Household appliance device

Abstract

The invention relates to a household appliance device (10) for collecting liquid (F) from a range hood (50), comprising a reservoir (12) arranged below the range hood (50) and below a cooktop (52) for collecting and storing the liquid (F). The invention further relates to a household appliance system (54) comprising the household appliance device (10) and the range hood (50), which is arranged above the reservoir (12) and has an exhaust outlet that is fluidically connected to the reservoir (12).

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a household appliance device according to claim 1 and a household appliance system according to claim 13.

[0002] Cooktops with integrated downdraft ventilation for extracting fumes, cooking vapors, smoke, and / or odors are known. Extraction occurs through an inlet opening in the cooktop surface and is effected by a built-in fan. It is possible for liquid, such as water, to enter this inlet opening. Small amounts are collected in the downdraft system. However, if larger quantities of liquid enter the inlet, the downdraft system releases it. The liquid travels through a duct within the cooktop to an air outlet. Depending on the outlet's location, the liquid may escape onto a kitchen cabinet, the floor, or a kitchen cabinet front. Such leakage is undesirable and can damage surrounding kitchen areas. This constitutes a market barrier for cooktops with integrated downdraft ventilation.

[0003] The invention is based, in particular but not limited to, the objective of advantageously further developing a household appliance. This objective is achieved by the features of claims 1 and 13, while preferred embodiments and further developments of the invention can be found in the dependent claims and the description.

[0004] A household appliance device for collecting liquid from a cooker hood, in particular a hob extractor, is proposed, with a reservoir which is arranged for an arrangement below the cooker hood and below a hob, and for collecting and storing the liquid.

[0005] This allows for the provision of a more advantageously developed household appliance. In particular, water damage to an adjacent kitchen area can be prevented, and a user's fear of water entering a range hood can be alleviated.

[0006] The household appliance device can be an extension of a range hood or a part, in particular a sub-assembly, of a range hood, wherein the household appliance device may additionally include a fan, in particular a fan wheel and a fan motor for driving the fan wheel, a control unit, an operating unit and / or a lighting unit. The range hood can be designed as an extractor hood or as a cooktop extractor, the latter being part of the cooktop and potentially integrated into it. The range hood can be configured to extract and / or filter cooking fumes and / or vapors with a high fat and / or oil content.

[0007] The household appliance may include piping from the extractor hood to the reservoir. The piping may run from the extractor hood to a kitchen unit and / or within a kitchen unit, particularly to a plinth area of ​​the unit, such as the base of a base cabinet. The piping may be a flat duct. The piping may have a continuous slope. The piping may be designed to convey a fluid flow, particularly liquids such as water, oils, and / or condensate. The piping may include a curved section to direct a fluid flow from a vertical to a horizontal direction in an operating position.

[0008] The household appliance device can be designed to receive an inflowing liquid. Such an inflowing liquid is typically water, but could also be, for example, oil or any other liquid. The extracted cooking fumes and / or vapors, especially filtered cooking fumes and / or vapors, and / or inflowing liquids form a fluid flow entering the household appliance device. The household appliance device can be designed to receive an inflowing liquid from the extractor hood. The household appliance device can be connected to the extractor hood's ductwork.

[0009] The reservoir can be designed as a container. The reservoir can be designed as an open-topped container. The reservoir can be designed as a tub. The reservoir can be basin-shaped or box-shaped. The reservoir can include a receiving section designed to receive and store liquid. The receiving section can be made of, for example, plastic, metal, or a combination thereof. The receiving section can have a minimum volume of 500 ml, 1 l, 2 l, or 3 l.

[0010] The term "configured" means specially equipped and / or programmed. The phrase "configured" means that a unit is set up to perform a specific function, and that the unit actually performs this function in at least one operating state.

[0011] The terms "above", "below", "below" and "above" refer to the usual installation position of the household appliance. These terms are to be understood in particular with regard to the direction of gravity.

[0012] Furthermore, it is proposed that the reservoir can be designed for installation in a kitchen unit, preferably in the base area of ​​the unit. Installation in a kitchen unit, particularly in the base area, allows for good accessibility and efficient use of space in the kitchen.

[0013] The household appliance can comprise a housing on or in which the reservoir is arranged. Preferably, the household appliance has a housing into which the reservoir can be inserted. This allows the reservoir to be removed by a user for emptying. In particular, the reservoir can be inserted into the housing in a drawer-like manner. The housing can have guide rails for inserting and supporting the reservoir. The guide rails can be configured to support the reservoir in a resting position when inserted. Alternatively or additionally, the guide rails can be configured to support the reservoir in a suspended position when inserted. The household appliance can have a locking mechanism by which the reservoir can be secured in the housing.The locking mechanism can be a snap-fit ​​or detent connection between the housing and the reservoir. Preferably, the reservoir can be detached from the housing without tools. The guide rails can each have a guide surface for guided insertion of the reservoir. The reservoir preferably has a handle. The handle is preferably arranged so that the reservoir can be carried upright by the handle when removed. A drawer-like insertion and removal of the reservoir, and especially the handle, simplifies handling during emptying.

[0014] Furthermore, it is proposed that the housing have an inlet for receiving a fluid flow containing the liquid from the extractor hood and an outlet for releasing at least a portion of the fluid flow into the surrounding environment. This allows any liquid unintentionally entering the extractor hood, which may be part of a fluid flow from the extractor hood, to be collected without affecting the remaining portion of the fluid flow, particularly air. The inlet can be connected to the piping, especially the flat duct. The outlet can be formed as an opening divided by several ribs. The multiple ribs can be vertically oriented.

[0015] Preferably, the household appliance has a separating unit which is arranged in the housing and configured to separate the liquid from the fluid flow into the reservoir. This facilitates the collection of the liquid.

[0016] Furthermore, it is proposed that the housing form a flow channel extending from the inlet to the outlet, with the reservoir located below the flow channel. In the operating state, the flow channel is preferably oriented at least substantially horizontally. This allows gravity to assist in collecting the liquid in the reservoir.

[0017] Preferably, the separation unit can include a separating lamella that directs the liquid into the reservoir. This prevents the liquid from reaching the outlet of the housing. The separating lamella can be inclined in a flow direction defined by the flow channel. The separating lamella can be plate-shaped. The separating lamella can be curved.

[0018] Furthermore, the separation unit can include a grid section for separating the liquid. This increases the opening area of ​​the separation unit for receiving the liquid. The separation unit and a reservoir base can form a double bottom of the reservoir. The separation unit can be integrally formed with the housing or detachably connected to the housing. Alternatively, the separation unit can be integrally formed with the reservoir or detachably connected to the reservoir. The separation unit can be detachably connected to the housing or the reservoir by a snap-fit ​​connection. The separation unit can be bonded to the housing or the reservoir by a material bond.

[0019] Furthermore, it is proposed that the reservoir have an elongated opening for receiving the liquid. This prevents unintentional leakage of the liquid when the reservoir is removed by a user. The elongated opening can be slit-shaped.

[0020] Preferably, the elongated opening can be limited by partially overlapping reservoir walls. This reliably prevents unintentional leakage of liquid when the reservoir is removed by a user. The partially overlapping reservoir walls can form an angled drain channel for emptying the reservoir. The elongated opening is preferably arranged so that no liquid leaks out when the reservoir is carried by the handle. The reservoir can be designed to be disassembled. The reservoir can include a hinged reservoir wall section. This allows for easy cleaning of the reservoir's interior. The reservoir can be dishwasher-safe. "Dishwasher-safe" can mean that the reservoir can withstand a large number of wash cycles, for example, at least 400 wash cycles in a dishwasher, without being damaged.

[0021] Advantageously, the reservoir and the separation unit are integrally designed. In particular, one of the overlapping reservoir walls forms the separation lamella. This allows for a particularly compact device.

[0022] Furthermore, it is proposed that the household appliance include a liquid level measuring device, for example, a water contact sensor, for determining the liquid level in the reservoir. This allows the user to be informed of the liquid level in the reservoir so that the reservoir can be emptied if necessary. The liquid level measuring device can be configured to continuously detect the liquid level. In particular, the liquid level measuring device can be configured to detect the liquid level by mechanical measurement, conductivity measurement, capacitive measurement, or optical measurement. The reservoir can include an electrically conductive reservoir wall section. The liquid level measuring device can include a probe located inside the reservoir, which forms an electrical capacitor with the electrically conductive reservoir wall section in order to measure the liquid level by capacitive measurement.The liquid level measuring device can be designed to operate autonomously. It is preferably battery-operated. The liquid level measuring device can be configured to output visual and / or audible signals. This allows the user to be easily informed about the liquid level and, in particular, to draw the user's attention to the need for emptying.

[0023] Furthermore, a household appliance system is proposed, comprising the appliance unit and the extractor hood, which is positioned above the reservoir and has an exhaust outlet that is fluidically connected to the reservoir. This fluid connection can be achieved by piping from the appliance unit, extractor hood, to the reservoir, thus ensuring reliable liquid collection even when the extractor hood is not in operation. The household appliance system can include the cooktop, which is positioned above the reservoir and incorporates the extractor hood.

[0024] The devices, systems, and methods disclosed herein are not limited to the application and embodiment described above. In particular, they may, to achieve a functionality described herein, comprise a different number of individual elements, components, units, and process steps than those specified herein. Furthermore, values ​​within the specified limits of the value ranges stated herein are also considered disclosed and freely usable.

[0025] It is specifically pointed out that all features and properties described in relation to a device, as well as methods, are transferable analogously to processes and usable within the scope of the invention and are considered to be jointly disclosed. The same applies in reverse. This means that structural, i.e., device-related, features mentioned in relation to processes can also be considered, claimed, and likewise included in the disclosure within the scope of the device claims.

[0026] The present invention is described below by way of example with reference to the accompanying figures. The drawing, the description, and the claims contain numerous features in combination. A person skilled in the art will expediently consider the features individually and use them meaningfully in combination within the scope of the claims.

[0027] If more than one instance of a particular object exists, only one of them may be identified with a reference symbol in the figures and description. The description of this instance can then be applied to the other instances of the object. If objects are named using numerical terms, such as first, second, third object, etc., these serve to identify and / or classify objects. Thus, for example, a first object and a third object, but not a second object, may be included. However, numerical terms could also indicate a number and / or sequence of objects.

[0028] They show: Fig. 1 a perspective view of a household appliance system comprising a household appliance device, a cooktop and a range hood integrated into the cooktop, Fig. 2 a perspective view of part of the household appliance device, Fig. 3 a side sectional view of part of the household appliance device, Fig. 4 a side sectional view of a household appliance device according to a further embodiment and Fig. 5 a side sectional view of a reservoir of the household appliance device made of Fig. 4 in a removed state.

[0029] Figur 1 Figure 1 shows a household appliance system 54 comprising a household appliance device 10, a cooktop 52, and a range hood 50 in a perspective view. The range hood 50 is integrated into the cooktop 52, thus functioning as a cooktop extractor. The household appliance device 10 is an extension of the cooktop 52 and / or the range hood 50. The range hood 50 includes a fan, a control unit, and an operating unit, which are not shown separately.

[0030] The extractor hood 50 can extract cooking fumes S produced when cooking on the hob 52. Without the extractor hood 52, these fumes S can condense on adjacent wall and ceiling surfaces. The extractor hood 52 can filter the extracted fluid, including the cooking fumes S, and process it in recirculation mode. In recirculation mode, the filtered fluid, especially the filtered cooking fumes S, is released back into the room surrounding the hob 52. Typically, in recirculation mode, the cooking fumes S are passed through a grease filter and an odor filter to release a filtered, and in particular grease-free and odorless, fluid into the surrounding room. To capture the vapors S, the extractor hood 50 has an intake opening 51 in a cooking plate 53 of the cooktop 52, through which the vapors S are directed into the interior of the extractor hood 50 by means of a suction effect of the fan.

[0031] The intake opening 51 is formed as a rectangular recess, although any other shape would be conceivable. A liquid F can flow into the intake opening 51, particularly unintentionally, for example, if liquid F boils over or spills, or due to children playing. Such a liquid F is typically water or a liquid F with a high water content.

[0032] During cooking, the fluid flow drawn into the extractor hood 50 via the intake opening 51 consists of cooking fumes S. If liquid F unintentionally enters the intake opening 51 during cooking, the fluid flow can consist of both cooking fumes S and liquid F. If liquid enters the intake opening 51 outside of cooking, the fluid flow can consist solely of liquid F.

[0033] The household appliance device 10 is fluidically connected to the extractor hood 50 and receives the liquid F flowing into the intake opening 51. The household appliance device 10 includes a pipe 13 from the extractor hood 50 to the reservoir 12. The pipe 13 runs from the extractor hood 50 to a base area 58 of a kitchen cabinet 56 and is designed as a flat duct, although the pipe 13 can also be formed by other channels with any cross-sectional area. The kitchen cabinet 56 is designed as a base cabinet. The base area 58 is an area in which the feet of the kitchen cabinet are typically located, forming one of the cabinet's bases. In an operating position, the pipe 13 runs essentially vertically and has a curved channel section 17 to direct the fluid flow S, F from a vertical to a horizontal direction.

[0034] Fig. 2 Figure 1 shows a perspective view of part of the household appliance device 10. The household appliance device 10 is provided with a reservoir 12, which is designed to be positioned below the extractor hood 50 and below a cooktop 52, and to collect and store the liquid F. The household appliance device 10 has a housing 14 into which the reservoir 12 can be inserted like a drawer. Fig. 2 Figure 10 shows the household appliance device with an integrated reservoir 12. The reservoir 12 can be inserted and supported, for example, by means of two guide rails (not shown) of the housing 14. In its inserted state, the reservoir 12 can rest on the guide rails.

[0035] The reservoir 12 has a handle 30 for removing the reservoir 12 from the housing 14. The reservoir 12 is designed to be inserted into the base area 58 of the kitchen furniture 56, on which the household appliance system 54 is installed (see figure). Fig. 1 The housing 14 has an inlet 16 (see Fig. 3 and Fig. 4 ) for receiving a fluid flow S, F containing the liquid F from the exhaust hood 50 and an outlet 18 for releasing at least a part of the fluid flow S to an environment. The inlet 16 is fluidically connected to the exhaust hood 50 and allows the filtered fluid flow S, F to flow from the curved channel section 17 of the piping 13 into the housing 14.

[0036] The outlet 18 is formed as an opening subdivided by several ribs 38. The several ribs 38 are, for example, vertically oriented.

[0037] Fig. 3 Figure 1 shows a lateral sectional view of part of the household appliance device 10. The household appliance device 10 has a separating unit 20, which is arranged in the housing 14 and is designed to separate the liquid F from the fluid flow S, F into the reservoir 12. The liquid F of the fluid flow S, F thus flows into the reservoir 12, whereas the filtered vapors S of the fluid flow S, F flow out through the outlet 18. The liquid F that has entered the extractor hood 50 can therefore be collected without affecting the remaining part of the fluid flow S. The fluid flow S, F is in Fig. 3 The vapors (S) are represented by solid arrows. The liquid (F) is represented by dashed arrows.

[0038] The housing 14 forms a flow channel 22, which extends from the inlet 16 to the outlet 18. The reservoir 12 is located below the flow channel 22. In the operating state, the flow channel 22 is essentially horizontally oriented. The separation unit 20 can separate the liquid F into the reservoir 12 using gravity. Fig. 3 The separation unit 20 shown comprises a grid section for separating the liquid F. The separation unit 20 and a reservoir base 36 of the reservoir 12 form a double base of the reservoir 12. The reservoir 12 is basin-shaped and separate from the separation unit 20. The separation unit 20 is shown to be detachably connected to the reservoir 12 by a snap-fit ​​connection. The separation unit 20 can also be detachably connected to the housing 14 or be integrally formed with one of them. The reservoir 12 is also dishwasher-safe and can withstand numerous wash cycles in a household dishwasher without sustaining damage.

[0039] The household appliance device 10 can therefore collect the liquid F, preventing it from reaching an adjacent kitchen area, such as a kitchen base cabinet, and causing water damage there. Because the liquid F is collected, a user of the household appliance system 54 perceives no danger should liquid F enter.

[0040] Fig. 4 shows a lateral sectional view of a household appliance 10 according to a further embodiment and Fig. 5 Figure 1 shows a lateral sectional view of a reservoir 12 of the household appliance device 10 according to the further embodiment in a removed state. The household appliance 10 according to the further embodiment largely corresponds to the household appliance device 10 described above, except that a reservoir 12 and a separating unit 20 differ from the previous embodiment. Reference can also be made to the above descriptions.

[0041] The in Fig. 4 and Fig. 5 The reservoir 12 shown is designed to be inserted into the housing 14 and has an elongated opening 28 for receiving the liquid F. The elongated opening 28 is bounded by partially overlapping reservoir walls 32, which are essentially parallel to each other. In the region of the elongated opening 28, the partially overlapping reservoir walls 32 form an angled drain channel to empty the liquid F from the reservoir 12. The elongated opening 28 extends transversely to the flow direction of the flow channel 22. In an operating position, the reservoir walls 32 are inclined obliquely upwards towards the inlet 16 in the region of the elongated opening 28, allowing the liquid F to flow in by gravity.

[0042] The in Fig. 4 and Fig. 5 The separation unit 20 shown comprises a separating lamella 24 for diverting the liquid F into the reservoir 12. The separating lamella 24 is inclined to a flow direction defined by the flow channel 22 in order to reliably divert the liquid F into the reservoir 12, so that the liquid F does not reach the outlet 18.

[0043] Fig. 5 Figure 1 shows the reservoir 12 in its removed state in an upright orientation. When the user carries the reservoir 12 by the handle 30, gravity aligns the reservoir 12 in this upright position. The upright orientation has the advantage that the liquid F collects in an area of ​​the reservoir 12 that is away from the elongated opening 28 or the unwound drain channel, thus preventing the liquid F from leaking out of the reservoir 12.

[0044] The reservoir 12 and the separation unit 20 are integrally formed, with one of the overlapping reservoir walls 32 forming the separation lamella 24. The reservoir 12 has a handle 30 for drawer-like removal from the housing 14, the elongated opening 28 being arranged such that no liquid F escapes when the reservoir 12 is carried by the handle 30. For easy cleaning of the interior of the reservoir 12, the reservoir 12 can, for example, be designed to be removable or to have hinged reservoir wall sections.

[0045] The household appliance 10 further comprises a liquid level measuring device 34, which can detect the liquid level FS of the liquid F contained in the reservoir 12. The liquid level measuring device 34 is designed as a water contact sensor and is arranged in the reservoir 12. The liquid level measuring device 34 can use any physical method to determine the liquid level FS. During operation, the liquid level measuring device 34 continuously detects the liquid level FS.

[0046] The in Fig. 4 and Fig. 5The liquid level measuring device 34 depicted here detects the liquid level FS by means of a capacitive measurement. Capacitive measurement utilizes the different dielectric constant or conductivity of the liquid F compared to gases or air. For example, the liquid level measuring device 34 measures the level by forming an electrical capacitor with a probe located inside the reservoir 12 and an electrically conductive section of the reservoir wall 12. The liquid level measuring device 34 is battery-operated and designed for autonomous operation. The liquid level FS detected by the liquid level measuring device 34 can be displayed to a user to inform them whether the reservoir 12 needs to be emptied.

[0047] The liquid level measuring device 34 can, for example, be further designed so that the user is informed of the liquid level FS via a visual display, for example by means of lights. In addition, acoustic signals can also be used to alert the user to the need to empty the reservoir 12. Reference sign

[0048] 10 Appliance fitting 12 Reservoir 13 Piping 14 Housing 16 Inlet 17 Curved channel section 18 Outlet 20 Separation unit 22 Flow channel 24 Separation fin 26 Grate section 28 Elongated opening 30 Handle 32 Reservoir walls 34 Liquid level gauge 36 Reservoir bottom 38 Ribs 50 Extractor hood 51 Intake opening 52 Cooktop 53 Cooktop plate 54 Appliance system 56 Kitchen furniture 58 Base area SW lawn F liquid F liquid level

Claims

1. Household appliance device (10) for collecting liquid (F) from a cooker hood (50), with a reservoir (12) which is arranged for an arrangement below the cooker hood (50) and below a hob (52) and for collecting and storing the liquid (F).

2. Household appliance device (10) according to claim 1, characterized by the fact that the reservoir (12) is designed to be installed in a kitchen unit, preferably in a base area (58) of the kitchen unit (56).

3. Household appliance device (10) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized by a housing (14) into which the reservoir (12) can be inserted, preferably in a drawer-like manner.

4. Household appliance device (10) according to claim 3, characterized by the fact thatthe housing (14) has an inlet (16) for receiving a fluid flow (S, F) containing the liquid from the exhaust hood and an outlet (18) for releasing at least part of the fluid flow (S) to an environment.

5. Household appliance device (10) according to claim 4, characterized by a separation unit (20) which is arranged in the housing (14) and is designed to separate the liquid (F) from the fluid flow (S, F) into the reservoir (12).

6. Household appliance device (10) according to claim 4 or 5, characterized by the fact that the housing (14) forms a flow channel (22) which extends from the inlet (16) to the outlet (18), and the reservoir (12) is arranged below the flow channel (22), wherein the flow channel (22) is preferably oriented at least substantially horizontally.

7. Household appliance device (10) according to claim 6, characterized by the fact thatthe separation unit (20) has a separation lamella (24) for draining the liquid (F) into the reservoir (16).

8. Household appliance device (10) according to one of claims 5 to 7, characterized by the fact that the separation unit (20) has a grid section (26) for separating the liquid (F).

9. Household appliance device (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by the fact that the reservoir (12) has an elongated opening (28) for receiving the liquid (F).

10. Household appliance device (10) according to claim 9, characterized by the fact that the elongated opening (28) is limited by partially overlapping reservoir walls (32) of the reservoir (12).

11. Household appliance device (10) according to one of claims 5 to 10, characterized by the fact that the reservoir (12) and the separation unit (20) are integrally formed, with preferably one of the overlapping reservoir walls (32) forming the separation lamella (24).

12. Household appliance device (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by a liquid level measuring device (34) for determining a liquid level (FS) in the reservoir (12).

13. Household appliance system (54) comprising a household appliance device (10) according to one of the preceding claims and the extractor hood (50) which is arranged above the reservoir (12) and which has an exhaust air outlet which is fluidically connected to the reservoir (12).

14. Household appliance system (54) according to claim 13, characterized by the cooktop (52), which is located above the reservoir (12) and which includes the extractor hood (50).

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