Household appliance for cooking dishes provided with a hob and a downdraft hood

Abstract

The present invention relates to a household appliance (1) for cooking dishes extending along a height direction (Z-Z), a width direction (X-X), and a depth direction (Y-Y), and comprising: - a hob (2) provided with at least one suction opening (21) for cooking fumes and extending mainly along the width and depth direction (X-X, Y-Y), - a downdraft hood (3) having: - a box-like body (4) arranged below the hob (2) along the height direction (Z-Z) and defining a suction chamber (A) placed in fluid communication with the suction opening (21) of the hob (2); - a suction unit (5) arranged at least partially in the box-like body (4) so as to be in fluid communication with the suction chamber (A) and provided with a discharge duct (50) having a discharge mouth (51) arranged externally to the box-like body (4), said suction unit (5) further comprising an impeller (52) rotatable around a rotation axis (R-R) to generate a suction flow of cooking fumes (F) directed along a fluid-dynamic path (P) extending from the suction opening (21) of the hob (2) to the discharge mouth (51) of the discharge duct (50). Characteristic of the present invention is that the discharge duct (50) is rotatably mounted on the box-like body (4) around an orientation axis (O-O) so as to be able to vary the orientation of the discharge mouth (51), and has a volute (53) configured to convey the suction flow from the impeller (52) to the discharge mouth (51) regardless of the angular position of the discharge duct (50) around the orientation axis (O-O).

Description

[0001] Title: "Household appliance for cooking dishes provided with a hob and a downdraft hood"

[0002] DESCRIPTION

[0003] Technical Field

[0004] The present invention relates to a household appliance for cooking dishes that finds useful application in the kitchen equipment sector, according to the preamble of claim 1.

[0005] State of the art

[0006] Suction hobs have long been known, that is, equipment for cooking food that combines a hob and a suction hood in a single household appliance.

[0007] This type of equipment has a suction opening made on the hob in the vicinity of the food cooking regions, and a suction unit fluid-dynamically connected to the suction opening to generate a suction flow directed from the suction opening to the discharge duct.

[0008] It should be noted that the orientation of the discharge duct, in particular the discharge mouth thereof, varies both with the installation mode of the hood (suction / filter) and with the shape and arrangement of the kitchen cabinet in which the suction hood is installed.

[0009] For example, for the installation of the suction hob in islands and with hood in filtering mode, the orientation of the discharge mouth with vertical axis is typically required to direct the aspirated flow towards the lower region of the island from which it is expelled, for example, through the lower plinth

[0010] On the contrary, for the installation of the suction hob with hood in suction mode and in a cabinet support on a wall provided with a chimney for the discharge of cooking fumes, the orientation of the discharge mouth with a horizontal axis is typically required so that it can be easily connected to the chimney.

[0011] To meet the different installation conditions, the manufacturers of suction hobs, for each model they have in their catalogue, are therefore forced to design, produce and store at least a first version with a horizontally oriented discharge mouth and at least a second version with a vertically oriented discharge mouth. This inevitably increases the design, manufacturing and storage costs of the range of suction hobs.

[0012] In the sector for the production of household appliances for cooking dishes, there is therefore a need to expand the versatility of installation of household appliances for cooking dishes, in particular suction hobs.

[0013] Object of the invention

[0014] In this context, the technical task underlying the present invention is to propose a household appliance for cooking dishes which overcomes the drawbacks of the prior art mentioned above.

[0015] In particular, an object of the present invention is to provide a household appliance for cooking dishes, in particular provided with a hob and a hood for the suction of cooking fumes, having good versatility for installation.

[0016] More specifically, it is an object of the present invention to provide a household appliance for cooking dishes that can be installed in different types of kitchen cabinets (e.g. islands, peninsulas, wall types) and different use configurations (e.g. with the hood in filter or suction mode).

[0017] A further object of the present invention is to provide a household appliance for cooking dishes that is compact, in particular in height, in order to maximize the usable space inside the kitchen cabinet in which it is integrated. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0018] In accordance with the present invention, the technical task indicated and the specified objects are achieved by a household appliance for cooking dishes in accordance with one or more of the claims below.

[0019] In particular, the present invention proposes to provide a household appliance for cooking dishes in which the discharge duct of the downdraft hood is rotatable and provided with a volute configured to convey the suction flow from the impeller to the discharge mouth regardless of the angular position of the discharge duct.

[0020] It should be noted that the rotation of the discharge duct allows the orientation of the discharge mouth to be changed according to the specific installation needs of the household appliance. Therefore, advantageously, by varying the orientation of the discharge duct it is possible to install the household appliance that is the object of the present invention in different installation configurations (e.g. islands, peninsulas, wall cabinets, and with hoods in filter or suction mode).

[0021] It is therefore evident that the household appliance that is the object of the present invention makes it possible to overcome the limits in versatility of installation of the known suction hobs.

[0022] LIST OF FIGURES

[0023] Further features and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the illustrative, and therefore non-limiting, description of preferred, yet not exclusive, embodiments of a household appliance for cooking dishes, as illustrated in the appended figures, in which:

[0024] - figure 1 shows a perspective view from above of a household appliance according to the present invention.

[0025] - figure 2a shows a side view of the household appliance of figure 1 in a second operating configuration;

[0026] - figure 2b shows a side sectional view of the household appliance of figure 1 in its first operating configuration;

[0027] - figure 3 a shows a side view of the household appliance of figure 1 in a second operating configuration;

[0028] - figure 3b shows a side sectional view of the household appliance of figure 1 in the second operating configuration;

[0029] - figure 4a shows a perspective view from below of the household appliance of figure 1 in the first operating configuration;

[0030] - figure 4a shows a perspective view from below of the household appliance of figure 1 in the second operating configuration;

[0031] - figure 5a shows a perspective view from below of the household appliance of figure 1 in the first operating configuration with some components in section to better show some internal construction details;

[0032] - figure 5b shows an enlargement of some details of figure 5a;

[0033] - figure 6a shows a perspective view from below of the household appliance of figure 1 in the second operating configuration with some components in section to better show some internal construction details;

[0034] - figure 6b shows an enlargement of some details of figure 6a;

[0035] - figure 7a shows a front sectional view of the household appliance of figure 2a conducted along the section plane A- A;

[0036] - figure 7b shows an enlargement of some first details of figure 7a;

[0037] - figure 7c shows an enlargement of some second details of figure 7a;

[0038] - figure 8a shows a front sectional view of the household appliance of figure 3a conducted along the sectional plane B-B with filters in mounted position;

[0039] - figure 8b shows an enlargement of a detail of figure 8a, - figure 8c shows a front sectional view of the household appliance of figure 3a conducted along the section plane B-B with a filter in a partially disassembled position;

[0040] - figure 8d shows an enlargement of a detail of figure 8c;

[0041] - figure 9 shows a perspective exploded view of the household appliance of figure 1.

[0042] DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0043] The object of the present description is a household appliance for cooking dishes, indicated by 1 in the attached figures.

[0044] With reference to figure 1, the household appliance 1 extends along a height direction Z-Z, a width direction X-X, and a depth direction Y-Y, which define a three- dimensional Cartesian reference system, specifically tri -orthogonal. The height, width and depth directions Z-Z, X-X, Y-Y are therefore oriented perpendicularly with respect to each other.

[0045] In particular, again with reference to figure 1, the household appliance 1 extends along the depth direction Y-Y between a front portion la and a rear portion lb, along the width direction X-X between a pair of opposite side portions 1c, and along the height direction Z-Z between an upper portion Id and a lower portion le.

[0046] The household appliance 1 is configured to be recessed in a kitchen cabinet (not shown in the figures) comprising at least one drawer suitable for containing crockery and kitchen utensils. The aforementioned width, depth, and height directions X-X, Y-

[0047] Y, Z-Z extend respectively along the directions conventionally used to measure the height, width, and depth of furnishing elements.

[0048] In particular, the household appliance 1 is configured to be arranged between an upper (or top) level of the kitchen cabinet and the drawer along the height direction Z-

[0049] Z. It should therefore be noted that, once the dimensions of the kitchen cabinet are fixed, the height capacity of the drawer is influenced by the extension in the height direction Z-Z of the household appliance 1 which, therefore, it is important to contain as much as possible.

[0050] The household appliance 1 comprises a hob 2, i.e. a kitchen appliance having one or more cooking regions adapted to receive containers containing dishes to be heated or cooked on a support. For the purposes of the present invention, the hob 2 can be of any type such as, for example, gas, electric, induction or hybrid.

[0051] With reference to figures 2a, 2b, 3a, and 3b, the hob 2 is arranged in the upper portion Id of the household appliance and extends mainly along the width X-X and depth Y-Y directions. In particular, the hob 2 extends along the width direction X-X between the side portions 1c of the household appliance 1, and along the depth direction Y-Y between the front portion la and the rear portion lb.

[0052] Furthermore, still with reference to figures 2a, 2b, 3a, and 3b, the hob 2 extends along the height direction Z-Z between a support portion 2a arranged to support food containers and a bottom portion 2b opposite the support portion 2a.

[0053] In use, when the household appliance 1 is recessed in the kitchen cabinet, the support portion - for example, identified by a plate 20 - is oriented orthogonally to the height direction Z-Z and abuts on the upper level (top) of the kitchen cabinet or is housed in a special recess so as to be "flush" with said upper level.

[0054] The hob 2 has at least one suction opening 21 for cooking fumes, i.e. an opening through which a suction flow can be generated, adapted to capture the cooking fumes from the containers containing the dishes being cooked.

[0055] In the embodiment shown in figure 8a, the suction opening 21 is embodied in a through hole that crosses the plate 20 along the height direction Z-Z.

[0056] It should be specified that the suction opening 21 can have any geometry and arrangement on the hob 2. In the embodiment shown in the attached figures, the suction opening 21 is arranged in a central region of the hob 2 and has a quadrangular geometry, however, in alternative embodiments, the suction opening 21 could be located in other regions of the hob 2, such as, for example, in peripheral regions, and / or have non-quadrangular geometries.

[0057] According to one aspect, the hob 2 comprises a closing element 22 configured to selectively open and close the suction opening 21, for example, by making a rotation about a hinge axis I-I.

[0058] With reference to figure 8c, the hinge axis I-I preferably lies in what will hereinafter be defined as the midplane M-M.

[0059] The household appliance 1 also comprises a downdraft hood 3, i.e. a suction apparatus configured to generate a suction flow directed from above downwards through the suction opening 20.

[0060] With reference to figures 4a and 4b, the downdraft hood 3 comprises a box-like body 4 arranged below the hob 2 along the height direction Z-Z.

[0061] The box-like body 4 preferably extends along the height direction Z-Z from the bottom portion 2b of the hob 2 to which it can be anchored.

[0062] According to one aspect, the box-like body 4 is arranged in the lower portion le of the household appliance 1, i.e. on the opposite side with respect to the hob 2 along the height direction Z-Z.

[0063] In use, when the household appliance 1 is recessed in the kitchen cabinet, the box-like body 4 is arranged internally of the kitchen cabinet and, therefore, its size influences the capacity, in particular in the height direction Z-Z, of the aforementioned drawer.

[0064] According to one aspect, the box-like body 4 extends mainly in the width and depth directions X-X, Y-Y. That is, the box-like body 4 has a thickness in the height direction Z-Z less than its extension in the width and depth directions X-X, Y-Y. According to an aspect shown in figure 8c, the box-like body 4 has an outer surface 4a symmetrical with respect to a midplane M having the width direction X-X as its axis (i.e. the midplane M extends in the directions of height Z-Z and depth Y- Y). This, advantageously, allows the drawer top to be regularised so that kitchen equipment with greater dimensions can be stored in any of the opposite peripheral portions (right and left portion) of the drawer. The symmetry of the external surface 4a of the box-like body 4 therefore makes it easier for the user to arrange the kitchen equipment in the drawer.

[0065] The box-like body 4 defines a suction chamber A placed in fluid connection with the suction opening 21 and the hob 2. The box-like body 4 is therefore hollow and its inner portion (suction chamber A) is accessible through the suction opening 21 of the hob 2.

[0066] According to an aspect shown in figures 7a and 8a, the box-like body 4 defines in the suction chamber A a first suction duct 41 and a second suction duct 42 arranged on opposite sides of the suction opening 21 along the width direction X-X. Each duct fluid-dynamically connects the suction opening 21 with the suction unit 5 and, preferably, extends mainly along the depth direction Y-Y.

[0067] In the embodiment of figure 8a, the box-like body 4 defines a branch region D, arranged downstream of the suction opening 21, in which the fluid-dynamic path P branches into a first and second flow Pl, P2 that flow respectively into the first and second suction ducts 41, 42. In the branch region D, the suction flow F is then supplied to the first and second suction ducts 41, 42.

[0068] Preferably, the branch region D is arranged below the suction opening 21 along the height direction Z-Z.

[0069] According to one aspect, the branching region D and / or the first and second suction ducts 41, 42 define at least part of the suction chamber A. With reference to figures 2b, 3b, 5a and 6a, the downdraft hood 3 also comprises a suction unit 5 arranged at least partially in the box-like body 4 so as to be in fluid communication with the suction chamber A. Therefore, as will appear more clearly from the following, the actuation of the suction unit 5 makes it possible to generate a depression in the suction chamber A that leads to the formation of the suction flow F through the suction opening 21 of the cooking hob 2.

[0070] It should be noted that the arrangement of the suction unit 5 in the box-like body 4 and, therefore, in the suction chamber A, makes it possible to reduce the overall size of the household appliance 1, in particular in the height direction Z-Z. Advantageously, this increases the useful volume of the kitchen cabinet in which the household appliance is recessed, making it possible, for example, to store a larger number of kitchen utensils or tools of larger dimensions.

[0071] The suction unit 5 is provided with a discharge duct 50 having a discharge mouth 51 arranged outside the box-like body 4 (i.e. outside the suction chamber A). In use, after having sequentially passed through the suction opening 21 of the cooking hob 2 and the suction chamber A, the suction flow F is expelled from the downdraft hood 3 through said discharge mouth 51.

[0072] It should be specified that, when the household appliance 1 is arranged in the kitchen cabinet, the downdraft hood can be installed both in a suction configuration and in a filtering configuration. In the suction configuration, the discharge duct 50 is fluid-dynamically connected to a chimney (not shown in the figures) for exhausting cooking fumes to the environment outside the kitchen room; otherwise, in the filtering configuration, the discharge duct 50 delivers the suction flow F to the kitchen cabinet itself or directly to the environment in which the household appliance is located.

[0073] With reference to figures 2b, 3b, 5a, 6a and 7a, the suction unit 5 comprises an impeller 52 that can be operated in rotation around an axis of rotation R-R to generate the suction flow F of the cooking fumes directed along a fluid-dynamic path P. As illustrated in figures 2a and 2b, the fluid-dynamic path P extends from the suction opening 20 of the cooking hob 2 to the discharge duct 33, passing through the suction chamber A. More details on the fluid-dynamic path P carried out by the suction flow will be provided in a subsequent part of the description.

[0074] According to an aspect, the impeller 32 is of the centrifugal type, i.e. configured to receive the suction flow F axially (in the direction from the rotation axis R-R) and release it radially (transversely, in particular orthogonally, to the rotation axis R-R).

[0075] In the embodiment shown in the attached figures, the impeller 52 is arranged in the rear portion le of the household appliance 1. More specifically, preferably, the impeller 52 is arranged in a rear region of the box-like body 4 along the depth direction Y-Y.

[0076] According to one aspect, the impeller 52 is at least partially, but preferably totally, internally arranged in the box-like body 2. In other words, according to one aspect, the impeller 52 is at least partially, but preferably totally, arranged internally in the suction chamber A along the directions of height Z-Z, width X-X, and depth Y- Y. Advantageously, this makes it possible to minimise the overall dimensions, in particular in the height direction, of the household appliance 1.

[0077] In addition, in the embodiment shown in the attached figures, the rotation axis R-R is directed perpendicularly to the height direction Z-Z, in particular parallel to the width direction X-X.

[0078] In alternative embodiments, the rotation axis R-R may be directed parallel to the depth direction Y-Y.

[0079] With reference to the embodiment of figure 7a in which the box-like body 4 defines said first and second suction ducts 41, 42, the impeller 52 extends along the width direction X-X between a first portion 52a operatively associated with the first duct 41 and a second portion 52b, opposite to the first, operatively associated with the second suction duct 42. In such an embodiment, the actuation of the impeller 52 about the axis of rotation R-R causes the first and second portions 52a, 52b of the impeller 52 to respectively generate said first and second flows Pl, P2 in the first and second suction ducts 41, 42.

[0080] As can be seen from figures 4a and 4b, the discharge duct 50 is rotatably mounted on the box-like body 4 about an orientation axis 0-0 so as to be able to vary the orientation - and, therefore, the arrangement - of the discharge mouth 51. That is, the discharge duct 50 can assume different angular positions around the orientation axis 0-0 with respect to the box-like body 4.

[0081] According to one aspect, the discharge duct 50 is rotatably mounted on the boxlike body 4 around the orientation axis 0-0 so as to be able to continuously vary the orientation of the discharge mouth 51. In other words, according to one aspect, the discharge duct 50 is mounted on the box-like body 4 so as to be rotatable around the orientation axis 0-0 so that the discharge mouth 51 can assume an infinite number of orientations.

[0082] During the installation of the household appliance 1, by rotating the discharge duct 50 around the orientation axis 0-0, the operator is able to adapt the household appliance 1 to the installation conditions (e.g. suction / filter hood, and type of kitchen cabinet) of the case in question.

[0083] According to one aspect, the discharge duct 50, rotating around the orientation axis 0-0, is switchable between a first operating configuration, in which the discharge mouth 51 has an axis L-L directed horizontally (e.g. along the width direction X-X or depth direction Y-Y), and a second operating configuration, in which the discharge mouth 51 has the axis L-L directed vertically (i.e. along the height direction Z-Z).

[0084] The first operating configuration is typically (not necessarily) used to install the household appliance 1 with the hood in suction mode and in kitchen cabinets resting on a wall with a chimney for exhausting cooking fumes. Otherwise, the second operating configuration is typically (not necessarily) used to install the household appliance in a filtering configuration, for example, in islands or peninsulas.

[0085] It should be specified that the discharge duct 50 can assume infinite intermediate operating configurations between the first and the second operating configuration, in which the discharge mouth 51 has the axis L-L inclined, i.e. in an intermediate position between horizontal and vertical.

[0086] As shown in figures 2b and 3b, the discharge duct 50 also has a volute 53 that extends (at least partially) around the impeller 52. This volute 53 is configured to convey the suction flow from the impeller 52 to the discharge mouth 51, regardless of the angular position of the discharge duct 50 around the orientation axis O-O.

[0087] It should be specified that, upon rotation of the discharge duct 50 about the orientation axis O-O, the volute 53 changes its angular position with respect to the box-like body 4 together with the discharge mouth 51.

[0088] According to one aspect, the discharge mouth 51 is arranged on an end portion 53c (spout) of the volute 53 arranged externally to the box-like body 4 and, in particular, externally to the suction chamber A.

[0089] Preferably, the volute 53 extends, at least partially, around the orientation axis 0-0 and / or the rotation axis R-R of the impeller 52.

[0090] With reference to the embodiment shown in figures 2b, 3b, 4a, and 4b, the boxlike body 4 has a seat 46, accessible by means of a mounting opening 46a, in which the impeller 52 is arranged and the discharge duct 50 is rotatably mounted. In detail, with particular reference to figures 2b and 3b, the volute 53 has a first section 53i arranged internally to the seat 46 so as to surround the impeller 53, and a second section 53ii arranged externally to the seat 46 bearing the discharge mouth 51. The first and second sections 53i, 53 ii vary their definition and extension to the rotation of the volute

[0091] 53 around the orientation axis O-O.

[0092] Preferably, the seat 46 is arranged in the rear region of the box-like body 4 along the depth direction Y-Y and the mounting opening 46a extends perpendicularly to the depth direction Y-Y.

[0093] In the embodiment shown in the attached figures, the orientation axis 0-0 of the discharge duct 50 coincides with the rotation axis R-R of the impeller 52 and is directed transversely to the vertical direction Z-Z. However, in alternative embodiments, the orientation axis 0-0 of the discharge duct 50 may be directed parallel to the rotation axis R-R of the impeller 52.

[0094] In particular, again with reference to the embodiment shown in the attached figures, the orientation axis 0-0 is directed parallel to the width direction X-X of the household appliance. However, in alternative embodiments, the orientation axis 0-0 may be directed parallel to the depth direction Y-Y.

[0095] The suction unit 5 comprises a motor 54 configured to rotate the impeller 41 about the rotation axis R-R.

[0096] According to an aspect shown in figures 5b, 6b, and 7a, the motor 54 is mounted on the discharge duct 50, preferably on the volute 53, so as to be integral in rotation with the discharge duct 50 around the orientation axis 0-0. The discharge duct 50 is thus configured to support the motor 54 and the impeller 52.

[0097] It should be noted that the mounting of the motor 54 on the volute 53 is particularly advantageous since it allows the household appliance to be constructively simplified by avoiding the arrangement of motor supports on the box-like body 4. In addition, the mounting of the motor 54 on the volute 53 makes it possible to prevent any mechanical interference between the volute 53 and the motor 54 upon rotation of the discharge duct 50 around the orientation axis 0-0. In the embodiment shown in figures 5b and 5b, the motor 54 is mounted on the volute by means of a flange 54a attachable to the volute 53 by connecting means (e.g. bolts) and provided with a plurality of prongs 54b to which the motor 54 is anchored.

[0098] According to an aspect shown in figure 7a and detailed in figures 7b and 7c, the box-like body 4 has a pair of guide portions 40a, 40b that extend around the orientation axis 0-0 and spaced apart by a gap I along the width direction X-X. It should however be specified that in alternative embodiments to those shown in the attached figures, the gap I can space apart the guide portions 40a, 40b along the depth direction Y-Y.

[0099] Still with reference to the embodiment shown in figures 7a-7c, the volute 53 of the discharge duct 50 is (at least partially) arranged in the gap I and is rotatably engaged by opposite parts with the pair of guide portions 40a, 40b so as to be able to rotate around the orientation axis 0-0 with respect to the box-like body 4.

[0100] In detail, the volute 53 preferably comprises a pair of sliding walls 53e, for example, arranged at its opposite end portions, each of which is operatively associated with a respective guide portion 40a, 40b so as to be able to slide on the latter around the orientation direction 0-0 to change the orientation of the discharge duct 50.

[0101] In the embodiment shown in figures 7b and 7c, the sliding portions 53e extend around the orientation axis 0-0 so as to be coaxially mounted on the respective guide portions 40a, 40b.

[0102] According to a further aspect shown in figure 7a and detailed in figures 7b and 7 c, each guide of the pair of guides 40a, 40b defines a shoulder 48 directed transversely to the orientation axis 0-0 and against which a respective abutment portion 53d of the volute 53 abuts. Preferably, said shoulders 48 delimit the cavity I along the width X- X or depth Y-Y direction from opposite parts, depending on the embodiments.

[0103] It should be noted that the shoulders 48 allow the pair of guides 40a, 40b to retain the volute 53 from opposite sides along the direction defined by the orientation axis 0-0 which, in the embodiment of the attached figures, is oriented parallel to the width direction X-X.

[0104] Preferably, the abutment portions 53d extend transversely to the direction defined by the orientation axis 0-0 and the sliding portions 53e project from the respective abutment portions 53d along the latter direction.

[0105] According to an aspect shown in figure 7a, the volute 53 extends along the width direction X-X between a first suction mouth 53a, operatively associated (i.e. arranged in correspondence) with the first portion 52a of the impeller 52 and placed in fluid connection with the first suction duct 41, and a second suction mouth 53b, operatively associated (i.e. arranged in correspondence) with the second portion 52b of the impeller 52 and placed in fluid connection with the second suction duct 42.

[0106] In use, each suction mouth 53a, 53b conveys a respective flow Pl, P2 from the respective suction duct 41, 42 to the respective portion 52a, 52b of the impeller 52.

[0107] Preferably, the first and second suction mouths 53a, 53b have the adjustment axis 0-0 as an axis and, therefore, extend perpendicularly to the direction identified by the adjustment axis 0-0.

[0108] Further, preferably, each suction mouth 53a, 53b is axially symmetrical with respect to the adjustment axis 0-0. Advantageously, this allows the position of the suction mouths 53a, 53b with respect to the box-like body 4 and the impeller 52, and therefore the fluid-dynamic behaviour of the household appliance 1, to be unchanged when the discharge duct 50 is rotated around the orientation axis 0-0.

[0109] According to an aspect shown in figure 9, the box-like body 4 has a main body 44 and a peripheral portion 45 removable from the main body 44. In detail, when mounted on the main body 44, the peripheral portion 45 defines with the main body 44 a housing L in which is housed a control electronics (not shown in the figures) configured to command the drive of the impeller 52 about the rotation axis R-R. With reference to figures 8a and 8c, the household appliance 1 comprises a filter unit 6, configured to filter greases and / or odours present in the cooking fumes, arranged along the fluid-dynamic path P between the suction opening 21 and the suction unit 5,

[0110] It should be specified that, whatever the placement of the filter unit 4, the arrangement must be such as to guarantee that the entire suction flow is filtered so that the suction unit 5 processes the filtered suction flow. This allows the integrity and efficiency of the components of the suction unit 5 to be preserved over time.

[0111] In the embodiment shown in figures 8a and 8c, the filter unit 6 comprises at least first filter means 6a configured to filter the first flow Pl (i.e. the portion of the suction flowF directed towards the first suction duct 41) and second filter means 6b configured to filter the second flow P2 (i.e. the portion of the suction flow F directed towards the second suction duct 42).

[0112] Preferably, the first and second filter means 6a, 6b divide the branching region D respectively from the first and second suction ducts 41, 42. That is to say that the first and second filter means 6a, 6b are arranged at the interface between the branching region D and a respective suction duct 41, 42.

[0113] In particular, preferably, the first and second filter means 6a, 6b delimit the branch region D from opposite parts along the width direction X-X. However, in alternative embodiments, the first and second filter means 6a, 6b could delimit the branch region D from opposite parts along the length direction Y-Y.

[0114] According to one embodiment, both the first and second filter means 6a, 6b comprise a grease filter - for example, made of one or more metal grilles - configured to remove at least part of the grease from the cooking fumes contained in the suction flow F.

[0115] According to a further embodiment, both the first and the second filter means 6a, 6b comprise, in addition to the respective grease filter, also an odour filter, for example, with activated carbon.

[0116] If the first and second filter means 6a, 6b also comprise an odour filter, the latter may either be a separate filter element and arranged downstream of the grease filter or, alternatively, the odour filter may also be integrated into a single filter element with the grease filter.

[0117] It should be specified that grease filters and odour filters are filtering elements known to the person skilled in the art and, therefore, will not be described further.

[0118] With reference to the embodiment shown in figures 8b and 8d, the box-like body 4 has at least one filter support portion 43 arranged at the suction opening 21 so as to be accessible through the latter and having a concave seat 43 a.

[0119] Still with reference to the embodiment shown in figures 8b and 8d, the filter unit 6 comprises at least one filter 60 - which, for example, can belong to the aforementioned first or second filter means 6a, 6b - provided with a mounting edge 61 configured to be rotatably engaged in the concave seat 43 a to allow mounting / dismounting operations of the filter 60.

[0120] Preferably, the mounting edge 61 has a curved (rounded) shape that is rotatable in the concave seat 43a so that it can be easily rotated in the latter.

[0121] Preferably, the concave seat 43a has a cylindrical shape and the mounting edge 61 also has a cylindrical shape that can be inserted into the hollow seat 43a so as to be rotatable.

[0122] In accordance with one aspect, the filter 60 is rotatable in the concave seat 43a about its prevailing extension direction.

[0123] According to a further aspect, the concave seat 43a extends mainly along the depth direction Y-Y or the width direction X-X and the mounting edge 61 of the filter 60, when engaged in the concave seat 43a, is rotatable therein around the prevailing extension direction of the concave seat 43 a.

[0124] The mounting edge 61, by rotating in the concave seat 43 a, switches the filter 60 between a mounted position (Fig. 8a) and a dismounting / mounting position (Fig. 8d).

[0125] In the mounted position, the filter 60 has the mounting edge 61 engaged in the concave seat 43 a and a fixing edge 62, opposite to the mounting edge 61, engaged with a fixing portion 47 of the box-like body 4.

[0126] In the dismounting / mounting position, the filter 60 has the mounting edge 61 engaged in the concave seat 43a and the fixing edge 62 free and facing the suction opening 21 of the hob 2. In the extraction position, the fixing edge can be easily and firmly grasped by the user to extract the filter 60 through the latter or to bring the filter 60 into the mounted position.

[0127] With reference to figures 8b and 8d, it should be noted that in the mounted position the filter 60 has a first inclination XI with respect to the height direction Z-Z. Otherwise, in the extraction position, the filter 60 has a second inclination X2 with respect to the height direction Z-Z which, in absolute value, is greater than the first inclination XI.

[0128] It should be specified that if the filter 60 has a substantially planar conformation (as in the embodiment shown in figures 8a and 8c), its inclination with respect to the height direction Z-Z is calculated taking as a reference the prevailing extension plane of the filter. If this is not possible, the inclination of the filter 60 with respect to the height direction Z-Z is calculated by taking as a reference a plane passing through both the mounting edge 61 and the fixing edge 62.

[0129] It should be specified that in the embodiment of figures 8a and 8c in which the filter unit comprises first and second filter means 6a, 6b, the box-like body 4 has a pair of filter support portions 43 of the type described above, arranged on opposite sides of the branch region D along the width direction X-X (or depth Y-Y), and configured to support respective filter means 6a, 6b, each of which comprises the filter 60.

[0130] Still with reference to the embodiment shown in figures 8a and 8c, it should be specified that the filters 60 engaged with the respective filter support portions 43 are switchable from the mounted position to the dismounting / mounting position (and vice versa) by means of rotations in opposite directions.

[0131] It is clear that a person skilled in the art will be able to make numerous equivalent modifications to the variants set forth above, without thereby departing from the scope of protection as defined by the appended claims.

Claims

CLAIMS1. Household appliance (1) for cooking dishes extending along a height direction (Z- Z), a width direction (X-X), and a depth direction (Y-Y) defining a three-dimensional Cartesian reference system, said household appliance (1) comprising:- a hob (2), extending mainly along the width and the depth directions (X-X, Y-Y), having a suction opening (21) for cooking fumes,- a downdraft hood (3) comprising:- a box-like body (4) arranged below the hob (2) along the height direction (Z- Z) and defining a suction chamber (A) placed in fluid communication with the suction opening (21) of the hob (2);- a suction unit (5) arranged at least partially in the box-like body (4) so as to be in fluid communication with the suction chamber (A) and provided with a discharge duct (50) having a discharge mouth (51) arranged externally to the box-like body (4), the suction unit (5) comprising an impeller (52) operable in rotation around a rotation axis (R-R) to generate a suction flow of cooking fumes (F) directed along a fluiddynamic path (P) extending from the suction opening (21) of the hob (2) to the discharge mouth (51) passing through the suction chamber (A),- a filter unit (6), configured to filter greases and / or odours present in cooking fumes, arranged along the fluid-dynamic path (P) between the suction opening (21) and the suction unit (5), characterised in that:- the discharge duct (50) is rotatably mounted on the box-like body (4) around an orientation axis (O-O) so as to be able to vary the orientation of the discharge mouth (51);- the discharge duct (50) has a volute (53) extending around the impeller (52), saidvolute (53) being configured to convey the suction flow from the impeller (52) to the discharge mouth (51) regardless of the angular position of the discharge duct (50) around the orientation axis (O-O).

2. Household appliance (1) according to claim 1, wherein:- the suction unit (5) comprises a motor (54) configured to set in rotation the impeller (41) around the rotation axis (R-R);- the motor (54) is mounted on the discharge duct (50) so as to be integral in rotation with the discharge duct (50) around the orientation axis (O-O).

3. Household appliance (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the orientation axis (O-O) of the discharge duct (50) coincides with or is directed parallel to the rotation axis (R-R) of the impeller (52) and is directed transversely to the vertical direction (Z-Z).

4. Household appliance (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein:- the box-like body (4) has a pair of guide portions (40a, 40b) extending around the orientation axis (O-O) and spaced apart by a gap (I) along the width (X-X) or depth (Y-Y) direction;- the volute (53) of the discharge duct (50) is at least partially arranged in the gap (I) and rotatably engaged on opposite sides with said pair of guide portions (40a, 40b) around the orientation axis (O-O).

5. Household appliance (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the impeller (52) is arranged in a rear region of the box-like body (4) in the depth direction (Y-Y).

6. Household appliance (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein:- the box-like body (4) defines in the suction chamber (A) a first suction duct (41) and a second suction duct (42) which are arranged on opposite sides of the suction opening (21) along the width direction (X-X) and fluidically joining the suction opening (21) with the suction unit (5);- the impeller (52) extends along the width direction (X-X) between a first portion (52a) operatively associated with the first duct (41) and a second portion (52b), opposite to the first portion (52a), operatively associated with the second suction duct (42).

7. Household appliance (1) according to claim 6, wherein the volute (53) extends along the width direction (X-X) between:- a first suction mouth (53 a) associated with the first portion (52a) of the impeller (52) and placed in fluid connection with the first suction duct (41), said first mouth (53a) having the adjustment axis (O-O) as an axis;- a second suction mouth (53b) associated with the second portion (52b) of the impeller (52) and placed in fluid connection with the second suction duct (42), said second mouth (53b) having the adjustment axis (O-O) as an axis.

8. Household appliance (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein:- the box-like body (4) has at least one filter support portion (43) arranged at the suction opening (21) so as to be accessible through the suction opening (21), said filter support portion (43) having a concave seat (43a);- the filter unit (6) comprises at least one filter (60) removably mountable on the support portion (43) and having a mounting edge (61) configured to be rotatablyengaged in the concave seat (43a) to allow mounting / dismounting operations of the filter (60).

9. Household appliance (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein: - the box-like body (4) has a main body (44) and a removable peripheral portion (45), said peripheral portion (45) when mounted on the main body (44) defining with the main body (44) a housing (L);- the suction unit (5) comprises control electronics configured to command the operation of the impeller (52) around the rotation axis (R-R), said control electronics being arranged in said housing (L).

10. Household appliance (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the box-like body (4) has an outer surface (4a) symmetrical with respect to a midplane (M) having the width direction (X-X) as an axis.

11. Household appliance (1) according to claim 10, wherein the hob comprises a closing element (22) rotatable about a hinging axis (I-I) for selectively closing and opening the suction opening (21), said hinging axis (I-I) lying in said midplane (M).

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