Combination device comprising a cooking hob and fume extraction device

Abstract

The present invention relates to a housing for a combination appliance comprising a cooktop and a range hood (5), which includes a main housing (20) and two side panels (21), characterized in that the main housing (20) comprises a base (200) and two side walls (201) and has at least one connection point (4) on each of the two open sides of the main housing (20) for connecting it to a side panel (21). The invention also relates to a combination appliance (1) with such a housing (2) and a kit for manufacturing a housing (2).

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a combination appliance comprising a hob and an extractor hood.

[0002] DE 10 2008 033 792 A1 describes a recirculation module for use with an extractor. The recirculation module comprises a housing with at least one air inlet, at least one air outlet, and at least one odor filter. The recirculation module is characterized in that the housing has at least one air outlet and, in addition, at least one insertion opening for inserting at least one of the odor filters, and at least one odor filter is assigned to each air outlet.

[0003] CN 201 373 479 Y discloses a combination system comprising an extractor hood and a hob. The hob is mounted on a cooking cabinet.

[0004] CN 201 652550 U describes a downdraft hood.

[0005] US 4 945 891 A discloses an improved drive mechanism for a motor-driven, downwardly retractable venting system having a vent inlet member slidably mounted for vertical movement between a lowered position and a raised position.

[0006] WO2019081264A1 discloses all features of the preamble of claim 1. It discloses a combination appliance comprising a hob and an extractor hood, wherein the combination appliance comprises an appliance housing.

[0007] In kitchens, combination appliances are increasingly being used, which include a cooktop with integrated extractor. The extractor is usually located underneath the cooktop. These combination appliances are built into kitchen units. This requires a housing that can accommodate the cooktop and extractor components.

[0008] The range of different hob sizes and variation in features of combination appliances results in design complexity.

[0009] It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a solution by means of which at least the amount of parts can be reduced.

[0010] According to the invention, the object is achieved by a combination device having the features of claim 1.

[0011] Unless otherwise stated, directional references such as top and bottom, front and back, refer to the combined appliance and its components in a built-in state with the hob horizontal. The front is the side facing the user. The back is the side that usually faces a mounting wall. The dimension in the direction between the front and back is called the depth. The horizontal dimension perpendicular to this is called the width. The vertical dimension is called the height.

[0012] The term appliance housing for a combination appliance refers to a housing in which the components of the combination appliance, namely the parts of the extractor hood, such as the fan and filter element, as well as at least the lower parts of the hob, in particular the cooking modules, can be accommodated. The appliance housing preferably has a box shape that is open at the top. According to the invention, the appliance housing comprises a main housing and two side parts. The main housing and the side parts represent separate components during assembly. The main housing comprises a base and two side walls. The base is the surface of the main housing that forms the underside of the appliance housing when the appliance housing is assembled and in particular when installed in a piece of kitchen furniture. The side walls of the main housing are firmly connected to the base. According to the invention, the base and the side walls are designed as a single piece.When the device housing is assembled, the side panels extend vertically upward from the base. The side panels are located on opposite edges of the base. This creates two open sides facing each other.

[0013] The device housing has at least one connection point on each of its two open sides for connecting to a side panel. According to the invention, a connection point is defined as a connection or interface via which the connection between the main housing and the side panel can be created directly or indirectly. An indirect connection is defined as a connection in which the connection is made via separate fastening elements that can be inserted at or in the connection points. The fastening elements can be screws, for example. A direct connection is defined as a connection in which the connection points can interact with connecting elements provided on the side panel. In this case, the connecting elements do not represent separate components, but can be tabs or locking elements, for example, that are formed on the side panels.

[0014] The term "open side of the main housing" is used to better distinguish it from the side panels. When the device housing is assembled, the side panels of the device housing are located on the open sides. Furthermore, before or during assembly of the device housing, at least some of the main housing material can preferably be located in the open sides. In particular, bends or chamfers of the floor or side panels can be located in the open side.

[0015] The inventive design allows the side panels to be attached to the main housing, thus forming a device housing that is closed on all sides and at the bottom. In particular, the fact that the side panels are separate from the main housing prior to assembly and are attached to it makes it easy to attach different side panels and thus vary the shape of the device housing.

[0016] According to one embodiment, the side part consists of side panels. Side panels are flat components. In this embodiment, the appliance housing, once assembled, has a box shape with straight sides. A strip can be provided at the upper edge of each of the side walls and side panels. This strip serves to hold a cooktop housing, also referred to below as the inner frame, in which at least the cooking modules of the cooktop can be accommodated.

[0017] According to a further embodiment, the side plate has an outward-facing bulge in the upper region, which is open upwards and towards the main housing. Preferably, a trough which projects outwards beyond the side plate and is open towards the inside is formed at the upper end of the side plate. A bulge, in particular a trough, which is open towards the main housing when the device housing is in the assembled state is referred to as being open towards the inside. The trough preferably forms the upper end of the side plate. By providing a bulge or trough in the upper region of the side plate, an inner frame with a greater width can be accommodated in the device housing than in a device housing in which the side parts are formed by flat side plates. In particular, the inner frame rests on the bottom of the trough at its lateral regions.The height of the tub should therefore preferably correspond to the height of the inner frame at its side edges.

[0018] According to a further embodiment, a lateral extension is provided on the bulge. In particular, a trough extension which projects outwards beyond the trough and is open inwards is formed on the upper end of the trough. The trough extension projects outwards beyond the trough and thus extends it. The height of the trough extension is preferably less than the height of the trough. By providing a bulge extension or a trough extension in the upper region of the side plate, an inner frame with a greater width can be accommodated in the device housing than in a device housing in which the side parts are formed by side plates with only the troughs at the upper ends. In particular, the inner frame rests on the floor of the trough at its lateral edges.In particular, in the case of a tub extension where the height of the tub extension is less than the height of the tub to which it is connected, an inner frame can be accommodated in the device housing, which has a lower height at the lateral edge areas. In particular, the base of the inner frame can be placed on the bottom of the tub in the area where the inner frame has a greater height, and the base of the inner frame can be placed on the bottom of the tub extension in the lateral edge area with a lower height.

[0019] According to one embodiment, a connection point is an insertion opening for a fastening tab of the side part for pre-fixing the side part. In particular, the insertion opening can have a T-shape. This allows a fastening tab with a larger dimension at the free end to be inserted through the insertion opening in the transverse region of the shape, and the tab is then held there by lowering into the insertion opening. The insertion opening can thus serve as a reference point via which the side part is held or pre-fixed in a predetermined position on the main housing. The final attachment of the side part to the main housing can then be achieved using fastening elements, for example screws.

[0020] According to one embodiment, the base of the main housing has an upwardly directed fold on a side edge, and the at least one connection point is provided on the upwardly directed fold. The fold of the base is a strip of material, in the case of a sheet metal housing, in particular a sheet metal strip, which is bent out of the plane of the base. The side edge of the base on which the upwardly directed fold is provided is the edge which, when the device housing is assembled, faces the side part and preferably rests against it. By providing a fold and at least one connection point in this fold, a firm connection between the main housing and the side part can be created. In addition, the device housing is sealed by the fold at the edge on which the fold is provided.

[0021] In addition or alternatively to the upwardly directed fold, at least one side wall can have a lateral fold on a lateral edge facing the other side wall, and at least one connection point can be provided on the lateral fold. The fold of the side wall is a strip of material, in the case of a sheet metal housing, in particular a sheet metal strip that is bent out of the plane of the side wall. The lateral edge of the side wall is the edge of the side wall that, when the device housing is in the assembled state, faces the side part and preferably rests against it. When the device housing is in the assembled state, the lateral fold faces the other side wall, i.e. is directed towards it. By providing a fold and at least one connection point in this, a firm connection between the main housing and the side part can be created.In addition, the device housing is sealed by the bevel at the edge where the bevel is intended.

[0022] According to a preferred embodiment, the main housing consists of a continuous sheet metal part and is manufactured by bending and / or edging. Embossed portions can be provided on the sheet metal part for the intended bending or edging points, such as the transition from the base to the side wall or to the lower fold, in which the material thickness of the sheet metal is reduced. This can simplify bending or edging and ensure the correct positioning of the edges.

[0023] Advantages and features described with regard to the device housing apply - where applicable - accordingly to the combination device according to the invention and the kit which is described later, and vice versa.

[0024] The combination appliance preferably comprises a cooktop housing that is incorporated into the top of the appliance housing. The cooktop housing can also be referred to as an inner frame and serves in particular to accommodate at least the cooking modules, for example, the induction modules of the cooktop. By incorporating the cooktop housing into the top of the appliance housing, the advantage of the present invention, according to which the width of at least the top of the appliance housing can be specifically adjusted by appropriately selecting the shape of the side parts of the appliance housing, can be particularly effectively utilized.

[0025] In addition, a kit for producing an appliance housing for a combination appliance comprising a hob and an extractor hood is described. The kit is characterized in that it has a main housing with a base and two side walls and at least two side parts that can be attached to the open sides of the main housing and that differ in shape. By containing at least two side parts of different shapes in the kit, appliance housings of different shapes can be formed with this kit. In particular, the kit can be used to produce appliance housings that have different widths, at least at the top. The same main housing is always used for the different appliance housings. This can simplify production because it makes it easier to store components.

[0026] Connection points, such as insertion openings or screw holes, are provided on the main housing. The various side panels preferably each have connection points that correspond to the connection points of the main housing. If a connection point represents a insertion opening, a tab is preferably provided on the side panel that can be inserted into the insertion opening. The insertion opening is also referred to as an alignment recess, and the tab is referred to as an alignment element.

[0027] According to a preferred embodiment, the main housing represents a flat bent part. In particular, the main housing represents a flat bent part before assembly of the device housing, for example during storage and transport. The outer contours of the flat bent part are shaped, for example by punching, such that after bending or folding the side walls and any folds that may be provided, the main housing has a base, two side walls and two open sides.

[0028] The present invention will be described again with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0029] They show: Figure 1: a schematic perspective view of an embodiment of a combination device according to the invention; Figure 2: a schematic perspective view of a main housing of a first embodiment of a device housing used according to the invention; Figure 3: a schematic front view of the first embodiment of the device housing according to Figure 2; Figure 4: a schematic perspective view of a side part of the first embodiment of the device housing; Figure 5: a schematic front view of the main housing of a second embodiment of the device housing; Figure 6: a schematic perspective view of a side part of the second embodiment of the device housing; Figure 7: a schematic front view of the device housing of the second embodiment of the device housing; Figure 8: a schematic front view of the main housing of a third embodiment of the device housing; Figure 9: a schematic perspective view of a side part of the third embodiment of the device housing; Figure 10: a schematic front view of the device housing of the third embodiment of the device housing; Figure 11: a schematic perspective view of the side region of an embodiment of the main housing; Figure 12: a schematic detailed view of an embodiment of the connection points of the main housing;Figure 13: a schematic detailed view of an embodiment of the connection points of the main housing from the interior of the main housing; and Figures 14 to 16: schematic perspective views of different embodiments of an inner housing of the device housing used according to the invention.

[0030] In Figure 1 An embodiment of a combination appliance 1 according to the invention is shown. In this view, the hob, which is also part of the combination appliance 1, is not shown. The combination appliance 1 has an appliance housing 2, of which Figure 1 only one main housing 20 is shown. In the main housing 20, an extractor device 5 is arranged, which has a fan 50 and a filter unit 51 arranged above the fan 50. A hob housing 3 (see Figures 14 to 16). The hob housing 3 can also be held at least partially on the top side of the main housing 20, in particular on the strips shown schematically there.

[0031] With reference to the Figures 2 to 4 A first embodiment of a device housing 2 used according to the invention is described. The device housing 2 consists of a main housing 20 and two side parts 21, of which Figure 4only one is shown. The main housing 20 has a base 200 and two side walls 201 that extend upwards along opposite edges of the base 200. The other two sides of the box-shaped main housing 20 are referred to as open sides. In the embodiment shown, these sides are open except for a lower bevel 202 and two lateral bevels 203. The side part 21, which in the embodiment shown represents a side panel 210, is attached to this open side. Provided at the upper edge of the side panel 210 is a strip 2100 in which part of the edge, in particular the upper edge of a hob housing 3, can be held.

[0032] The second embodiment, which is shown in the Figures 5 to 7shown, differs from the first embodiment only in the shape of the side part 21. In the second embodiment, the side part 21 is a side plate 210 in the upper region of which a tray 211 is formed. The tray 211 extends outwards from the side plate 210 when the appliance housing is assembled. In addition, the tray 211 is open to the interior of the main housing 20. In this embodiment, the appliance housing 2 has a greater width in the upper region than in the lower region. Thus, a wide hob and in particular a wider hob housing 3 can be accommodated in the upper region of the appliance housing 2. In the second embodiment, a strip 2100 is also provided in the upper edge of the side part 21, in particular in the upper edge of the tray 211, in which strip a part of the edge, in particular the upper edge of a hob housing 3, can be held.

[0033] The third embodiment, which is shown in the Figures 8 to 10 shown differs from the first and second embodiments only in the shape of the side part 21. In the third embodiment, the side part 21 is a side plate 210, in the upper region of which a tray 211 with a tray extension 212 is formed. The tray extension 212 here refers to an extension of the tray 211, which also has a tray shape. In particular, the tray 211 extends outwards from the side plate 210 in the assembled state of the device housing 2, and the tray extension 212 extends outwards from the tray 211. The tray extension 212 is open to the interior of the tray 211, and the tray 211 is open to the interior of the main housing 20.

[0034] In the view of the main body 20 in Figure 11It can be seen that on the edges 202, 203 of the main housing 20, which is the same for all three described embodiments, connection points 4 are provided, which in the embodiment shown are screw holes 40. Alignment recesses 41 are also provided at the lower edge of the lower edge 202. As can be seen from the Figures 12 and 13 , a corresponding alignment element 42, for example a tab, is provided on the lower edge of the respective side part 21, which extends in the direction of the main housing 20. The alignment recess 41 has a T-shape. The alignment element 42 has a greater width at its free end than at the end at which it is connected to the side part 21. The alignment element 42 can be inserted through the alignment recess 41 in the transverse region of the T-shape and the alignment element 42 can then be held there by lowering it into the alignment recess 41.

[0035] In Figures 14 to 16 Three embodiments of a hob housing 3 are shown. In the embodiment according to Figure 14 The hob housing 3 is in particular a hob housing 3 for a hob with a width of 60 cm. In the embodiment according to Figure 15 The hob housing 3 is a hob housing 3 for a hob with a width of 80 cm. In this embodiment, the hob housing 3 has, in addition to a main frame 30, a side frame 31, which together with the main frame 30 forms a common receiving space for the hob. In the embodiment according to

[0036] Figure 16 The hob housing 3 is a hob housing 3 for a hob with a width of 90 cm. In this embodiment, the hob housing 3 has, in addition to the main frame 30, two lateral extensions 32. The extensions 32 have a lower height than the main frame 30.

[0037] The first embodiment of the hob housing 3 can preferably be used in the first embodiment of the appliance housing 2. The second embodiment of the hob housing 3 can preferably be used in the second embodiment of the appliance housing 2. The third embodiment of the hob housing 3 can preferably be used in the third embodiment of the appliance housing 2.

[0038] Thus, the present invention provides a solution for combination appliances, particularly so-called venting cooktops, which are available in widths of 60, 80, and 90 cm. In particular, a modular construction system is proposed so that an appliance housing for all cooktop sizes can be created with a minimal number of different parts. This is achieved according to the invention by assembling optimized common parts. The present invention also allows for savings in material, storage space, and assembly steps.

[0039] In the inventive concept, a common main housing, which can also be referred to as a common frame, can be used for any size of cooktop and can be expanded to 80 and 90 cm sizes using additional parts. The present invention, in particular, allows the use of a common frame for all sizes of combination appliances with cooktops, with the additional provision of specific side parts for configuring the respective size. It is possible to use the same parts for each side.

[0040] The present invention offers several advantages, particularly modular assembly. The common frame simplifies the assembly line. The fixtures and equipment of workstations can be identical, right down to the individualization of the size of the device housing by means of the corresponding side panel. Furthermore, the device housing or the combination device is easy to repair. The side panels of the device housing can be removed to access the internal components of the device in the event of repair. Furthermore, semi-finished products can be stored together during the assembly phase. For example, the main housing can be stored as a flat, bent part. Furthermore, the invention reduces complexity and provides savings. In particular, the same side panels are used for each side (left, right), allowing a reduction in the number of new parts.The common frame allows for lower prices due to high unit volume. Finally, the simplification of the design of the device housing, especially the main housing, allows for the delivery of a non-bent part, which reduces logistics costs. List of reference symbols

[0041] 1Combination device 2Device housing 20Main housing 200Bottom 201Side wall 202Lower bevel 203Side bevel 21Side panel 210Side panel 2100Ledge 211Tub 212Tub extension 3Cooktop housing 30Main frame 31Side frame 32Extension 4Connection point 40Screw hole 41Alignment recess 42Alignment element 5 Extractor fan 50 Fan 51 Filter unit

Claims

1. Combination appliance comprising a hob and an extractor apparatus (5), wherein the combination appliance (1) has an appliance housing (2), in which the components of the combination appliance (1), namely parts of the extractor apparatus (5) and at least the lower parts of the hob are accommodated, wherein the appliance housing (2) comprises a main housing (20) and two side parts (21), characterised in that the main housing (20) comprises a base (200) and two side walls (201), that the base (200) and the side walls (201) are embodied in one piece, that the appliance housing has at least one connecting point (4) for connection to a side part (21) on the two open sides of the main housing (20) in each case, wherein the connecting point refers to an attachment or an interface by way of which the connection between the main housing and the side part can be generated indirectly or directly and that the side parts (21) are fastened to the main housing (20) and thus form an appliance housing (2) which is closed downwards and on all sides.

2. Combination appliance according to claim 1, characterised in that the side parts (21) represent side plates (210).

3. Combination appliance according to claim 2, characterised in that a trough (211) which projects outwards beyond the side plate (210) and is open inwards is formed at the upper end of the side plate (210).

4. Combination appliance according to claim 3, characterised in that a trough continuation (212) which projects outwards beyond the trough (211) and is open inwards is embodied on the upper edge of the trough (211).

5. Combination appliance according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterised in that a connecting point (4) is an insertion opening (41) for a fastening lug (42) of the side part (21) for prefixing the side part (21).

6. Combination appliance according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterised in that the base (200) of the main housing (20) has an upwardly directed chamfer (202) on a side edge and the at least one connecting point (4) is provided on the upwardly directed chamfer (202).

7. Combination appliance according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterised in that at least one side wall (201) has a lateral chamfer (203) facing the other side wall (201) on a lateral edge and at least one connecting point (4) on the lateral chamfer (203).

8. Combination appliance according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterised in that the main housing (20) consists of a continuous sheet metal part and is produced by means of bending and / or chamfering.

9. Combination appliance according to one of claims 1 to 8, characterised in that the combination appliance (1) comprises a hob housing (3) which is introduced into the top side of the appliance housing (2).

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