (100) with an intake shaft (105) according to one of the preceding claims, which is adjacent to a hob plate (120) which is designed for placing cooking utensils thereon. [12] Cooktop (100) according to claim 11, wherein the cooktop plate (120) is formed from a glass-ceramic material. [13] Hob (100) according to claim 11 or 12, wherein an opening (125) of the hob plate (120) for passing vapors has a smaller cross-section than the intake shaft (105) in at least one partial section. [14] Cooktop (100) according to claim 13, wherein a gap (405) is arranged between the closure element (305) and a side wall (410) of the opening (125) of the cooktop plate (120). [15] Cooking hob (100) according to claim 13 or 14, wherein the light source (110) is arranged recessed with respect to the opening (125).

Images