Accessory for use with a hob extractor and system comprising such an accessory and a hob extractor

Abstract

We disclose an accessory (9) for use with a hob extractor (1), the hob extractor (1) includ-ing a cooking hob having a hob plane (2) and a fume extraction device located below said hob plane (2) in fluid communication with an aspiration opening (4) located in said hob plane (2), the accessory (9) comprising: a base portion (10) that preferably extends in a plane; a hollow duct portion (11) departing from said base portion (10) and forming an aspira-tion channel, wherein said base portion (10) has at least one aperture (16) that is in fluid communication with said aspiration channel; and a lighting device (13) mounted on the duct portion (11), said lighting device (13) compris-ing at least one light source (14); wherein the duct portion (11) has at least one air inlet opening (12) that is located along said duct portion (11) at a distance (D) from said base portion (10).

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to an accessory for use with a hob extractor, which includes a cooking hob having a hob plane and a fume extraction device located beneath the hob plane in fluid communication with an aspiration opening. The aspiration opening is comprised in said hob plane.

[0002] The invention also encompasses a system comprising the above-mentioned accessory and the hob extractor.

[0003] In prior art devices, such as disclosed in EP 3 828 469 A1, hob extractors can effectively remove cooking fumes but often lack sufficient lighting from above, leading to difficulties in monitoring the cooking process. The disclosed device includes a hob with integrated extraction but does not address the need for enhanced illumination. Furthermore, the hob extractor may not work well if there are cooking vessels of greater height, since the fumes originate too far away from the aspiration opening, which is located in the hob plane.

[0004] The problem addressed by the present invention is the provision of effective illumination while enhancing the fume extraction process.

[0005] According to the present invention, an accessory for use with a hob extractor, the hob extractor including a cooking hob having a hob plane and a fume extraction device located below said hob plane in fluid communication with an aspiration opening located in said hob plane, comprises: a base portion that preferably extends in a plane; a hollow duct portion departing from said base portion and forming an aspiration channel, wherein said base portion has at least one aperture that is in fluid communication with said aspiration channel; and a lighting device mounted on the duct portion, said lighting device comprising at least one light source; wherein the duct portion has at least one air inlet opening that is located along said duct portion at a distance, preferably greater than zero, from said base portion.

[0006] This accessory provides a dual function of improved fume extraction and enhanced illumination, addressing the common shortcoming of existing hob extractors by integrating a lighting device with a fume extraction channel or duct.

[0007] According to the present invention, the aforementioned problem is also solved by providing a system comprising the above-defined accessory and a hob extractor, the hob extractor including a cooking hob having a hob plane and a fume extraction device located below said hob plane in fluid communication with an aspiration opening located in said hob plane, wherein the accessory further comprises, at the base portion, a securing element selected from magnetic, form-fit, or friction components for stable positioning of the base portion at or over said aspiration opening.

[0008] This system ensures that the accessory and hob extractor work together, providing stable positioning and optimal function of both fume extraction and lighting.

[0009] In an embodiment of the invention, the lighting device comprises at least one LED element that is preferably positioned at an end of the hollow duct portion opposite said base portion. This provides targeted illumination directly over the cooking area, enhancing visibility and safety during cooking.

[0010] The accessory may include an LED light source, e.g., an LED strip, preferably combined with light guides and / or with a diffuser, providing uniform illumination across the cooking surface. Multiple lighting modes can preferably be selected, allowing users to customize brightness and colour temperature according to their preferences or specific lighting / cooking needs.

[0011] In an embodiment of the invention, the air inlet opening extends over a portion of a periphery of the duct element. This design allows for more efficient capture of fumes from multiple angles, improving the overall extraction performance.

[0012] In another embodiment of the invention, an air flow swirling element is arranged in fluid connection with said air inlet opening. This feature enhances the mixing and capture of cooking fumes, further boosting the efficiency of the fume extraction process.

[0013] In a further embodiment of the invention, the lighting device comprises a rechargeable energy source, in particular a battery, which is preferably reversibly detachable from and reconnectable to said light source for power supply to said light source. This provides flexibility and convenience, allowing the lighting device to function independently when needed and without any cable connection.

[0014] A rechargeable energy source, such as a lithium-ion battery, can be designed to supply power not only to the lighting device but also to other integrated components like a speaker, camera, air quality sensor, aroma diffuser, and display, as will be explained later. This versatility ensures that all features of the accessory can function independently of external power sources.

[0015] In an embodiment of the invention, the entire lighting device, preferably including light source and energy source, is reversibly detachable from and reconnectable to said duct portion. This feature allows the lighting device to be used separately as a standalone light source, adding versatility to its use.

[0016] In an additional embodiment of the invention, the accessory further comprises at least one of: a speaker, a camera, an air quality sensor (VOC and / or PM sensor), an aroma diffuser, an odour filter, a display, and a gripping element. These features enhance the functionality of the accessory, offering benefits such as sound, cooking area monitoring, air quality detection, aroma diffusion, odour filtering, user feedback, and easy handling.

[0017] The air quality sensor can be configured to communicate and interact with the hob extractor, preferably for automatically adjusting the extraction power based on detected air quality levels. This automation enhances the efficiency of the system, ensuring optimal air purification during cooking.

[0018] The camera may be further equipped with or replaced by an additional motion sensor, enabling the lighting device to activate automatically when motion is detected. This feature provides convenience and energy savings by ensuring that the light is only used when needed.

[0019] In an embodiment of the invention, the accessory further comprises a communication unit, preferably a wireless communication unit, for transmitting data from the camera and / or from the air quality sensor and for receiving data for the speaker. This enables remote monitoring and control, enhancing user convenience and interaction.

[0020] In an embodiment of the invention, the camera and the lighting device are operatively connected and the lighting source is configured to be switched on or off based on data provided by said camera. This smart functionality adds an element of automation, adjusting lighting based on activity or presence, e.g., in the form of an intrusion detector or a nightlight for (small) children.

[0021] In another embodiment of the invention, the duct portion is telescopic or composed of a plurality of reversibly detachable and connectable duct elements. This allows for height adjustment to fit different hob configurations, providing adaptability to various kitchen setups and sizes of cooking vessels. Alternatively or additionally, the base portion may be reversibly detachable from the hollow duct, so that the combined hollow duct and lighting device can serve as a stand-alone lamp accessory.

[0022] In an embodiment of the invention, the base portion is devised to allow for stable upright placement of the accessory on any essentially planar surface. This design feature ensures that the accessory remains steady and functional, whether on the hob or elsewhere, e.g., on a table.

[0023] The base portion of the accessory can be adapted to fit different hob configurations. It may include a telescopic or modular design, allowing it to be adjusted or reconfigured to align perfectly with various form or sizes of aspiration openings. This adaptability enhances the compatibility of the accessory with a wide range of hob models.

[0024] In an embodiment of the invention, the outer contour of the base portion corresponds to an inner contour of said aspiration opening. This ensures a snug fit, optimizing the efficiency of fume extraction and ensuring secure placement.

[0025] In another embodiment of the invention, the system further comprises, in said cooking hob, a charging device, preferably a wireless or induction charging device, for recharging said rechargeable energy source. This facilitates convenient recharging of the accessory by simple placement of the energy source (alone or as part of the lighting device) on the cooking hob, ensuring it is always ready for use, without requiring any additional charging devices.

[0026] In a further embodiment of the invention, the hob extractor comprises an additional communication unit, preferably a wireless communication unit, for receiving data from the camera and air quality sensor and transmitting data to the speaker. This connectivity enhances the functionality of the system, allowing for integrated control and monitoring.

[0027] In yet another embodiment of the invention, said additional communication unit is in operative connection with a control unit for controlling an operational state of the hob and / or the hob extractor based on said received data, in particular for adjusting an extraction power of said extraction device and / or for adjusting a heating power of said hob. This intelligent system control optimizes both cooking and extraction processes, enhancing safety and efficiency.

[0028] Further advantages and characteristics of the invention will now become apparent from the following description of exemplary embodiments based on the appended drawings. Figure 1 shows a perspective view of a hob extractor; Figure 2 shows the hob extractor of Figure 1 together with an accessory in accordance with the present invention, which together constitute a system in accordance with the present invention; Figure 3 shows the system of Figure 2 in a partly cut-off view; Figure 4 shows a perspective view of an accessory in accordance with the present invention; Figure 4a shows a variant of the accessory of Figure 4 with detached or detachable base; Figure 5 shows the accessory of Figure 4 in a partly cut-off view; Figure 6 shows a variant of the accessory of Figure 4 in an exploded view; Figure 7 shows the functioning of the hob extractor of Figure 1 with and without the accessory in accordance with the present invention; and Figure 8 shows additional features of the accessory and the system in accordance with the present invention.

[0029] Figure 1 shows a perspective view of a hob extractor 1 which can be enhanced by the use of the accessory in accordance with the present invention. The hob extractor 1 is of known type and comprises a cooking hob having a hob plane 2, e.g., made from a glass ceramic material, that include a number of cooking locations 3.1-3.4, e.g., for induction cooking. In the centre of the hob plane 2 is located an aspiration opening 4 that communicates with a fume extraction device comprising a suction fan 5 that is located below the hob plane 2 in a fan housing 6. Reference numeral 7 denotes a user interface for operating both the hob, i.e., the cooking locations 3.1-3.4, and the suction fan 5. In a suction duct 8 that connects aspiration opening 4 and suction fan 5 may be located a grease filter and a condensation collecting device (not shown). Aspiration opening 4 has - without limitation - a rectangular shape and may further be closeable by means of a (sliding) door (also not shown). The hob extractor 1 is intended for installation in a custom cut-out that is made within a kitchen worktop, as known to the skilled person.

[0030] Figure 2 shows the hob extractor 1 of Figure 1 together with an accessory 9 for use with the hob extractor 1. The accessory 9 is located so that in covers the aspiration opening 4 and comprises a base portion 10 that extends in a plane as well as a hollow duct portion 11 departing (a right angles) from said base portion 10 and forming an aspiration channel that communicates with said duct 8 (cf. Figure 1). To this end, said base portion 10 has at least one aperture that is in fluid communication with said aspiration channel, i.e., with the hollow duct portion 11. As can be seen from Figure 2, said base portion 10 has outer contour and dimensions that match an inner contour and dimensions of the aspiration opening 4 so that base portion 10 essentially covers said opening 4 in its intended use.

[0031] The accessory 9 can be made of metal (preferably aluminium, aluminium alloys or steel) or of a plastic material. The duct portion 11 can be made in the form of a single piece or can comprises several duct elements that are detachably combined.

[0032] Furthermore, accessory 9 includes, as part of the duct portion 11, a plurality of air inlet openings 12 (not all referenced) that are located along said duct portion 11 at a distance D greater than zero (D>0) from said base portion 10. The air inlet openings 12 extend over the largest portion of a periphery of the duct element 11. At a distal end of the duct portion 11 is mounted a lighting device 13, thus terminating the duct portion 11 at said distal end, which lighting device 13 comprises at least one light source 14, e.g., an LED strip, and an energy source in the form of a (rechargeable battery), as will become apparent later.

[0033] When using the accessory 9, the air intake for the hob extractor 1 is no longer situated at the level of the hob plane 2, but is raised to the height of the air inlet openings 12, i.e., to a level located at distance D above the hob plane 2. This will enable to more efficiently suck in cooking vapours that are produced at a distance from the hob plane 2, e.g., when using larger / higher cooking vessels (pots and / or pans; cf. Figure 7).

[0034] The lighting device 13 with light source 14 will ensure sufficient (or at least improved) illumination of the cooking hob, which is otherwise, i.e., when using standard range hoods, illuminated by light sources that are included in said range hoods and which therefore typically are not present in the case of hob extractors 1 of the type shown.

[0035] Figure 3 shows more details of the hob extractor 1 and the accessory 9 of Figure 2 in a partly cut-off view. We can clearly see the suction fan 5 in fluid communication with said duct 8 in which is located a grease filter 15. Furthermore, Figure 3 also shows said base portion 10 having an aperture 16 that is in fluid communication with said aspiration channel, i.e., with the hollow duct portion 11. At the distal end of the hollow duct 11 there is located an air flow swirling element 17 that is arranged in fluid connection with said air inlet openings 12 and is devised to improve air flow through said air inlet openings 12 and then downwards in the direction of aperture 16. The air flow swirling element 17 defines the air inlet openings 12 and also serves to support lighting device 13.

[0036] Figures 4 and 5 shows the accessory 9 without the hob extractor 1 (cf. Figures 1-3) which is one of the intended uses as a stand-alone lighting object, e.g., for placing one a table with its base portion 10. These Figures further show, incorporated in the base portion 10, an aroma diffuser 18 that is located at / in said base portion 10 and a display 19 that is also located at / in said base portion 10. Said display 19 is configured to display and / or to control an operating state of the accessory 9, in particular display at least one of a charging state of the energy source included in the lighting device 13, a filling state of the aroma diffuser 18, a lighting mode (on / off / colour etc.) of the light source 14. The aroma diffuser 18 can be loaded with aroma liquids or tablets. The display 19 can be devised as an LCD display and can provide operating functionality, preferably by touch. Any (energy-consuming) functions of the accessory 9 can be powered by means of the energy source included in the lighting device 13 or by another energy source, preferably a (rechargeable) battery (not shown).

[0037] As can best be seen from Figure 5, the accessory 9, at its base portion 10, comprises a circumferential web 20 that engages in the opening 4 (cf. Figure 1) to anchor the accessory 9 in said opening 4. Additional fixation can be provided by adding some magnetic material (not shown) at said web 20 and at an inner contour of said opening 4. For instance, a magnetic tape can be arranged all around the interface surface between accessory 9 (base portion 10) and opening 4 in order to keep the accessory 9 in position through a corresponding magnetic attraction effect of said magnetic tape.

[0038] As can be gathered further from Figure 4, the accessory 9 further comprises an air quality sensor (preferably a VOC and / or PM sensor) 21 and a camera 22. A VOC sensor can detect volatile organic compounds (VOCs), which are organic compounds that have a high vapor pressure at room temperature. VOCs are responsible for the odour of scents and perfumes as well as pollutants. Some VOCs are dangerous to human health or cause harm to the environment, often despite the odour being perceived as pleasant, such as "new car smell". A PM sensor will be able to detect (fine) particles (PM: particulate matter), which are supposedly dangerous and can cause serious health issues.

[0039] Figure 4a shows the accessory 9 of Figure 4, which is preferably devised in such a way that the base portion 10 can be (reversibly) detached from the hollow duct 11, e.g., along the dotted line depicted in the top part of Figure 4a. To this end, the base portion 10 and the hollow duct 11 can be connected via a clamp connection, push-fit connection, screw connection, snap-in connection, magnetic connection or similar and may therefore be easily detachable (preferably without the use of any tools). In this way, as shown in the bottom part of Figure 4a, the upper portion of the accessory 9, which comprises the lighting device 13, can serve as a stand-alone lamp or accessory 9' and can be placed, e.g., on a tabletop T or any other suitable (e.g., essentially planar) surface. This is possible regardless of the exact design of the accessory 9 in the upper portion (lighting portion).

[0040] Figure 6 shows a variant of the accessory 9 of Figures 4 and 5 in an exploded view and displays additional details that were not visible (or not comprised) in the preceding drawings. The following description of Figure 6 will focus on these additional details.

[0041] Reference numerals 23, 24 denote electronic circuitry that is associated with said camera 21 and air quality sensor 22, respectively (cf. Figure 4). This circuitry preferably also includes components that are intended for communication (wireless) with hob extractor 1 (cf. Figure 1), as will further be explained with regard to Figure 8.

[0042] Reference numeral 25 denotes a speaker that is devised to play music or sounds via the accessory, preferable music / sounds that are streamed to the accessory via said (wireless) communication components. These components may further comprise memory means in order to at least temporarily store any corresponding (sound, sensor and / or camera) data.

[0043] Reference numeral 26 denotes a combined charging base (including said energy source in the form of a rechargeable battery) and a light diffuser while reference numeral 14, as before, denotes the actual light source in the form of an LED strip. Said strip is located inside light diffuser 26 in the assembled state of the accessory 9, while speaker 25 is located just below air flow swirling element 17. Reference numeral 27 denotes a cut-out or opening in said charging base / light diffuser 26 that allows air and light to interact with camera 21 and sensor 22, respectively.

[0044] Reference numerals 28 and 29 denotes openings that communicate with the aforementioned aroma diffuser 18 and with display 19, respectively. Aroma diffuser 18 can be devised in the form of an (ultrasonic) nebulizer. Aroma diffuser 18 preferably can be used to be used with scented tabs with natural scents or aromas (e.g., rosemary, basil, mint).

[0045] In the region of duct section 11, the accessory 9 can incorporate at least one (removeable / changeable) odour filter denoted schematically by reference numeral 30, preferably comprising an activated carbon material.

[0046] Preferably, as stated before, any functionality of the accessory 9 may be controlled via display 19. Alternatively or additionally, said functionalities may be controlled via interface 7 of the hob extractor 1 (cf. Figure 1) if the accessory 9 is (wirelessly) connected with said hob extractor 1. Further additionally or alternatively, said functionality may be controlled via a digital device, e.g., a smartphone or tablet PC, via a dedicated application installed on said digital device if the accessory 9 is (wirelessly) connected with said digital device (cf. Figure 8).

[0047] As stated earlier, the display 19 is preferably configured to display and / or to control (e.g., via touch operation) an operating state of the accessory 9, in particular at least one of a charging state of the energy source comprised in lighting device 13, a filling state of the aroma diffuser 18, a use state of the odour filter 30 (e.g., a time of use since last replacement) or a lighting mode of the light source 14 (on / off, colour, intensity, etc.).

[0048] Furthermore, the accessory 9 may comprise a gripping element 9a, e.g., a strap-like handle, that is preferably located at an end of the hollow duct portion 11 opposite said base portion 10, most preferably on said lighting device 13, as shown. This enables the user to grip, remove and carry the accessory 9 (or just the lighting device 13).

[0049] As defined in the claims, only the lighting device 13 is a mandatory feature of the accessory 9. All the other features, e.g., speaker 25, camera and sensor 21, 22, odour filter 30, aroma diffuser 18, display 19, gripping element 9a and air flow swirling element 17, are optional and may be present in any suitable and advantageous combination without departing from the scope of the present invention.

[0050] As also stated before, the hollow duct portion 11 may be devised integrally in one piece (also together with the base portion 10) or as an assembly of multiple duct sections (not shown). It may be of fixed length, or it may be adjustable in length (e.g., by inserting additional section or removing them or by including at least one telescopic element, not shown).

[0051] Figure 7 shows the functioning of the hob extractor of Figure 1 with and without the accessory in accordance with the present invention. In the upper drawing, the hob extractor 1 of Figure 1 is used without the accessory and with two cooking vessels 31, 32 of different heights. The small dots 33 in Figure 7 symbolize cooking vapours (droplets). In the lower drawing, the hob extractor 1 of Figure 1 is used with the accessory 9 and the same two cooking vessels 31, 32 of different heights.

[0052] As illustrated by said dots 33, a large amount of the cooking vapours is not captured by the hob extractor 1 when the latter is used without the accessory (upper drawing). This is due to the fact that the vapours are produced too far away from the aspiration opening 4. This true in particular for the higher one 31 of the two cooking vessels 31, 32. When the hob extractor 1 is used with the accessory 9 (lower drawing), the situation is much improved. In fact, all of the cooking vapours can now be captured by the hob extractor 1 via the accessory 9, since its air inlet openings 12 are now located above an upper rim of cooking vessels 31, 32. At the same time, lighting device 13 will adantageously help to illuminate the hob area, even in the absence of any other additional light source.

[0053] Figure 8 shows additional features of the accessory and the system (hob extractor 1 plus accessory 9) in accordance with the present invention.

[0054] As stated before, the accessory 9 can preferably be connected wirelessly for communication with the hob extractor 1, i.e., a control unit 34 thereof, and / or with a digital device 35, e.g., a smartphone. Wireless connections are symbolized by dashed lines and lightning icons.

[0055] As shown in Figure 8, the hob extractor 1 advantageously comprises an additional communication unit 34a (e.g., as part of said control unit 34), preferably a wireless communication unit, for at least one of receiving data from said camera 21 and receiving data from said air quality sensor 22 and transmitting data to said speaker 25. Said additional communication unit 34a is in operative connection with said control unit 34 for controlling an operational state of the hob and / or the hob extractor 1 based on said received data. This can serve in particular to adjust an extraction power of said extraction device (cf. suction fan 5) and / or for adjusting a heating power of said hob (cf. cooking locations 3.1-3.4).

[0056] Preferably, the accessory 9 may control the hob extractor 1, i.e., some of its functions via control unit 34. For instance, it may - via its camera 21 - detect overboiling of liquid from a cooking vessel (cf. Figure 7) and adjust a power provided to respective cooking locations 3.1-3.4 accordingly, as indicated symbolically. It may also detect reduced air quality by means of sensor 22 and adjust a suction power of fan 5 via control unit 34.

[0057] The digital device 35 runs an application (app) 36 that allows to communicate with the accessory 9. This app 36 may replace or supplement said display 19 (cf. Figure 6) as user interface for accessing and controlling the features of the accessory 9 (dashed arrow between elements 9 and 35 in Figure 8).

[0058] Furthermore, the digital device 35 and app 36 could be used to control the hob extractor 1 by using data (e.g., camera data or air sensor data) provided to the digital device 35 by the accessory 9, cf. the dash-dotted line between elements 34 and 36 in Figure 8. However, hybrid versions of this configuration are also possible: For instance, accessory 9 may be used to control features of the hob extractor 1, but the communication with the latter may be achieved via digital device 35 serving as a hub.

[0059] As further illustrated in Figure 8 (on the right-hand side), the lighting device 13 may be detachable from the rest of the accessory 9 for an independent use. As stated before, the lighting device 13 preferably comprises a light source 14 and a separate, rechargeable energy source or battery 37. In the embodiment of Figure 8, element 14 could additionally include the light diffuser that was mentioned earlier. Element 37 would then correspond to (or include) the charging base that was also mentioned earlier. Hob extractor 1 preferably includes a power module 38 that is operatively connected with a transmission circuitry, i.e., a charging device 39 for (contactless, e.g., inductive) charging of the energy source 37. In this way, said energy source 37 could be simply placed on a dedicated spot on hob plane 2 for recharging - together with the light source 14, as shown, or independently.

[0060] As also illustrated in Figure 8, the lighting device 13 can be separable into the light source 14 itself and the energy source 37. This enables replacing the energy source 37 (when damaged or when a more / less powerful energy source 37 is required) and / or using the energy source 37 with other household appliances (e.g., mixer, (hand) blender, vacuum sealer, etc.), if corresponding interfaces are provided.

[0061] As mentioned earlier, the accessory 9 cannot only be used "on site", i.e., together with the hob extractor 1, but also "off site", e.g., as portable lamp, as portable speaker (that can be connected, e.g., via Bluetooth / WiFi with cloud services 40 via said digital device 35 or other), as night lamp with baby move functionality through said camera 21, as part of an intrusion alarm system, as part of a home control system indicating via mobile app 36 the room in which it is located or as a smoke detection device (trough integration of VOC / PM sensors 22) with possible remote alarm via app 36.

[0062] Again, as defined in the claims, it shall be underlined that only the lighting device 13 is a mandatory feature of the accessory 9. All the other features, e.g., speaker 25, camera and sensor 21, 22, connectivity with hob extractor 1 and / or digital device 35 as well as the aforementioned uses, are optional and may be present in any suitable and advantageous combination without departing from the scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. An accessory (9) for use with a hob extractor (1), the hob extractor (1) including a cooking hob having a hob plane (2) and a fume extraction device located below said hob plane (2) in fluid communication with an aspiration opening (4) located in said hob plane (2), the accessory (9) comprising: a base portion (10) that preferably extends in a plane; a hollow duct portion (11) departing from said base portion (10) and forming an aspiration channel, wherein said base portion (10) has at least one aperture (16) that is in fluid communication with said aspiration channel; and a lighting device (13) mounted on the duct portion (11), said lighting device (13) comprising at least one light source (14); wherein the duct portion (11) has at least one air inlet opening (12) that is located along said duct portion (11) at a distance (D) from said base portion (10).

2. The accessory (9) of claim 1, wherein the lighting device (13) comprises at least one LED element that is preferably positioned at an end of the hollow duct portion (11) opposite said base portion (10).

3. The accessory (9) of claim 1 or 2, wherein the air inlet opening (12) extends over a portion of a periphery of the duct element (11).

4. The accessory (9) of any one of the preceding claims, wherein an air flow swirling element (17) is arranged in fluid connection with said air inlet opening (12).

5. The accessory (9) of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the lighting device (13) comprises a rechargeable energy source (37), in particular a battery, which is preferably reversibly detachable from and reconnectable to said light source (14) for power supply to said light source (14).

6. The accessory (9) of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the lighting device (13) is reversibly detachable from and reconnectable to said duct portion (11).

7. The accessory (9) of any one of the preceding claims, further comprising at least one of: a speaker (25) that is preferably located within said duct portion (11) in a vicinity of said air inlet opening (12); a camera (21) that is preferably located at an end of the hollow duct portion (11) opposite said base portion (10); an air quality sensor (22) that is preferably located at an end of the hollow duct portion (11) opposite said base portion (10); an aroma diffuser (18) that is preferably located at said base portion (10); an odour filter (30) that is preferably located within said duct portion (11); a display (19) that is preferably located at said base portion (10), said display configured to display and / or to control an operating state of the accessory (9), in particular at least one of a charging state of the energy source (37) according to claim 5, a filling state of the aroma diffuser (18), a use state of the odour filter (30), a lighting mode of the light source (14); a gripping element (9a) that is preferably located at an end of the hollow duct portion (11) opposite said base portion (10), most preferably on said lighting device (13).

8. The accessory (9) of claim 7, further comprising: a communication unit, preferably a wireless communication unit, for at least one of transmitting data from said camera (21) and transmitting data from said air quality sensor (22) and for receiving data for said speaker (25).

9. The accessory (9) of claim 7 or 8, wherein the camera (21) and the lighting device (13) are operatively connected and the lighting source (14) is configured to be switched on or off based on data provided by said camera (21).

10. The accessory (9) of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the duct portion (11) is telescopic or composed of a plurality of reversibly detachable and connectable duct elements.

11. The accessory (9) of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the base portion (10) devised to allow for stable upright placement of the accessory (9) on any essentially planar surface.

12. A system comprising the accessory (9) of any one of the preceding claims and a hob extractor (1), the hob extractor (1) including a cooking hob having a hob plane (2) and a fume extraction device located below said hob plane (2) in fluid communication with an aspiration opening (4) located in said hob plane (2), wherein the accessory (9) further comprises, at the base portion (10), a securing element selected from magnetic, form-fit, or friction components for stable positioning of the base portion (10) at or over said aspiration opening (4).

13. The system of claim 12, wherein an outer contour of the base portion (10) corresponds to an inner contour of said aspiration opening (4).

14. The system of claim 12 or 13 with reference to claim 5, further comprising, in said cooking hob a charging device (39), preferably a wireless or induction charging device, for recharging said rechargeable energy source (37).

15. The system of any one of claims 12 to 14 with reference to claim 8, wherein the hob extractor (1) comprises an additional communication unit (34a), preferably a wireless communication unit, for at least one of receiving data from said camera (21) and receiving data from said air quality sensor (22) and transmitting data to said speaker(25).

16. The system of claim 15, wherein said additional communication unit (34a) is in operative connection with a control unit (34) for controlling an operational state of the hob and / or the hob extractor (1) based on said received data, in particular for adjusting an extraction power of said extraction device and / or for adjusting a heating power of said hob.

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