Extractor hood

Abstract

The present invention relates to an extractor device with an air duct (13), a fan (14) arranged in the air duct (13) and at least two filter units (15, 150, 151), characterized in that at least two separate guide channels (130) are formed in the air duct (13) upstream of the fan (14) in the flow direction, and one of the at least two filter units (15, 150, 151) is arranged in each guide channel (130), wherein the filter unit (150) in one of the guide channels (130) comprises a grease filter and the filter unit (151) in another of the guide channels (130) comprises an air purification filter.

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to an extractor device with an air duct, a fan arranged in the air duct and at least two filter units.

[0002] In kitchen extractor hoods, for example, filter elements are used to clean the fumes and vapors produced during cooking, which can also be referred to as cooking air. A filter element separates grease and liquid particles from the cooking air. Such filter elements are therefore also referred to as grease filters. The air cleaned by the grease filter can be released from the extractor hood into the environment, particularly outside the kitchen and preferably outside the building. This mode of operation of the extractor hood is also referred to as exhaust air operation. In addition, after being cleaned by the grease filter, the cooking air can be cleaned by an odor filter in the extractor hood, which removes odorous substances from the pre-cleaned air.The air further purified by the odor filter can then be recirculated from the extractor hood to the kitchen. This mode of operation is also known as recirculation. A disadvantage of these extractor hoods is that the odor filter cannot be used as an air purifier without the air to be purified passing through the grease filter before passing through the odor filter.

[0003] Furthermore, a cooker hood is known from KR 2000 0019929U, for example, in which an exhaust duct is provided through which combustion gases can be extracted from a gas cooker via a fan. The combustion gases can be diverted from the kitchen. The cooker hood also has an auxiliary duct through which cooking air is extracted from the cooker via an auxiliary fan. The cooking air can be recirculated to the kitchen after cleaning. A disadvantage of this cooker hood is its complex design.

[0004] The object of the present invention is therefore to provide an extractor device which, with a simple structure, can be used selectively for different types of cleaning of sucked-in air.

[0005] The present invention therefore relates to an extractor device comprising an air duct, a fan arranged in the air duct, and at least two filter units. The extractor device is characterized in that at least two separate guide channels are formed in the air duct upstream of the fan in the flow direction, and one of the at least two filter units is arranged in each guide channel. The filter unit comprises a grease filter in one guide channel and the filter unit comprises an air purification filter in another guide channel.

[0006] An extractor hood is a device used in a kitchen to draw in and purify cooking air, at least temporarily. Cooking air refers in particular to the fumes and vapors created during cooking on the kitchen hob. The extractor hood can be an extractor hood or a downdraft extractor. An extractor hood is a device located above the kitchen hob that draws air upwards. An extractor hood is a device located in or adjacent to the kitchen hob that draws air downwards.

[0007] The extractor device has an air duct. An air duct is a connection between an intake opening of the extractor device and an outlet opening of the extractor device, through which air flows in the extractor device. The intake opening is the opening through which air can be sucked into the extractor device. The outlet opening is the opening through which the purified air is discharged from the extractor device. The extractor device preferably has an extractor housing, and the air duct is formed, at least in part, by the walls of the extractor housing.

[0008] According to the invention, the extractor device comprises a fan. The fan can also be referred to as a ventilator or a blower. The fan can preferably be a radial fan, in particular a radial fan with a spiral housing. The fan is arranged in the air duct. The fan generates an air flow in the extractor device and in particular in the air duct, through which air is sucked into the extractor device and expelled from the extractor device.

[0009] According to the invention, the extractor device has at least two filter units. Each of the filter units can comprise one or more filter elements. Preferably, the filter unit consists of one or more filter elements.

[0010] According to the invention, at least two separate guide channels are formed in the air duct upstream of the fan in the direction of flow. The invention is described below in particular with reference to an extractor device with two guide channels. However, it is also within the scope of the invention for the extractor device to have more than two guide channels.

[0011] According to the invention, a position in front of the fan in the direction of flow is defined as a position between the intake opening and the fan. A guide duct is a line through which air entering the extractor hood via the intake opening can be guided to the fan. The guide duct can be a separate component incorporated into the air duct or can be formed, at least in part, by the walls of the air duct. In the latter embodiment, a partition wall can be incorporated into the air duct, separating the guide ducts formed thereby from one another.

[0012] According to the invention, at least two guide channels are formed in the air duct. The guide channels are separate from one another. This means that when the extractor extraction device is in operation, air from one of the guide channels cannot enter another guide channel. The guide channels can, for example, be introduced or formed adjacent to one another in the air duct. The shape of the guide channels is not restricted to a specific cross-section. For example, each of the guide channels can have a round or a rectangular cross-section. Preferably, the guide channels divide the intake opening. The cross-section of each guide channel can vary over its length. Furthermore, the guide channels can have cross-sections of different sizes, at least on their inlet side.

[0013] Preferably, all guide ducts are the same length. The length of the guide ducts can correspond to the distance between the intake opening and the fan. In this embodiment, the entire area of ​​the air guide in the direction of flow upstream of the fan is divided by the guide ducts. However, it is also within the scope of the invention for the guide ducts to end at a distance from the intake opening and / or the fan. In this case, the length of the guide ducts is shorter than the distance between the intake opening and the fan. This can ensure reliable air flow to the fan that exits from one of the guide ducts. Preferably, the length of each guide duct is greater than half the distance between the intake opening and the fan.

[0014] According to the invention, one of the at least two filter units is arranged in each guide channel, i.e., in each of the at least two guide channels. The filter units are preferably arranged such that they cover the cross-section of the guide channel into which they are inserted. The length of the guide channel is preferably greater than the height of the filter unit arranged therein.

[0015] The filter unit in one of the guide channels comprises a grease filter. The filter unit in another of the guide channels comprises an air purification filter. Thus, the filter units arranged in the different guide channels differ in the type of filter element and are specifically designed to filter different contaminants. The different filter units can differ, in particular, with regard to the properties of the contaminants that these filter units filter out. For example, these properties can be the composition and / or size of the contaminants.

[0016] According to the invention, a filter unit comprises a grease filter and is also referred to below as a cooking filter unit. The cooking filter unit can be formed by the grease filter. However, it is also within the scope of the invention for the filter unit to comprise several grease filters. Furthermore, it is possible for the filter unit comprising the grease filter to additionally comprise an odor filter. A grease filter is a filter element that is designed, in particular, to filter out grease or liquid particles from the air drawn in. The openings formed in the grease filter can have a size larger than 2.5 µm. This allows grease or liquid particles to be reliably filtered out of the cooking air and also keeps the back pressure created by the grease filter low.This allows the air to flow through the grease filter at a higher air speed, which can contribute to improved separation of contaminants on the grease filter.

[0017] The filter unit, which includes an air purification filter, is also referred to below as an air purification filter unit. An air purification filter is a filter that can filter out small particles from the air. The openings formed in the air purification filter can have a size of less than or equal to 2.5 µm. The particles that can be filtered out by the air purification filter can include, for example, pollen, bacteria and viruses, dust, especially respirable dust or toxic dust, aerosols, and / or smoke particles.

[0018] By providing different types of filter units, different contaminants can be reliably filtered out. Furthermore, since the filter units are arranged in different, separate guide ducts, selective air flow through only one of the filter units is easily possible. This allows the extractor hood to be easily operated in different modes, in particular a cooking mode and an air purification mode. Furthermore, by providing the guide ducts upstream of the fan in the direction of flow, the fan can be used to generate an airflow in each of the at least two guide ducts. The fan can therefore also be referred to as a common fan. This further simplifies the design of the extractor hood, which is designed for different modes.

[0019] According to a preferred embodiment, the air purification filter is a particulate filter. A particulate filter is a filter designed to separate particulate matter from the air. The particulate filter preferably separates particulate matter with an aerodynamic diameter of less than or equal to 2.5 µm or less than or equal to 1 µm. This ensures reliable filtering of, for example, pollen, bacteria and viruses, dust, aerosols, and / or smoke particles.

[0020] The air purification filter can, for example, be a HEPA filter (High-Efficiency Particulate Air Filter). This filter can be designed to filter out particles with a diameter of less than or equal to 1 µm or less than or equal to 2.5 µm.

[0021] In another embodiment, the air purification filter is a PM 2.5 filter. A PM 2.5 filter is a filter that can filter out particles (particulate matter PM) from the air.

[0022] According to one embodiment, the air purification filter is a filter provided with activated carbon. For example, the air purification filter can be impregnated with activated carbon. In the embodiment in which the air purification filter has activated carbon, the air purification filter can also serve as an odor filter.

[0023] The grease filter can be a fleece filter element. Preferably, however, the grease filter is a metal filter. For example, the grease filter can be an expanded metal filter, a metal fleece filter, or an eddy current filter.

[0024] According to one embodiment, the extractor device can comprise an odor filter unit. The odor filter unit can be an active or passive filter unit. For example, the odor filter unit can comprise an activated carbon filter. The odor filter unit can be arranged downstream of the grease filter and / or the air purification filter. In particular, the odor filter unit can be arranged downstream of the fan in the air duct in the direction of flow. Alternatively or additionally, an odor filter unit can be arranged upstream of the fan. In this embodiment, the odor filter unit can be arranged between the outlet side of the guide ducts and the fan or can be arranged in one or more of the guide ducts.

[0025] If the odor filter unit is located in the guide duct in which the filter unit with a grease filter is located, the odor filter unit is preferably located downstream of this cooking filter unit. If the odor filter unit is located in the guide duct in which the filter unit with an air purification filter is located, the odor filter unit can be located before or after the air purification filter unit.

[0026] According to one embodiment, the extractor device comprises a sensor unit that is assigned to the at least two guide ducts. "Assigned" refers to a sensor unit that can detect air flowing through each of the at least two guide ducts. The sensor unit can comprise one or more sensors. The sensor unit can, for example, have a gas sensor for air quality / VOC, humidity, temperature, and / or a PM 2.5 sensor.

[0027] Influencing the air flow through the air duct, in particular the targeted intake of air through one of the guide channels, can be achieved, for example, by arranging the fan so that it can be moved within the air duct. In this embodiment, the fan can be moved into a position where it is aligned with one of the guide channels, thereby drawing in air predominantly through this guide channel.

[0028] Alternatively, it is also possible to temporarily close a guide duct. In this case, the guide duct can be closed, for example, on its inlet side and / or its outlet side. According to one embodiment, the extractor extraction device therefore has a closing element that temporarily closes one of the guide ducts. This makes it possible to specifically adjust which guide duct or guide ducts the air is sucked in through and thus which filter unit the air passes through. This can prevent flow through the additional filter unit arranged in the closed guide duct. If the extractor extraction device is to be operated in a different mode, the closed guide duct can be opened and one or more additional guide ducts can be closed.

[0029] According to a preferred embodiment, the closing element is temporarily arranged in the air duct upstream of the filter unit in the direction of flow. By closing the ventilation duct upstream of the filter unit in the direction of flow, air can be prevented from reaching the grease filter, for example, when the extractor is operating in an air purification mode. This prevents the air to be cleaned from passing through contaminants separated by the grease filter, which could potentially impart odorous substances to the air.

[0030] The closing element can be mounted in the extractor unit in a movable or pivotable manner. This allows a single closing element to close one guide channel and, by changing the position of the closing element, close another guide channel. The size of the closing element is preferably designed so that it completely closes the inlet side or outlet side of a guide channel.

[0031] The closing element can, for example, be attached in a displaceable or pivotable manner to a partition wall which is incorporated in the air duct.

[0032] The invention is explained again below with reference to the accompanying figures. They show: Fig. 1: a schematic representation of a first embodiment of the extractor device according to the invention; Fig. 2: a schematic representation of a second embodiment of the extractor device according to the invention; and Fig. 3: a schematic representation of a third embodiment of the extractor device according to the invention. Fig. 4: a schematic block diagram of components of an embodiment of the extractor device according to the invention;

[0033] The figures show only those components of the embodiments necessary to explain the invention. Furthermore, the figures are not to scale, but are intended only to show the relative position of some of the components. In the figures, identical components are provided with the same reference numerals and, where appropriate, are described only once.

[0034] In Fig. 1 shows a schematic representation of a first embodiment of the extractor device 1 according to the invention. The extractor device 1 is shown in the Fig. 1 is designed as an extractor hood. The extractor device 1 has an intake opening 11 and an outlet opening 12. In the embodiment shown, the intake opening 11 is formed in the underside of the extractor device 1 and the outlet opening 12 in the top of the extractor device 1. The direction of flow is the direction in which air flows from the intake opening 11 to the outlet opening 12. The flow direction is in the embodiment of the extractor device 1 according to Fig. 1 is therefore directed upwards. An air duct 13 is formed between the intake opening 11 and the outlet opening 12. In the embodiment shown, this air duct 13 is formed by the extractor housing 10. The extractor housing 10 in Fig. 1 is shown schematically as a rectangular housing, but may also have a different shape.

[0035] A fan 14 is arranged in the extractor device 1, particularly in the extractor housing 10, through which air can be sucked in through the intake opening 11 and expelled through the outlet opening 12. The fan 14 is thus located in the air duct 13.

[0036] In the embodiment shown, two guide channels 130 are formed in the air guide 13. The guide channels 130 are formed in front of the fan 14 in the flow direction, i.e., in the embodiment shown, below the fan 14. The guide channels 130 are separated from each other. For this purpose, in the embodiment according to Fig. 1, a partition 131 is inserted into the air duct, which extends perpendicular to the orientation of the intake opening 11. A filter unit 15 is arranged in each of the two guide channels 130.

[0037] A cooking filter unit 150 is arranged in the guide channel 130 shown on the left and an air cleaning filter unit 151 is arranged in the guide channel 130 shown on the right. The filter units 15 are arranged in the Fig. 1, for clarity, is shown with a width that is less than the width of the respective guide channel 130. Preferably, however, at least a portion of the respective filter unit 15 corresponds to the cross-section of the respective guide channel 130. The cooking filter unit 150 has a grease filter (not shown). The air purification filter unit 151 has an air purification filter (not shown).

[0038] Preferably, the grease filter and the air cleaning filter each have a width and depth that corresponds to the width and depth of the respective guide channel 130.

[0039] In the embodiment shown, a closing element 132 is provided on the inlet side of the guide channel 130 in which the cooking filter unit 150 is arranged, which covers the inlet side.

[0040] In the Fig. 1, in addition to the cooking filter unit 150, an odor filter unit 18 is provided in the Fig. 1 shown on the left. This odor filter unit 18 is arranged downstream of the cooking filter unit 150 in the flow direction. Although the odor filter unit 18 is shown as a separate unit, it is also within the scope of the invention for it to be integrated into the cooking filter unit 150. In this embodiment, the cooking filter unit 150 can have a grease filter and an odor filter. In addition or alternatively to the odor filter unit 180 shown in the guide channel 130, an odor filter unit 180 can be arranged downstream of the guide channels 130 in the flow direction. This is shown in Fig. 1 is indicated by the dashed line. Such an odor filter unit 180 preferably covers both guide channels 130 upwards.

[0041] Although in the Fig. 1 the guide channels 130 are both shown with the same width, it is also possible that, for example, the guide channel in which the cooking filter unit 150 is accommodated has a greater width. In addition, in the Fig. 1, the cooking filter unit 150 and the air purification filter unit 151 are shown on one level. However, it is also possible for one of the two filter units 150 in the extractor device 1 to be located at a level offset above or below the other filter unit 150.

[0042] In the Fig. In the state of the extractor device 1 shown in Figure 1, it can be operated in an air purification mode. In this case, the sucked-in air is directed only through the guide channel 130, in which the air purification filter unit 151 is arranged. Preferably, the closing element 132 can be moved from the position shown to a position in which the closing element 132 closes the right guide channel 130, in which the air purification filter unit 151 is arranged, at the bottom, instead of the left guide channel 130.

[0043] In the Fig. 2 and Fig. 3 shows embodiments of the extractor device 1 in which the closing element 132 is movably mounted in order to be brought into the corresponding positions.

[0044] The embodiments according to Fig. 2 and Fig. 3 correspond to the embodiment according to Fig. 1. Only the odor filter unit is not shown in these figures, but can be provided according to the first embodiment.

[0045] In the embodiment according to Fig. 2, the closing element 132 is pivotally mounted. In particular, the closing element 132 is attached to the partition wall 131 and can be moved by rotation from the position in which it closes the inlet side of the left guide channel 130 to the position in which it closes the inlet side of the right guide channel 130. This is shown in Fig. 2 indicated by the curved arrow.

[0046] The embodiment according to Fig. 3 differs from the embodiment according to Fig. 2 merely in that the closing element 132 is movably attached to the extractor device 1. The mounting for moving the closing element 132 can be attached to the inlet side of the guide channels 130 or to the inside of the extractor housing 10.

[0047] In the Fig. 4, components of an embodiment of the extractor device 1 are shown schematically as a block diagram. The extractor device 1 has two filter units 15, one being a cooking filter unit 150 and the other an air purification filter unit 151. The filter units 150 are arranged in the flow direction upstream of the fan 14. In addition, the extractor device according to Fig. 4, a sensor system 14, which can also be referred to as a sensor unit. Furthermore, the extractor device 1 has an electronics / lighting / control unit 17. The electronics / lighting / control unit 17 can consist of several devices that are connected to one another. Finally, the extractor device 1 according to Fig. 4 has an air outlet diffuser 120, which can also be referred to as a diffuser and through which air from the extractor device can be released into the environment.

[0048] The present invention is not limited to the embodiments shown. For example, the shape and size of the individual components may differ from those shown in the figures.

[0049] The present invention provides an extractor device, in particular an extractor hood, which has two partially separated guide ducts, which can also be referred to as separate air ducts. One of the separate air ducts is traditionally used for cleaning the cooking air during cooking and contains the grease filter. The second separate air duct contains filters for air cleaning. The resulting separation between air cleaning and the removal of steam during cooking ensures that the grease filter does not interfere with air cleaning. The same fan and preferably also the same electronics and sensors are used for both functions.

[0050] The air purification filter can, for example, be a special particle filter (PM2.5) or HEPA filter. These types of filters generate high backpressure during airflow and would severely impair the performance of the extractor hood during cooking. However, since this filter is located in a separate guide duct, which is preferably not subject to airflow during operation in the cooking filter mode, the extractor hood according to the invention is already advantageous in this respect.

[0051] The present invention allows for a number of advantages. In particular, a different type of filter unit can be provided in each guide duct. Since the guide ducts are separated from each other, unnecessary flow of the air to be cleaned through a filter unit that is not required for the current cleaning process can be prevented. Furthermore, since the guide ducts are connected to a single fan of the extractor device, the design of the extractor device is simple. In particular, separate fans for the different guide ducts are not necessary.

[0052] Furthermore, the present invention eliminates the need for the user to install a separate air purification device in the kitchen in addition to an extractor hood. Furthermore, the invention creates an additional function for the extractor hood without compromising its original function. Finally, when the extractor hood is operated in air purification mode, the air purification system is not burdened with filtered cooking odors or grease particles. List of reference symbols 1 extractor hood 10 extractor hood housing 11 Intake opening 12 Outlet opening 120 diffuser 13 Air duct 130 guide channel 131 Partition wall 132 Closing element 14 Fan 15 Filter unit 150 cooking filter unit 151 Air purification filter unit 16 Sensor technology 17 Electronics / lighting / control unit 18 Odor filter unit 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] KR 2000 0019929U

[0003]

Claims

[1] Extractor device with an air duct (13), a fan (14) arranged in the air duct (13) and at least two filter units (15, 150, 151), characterized by in that at least two separate guide channels (130) are formed in the air guide (13) in the flow direction upstream of the fan (14), and one of the at least two filter units (15, 150, 151) is arranged in each guide channel (130), wherein the filter unit (150) in one of the guide channels (130) comprises a grease filter and the filter unit (151) in another of the guide channels (130) comprises an air purification filter. [2] Extractor according to claim 1, wherein the air purification filter is a particulate filter. [3] Extractor device according to claim 2, wherein the air purifying filter is a HEPA filter or a PM2.5 filter. [4] Extractor device according to one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the grease filter is a metal filter. [5] Extractor device according to one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the extractor device (1) comprises an odor filter unit (18). [6] Extractor device according to one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the extractor device (1) comprises a sensor unit (16) which is assigned to the at least two guide channels (130). [7] Extractor device according to one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the extractor device (1) has a closing element (132) which temporarily closes one of the guide channels (130). [8] Extractor device according to claim 7, wherein the closing element (132) is arranged in the air guide (13) in the flow direction temporarily in front of the filter unit (15, 150, 151). [9] Extractor device according to one of claims 7 or 8, wherein the closing element (132) is slidably or pivotably mounted in the extractor device (1).

Images