Oil collection device

Abstract

Provided is an oil collection device configured such that the height of the entire device is relatively low.　The oil collection device comprises: a housing 10 having a gas flow path A running between an intake suction port 21a which faces downward and a discharge port a21 which faces a direction intersecting the intake suction port 21a; and a grease collection unit 31 which collects oil from gas sucked in through the intake suction port 21a. The gas flow path A has a first flow path a1 which faces upward from the intake suction port 21a, and a second flow path a2 which connects with the downstream side of the first flow path a1 and which faces a direction intersecting the first flow path a1. Provided in the second flow path a2 are a damper device 34 for opening / closing the second flow path a2, and a blower 41 for forcibly conveying gas which has passed through the damper device 34 to the discharge port a21.

Description

Oil collection device

[0001] The present invention relates to an oil collection device including a range hood with an oil collection function, a ventilation device, and the like.

[0002] Conventionally, in this type of invention, for example, as described in Patent Document 1, there is a cooking ventilation device in which a rectifying plate, an oil collection filter, a fire damper, a blower, and an upward exhaust port are arranged above a downward hood opening. According to this cooking ventilation device, the air sucked into the hood opening passes through the rectifying plate, the oil collection filter, the fire damper, the blower, etc. on the way up, and is discharged upward from the exhaust port in a state where oil and the like have been removed.

[0003] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2021-12002

[0004] By the way, in the above prior art, since a fire damper, a blower, an exhaust port, etc. are arranged above the oil collection filter, the height of the entire device becomes large (or high). Therefore, installation may be difficult at a site with a low ceiling height or a site where other devices are installed on the ceiling side. That is, due to the need to provide a separation distance defined by laws and regulations, etc. between the heat source of the heating cooking appliance provided below and the lowermost part of the oil collection filter of the ventilation device, the dimensions in the height direction may be limited.

[0005] In view of such problems, one aspect of the present invention has the following configuration. A housing having a gas flow path between a downward suction port and an exhaust port intersecting the suction port, and a grease collection unit for collecting oil from the gas sucked from the suction port, the gas flow path having a first flow path extending upward from the suction port and a second flow path continuous with the downstream side of the first flow path and extending in a direction intersecting the first flow path, and a damper device for opening and closing the second flow path and a blower for forcibly transporting the gas that has passed through this damper device to the exhaust port are provided in the second flow path. This is an oil collection device characterized by this.

[0006] Since the present invention is configured as described above, the height of the entire device can be configured to be relatively low.

[0007] This is a perspective view of an example of an oil collection device according to the present invention, viewed from the upper right. This is a perspective view of the same oil collection device, viewed from the lower right. This is a perspective view of the same oil collection device, with the upper half of the housing etc. cut out to show the internal structure. This is a perspective view of the same oil collection device, with the upper half of the entire device cut out to show the gas flow path. This is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the main part of the oil collection device, with the front half cut out to show the internal structure. This is a longitudinal cross-sectional perspective view of the main part, showing the grease collection section, resistance plate and oil receiver etc. in enlargement. This is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the main part, showing the grease collection section, resistance plate and oil receiver etc. in enlargement, with the oil discharge path indicated by a dashed line. This is a side view of the grease collection section. This is a top view of the grease collection section. This is a bottom view of the grease collection section, showing the main part in enlargement. This is a perspective view of the oil collection device, viewed from the lower right, showing the state with the rectifier plate removed. This perspective view of the oil collection device, viewed from the lower right, shows the components from the rectifier plate to the grease collection section removed. This perspective view of the oil collection device, viewed from the upper right, shows the purification filter removed. This perspective view of the oil collection device, viewed from the upper right, shows the filter unit removed. This perspective view of the oil collection device, viewed from the upper right, shows the blower unit removed.

[0008] Next, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. The oil collection device 1 is installed in a room above cooking appliances such as stoves, suspended from the ceiling by suspension bolts or the like. This oil collection device 1 constitutes a circulating type range hood that sucks up oil fumes generated by cooking appliances, purifies them, and returns them to the room.

[0009] This oil collection device 1 comprises a housing 10 that contains a gas flow path A between a downward-facing suction port 21a and an outlet port a21 that is oriented substantially perpendicular to the suction port 21a, and a grease collection unit 31 that collects oil from the gas drawn in from the suction port 21a.

[0010] The gas flow path A is a continuous space from the suction port 21a to the discharge port a21, surrounded by the inner walls of the grease collection unit casing 35 of the grease collection unit 30 (described later), the blower unit casing 42 of the blower unit 40, the filter unit casing 51 of the filter unit 50, etc. The upstream side of this gas flow path A refers to the suction port 21a side, and the downstream side of the same gas flow path A refers to the discharge port a21.

[0011] This gas flow path A has a first flow path a1 that extends upward from the suction port 21a and passes through the grease collection section 31 within the housing 10, and a second flow path a2 that is downstream (above) the first flow path a1 and extends in a direction that intersects the first flow path a1 (approximately horizontal in the illustrated example), thus forming a continuous flow path (see Figure 4).

[0012] A grease collection section 31 of the grease collection unit 30 is provided in the first flow path a1. An oil receiver 21 is provided below the grease collection section 31, and an oil recovery section 22, a flow straightening plate 23, etc. are provided below the suction port 21a.

[0013] The second flow path a2 is equipped with a damper device 34 for the grease collection unit 30, a blower unit 40 that forcibly transports the gas that has passed through the damper device 34 to the outlet a21, a filter unit 50, and the like.

[0014] The second flow path a2 is a flow path that passes sequentially through the damper device 34, the blower 41, and the filter unit casing 51 of the filter unit 50 along a virtual plane intersecting the first flow path a1, and is formed to detour to one side in the width direction of the oil collection device 1 (in the example shown in Figure 4, the left side when viewing the oil collection device 1 from the front) and head toward the front outlet a21 (see Figure 4). Here, the "front side" is the side designed to be in the same direction as the front side of cooking equipment, etc., located below the oil collection device 1.

[0015] The housing 10 comprises a roughly horizontal plate-shaped partition 11 having an opening 11a (see Figure 12) in the approximate center when viewed from the bottom, a rectangular frame-shaped hood 12 with a hood opening 12a facing downwards so as to cover the perimeter of the partition 11, and left and right side panels 13, 14, left and right front panels 15, 16, a front cover 17, and an upper frame 18 that surround the space above the partition 11 in a roughly U-shape when viewed from above.

[0016] The partition 11 is constructed in the shape of a roughly rectangular plate, and has a rectangular opening 11a (see Figure 12) that penetrates vertically through its approximate center. The partition 11 in the illustrated example is formed from two metal plates with a gap between them vertically, and a structural material sandwiched between these metal plates, to have a predetermined thickness.

[0017] A roughly rectangular plate-shaped oil receiver 21 is detachably fitted into the opening 11a of the partition 11 via a frame material or the like.

[0018] The oil receiver 21 is formed to receive oil, moisture, etc. below the intake port 21a and is detachably attached to the partition portion 11 of the housing 10. More specifically, the oil receiver 21 comprises an inner wall portion 21b surrounding the periphery of the rotating filter 31a and the resistance plate 31b, an extended portion 21d extending inward from the lower end of the inner wall portion 21b, and a projection portion 21a1 projecting toward the rotating filter 31a from the inner edge end of the extended portion 21d, and is formed in a substantially rectangular plate shape in plan view.

[0019] The inner wall portion 21b protrudes upward from all four sides of the oil receiver 21, enclosing the rectangular bottom surface of the oil receiver 21 in a rectangular cylindrical shape. The upper end of this inner wall portion 21b is positioned higher than at least the outer circumference of the resistance plate 31b (see Figure 7).

[0020] The extended portion 21d is formed as a flat plate that extends from at least one end of the inner wall portion 21b on the rotating filter side or the resistance plate side (in the illustrated example, the lower end of the inner wall portion 21b) toward the center of the rotating filter 31a to the inner edge end which is circular in shape when viewed from above (see Figures 6 and 7).

[0021] In the illustrated example, the protruding portion 21a1 rises upward from the inner edge end of the extended portion 21d to form the suction port 21a.

[0022] The intake port 21a is a circular opening located approximately in the center of the bottom surface of the oil receiver 21, drawing in gas from below. It is formed in a bell-mouth shape that rises upward around its entire circumference. The inner diameter of this intake port 21a is smaller than the outer diameter of the rotating filter 31a and larger than the outer diameter of the resistance plate 31b. In other words, if the intake port 21a is larger than the rotating filter 31a, there is a possibility that gas containing oil mist will pass through without colliding with the rotating filter 31a. Also, if the intake port 21a is smaller than the resistance plate 31b, there is a problem of increased airflow resistance. In a preferred example of this embodiment, in order to prevent such problems, the inner diameter of the intake port 21a is set to an appropriate size as described above.

[0023] The oil accumulated in the oil receiver 21 with the above configuration flows out through an oil drain hole 21c formed near one side at the lower end of the inner wall portion 21b, is collected by the oil recovery section 22 below, and is discharged to the outside of the oil collection device 1 through the oil discharge pipe 22a of the oil recovery section 22.

[0024] Furthermore, a rectifier plate 23 is provided at intervals directly below the opening 11a of the partition 11. This rectifier plate 23 is formed in the shape of a rectangular plate that covers the opening 11a and is detachably attached to the lower surface of the partition 11 via a bracket or a locking / detaching member.

[0025] The hood 12 is a substantially cylindrical member that protrudes downward along the periphery of the partition portion 11. In the illustrated example, the hood 12 is formed from a plurality of sheet metal members into a relatively short rectangular tube shape in the vertical direction, and has a hood opening 12a at its lower end for drawing in air from below.

[0026] The gas drawn into the hood opening 12a and rising passes through the gap between the rectifier plate 23 and the partition 11, and further passes through the intake port 21a in the center of the oil receiver 21, and then through the holes 31a1 of the rotating filter 31a.

[0027] The upper part of the partition 11 is enclosed in a roughly box-like shape with openings at the top and rear by the left and right side panels 13, 14, left and right front panels 15, 16, front cover 17, and upper frame 18, etc.

[0028] The left and right side panels 13 and 14 are constructed as plates that rise upward from the left and right sides of the partition 11, respectively.

[0029] The front panels 15 and 16, spaced apart on the left and right, and the upper frame 18, which extends horizontally along their upper ends, are detachably attached to the left and right side panels 13 and 14 (see Figure 14).

[0030] The front cover 17 is positioned to close the space between the left and right front panels 15 and 16, and is detachably locked to the front surface of the filter unit 50, which will be described later. This front cover 17 is a rectangular plate-shaped member having a substantially rectangular outlet a21, and handles 17a are provided on the outer surfaces of both the left and right ends for gripping during attachment and detachment operations. As an alternative, the front cover 17 may be configured to open and close and rotate around a pivot axis on one side.

[0031] In the illustrated example, the outlet a21 is a rectangular opening located on the front side of the housing 10. The opening area of ​​this outlet a21 is set to be larger than the air outlet 41b of the blower 41, which will be described later. This configuration helps to suppress the flow velocity of the gas from the air outlet 41b to the outlet a21.

[0032] The upper frame 18 is positioned along the upper edges of the front panels 15, 16 and the front cover 17, and is detachably attached to the left and right side panels 13, 14 (see Figure 14).

[0033] The grease collection unit 30 comprises a grease collection section 31 that collects oil, moisture, dust, and other particles from the gas in the middle of a first upward-moving flow path a1, a motor 33 that drives and rotates the grease collection section 31 above it, a damper device 34 that opens and closes a second flow path a2 that extends laterally from the space above the grease collection section 31, and a grease collection unit casing 35 that covers the space above the grease collection section 31 and the damper device 34, and is configured as an integrated unit.

[0034] The grease collection unit 31 comprises a rotating filter 31a having holes 31a1 that allow the gas to pass upward, a resistance plate 31b on the side of the rotating filter 31a opposite to the suction side (upper side in the illustrated example) that acts as resistance to the gas passing through the holes 31a1, and a connecting hub 31c and a connecting sleeve 31d that connect the rotating filter 31a and the resistance plate 31b at the center, all of which are integrally rotatable (see Figure 8). This grease collection unit 31 is detachably mounted on the drive rotation shaft 33a of the motor 33.

[0035] The rotating filter 31a is configured in a roughly disc shape and has numerous holes 31a1 extending from its periphery to its center (see Figure 10), with a connecting hub 31c inserted through its center.

[0036] Each hole 31a1 is an elongated hole that inclins in the direction of rotation (clockwise in Figure 10) while moving toward the center of the rotating filter 31a. Multiple holes 31a1 are provided at predetermined intervals in the circumferential direction of the rotating filter 31a, and furthermore, multiple layers are provided at predetermined intervals in the radial direction of the rotating filter 31a. As the rotating filter 31a rotates, each hole 31a1 moves at high speed in the circumferential direction of the rotating filter 31a, causing oil, moisture, etc. contained in the gas attempting to pass through each hole 31a1 to come into contact with the inner edge of the hole 31a1 and be blown away.

[0037] The resistance plate 31b is formed in a circular flat shape and is mounted on the side of the connecting hub 31c opposite to the suction side of the rotating filter 31a (the upper side in the illustrated example), with a gap between it and the rotating filter 31a, so that it is close downstream to the holes 31a1 located closer to the center of the rotating filter 31a among the many holes 31a1 of the rotating filter 31a (see Figure 8).

[0038] The connecting hub 31c penetrates the center of the rotating filter 31a and the resistance plate 31b from below, and its upper end is connected to the drive rotating shaft 33a. This connecting hub 31c is a stepped cylindrical member with an enlarged lower end, and the rotating filter 31a and the resistance plate 31b are mounted in an annular manner above the enlarged portion.

[0039] The connecting sleeve 31d is mounted in a crown-like manner on the upper part of the connecting hub 31c, sandwiching the rotating filter 31a and the resistance plate 31b between it and the enlarged diameter portion of the lower part of the connecting hub 31c. This connecting sleeve 31d is detachable from the connecting hub 31c. By removing this connecting sleeve 31d from the connecting hub 31c, the rotating filter 31a and the resistance plate 31b can be separated (see Figure 8).

[0040] In the grease collection unit 31 with the above configuration, the resistance plate 31b acts as resistance to the gas passing through the hole 31a1 near the center. That is, the gas rising along the first flow path a1 inside the housing 10 has a higher flow velocity near the center than near the outer circumference. Therefore, if there were no resistance plate 31b, a large amount of oil mist and the like would flow relatively quickly near the center of the rotating filter 31a, but the peripheral speed near the center of the rotating filter 31a would be slower, resulting in a decrease in collection efficiency. However, in the grease collection unit 31 of this embodiment, the flat resistance plate 31b acts as resistance to the oil mist and the like flowing near the center of the rotating filter 31a, so the flow rate of oil mist and the like flowing near the outer diameter of the rotating filter 31a increases relatively. Therefore, oil, water, dust, and other particles contained in the oil mist and the like can be efficiently captured by the outer diameter portion of the rotating filter 31a, where the peripheral speed is higher.

[0041] Furthermore, in the grease collection unit 31 of this embodiment, the resistance plate 31b rotates integrally with the rotating filter 31a, so that oil and moisture captured by the rotating filter 31a, as well as oil and moisture that are not captured by the rotating filter 31a and adhere to the resistance plate 31b, can be blown out in the centrifugal direction. The blown-out oil and moisture hit the inner wall portion 21b of the oil receiver 21, flow downward, pass through the oil drain hole 21c to the oil recovery unit 22, and are discharged to the outside from the oil discharge pipe 22a of the oil recovery unit 22 (see Figure 7). Therefore, it is possible to prevent oil and moisture adhering to the rotating filter 31a and resistance plate 31b from dripping when rotation stops, etc., and contributing to external leakage.

[0042] In FIGS. 6 and 7, reference numeral 36 denotes a cover plate that prevents oil, moisture, etc. that have flown in the centrifugal direction from hitting the inner wall portion 21b and splashing. This cover plate 36 also functions as a member that regulates the height position of the oil receiver 21 so that the oil receiver 21 does not contact the rotary filter 31a. According to the illustrated example, this cover plate 36 is fixed to the inner surface of the grease collection unit casing 35, but it may be configured to be fixed to the upper end side of the inner wall portion 21b.

[0043] The motor 33 is an AC or DC electric motor, and includes a drive rotary shaft 33a extending in the vertical direction and a motor body 33b that drives and rotates the drive rotary shaft 33a on the upper end side of the peripheral wall of the gas flow path A.

[0044] The drive rotary shaft 33a penetrates a lower portion 35a of the upper wall in the grease collection unit casing 35 on the upstream side of the blower 41 described later. The gap formed by this penetration is blocked by a shield type bearing 37 annularly mounted on the drive rotary shaft 33a in the grease collection unit casing 35, a sealing material, and the like.

[0045] The motor body 33b is connected to the upper surface of the grease collection unit casing 35 via a motor bracket 33c. The motor bracket 33c is formed in a box shape that covers and supports the lower half side of the motor body 33b and is fixed to the outer wall surface of the grease collection unit casing 35. The motor bracket 33c is provided with through holes for flowing the gas around the motor body 33b to dissipate heat from the motor body 33b. According to this motor bracket 33c, the motor body 33b can be firmly fixed, heat dissipation of the motor body 33b can be promoted, and noise generated from the motor body 33b during driving of the motor 33 can be reduced.

[0046] In a preferred example of the present embodiment, the portion covered by the motor bracket 33c is only the lower half side of the motor body 33b so as not to impair the heat dissipation of the motor 33. However, as another example of this motor bracket 33c, it is also possible to adopt a configuration that covers substantially the entire motor body 33b.

[0047] The damper device 34 is a fire damper that prevents flames and smoke from flowing into the gas flow path A in the event of a fire. This damper device 34 includes a damper main body 34a that opens and closes a partition plate, and a temperature sensor 34b. When the sensed temperature of the temperature sensor 34b exceeds a predetermined value, it is controlled to close the partition plate of the damper main body 34a.

[0048] The damper main body 34a is located upstream of the second flow path a2 so as to open and close the second flow path a2, and is fixed to the housing 10 via a grease collection unit casing 35 or the like.

[0049] The temperature sensor 34b is provided near the damper device 34 in a space where the suction port 21a extends vertically upward. More specifically, this temperature sensor 34b is located substantially directly above the hole 31a1 near the outer diameter that is not covered by the resistance plate 31b in the rotary filter 31a, and is fixed near the suction port 21a in the damper main body 34a (see FIGS. 5 and 10). According to this configuration, since the temperature sensor 34b is located near the outer diameter of the rotary filter 31a where the gas flow rate is the highest, the temperature of the overheated gas can be well sensed by the temperature sensor 34b. Moreover, according to the above configuration, since the temperature sensor 34b is located in a space where the suction port 21a extends vertically upward on the outer contour of the damper main body 34a, it is possible to reach out and access the temperature sensor 34b from the suction port 21a, and it has excellent maintainability.

[0050] The grease collection unit casing 35 forms a substantially box-shaped gas flow path A that is open on the upstream side (lower side) and the downstream side (lateral side). It covers the space above the grease collection unit 31 and the damper device 34, and is fixed to the upper surface of the partition portion 11. According to a preferred example shown in FIG. 5, this grease collection unit casing 35 forms the upper wall constituting the gas flow path A in a stepped shape so as to be lower toward the upstream side, and secures a space S above the lower portion 35a of this upper wall. The motor main body 33b of the motor 33 is located in this space S.

[0051] As an alternative, it is also possible to lower the height of the lowered portion 35a of the upper wall even further than in the illustrated example, and shorten the drive rotating shaft 33a to create a lower-cost configuration. However, in this case, the height dimension of the gas flow path A becomes smaller, which may lead to excessive pressure loss, difficulty in maintaining the damper device 34, and the inability of the temperature sensor 34b to correctly detect a fire. Therefore, in a preferred example of this embodiment, the height of the lowered portion 35a of the upper wall of the grease collection unit casing 35 is set to be at least above the lower end of the opening of the damper device 34.

[0052] The blower unit 40 integrally comprises a blower 41 that forcibly transports the gas that has passed through the damper device 34 to the purification filter 52 and the outlet a21, and a blower unit casing 42 that covers the blower 41, and is detachably mounted on the upper surface of the partition portion 11 of the housing 10.

[0053] The blower 41 is an electric blower having a fan intake port 41a on one side of the axial direction of the rotating blades and an air outlet port 41b on the tangential side of the rotating blades, and is referred to as a sirocco fan or multi-blade fan.

[0054] The blower unit casing 42 is formed in a roughly rectangular box shape that covers the blower 41, with the fan intake port 41a and the air outlet port 41b exposed.

[0055] The blower unit 40 with the above configuration is mounted on the housing 10 with the fan intake 41a facing the outlet of the damper device 34 and the air outlet 41b facing the front.

[0056] The filter unit 50 integrally comprises a filter unit casing 51 located in front of (closer to the front of) the grease collection unit 30 and the blower unit 40, and a plurality of purification filters 52 that are detachably mounted inside the filter unit casing 51, and is detachably mounted to the housing 10.

[0057] The filter unit casing 51 is formed in a horizontally elongated box shape, having a rearward-facing opening 51a (see Figure 14) that communicates with the air outlet 41b, and a forward-facing opening 51b (see Figure 13) that communicates with the discharge port a21 and is used for removing and replacing the multiple purification filters 52.

[0058] A louver unit 51c is detachably attached to the opening 51b. The louver unit 51c has a louver 51c1 on one half in the width direction that communicates with the outlet a21 and changes the direction of airflow, and a closing plate portion 51c2 on the other half that closes the outlet opening of the purification filter 52 (see Figure 13).

[0059] The purification filter 52 is configured as a vertically oriented box shaped approximately perpendicular to the direction of gas flow. Multiple purification filters 52 are provided at intervals in the flow direction (X direction in the figure) within the filter unit casing 51. These multiple purification filters 52 purify the gas conveyed by the blower 41 and allow it to pass through.

[0060] Within the filter unit casing 51, a guide plate 51d is provided in the space upstream of the multiple purification filters 52 to redirect the gas flowing in from the air outlet 41b and guide it to the purification filters 52. Furthermore, within the filter unit casing 51, a guide plate 51e is provided downstream of the multiple purification filters 52 to redirect the gas that has passed through the multiple purification filters 52 and guide it to the discharge port a21.

[0061] The guide plates 51d and 51e are each formed in the shape of a plate inclined with respect to the direction of gas flow. These guide plates 51d and 51e may be part of the wall of the filter unit casing 51, or they may be separate plate materials from the filter unit casing 51. These guide plates 51d and 51e only need to have a shape that changes the direction of gas flow, and as an example other than the illustrated example, they may be formed in the shape of a concave curved surface that bends the direction of gas flow in a curved manner.

[0062] For the purification filter 52, for example, a smoke removal filter or a deodorizing filter may be used. A specific example of the smoke removal filter is one that uses a quasi-HEPA filter to remove smoke. Specific examples of the deodorizing filter include one that uses activated carbon to adsorb and remove odors contained in the air as air passes through it, and one in which a honeycomb structure filter made of ceramic material is coated with a deodorant, and the deodorant deodorizes the attached odor components.

[0063] The filter unit 50 with the above configuration is detachably mounted on the upper surface of the partition 11 of the housing 10, in front of the grease collection unit 30 and the blower unit 40.

[0064] The grease collection unit 30, blower unit 40, and filter unit 50 configured as described above have their casings in contact with each other, and gas is passed through openings formed in the walls on both sides where they are in contact. In other words, the space surrounded by the peripheral walls of the casings of each unit, and the space within the openings in the walls of adjacent casings, become the gas flow path A.

[0065] <Effects and Effects> In the oil collection device 1 with the above configuration, the grease collection unit 30, blower unit 40, filter unit 50, etc., are arranged in a substantially horizontal direction. Therefore, the overall height dimension of the oil collection device 1 can be made relatively small, and consequently, it can be installed relatively easily in various locations such as sites with low ceiling heights or sites where other equipment is installed on the ceiling side.

[0066] Furthermore, according to the oil collection device 1 described above, the gas drawn into the intake port 21a rises along the first flow path a1 inside the housing 10, as shown in Figure 4, and its flow direction is changed to a nearly horizontal lateral direction above the grease collection section 31. The gas then passes through the damper device 34, the blower 41, and multiple purification filters 52 along the second flow path a2 which detours to the left as shown in the figure, and its flow direction is changed to the front side before being blown out to the outside from the discharge port a21, which has a larger area than the blower outlet 41b of the blower 41. In this way, the oil collection device 1 changes the flow direction of the air drawn into the intake port 21a multiple times, passes through the purification filters 52, and then blows it out from the discharge port a21, which has a relatively large flow path area. Therefore, the flow velocity of the gas blown out from the discharge port a21 is suppressed, and the impact on objects and people near the discharge port a21 can be reduced. Furthermore, since the purification filter 52 also functions as a sound-absorbing mechanism to reduce the noise generated by the blower 41, it is possible to reduce noise such as the operating noise of the blower 41 that resonates into the room through the exhaust port a21.

[0067] Furthermore, as described above, the flow velocity of the gas discharged from the outlet a21 is reduced, which prevents the gas blown out from the outlet a21 from disrupting the gas flow from the cooking appliance below towards the hood opening 12a.

[0068] Furthermore, with the oil collection device 1 described above, since the motor body 33b of the motor 33 is located outside the gas flow path A, it is possible to satisfy the provisions of various laws and regulations concerning exhaust ducts and canopies attached to kitchen equipment. In other words, for oil collection devices and ventilation devices used for heating cookers, which are called kitchen equipment, it is sometimes required that electrical components (motor body 33b in this embodiment) be removed from the flow path portion called the canopy. However, with this embodiment, since the provisions of the above laws and regulations are satisfied, it becomes possible to introduce the oil collection device 1 equipped with a motor 33 and a rotary filter 31a, etc., even to kitchen equipment used for commercial purposes such as restaurants. Moreover, maintenance of the gas flow path A and the damper device 34 can be performed without the trouble of removing the motor 33 and the electrical wiring of the motor 33. In addition, since the motor body 33b is not contaminated with oil contained in the gas flow path A, safety is high and the maintenance cycle of the motor body 33b can be extended. Furthermore, since the number of obstacles in the gas flow path A can be reduced, air can flow smoothly through the gas flow path A.

[0069] Furthermore, the oil collection device 1 described above secures a space S for airflow above the motor 33, thereby promoting the cooling of the motor 33. In other words, if the device is simply placed outside the gas flow path A of the motor 33, the cooling effect of the gas flowing through the gas flow path A cannot be expected. Therefore, in a preferred example of this embodiment, a relatively large space S is secured above the motor 33 to prevent air heated by the heat generated by the motor 33 from becoming trapped (see Figure 5). In addition to this effect, the space S also functions as a maintenance space for the motor 33, and for example, the motor 33 can be removed by pulling it upwards along with the drive rotating shaft 33a.

[0070] Furthermore, according to the oil collection device 1 described above, the drive rotating shaft 33a of the motor 33 penetrates the peripheral wall of the grease collection unit casing 35 upstream of the blower 41. Therefore, if a gap occurs in the part of the drive rotating shaft 33a that penetrates due to a seal failure around the drive rotating shaft 33a, gas from outside the grease collection unit casing 35 will flow into the grease collection unit casing 35 through this gap. Thus, it is possible to prevent gas containing oil mist, etc., inside the grease collection unit casing 35 from leaking to the outside through the gap.

[0071] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 12, the lowered portion 35a of the grease collection unit casing 35 is positioned higher than the lower end of the damper device 34 and the temperature sensor 34b. Therefore, by removing the rectifier plate 23, oil recovery section 22, oil receiver 21, grease collection section 31, etc., the gas flow path A (specifically, the first flow path a1) upstream of the damper device 34 can be used as a workspace for maintenance, such as replacing the temperature sensor 34b or cleaning the damper device 34.

[0072] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 13, by removing the louver unit 51c, the purification filter 52 can be removed from the filter unit 50 and replaced.

[0073] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 14, by removing the front panels 15, 16, the upper frame 18, and the filter unit 50 from the housing 10, the gas flow path A between the blower 41 and the outlet a21 (more specifically, a part of the second flow path a2) can be used as a workspace for maintenance.

[0074] Furthermore, as shown in Figures 14 and 15, the space inside the housing 10 from which the filter unit 50 has been removed can be used to remove the blower unit 40 located at the back (rear side) of the housing 10 and pull it out towards the front. In the figures, reference numeral 43 denotes a handle used to grip the blower unit 40 for pulling it out.

[0075] Furthermore, since the oil collection device 1 of this embodiment has its mechanisms unitized, it is possible to change the combination of the grease collection unit 30, the blower unit 40, and the filter unit 50. Therefore, depending on the site conditions and the user's requests, it is possible to select a specification that only collects grease, a specification that collects grease and then exhausts it, or a circulation specification like the one in this embodiment, and according to this selection, the units 30, 40, and 50 can be appropriately combined and installed. Moreover, since the blower unit 40 and the filter unit 50 are removable as units, the specifications can be easily changed even after installation.

[0076] <Modification> In the above embodiment, the suction port 21a is an opening provided in the center of the oil receiver 21. However, this suction port 21a is an opening facing downwards on the lower side of the first flow path a1 and is configured to suck in gas from the outside of the housing 10. Therefore, as another example, the oil receiver 21 may be omitted from the oil collection device 1 with the above configuration, and the opening 11a of the partition 11 may be used as the suction port 21a.

[0077] According to the above embodiment, in a particularly preferred example, the discharge port a21 is located on the front side of the oil collection device 1. However, the discharge port a21 can also be located on a part other than the front of the oil collection device 1, as long as it is positioned in a direction that intersects with the suction port 21a. In other examples, the discharge port a21 can also be located on the back (rear), left side, or right side of the oil collection device 1. In these other examples, the arrangement and structure of the grease collection unit 30, the blower unit 40, and the filter unit 50 are changed, and the plan view shape of the second flow path a2 passing through them also changes.

[0078] According to the above embodiment, in a particularly preferred example, the grease collection unit 31 is configured with a rotating filter 31a or the like, but in other examples, the grease collection unit 31 can also be configured with a fixed filter that does not rotate.

[0079] According to the above embodiment, in a particularly preferred example, the rotary filter 31a and the resistance plate 31b are integrally configured to rotate together. However, in other examples, the rotary filter 31a and the resistance plate 31b can be fixed to different drive rotation shafts located coaxially, and each can be driven and rotated independently.

[0080] In the above embodiment, the lowered portion 35a of the upper wall of the grease collection unit casing 35 is formed in a stepped shape that slopes downward toward the upstream side. However, other examples of this lowered portion 35a include a configuration in which the upper wall of the grease collection unit casing 35 is lower toward the downstream side, or a configuration in which the upper wall of the grease collection unit casing 35 is lowered in a concave shape. In other words, even in these configurations, space for cooling, maintenance, etc., can be secured above the motor 33.

[0081] In the above embodiment, the grease collection unit 31 is provided horizontally so that the axis of rotation is oriented vertically. However, in another example, the grease collection unit 31 can be provided vertically so that the axis of rotation is oriented horizontally (including diagonally). In this other example as well, a rotating filter and an inner wall portion 21b surrounding the periphery of the resistance plate 31b are provided on the centrifugal side of the resistance plate 31b, and the oil can be directed onto this inner wall portion 21b and discharged downward.

[0082] The oil collection device 1 in the above embodiment is configured as a circulating type that sucks in indoor air, collects oil and purifies it, and then returns it to the original room. However, other examples of this oil collection device 1 include a configuration in which indoor air is sucked in, oil is collected, and then blown out to the outdoors via a duct or the like, or a configuration in which indoor air is sucked in, oil is collected and purified, and then blown out to another room via a duct or the like.

[0083] Furthermore, the present invention is not limited to the specific configurations described above, and can be modified as appropriate without altering the essence of the invention.

[0084] <Summary> As described above, the above embodiment discloses the following invention: (1) An oil collection device (see Figures 1 to 15) comprising a housing having a gas flow path between a downward-facing suction port and an outlet facing in a direction intersecting the suction port, and a grease collection unit for collecting oil from the gas sucked in from the suction port, wherein the gas flow path has a first flow path facing upward from the suction port and a second flow path that is continuous downstream of the first flow path and faces in a direction intersecting the first flow path, and the second flow path is provided with a damper device for opening and closing the second flow path and a blower for forcibly transporting the gas that has passed through the damper device to the outlet. Here, the "lateral direction" means the direction intersecting the "first flow path facing upward". Therefore, this lateral direction includes a substantially horizontal lateral direction and an inclined lateral direction. (2) The oil collection device according to (1) (see Figure 5), characterized in that the grease collection section is equipped with a rotating filter having holes for the gas to pass through, and a motor that drives the rotating filter is provided on the outside of the gas flow path. (3) The oil collection device according to (2) (see Figure 5), characterized in that the motor has a drive rotating shaft for rotating the rotating filter that penetrates the peripheral wall of the gas flow path, and this penetration portion is located upstream of the blower. (4) The oil collection device according to (2) or (3) (see Figure 5), characterized in that a lowered portion is formed in the upper wall of the gas flow path, thereby securing a space above the lowered portion of the upper wall, and the motor is located in the space. (5) The oil collection device according to any one of (2) to (4) (see Figure 12), characterized in that the rotating filter is provided in a detachable manner. (6) The oil collection device according to any one of (2) to (5) (see Figure 8), characterized in that the grease collection section is provided with a resistance plate on the side opposite to the suction side of the rotating filter, which acts as resistance to the gas passing through the holes. (7) The oil collection device according to (6) (see Figures 5 to 7), characterized in that the suction port is smaller than the rotating filter and larger than the resistance plate.(8) The oil collection device according to (6) or (7) (see Figures 6 to 7), characterized in that it includes an oil receiver having an inner wall portion surrounding the periphery of the rotating filter and the resistance plate, an extended portion extending inward from at least one end of the inner wall portion on the rotating filter side or the resistance plate side, and a projection portion projecting toward the rotating filter from the inner edge end of the extended portion. In this configuration of (8), the rotating filter and the resistance plate include both configurations in which they are installed horizontally so that the rotation axis is oriented vertically, and configurations in which they are installed vertically so that the rotation axis is oriented horizontally (including diagonally). (9) The oil collection device according to (1) (see Figure 3), characterized in that it further includes a filter downstream of the blower. (10) The oil collection device according to (9), characterized in that the filter constitutes a filter unit that can be attached to and detached from the housing, and the blower constitutes a blower unit that can be attached to and detached from the housing, and the blower unit can be removed using the space after the filter unit has been removed (see Figures 14 to 15). (11) The oil collection device according to any one of (1) to (10), characterized in that the damper device is configured to close in accordance with the temperature sensed by the temperature sensor, and the temperature sensor is provided closer to the damper device in the space obtained by extending the suction port vertically upward (see Figure 5). (12) The oil collection device according to any one of (1) to (11), characterized in that the area of ​​the discharge port is larger than the air outlet of the blower (see Figure 14). (13) The oil collection device according to any one of (1) to (12), characterized in that the discharge port is provided on the front of the housing (see Figures 1 to 2).

[0085] 1 Oil collection device 10 Housing 11 Partition 12 Hood 12a Hood opening 21 Oil receiver 21a Inlet 21a1 Projection 21b Inner wall 21d Extended part 22 Oil recovery section 23 Rectifier plate 30 Grease collection unit 31 Grease collection section 31a Rotating filter 31a1 Hole 31b Resistance plate 33 Motor 33a Drive rotating shaft 33b Motor body 34 Damper device 34b Temperature sensor 35 Grease collection unit casing 40 Blower unit 41 Blower 41b Blower outlet 42 Blower unit casing 50 Filter unit 51 Filter unit casing 52 Purification filter A Gas flow path a1 First flow path a2 Second flow path a21 outlet

Claims

1. An oil collection device comprising a housing having a gas flow path between a downward-facing suction port and an outlet facing in a direction intersecting the suction port, and a grease collection unit for collecting oil from the gas drawn in from the suction port, wherein the gas flow path has a first flow path that extends upward from the suction port and a second flow path that is continuous downstream of the first flow path and extends in a direction intersecting the first flow path, and the second flow path is provided with a damper device for opening and closing the second flow path and a blower for forcibly transporting the gas that has passed through the damper device to the outlet.

2. The oil collection device according to claim 1, characterized in that the grease collection section comprises a rotating filter having holes for the gas to pass through, and a motor that drives the rotating filter is provided outside the gas flow path.

3. The oil collection device according to claim 2, characterized in that the motor has a drive rotating shaft for rotating the rotating filter that penetrates the peripheral wall of the gas flow path, and this penetration portion is located upstream of the blower.

4. The oil collection device according to claim 2, characterized in that a lowered portion is formed in the upper wall of the gas flow path, thereby securing a space above the lowered portion of the upper wall, and the motor is located in the space.

5. The oil collection device according to claim 2, characterized in that the rotating filter is detachably provided.

6. The oil collection device according to claim 2, characterized in that the grease collection section is provided with a resistance plate on the side opposite to the suction side of the rotating filter, which acts as resistance to the gas passing through the holes.

7. The oil collection device according to claim 6, characterized in that the suction port is smaller than the rotating filter and larger than the resistance plate.

8. The oil collection device according to claim 6, characterized in that it includes an oil receiver having an inner wall portion surrounding the periphery of the rotating filter and the resistance plate, an extended portion extending inward from at least one end of the inner wall portion on the rotating filter side or the resistance plate side, and a projection portion projecting toward the rotating filter from the inner edge end of the extended portion.

9. The oil collection device according to claim 1, further characterized in that a filter is provided downstream of the blower.

10. The oil collection device according to claim 9, characterized in that the filter constitutes a filter unit that can be attached to and detached from the housing, the blower constitutes a blower unit that can be attached to and detached from the housing, and the blower unit can be removed using the space after the filter unit has been removed.

11. The oil collection device according to claim 1, characterized in that the damper device is configured to close in accordance with the temperature sensed by the temperature sensor, and the temperature sensor is provided near the damper device in the space extending vertically upward from the suction port.

12. The oil collection device according to claim 1, characterized in that the area of ​​the discharge port is larger than that of the air outlet of the blower.

13. The oil collection device according to any one of claims 1 to 12, characterized in that the discharge port is provided on the front of the housing.

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