Cooking stove with extraction hood

Abstract

The present invention relates to a cooking stove (1) comprising a body (2) configured to act as a support for cooking activities, the body (2) having an upper surface (21) and a lower surface (22), at least one cooking area (3) located on the upper surface (21) of the body (2), an air inlet (4) formed on the upper surface (21), and suction means (5) arranged in fluid communication with the air inlet (4) and configured to suck in cooking smoke, wherein the suction means (5) comprises a motor fan (51) having a rotation axis (XX) lying in a plane substantially parallel to the upper surface (21) and extending along the rotation axis (XX) between a first end (511) and an opposite second end (512), the suction means (5) being configured to split cooking smoke into a first portion and a second portion of cooking smoke directed towards the first end (511) and the second end (512) of the motor fan (51), respectively.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a cooking stove according to the preamble of claim 1.

[0002] In particular, but not exclusively, the present invention relates to cooktops incorporating hoods of the type commercially known as downdraft hoods. [Background technology]

[0003] Living environment hoods are now installed in all existing kitchens in homes, due to the obvious usefulness of extracting air from food preparation, i.e. cooking steam, and therefore it is becoming increasingly important to have a living environment hood that can actually remove cooking steam generated during the food preparation stage.

[0004] To this end, hoods have been developed that can suck in air using a suction means, expel the sucked air outside the home, or filter it and reintroduce it into the home environment.

[0005] Among the various hoods available on the market are so-called downdraft hoods, which are often integrated into the stove or into the top of a kitchen cabinet. In particular, downdraft hoods are configured to generate a downward flow greater than the upward velocity of cooking steam, so that cooking steam is drawn vertically downward toward the stove itself.

[0006] For example, cooking stoves are known in the art that include a body configured to act as a support for cooking activities and having an upper surface and an opposite lower surface, the cooking stove further including at least one cooking area disposed on the upper surface of the body.

[0007] Furthermore, the prior art cooking stove includes an inlet formed on the top surface of the body, and a suction means disposed in fluid communication with the inlet and configured to suck in cooking smoke.

[0008] The prior art suction means comprises at least one electric motor configured to generate a flow of cooking smoke through the suction port. The electric motor has an axis of rotation that operates in a plane perpendicular to the upper surface of the body. In other words, the axis of rotation of the electric motor is essentially vertical, i.e., perpendicular to the walking surface of the domestic environment in which such a cooking stove is installed.

[0009] Examples of such prior art cookstoves are known under the trade names Bora Pure® and Bora Basic®, and comprise a single suction electric motor and a pair of single suction electric motors, respectively.

[0010] An example of a cooking stove according to the preamble of claim 1 of the present application is shown in DE 202019106084 C1.

[0011] Issues with conventional technology During operation of the prior art cooking stove, especially during the suction of cooking fumes through the suction port, the suction means generates noise that can be particularly annoying to users.

[0012] The noise level generated during operation has become a parameter to which manufacturers and / or users pay great attention, and therefore the energy label must indicate the relative decibel level generated at a given operating speed of the electric motor.

[0013] As a result, there is a strong demand from appliance manufacturers for cooktops with quieter suction means. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0014] [Patent Document 1] German Utility Model No. 202019106084 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0015] SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Therefore, a technical object of the present invention is to provide a cooking stove that overcomes the above-mentioned drawbacks of the prior art. [Means for solving the problem]

[0016] In particular, it is an object of the present invention to make available a cooking stove provided with suction means which, when operated to suction cooking fumes, produces a lower noise level than those of the prior art.

[0017] The above technical problem and the identified object are substantially achieved by a cooking stove having the technical features set out in one or more of the appended claims.

[0018] A preferred embodiment of the present invention allows for the vacuuming of cooking smoke generated by cooking food while producing a level of vacuuming noise that is acceptable to the user.

[0019] Preferred embodiments of the present invention also allow cooking smoke to be split within the suction means, thereby allowing for more efficient filtration of the cooking smoke, i.e., better removal of grease and steam present in the cooking smoke.

[0020] Further features and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the following schematic, and therefore non-limiting, description of preferred but non-exclusive embodiments of a cooking stove, as illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which: [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0021] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a partial cross-sectional perspective view of a cooking stove according to the present invention. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional side view of the cooking stove of FIG. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional front view of the cooking stove of FIG. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a perspective view from below of the cooking stove from FIG. 1 with the cover casing removed. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is a graph comparing the noise produced by the cookstove of FIG. 1 with the noise produced by a prior art cookstove. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0022] Even if not explicitly emphasized, individual features described with reference to a particular embodiment should be considered interchangeable with accompanying and / or other features described with reference to other embodiments.

[0023] With particular reference to the accompanying drawings, a cooking stove is designated by the reference numeral 1.

[0024] The cooking stove 1 comprises a body 2 configured to act as a support for cooking activities.

[0025] In fact, as will become clearer below, a container containing the food to be cooked is placed on this body 2 and appropriately heated.

[0026] According to one aspect, the body is preferably square or rectangular in shape and has a predetermined thickness.

[0027] The body 2 has an upper surface 21 and a lower surface 22 .

[0028] Preferably, the upper surface 21, i.e. the surface intended to act as a support for the container containing the food to be cooked, is flat.

[0029] The upper surface 21 and the lower surface 22 face each other along the longitudinal direction YY.

[0030] Preferably, in use, i.e. when the cooking stove 1 is properly installed in a room (not shown in the accompanying figures), for example in the kitchen of a domestic dwelling, this longitudinal direction YY is substantially vertical, i.e. perpendicular to the walking surface of the room in which the cooking stove 1 is installed. During use, the underside 22 of the body 2 still faces the walking surface.

[0031] The cooking stove 1 comprises at least one cooking area 3 located on the upper surface 21 of the body 2. A container containing the food to be cooked is placed on the cooking stove 1 in the cooking area 3.

[0032] Furthermore, the cooking stove 1 comprises at least one air inlet 4 formed on the top surface 21, and suction means 5 arranged in fluid communication with the air inlet 4 and configured to suck cooking smoke. The suction means 5 are configured to suck cooking smoke generated by cooking food through the air inlet 4.

[0033] Preferably, the cooking stove 1 includes a door 41 disposed at the inlet 4. The door 41 is switchable between a first position, which allows the door 41 to draw cooking smoke through the inlet 4, and a second position, in which the door 41 closes the inlet 4.

[0034] The suction means 5 includes a motor fan 51 having a rotation axis XX lying in a plane parallel to the upper surface 21 .

[0035] In particular, when the cooking stove 1 is properly installed in the room, this axis of rotation XX is parallel to both the upper surface 21 and the walking surface of the room in which the cooking stove 1 is installed, i.e., the axis of rotation XX is perpendicular to the longitudinal axis YY.

[0036] In this description, the phrase "lies in a plane parallel to the upper surface 21" means that the rotation axis XX of the motor fan 51 is substantially parallel to the upper surface 21, i.e., the rotation axis XX lies in a plane that can provide a variation of + / - 5° in the parallelism condition. This variation in the parallelism condition is due to, for example, structural reasons, assembly reasons, or design choices of the motor fan 51.

[0037] The motor fan 51 extends along a rotation axis XX between a first end 511 and an opposite second end 512 .

[0038] The suction means 5 is configured to divide the cooking smoke into a first portion and a second portion of cooking smoke that are directed towards the first end 511 and the second end 512 of the motor fan 51, respectively.

[0039] It should be noted that due to the arrangement of the rotation axis XX of the motor fan 51 and the division of cooking smoke activated by the suction means 5, the suction noise generated by the suction means 5 is lower than the corresponding suction noise generated by prior art cooking stoves.

[0040] Indeed, with particular reference to Figure 5, this shows a graph of the flow rate of aspirated cooking smoke on the horizontal axis and the intensity of the generated noise on the vertical axis.

[0041] In particular, the graph shows a first curve 100 for a cooktop 1 according to the present invention, a second curve 200 for a prior art cooktop with a single suction electric motor, and a third curve 300 for a prior art cooktop with a pair of single suction electric motors.

[0042] As can be seen from the graph in Figure 5, approximately 600m 3 / h, i.e., a typical intake smoke flow rate for normal use of the suction means of the cooking stove, the noise generated by the cooking stove 1 according to the invention is equal to about 67 dBA, whereas the noise generated by the prior art cooking stove with a single suction motor fan and the prior art cooking stove with a pair of single suction motor fans is about 68.6 dBA and 69 dBA, respectively.

[0043] The difference in values ​​for the stove according to the invention is therefore equal to 1.6 dBA compared to a stove with a single suction motor fan and equal to 2 dBA compared to a stove with dual single suction motor fans.

[0044] These differences represent a significant reduction in noise perceived by the user for the same amount of air drawn per hour, thus making the cooktop 1 quieter than the prior art.

[0045] According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the suction means 5 comprises a first suction duct 52 and a second suction duct 53 which are fluidly connected to the suction port 4 and to the first end 511 and the second end 512 of the motor fan 51, respectively.

[0046] The motor fan 51 is configured to suck in a first portion of the cooking smoke through the first suction duct 52 and a second portion of the cooking smoke through the second suction duct 53.

[0047] Preferably, the hydrodynamic resistance of the first suction duct 52 corresponds to the hydrodynamic resistance of the second suction duct 53. More preferably, the hydrodynamic resistance of the first suction duct 52 is substantially equal to the hydrodynamic resistance of the second suction duct 53. In the maximum preferred case, the hydrodynamic resistance of the first suction duct 52 is equal to the hydrodynamic resistance of the second suction duct 53.

[0048] More preferably, the length and passage portion of the cooking smoke of the first suction duct 52 and the length and passage portion of the cooking smoke of the second suction duct 53 correspond to each other.

[0049] Due to the correspondence between the fluid dynamic resistance of the first suction duct 52 and the fluid dynamic resistance of the second suction duct 53, the distribution of cooking smoke between the first suction duct 52 and the second suction duct 53 is symmetrical. In other words, the first portion of cooking smoke corresponds to the second portion of cooking smoke. In other words, the cooking smoke flow rate in the first suction duct 52 corresponds to the cooking smoke flow rate in the second suction duct 53.

[0050] To obtain the desired suction force, the motor fan 51 includes an electric motor and an impeller.

[0051] According to one aspect, the impeller is mechanically connected to the shaft of the electric motor, such that rotation of the motor shaft of the electric motor causes the impeller to rotate, thus drawing in cooking fumes.

[0052] The impeller is preferably made of a single piece by molding and has a first half 51a and a second half 51b arranged at the first end 511 and the second end 512 of the motor fan 51, respectively.

[0053] The first half 51a of the impeller is configured to draw in a first portion of the cooking smoke through a first suction duct 52, and the second half 51b of the impeller is configured to draw in a second portion of the cooking smoke through a second suction duct 53.

[0054] According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the cooking stove 1 comprises a pair of cover casings (or frames) 6 connected to each other to form a housing 61. A motor fan 51 is disposed within the housing 61. The motor fan 51 is therefore supported and protected by the cover casing 6.

[0055] According to one embodiment, the cover casing 6 forms the first suction duct 52 and the second suction duct 53. In other words, the shape and dimensions of the first suction duct 52 and the second suction duct 53 are determined by the connection between the cover casings 6.

[0056] According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the cooking stove 1 comprises an operating unit 7 for operating the cooking stove 1, for its control and for the outflow of cooking steam through the first suction duct 52 and the second suction duct 53.

[0057] The operating unit 7 is further adapted to accommodate at least one heating element capable of heating at least one cooking zone 3 and the command and control electronics of the cooking hob 1 .

[0058] By means of the operating unit 7, the user can selectively adjust the heating of the cooking area 3 and operate the suction means 5. That is to say, by means of the operating unit 7, the motor fan 51 can be operated and the rotation speed of said motor fan 51 can be adjusted.

[0059] The operating unit 7 is known per se to the person skilled in the art and therefore will not be described further.

[0060] The operating unit 7 is arranged below the main body 2 of the cooking stove 1. Preferably, the operating unit 7 is constrained to the underside 22 of the main body 2.

[0061] According to one embodiment, the cover casings 6 are arranged and restrained below the operating units 7, and at least one cover casing 6 is reversibly restrained to the operating unit 7 so as to allow access to the housing 61. By removing one of the cover casings 6, maintenance activities can be carried out, for example, on the motor fan 51. In other words, at least one cover casing 6 is reversibly restrained to the operating unit 7 so as to allow access to the motor fan 51.

[0062] According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the cover casing 6 is reversibly restrained to the operating unit 7, while the other cover casing 6 is stably restrained to the operating unit 7.

[0063] In an alternative embodiment, both cover casings may be provided to be reversibly restrained to the operating unit 7 .

[0064] A power supply unit (not shown) for the motor fan 51 is housed in a portion of the housing 61 that is stably restrained by the operation unit 7 and is close to the cover casing 6.

[0065] Further according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the cooking stove 1 comprises a first filter group 8a and a second filter group 8b arranged in the housing 61 upstream of the first suction duct 52 and the second suction duct 53, respectively, so as to filter grease and steam present in the first and second portions of cooking smoke, respectively. Advantageously, the first and second portions of cooking smoke are filtered separately, thus allowing for better filtering efficiency of the cooking smoke.

[0066] Preferably, the first filter group 8a and the second filter group 8b each comprise a grease filter comprising a metal grid and an activated carbon filter. Grease filters and activated carbon filters are known to those skilled in the art and will not be described further.

[0067] According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the suction means 5 comprises a suction chamber 54 in fluid communication with the suction port 4. This suction chamber 54 is located downstream of the suction port 4. Preferably, the suction chamber 54 is formed by the operating unit 7 and the cover casing 6.

[0068] The suction chamber 54 has a first outlet 541 and a second outlet 542 that are fluidly connected to the first suction duct 52 and the second suction duct 53, respectively. Therefore, the suction chamber 54 is located upstream of the first suction duct 52 and the second suction duct 53. In other words, the suction chamber 54 is interposed between the suction port 4 and the first suction duct 52 and the second suction duct 53.

[0069] The separation of the cooking smoke between the first and second portions of cooking smoke takes place in the suction chamber 54. Indeed, the first portion of cooking smoke passes from the suction chamber 54 through the first suction duct 52 and then through the first outlet 541, and the second portion of cooking smoke passes from the suction chamber 54 through the second suction duct 53 and then through the second outlet 542. Preferably, the surface extent of the first outlet 541 corresponds to the surface extent of the second outlet 542.

[0070] The first filter group 8a and the second filter group 8b are respectively arranged at the first air outlet 541 and the second air outlet 542 of the suction chamber 54. Preferably, the first filter group 8a and the second filter group 8b are respectively interposed between the suction chamber 54 and the first suction duct 52 and the second suction duct 53.

[0071] According to a further preferred embodiment of the present invention, the cover casing 6, when restrained, forms an exhaust outlet 62 in fluid communication with the motor fan 51. The suction means 5 is configured to exhaust cooking smoke through this exhaust outlet 62. The cooking smoke sucked through the intake port 4 is then removed through the exhaust outlet 62.

[0072] Preferably, when the cover casing 6 is restrained, it forms an exhaust duct 63. The exhaust duct 63 is configured to place the motor fan 51 and the exhaust outlet 62 in fluid communication with each other. That is, the exhaust duct 63 is located downstream of the motor fan 51 and upstream of the exhaust outlet 62.

[0073] According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the path of cooking smoke from intake port 4 to exhaust outlet 62 is as follows: cooking smoke in suction chamber 54 passes through intake port 4, in suction chamber 54 the cooking smoke is divided into a first part and a second part, the first part of the cooking smoke passes through first suction duct 52 to reach first end 511 of motor fan 51, the second part of the cooking smoke passes through second suction duct 53 to reach second end 512 of motor fan 51, and finally the first and second parts of the cooking smoke recombine in exhaust duct 63 before being discharged through exhaust outlet 62.

[0074] According to one embodiment, the exhaust outlet 62 is connectable to an outlet duct (not shown) of the room in which the cooktop 1 is installed, in order to allow cooking fumes to escape outside the room.

[0075] Obviously, those skilled in the art can make numerous modifications to the above variants for the purpose of satisfying unforeseen and specific requirements, all of which therefore fall within the scope of protection as defined in the following claims. The present disclosure also includes the following inventions. The first aspect is In the cooking stove (1), The cooking stove (1) a body (2) configured to act as a support for cooking activities, the body (2) having an upper surface (21) and a lower surface (22); At least one cooking area (3) located on the top surface (21) of the body (2); an intake port (4) formed on the upper surface (21); a suction means (5) arranged in fluid communication with the suction port (4) and configured to suck in cooking smoke; The suction means (5) includes a motor fan (51) having a rotation axis (XX), The motor fan (51) extends along the rotation axis (XX) between a first end (511) and an opposite second end (512), In the cooking stove (1), the suction means (5) is configured to split the cooking smoke into a first portion and a second portion of cooking smoke directed to a first end (511) and a second end (512) of the motor fan (51), respectively. The cooking stove (1) is characterized in that the rotation axis (XX) exists in a plane parallel to the upper surface (21). The second aspect is the suction means (5) comprises a first suction duct (52) and a second suction duct (53) fluidly connected to the suction port (4) and the first end (511) and the second end (512) of the motor fan (51), respectively; the hydrodynamic resistance of the first suction duct (52) is approximately equal to the hydrodynamic resistance of the second suction duct (53); In a first aspect of the cooking stove (1), the motor fan (51) is configured to suck in the first portion of the cooking smoke through the first suction duct (52) and the second portion of the cooking smoke through the second suction duct (53). The third aspect is The cooking stove (1) is a cooking stove (1) in a second aspect, which comprises a pair of cover casings (6) connected to each other to form a housing (61), the motor fan (51) is arranged in the housing (61), and the pair of cover casings (6) form the first suction duct (52) and the second suction duct (53). The fourth aspect is In a third aspect of the cooking stove (1), the motor fan (51) comprises an electric motor and an impeller, and the impeller comprises a first half (51a) and a second half (51b) disposed at a first end (511) and a second end (512) of the motor fan (51), respectively. The fifth aspect is The cooking stove (1) is a cooking stove (1) according to any one of the second to fourth aspects, comprising an operating unit (7) for the operation of the cooking stove (1), for the control of the cooking stove (1) and for the outflow of cooking steam through the first suction duct (52) and the second suction duct (53), the operating unit (7) being configured to accommodate at least one heating element capable of heating the at least one cooking area (3) and command and control electronics of the cooking stove (1), and being arranged below the body (2) of the cooking stove (1). The sixth aspect is The cooking stove (1) of the fourth and fifth aspects, wherein the cover casing (6) is arranged and restrained below the operating unit (7), and at least one of the cover casings (6) is reversibly restrained to the operating unit (7) so as to be able to reach the motor fan (51). A seventh aspect is The cooking stove (1) is the cooking stove (1) according to any one of the third to sixth aspects, and includes a first filter group (8a) and a second filter group (8b) arranged in the housing (61) upstream of the first suction duct (52) and the second suction duct (53), respectively, so as to filter grease and steam present in the first and second parts of the cooking smoke. The eighth aspect is In the seventh aspect of the cooking stove (1), the first filter group (8a) and the second filter group (8b) each comprise a grease filter comprising a metal grid and an activated carbon filter. A ninth aspect is The cooking stove (1) of the seventh and eighth aspects, wherein the suction means (5) comprises a suction chamber (54) fluidly connected to the suction port (4), the suction chamber (54) has a first air outlet (541) and a second air outlet (542) fluidly connected to the first suction duct (52) and the second suction duct (53), respectively, and the first filter group (8a) and the second filter group (8b) are arranged at the first air outlet (541) and the second air outlet (542), respectively. A tenth aspect is This is a cooking stove (1) according to any one of the third to ninth aspects, wherein the cover casing (6) forms an exhaust outlet (62) that is fluidly connected to the motor fan (51) when restrained, and the suction means (5) is configured to exhaust the cooking smoke through the exhaust outlet (62).

Claims

1. In the cooking stove (1), The cooking stove (1) a body (2) configured to act as a support for cooking activities, the body (2) having an upper surface (21) and a lower surface (22); at least one cooking area (3) located on the top surface (21) of the body (2); a suction port (4) formed on the upper surface (21); a suction means (5) arranged in fluid communication with the suction port (4) and configured to suck in cooking smoke containing grease and steam; The suction means (5) comprises a motor fan (51) having a rotation axis (X-X), The motor fan (51) extends along the rotation axis (X-X) between a first end (511) and an opposite second end (512); the suction means (5) comprises a first suction duct (52) and a second suction duct (53) fluidly connected to the suction port (4) and the first end (511) and the second end (512) of the motor fan (51), respectively; The suction means (5) is configured to divide the cooking smoke into a first portion and a second portion of the cooking smoke directed to a first end (511) and a second end (512) of the motor fan (51), respectively, and the motor fan (51) is configured to suck the first portion of the cooking smoke through the first suction duct (52) and the second portion of the cooking smoke through the second suction duct (53); The rotation axis (X-X) lies in a plane parallel to the upper surface (21), A cooking stove (1) in which the hydrodynamic resistance of the first suction duct (52) is approximately equal to the hydrodynamic resistance of the second suction duct (53), The cooking stove (1) a pair of cover casings (6) connected to each other to form a housing (61), the motor fan (51) being disposed in the housing (61), and the pair of cover casings (6) forming the first suction duct (52) and the second suction duct (53); a first filter group (8a) and a second filter group (8b) arranged in the housing (61) upstream of the first suction duct (52) and the second suction duct (53), respectively, so as to filter grease and steam present in the first and second portions of the cooking smoke.

2. 2. The cooking stove (1) of claim 1, wherein the motor fan (51) comprises an electric motor and an impeller, the impeller comprising a first half (51a) and a second half (51b) disposed at a first end (511) and a second end (512) of the motor fan (51), respectively.

3. 2. The cooking stove (1) according to claim 1, further comprising an operating unit (7) for operation of the cooking stove (1), for control of the cooking stove (1) and for the outflow of steam separated from the cooking smoke through the first suction duct (52) and the second suction duct (53), the operating unit (7) being configured to accommodate at least one heating element capable of heating the at least one cooking area (3) and command and control electronics of the cooking stove (1), and the operating unit (7) being arranged below the body (2) of the cooking stove (1).

4. The cooking stove (1) comprises an operating unit (7) for the operation of the cooking stove, for the control of the cooking stove and for the outflow of steam separated from the cooking smoke through the first suction duct (52) and the second suction duct (53), the operating unit (7) being configured to accommodate at least one heating element capable of heating the at least one cooking area (3) and command and control electronics of the cooking stove (1), and being arranged below the body (2) of the cooking stove (1); The cooking stove (1) comprises a pair of cover casings connected to each other to form a housing, the motor fan is disposed in the housing, and the pair of cover casings form the first suction duct and the second suction duct; 3. The cooking stove (1) according to claim 2, wherein the cover casing (6) is arranged and restrained below an operating unit (7), and at least one of the cover casings (6) is reversibly restrained to the operating unit (7) so as to be able to reach the motor fan (51).

5. The cooking stove (1) 2. The cooking stove (1) according to claim 1, comprising a pair of cover casings connected to each other to form a housing, the motor fan being arranged in the housing, the pair of cover casings forming the first suction duct and the second suction duct.

6. 6. Cooking stove (1) according to claim 5, wherein the first filter group (8a) and the second filter group (8b) each comprise a grease filter comprising a metal grid and an activated carbon filter.

7. A cooking stove (1) as described in claim 5, wherein the first filter group (8a) and the second filter group (8b) each comprise a grease filter having a metal grid and an activated carbon filter, the suction means (5) comprises a suction chamber (54) fluidly connected to the suction port (4), the suction chamber (54) has a first outlet (541) and a second outlet (542) fluidly connected to the first suction duct (52) and the second suction duct (53), respectively, and the first filter group (8a) and the second filter group (8b) are arranged at the first outlet (541) and the second outlet (542), respectively.

8. 2. The cooking stove (1) of claim 1, wherein the cover casing (6) forms an exhaust outlet (62) that is in fluid communication with the motor fan (51) when restrained, and the suction means (5) is configured to exhaust the cooking smoke through the exhaust outlet (62).

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