Downdraft hood and household appliance for cooking dishes incorporating such downdraft hood

Abstract

The present invention relates to a downdraft hood (1) for extracting cooking fumes comprising: - a box-shaped upper body (2) defining a suction chamber (21) accessible through a suction opening (20); - closing members (3), functionally associated with the suction opening (20), switchable between an open and closed position of the suction opening (20); - a suction duct (4) fluid-dynamically connected to the suction chamber (21) and extending below the upper body (2) along the height direction (Z-Z); - a suction unit (5), fluid-dynamically connected to the suction duct (4), arranged below the upper body (2) along the height direction (Z-Z) and behind the suction duct (4) along a depth direction (Y-Y). A feature of the present invention is that the upper body (2) together with the chamber and the suction opening (21, 20) extend along the depth direction (Y-Y) overlapping the suction unit (5) in the height direction (Z-Z), thus defining an overlap region (S) in which the closing members (3) are at least partly located.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a downdraft hood for extracting cooking fumes that finds useful application in the kitchen equipment sector, according to the preamble of claim 1.

[0002] The present invention also relates to a household appliance for cooking dishes incorporating said downdraft hood, according to the preamble of claim 11.State of the art

[0003] Downdraft cooktops have long been known, that is, equipment for cooking food that combines a stovetop and a suction hood in a single household appliance.

[0004] The hoods integrated into the downdraft cooktops are configured to suck the cooking fumes downwards, that is, in the opposite direction to their natural ascending motion. In technical jargon, this type of equipment for extracting cooking fumes is commonly referred to as a "downdraft hood".

[0005] As is known, downdraft hoods have a suction opening and a suction unit placed in fluid communication with said suction opening through a suction duct. In use, the suction unit generates a downward flow that passes in succession through the opening and the suction duct and is then expelled from an exhaust duct.

[0006] The downdraft hoods are configured to be integrated into kitchen cabinets - such as, for example, islands and peninsulas - which are commonly used for the storage of supplies, pots and pans and similar kitchen utensils.

[0007] To maximize the storage capacity of kitchen cabinets and, in particular, to make drawers suitable for accommodating kitchen equipment with significant heights, downdraft hoods configured to be placed in a rear region of the kitchen cabinet have been developed. It should be noted that by doing so, the presence of the hood does not affect the height capacity of the front drawers of the cabinet.

[0008] This type of downdraft hood has the unit and the suction duct that extend parallel along the height direction and so as to be partially overlapped in the depth direction.

[0009] To maximise the depth capacity of the drawers, it is therefore essential to reduce as much as possible the overall size of the hood in the depth direction. To do this, in addition to using increasingly thinner suction units, there is a tendency to minimize the cross section of the suction duct in the depth direction.

[0010] However, such reduction of the cross section of the suction duct is not without drawbacks since it impacts on the extension of the suction opening along the depth direction. In this regard, it should be specified that the suction openings with small extensions along the depth direction, in addition to generating high pressure drops and therefore requiring the use of suction units with greater powers and dimensions, do not allow the installation of special closing members which, as is known, are particularly advantageous for preventing the accidental penetration of liquids and solids into the suction opening when the hood is not in use.

[0011] In the kitchen equipment sector, there is therefore a need to provide downdraft hoods with small depth dimensions, able to prevent the accidental penetration of liquids and solids into the suction opening which, in addition to posing a threat to the integrity of the filters - in particular HEPA odour filters known for their high sensitivity to moisture -, create an obstacle that worsens fluid dynamic performance.Object of the invention

[0012] In this context, the technical task underlying the present invention is to propose a downdraft hood and a related household appliance for cooking dishes, which overcome the drawbacks of the prior art mentioned above.

[0013] An object of the present invention is to provide a downdraft hood with small dimensions which, in addition to having good suction capacity for cooking fumes, is practical and convenient to use.

[0014] In particular, it is an object of the present invention to provide a downdraft hood that, although its overall dimensions are small in depth, is able to prevent the accidental penetration of liquids and solids into the suction opening when the hood is not in use.SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0015] In accordance with the present invention, the technical task indicated and the specified objects are achieved by a downdraft hood and a related household appliance for cooking dishes in accordance with one or more of the claims below.

[0016] In detail, the present invention proposes to provide a downdraft hood having a box-shaped upper body, defining a suction chamber accessible through a suction opening, which extends in depth overlapping with the underlying suction unit along a height direction.

[0017] It should be noted that this also allows the chamber and the suction opening to be extended in depth so as to overlap with the suction unit in the height direction and thus define an overlap region in which closing members configured to selectively close the suction opening are at least partially arranged.

[0018] Advantageously, the downdraft hood that is the object of the present invention therefore makes it possible to increase the extension of the suction opening to the advantage of the fluid-dynamic performance (lower pressure losses) and so as to create sufficient space for the installation of the closing members of the suction opening.

[0019] It is therefore evident that the downdraft hood that is the object of the present invention, despite having small dimensions, has good suction capacity for cooking fumes and is practical and convenient to use.

[0020] Regarding the comfort and practicality of use, it should be noted that by arranging the closing members to obstruct the suction opening when the hood is unused, it prevents the accidental penetration of liquids and solids, thus preserving the integrity of the filter unit over time and avoiding inconvenient maintenance interventions.LIST OF FIGURES

[0021] Further features and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the illustrative, and therefore non-limiting, description of preferred, yet not exclusive, embodiments of a downdraft hood and a related household appliance for cooking dishes, as illustrated in the appended figures, wherein: Figure 1 shows a perspective view of a household appliance for cooking dishes comprising a downdraft hood according to the present invention, integrated in a kitchen cabinet shown in section; Figure 2 shows a side view of the household appliance of Figure 1; Figure 3 shows a side view of a downdraft hood according to the present invention; Figure 4 shows a front view of the household appliance of Figure 1; Figure 5 shows a perspective view from above of the household appliance of Figure 1; Figure 6 shows a sectional view from the side of the household appliance of Figure 1 to show some internal construction details. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0022] With reference to the attached figures, the present description relates to a downdraft hood 1 for extracting cooking fumes.

[0023] It should be noted that, in the context of the present invention, the term "downdraft hood" is intended to indicate a suction apparatus configured to generate a suction flow directed from top to bottom, that is, in the opposite direction to the natural ascending motion.

[0024] This hood 1 extends along a height direction Z-Z between an upper portion 1a and a lower portion 1b, a width direction X-X between opposite side portions 1c, and a depth direction Y-Y between a front portion 1d and a rear portion 1e.

[0025] It should be specified that the height, width and depth directions Z-Z, X-X, Y-Y define a three-dimensional Cartesian reference system, in particular tri-orthogonal (i.e. the height, width and depth directions are mutually oriented perpendicularly to each other).

[0026] With reference to Figures 1-4, the hood 1 is configured to be recessed in a kitchen cabinet 200, also extending in the height, width and depth directions Z-Z, X-X, Y-Y.

[0027] Specifically, in the accompanying figures, the hood 1 is shown installed in a rear region 200a of the kitchen cabinet 200 in the depth direction Z-Z, for example, immediately behind one or more drawers 201 slidably mounted in an opposite front region 200b of the kitchen cabinet 200.

[0028] It should therefore be noted that the overall size of the hood 1, in particular its extension in the depth direction Y-Y, significantly affects the internal volume of the kitchen cabinet 200 that can be allocated to the drawers 201 and therefore its load capacity.

[0029] The hood 1 comprises a box-shaped upper body 2 defining a suction chamber 21 and having a suction opening 20 which, in use, is crossed by a suction flow of the cooking fumes.

[0030] The suction opening 20 is placed in fluid communication with the suction chamber 21 so as to allow access through it.

[0031] With reference to Figures 2 and 3, the box-shaped body 2 is arranged in the upper portion 1a of the hood 1 so that it can be coupled to a cooking hob 7 when integrated into a household appliance 100 for cooking dishes.

[0032] According to one aspect, the upper body 2 has a hollow prismatic conformation extending in the height, width and depth directions Z-Z, X-X, Y-Y.

[0033] According to a further aspect, the suction opening 20 extends in the depth direction Y-Y from a front edge 20a to a rear edge 20b, and in the width direction X-X between opposite side edges 20c.

[0034] In the embodiment shown in Figures 2 and 3, the upper body 2 has a hollow prismatic conformation and the suction opening 20 is arranged on one of its faces, for example, the upper face.

[0035] Still with reference to the embodiment shown in Figures 2 and 3, the upper body 2 has a flange 23 configured to abut on a top 202 of the kitchen cabinet 200 when the hood 1 is installed in the latter.

[0036] The hood 1 also comprises closing members 3 functionally associated with the suction opening 20 so as to selectively close it.

[0037] In detail, the closing members 3 are switchable between a closed position, in which they obstruct the suction opening 20 by closing it, and an open position, in which they leave the suction opening 20 free to allow the suction of the cooking fumes through this.

[0038] It should be noted that the closed position of the closing members 3 makes it possible to prevent the accidental introduction of solids and liquids into the hood 1 when not in use. Therefore, advantageously, the closing members 3 make it possible to preserve the correct operation of the hood 1 and avoid inconvenient maintenance operations (e.g. drying and extraction of solid bodies).

[0039] In the embodiment shown in 1-3, the closing members 3 comprise a movable wall 30 and kinematic means 31 adapted to move the movable wall 30 with respect to the suction opening 20 so as to switch the closing members 3 between the closed and the open position.

[0040] According to one aspect, the kinematic means 31 are configured to arrange the movable wall 30 substantially in / on the suction opening 20 when the closing members 3 are in the closed position, and at least partially extracted from the suction opening 20 when the closing members 3 are in the open position.

[0041] According to one embodiment, the kinematic means 3 of the closing members 3 are configured to rotate the movable wall 30 around a rotation axis R-R, preferably extending parallel to the width direction X-X or the depth direction Y-Y.

[0042] The kinematic means 3 comprise, for example, at least one hinge element configured to mount the movable wall 30 rotatably on the upper body 2 about the rotation axis R-R.

[0043] According to one aspect, the kinematic means 31 are arranged partially or entirely in the chamber and / or suction opening 21, 20.

[0044] The hood 1 also comprises a suction duct 4 fluid-dynamically connected to the suction chamber 21 and therefore to the suction opening 20.

[0045] As shown in Figures 2 and 3, the suction duct 4 extends below the upper body 2 along the height direction Z-Z.

[0046] In particular, the suction duct 4 extends along the height direction Z-Z from the upper body 2 to which it is connected by means of an upper portion 40 thereof.

[0047] Still with reference to Figures 2 and 3, the suction duct 4 is arranged in the front portion 1d of the hood 1.

[0048] The hood 1 that is the object of the present description also comprises a suction unit 5 placed in fluid communication with the suction duct 4 and therefore with the suction chamber 21.

[0049] When operated, the suction unit 5 is configured to generate a suction flow of the cooking fumes passing in succession through the suction opening 20, the suction chamber 21, and the suction duct 4 to then enter the suction unit 5 itself from which it is discharged by means of a special exhaust duct 50.

[0050] It should be specified that this exhaust duct 50 can flow into both the kitchen and an external environment depending on the installation mode of the hood 1. In detail, if the hood 1 is installed in filtering mode, the exhaust duct 50 is configured to return the suction flow to the room in which the hood is located; otherwise, if the hood 1 is installed in suction mode, the exhaust duct 50 is configured to expel the suction flow to an external environment. The hood 1 that is the object of the present description can therefore be installed in both filtering and suction modes.

[0051] Referring to Figures 2 and 3, the suction unit 5 is arranged below the upper body 2 along the height direction Z-Z, preferably so as to be spaced apart from the upper body 2 along this height direction Z-Z.

[0052] Still with reference to Figures 2 and 3, the suction unit 5 is arranged behind the suction duct 4 along the depth direction Y-Y so as to be at least partially overlapping the suction duct 4 along said depth direction Y-Y.

[0053] According to one aspect, the suction duct 4 has a lower portion 41 overlapping on part of the suction unit 5 along the depth direction Y-Y.

[0054] The suction unit 5 is thus arranged in the rear portion 1e of the hood 1.

[0055] With reference to the embodiment shown in Figure 3, the upper portion 40 of the suction duct 4 extends above the suction unit 5 along the height direction Z-Z to connect to the upper body 2 above. In other words, the upper portion 40 of the suction duct 4 extends along the height direction Z-Z from the lower portion 41 to the upper body 2.

[0056] In the embodiment shown in Figure 4, the suction duct 4 narrows in the width direction X-X moving along the height direction Z-Z from the upper portion 40 to the lower portion 41 assuming, for example, an at least partly trapezoidal or V-shaped conformation.

[0057] It should be specified that, although not shown in the figures, the suction unit 5 comprises an impeller and a motor configured to rotate the impeller around an impeller axis G-G to generate said suction flow.

[0058] The impeller and the motor are contained in a casing which, in addition to conveying the flows towards the exhaust duct 50, defines the overall size of the suction unit 5 in the height, width and depth directions Z-Z, X-X, Y-Y.

[0059] According to one aspect, the impeller axis G-G is oriented parallel to the depth direction Y-Y.

[0060] Advantageously, this orientation of the axis of the impeller G-G makes it possible to minimize the extension of the suction unit 5 in the depth direction Y-Y since the impellers used in hoods for extracting cooking fumes - typically centrifugal impellers - have thicknesses smaller than their radial extension.

[0061] According to a further aspect shown in Figure 3, the axis of the impeller G-G crosses the suction duct 4, in particular the lower portion 41 of the suction duct 4, in the depth direction Y-Y.

[0062] The hood 1 also comprises a filter unit 6 configured to filter fats and / or odours present in the cooking fumes sucked through the suction opening 20 upon actuation of the suction unit 5.

[0063] The filter unit 6 is arranged downstream of the suction opening 20 and upstream of the suction unit 5 so as to be crossed by said suction flow.

[0064] In the embodiment shown in Figure 6, the filter unit 6 is arranged in the suction chamber 21 of the upper body 2. More details on the geometric conformation of the filter unit 6 will be provided in a subsequent part of the description.

[0065] In the hood 1, which is the object of the present description, the upper body 2, and with it also the suction chamber 21 and the suction opening 20, extend along the depth direction Y-Y partly overlapping with the suction unit 5 in the height direction Z-Z and thus defining an overlap region S.

[0066] The overlap region S is therefore the portion, of the upper body 2, the suction chamber 21, and the upper body 2, whose projection along the height direction Z-Z falls on the suction unit 5.

[0067] According to a further aspect, the projection of the rear edge 20b of the suction opening 20 along the height direction Z-Z falls on the suction unit 5, while the projection of the front edge 20a of the suction opening 20 along the height direction Z-Z falls externally to, in particular in front of, the suction unit 5 (i.e. it does not fall on the suction unit 5).

[0068] With reference to Figures 2 and 3, the closing members 3 are at least partially located in the overlap region S, i.e. they are at least arranged above the suction unit 5 so as to result in and at least partially overlap the latter in the height direction Z-Z.

[0069] According to one aspect, the kinematic means 31 and the movable wall 30 of the closing members are at least partly located in the overlap region S.

[0070] In particular, when the kinematic means 31 are configured to position the movable wall 30, the rotation axis R-R preferably lies in the overlap region S. That is to say, the projection of the rotation axis R-R along the height direction Z-Z falls on the suction unit 5.

[0071] In the embodiment shown in Figure 3, the upper body 2 projects from the upper portion 40 of the suction duct 4 along the depth direction Y-Y to overlap the suction unit 5 in the height direction Z-Z and thus create the overlap region S.

[0072] Still with reference to the embodiment of Figure 3, the upper body 2 has a greater extension along the depth direction Y-Y than the suction duct 4.

[0073] In particular, according to one aspect, the upper body 2 has a depth (i.e. extension in the depth direction Y-Y) greater than the suction duct 4 but less than the sum of the depths of the suction duct 4 and the suction unit 5.

[0074] The hood 1 has a front surface 1f, preferably flat, opposite the suction unit 5 along the depth direction Y-Y. This front surface 1f delimits the front portion of the hood 1 along the Y-Y direction, after disregarding any fixing flanges that may slightly protrude from it.

[0075] With reference to the embodiment shown in Figures 2 and 3, it should be noted that the front surface 1f is oriented orthogonally to the depth direction Y-Y.

[0076] According to one aspect, the suction duct 4 and the upper body 2 both extend along the depth direction Y-Y starting from the front surface 1f for stretches of different length. In particular, the upper body 2 extends along the depth direction Y-Y beyond the suction duct 4 so as to be partially overlapping the suction unit 5 in the height direction Z-Z.

[0077] It should be specified that the front surface 1f can be defined in part by the suction duct 4 and in part by the upper body 2.

[0078] According to one aspect, the suction duct 4 and the upper body 2 jointly define an L-shaped geometry.

[0079] It should be specified that the suction duct 4 and the upper body 2 can be integrally formed or made individually and then assembled.

[0080] With reference to the embodiment of Figure 6, the filter unit 6 - which is arranged in the suction chamber 21 of the upper body 2 - has a flat filtering surface 60 which is inclined with respect to the height direction Z-Z so as to be partially arranged in the overlap region S.

[0081] It should be noted that the overlap region S, increasing the extension of the chamber in the depth direction Y-Y, makes it possible to arrange the filter unit 6 with an inclination with respect to the height direction Z-Z close to 45°. As known, this makes it possible to increase the extension of the filtering surface in favour of the filtering efficiency of the cooking fumes.

[0082] Still with reference to the embodiment of Figure 6, the filter unit 6 has a lower end 61 located in the overlap region S and an opposite upper end 62 arranged at the suction opening 20 so as to be graspable through the latter.

[0083] It should be specified that the filter unit 6 is mounted in the upper body 2 in a removable manner to allow periodic cleaning or replacement of the filter unit 6.

[0084] The arrangement of the upper end 62 at the upper opening 20 allows the operator to easily reach the filter unit 6 arranged in the upper body 2 without having to inconveniently insert their hands deep into the suction chamber 21.

[0085] According to one aspect, the upper body 2 has a support surface 22, opposite to the suction opening 20 in the height direction Z-Z and arranged in the overlap region S, adapted to receive in abutment the lower end 61 of the filter unit 6 along the height direction Z-Z.

[0086] Preferably, the support surface 22 or an insert 22a mounted on the support surface 22 has an inclined abutment portion configured to arrange the filtering surface 60 inclined with respect to the height direction Z-Z according to the above.

[0087] Another object of the present invention is a household appliance 100 for cooking dishes that extends along the height, width and depth directions Z-Z, X-X, Y-Y and that can be inserted into a kitchen cabinet 200.

[0088] In particular, with reference to Figures 1 and 2, the household appliance 100 is configured to be recessed in a kitchen cabinet so as to be arranged partly above the drawers 201 along the height direction Z-Z, preferably abutting against the top 202, and partly in the rear region behind 200a the drawers 201 in the depth direction Y-Y.

[0089] The household appliance 100 comprises a hob 7 extending mainly along the width direction X-X and the depth direction X-X, Y-Y and delimited in these directions by a perimeter edge 70.

[0090] The perimeter edge 70, typically quadrangular in shape (e.g. rectangular), has a plurality of sides 70a that delimit it along the width and depth directions X-X, Y-Y.

[0091] When the household appliance 100 is installed in the kitchen cabinet 200, the hob is configured to be arranged in an upper region 200c thereof, in particular above the drawers 201 along the height direction Z-Z.

[0092] In the embodiment shown in Figures 1 and 2, the hob 7 abuts against the top 202 of the kitchen cabinet 200.

[0093] The household appliance 100 also comprises a hood 1 of the type described above in which the upper body 2 is associated with (arranged at) a side 70a of the perimeter edge 70.

[0094] In the embodiment of Figure 1, the upper body 2 is associated with the side 70a of the perimeter edge 70 that delimits it from behind in the depth direction (i.e. rear side).

[0095] According to an aspect shown in the attached figures, the upper body 2 is side by side with, and preferably in contact with, the side 70a of the perimeter edge 70 with which it is associated.

[0096] However, in alternative embodiments to those shown in the attached figures, the cooking hob may have an opening associated with a side 70a of the perimeter edge 70 and the upper body 2 arranged immediately below said opening so that the suction opening 20 is in fluid communication with the latter. In this embodiment, the suction flow passes in succession through the opening of the cooking hob 7 and the suction opening 20 of the upper body 2 of the hood 1 and then reaches the suction chamber 21.

[0097] Clearly, in order to satisfy contingent and specific needs, a person skilled in the art may make numerous modifications and variants to the configurations described above. Such modifications and variations are all also contained within the scope of protection of the invention, as defined by the following claims.

Claims

1. Downdraft hood (1) for extracting cooking fumes extending along a height direction (Z-Z) and a depth direction (Y-Y) directed transversely to the height direction (Z-Z), said hood (1) comprising: - a box-shaped upper body (2) having a suction opening (20) and defining a suction chamber (21) accessible through said suction opening (20); - closing members (3), functionally associated with the suction opening (20), switchable between a closed position, in which they obstruct the suction opening (20) by closing it, and an open position, in which they leave the suction opening (20) free to allow the suction of cooking fumes; - a suction duct (4) fluid-dynamically connected to the suction chamber (21) and extending below the upper body (2) along the height direction (Z-Z); - a suction unit (5) fluid-dynamically connected to the suction duct (4) and configured to generate a suction flow through the suction opening (20), said suction unit (5) being arranged: - below the upper body (2) along the height direction (Z-Z); and - behind the suction duct (4) along the depth direction (Y-Y) so as to be at least partially overlapping the suction duct (4) along said depth direction (Y-Y); - a filter unit (6) arranged downstream of the suction opening (20) and upstream of the suction unit (5) so as to be crossed by said suction flow; characterized in that: - part of the upper body (2), of the suction chamber (21) and of the suction opening (20) extend along the depth direction (Y-Y) in overlap with the suction unit (5) in the height direction (Z-Z) defining an overlap region (S); - the closing members (3) are at least partly arranged in said overlap region (S).

2. Hood (1) according to claim 1, wherein: - closing members (3) comprise: - a movable wall (30); and - kinematic means (31) configured to move the movable wall (30) and switch the closing members between the closed position and the open position; - the kinematic means (31) and the movable wall (30) are at least partially located in the overlap region (S).

3. Hood (1) according to claim 2, wherein: - the kinematic means (31) of the closing members (3) are configured to rotate the movable wall (30) around a rotation axis (R-R); - the rotation axis (R-R) lies in the overlap region (S).

4. Hood (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein: - the suction duct (4) has an upper portion (40) arranged above the suction unit (5) along the height direction (Z-Z) and connected to the upper body (2); - the upper body (2) projects from the upper portion (40) of the suction duct (4) along the depth direction (Y-Y) in order to create said overlap region (S).

5. Hood (1) according to claim 4, wherein the upper body (2) has a greater extension along the depth direction (Y-Y) than the suction duct (4).

6. Hood (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, having a flat front surface (1f) opposite to the suction unit (5) along the depth direction (Y-Y), wherein: - the suction duct (4) extends along the depth direction (Y-Y) from the front surface (1f) to the suction unit (5); - the upper body (2) extends along the depth direction (Y-Y) from the front surface (1f) to beyond the suction duct (4) so as to be partially overlapping the suction unit (5) in the height direction (Z-Z).

7. Hood (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the filter unit (6) is arranged in the suction chamber (21) of the upper body (2).

8. Hood (1) according to claim 7, wherein the filter unit (6) has a flat filtering surface (60) which is inclined with respect to the height direction (Z-Z) and partially arranged in the overlap region (S).

9. Hood (1) according to claim 7 or 8, wherein the filter unit (6) has a lower end (61) arranged in the overlap region (S) and an upper end (62) arranged at the suction opening (20).

10. Hood (1) according to claim 9, wherein: - the upper body (2) has a support surface (22) opposite to the suction opening (20) in the height direction (Z-Z) and arranged in the overlap region (S); - the lower end (61) of the filter unit (6) abuts against said support surface (22) along the height direction (Z-Z).

11. Household appliance (100) for cooking dishes extending along a height direction (Z-Z), a width direction (X-X), and a depth direction (Y-Y) defining a three-dimensional Cartesian reference system, said household appliance (1) characterized in that it comprises: - a hob (7) extending mainly along the width direction (X-X) and the depth direction (X-X, Y-Y) and delimited by a perimeter edge (70), - a hood (1) according to any one of the preceding claims from 1 to 10, wherein the upper body (20) of the hood (1) is associated with a side (70a) of the perimeter edge (70) of the hob (7).

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