Filter unit and fume extractor

Abstract

The present invention relates to a filter unit for a range hood (2) comprising at least one filter element (10) and a filter cassette (11) in which the at least one filter element (10) is held, characterized in that the filter cassette (11) has a tray (111) at its base for collecting impurities, a handle (112) at its top, and a retaining device between its base and top for holding the at least one filter element (10) in the filter cassette (11) in an inclined position. Furthermore, a range hood (2) comprising at least one such filter unit (1) is described.

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a filter unit and an extractor device with a filter unit.

[0002] Extractor hoods are used to remove fumes and odors from kitchen air. An extractor hood, for example, can be installed above a cooktop. The air is passed through filters and then expelled outside the kitchen or recirculated into the kitchen after cleaning it.

[0003] With extractor hoods, known as tabletop extractors or downdraft extractors, cooking fumes are extracted from the sides or rear of the cooktop and directed downwards. In some designs, the airflow duct is located behind the cooktop, integrated into the base cabinet of a kitchen unit. To maximize the space in the base cabinet, which can be used for drawers and storage compartments, for example, the airflow duct has a shallow depth. The width of the tabletop extractor is usually determined by the width of the cooktop, which can be, for example, 80 cm or 90 cm.

[0004] DE 10 2016 211 207 A1 describes a device for extracting cooking vapors. In particular, the device comprises a movable closure element that, when moved between two end positions, exhibits at least two linearly independent movement components. According to one embodiment, the extraction device comprises a removable or detachable collecting tray. The collecting tray is arranged, in particular, downstream of a filter element in the form of a filter insert.

[0005] WO 2017 / 080 781 A1 describes a filter device for extractor hoods. The filter device has at least one filter unit with at least one filter element. According to one embodiment, the filter device comprises at least one holding device, which may include a collecting tray. Furthermore, a positioning element on the holding device can serve as a gripping element. The positioning element is arranged on the base of the holding device.

[0006] DE 20 2016 104 283 U1 describes a device for filtering vapors and steam from cooking. The device includes a container that serves to collect at least cooking liquids and is located essentially beneath the grease filter.

[0007] The object of the present invention is therefore to provide a filter unit which allows good vapor separation and is nevertheless easy to handle and allows reliable operation of the extractor device in which the filter unit is used.

[0008] According to a first aspect, the object is achieved by a filter unit for a fume extraction device comprising at least one filter element and a filter cassette in which the at least one filter element is held. The filter unit is characterized in that the filter cassette has a tray on the bottom for collecting impurities, a handle on the top of the filter cassette and, between the bottom and the top, a holding device for holding the at least one filter element in the filter cassette in an inclined position. The holding device comprises a rail which extends from the top of the filter cassette to the bottom of the filter cassette on a side wall of the filter cassette, such that the filter element is supported by the rail over its entire height.

[0009] An extractor hood is a device that extracts air, particularly contaminated air in the form of fumes and vapors, from a cooktop and / or worktop. The extractor hood has an extraction opening. The extractor hood also has a fan that extracts air downward through the extraction opening. The extractor hood is preferably a table fan.

[0010] A filter unit is a structural unit that can be inserted into and removed from the extractor as a single unit. The filter unit comprises a filter element and a filter cassette. A filter element is a component that has at least one filter layer. The filter element is preferably a plate-shaped component. In particular, the filter element preferably consists of at least two filter layers held in a frame. The filter layers can be made of, for example, expanded metal, metal mesh, or a combination of these materials.

[0011] A filter cassette is an enveloping structure that at least partially surrounds the filter element. The filter element is held in the filter cassette. Preferably, the filter element is detachably held in the filter cassette, meaning it can be removed from it. The filter cassette has a bottom and a top. The bottom is partially formed by a tray for collecting contaminants. The top of the filter cassette has a handle. Between the bottom and the top, the filter cassette has a holding device for securing the at least one filter element in the filter cassette.

[0012] Directional references to the filter unit, such as top and bottom, refer – unless otherwise stated – to the filter unit when inserted into an extractor hood. In particular, the top side refers to the side of the filter unit that is located in or below the extraction opening of the extractor hood. The sides of the filter unit, which preferably consist of side walls, are the ends of the filter unit that form the ends in the width direction in the case of an elongated cross-section of the filter unit. The filter unit preferably has a greater width than depth. The height of the filter unit is preferably greater than the depth.

[0013] The filter element is held in the filter cassette in an inclined position. The inclined position, which can also be referred to as an oblique position, is a position in which the filter element is at an angle greater than zero to the vertical when the filter unit is inserted into the extractor device, in particular the extraction opening.

[0014] The holding device preferably extends over the entire height of the filter unit. However, a holding device can also be provided only in the lower area of the filter unit, preferably on the tray. The holding device preferably comprises two holding elements located on opposite lateral edges of the filter unit.

[0015] The tray, which forms part of the base of the filter cassette, serves to collect contaminants, particularly liquids. The tray is preferably elongated and extends across the entire width of the filter cassette or at least between preferably provided side walls of the filter cassette. The tray can also be referred to as a channel. Contaminants that have deposited on the filter element and run down the filter element can be collected in the tray. The tray is therefore arranged such that a filter element accommodated in the filter cassette lies at least with its lower edge in or above the tray.

[0016] By having the filter unit with a holding device for holding the filter element in an inclined position, a tray at the bottom of the filter unit, and a handle at the top of the filter cassette, a number of advantages can be achieved. Firstly, the filter capacity can be increased by the inclined position of the filter element. And the efficiency of the separation can be improved due to the large filter surface and thus large filter volume made possible by the inclined position, despite the limited installation space available with table extractors. Furthermore, the combination of the inclined position of the filter element and the tray provided at the bottom can create a reservoir for spilled liquids that could flow into the extractor fan.Finally, the handle provided on the top makes it easier to remove the filter unit from an extractor fan and also prevents the spillage of contaminants, especially liquids, that have accumulated in the tray.

[0017] According to the invention, the holding device comprises a rail that extends from the top of the filter cassette to the bottom of the filter cassette on a side wall of the filter cassette. Preferably, the filter cassette has two side walls, and a rail is provided on each of the side walls. In an embodiment with side walls, the front edge of the side walls forms the front side of the filter cassette. The rail is provided at an incline on the side wall so that the filter element, which is held by the rail, is held in an inclined position in the filter cassette. The entire height of the filter element is supported by the rail at the lateral edges.

[0018] According to a preferred embodiment, the handle extends across the width of the filter cassette. The width of the filter cassette is the dimension corresponding to the larger of the horizontal dimensions of the filter cassette. Because the handle extends across the width, and preferably across the entire width, the gripping points of the handle are located on the side walls of the filter cassette, thus reliably preventing the filter cassette from pivoting when removing the filter unit from the extractor.

[0019] According to a preferred embodiment, the filter cassette has a rear wall. In the embodiment in which the filter cassette has a rear wall, this preferably comprises no further components apart from the tray, the handle and the preferably provided side walls. As a result, the filter cassette is open downwards in the area of the base not formed by the tray, upwards and preferably also at the front. This reduces the weight of the filter cassette and thus of the filter unit. On the other hand, the rear wall increases the stability of the filter cassette and thus ensures that the filter unit can be removed safely from the extractor hood. The filter unit, which has an open front, is preferably inserted into the flow channel of the extractor hood, which adjoins the extraction opening at the bottom, in such a way that the open front rests against a wall of the flow channel.It is also within the scope of the invention that the filter cassette also has a front wall.

[0020] The handle is arranged on the top side of the filter cassette and preferably extends in the width direction of the filter cassette. The handle is preferably arranged on the front side of the filter cassette. However, the handle can also be spaced apart from the front side, for example on the side walls of the filter cassette. By arranging the handle on the front side of the filter cassette, it does not block the airflow entering the filter cassette via the top side, or only slightly blocks it at the front edge. Particularly in a filter cassette that does not have a front wall, the handle also serves to increase the stability of the filter cassette.

[0021] According to a preferred embodiment, the filter element has a cover on its top side. This cover preferably extends beyond the side of the filter element facing the rear wall of the filter cassette. Providing a cover improves the visual appearance of the filter unit because, when the filter unit is inserted into the extraction opening of the extractor fan, the top side of the filter element is generally visible to the user. In addition, the cover, particularly a cover with a projection, can also help hold the filter element in the filter cassette. In particular, the projection of the holding device can rest on the top side of the rear wall. Finally, the cover can also serve as a handle, via which the filter element can be removed from the filter cassette.This further simplifies the handling of the filter unit, as the filter element can be removed from the extractor unit and cleaned without the filter cassette.

[0022] According to a preferred embodiment, only part of the base of the filter cassette is formed by the tray, and the remaining part of the base is open. This embodiment is particularly preferred for an embodiment of the filter unit in which the filter cassette has a rear wall. The air can escape from the filter cassette via the open part of the base and reach the fan of the extractor fan, through which the air is sucked in. The filter element is held in the filter cassette such that, in a vertical plan view of the filter unit, it covers the open part of the base. In particular, in the case of a tray which represents the front part of the base, the filter element is held such that its lower edge is aligned with the tray or received in it, and the upper edge rests against the rear side and, in particular, a rear wall.

[0023] According to one embodiment, the filter element has at least one filter layer made of a metal mesh. The filter element can have multiple filter layers. According to one embodiment, the filter element has multiple inner layers made of a metal mesh and two cover layers. The cover layers can also be made of a metal mesh or, preferably, expanded metal layers. By using at least one metal mesh layer, the pressure loss of the air that occurs when flowing through the filter element is reduced.

[0024] According to one embodiment, a seal is provided between the tray and the holding device. In particular, the seal can be provided between the tray and rails that form the holding device on the side walls. A sealing membrane can be provided as the seal. This allows for the manufacturing tolerances of the rails and / or tray to be compensated and ensures the capture of contaminants.

[0025] According to a further aspect, the invention relates to a DAV which has at least one filter unit according to the invention.

[0026] Advantages and features described with regard to the filter unit apply - where applicable - to the extractor unit and vice versa and are not described again.

[0027] An extractor hood is a device that extracts air, particularly contaminated air in the form of fumes and vapors, from a cooktop and / or worktop. The extractor hood has an extraction opening. The extractor hood also has a fan that extracts air downward through the extraction opening. The extractor hood is preferably a table fan.

[0028] According to one embodiment, the filter unit is inserted into the extraction opening of the extractor device in such a way that the filter element in the filter unit projects downwards from the extraction opening.

[0029] The present invention will be described again below with reference to the accompanying figures. They show: Figure 1 : a schematic perspective view of an embodiment of the filter unit according to the invention; Figure 2: a schematic exploded view of the embodiment of the filter unit according to Figure 1 ; Figure 3 : a schematic detailed view of the lower part of the embodiment of the filter unit according to Figure 1 ; and Figure 4 : a schematic plan view of an embodiment of an extractor device according to the invention.

[0030] In Figure 4 A schematic plan view of an embodiment of an extractor device 2 according to the invention is shown. The extractor device 2 is installed in a worktop 4 of a kitchen unit (not shown). Figure 4Only the extraction opening 20 of the extractor device 2 is visible. Below the extraction opening 20, the extractor device 2 comprises a fan and a flow channel (both not shown) between the extraction opening 20 and the fan. The extractor device 2 is arranged such that the extraction opening 20 is located behind a cooking surface 3. The extraction opening 20 extends in the width direction of the cooking surface 3 and has an elongated shape. A filter unit 1 is inserted into the extraction opening 20, which, with reference to the Figures 1 to 3 described in more detail. The side of the filter unit 1 facing the hob 3 represents the front of the filter unit 1.

[0031] In Figure 1 An embodiment of the filter unit 1 according to the invention is shown schematically in perspective view. The filter unit 1 consists of a filter element 10 and a filter cassette 11. These are shown in Figure 2Shown in an exploded view. The filter element 10 consists of a filter 100, which is held in a frame 102, and a cover 101. The filter 100 is a flat filter 100, which preferably consists of several filter layers. The frame 102 surrounds the filter 100 at its edges. A cover 101 is provided on the top of the filter 100 and frame 102. In the illustrated embodiment, the cover has the shape of a strip with a wedge-shaped cross-section and extends over the entire top of the filter 100 and frame 102.

[0032] In the illustrated embodiment, the filter cassette 11 consists of a rear wall 113, two side walls 115, a tray 111, and a handle 112. The distance between the side walls 115 corresponds to the width of the filter 100 with frame 102. In the front area of the side walls 115, a handle 112 is provided at the upper end, which extends in the width direction between the side walls 115 and represents a bar. At the lower end of the side walls 115, in the front area of the side walls 115, the tray 111 is provided. The tray 111 forms part of the base of the filter cassette 11. A rear wall 113 is provided at the rear edge of the side walls 115. The rear wall 113 preferably extends over the entire height of the filter cassette 11. A rail 110 is arranged on each of the inner sides of the side walls 115 as a holding device for the filter element 10. The rails 110 run at an angle.In particular, the rails 110 preferably extend from the upper rear edge of the respective side wall 115 to the front lower edge of the respective side wall 115.

[0033] The filter element 10 can be inserted into and removed from the filter cassette 11 as indicated by the double arrow in Figure 2 is indicated.

[0034] The filter element 10 is inserted into the filter cassette 11 in such a way that the lateral edges of the filter element 10 rest on the rails 110. The lower edge of the filter element 10 lies in the tray 111. Due to the cover 101 of the filter element 10, which extends over the back of the filter element 10, the underside of the cover 101 lies in the Figure 1shown state on the top side of the rear wall 113. Furthermore, in the embodiment shown, the cover 101 has a length that is greater than the width of the filter 100 with frame 102. Therefore, in the embodiment shown, the cover rests on the side walls 115 at the lateral ends.

[0035] In Figure 3 The area of the filter unit 1 between a side wall 115 and the tub 111 is shown. As can be seen from this view, in the embodiment shown, a seal 114 in the form of a sealing membrane is arranged between the tub 111 and the rail 110 provided on the side wall 115.

[0036] In addition, Figure 3 The passage opening 12 is visible, which is formed by the gap between the rear of the tray 111 and the rear wall 113. Air can escape from the filter unit 1 through the passage opening 12 and reach the fan of the extractor device 2.

[0037] As can be seen from Figure 4 The filter unit 1 is inserted into the extraction opening 20 such that the handle 112 and thus the front of the filter unit 1 faces the hob 3. The rear wall and cover 101 thus lie on the edge of the extraction opening 20 facing away from the hob 3.

[0038] In the state in which the filter unit 1 is inserted into the extractor device 2 and, in particular, the extraction opening 20, the cover 101 can protrude beyond the plane of the worktop 4. However, it is also within the scope of the invention for the upper side of the cover 101 to lie in the plane of the worktop 4. The filter cassette 11 is located in the flow channel (not shown) that adjoins the extraction opening 20 at the bottom.

[0039] The present invention ensures a pleasant cooking experience in a narrow flow channel provided in a cooker hood, which is a table fan. A large filter surface is provided by the inclined position of the filter element in the flow channel. This efficiently filters grease, particularly with good separation and high capacity. At the same time, the collection of vapors that drip off the filter, for example, made of expanded metal, metal mesh, or metal knitting, is enabled. All parts of the filter unit used to filter the vapors from the extracted air can be removed from the cooker hood by the user and cleaned, for example, in a dishwasher.

[0040] According to the invention, a filter unit is provided which has a filter element and a filter cassette. The filter of the filter element consists, for example, of expanded metal, metal mesh or metal woven fabric or a combination of these materials. In this case, several layers, for example twelve inner layers of metal mesh and one expanded metal layer each as a top or back layer, are enclosed by a metal frame. The filter can be held at the upper edge by a plastic cover, which also serves as a filter handle. The filter element is preferably enclosed in the filter cassette by lateral rails, which additionally fulfills the function of collecting vapors in a tray at the lower edge. The filter cassette has a handle for removing the filter unit from the device. To enable guidance of the air flow and to stabilize the filter cassette, it is preferably closed off by a rear wall.

[0041] Preferably, the filter element can be separated from the filter cassette on the filter cover in order to clean the two components individually or to clean them in the dishwasher once the filter unit has been removed from the extractor hood.

[0042] To ensure that vapors are captured in the filter cassette, an additional sealing membrane can be installed to ensure perfect sealing between the rail and tray components, which are subject to manufacturing tolerances.

[0043] The present invention has a number of advantages. In particular, it provides a large filter surface area or large filter volume for efficient vapor capture, and increases filter capacity through the tilted position of the filters. Furthermore, the use of metal mesh allows for filtration with less pressure loss. The tray is provided to collect impurities from the vapor. The filter cover can serve as a design element in the extractor unit. Furthermore, a cost advantage is achieved through the reuse of components. The handle also serves to facilitate customer-friendly removal of the filter unit. Through the combination of the tilted position of the filter element and the provision of the tray, the filter unit also provides a reservoir for spilled liquids that flow into the extractor unit. List of reference symbols

[0044] 1 filter unit 10Filter element 100Filter 101Cover 102Frame 11Filter cassette 110Rail 111Tray 112Handle bar 113Back wall 114Sealing membrane 115Side wall 12 Passage opening 2 Extractor hood 20 Extractor opening 3Hob 4Worktop

Claims

1. Filter unit for a fume extractor (2) comprising at least a filter element (10) and a filter cartridge (11) in which the at least one filter element (10) is retained, wherein the filter cartridge (11) has a trough (111) on the base for collecting impurities and a handle (112) on the top side of the filter cartridge (11) and a retaining apparatus for retaining the at least one filter element (10) in the filter cartridge (11) in an inclined position between the base and the top side, and the retaining apparatus comprises a rail (110), characterised in that the rail (110) extends from the top side of the filter cartridge (11) to the base of the filter cartridge (11) on a side wall (115) of the filter cartridge (11) so that the filter element (10) is supported by the rail (1110) across the entire height.

2. Filter unit according to claim 1, wherein the handle (112) extends across the width of the filter cartridge (11).

3. Filter unit according to one of claims 1 or 2, wherein the filter cartridge (11) has a rear wall (113) and the front side of the filter cartridge (11) facing the rear wall (113) is open.

4. Filter unit according to claim 3, wherein the handle (112) extends on the front side of the filter cartridge (11).

5. Filter unit according to one of claims 3 or 4, wherein the filter element (10) has a cover (101) on the top side, said cover extending beyond the side of the filter element (10) which is facing the rear wall (113) of the filter cartridge (11).

6. Filter unit according to one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the trough (111) only forms part of the base of the filter cartridge (11) and the further part is open.

7. Filter unit according to one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the filter element (10) has at least one filter layer made of wire mesh.

8. Filter unit according to one of claims 1 to 7, wherein a seal (114) is provided between the trough (111) and the retaining apparatus.

9. Fume extractor, characterised in that the fume extractor (2) has at least one filter unit (1) according to one of claims 1 to 8.

10. Fume extractor according to claim 9, wherein the filter unit (1) is introduced in a vent (20) of the extractor apparatus (2) so that the filter element (10) in the filter unit (1) projects downward from the vent (20).

11. Fume extractor according to one of claims 9 or 10, wherein the fume extractor (2) represents a table fan.

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