Range hood

Abstract

To provide a range hood which achieves neither excessive nor deficient detergency with respect to contamination such as oil accumulated on an impeller.SOLUTION: A range hood 1 includes: a blower 11 having a fan motor 14 and an impeller 16; a sensor 8 for detecting information regarding the degree of contamination of air 20 above a heating cooker 2; and a control part 9 for controlling an air volume notch of the fan motor 14. In a normal operation, the control part 9 estimates the degree of estimated contamination based on the information detected by the sensor 8, adds an estimated contamination accumulation amount fn per unit time calculated from the air volume notch and the degree of estimated contamination to a storage part 10, and in a washing mode, the control part 9 changes the operation of the washing mode based on an accumulated value Fn of the estimated contamination accumulation amount accumulated in the storage part 10.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to range hoods. [Background technology]

[0002] 2. Description of the Related Art Range hoods that automatically clean oil stains are known in the art to reduce the effort required for cleaning oil stains.

[0003] For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a range hood that has an oil collection unit that rotates in sync with the operation of the fan to collect oil in the air, and that automatically cleans away oil stains by immersing the oil collection unit in hot water for cleaning and rotating it. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Patent No. 5899417 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] Such conventional range hoods are equipped with a control unit that notifies the user when it is time to perform cleaning when the integrated ventilation airflow rate or integrated power-on time reaches a threshold. This control unit performs a single, predetermined cleaning operation. However, this makes it difficult to estimate the amount of dirt on the impeller, and if the amount of dirt is greater or less than the amount determined by the manufacturer through experiments, the cleaning capacity may be insufficient or excessive.

[0006] Therefore, the present disclosure is intended to solve the above-mentioned conventional problems, and aims to provide a range hood that can appropriately clean the impeller by estimating the amount of dirt accumulated on the impeller. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] In order to achieve this objective, a range hood according to one embodiment of the present disclosure is a range hood comprising a blower having a fan motor and an impeller, a sensor that detects information regarding the level of pollution of the air above a cooking appliance, and a control unit that controls the air volume notch of the fan motor, wherein the control unit has a normal operation mode and a cleaning mode, the normal operation mode being a mode in which the fan motor operates normally, and the cleaning mode being a mode in which the impeller is cleaned after the normal operation mode has ended, the control unit having a memory unit, and in the normal operation mode the control unit estimates an estimated level of pollution based on information detected by the sensor and adds to the memory unit an estimated amount of dirt accumulation per unit time fn calculated from the air volume notch and the estimated level of pollution, and in the cleaning mode the control unit changes the operation of the cleaning mode based on the integrated value Fn of the estimated amount of dirt accumulation accumulated in the memory unit, thereby achieving the desired objective. [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] According to the present disclosure, the impeller can be suitably cleaned. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] 1 is a cross-sectional view showing the configuration of a range hood according to a first embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 2] Flowchart showing the processing flow of the range hood [Figure 3] Figure showing the estimated amount of accumulated dirt fn [Figure 4] A flowchart showing the process flow when adding detergent to the range hood. [Figure 5] Flowchart showing the processing flow when the range hood is rotating at high speed DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0010] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0011] Example 1 As shown in FIG. 1, a range hood 1 is installed above a cooking appliance 2 such as a stove, for example, by fixing the rear of the range hood 1 body to a kitchen wall 3 with screws.

[0012] The range hood 1 has an airflow straightening section 5 having a cavity 4 .

[0013] An intake port 18 is provided on the front side of the rectifying unit 5, i.e., on the side where the user stands (the left side in FIG. 1). The intake port 18 draws in surrounding air 20. The air 20 contains steam, smoke, oily smoke, and surrounding floating dust generated when cooking food 6 (e.g., a pot or frying pan) on the top surface of the cooking appliance 2.

[0014] A sensor 8 (shown as an example on the front side of the underside of the hood body 7 in the figure) is provided on the underside of the hood body 7, which forms the intake port 18, to detect information regarding the level of pollution of the air 20 above the cooking appliance 2.

[0015] An exhaust port 13 communicating with the outdoors via a duct 12 is provided on the top surface of the range hood 1.

[0016] A blower 11 is provided inside the range hood 1.

[0017] The blower 11 has a fan motor 14 (electric motor), a rotary shaft 15 of the fan motor 14, an impeller 16 attached to the rotary shaft 15, and a casing 17 that houses the impeller 16.

[0018] The impeller 16 is composed of blades 16a and an oil collecting portion 16b that collects the sucked oil.

[0019] An air passage 19 is formed connecting the intake port 18 and the exhaust port 13 via the impeller 16.

[0020] The blower 11 is a sirocco fan (centrifugal fan) or a turbo fan.

[0021] The fan motor 14 is an AC motor or a DC motor.

[0022] A control unit 9 is provided inside the range hood 1, for example.

[0023] The control unit 9 is configured with a microcomputer or the like, and controls the air volume notch of the blower 11.

[0024] The air volume notch is the level of the rotation speed of the fan motor 14 (electric motor). The higher this level, the higher the rotation speed of the fan motor 14, and the lower this level, the lower the rotation speed of the fan motor 14.

[0025] The control unit 9 has a normal operation mode and a cleaning mode.

[0026] The normal operation mode is a mode in which the blower 11 operates normally. In normal operation, the rotation of the impeller 16 causes air 20 to pass through the inlet 18 and be exhausted from the outlet 13 to the outside of the room.

[0027] The cleaning mode is a mode in which the impeller 16 is cleaned after the normal operation mode has ended.

[0028] The control unit 9 estimates the degree of contamination based on the information detected by the sensor 8.

[0029] The sensor 8 is, for example, a temperature sensor or a contamination level sensor.

[0030] The temperature sensor may be, for example, an infrared sensor or other temperature sensor.

[0031] The pollution level sensor detects the pollution level in the air. The pollution level sensor may be, for example, a light irradiation sensor, a frictional static electricity sensor, a gas sensor, or any other pollution level sensor. This pollution level sensor is preferably provided inside the ventilation duct 19.

[0032] The sensor 8 may be any other sensor that can detect information about the pollution level of the air 20 .

[0033] The control unit 9 has a memory unit 10. The control unit 9 adds the estimated dirt accumulation amount fn per unit time calculated from the air volume notch and the estimated pollution level to the memory unit 10. fn is the estimated dirt accumulation amount determined in advance by the manufacturer through experiments, etc.

[0034] The flow of processing performed by the control unit 9 will be described with reference to Fig. 2. When the user operates the operation unit 21 provided on the hood body 7, the normal operation mode is started.

[0035] Furthermore, even if the operation unit 21 is not operated, the hood body 7 may receive a signal from the cooking appliance 2, causing the control unit 9 to start the normal operation mode.

[0036] In S101, an air volume notch is determined. Here, the user may determine the air volume notch based on the cooking contents, or the control unit 9 may determine the air volume notch based on information detected by the sensor 8.

[0037] In S102, the control unit 9 estimates the pollution level of the air 20 based on the information detected by the sensor 8.

[0038] In S103, the estimated dirt accumulation amount f1 per unit time calculated from the air volume notch and the estimated pollution level is added to the memory unit 10. At this time, the integrated value of the estimated dirt accumulation amount in the memory unit 10 is F1=f1. The unit time refers to any time. In this embodiment, the unit time is, for example, 3 seconds (or 1 to 300 seconds).

[0039] In S104, it is determined whether or not a stop operation in the normal operation mode has been performed.

[0040] If the normal operation mode has not ended, the process returns to S101, and the estimated dirt accumulation amount f2 is added in S103. At this time, the integrated value of the estimated dirt accumulation amount in the memory unit 10 becomes F2=f2+f1.

[0041] In this way, the estimated dirt accumulation amount f1 is added as the first accumulation amount, the estimated dirt accumulation amount f2 as the second accumulation amount, and the estimated dirt accumulation amount fn as the nth accumulation amount to the memory unit 10. That is, the integrated value of the estimated dirt accumulation amount Fn=fn+···+f2+f1 is stored in the memory unit 10, where n is an integer equal to or greater than 1.

[0042] In this way, the n-th estimated accumulated dirt amount fn calculated from the air volume notch and the estimated contamination level is stored in the storage unit 10 as an integrated value Fn.

[0043] When the normal operation mode ends, the process proceeds to S105, where the control unit 9 determines whether the integrated value Fn of the estimated accumulated dirt amount is equal to or greater than a predetermined value. This predetermined value is the accumulated dirt amount determined in advance by the manufacturer through experiments or the like.

[0044] If "Fn≧predetermined value", the control unit 9 changes the cleaning mode to operation A in S106.

[0045] If "Fn<predetermined value", the control unit 9 changes the cleaning mode to operation B in S107.

[0046] 3, when the first notch (< the second notch) and the estimated contamination level of the air 20 is low, the estimated dirt accumulation amount f1 is +1. Here, the first notch is smaller than the second notch.

[0047] In the next process, if the second notch and the estimated contamination level are high, the estimated dirt accumulation amount f2 = +4, and F2 = f2 + f1 = +4 + 1 = +5. If the specified value is +4, Fn ≧ specified value, so the cleaning mode is changed to operation A.

[0048] In this way, the estimated dirt accumulation amount fn increases as the air volume notch increases and as the estimated pollution level increases. As a result, the integrated value Fn increases more quickly as the air volume notch increases and as the estimated pollution level increases.

[0049] If the sensor 8 is a temperature sensor, the sensor 8 detects the temperature of the food 6 or the temperature of the air 20. In this case, the estimated contamination level increases as the temperature detected by the sensor 8 increases.

[0050] If the sensor 8 is a pollution level sensor, the sensor 8 detects the concentration of particles suspended in the air. In this case, the estimated pollution level increases as the concentration (pollution level) detected by the sensor 8 increases.

[0051] If the sensor 8 is any other sensor capable of detecting information about the pollution level of the air 20, the estimated pollution level increases as the value detected by the sensor 8 increases.

[0052] The airflow notch may be three or more notches, by adding a third notch, a fourth notch, etc. in addition to the first notch and the second notch.

[0053] With reference to FIG. 4, a process flow in which the control unit 9 changes the amount of detergent dispensed when the cleaning mode is a mode in which the impeller 16 is cleaned with cleaning liquid will be described.

[0054] Here, the detergent is, for example, a liquid detergent for dishwashers, a solid detergent, etc. The detergent contains a surfactant as an ingredient.

[0055] The cleaning solution is a mixture of water and detergent.

[0056] Cleaning with a cleaning liquid means, for example, cleaning the impeller 16 by rotating the impeller 16 while a portion of the impeller 16 is immersed in the cleaning liquid. If the impeller 16 is not immersed in the cleaning liquid, the impeller 16 may be cleaned by rotating the impeller 16 while spraying the cleaning liquid onto a portion or all of the impeller 16 using a nozzle, for example.

[0057] When the normal operation mode is finished (YES in S104), the process goes to S201. It is determined whether the integrated value Fn of the accumulated dirt amount is equal to or greater than a predetermined value, which is the amount of accumulated dirt determined in advance by the manufacturer through experiments or the like.

[0058] If "Fn≧predetermined value", the control unit 9 changes the amount of detergent to be added to the washing liquid to M1 in S202. This corresponds to operation A in S106.

[0059] If "Fn<predetermined value", the control unit 9 changes the amount of detergent to be added to the washing liquid to M2 in S203. This corresponds to operation B in S107. M1 is greater than M2.

[0060] In S204, it is determined whether or not an operation to start the cleaning operation mode has been performed.

[0061] If the user does not operate to start the cleaning mode, the control unit 9 ends the processing flow. Next time, when the user starts the normal operation mode, the processing flow starts from S101.

[0062] When the user operates to start the cleaning mode, the cleaning mode starts in S205.

[0063] Here, even if the user does not perform any operation, the control unit 9 may determine that the cleaning mode will be started automatically.

[0064] Thereafter, the cleaning mode continues for a predetermined time.

[0065] Thereafter, the cleaning mode ends in S206, and the memory unit 10 initializes the integrated value Fn of the estimated accumulated dirt amount in S207. This initial value is, for example, integrated value Fn = 0, n = 0. Then, the control unit 9 ends the processing flow.

[0066] Referring to FIG. 5, a process flow in which the control unit 9 changes the high-speed rotation time when the impeller 16 is cleaned by rotating the fan motor 14 at high speed will be described.

[0067] This high-speed rotation cleaning mode is a cleaning mode in which the impeller 16 rotates at high speed to remove dirt such as oil adhering to the impeller 16 by centrifugal force without using any cleaning liquid.

[0068] The rotational speed of this high speed rotation is, for example, equal to or higher than the maximum rotational speed in the normal operation mode in order to obtain sufficient centrifugal force.

[0069] If the answer is YES in S104, the process proceeds to S301, where it is determined whether the integrated value Fn of the estimated accumulated dirt amount is equal to or greater than a predetermined value, which is the amount of accumulated dirt determined in advance by the manufacturer through experiments or the like.

[0070] If "Fn≧predetermined value", the control unit 9 changes the high-speed rotation time in the cleaning mode to N1 in S302, and the cleaning mode is started. This corresponds to operation A in S106.

[0071] If "Fn<predetermined value", the control unit 9 changes the high-speed rotation time in the cleaning mode to N2 in S303, and the cleaning mode starts. This corresponds to operation B in S107. N1 is longer than N2.

[0072] Thereafter, the cleaning mode continues for a predetermined time (time N1 or time N2).

[0073] Thereafter, the cleaning mode ends in S304, and the memory unit 10 initializes the integrated value Fn of the estimated accumulated dirt amount in S305. This initial value is, for example, the integrated value Fn=0, n=0. Then, The control unit 9 ends the processing flow.

[0074] Next, the effects of each embodiment will be described.

[0075] A range hood 1 according to one embodiment of the present disclosure is a range hood 1 equipped with a blower 11 having a fan motor 14 and an impeller 16, a sensor 8 that detects information regarding the level of pollution of air 20 above a cooking appliance 2, and a control unit 9 that controls the air volume notch of the fan motor 14, wherein the control unit 9 has a normal operation mode and a cleaning mode, the normal operation mode being a mode in which the fan motor operates normally, and the cleaning mode being a mode in which the impeller is cleaned after the normal operation mode has ended, the control unit 9 has a memory unit 10, and in the normal operation mode, the control unit 9 estimates an estimated level of pollution based on information detected by the sensor 8 and adds an estimated amount of dirt accumulation per unit time fn calculated from the air volume notch and the estimated level of pollution to the memory unit 10, and in the cleaning mode, the control unit 9 changes the operation of the cleaning mode based on the integrated value Fn of the estimated amount of dirt accumulation accumulated in the memory unit 10.

[0076] According to this configuration, oil generated during cooking adheres to the rotating impeller 16 in the normal operation mode. Because the adhered oil is viscous, it remains on the surface of the impeller 16. Some of this oil is detached from the impeller 16 and scattered circumferentially due to the centrifugal force generated by the rotating impeller 16. This process repeats, increasing the amount of dirt accumulated on the impeller 16. The amount of dirt accumulated is determined in advance through experiments or other means based on a combination of the rotation speed of the impeller 16 and the pollution level of the air 20. This allows the control unit 9 to estimate the estimated dirt accumulation amount fn from a combination of the airflow notch and the estimated pollution level based on information detected by the sensor 8. The control unit 9 adds and integrates the estimated dirt accumulation amount fn per unit time in the memory unit 10. The control unit 9 then compares the integrated value Fn of the estimated dirt accumulation amount integrated in the memory unit 10 with a predetermined value to estimate the degree of dirt on the impeller 16 relative to the predetermined value. Based on this estimation, the operation of the cleaning mode can be changed, so that cleaning power that is just right for cleaning dirt such as oil can be provided.

[0077] In addition, in the cleaning mode, the control unit 9 may be configured to notify the user that it is time to perform cleaning when the integrated value Fn is equal to or greater than a predetermined value.

[0078] According to this configuration, the user can know the timing when the cleaning mode should be implemented based on the integrated value Fn of the estimated dirt accumulation amount of the impeller 16. Note that the user can implement the cleaning mode at any time regardless of the presence or absence of the notification of the cleaning timing.

[0079] Further, the cleaning mode is a mode in which the impeller 16 is cleaned with a cleaning liquid, and the control unit 9 may be configured to control so as to increase the amount of detergent input in the cleaning mode when the integrated value Fn is greater than or equal to a predetermined value.

[0080] According to this configuration, the impeller 16 with accumulated oil dirt is cleaned by being sprayed with the cleaning liquid while rotating or by being immersed in the cleaning liquid while rotating. The cleaning liquid is, for example, in a state where hot water and detergent are mixed. The temperature of the cleaning liquid is preferably 40 °C or higher, which is effective for softening the oil and fat generated during cooking or the like. When the integrated value Fn of the estimated dirt accumulation amount of the impeller 16 reaches a predetermined value or more, the control unit 9 increases the amount of detergent used in the cleaning mode to M1 (M2 < M1). Therefore, for dirt of a predetermined value or more, the user can increase the amount of detergent and implement the cleaning mode. Also, for dirt less than the predetermined value, the user can implement the cleaning mode without increasing the amount of detergent. That is, it is possible to provide a cleaning ability with less excess or deficiency for oil dirt. Note that the detergent may be automatically input by the control unit 9 or the user may manually input the amount of detergent changed by the control unit 9. For example, the control unit 9 may display an increase in the amount of detergent input in the cleaning mode, and based on this display, the user may manually input the detergent.

[0081] Further, the cleaning mode is a mode in which the impeller 16 is cleaned by rotating the fan motor 14, and the control unit 9 may be configured to increase the rotation time of the fan motor 14 rotating in the cleaning mode when the integrated value Fn is greater than or equal to a predetermined value.

[0082] According to this configuration, the cleaning mode is a mode in which the impeller 16 with accumulated oil stains is cleaned by rotating the fan motor 14 at a rotational speed higher than the maximum rotational speed in the normal operation mode, for example. Here, the rotational speed of the high-speed rotation only needs to be a rotational speed sufficient to obtain centrifugal force, so any high-speed rotation above a predetermined rotational speed is acceptable. When the integrated value Fn reaches a predetermined value or more, the control unit 9 changes the high-speed rotation time used in the cleaning mode to N1 (N2 < N1). Therefore, for dirt above a predetermined value, the control unit 9 can increase the high-speed rotation time to implement the cleaning mode. Also, for dirt below a predetermined value, the control unit 9 can implement the cleaning mode without increasing the high-speed rotation time. That is, it is possible to provide a cleaning ability with little excess or deficiency for oil stains. Note that the cleaning mode may be automatically implemented when the normal operation mode ends.

[0083] Further, the sensor 8 may be a temperature sensor that detects the temperature of the cooked food 6 on the upper surface of the cooking appliance 2, and the information may be the temperature detected by the temperature sensor.

[0084] According to this configuration, the sensor 8 can detect the temperature of the cooked food 6 on the upper surface of the cooking appliance 2 that the user is cooking. The dirt accumulated on the impeller 16 is oil. The amount of generated oil smoke containing oil is larger as the temperature of the cooked food 6 is higher and smaller as the temperature is lower. That is, by detecting the temperature information of the cooked food 6, the control unit 9 can estimate the estimated contamination level of the air 20. Therefore, by using the temperature information of the sensor 8, the integrated value Fn of the estimated dirt accumulation amount can be calculated from the combination of the air volume notch and the estimated contamination level. Thereby, it is possible to provide a cleaning ability with little excess or deficiency for oil stains.

[0085] Further, the sensor 8 may be a contamination level sensor that detects the contamination level of the air 20 above the cooking appliance 2, and the information may be the contamination level detected by the contamination level sensor.

[0086] With this configuration, the sensor 8 can detect the pollution level of the air 20 above the cooking appliance 2 while the user is cooking. The sensor 8 is, for example, a sensor that uses light irradiation to detect suspended matter passing through the sensor 8. Such sensors are also widely used for detecting dust and oil mist in the air. By detecting the pollution level information of the air 20, the control unit 9 can estimate the pollution level of the air. Therefore, by using the pollution level information from the sensor 8, the control unit 9 can calculate the integrated value Fn of the estimated dirt accumulation amount from a combination of the air volume notch and the estimated pollution level. As a result, it is possible to provide just the right amount of cleaning power for removing oily stains.

[0087] Furthermore, even if the oil collecting section 16b is not provided, the control section 9 can perform the same operation as that of the present disclosure.

[0088] While the range hood according to the present disclosure has been described above based on the examples, the present disclosure is not limited to the examples. As long as it does not deviate from the spirit of the present disclosure, various modifications conceivable by a person skilled in the art to the examples and configurations constructed by combining components of different examples are also included within the scope of the present disclosure. [Industrial Applicability]

[0089] The range hood according to the present disclosure provides just the right amount of cleaning power for oil and other stains. Since it is possible to do so, it is useful as an exhaust device used in a kitchen, etc. [Explanation of symbols]

[0090] 1. Range hood 2 Cooker 3 chamber walls 4 cavities 5 Rectifier 6 Cooked food 7 Hood body 8 sensors 9 Control Unit 10 Storage section 11 Blower 12 Duct 13 Exhaust port 14 Fan motor 15 Rotation axis 16 impeller 16a Feather 16b Oil collection section 17 Casing 18 Intake port 19 Ventilation duct 20. Air 21 Control section

Claims

1. a blower having a fan motor and an impeller; a sensor for detecting information about the pollution level of the air above the cooking appliance; A control unit that controls an airflow notch of the fan motor, The control unit has a normal operation mode and a cleaning mode, the normal operation mode is a mode in which the fan motor is operated normally, the cleaning mode is a mode in which the impeller is cleaned after the normal operation mode is completed, the control unit has a storage unit, In the normal operation mode, the control unit estimates an estimated contamination level based on the information detected by the sensor, and adds an estimated dirt accumulation amount fn per unit time calculated from the air volume notch and the estimated contamination level to the storage unit; The range hood is characterized in that, in the cleaning mode, the control unit changes the operation of the cleaning mode based on the integrated value Fn of the estimated dirt accumulation amount integrated in the memory unit.

2. 2. The range hood according to claim 1, wherein, in the cleaning mode, the control unit notifies a user that it is time to clean the range hood if the integrated value Fn is equal to or greater than a predetermined value.

3. the cleaning mode is a mode in which the impeller is cleaned with a cleaning liquid; The range hood according to claim 1 , wherein the control unit controls the amount of detergent dispensed in the cleaning mode so as to increase the amount of detergent dispensed when the integrated value Fn is equal to or greater than a predetermined value.

4. the cleaning mode is a mode in which the impeller is cleaned by rotating the fan motor; The range hood according to claim 1 , wherein the control unit increases the rotation time of the fan motor in the cleaning mode when the integrated value Fn is equal to or greater than a predetermined value.

5. the sensor is a temperature sensor that detects the temperature of the food on the top surface of the cooking appliance, 5. The range hood according to claim 1, wherein the information is a temperature detected by the temperature sensor.

6. the sensor is a pollution level sensor that detects the pollution level of air above the cooking appliance, 5. The range hood according to claim 1, wherein the information is the degree of contamination detected by the contamination level sensor.

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