Hob apparatus

Abstract

The invention relates to a hob apparatus, in particular an induction hob apparatus, comprising a support plate (10), a fume extraction unit (12) arranged below the support plate (10), and a cooling air fan unit (14) which has a cooling air fan wheel (18) which can be rotated about an axis of rotation (16) and which suctions cooling air (20) parallel to the axis of rotation (16) in at least one operating state. In order to advantageously further develop an apparatus of the type in question, it is proposed for the axis of rotation (16) to be arranged in a plane parallel to the support plate (10).

Description

[0001] Cooktop device

[0002] The present invention relates to a cooktop device according to claim 1 and a cooktop comprising a cooktop device according to claim 13.

[0003] A cooktop with an integrated extractor hood located below the cooktop surface is known from the prior art. This cooktop also includes a cooling fan unit for cooling the cooktop's electronic components. A requirement for this type of cooktop is to keep the overall installation height as low as possible despite the integrated extractor hood.

[0004] The invention is based, in particular but not limited to, the objective of advantageously further developing a generic device. This objective is achieved by the features of claims 1 and 13, while preferred embodiments and further developments of the invention can be found in the dependent claims and the description.

[0005] The invention relates to a cooktop device, in particular an induction cooktop device, with a base plate, with a ventilation unit arranged below the base plate and with a cooling air blower unit, which has a cooling air blower wheel rotatable about a rotational axis and which draws in cooling air parallel to the rotational axis in at least one operating state.

[0006] It is proposed that the axis of rotation be arranged in a plane parallel to the mounting plate, thereby providing an advantageous further development of the cooktop device. In particular, this allows the vertical and vertical installation space requirements to be kept advantageously small.

[0007] The cooktop device can be a part, preferably a sub-assembly, of a cooktop and can, in particular, constitute the entire cooktop. Alternatively, the cooktop device can be designed as a system comprising a cooktop and the mounting plate, which in this case could be a kitchen worktop. The cooktop can be any type that would be suitable to a person skilled in the art, for example, a gas cooktop, a radiant cooktop, and / or, preferably, an induction cooktop. Accordingly, the cooktop device can be designed as a gas cooktop device, a radiant cooktop device, and / or an induction cooktop device.

[0008] The stand is designed for placing cooking utensils on for cooking purposes. The stand can be designed as a worktop, in particular a kitchen worktop. Alternatively, the stand can be designed as a cooktop surface, which may be part of a cooktop. The stand can be largely made of a glass and / or ceramic material, in particular glass-ceramic, and / or any material that would be considered suitable by a person skilled in the art. The stand can have markings to indicate heating zones and / or touch-sensitive controls.

[0009] The base plate has at least one extraction opening through which the extractor unit can draw cooking fumes and / or vapors from a cooking area located above the base plate and transport them to an area below the base plate. The extraction opening can be located centrally in the base plate with respect to its width and / or depth. The base plate can have several extraction openings spaced apart within the base plate, with, for example, each cooking zone or group of cooking zones having its own extraction opening.

[0010] The extractor hood is designed to extract cooking fumes and / or steam from the cooking area. For this purpose, the extractor hood comprises at least one extractor fan, which is designed to extract the cooking fumes and / or steam from the cooking area, particularly via the extractor vent, and then expel the cooking fumes and / or steam from an outer housing of the cooktop. The outer housing may accordingly have an exhaust vent for the removal of the cooking fumes and / or steam. It would be particularly conceivable for the extractor hood to also have several extractor fans, for example, two. The extractor hood may include a filter unit for filtering the cooking fumes and / or steam, whereby the filter unit could be arranged below the extractor vent. The filter unit is preferably removable and, more preferably, cleanable, preferably in a dishwasher.

[0011] The extractor hood unit can have at least one closing element, for example in the form of a partially retractable flap, for at least partially closing the extraction opening. In particular, it would be conceivable for the extractor hood unit to have two closing elements that together close the extraction opening, for example in the form of partially retractable flaps.

[0012] The cooling air blower unit is designed to provide cooling air for cooling at least one electronic unit, in particular a power electronics assembly, and / or at least one heating unit, in particular an induction heating unit, of the cooktop device. The cooling air blower unit is particularly preferably designed to provide cooling air for all components of the cooktop requiring cooling.

[0013] The phrase "the axis of rotation is arranged in a plane parallel to the mounting plate" should be understood in particular to mean that the axis of rotation is aligned parallel to a principal extension plane of the mounting plate.

[0014] In this context, a "principal extension plane" of an object is understood to be a plane that is aligned parallel to a largest side face of a smallest imaginary cuboid that just surrounds the object, with the plane passing in particular through the center of the cuboid.

[0015] The phrase "to a large extent" should be understood to mean at least 60%, in particular at least 70%, and preferably at least 80%.

[0016] The terms "above," "below," "lateral direction," and "depth direction" each refer to the usual installation position of the cooktop assembly and / or the cooktop itself. These terms are to be understood in particular with respect to the direction of gravity. The terms "perpendicular" or "parallel" are intended here and in the following to describe not only a perfectly perpendicular or parallel alignment, but also to include deviations due to manufacturing and / or assembly tolerances and / or deviations of no more than 10°, in particular no more than 5°, and preferably no more than 2°.

[0017] The term "intended" means specifically designed, equipped, and / or programmed. The phrase "a unit is intended to perform a specific function" means that the unit actually performs this function in at least one operating state.

[0018] Furthermore, it is proposed that the cooktop assembly have an outer housing element which has at least one air inlet opening for supplying cooling air to the cooling fan wheel, and in the immediate vicinity of which the cooling fan wheel is arranged. This allows for a space-saving arrangement. In particular, with regard to the length of the mounting plate, space can remain next to the cooling fan wheel for other components of the cooktop assembly.

[0019] The outer housing element can be part of the aforementioned outer housing. The outer housing, together with the mounting plate, in particular the cooktop plate, can completely enclose a compartment of the cooktop device and / or the cooktop. The outer housing element has, in particular, a main extension plane which, in a mounted state, is preferably oriented perpendicular to the main extension plane of the mounting plate.

[0020] Advantageously, the cooling air blower unit features a blower housing that contacts the outer housing element and is preferably attached to it. This allows for a particularly compact design. Furthermore, it simplifies installation and enables favorable airflow conditions.

[0021] The blower housing includes a bearing unit for supporting the cooling air blower wheel and defining its axis of rotation. Preferably, the blower housing has at least one fastening element, such as a screw hole, a threaded bore, and / or a locking element, for attachment to the outer housing element.

[0022] Furthermore, it is proposed that the cooling air blower unit expels the cooling air perpendicular to the axis of rotation during operation, thereby achieving particularly favorable flow conditions. In particular, the supply of cooling air to certain components of the cooktop device can be advantageously simplified.

[0023] The blower housing may have a cooling air outlet from which the cooling air can be expelled from the blower housing.

[0024] Furthermore, it is proposed that the extractor fan unit, viewed parallel to the axis of rotation, overlaps at least partially with the cooling air fan wheel. This allows for advantageous use of installation space, as the extractor fan unit and the cooling air fan wheel can be arranged side by side.

[0025] The statement that "the extractor unit, viewed parallel to the axis of rotation, overlaps at least partially with the cooling air blower wheel" should be understood in particular to mean that the extractor unit has at least one element which, viewed parallel to the axis of rotation, overlaps at least partially with the cooling air blower wheel.

[0026] Advantageously, the extractor hood unit has an exhaust duct unit which, viewed parallel to the axis of rotation, overlaps at least partially with the cooling air blower wheel, thereby achieving a particularly advantageous use of installation space, since the cooling air blower wheel and the exhaust duct unit can be arranged next to each other.

[0027] The exhaust duct unit can connect to the aforementioned extraction recess or to the extraction recesses in the mounting plate, so that the cooking fumes and / or vapors from behind the extraction recess(s) enter the exhaust duct unit directly. The closing element(s) can be arranged within the exhaust duct unit, preferably in an inlet area of ​​the exhaust duct unit. The filter unit can be arranged within the exhaust duct unit, particularly to achieve effective filtration and / or purification of the cooking fumes and / or vapors.

[0028] If the extractor unit has at least one extractor fan wheel which, viewed parallel to the axis of rotation, overlaps at least partially with the cooling air fan wheel, the use of installation space can be further improved, since the cooling air fan wheel and the extractor fan wheel can be arranged next to each other.

[0029] The extractor fan wheel is preferably part of the aforementioned extractor fan. The extractor unit can have several extractor fan wheels, each of which, viewed parallel to the axis of rotation, can at least partially overlap with the cooling air fan wheel. The extractor fans and / or the extractor fan wheels can be connected in series and / or preferably in parallel for aerodynamic purposes. Preferably, one or more axes of rotation of the extractor fan wheel are oriented perpendicular to the mounting plate. Preferably, in the case of multiple extractor fan wheels, their axes of rotation are aligned parallel to each other.

[0030] The exhaust duct unit preferably leads to the extractor fan wheel and / or wheels. The extractor unit can have an extractor fan housing in which the extractor fan wheel or wheels are rotatably mounted, with the exhaust duct unit leading to this extractor fan housing. Alternatively, the exhaust duct unit can have a dedicated extractor fan housing for each of the extractor fan wheels, to which the exhaust duct unit can lead.

[0031] Furthermore, it is proposed that the cooktop device includes a power electronics assembly whose circuit board is aligned parallel to the mounting plate. This allows for a significantly reduced vertical and / or vertical installation space requirement.

[0032] The power electronics assembly is preferably an electronic assembly with at least one power electronic component, for example, a rectifier diode or a power switch, preferably a semiconductor power switch, such as an IGBT or a MOSFET. The power electronics assembly is specifically designed to provide electrical power to at least one heating unit, preferably an induction heating unit, and particularly preferably to provide electrical power to all heating units, preferably induction heating units, of the cooktop. The power electronics assembly can also include a power supply unit for powering other consumers, for example, a control unit of the cooktop device. Furthermore, the power electronics assembly can include an operating electronics unit for a user interface.

[0033] In a preferred embodiment of the invention, it is proposed that the power electronics assembly, viewed parallel to the axis of rotation, is arranged at least partially and preferably completely between the mounting plate and the cooling air fan wheel. This allows for favorable utilization of the installation space.

[0034] Preferably, the power electronics assembly is arranged above the cooling air fan wheel. When viewed perpendicularly to the main plane of the mounting plate, the power electronics assembly is preferably arranged at least partially overlapping with the cooling air fan wheel, thereby achieving particularly favorable use of installation space.

[0035] Advantageously, the power electronics assembly has at least one heat sink which is located in close proximity to a cooling air outlet, in particular the aforementioned cooling air outlet of the cooling air fan unit, thereby achieving particularly effective cooling. Specifically, it is possible to direct the cooling air directly behind the cooling air fan impeller to the heat sink.

[0036] The minimum distance between the cooling air outlet and the heat sink can be at most 6 cm, in particular at most 4 cm, and most preferably at most 2 cm. Furthermore, it is proposed that at least a large proportion of the electronic components, and preferably all electronic components of the power electronics assembly, are mounted on the side of the circuit board facing away from the mounting plate. The power electronics assembly can therefore be mounted "upside down," which further optimizes cooling and / or the airflow pattern.

[0037] Advantageously, the cooktop device includes an air guide unit, which preferably contacts the power electronics assembly and is designed to direct and / or distribute cooling air over the power electronics assembly. This allows for particularly effective cooling.

[0038] The air guide unit can be formed in one piece. The air guide unit can be made of plastic. The air guide unit can be attached to the power electronics assembly, and in particular to its printed circuit board. Preferably, the air guide unit forms at least a partial air duct for guiding the cooling air. The air guide unit can form the air duct together with the printed circuit board, in which case the air guide unit can form a circumferentially open duct which can be closed circumferentially by the printed circuit board. The air duct can be branched, for example in the form of a T-junction. The air duct can deflect the cooling air at least partially, for example by an angle of at least 30°, in particular by at least 45°, preferably by at least 60°, and most preferably by 90°. The heat sink can be arranged within the air duct.

[0039] The devices, systems, and methods disclosed herein are not limited to the application and embodiment described above. In particular, they may, to achieve a functionality described herein, comprise a different number of individual elements, components, units, and process steps than those specified herein. Furthermore, values ​​within the specified limits of the value ranges stated herein are also considered disclosed and freely usable.

[0040] It is specifically pointed out that all features and properties described in relation to a device, as well as methods, are transferable analogously to processes and usable within the scope of the invention and are considered to be jointly disclosed. The same applies in reverse. This means that structural, i.e., device-related, features mentioned in relation to processes can also be considered, claimed, and likewise included in the disclosure within the scope of the device claims.

[0041] The present invention is described below by way of example with reference to the accompanying figures. The drawing, the description, and the claims contain numerous features in combination. A person skilled in the art will expediently consider the features individually and use them meaningfully in combination within the scope of the claims.

[0042] If more than one instance of a particular object exists, only one of them may be identified with a reference symbol in the figures and description. The description of this instance can then be applied to the other instances of the object. If objects are named using numerical terms, such as first, second, third object, etc., these serve to identify and / or classify objects. Thus, for example, a first object and a third object, but not a second object, may be included. However, numerical terms could also indicate a number and / or sequence of objects.

[0043] They show:

[0044] Fig. 1 shows a cooktop with a cooktop device comprising a ventilation unit arranged below a mounting plate in a perspective view,

[0045] Fig. 2 shows the hob in a side sectional view,

[0046] Fig. 3 shows a part of the hob device with a power electronics assembly, a cooling air blower unit and an air guide unit in a first perspective view,

[0047] Fig. 4 shows the part of the hob device in a second perspective view,

[0048] Fig. 5 shows the part of the hob device in a first side view, Fig. 6 shows the part of the hob device in a second side view and

[0049] Fig. 7 shows the cooling air blower unit and the air guide unit in a perspective view.

[0050] Figure 1 shows a cooktop with a cooktop attachment. The cooktop is designed as an induction cooktop, and the cooktop attachment is accordingly designed as an induction cooktop attachment. The cooktop attachment includes a support plate 10 for cookware. In this case, the support plate 10 is designed as a cooktop surface, which preferably consists largely of glass-ceramic. In alternative embodiments, the support plate 10 could also be designed as a kitchen worktop.

[0051] The cooktop device has a plurality of heating units (not shown) arranged below the base plate 10 and designed for heating cookware placed on it. In this case, the heating units are designed as induction heating units for inductive heating of the cookware. Alternatively, however, any other heating units that would be suitable to a person skilled in the art would also be conceivable, for example, radiant heating units.

[0052] In this case, the heating units define cooking zones for placing cookware. Alternatively, the heating units could also provide a continuous, variable heating area, in which case the cooking zones could be dynamically adjusted by a control unit of the cooktop device depending on the cookware placed on it.

[0053] The cooktop device has a ventilation unit 12 arranged below the mounting plate 10, which is designed to extract cooking fumes and / or vapors from an area above the mounting plate 10. For this purpose, the mounting plate 10 has a ventilation opening 42 through which the cooking fumes and / or vapors can be transported from the area above the mounting plate 10 to an area below the mounting plate 10.

[0054] In this case, the extraction recess 42 is elongated and located in a central area of ​​the mounting plate 10. However, other shapes and / or positions of the extraction recess 42 would also be conceivable. Furthermore, the mounting plate 10 could also have several extraction recesses 42, for example, one for each cooking zone or one for each group of cooking zones.

[0055] Figure 2 shows the cooktop in a side sectional view. The extractor hood 12 has an exhaust duct unit 28, which connects to the extractor recess 42 below it and leads to an extractor fan 46 of the extractor hood 12.

[0056] The extractor fan 46 has an extractor fan housing 52 in which at least one extractor fan wheel 30 of the extractor fan 46 is arranged. In this case, the extractor fan 46 has two extractor fan wheels 30, 31, which are arranged side by side in the extractor fan housing 52 and are fluidically connected in parallel. The axes of rotation of the extractor fan wheels 30, 31 are arranged parallel to each other and perpendicular to the mounting plate 10.

[0057] The extractor fan 46 expels the cooking fumes and / or vapors below the mounting plate 10 into a dedicated channel (not shown).

[0058] The extractor hood unit 12 has two filter units 44, 45 for oils and / or fats. The filter units 44, 45 are arranged within the exhaust duct unit 28.

[0059] The cooktop device includes a power electronics assembly 32, which is arranged below the mounting plate 10. The power electronics assembly 32 is intended, among other things, to supply power to the heating elements and includes power electronic components, such as rectifiers and / or inverters, which must be cooled during operation. For this purpose, the cooktop device includes a cooling fan unit 14 and an air guide unit 40.

[0060] The power electronics assembly 32, the cooling air blower unit 14, and the air guide unit 40 are shown in Figures 3 to 7 in an assembled arrangement relative to each other: Figures 3 and 4 show two different perspective views, whereas Figures 5 and 6 show two side views. In the perspective view of Figure 7, the power electronics assembly 32 is omitted. The cooling air blower unit 14 has a cooling air blower wheel 18 rotatable about a pivot axis 16 (see Figures 2 and 3), which is mounted in a blower housing 26 of the cooling air blower unit 14. In at least one operating state, the cooling air blower unit 14 draws in cooling air 20 parallel to the pivot axis 16. The pivot axis 16 is arranged in a plane parallel to the mounting plate 10 (see Figure 2).

[0061] The cooktop device has an outer housing 48 (see Figures 1 and 2), which, together with the mounting plate 10, defines a compartment for the cooktop. The outer housing 48 is attached below the mounting plate 10 in a known manner. The outer housing 48 has an outer housing element 22, which has at least one wall section oriented perpendicular to the mounting plate 10. In this wall section, the outer housing element 22 has at least one air inlet opening 24 for supplying cooling air 20 to the cooling air fan 18. The cooling air fan 18 is located in close proximity to the outer housing element 22. The fan housing 26 contacts the outer housing element 22. The fan housing 26 can be attached to the outer housing element 22.

[0062] Viewed parallel to the axis of rotation 16, the extractor unit 12, namely the exhaust duct unit 28 and / or the extractor fan 46, in particular the extractor fan wheels 30, 31 and / or the extractor fan housing 52, overlaps at least partially with the cooling air blower unit, in particular the blower housing 26 and / or the cooling air blower wheel 18.

[0063] The power electronics assembly 32 comprises a printed circuit board 34, which is aligned parallel to the mounting plate 10. Viewed parallel to the axis of rotation 16, the power electronics assembly 32 is located between the mounting plate 10 and the cooling air fan wheel 18 and the fan housing 26. At least a large proportion of the electronic components of the power electronics assembly 32 are attached to the printed circuit board 34 on the side facing away from the mounting plate 10.

[0064] The cooling air blower unit 14 is designed to expel the cooling air 20 perpendicular to the axis of rotation 16 during operation. For this purpose, the blower housing 26 has a cooling air outlet 38, which, when mounted, is directed towards the mounting plate 10 (see Figures 2, 3, and 5). The power electronics assembly 32 has a heat sink 36, which is located near the cooling air outlet 38 (see Figure 5). The heat sink 36 is attached to the circuit board 34 on the side facing away from the mounting plate 10. In this particular design, the power electronics assembly 32 comprises only a single heat sink 36. However, alternative configurations would also allow for a larger number of heat sinks 36.

[0065] The heat sink 36 is covered by the air guide unit 40 (see Figures 3 to 7). The air guide unit 40 is designed to direct and distribute the cooling air 20 over the power electronics assembly 32.

[0066] The air guidance unit 40 is made of plastic. The air guidance unit 40 is designed as a single-piece element.

[0067] The air guide unit 40, together with the circuit board 34, is designed to form a circumferentially closed ventilation duct 70 in which the heat sink 36 is arranged. The air guide unit 40 can be attached to the circuit board 34 (not shown).

[0068] The air guidance unit 40 has webs 54, 56, 58, 60, 62 (see Figure 7). The webs 54, 56, 58, 60, 62 are each perpendicular to a base plate 50 of the air guidance unit 40. The air guidance unit 40 has a kink section 64, which is arranged between the base plate 50 and the web 62 and which is oriented at an angle to the base plate 50.

[0069] The base plate 50, the bend section 64, and the webs 54, 56, 58, 60, 62 define two intersecting T-shaped channel sections 66, 68. Channel section 66 leads from the cooling air outlet 38 to channel section 68. Channel section 68 is open at both ends and discharges the cooling air 20 at both ends. The heat sink 36 is located in channel section 66. The ventilation duct 70 is formed by channel section 66 in conjunction with the circuit board 34.

[0070] In its assembled state, the air guide unit 40 is arranged between the circuit board 34 and the fan housing 26 and / or the cooling air fan wheel 18 (see Figure 2). In the assembled state, the air guide unit 40 is located on the side of the circuit board 34 facing away from the mounting plate 10. Outside the duct sections 66, 68, the air guide unit 40 has receiving areas 72, 74 for receiving electronic components of the power electronics assembly 32.

[0071] The arrangement of components described herein, in particular the vertical arrangement of the cooling air blower unit 14 and its overlap with the exhaust air extraction unit 12, enables advantageous use of installation space. Furthermore, effective cooling can be achieved.

[0072] Reference sign

[0073] 10 Mounting plate

[0074] 12 Extractor hood unit

[0075] 14 Cooling air blower unit

[0076] 16 axis of rotation

[0077] 18 Cooling air blower wheel

[0078] 20 Cooling air

[0079] 22 Outer housing element

[0080] 24 Air intake opening

[0081] 26 blower housings

[0082] 28 Exhaust air duct unit

[0083] 30 extractor fan wheel

[0084] 31 Extractor fan wheel

[0085] 32 Power electronics assembly

[0086] 34 circuit board

[0087] 36 heat sinks

[0088] 38 Cooling air outlet

[0089] 40 Air guidance unit

[0090] 42 Deduction exemption

[0091] 44 filter units

[0092] 45 filter units

[0093] 46 extractor fans

[0094] 48 Outdoor enclosures

[0095] 50 Base plate

[0096] 52 extractor fan housings

[0097] 54 Bridge

[0098] 56 Bridge

[0099] 58 Bridge

[0100] 60 Bridge

[0101] 62 Bridge

[0102] 64 Bend section

[0103] 66 Canal section

[0104] 68 Channel section Ventilation duct Recording area Recording area

Claims

Claims 1. Hob device, in particular induction hob device, with a support plate (10) for cooking utensils, with a ventilation unit (12) arranged below the support plate (10) and with a cooling air blower unit (14) which has a cooling air blower wheel (18) rotatable about a pivot axis (16) and which draws in cooling air (20) parallel to the pivot axis (16) in at least one operating state, characterized in that the pivot axis (16) is arranged in a plane parallel to the support plate (10).

2. Hob device according to claim 1, characterized by an outer housing element (22) which has at least one air inlet opening (24) for supplying the cooling air (20) to the cooling air blower wheel (18) and in the immediate vicinity of which the cooling air blower wheel (18) is arranged.

3. Hob device according to claim 2, characterized in that the cooling air blower unit (14) has a blower housing (26) which contacts the outer housing element (22) and which is preferably attached to the outer housing element (22).

4. Hob device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the cooling air blower unit (14) emits the cooling air (20) perpendicular to the axis of rotation (16) in the operating state.

5. Hob device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the extractor unit (12), viewed parallel to the axis of rotation (16), overlaps at least partially with the cooling air blower wheel (18).

6. Cooktop device according to claim 5, characterized in that the extractor hood unit (12) has an exhaust air duct unit (28) which, viewed parallel to the axis of rotation (16), overlaps at least partially with the cooling air blower wheel (18).

7. Cooktop device according to claim 5 or 6, characterized in that the extractor unit (12) has at least one extractor fan wheel (30) which, viewed parallel to the axis of rotation (16), overlaps at least partially with the cooling air fan wheel (18).

8. Hob device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by a power electronics assembly (32) whose circuit board (34) is aligned parallel to the mounting plate (10).

9. Hob device according to claim 8, characterized in that the power electronics assembly (32), viewed parallel to the axis of rotation (16), is arranged at least partially between the mounting plate (10) and the cooling air fan wheel (18).

10. Cooktop device according to claim 8 or 9, characterized in that the power electronics assembly (32) has at least one heat sink (36) which is arranged in the vicinity of a cooling air outlet (38) of the cooling air blower unit (14).

11. Hob device according to one of claims 8 to 10, characterized in that at least a large proportion of the electronic components of the power electronics assembly (32) are attached to the circuit board (34) on a side of the mounting plate (10) facing away from the mounting plate.

12. Cooktop device according to one of claims 8 to 11, characterized by an air guidance unit (40) which is provided for directing and / or distributing the cooling air (20) over the power electronics assembly (32).

13. Cooking surface, in particular an induction cooking surface, with a cooking surface device according to one of the preceding claims.

Images