DE102012207850B4 - Extraction device for extracting air from a cooker - Google Patents

Abstract

Fume extraction device (1) for extracting air from a cooker, having - a fan module (2) with a fan (3) for sucking in air, which generates a volume flow if necessary by means of the fan (3), - at least two filter modules (4) , wherein each filter module (4) has, - at least one suction opening (5), - at least one closure element (6) for the at least one suction opening (5), which can also be closed when the fan (3) is running, - at least one actuating element (8 ) for actuating the closure element (6) such that the closure element (6) can be opened or closed, anda suction duct (9) connected to the fan module (2), characterized in that the actuating element (8) of each filter module (4) can be operated manually, the extractor device (1) also has a control module (10) with a control element (11) and that a suction level can be set via the control element (11) of the control module (10). , which determines the strength of the volume flow of the blower (3), the filter modules (4) are electrically conductively connected to the operating module (10) via at least one line (12), the state of the closure element (6) of each filter module (4). the at least one line (12) can be signaled to the operating module (10), and depending on the state of the closure element (6) of each filter module (4), the strength of the set volume flow on the blower module (2) can be automatically increased or decreased.

Description

The invention relates to an extractor device for extracting air from a cooker according to the preamble of claim 1.

In the case of the known ventilation concepts, the regulation of the volume flow at the extraction element of the fume extraction device takes place exclusively via the step control of the blower motor.

In the known solutions, a distinction can be made between two connection principles: A first connection principle, in which only one suction element can be connected to a fan, and a second connection principle, in which two suction elements can be connected to one fan, but in which both suction elements can only be connected together can be addressed. This either limits the number of suction elements or the flexible use of the available suction elements, or requires a high level of installation effort in terms of the number and installation of fans.

The known solutions are further divided into two designs, a design without and a design with a closure element. In the designs without a locking element, there is an inflow grille on the suction opening, so it is not possible to close the opening. In the case of the design with a locking element, on the other hand, the intake opening can be closed as soon as the ventilation system is not in operation. Closing can be done either manually or by motor.

the DE 10 2007 003 934 A1 describes an extractor hood that has at least one filter surface and one suction opening. The suction opening can be switched on to operate the at least one first filter surface and thus changes the geometry of the suction air flow. A device for limiting the cross section of the suction opening can be operated manually.

the DE 36 01 460 C2 discloses a device for extracting vapors from kitchen appliances, with at least one suction shaft running along one side of the kitchen appliance with a long, narrow suction opening and a suction fan connected thereto, the suction opening being displaceable by means of at least one closing flap. The device is characterized in that the closure flap is provided with a drive which is coupled to the switch controlling the blower in such a way that the drive closes the closure flaps with a delay after the blower has been switched off.

Accordingly, a mechanism would be desirable which, when a plurality of suction elements are present, allows them to be used flexibly and/or reduces the installation effort and thus the production costs.

It is an object of the invention to provide a device for extracting air from a stove which avoids at least some of the disadvantages and/or limitations mentioned above.

The core of the invention is a suction device for sucking air from a cooker, which makes flexible, individually adjustable suction elements available.

The invention solves the problem by providing an extractor device for extracting air from a stove. The device has the features of claim 1.

The advantage achieved by the teaching according to the invention is that each filter module can be opened or closed independently of one another, even while the blower is in operation. Furthermore, the present invention has the advantage that only one blower is required to extract air from the cooker via the filter modules used. In contrast to the prior art, it is no longer necessary for all filter modules to be opened together, cannot be closed or can only be closed when the blower is switched off. Furthermore, the teaching according to the invention has the advantage that suction can be concentrated at the points on the stove where more steam is produced. The blower level can be retained unchanged.

According to the present invention, a vapor extraction device is a suction device for extracting fumes or vapors in the vicinity of a stove, since cooking, grilling or baking produces vapors that not only pollute the air with fats and oils, for example, but also impair visibility and objects in the kitchen condense. The contaminated air, which can also be referred to as fumes or vapours, is also simply referred to as air or ambient air in the following. In particular, an extractor device according to the present invention can be an extractor hood or a table ventilation.

In the context of the present invention, a stove is a cooking, grilling or baking device for preparing food, for example an electric, induction or gas stove, a grill or an oven.

In the context of the present invention, a filter module is a suction element with or without a filter, which has a suction opening, also known as a suction opening, for suctioning off the ambient air mentioned above, wherein the suction element can also consist of several suction sub-elements, each of which provides its own suction openings be able. The filter module can be opened and closed by means of an actuating element, so that in the open state ambient air can be sucked out of the stove via the filter module, but not in the closed state.

In principle, an actuating element can be any mechanism to open or close the filter module, for example a switch, a sensor, or a remote control. In principle, the opening and closing can also be done mechanically or electrically by motor. However, the actuating element is preferably an actuating element for manual actuation. In particular, the actuating element can thus be operated manually and is preferably a mechanical toggle or rotary switch which can close the filter module in such a way that it is no longer possible to effectively suck off ambient air via this filter module , as long as the filter module is in the closed state.

According to the invention, a closure element refers to a device that is suitable for closing the intake opening of the filter module at least temporarily in such a way that ambient air can no longer be effectively sucked off via this filter module as long as the intake opening of the filter module is in the closed state. In the simplest case, the closure element is a flap with which the suction opening can be closed.

According to the invention, the blower draws in the ambient air via the existing filter modules. The blower is connected to the filter modules via suction lines, so that only a single blower is required for a plurality of filter modules and in particular for the entire fume extraction device in order to effectively suck off ambient air from the cooker.

In a further particularly advantageous embodiment of the invention, it is provided that the closure element of each filter module can be actuated individually and independently of the state of the closure element of each other filter module.

This has the advantage that ambient air on the cooker can be extracted in concentrated form at the point where the steam is produced when the food is being prepared and therefore does not have to be extracted equally at all extraction points on the cooker, regardless of where the disturbing steam occurs in concentrated form.

According to the invention it is provided that the actuating element of each filter module can be actuated manually.

This has the advantage that the user of the stove can simply close the filter modules without the need for electrical energy, since, for example, a gas stove usually does not have a power connection, since no electrical energy is usually required for this type of cooking . Since these filter modules are all constructed in the same way in the invention, costs can also be saved, for example in that these filter modules can also be used in cookers that have an electrical power connection, for example an electric cooker. A separate storage and production of filter modules for electric stoves and gas stoves is therefore not necessary.

In addition, the use of manually operable actuating elements has the advantage that the separate closing or opening of individual closure elements can be carried out easily and the structure required for this is also simple. The invention is therefore advantageous over embodiments in which the individual closure elements are electrically controlled.

According to the invention, it is provided that, in addition to the components mentioned, in particular the fan module and the at least one filter module, the extractor device has a control module with a control element and that a suction level that determines the strength of the volume flow of the fan can be set via the control element of the control module.

This has the advantage that the strength of the volume flow of the fan can be adjusted at a location that is at a distance from the location of the fan and can be easily accessible in particular for the user of the fume extraction device, as a result of which better ergonomics can be achieved.

According to the invention, an operating module can be any fan control and can be operated both manually and remotely. In this case, the operating module preferably has only one operating element for determining the strength of the volume flow of the fan. The control element is preferably designed in such a way that the fan can be switched on and off by means of this element can be switched, and the strength of the volume flow, for example in stages, is adjustable using this element. This can be implemented, for example, using a single rotary control, but other solutions, for example using keypads, are also possible. However, the operating element particularly preferably has only one rotary controller, rotary switch or rocker switch, which can be operated manually.

The operating module can also have a remote control that duplicates, supplements or replaces the operating element.

A further advantage is that in the fume extraction device according to the invention, because only a single fan is required, only one operating module is required for setting the volume flow. This can both reduce costs and simplify the operation of the vapor extraction device, since the volume flow does not have to be set individually for each filter module.

According to the invention, it is provided that the filter modules are electrically conductively connected to the operating module via at least one line.

This has the advantage that it provides a possibility for information to be signaled from the filter modules to the operating module and vice versa.

In this case, each filter module can be electrically conductively connected to the operating module via a common line, for example via a common bus. However, each filter module can also be connected to the operating module by means of its own electrical line. For example, each filter module is electrically conductively connected to the operating module via its own line. Alternatively, it is also possible for the filter modules to be electrically conductively connected to the operating module via a common line.

According to the invention, it is provided that the state of the closure element of each filter module can be signaled to the operating module via the at least one line.

This has the advantage that each filter module can signal to the operating module whether ambient air can currently be extracted via the filter module or not. This makes it possible for the operating module to react according to the states of the closure elements of the filter modules, for example by independently changing the volumetric flow of the fan. In particular, when the intake openings of all filter modules are closed, this condition can be detected on the operating module and this can cause the fan to be switched off.

According to the invention, it is provided that, depending on the state of the closure element of each filter module, the strength of the set volume flow on the blower module can be automatically increased or decreased.

This has the advantage that once the stove user presets the strength of the volume flow on the blower, it can be variably adjusted according to the currently open closure elements of the filter modules in order to ensure the most efficient possible extraction of the ambient air from the stove. A further advantage of this embodiment is that unnecessary background noise due to an excessive volume flow can be avoided.

In a further particularly advantageous embodiment of the invention it is provided that in the event that all closure elements are closed, the fan is switched off automatically, and optionally the fan is only switched on again automatically when at least one of the closure elements is opened again.

This has the advantage that if the closure elements of all filter modules are closed, ie if it is no longer possible to extract the ambient air from the stove, the fan is switched off. This prevents the blower from continuing to run for no purpose and/or a vacuum from forming in the suction lines. A further advantage of this embodiment is that in this way unnecessary background noise can be avoided in the event that it is no longer possible to effectively suck off ambient air.

If at least one closure element is opened again, suction can take place again. For this purpose, the blower can be switched on again automatically. However, it is also possible that the blower first has to be switched on again manually and remains switched off as long as this is not done. However, in the case mentioned above, the fan is particularly preferably switched on again automatically if the fan was not switched off manually at the control element. When the fan is switched on automatically, it is particularly preferred to set such a setting, for example the fan stage, of the fan that was set before it was switched off.

In a further particularly advantageous embodiment of the invention, it is provided that each filter module has at least one sensor, with the sensor of the respective filter module, the state of the closure element of the respective filter module can be determined and the state determined by the sensor of the respective filter module can be signaled to the operating module. The sensor preferably represents a signal transmitter or includes a signal transmitter. The position of the closure element relative to the intake opening is referred to as the state of the closure element. In particular, the state of the closure element is the state in which it closes the intake opening or in which it releases the intake opening. In addition, the degree of opening of the closure element, for example through an angle of the closure element to the intake opening, can be detected by the sensor and, if necessary, transmitted to the operating module.

This embodiment has the advantage that the status of the filter module, ie whether it can or cannot suck off, can be determined more accurately. In principle, this determination of the state can take place both on the actuating element and on the closure element itself. A comparison can also be made as to whether the actuating element and the closure element are in the same state, ie both are closed or both are open. According to one embodiment, the state is determined by a sensor on the closure element. However, it is also possible for the state to be determined by a sensor on the actuating element. A sensor for determining the status can be either a passive or an active sensor. According to one embodiment, the sensor is integrated into the actuating switch, for example the sensor is the actuating switch itself.

In a further embodiment of the invention it is provided that the extractor device is a table ventilation device or an extractor hood.

This has the advantage that the invention can be used in already existing suction devices for stoves, which enables cost savings in contrast to a completely new conception of the suction device.

According to the invention, a table ventilation or table ventilation device, which is also referred to as a downdraft ventilation, is understood to mean a vapor extraction device in which air is sucked downwards, preferably vertically downwards, via the suction opening. In this embodiment, the blower module is provided below the hob level and the at least one suction opening provided therein. In the case of extractor hoods, the present invention can be used in particular if it has a plurality of suction openings which are arranged, for example, over the individual hotplates of a cooker and are covered by separate closure elements.

• 1 einen ersten schematischen Aufbau einer Ausführungsform der Dunstabzugsvorrichtung gemäß der Erfindung,
• 2a, b einen schematischen Aufbau einer Ausführungsform eines Filtermoduls mit einem Betätigungselement, einer Ansaugöffnung und einem Verschlusselement in offenem und geschlossenem Zustand gemäß der Erfindung,
• 3 einen zweiten schematischen Aufbau einer Ausführungsform der Dunstabzugsvorrichtung gemäß der Erfindung, und
• 4 einen schematischen Aufbau einer Dunstabzugsvorrichtung nach 3, mit einem Filtermodul im geöffneten Zustand und drei Filtermodulen im geschlossenen Zustand gemäß Aspekten der Erfindung.

The invention is explained in more detail below with reference to the figures; in these show

• 1 a first schematic structure of an embodiment of the extractor device according to the invention,
• 2a, b a schematic structure of an embodiment of a filter module with an actuating element, a suction opening and a closure element in the open and closed state according to the invention,
• 3 a second schematic structure of an embodiment of the extractor device according to the invention, and
• 4 a schematic structure of a fume extraction device 3 , with a filter module in the open state and three filter modules in the closed state according to aspects of the invention.

Before embodiments of the invention are described in more detail below, it should first be noted that the invention is not limited to the described components of the device. Furthermore, the terminology used does not represent any restriction, but is merely exemplary. Insofar as the singular is used below in the description and the claims, the plural is also included unless the context explicitly excludes this.

In 1 a first schematic structure of an embodiment of the extractor device 1 according to the invention is shown. By way of example, the in 1 Schematically illustrated embodiment of the extractor device 1 has a fan module 2 with a fan 3 and two filter modules 4. Each filter module 4 has an intake opening 5 for sucking in air from the environment of the extractor device 1, in particular the stove (not shown). In addition, each of the two filter modules 4 has a closure element 6 for opening and closing the intake opening 5, with ambient air being able to be sucked in via the intake opening 5 in the open state, but not in the closed state. The closing element 6 of the suction opening 5 is opened or closed by means of an actuating element 8. So that ambient air can be sucked in via the suction opening 5 of each filter module 4, the filter module 4 is connected to the blower 3 in the blower module 2 via a suction line 9, so that by means of the fan 3, if necessary, a volume flow can be generated to ambient air over the Suction openings 5 of the filter modules 4 suck. The suction line 9 is preferably connected via a socket 7 (see 2 ) connected to the filter module 4.

This ensures that each filter module 4 can be opened or closed independently of one another, even while the fan 3 is in operation. This exemplary embodiment also has the advantage that only a single fan 3 is necessary to blow air from the stove via the filter modules 4 used suck off.

An actuating element 8 can basically be any mechanism to open or close the filter module 4, for example a switch, a sensor, or a remote control. In principle, the opening and closing can also be done mechanically or electrically by motor. In particular, however, the actuating element 8 can be operated manually and is preferably a mechanical toggle or rotary switch which can close the filter module 4 in such a way that it is no longer possible to effectively suck off ambient air via this filter module 4 as long as the filter module 4 is in the closed state located.

The closure element 6 closes the intake opening 5 of the filter module 4 in such a way that ambient air can no longer be effectively sucked off via this filter module 4 as long as the intake opening 5 of the filter module 4 is in the closed state. In the simplest case, the closure element 6 is a flap with which the suction opening 5 can be closed.

The fan 3 sucks in the ambient air via the existing filter modules 4 . The fan is connected to the filter modules 4 via suction lines 9, so that only one fan 3 is required for the fume extraction device 1 in order to effectively suck off ambient air from the cooker.

In 2a, b a schematic structure of an embodiment of a filter module 4 with an actuating element 8, a suction opening 5 and a closure element 6 is shown in the open and closed state.

In the example of 2 the filter module 4 has a suction opening 5 which can be opened and closed via an actuating element 8 by means of a closure element 6 . while showing 2a the filter module 4 in the closed state, while the 2 B represents the filter module 4 in the open state. The closure element 6 is lowered in the closed state, so that it locks the intake opening 5 against effective intake of ambient air. The locking takes place by means of the actuating element 8, which in the present exemplary embodiment consists of a slide switch which can be pushed into a front and a rear position. In its forward position, the actuating element 8 lowers the closure element 6 so that the suction opening 5 is locked. In its rear position, the actuating element 8 raises the closure element 6 so that the locking of the suction opening 5 can be released and the suction opening 5 of the filter module 4 can suck in ambient air.

This in 2 The filter module 4 shown is equipped with a manually operated closure element 6 . A signal transmitter (not shown) is integrated in the filter module 4, which, in the case of an electronic control of the overall system, indicates, for example, the operating state of the filter module 4 or at least sends corresponding information to a further component, in particular an operating module 10 (see Fig 3 ), forwards.

In 3 a second schematic structure of an embodiment of the extractor device 1 according to the invention is shown. In the example of 3 the extractor device 1 includes a blower module 2 which is connected to four filter modules 4 by means of four suction lines 9 . The filter modules 4 used are filter modules 4 according to FIG 2 . The fan module 2 is connected to the four filter modules 4 via four suction lines 9 in such a way that the suction openings 5 of the filter modules 4 2 Ambient air can be extracted. Each of the four filter modules 4 is connected to the single operating module 10 by means of an electrical line 12 . A control element 11 is attached to the control module 10, with which the fan 3 (in 3 not shown) can be controlled in the fan module 2 in order to generate the volume flow required for extracting the ambient air.

A control module 10 can be any fan control and can be operated both manually and remotely. In this case, the operating module 10 preferably has only one operating element 11 for determining, in particular fixing, the strength of the volume flow of the blower 3 . The operating element 11 is preferably designed in such a way that the blower 3 can be switched on and off by means of this element, and the strength of the volume flow can be adjusted by means of this element. This can be implemented, for example, using a single rotary control, but other solutions, for example using keypads, are also possible. Particularly preferably, however, the control element 11 has only one rotary control that can be operated manually.

A further advantage is that because only one blower 3 is required, only one control module 10 is required for setting the volume flow. This can both reduce costs and simplify the operation of the fume extraction device 1 since the volume flow does not have to be set individually for each filter module 4 .

Because each filter module 4 is electrically conductively connected to the operating module 10 via the electrical line 12, it is possible for information to be signaled from the filter modules 4 to the operating module 10 and vice versa.

This has the advantage that each filter module 4 can signal to the operating module 10 whether ambient air can currently be extracted via the filter module 4 or not. This enables the operating module 10 to react according to the states of the closure elements 6 of the filter modules 4, for example by independently changing the volume flow of the fan 3, in particular causing the fan 3 to switch off when all filter modules 4 are closed.

In 4 is a schematic structure of a fume extraction device 3 , with one filter module in the open state and three filter modules in the closed state.

All filter modules 4 are closed except for the third from the left. The closure states of the four filter modules 4 are signaled to the operating module 10 via the respective associated electrical line 12. A dashed electrical line 12 in 4 indicates that the operating module 10 is signaled via this line 12 that the corresponding filter module 4 is closed so that it cannot suck in ambient air, whereas a continuous electrical line 12 in 4 means that the operating module 10 is signaled via this line 12 that the corresponding filter module 4 is open so that it can suck in ambient air.

The suction line 9 leading to the third filter module 4 from the left sucks in 4 ambient air, which is indicated by a thick black line. Accordingly, the suction lines 9 of the other three closed filter modules 4 do not suck in any ambient air, which is indicated by two thinner lines in each case.

Each filter module 4 can be individually opened or closed manually. There is no synchronous opening or closing. In each filter module 4 there is a sensor 13 (in 4 not shown) which determines whether the corresponding filter module 4 is open or closed and which then signals this state to the operating module 10 via the electrical line 12 associated with the corresponding filter module 4 .

This has the advantage that the state of the filter module 4, ie whether it can or cannot suck off, can be determined more accurately. In principle, this determination of the state can take place both on the actuating element 8 and on the closure element 6 itself. A comparison can also be made as to whether the actuating element 8 and the closure element 6 are in the same state, ie both are closed or both are open. The state is preferably determined by a sensor 13 on the closure element 6. The state is particularly preferably determined by a sensor 13 on the actuating element 8. Such a sensor 13 for determining the state can be either a passive or an active sensor 13. The sensor 13 is preferably integrated into the actuating switch 8; the sensor 13 is particularly preferably the actuating switch 8 itself.

The fan stage of the blower 2 can be set via the operating element 11 on the operating module 10 . As soon as a filter module 4 is opened, the operating module 10 switches on the power supply for the blower module 2 and the suction process begins. In the example of 3 the volume flow is thus concentrated at the third filter module 4 from the left, that is to say the entire volume flow is used to draw in air at the third filter module 4 . If further filter modules 4 are opened, the volume flow set by selecting the fan level on the control element 11 is distributed to the individual open filter modules 4.

This has the advantage that ambient air on the cooker can be extracted in a concentrated manner at the location where the steam is produced during the preparation of the food and therefore does not have to be extracted equally at all extraction points 4 of the cooker, regardless of where the disturbing steam occurs in concentrated form.

The volume flow can also be automatically increased according to the number of open filter modules 4 and automatically decreased again, as soon as one or more filter modules 4 are closed again, with the fan level being maintained unchanged at the control element 11 .

As soon as all filter modules 4 are closed, the operating module 10 switches off the power supply for the blower module 2 and the suction process is completely ended. The operating element 11 can remain in the position of the last selected fan level. As soon as then again at least a filter module 4 is opened, the blower 3 is also automatically activated again at the level last used, so-called memory function.

However, it is also possible that the blower 3 first has to be switched on again manually and remains switched off as long as this is not done. In the case mentioned above, however, the fan 3 is particularly preferably switched on again automatically if the fan 3 was not switched off manually on the operating element 11 .

In the 4 Extractor device 1 shown can be a table ventilation device or an extractor hood.

Reference List

1

extractor device

2

blower module

3

fan

4

filter module

5

intake port

6

closure element

7

Support

8th

actuator

9

suction line

10

operating module

11

control element

12

electrical line

13

sensor

Claims (5)

Fume extraction device (1) for extracting air from a cooker, comprising - a fan module (2) with a fan (3) for sucking in air, which generates a volume flow if necessary by means of the fan (3), - at least two filter modules (4) , wherein each filter module (4) has, - at least one suction opening (5), - at least one closure element (6) for the at least one suction opening (5), which can also be closed when the fan (3) is running, - at least one actuating element ( 8) for actuating the closure element (6) in such a way that the closure element (6) can be opened or closed, and a suction line (9) which is connected to the fan module (2), characterized in that the actuating element (8) of each filter module (4) can be operated manually, the extractor device (1) also has an operating module (10) with an operating element (11) and that a suction stage is set via the operating element (11) of the operating module (10). which determines the strength of the volume flow of the blower (3), the filter modules (4) are electrically conductively connected to the operating module (10) via at least one line (12), the state of the closure element (6) of each filter module (4 ) can be signaled to the operating module (10) via the at least one line (12), and depending on the state of the closure element (6) of each filter module (4), the strength of the set volume flow on the blower module (2) can be automatically increased or decreased. Vapor extraction device (1) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the closure element (6) of each filter module (4) can be actuated individually and independently of the state of the closure element (6) of each other filter module (4). Extractor device (1) according to one of Claims 1 or 2 , characterized in that in the event that all closure elements (6) are closed, the fan (3) is switched off automatically, and optionally the fan (3) is only switched on again automatically when at least one of the closure elements (6) is closed again is opened. Extractor device (1) according to one of Claims 1 until 3 , characterized in that each filter module (4) has at least one sensor (13), with the sensor (13) of the respective filter module (4) being able to determine the state of the closure element (6) (6) of the respective filter module (4), and the state determined by the sensor (13) of the respective filter module (4) can be signaled to the operating module (10). Extractor device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the extractor device (1) is a table ventilation device or an extractor hood.

Images