Device with an extractor unit for extracting vapour formed above the cooking hob and a closure unit for closing an extractor opening for the vapour and cooking hob

Abstract

The invention relates to a device with a closure unit (100) for closing an intake opening for steam generated above a cooktop (115), wherein the closure unit (100) comprises a closure element (120) for closing the intake opening (105) and a support element (135) for holding the closure element (120) in a position closing the intake opening (105), wherein the support element (135) has a support section (130) for supporting the closure element (120) in the position closing the intake opening (105) and a tilting section (155) adjacent to the support section (130), wherein the tilting section (155) forms a recess (160) into which the closure element (120) can be tilted and wherein the closure element (120) can be detached from the support element (135).

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a device and a cooktop according to the main claims.

[0002] A device of this type is known from publication EP 3 255 350 A1.

[0003] The printed documents EP 3 299 728 A1 and EP 3 301 375 A1 also show covering devices for suction openings for extracting vapors generated above the hob.

[0004] When the locking element of a motorized downdraft extractor flap is in a position that closes the intake opening of the extractor unit, this locking element lies flush with the surrounding glass-ceramic surface. This creates the problem that the locking element is difficult to remove when needed, as there is no way to grip it. This is because a downdraft extractor is integrated into a cooktop and usually has a motorized intake opening, often designed as a compact assembly. Such a solution has the disadvantage that even a removable locking element cannot be removed without tools when it is in the closed position, which is detrimental to user-friendliness.

[0005] The approach presented here aims to create an improved sealing unit for closing an intake opening for vapors generated above a cooktop, an improved extractor hood, and an improved cooktop.

[0006] According to the invention, this problem is solved by a closure unit for closing an intake opening for steam generated above a cooktop, a range hood, and a cooktop with the features of the main claims. Advantageous embodiments and further developments of the invention are described in the following dependent claims.

[0007] The approach presented here creates a sealing unit for closing an intake opening for steam generated above a cooktop, the sealing unit having the following features: a closure element for closing the intake opening; and a support element for holding the closure element in a position closing the intake opening, wherein the support element has a support section for carrying the closure element in the position closing the intake opening and a tilting section adjacent to the support section, wherein the tilting section forms a recess into which the closure element can be tilted and wherein the closure element can be detached from the support element.

[0008] In this context, a support element can be understood as a holder onto or into which the closure element can be inserted. A support section can be understood as a portion of the support element onto which the closure element can be placed and, in this state, is in a position that opens the intake opening. A tilting section can be understood as a portion that forms a recess or cavity into which the closure element can be tilted, for example, by pressure from above. In this way, for example, part of the closure element can be tilted so that the closure element can be easily removed from the support element in this tilted position.In this way, the locking element can be easily separated from the carrying element, especially without additional tools, for example to clean the locking element separately or to replace it if it is damaged.

[0009] An advantageous embodiment of the proposed approach is one in which a bearing surface of the support element in the support section and a bearing surface of the support element in the tilting section are arranged at an acute angle and / or in which the recess has a wedge shape. In this way, such a support element can be manufactured in a technically very simple and robust manner, while still achieving the desired functionality for easy removal of the decision element.

[0010] According to a further embodiment of the approach proposed here, at least the support element and / or the closure element has a fixing element to secure the closure element in a position lying on the support section. Such an embodiment offers the advantage that the closure element can be reliably fixed to the support element, for example, to prevent the closure element from detaching from the support element or being damaged when the closure unit is actuated to close the suction opening.

[0011] A particularly simple and cost-effective embodiment of the approach presented here can be manufactured in which the fixing element comprises at least one magnet and / or a magnetizable material and / or a hook and / or a groove, especially wherein the locking element or the support element and / or at least one magnet and / or a magnetizable material and / or a hook and / or a groove serves as a counter element. A groove can be understood as any form of opening or recess into which an element such as a hook can engage. At the same time, such an embodiment is very robust and gives the user a sense of high quality when using a household appliance, such as a cooktop, equipped with such a locking unit.

[0012] To prevent the locking element from tipping into the tilting section due to gravity alone, a particular embodiment of the proposed approach allows the support section to be longer than the tilting section. This ensures that the center of gravity of the locking element rests within the support section, thus preventing the locking element from tipping only when deliberate pressure is applied to it within the tilting section.

[0013] According to a further embodiment of the approach proposed here, the tilting section can have a stop for contacting a cooktop section. Such an embodiment offers the advantage of being able to bring the locking unit or the supporting element of the locking unit into a defined position relative to a surface of the cooktop, so that the position of the locking element can be precisely set.

[0014] A particularly stable embodiment of the approach proposed here is one in which the tilting section is arranged on a side of the support element opposite a pivot joint.

[0015] The aforementioned advantages can also be realized very efficiently in an embodiment as a cooker hood unit with an intake opening for vapors generated above a hob and a variant of a closure unit presented here.

[0016] The aforementioned advantages can also be very efficiently utilized in an embodiment as a cooktop with a variant of a closure unit presented here and / or a variant of a range hood presented here, in particular wherein the closure unit is designed to close the intake opening.

[0017] One aesthetically very appealing embodiment of the approach presented here is in which the closing element is flush with a surface of the cooktop in a state that closes the intake opening.

[0018] Although the described approach is based on a household appliance, the approach described here can be used accordingly in connection with a commercial or professional device, for example a medical device, such as a cleaning or disinfection device, a small sterilizer, a large-capacity disinfector or a container washing system.

[0019] An embodiment of the invention is shown purely schematically in the drawings and is described in more detail below. It shows Figure 1 shows a schematic cross-sectional view through an embodiment of a locking unit; Figure 2 shows a schematic cross-sectional view through the [unclear text] in the Figure 1Figure 1 shows an embodiment of the locking unit, wherein the locking element is now pressed into the recess of the tilting section by pressure from a user; Figure 3 shows a schematic cross-sectional view of a further embodiment of the locking unit; and Figure 4 shows a schematic cross-sectional view of the further embodiment of the locking unit according to the Figure 3 now in the unfolded state.

[0020] Figure 1 A schematic cross-sectional view of an exemplary embodiment shows a closure unit 100, which is used, for example, to close an intake opening 105 of a device located in the Figure 1The extractor hood 110, shown only schematically, is provided in a cooktop 115. The closing unit 100 comprises a closing element 120, which rests on a support surface 125 of a support section 130 of a support element 135. In this state, the intake opening 105 can be closed by the closing unit 100 or the closing element 120, for example, to prevent the ingress of contaminants into the extractor hood 110. For an aesthetically optimal appearance, the closing element 120 should also be flush with an opposite surface of the cooktop 115.

[0021] To open or close the intake opening 105, the closure unit is movably mounted about a pivot point or a swivel joint 140 and can, for example, be operated by a tool located in the Figure 1The motor, which is not shown for the sake of clarity, is driven by the locking element 120. However, to prevent the locking element 120 from falling off or detaching from the support element 135, a fixing element 145 is provided in the support section 130 of the support element 135. This fixing element is, for example, in the form of a magnet and can interact with a corresponding counter-element 150 on the locking element 120.

[0022] This counter-element 150 can, for example, be in the form of a metal surface or metal plate, or also in the form of a magnet. It is also conceivable that the counter-element 150 is designed as a magnet and the fixing element 145 is designed in the form of a magnetic or magnetizable material. In this way, the locking element 120 can be fixed to the support element 135, for example, when the locking unit 100 is actuated and rotates about the pivot point 140 as a result.

[0023] Furthermore, the support element 135 includes a tilting section 155, which forms a wedge-shaped recess 160. For example, this creates a bearing surface 165 in the tilting section 155, which forms an acute angle 170 with the bearing surface 155 in the support section 130. Additionally, a stop 175 is provided on a side of the support element 135 opposite the pivot point 140. This stop enables a defined contact with a region of the cooktop 115, thus improving the stability of the support element 135 and defining a specific position for the closing element 120, flush with the surface of the cooktop 115 and closing the intake opening 105.

[0024] Figure 2 This shows a schematic cross-sectional view through the area in the Figure 1 illustrated embodiment of the locking unit, wherein, however, the locking element 120 is now operated by a pressure of a Figure 2The user, not shown, is pressed into the recess of the tilting section 155. In this way, the [unclear] in the Figure 1 The fixation shown is released by the fixing element 145 and the counter element 150, so that the locking element 120 tilts upwards on a side facing the pivot point 140 and can therefore be easily removed by a user, for example for cleaning or replacement of the locking element.

[0025] Figure 3Figure 1 shows a schematic cross-sectional view of a further embodiment of the locking unit 100, wherein a hook 300 is now provided as a fixing element 145 on a side of the locking element 120 facing the support element 135, and this hook 300 engages in a corresponding recess or opening 310 of the support element 135. In this way, a secure fixing of the locking element 120 to the support element 135 can also be achieved, which can essentially only be released when the locking element 120 is tilted upwards.

[0026] Figure 4 shows a schematic cross-sectional view through the further embodiment of the locking unit 100 according to the Figure 3 now in the open position of the locking element 120.

[0027] The approach presented here aims to create the possibility of removing the locking element even when the locking unit 100 is closed. This applies even if the locking element 120 forms a flush surface with the rest of the cooktop 115, meaning the locking element 120 has no handles. At the same time, the locking element 120 should also be firmly seated and not wobbly.

[0028] The previous problem of the lack of removal options is solved by the approach presented here as follows: The retaining structure or support element 135 for the closure element 120 is designed such that it has a downward chamfer on one long edge, thus forming a tilting section 155. This means that in this area the closure element 120 is not supported by the retaining structure or support element 135.

[0029] The locking element 120 rests only on the flat areas of the retaining structure (i.e., on the support section 130 of the support element 135), which comprise more than half the width of the locking element (otherwise it would automatically tilt due to gravity). To prevent the locking element 120 from tilting unintentionally, a magnet is additionally installed as a fixing element 145, which secures the locking element 120 in the horizontal position (when closed) or in the vertical position (when open). Regarding the removal of the locking element 120 from the closed position of the locking unit 100, the chamfer in the locking element retaining structure (i.e., the tilting section 155 of the support element 135) allows the locking element 120 to be pressed down on the chamfer with a finger. This downward pressure releases the locking element 120 from the magnet acting as the fixing element 145.By tilting the locking element 120, one part of the locking element 120 moves below the glass-ceramic surface of the cooktop 115, and the other part (which tilts upwards) moves above the level of the glass-ceramic surface of the cooktop 115 on the opposite long side of the locking element 120. The locking element 120 can now be grasped on the side where it protrudes above the level of the surrounding cooktop 115 or the glass-ceramic surface. This makes it possible to remove the locking element 120 from the locking unit 100 while it is closed and to reinsert it.

[0030] To ensure that the locking element 120 remains securely in position even when the flap is open, the retaining structure or support element 135 alternatively or additionally has grooves as a fixing element 145, into which the locking element 120 engages and is hooked with a kind of hook as a counter element 150.

[0031] When the locking element 120 is tilted, it rotates precisely around the engagement surface of the hooks acting as the counter-element 150. These hooks are, for example, specifically positioned at the tilting point. Alternatively, tilting can be omitted, and a tool such as a suction cup or a plate lifter can be used to lift the locking element 120 vertically out of its holder. In the closed position, the locking element 120 forms a flush surface with the cooktop 115, while simultaneously allowing the locking element 120 to be removed by tilting.

Claims

1. Device with a closure unit (100) and a ventilation unit (110), wherein the ventilation unit (110) has an intake opening (105) for vapors generated above a cooktop (115), wherein the closure unit (100) is designed and configured to close the intake opening (105), wherein the closure unit (100) is designed to close the intake opening (105), and wherein the closure unit (100) has the following features: - a closure element (120) for closing the intake opening (105);and - a support element (135) for holding the closure element (120) in a position closing the intake opening (105), wherein the support element (135) has a support section (130) for carrying the closure element (120) in the position closing the intake opening (105) and a tilting section (155) adjacent to the support section (130), wherein the tilting section (155) forms a recess (160) into which the closure element (120) can be tilted and wherein the closure element (120) can be detached from the support element (135); characterized by the fact that the tilting section (155) is arranged on a side of the support element (135) opposite a pivot joint (140) for rotating the locking unit (100).

2. Device according to the preceding claim, wherein a bearing surface (125) of the support element (135) in the support section (130) and a bearing surface (165) of the support element (135) in the tilting section (155) are arranged at an acute angle and / or wherein the recess (160) has a wedge shape.

3. Device according to one of the preceding claims, wherein at least the support element (135) and / or the closure element (120) has a fixing element (145) to fix the closure element (120) in a position lying on the support section (130).

4. Device according to the preceding claim, wherein the fixing element (145) has at least one magnet and / or a magnetizable material and / or a hook (300) and / or a groove (310), in particular wherein the locking element (120) or the carrying element (135) has a counter element (150) and / or at least one magnet and / or a magnetizable material and / or a hook (300) and / or a groove (310).

5. Device according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the carrying section (130) has a greater length than the tilting section (155).

6. Device according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the tilting section (155) has a stop (175) for contacting a section of the cooktop (115).

7. Cooking surface (115) which is designed as a device according to one of the preceding claims.

8. Cooking surface (115) according to the preceding claim, wherein the closing element (120) is flush with a surface of the cooking surface (115) in a state closing the intake opening (105).

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