EXTRACTOR DEVICE WITH VAPOR GUIDE PLATE AND LIGHTING DEVICE

Description

[0001] The invention relates to an extractor device with a vapor guide plate and a lighting device.

[0002] EP 3 667 178 A1 discloses an extractor device with an extraction shaft, in the upper end of which an air inlet opening and at least one passage opening are formed, and at least one vapor trap mounted in the extraction shaft with at least one extraction gap. According to one embodiment, the extractor device can have a lighting device.

[0003] EP 3 540 316 A1 describes a cooktop with an extractor hood. The extractor hood is provided with an extraction opening arranged in the cooktop plate and has a protective element. The protective element has at least one light source or is connected to a light source in a light-conducting manner. The protective element has at least one light-conducting region made of light-conducting material and is connected to the at least one light source in a light-conducting manner. EP 3 540 316 A1 thus discloses the preamble of claim 1.

[0004] EP3502571A1 describes an extractor device with an extraction shaft which forms an outlet opening at its upper end and at least one vapor trap which is displaceably mounted in the extraction shaft and has at least one suction gap.

[0005] The vapor catcher can consist of at least two flat screen elements that can be moved separately from each other relative to the extraction shaft. The extraction gap is formed between the screen elements, and at least one of the at least two screen elements protrudes at least partially beyond the outlet opening of the extraction shaft in at least one position of the extractor device.

[0006] In so-called downdraft systems, which are built into the worktop and in which the extractor housing protrudes above the worktop in which the hob is mounted, it is common practice to install light sources at the top of the extractor housing. These light sources, which are usually mounted at a height of between 20 and 40 cm, illuminate the hob.

[0007] A disadvantage of this type of lighting is that, on the one hand, the light sources are directly visible to the user and, on the other hand, the light sources are exposed to the fumes and vapors rising from the hob.

[0008] It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide an extractor device with a lighting device which does not have the disadvantages of the prior art and is nevertheless easy to assemble and handle.

[0009] The object is achieved according to the invention by the extractor device according to claim 1.

[0010] An extractor hood is a device for cleaning contaminated air, particularly fumes and vapors created during cooking. The extractor hood comprises an extractor hood housing. The intake opening through which air is sucked in is provided in the top of the extractor hood housing. The vapor guide plate is preferably at least partially accommodated in the extractor hood housing. For this purpose, the extractor hood housing preferably has a guide for the vapor guide plate. Furthermore, the extractor hood housing has at least one retaining plate. The retaining plate can represent a side wall of the extractor hood housing or be attached to the extractor hood housing, for example, a side wall of the extractor hood housing.

[0011] The extractor device has at least one vapor guide plate. A vapor guide plate is a surface element that directs the air, which is sucked in by a fan inside the extractor device, to the intake opening of the extractor device. Multiple vapor guide plates can also be provided on the extractor device. In particular, one vapor guide plate can be arranged in front of the intake opening and one behind the intake opening, in order to form a supply channel in front of the intake opening in the direction of flow. According to the invention, the vapor guide plate is detachably held in the extractor housing. The vapor guide plate can, for example, be guided via vertical rails in the extractor housing. In addition, the vapor guide plate can be held in the extractor housing from below.

[0012] According to the invention, the at least one vapor guide plate represents a light guide. In particular, the vapor guide plate is made of a material suitable for light conduction. According to one embodiment, the vapor guide plate is made of glass, i.e., the vapor guide plate is formed by a glass pane. The surfaces of the glass pane can be polished, whereby light introduced into the glass pane via one of its edges is reflected by the surfaces and thus transmitted.

[0013] A lighting device, which can also be referred to as a lighting fixture or light bar, is a device that emits light. According to the invention, the lighting device has at least one light source.

[0014] According to the invention, the lighting device is arranged below the vapor guide plate. In particular, the lighting device is arranged below the lower edge of the vapor guide plate.

[0015] Directional specifications such as top, bottom, front, and rear, as well as specifications such as width and height, refer - unless otherwise stated - to an extractor hood and its components in an assembled state. In particular, these specifications refer to an extractor hood with at least one vapor guide plate positioned vertically, with the extractor hood being installed in a horizontal worktop behind a hob and extending behind it in the width direction of the hob.

[0016] Preferably, the vapor guide plate is held in the extractor housing in such a way that it stands on the lighting device or is positioned at a short distance from the lighting device.

[0017] According to the invention, the light source faces the lower edge of the vapor guide plate. This means that light from the light source can be introduced into the vapor guide plate via the lower edge of the vapor guide plate.

[0018] According to the invention, the lighting device is detachably attached to the extractor housing. In particular, the lighting device can be attached to a retaining plate, a side wall, or the base of the extractor housing.

[0019] The present invention provides an extractor device by means of which light can be directed from below the vapor guide plate into the upper area of ​​the vapor guide plate by designing the vapor guide plate as a light guide. Furthermore, due to its detachable attachment to the extractor housing, the lighting device can be removed and repaired or at least replaced if necessary.

[0020] According to the invention, the lighting device further comprises at least two light modules, each comprising at least two light sources. According to the invention, a light module is understood to be a separate structural unit that can be installed as a unit into the lighting device. The light sources are preferably arranged in a row in the light module. Thus, by arranging light modules in a row, a line of light sources can be created, through which light can be introduced into the edge of the vapor guide plate. By providing at least two light sources in each light module, the assembly of the lighting device is simplified, since each light source does not have to be integrated individually.

[0021] According to a preferred embodiment, the at least two light modules are detachably connected to one another. In particular, the light modules can be connected to one another via connecting elements, such as plugs. The light modules are arranged in series, one behind the other. Because the connection between the light modules is detachable, in the event of a defect in one light module, a single light module can be replaced without having to replace the entire lighting system.

[0022] According to the invention, the lighting device comprises a housing. The housing consists of a holding part and a cover part, which are detachably connected to one another. The at least one light module is accommodated in the housing.

[0023] At least one opening for the passage of light is preferably provided in the cover part. When the lighting device is assembled, at least one light module is located in the housing below one of the openings. The light module can protrude through the opening at least partially. Preferably, however, the top of the light module is flush with the cover part in the area of ​​the opening.

[0024] According to one embodiment, the light module comprises a module housing consisting of a transparent upper part and a lower part, with the light source in the light module facing the upper part. The upper side of the module housing is the side that faces the vapor guide plate when installed. The upper and lower parts of the module housing are preferably detachably connected to one another.

[0025] According to one embodiment, the edge of the vapor guide plate facing the lighting device has a roughened surface. The edge facing the lighting device represents, in particular, the lower edge of the vapor guide plate. By having a roughened surface, this edge allows the light to enter the vapor guide plate diffusely, thus homogenizing the light output via the vapor guide plate. In particular, distances between the light sources provided in a light module or between light sources of adjacent light modules can be compensated and are not perceived by the user when the light is emitted. The vapor guide plate is preferably made of glass. However, the vapor guide plate can also be made of Plexiglas, plastic, or another light-conducting material.

[0026] According to one embodiment, the lighting device is arranged in the extractor housing on a recess in a wall. A recess is understood, in particular, to be a recess that protrudes into the interior of the extractor housing. By arranging the lighting device on such a recess, the lighting device can be arranged at a distance from the intake opening in the extractor housing that corresponds to the height of the vapor guide plate that protrudes into the extractor housing. The vapor guide plate can, for example, rest on the lighting device.

[0027] According to the invention, the extractor device has an intake opening through which air is sucked in downwards, and at least one vapor guide plate is arranged adjacent to the intake opening. In this embodiment, the invention can also be referred to as a table fan, countertop extractor, or downdraft fan. In this embodiment, the inventive design of the vapor guide plate as a light guide and the arrangement of the lighting device below the vapor guide plate can be particularly well utilized. The intake opening preferably has an elongated shape. In this embodiment, the vapor guide plate preferably extends along the intake opening in the width direction. In particular, in an extractor device mounted behind a hob, the vapor guide plate extends in the width direction of the hob.The lighting device thus also extends in the width direction of the intake opening of the extractor device and is arranged in a plane which lies below the intake opening.

[0028] The invention is described again below with reference to the accompanying figures. They show: Figure 1: a schematic perspective view of an embodiment of the extractor device according to the invention; Figure 2: a schematic, perspective sectional view through an embodiment of the extractor device according to the invention; Figure 3: a schematic perspective view of a part of an embodiment of the extractor device according to the invention; Figure 4: a schematic, perspective sectional view through an embodiment of the extractor device according to the invention in the region of the lighting device; Figure 5: a schematic sectional view of the embodiment of the extractor device according to Figure 4in the area of ​​the lighting device; Figure 6: a schematic perspective view of an embodiment of a lighting device of the extractor extraction device according to the invention; Figure 7: a schematic perspective view of an embodiment of light modules for a lighting device of the extractor extraction device according to the invention; Figure 8: a schematic perspective view of an embodiment of a light module for a lighting device of the extractor extraction device according to the invention; and Figure 9: a further schematic perspective view of an embodiment of a light module for a lighting device of the extractor extraction device according to the invention.

[0029] In Figure 1A perspective view of an embodiment of the extractor device 1 according to the invention is shown. The extractor device 1 is arranged in a worktop 6 behind a hob 5. The extractor device 1 has an extractor housing 2, of which Figure 1 only the top is visible. An intake opening 20 is provided in the top of the extractor housing 2. Through this intake opening 20, vapors and fumes generated during cooking on the hob 5 can be sucked into the extractor device 1. For this purpose, the extractor device 1 has a fan, which is not shown in the figures.

[0030] In the Figure 1In the embodiment shown, the extractor device 1 has two vapor guide plates 3. In particular, one vapor guide plate 3 is provided in front of the intake opening 20, i.e., between the intake opening 20 and the hob 5, and one behind the intake opening 20. The vapor guide plates 3 are arranged vertically and are flat plates, in particular glass plates. The front vapor guide plate 3 has a smaller width and a smaller height than the rear vapor guide plate 3. The vapor guide plates 3 extend in the width direction of the hob 5.

[0031] As can be seen from Figure 2 The vapor guide plate 3 extends upwards and downwards over the intake opening 20. Below the intake opening 20, a lighting device 4 (see Figure 3) is arranged below the vapor guide plate 3, via which light can be introduced into the vapor guide plates 3.

[0032] In Figure 3 a part of the extractor housing 2 is shown. In particular, Figure 3 a retaining plate 22 of the extractor housing 2 is shown. In the lower area of ​​the retaining plate 22, a recess 220 is introduced into the retaining plate 22. The recess 220 extends into the interior of the extractor housing 2 when the retaining plate 22 is installed in the extractor housing 2. The lighting device 4 is a light strip. In the embodiment shown, the lighting device 4 is inserted into the recess 220. In this embodiment, the top of the lighting device 4 is flush with the top of the recess 220. In the Figure 3Only the cover part 401 of the housing 40 of the lighting device 4 is visible. Openings 4010 are provided in the cover part 401, through which light from the light modules of the lighting device 4 can pass.

[0033] In Figure 6 An embodiment of a lighting device 4 is shown. The lighting device 4 represents a light bar and has a housing 40. The housing 40 consists of a cover part 401 and a holding part 402. The cover part 401 is arranged on the holding part 402. Light modules 43 are arranged between the cover part 401 and the holding part 402. As can be seen from Figure 7The light modules 43 are arranged in a row or chain. The light modules 43 are connected to one another via connecting elements 435. Openings 4010 are provided in the cover part 401. The light modules 43 are arranged in the housing 40 such that the light modules 43 are aligned with the openings 4010. As a result, light emitted by the light modules 43 can exit through the openings 4010 and be introduced into the vapor guide plate 3 arranged above the lighting device 4.

[0034] In the Figures 8 and 9 An embodiment of a light module 43 for the lighting device 4 is shown. The lighting device 4 has a module housing 432. The module housing 432 consists of an upper part 433 and a lower part 434, which are detachably connected to one another. In the embodiment shown, the module housing 432 accommodates a circuit board 431 on which two light sources 430 are arranged.

[0035] In Figure 4 the extractor device 1 is shown in the area of ​​the lighting device 4. As can be seen from this view, the vapor guide plate 3 is arranged so that its lower edge 30 rests on the lighting device 4 or at least lies near the top of the lighting device 4. In the Figure 4 the filter element 23, which is provided in the extractor housing 2, can also be seen.

[0036] As can be seen from the Figure 5 The cover part 401 of the lighting device 4 is a bent sheet metal or a bent plastic part. In this embodiment, the openings 4010 extend over the bevel of the bent cover part 401.

[0037] The present invention provides a compact, cost-effective, and length-flexible lighting device, which can also be referred to as a lighting unit, that can be removed from the extractor unit. The lighting device enables the light to be introduced into a vapor guide plate, which can also be referred to as a passive light guide. The passive light guide is preferably the vapor trap plate of a downdraft system.

[0038] The appearance of different designs of the lighting system is the same for the user across all displayable variants.

[0039] With the present invention, the extractor hood with lighting can be implemented using a modular system that is as compact as possible. The edges of the vapor guide plate facing away from the lighting system, particularly the glass edges, can be illuminated decoratively and evenly.

[0040] The light source(s) are not visible and do not need to be mechanically or electrically connected to the vapor guide plate that serves as a light guide.

[0041] The light is preferably introduced by individual, n-fold used light modules.

[0042] It is sufficient to choose a distance between the individual light modules that is large enough so that the individual short light modules are not perceived as such on the side of the vapor guide plate opposite the light introduction side. A roughened edge design of the vapor guide plate further conceals the individual light sources and illuminates them evenly through diffuse light scattering.

[0043] According to the invention, it is also possible to use a linear light as the lighting device. Such a lighting device must be individually adapted if the extractor hood, and in particular the intake opening, differs in width.

[0044] The electrical connections between the light modules can be made via connectors or similar connectors. The light module, in conjunction with the mounting and cover components, which are preferably made of sheet metal or plastic, can form an easy-to-clean geometry.

[0045] It is also conceivable for the lighting device to be fitted with an additional scratch-resistant element and / or a sealing element to prevent the ingress of dirt and moisture. This can be arranged above the cover.

[0046] The lighting system is mechanically and electrically decoupled from the vapor guide plate, which is designed as a passive light guide. The vapor guide plate can be removed by lifting its own weight.

[0047] The extractor hood can remain in the worktop for servicing; only the lighting unit as an assembly needs to be removed.

[0048] The modular solution ensures that different widths of the extractor unit can be realized simply by adjusting the grid dimensions or changing the number of light modules. According to the invention, only parts that are easy to create or modify are affected within the modular system; the light module itself always remains the same.

[0049] The possible use of scratch-resistant materials and seals significantly increases the longevity of the extractor hood. List of reference symbols

[0050] 1 Extractor hood 2 Extractor housing 20 Intake opening 22 Supporting plate 220 Step 23 Filter element 3 Vapor guide plate 30 Bottom edge 4 Lighting device 40 Housing 401 Cover part 4010 Opening 402 Supporting part 43 Light module 430 Light source 431 Circuit board 432 Module housing 433 Upper part 434 Lower part 435 Connection element 5 Hob 6 Worktop

Claims

1. Extractor device having an extractor housing (2), at least one vapour guide plate (3) held detachably in the extractor housing (2) and at least one illumination device (4), which has at least one light source (430), wherein the extractor device (1) has an intake opening (20), by way of which air is drawn in downward, and the at least one vapour guide plate (3) is arranged adjacent to the intake opening (20), wherein the vapour guide plate (3) represents an optical fibre, the illumination device (4) is arranged below the vapour guide plate (3), the at least one light source (430) is facing the lower edge (30) of the vapour guide plate (3) and the illumination device (4) is fastened detachably to the extractor device housing (2), characterised in that the illumination device (4) has at least two light modules (43), which each comprise at least two light sources (430), that the illumination device (4) has a housing (40) which consists of a holding part (402) and a cover part (401), which are detachably connected to one another and the at least one light module is received in the housing (40).

2. Extractor device according to claim 1, wherein the light modules (43) are detachably connected to one another by way of connecting elements (435).

3. Extractor device according to one of claims 1 or 2, wherein at least one opening (4010) for the light aperture is provided in the cover part (401).

4. Extractor device according to one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the light module (43) comprises a module housing (432) which consists of a transparent top part (433) and a bottom part (434), wherein the light source (430) in the light module (43) is facing the top part (433).

5. Extractor device according to one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the edge (30) of the vapour guide plate (3), which is facing the illumination device (4), has a roughened surface.

6. Extractor device according to one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the vapour guide plate (3) is made of glass.

7. Extractor device according to one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the illumination device (4) in the extractor housing (2) is arranged on a projection (220) of a wall.