Vapour extraction device for a hob

Abstract

The invention relates to a vapour extraction device (100) for a hob (105), comprising an intake shaft (115) having an intake opening (110) for introducing the vapour into the intake shaft (115) and having a fan opening (130) for guiding a vapour to a fan (135), and comprising at least one liquid barrier (145, 150) in the form of an extension on a wall of the intake shaft (115) in the region of the fan opening (130) of the intake shaft (115).

Description

[0001] Description

[0002] Extractor hood for a hob

[0003] The invention relates to a ventilation device for a cooktop, a cooktop and a method for operating the ventilation device according to the main claims.

[0004] A range hood can be integrated into a cooktop, with the range hood typically located beneath the cooktop and the fumes being drawn into the range hood through an opening in the cooktop. Alternatively, a range hood can be positioned next to a cooktop, as shown in US 2006 / 278215 A1.

[0005] However, it can happen that liquids boil over or spill during the cooking process. If these liquids get into the opening of the extractor hood or are sucked in, cleaning becomes difficult. Some areas within the air duct are inaccessible. Therefore, spilled liquids that have entered the appliance are difficult to remove, and cleaning is often impossible.

[0006] There are solutions where any overflowing liquid that gets into the device is directed into an overflow container. However, in most cases, this also makes cleaning more difficult.

[0007] Another solution involves a removable cover beneath the extractor hood. However, depending on the amount of liquid that has entered, it may have already penetrated deeper into the extractor hood, from which it is then difficult to remove.

[0008] It is known from publication EP 3855077 A2 that a fume hood may have a liquid barrier.

[0009] The approach presented here aims to create an improved extractor fan.

[0010] According to the invention, this problem is solved by a ventilation device, a cooktop, and a method for operating the ventilation device with the features of the main claims. Advantageous embodiments and further developments of the invention are described in the dependent claims.

[0011] The advantages achievable with the invention consist of at least one liquid barrier within the extractor hood, which traps any liquids entering the hood in the easily cleaned front part of the extractor hood. The liquids thus do not even reach the inaccessible areas of the air duct.

[0012] A cooktop extractor fan presented here has the following features:

[0013] an intake shaft with an intake opening for introducing steam into the intake shaft and a fan opening for directing steam to a blower; and

[0014] at least one liquid barrier in the form of an extension on a wall of the intake shaft in the area of ​​the intake shaft's fan opening.

[0015] The extractor fan can be a device designed to extract steam rising from a cooking vessel during a cooking process. According to one embodiment, the extractor fan can be integrated directly into a cooktop. Advantageously, the extractor fan is located below the cooktop.

[0016] An intake opening can be an opening in the cooktop through which the extracted cooking fumes are directed into the extractor hood. An intake duct can be a component connected to the intake opening and is the part of the extractor hood into which the cooking fumes are initially directed upon entering the hood.

[0017] A liquid barrier can be an element designed to prevent liquids from penetrating deeper components of the exhaust system, such as the blower or the blower's fan housing. According to one embodiment, the liquid barrier can be a projection extending into the fan opening, thus narrowing the opening. In another embodiment, the liquid barrier can be located on the side of the fan opening opposite the intake opening.

[0018] The extractor fan can have an intake chamber in which the fan can be arranged, the intake chamber being located laterally to the intake duct. An intake chamber can be a component in which the fan is located and to which the extracted fumes are drawn. According to one embodiment, the fan can, for example, be designed as a radial fan. The intake chamber can be located laterally to the intake duct, with the fan opening being arranged in a side wall of the intake duct. The advantage of arranging the intake chamber laterally to the intake duct is that the intake chamber, and thus also the fan, is not directly in line with the intake opening.If this were the case, there would be a greater risk when installing the extractor fan below a hob that dirt and liquids could easily fall directly into the fan due to gravity and restrict or even damage it.

[0019] The liquid barrier can extend in at least one component towards the intake opening and / or be oriented obliquely with respect to the intake opening. According to one embodiment, the liquid barrier can, for example, extend obliquely into the intake chamber from a side of the fan opening opposite the intake opening, for instance at a 45° angle away from the intake opening. The advantage of such a design can be the targeted diversion of any liquids that have entered, away from the fan opening.

[0020] The liquid barrier has a lower edge that is a large distance from the intake opening along the longitudinal axis, and an upper edge that is a small distance from the intake opening along the longitudinal axis. This ensures that the blower is particularly well protected against liquid leakage over the liquid barrier.

[0021] The liquid barrier transitions into the collection area at the lower edge.

[0022] This allows any retained liquid to easily enter the collection area.

[0023] Preferably, this transition is designed to be fluid-tight, so that no fluid can escape from the collection area.

[0024] One aspect is that the upper edge of the liquid barrier is closer to the intake opening along the longitudinal axis than the top of the fan. This ensures that even liquid droplets carried along by the steam flow are retained by the liquid barrier. Another aspect is that the lower edge of the liquid barrier and / or the collection area is the same distance from the intake opening, or closer, along the longitudinal axis than the underside of the fan. This allows the extractor fan to be placed on its underside during installation without it tipping over. This is further optimized by ensuring that the lower edge of the liquid barrier and / or the underside of the collection area lies in the same plane as the underside of the fan along the longitudinal axis.

[0025] The exhaust system can have a second liquid barrier on a wall of the intake duct in the area of ​​the intake duct's fan opening, with the second liquid barrier being positioned opposite the first. Using two separate liquid barriers on opposite sides of the fan opening provides even better protection of the intake chamber from ingress of liquids. According to one embodiment with a first liquid barrier on the side of the fan opening opposite the intake opening and a second liquid barrier opposite the first, both liquids drawn into the intake chamber by the airflow upon entering through the intake opening and liquids that accumulate in the intake duct and back up towards the fan opening are thus intercepted.

[0026] One aspect is that the grease filter acts as a flow straightener, and the part of the vapor that has passed through the lower part of the grease filter then hits the first liquid barrier before the vapor would reach the second liquid barrier.

[0027] The second liquid barrier can be arranged offset from the first with respect to the fan opening. According to one embodiment, "offset from" can mean, for example, that one liquid barrier is attached directly to the fan opening on the wall of the intake duct, and the other liquid barrier is arranged slightly offset on the opposite side within the intake chamber. According to an embodiment with an inclined liquid barrier extending obliquely from the edge of the fan opening into the intake chamber, the liquid barriers are also to be understood as being arranged "offset from" each other. By arranging the liquid barriers offset from each other, the ends of the liquid barriers extending into the fan opening can form a labyrinthine passage.This can lengthen the path a liquid would have to travel through the fan opening, which can hinder its entry into the intake chamber. Furthermore, it can not only lengthen the path but also create a more convoluted passage, which can further impede the liquid's passage through the fan opening.

[0028] Preferably, the second liquid barrier is spaced apart from the first liquid barrier in the direction of the longitudinal axis. This allows a vapor stream to pass between the two liquid barriers.

[0029] One aspect is that the second liquid barrier lies within the projection of the first liquid barrier along the longitudinal axis in at least one direction perpendicular to it. This ensures that any liquid dripping from the second liquid barrier can be collected without splashing by the first liquid barrier, especially if it is angled, and directed to the collection area.

[0030] Preferably, the second liquid barrier is positioned completely between the upper edge of the first liquid barrier and the lower edge of the liquid barrier in at least one direction perpendicular to the longitudinal axis.

[0031] One aspect is that the second liquid barrier is located on the ceiling of the intake chamber. This ensures that the vapor is at least partially guided around the second liquid barrier, thus forcing a slight change of direction and consequently resulting in droplet separation.

[0032] In particular, it is provided that the second liquid barrier has a lower edge, wherein, in the direction of the longitudinal axis, the distance of the lower edge to the intake opening is smaller than the distance of the top of the blower and / or the bottom of the intake chamber.

[0033] The extractor fan can have a collection area for catching at least one liquid trapped by the liquid barrier, in particular wherein the collection area can be arranged in a region of the intake duct opposite the fan. A collection area can be understood as a part of the extractor fan in which liquids that have entered the extractor fan can collect. According to one embodiment, this can simply be a part of the intake duct into which the liquids are automatically directed by gravity. Such a collection area can facilitate the removal of the liquids and cleaning of the extractor fan, since the collected liquids can be removed all at once.

[0034] The extractor fan may include a filter element located in the intake duct, in particular where the filter element may be positioned between the intake opening and the liquid barrier. A filter element can be understood as an element that the fumes pass through as they flow towards the fan and that can filter out particles from the fumes. This could, for example, be a porous membrane. The filter element can thus ensure the separation of particles from the fumes before they reach the fan, where they could potentially impair its function or cause damage.

[0035] The liquid barriers can be made of the same material as the filter element, thus increasing the separation efficiency. For this purpose, the liquid barriers could be designed to be removable, which would facilitate cleaning.

[0036] A cooktop advantageously has an integrated extractor fan, as described above. Integrating an extractor fan as described above allows for the aforementioned advantages in extracting cooking fumes.

[0037] A method for operating a fume hood, as described above, comprises a step of operating the blower to draw a vapor-laden airflow through the intake opening, over the liquid barrier, and into the blower. Using this method, a fume hood can be operated according to the preceding descriptions, thereby realizing the advantages that such a fume hood can offer.

[0038] The approach presented here further creates a control unit designed to execute, control, and implement the steps of a variant of the method presented here in appropriate devices. This embodiment of the invention, in the form of a device, also allows the underlying problem to be solved quickly and efficiently.

[0039] The control unit can be configured to read input signals and use these input signals to determine and provide output signals. An input signal can, for example, be a sensor signal readable via an input interface of the control unit. An output signal can be a control signal or a data signal that can be provided at an output interface of the control unit. The control unit can be configured to determine the output signals using a processing instruction implemented in hardware or software. For example, the control unit can include a logic circuit, an integrated circuit, or a software module and may be implemented as a discrete component or comprised of a discrete component.

[0040] A computer program product or computer program with program code that can be stored on a machine-readable medium such as semiconductor memory, hard disk memory, or optical memory is also advantageous. If the program product or program is executed on a computer or control unit, it can be used to carry out, implement, and / or control the steps of the method according to one of the embodiments described herein.

[0041] Although the described approach is based on a household appliance, the approach described here can be used accordingly in connection with a commercial or professional device, for example a medical device, such as a cleaning or disinfection device, a small sterilizer, a large-capacity disinfector or a container washing system.

[0042] An embodiment of the invention is shown purely schematically in the drawings and is described in more detail below. It shows

[0043] Figure 1 shows a schematic cross-sectional representation of an embodiment of a cooker hood in use; and

[0044] Figure 2 shows a flowchart of an exemplary embodiment of a method for operating a range hood.

[0045] In the following, identical and / or functionally equivalent elements may be designated with the same reference numerals. The absolute values ​​and dimensions given below are only exemplary and do not represent a limitation of the invention to such dimensions. Figure 1 shows a schematic cross-sectional representation of an embodiment of a cooker hood 100 in use.

[0046] According to the present embodiment, the extractor hood 100 is arranged below a cooktop 105.

[0047] The extractor hood 100 has an intake opening 110, which is arranged in the hob 105 and thus forms a connection between the surface of the hob 105 and an intake duct 115 of the extractor hood 100.

[0048] The intake duct 115 extends along a longitudinal axis 120 away from the intake opening 110. Laterally to the intake duct 115 is an intake chamber 125, which is connected to the intake duct 115 via a fan opening 130 and contains a blower 135. The blower 135 serves to draw steam generated during a cooking process from the surface of the cooktop 105 through the intake opening 110 into the extractor hood 100.

[0049] The steam is drawn through the intake opening 110 into the intake duct 115. According to the present embodiment, the fan opening 130 is arranged in one half of the intake duct 115 facing the intake opening 110, so that the intake duct 115 extends further away from the intake opening 110 beyond the fan opening 130.

[0050] According to the present embodiment, the intake duct 115 forms a bulge 137, which is arranged on one side of the intake duct 115 opposite the intake chamber 125.

[0051] According to the present embodiment, a filter element 140 is arranged in the intake duct 115 between the intake opening 110 and the fan opening 130, through which the aspirated vapor must pass. Particles or grease droplets are filtered out of the vapor in this process.

[0052] One advantage of the bulge 137 in the intake duct 115 is that it increases the diameter of the intake duct 115, allowing the filter element 140 to cover a larger area. In the present embodiment, this effect is further enhanced by the fact that the filter element 140 is arranged obliquely in the intake duct 115, specifically at a 45° angle to the longitudinal axis 120. The filter element 140 extends from one corner of the bulge in the intake duct 115 opposite the intake opening 110 and the fan opening 130 to the opposite side between the intake opening 110 and the fan opening 130. The filter element 140 thus separates the intake opening 110 and the fan opening 130, ensuring that any aspirated vapor is inevitably drawn through the filter element 140 on its way to the intake chamber 125.

[0053] The portion of the wall of the intake duct 115 facing the intake chamber 125, which is located behind the fan opening 130 from the intake opening 110, runs parallel to the filter element 140 in the present embodiment and thus forms a kind of ramp from one end of the intake duct 115 opposite the intake opening 110 towards the fan opening 130. This facilitates the flow of the vapor, which is indicated in the illustration by thick directional arrows, towards the fan opening 130.

[0054] At the fan opening 130, the exhaust hood 100 has a first liquid barrier 145 and a second liquid barrier 150, which serve to intercept liquids that enter the exhaust hood 100 via the intake opening 110. The first liquid barrier 145 and / or the second liquid barrier 150 are designed as projections that extend from a wall of the intake duct 115 or into the fan opening 130. Specifically, the liquid barriers 145 and 150 prevent liquids from entering the intake chamber 125, as this is difficult for a user to access for cleaning.

[0055] According to the present embodiment, the first liquid barrier 145 is formed as an extension of the ramp-like wall of the intake shaft 115, which extends from the end of the intake shaft 115 opposite the intake opening 110 towards the fan opening 130. The first liquid barrier 145 thus extends partially towards the intake opening 110 and partially into the intake chamber 125. Due to the inclined position, any liquids that are trapped flow back into the collection area 170.

[0056] According to the present embodiment, the second liquid barrier 150 extends from the intake opening 110 across the fan opening 130, relative to the first liquid barrier 145, and is parallel to the longitudinal axis 120 of the intake shaft 115. Dripping liquids are directed over the side wall of the intake shaft 115 into the collection area 170.

[0057] Due to the angled orientation of the first liquid barrier 145 and the straight orientation of the second liquid barrier 150, the first liquid barrier 145 and the second liquid barrier 150 are offset from each other. This creates a kind of labyrinth through the fan opening 130, thus lengthening the path a liquid would have to travel to reach the intake chamber 125. This makes it more difficult for a liquid to enter the intake chamber 125, which is difficult to clean.

[0058] The liquid barrier 145 has a lower edge which is a large distance from the intake opening 110 in the direction of the longitudinal axis 120 and an upper edge which is a small distance from the intake opening 110 in the direction of the longitudinal axis 120.

[0059] One aspect is that the liquid barrier 145 transitions into the collection area 170 in the area of ​​the lower edge, in particular in a fluid-tight manner.

[0060] One aspect is that the upper edge of the liquid barrier 145 has a smaller distance to the intake opening 110 in the direction of the longitudinal axis 120 than the top of the blower 135.

[0061] One aspect is that the lower edge of the liquid barrier 145 and / or the collection area 170 has the same or a smaller distance to the intake opening 110 in the direction of the longitudinal axis 120 than the underside of the blower 135.

[0062] Preferably, the lower edge of the liquid barrier 145 and / or the underside of the collection area 170 lies in the same plane in the direction of the longitudinal axis 120 as the underside of the blower 135.

[0063] In this embodiment, two liquid barriers 145 and 150 are arranged behind the filter element in the direction of flow. These barriers form a labyrinth and prevent the aspirated liquid from entering the inaccessible ventilation area, i.e., the intake chamber 125, above the blower 135. Thus, no liquid reaches areas that are difficult to access for cleaning, and these areas therefore do not need to be cleaned. According to another embodiment, cleaning openings can also be omitted, since condensate on the liquid barriers in this area is dried by the airflow.

[0064] To illustrate how a liquid is contained, a cooking vessel 155 is placed on the cooking surface 105. The cooking vessel 155 contains a liquid 160, which is brought to a boil, causing the liquid 165 to overflow and run over the edge of the cooking vessel 155.

[0065] The spilled liquid 165 runs over the hob 105 to the intake opening 110 of the extractor hood 100 and through the intake opening 110 unhindered into the intake shaft 115 and through the filter element 140.

[0066] Driven by the flow direction of the drawn-in air, which is shown with thick directional arrows, the overflowing liquid 165 is drawn in the direction of the fan opening 130 and the intake chamber 125.

[0067] According to the present embodiment, the second liquid barrier 150 prevents the overflowing liquid 165 from being drawn through the fan opening 130 immediately after passing the filter element 140. Following the force of gravity, the overflowing liquid 165 flows past the fan opening into the part of the intake shaft 115 opposite the intake opening 110.

[0068] The second liquid barrier 150 is spaced apart from the first liquid barrier 145 in the direction of the longitudinal axis 120.

[0069] One aspect is that the second liquid barrier 150 lies within the projection of the first liquid barrier 145 in the direction of the longitudinal axis 120 in at least one direction perpendicular to the longitudinal axis 120. The second liquid barrier 150 is positioned completely between the upper edge of the first liquid barrier 145 and the lower edge of the liquid barrier 145 in at least one direction perpendicular to the longitudinal axis 120.

[0070] One aspect is that the second liquid barrier 150 is arranged on a ceiling of the intake chamber 125. Another aspect is that the second liquid barrier 150 has a lower edge, wherein, in the direction of the longitudinal axis 120, the distance of the lower edge to the intake opening 110 is smaller than the distance of the top of the blower 135.

[0071] As the spilled liquid 165 passes over the fan opening 130, the first liquid barrier 145 prevents it from being drawn into the intake chamber 125 by the force of the airflow towards the blower 135. Instead, according to the present embodiment, the spilled liquid 165 is guided over the ramp-like wall of the intake duct 115 to the part of the intake duct 115 opposite the intake opening 110, where it collects in a collection area 170.

[0072] The liquid barriers 145, 150 prevent the overflowing liquid 165 from entering the intake chamber 125 through the fan opening 130. Instead, according to the present embodiment, it is collected in the collection area 170 of the intake shaft 115, from where it can be easily removed from the exhaust hood 100.

[0073] Figure 2 shows a flowchart of an embodiment of a method 200 for operating a range hood 100, as described with reference to Figure 1. The method 200 comprises a step 210 in which the blower 135 is operated. This draws steam generated during the cooking process from the surface of the cooktop 105 through the intake opening 110, through the filter element 140, through the fan opening 130, and over the liquid barriers 145 and 150 into the intake chamber 125 and to the blower 135.

Claims

Patent claims 1. Extractor hood (100) for a cooktop (105), wherein the extractor hood (100) has the following features: an intake shaft (115) with an intake opening (110) for introducing vapors into the intake shaft (115) and a fan opening (130) for directing vapors to a blower (135); and at least one liquid barrier (145, 150) in the form of an extension on a wall of the intake shaft (115) in the area of ​​the fan opening (130) of the intake shaft (115), characterized by the fact that wherein the liquid barrier (145) is oriented obliquely in relation to the intake opening (110).

2. Extractor hood (100) according to claim 1, comprising an intake chamber (125) in which the blower (135) is arranged, wherein the intake chamber (125) is arranged lateral to the intake duct (115).

3. Extraction device (100) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the liquid barrier (145) extends at least in one component towards the intake opening (110).

4. Extractor fan (100) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the liquid barrier (145) has a lower edge which is a large distance from the intake opening (110) in the direction of the longitudinal axis (120) and an upper edge which is a small distance from the intake opening (110) in the direction of the longitudinal axis (120).

5. Extractor fan (100) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the liquid barrier (145) transitions into the collection area (170) in the region of the lower edge, in particular in a fluid-tight manner. and / or the upper edge of the liquid barrier (145) in the direction of the longitudinal axis (120) is a smaller distance to the intake opening (110) than the top of the blower (135).

6. Extraction device (100) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the lower edge of the liquid barrier (145) and / or the collection area (170) has the same or a smaller distance to the intake opening (110) in the direction of the longitudinal axis (120) than the underside of the blower (135).

7. Extraction device (100) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the lower edge of the liquid barrier (145) and / or the underside of the collection area (170) lies in the same plane in the direction of the longitudinal axis (120) as the underside of the blower (135).

8. Extraction device (100) according to one of the preceding claims, with a second liquid barrier (150) on a wall of the intake shaft (115) in the area of ​​the fan opening (130) of the intake shaft (115), in particular wherein the second liquid barrier (150) is arranged opposite the liquid barrier (145).

9. Extraction device (100) according to the preceding claim, wherein the second liquid barrier (150) is arranged offset from the liquid barrier (145) with respect to the fan opening (130).

10. Extraction device (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the second liquid barrier (150) is spaced at a distance from the first liquid barrier (145) in the direction of the longitudinal axis (120).

11. Extraction device (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the second liquid barrier (150) lies within the projection of the first liquid barrier (145) in the direction of the longitudinal axis (120) in at least one direction perpendicular to the longitudinal axis (120). and / or the second liquid barrier (150) is positioned completely between the upper edge of the first liquid barrier (145) and the lower edge of the first liquid barrier (145) in at least one direction perpendicular to the longitudinal axis (120).

12. Extraction device (100) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the second liquid barrier (150) is arranged on a ceiling of the intake chamber (125), and / or the second liquid barrier (150) has a lower edge, wherein in the direction of the longitudinal axis (120) the distance of the lower edge to the intake opening (110) is smaller than the distance of the top of the blower (135).

13. Extraction device (100) according to one of the preceding claims with a collection area (170) for collecting at least one liquid trapped at the liquid barrier (145, 150), in particular wherein the collection area (170) is arranged in a region of the intake shaft (115) opposite the blower (135). and / or with a filter element (140) arranged in the intake shaft (115), in particular wherein the filter element (140) is arranged between the intake opening (110) and the liquid barrier (145, 150).

14. Hob (105) with an integrated extractor hood (100) according to one of claims 1 to 7.

15. Extractor hood for mounting next to a cooktop according to one of claims 1 to 7.

16. Method (200) for operating a fume extraction device (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the method (200) comprises a step of operating (210) the blower (135) to draw a vapor-laden airflow through the intake opening (110) over the liquid barrier (145, 150) to the blower (135).

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