EP3503675B1 - Hob and system for cooling the hob - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a hob and in particular to a system for cooling the hob.

Cooking appliances such as hobs reach high temperatures when in use. Cooling systems are therefore necessary.

It will be noted that in the case of induction hobs, cooling of the hob is necessary to obtain, among other things, optimum performance.

The cooling systems are designed to conduct the heat produced by the heating elements intended for cooking and by the electronic components in the electronic boards managing the operation of the cooking appliances to the outside of the hob.

There are known hobs comprising stirring means, such as a fan, located at the rear edge of the hob and air discharge openings located at the level of the front edge of the hob. The fan is located at the back of the hob to bring in air from the crawl space generally placed at the rear of the hobs. The document JP 2003086338A discloses a cooktop according to the preamble of claim 1.

The front edge of the hob corresponds to the side of the hob closest to a user facing it for its use. Thus, the rear edge of the hob corresponds to its side furthest from the user. Side edges together with the front and rear edges form the perimeter of the hob.

The fan produces an air flow which is directed to the exhaust openings on the front of the hob, the air flow carrying heat produced by the elements out of the hob. heater and / or electronic components.

Nevertheless, in these hobs, the air is dispersed in the hob, and losses in the cooling efficiency, in particular of the heating elements, exist.

The object of the present invention is to provide a hob with an improved cooling system.

• des moyens de brassage d'air disposés sous ledit plan de chauffe au niveau d'un bord arrière de ladite table de cuisson,
• un conduit de ventilation s'étendant à partir des moyens de brassage et débouchant dans une zone de sortie située au niveau d'un bord avant de la table de cuisson, ledit conduit de ventilation comportant une extrémité d'entrée située au niveau des moyens de brassage d'air de sorte qu'un flux d'air provenant des moyens de brassage d'air entre dans ledit conduit de ventilation à travers ladite extrémité d'entrée, et une extrémité de sortie situé au niveau de ladite zone de sortie,
• des moyens de déflexion d'air situés dans ladite zone de sortie, au regard de ladite extrémité de sortie dudit conduit de ventilation, et étant conçus pour inverser le sens du flux d'air ; et
• au moins une ouverture d'évacuation d'air disposées au niveau d'au moins un bord latéral de la table de cuisson, à proximité dudit au moins un élément de chauffe, ledit au moins un élément de chauffe étant placé entre ladite zone de sortie et ladite au moins une ouverture d'évacuation d'air.

To this end, the invention aims, according to a first aspect, a hob comprising a hob, at least one heating element extending in a heating plane located under said hob, and a cooling system comprising:

• air mixing means arranged under said heating plan at the level of a rear edge of said cooking hob,
• a ventilation duct extending from the stirring means and opening into an outlet zone situated at the level of a front edge of the hob, said ventilation duct comprising an inlet end situated at the level of the means of air mixing so that a flow of air from the air mixing means enters said ventilation duct through said inlet end, and an outlet end located at said outlet zone,
• air deflection means located in said outlet zone, facing said outlet end of said ventilation duct, and being designed to reverse the direction of the air flow; and
• at least one air exhaust opening arranged at at least one side edge of the hob, near said at least one heating element, said at least one heating element being placed between said outlet zone and said at least one air exhaust opening.

According to the invention, the hob further comprises a housing, placed under the hob and formed of a bottom and peripheral walls located respectively at the front, rear and side edges of said hob, said at at least one air exhaust opening being disposed on a lateral part of the bottom of said housing.

Thus, the air flow in the ventilation duct exits the ventilation duct through the outlet end and arrives at the outlet area, undergoes a reversal of the direction of movement thanks to the air deflection means and goes towards said at least one air discharge opening located at the level of at least one lateral edge of the hob. The air flow therefore circulates over said at least one heating element located between the outlet zone of the ventilation duct and said at least one air discharge opening, carrying the heat generated by the heating element.

Then, the air flow leaves the hob through said at least one air exhaust opening located at said at least one side edge of the hob.

Therefore, the air flow being directed to said at least one heating element, it efficiently carries the heat produced by the heating element to the outside of the hob.

According to one characteristic, the hob comprises at least one evacuation hollow located at the level of at least one lateral edge of said hob, near said at least one heating element, said at least one heating element being placed between the outlet zone and said at least one outlet hollow.

Thus, the air flow in the ventilation duct leaves the ventilation duct through the outlet end and arrives at the outlet zone, undergoes a reversal of the direction of circulation thanks to the air deflection means and goes towards said at least one evacuation hollow located at the level of at least one lateral edge of the hob. The air flow therefore circulates over said at least one heating element located between the outlet area of the ventilation duct and said at least one exhaust hollow and then leaves the hob through said at least one opening. air outlet located at said at least one side edge of the hob.

According to one characteristic, the hob comprises at least one evacuation hollow located at the level of each lateral edge of said hob, close to said at least one heating element, said at least one heating element being placed between the outlet area and said at least one outlet trough.

Thus, an evacuation hollow is located on each side of the hob.

According to one characteristic, said at least one evacuation hollow is formed by support plates on which said heating elements are positioned.

According to one characteristic, the hob comprises an electronic card for managing the operation of the hob located under said heating plan, the ventilation duct being delimited by two side walls, by a first face of the electronic card and by a support part on which are placed said electronic card and said mixing means.

Consequently, the air flow in the ventilation duct carries the heat produced by the electronic components in the electronic board towards the exit area of the ventilation duct, then undergoing a reversal of direction of circulation and going towards the front inductors. pass through the exhaust hollows and exhaust air openings.

This is because the ventilation duct prevents the air flow from spreading over the hob.

According to one characteristic, the first face of the table corresponds to the face on which the electronic components are mounted.

Thus, the air flow circulates around the electronic components, the heat being carried away by the air flow efficiently.

According to one characteristic, a heat exchanger is mounted on said first face of the electronic card, inside the ventilation duct.

According to one characteristic, the cooling system further comprises two substantially vertical outlet side walls, located in the outlet area on either side of the ventilation duct and connecting the outlet end of the ventilation duct and the means of air deflection.

Thus, the air flow opening onto the outlet zone does not spread laterally on either side of the aeration duct when it arrives at the outlet zone and it is directed towards the air deflection means. . The air in the area outlet thus being limited by the outlet side walls, the support piece and the deflection means, it rises towards the foreground while changing the direction of circulation thanks to the air deflection means.

It will be noted that in this text, the hob is described in a position equivalent to that in which it will be used. In other words, it is considered that the hob is placed so that the worktop is in a horizontal position. Thus, a horizontal positioning indicates a positioning parallel to the work plane. Likewise, vertical positioning indicates perpendicular positioning to the work surface.

Thus, the outlet walls of the ventilation system extend in a plane perpendicular to the work plane.

According to one characteristic, the outlet side walls move away towards the front edge of the hob relative to said transverse axis of the hob.

The air coming from the ventilation duct therefore spreads over a larger area of the hob.

According to one characteristic, the outlet side walls are bevelled, an upper side of the outlet side walls being rectilinear and inclined so that the upper side of the outlet side walls at the level of the outlet end of the ventilation duct is located in a plane located below a plane in which are located the upper sides at the level of the deflection means.

Thus, a first part of the air flow leaving the ventilation duct goes under the heating elements and a second part goes to the heating elements.

According to one characteristic, the upper sides of the outlet side walls respectively form with a horizontal plane an angle Δ 'with a value between 5 ° and 20 °.

According to one characteristic, the air deflection means comprise a first substantially vertical wall disposed opposite the outlet end of the ventilation duct, the first wall comprising at least one first curved area forming a hollow located opposite the outlet end of the ventilation duct.

Thus, the air coming from the ventilation duct arrives at the hollow formed in the wall of the air deflection means and changes direction.

According to another characteristic, the air deflection means further comprise a second wall extending between a bottom wall of the ventilation duct and the first wall in a plane inclined relative to the cooking surface.

For example, the inclined plane forms an angle with the plane in which the bottom wall of the ventilation duct extends with a value between 15 ° and 45 °.

The inclination of the wall of the air deflection means helps to direct the air flow to upper parts of the cooktop.

According to one characteristic, said at least one discharge opening is positioned so that the air flow leaves the hob in an oblique direction with respect to a transverse axis of the hob.

According to one characteristic, said at least one discharge opening is a slot extending longitudinally along oblique axes with respect to a transverse axis of the hob and forming with said rear edge of the hob an angle of between 30 ° and 60 °.

According to one characteristic, the hob has second air discharge openings located between the rear edge and at least one side edge.

According to one characteristic, the second exhaust openings are positioned so that the air flow leaves the hob in an oblique direction with respect to a said transverse axis of the hob.

According to one characteristic, the second discharge openings are slots extending longitudinally in at least one corner wall situated between said rear edge and at least one side edge.

Other features and advantages of the invention will appear further in the description below.

• la figure 1 illustre en perspective une table de cuisson avec la plaque de cuisson ôtée selon un mode de réalisation de l'invention ;
• la figure 2 illustre en perspective la table de cuisson de la figure 1 avec une vue en coupe de certains éléments ;
• la figure 3 illustre en perspective la table de cuisson de la figure 1 de dessous ;
• la figure 4 illustre une vue en coupe de la table de cuisson de la figure 1
• la figure 5 représente des flux d'air dans la table de cuisson de la figure 1 ; et
• la figure 6 représente en perspective un détail d'une table de cuisson selon un second mode de réalisation.

In the accompanying drawings, given by way of non-limiting examples:

• the figure 1 illustrates in perspective a hob with the hob removed according to one embodiment of the invention;
• the figure 2 illustrates in perspective the cooktop of the figure 1 with a sectional view of certain elements;
• the figure 3 illustrates in perspective the cooktop of the figure 1 from below;
• the figure 4 shows a sectional view of the cooktop of the figure 1
• the figure 5 represents air flows in the cooktop of the figure 1 ; and
• the figure 6 shows in perspective a detail of a hob according to a second embodiment.

The figure 1 illustrates a cooktop 1 according to one embodiment of the invention.

In this embodiment, the hob 1 comprises four cooking zones 2 extending in a hob Pc. The cooking zones 2 here consist of induction heating means.

In this embodiment, the heating means of each cooking zone 2 comprise an induction heating element or inductor 3.

In other embodiments, the heating means of each cooking zone may comprise several induction heating elements or inductors placed concentrically or side by side.

Moreover, in other embodiments, the number of cooking zones can be different.

Thus, in the described hob, four heating elements extend under a hob formed in a known manner by a glass-ceramic hob (not shown in the figure. figure 1 ). The heating elements or inductors 3 extend in a heating plan P located under the hob Pc.

In this document the heating elements are referred to as inductors, although as indicated above, in other embodiments the heating elements can be of other types.

The hob 1 has a front edge 10a, a rear edge 10b and two lateral edges 10c, 10d surrounding the hob Pc and therefore forming the periphery of the hob 1.

The front edge 10a of the hob 1 corresponds to the free edge of the hob or edge which is closest to a user using the hob 1. The rear edge 10b corresponds to the edge opposite the front edge 10a, thus being the edge furthest from the user. The side edges 10c, 10d are the edges placed between the ends of the rear edge 10b and the ends of the front edge 10a respectively.

In order to simplify the description of the hob 1 according to the invention, it is considered that the hob 1 is placed on a horizontal plane, such as a work surface. Thus, some elements are on or under other elements. In addition, marks in horizontal and vertical directions are employed.

Of course, the references on the positioning of the elements vary if the hob is placed differently but can be interpreted by a person skilled in the art in the presence of this document.

A transverse median axis A1 of the hob 1 is further defined as an axis parallel to the side edges 10c, 10d and perpendicular to the front and rear edges 10a, 10b, located equidistant from the side edges 10c, 10d.

The inductors 3 are placed on support elements or support plates 4. The support plates 4 are intended to keep the inductors 3 in a fixed position, so as to guarantee a constant and invariable air gap and to obtain optimum operation of the table. Cooking.

The air gap is defined as the vertical distance between an inductor and the bottom of a cooking vessel placed on the cooking plate.

The support trays 4 are also intended to protect the electronic components of the hob from waves electromagnetic produced by inductors when they are in operation.

The support plates 4 are made of a metallic material in order to ensure good dissipation of the heat produced by the inductors 3.

In the embodiment described, a front support plate 4a receives two inductors 3 located at the front of the hob 1 and a rear support plate 4b receives two inductors 3 located at the rear of the hob. hob 1.

Of course, in other embodiments, a single support plate can support all of the inductors or each support plate can support one inductor at a time. In addition, the arrangement of the support trays can be different.

The hob 1 comprises control means 5 of the cooking zones 2. The control means 5 are located here at the level of the front edge 10a of the hob 1.

In addition, the hob 1 comprises at least one electronic card 6 (visible on the figure 2 ) comprising the electronic circuits necessary to manage the operation of the hob 1.

On the electronic card 6 is mounted a heat exchanger 7. In this embodiment, the heat exchanger 7 is a finned heat exchanger or radiator.

The hob further comprises air mixing means 9 such as a fan (visible on the figure 3 ). The fan 9 is located at the rear edge 10b of the hob 1 in order to circulate the air entering the hob 1.

Note that the fan 9 is placed near the rear edge 10b to be at the level of the crawl space, in order to suck in fresh air.

In one embodiment, the axis of rotation (not visible) of the fan 9 is arranged vertically or in a direction perpendicular to the cooking surface P.

The support plates 4 of the inductors 3, the control means 5, the electronic card 6 and the other conventional elements of the hob necessary for its operation, are arranged on a housing 8.

The hob housing 8 is visible from the figures 2 and 3 . The housing 8 is placed under the hob Pc and receives the various elements of the hob 1.

The housing 8 is formed of a bottom 80 and the peripheral walls 8a, 8b, 8c, 8d located respectively at the front edges 10a, rear 10bet side 10c, 10d of the hob 1. Here, the housing 8 has a substantially rectangular shape.

In the embodiment described, the bottom of the housing 80 extends substantially over three planes P1, P2, P3 (visible at the figure 4 ) mutually parallel and parallel to the hob Pc and the heating plane P.

In the embodiment described below, the casing 8 is made in one piece by stamping a metal sheet. The casing 8 could also be made from another material, for example plastic.

In other embodiments, the casing can be formed by several parts assembled together.

A central part 801 of the bottom of the housing 80 extends over a first plane or lower plane P1. In this embodiment, and as will be described later, the electronic card 6, the mixing means 7 and the control means 5 will be positioned on this central part 801.

Side parts 802c, 802d of the bottom of the housing 80 are located at the level of the side edges 10c, 10d of the hob 1 and extend over a second plane or upper plane P2. On the side parts 802c, 802d of the bottom of the casing 80 are positioned and fixed the support plates 4 of the inductors 3.

The side parts 802c, 802d are in this embodiment symmetrical to each other with respect to the transverse median axis A1 of the hob 1.

Intermediate parts 803c, 803d of the bottom of the housing 80 are placed respectively between the central part 801 and each side part 802c, 802d. The intermediate parts 803c, 803d extend over a third plane or intermediate plane P3, located between the first and second planes P1, P2.

An upper space of the hob 1 is defined as the space between the hob and the assembly formed by the second plane P2 and the heating plane P, an intermediate space like the space between the heating plane ( and the second plane P2) and the third plane or intermediate plane P3, and a lower space such as the space between the third plane or intermediate plane P3 and the first plane P1.

The intermediate parts 803c, 803d are in this embodiment symmetrical to each other with respect to the transverse median axis A1 of the hob 1.

The central parts 801, the side parts 802c, 802d and the intermediate parts 803c, 803d respectively extend substantially on the aforementioned planes P1, P2, P3 over substantially the entire space between the front edge 10a and the rear edge 10b of the hob 1.

Ventilation openings 90 are formed at different positions of the housing 8.

An inlet ventilation opening 90a is placed in the central part 801 of the bottom of the housing 80. The inlet ventilation opening 90a is placed opposite the mixing means or fan 9 and is designed to bring in air. air from outside the hob 1.

Thus, in the embodiment described, the inlet ventilation opening 90a has a circular shape.

In the embodiment illustrated in figures 2 and 3 , the inlet ventilation opening 90a has several slits extending circularly in concentric rings.

Of course, the inlet ventilation opening 90a can have different sizes and shapes.

First air exhaust openings 90b are arranged at the level of the side edges of the hob 1, on the side parts 802c, 802d of the bottom of the housing 80.

In one embodiment, several first air exhaust openings 90b are distributed over the side parts 802c, 802d of the bottom of the housing 80.

In one embodiment, the first air exhaust openings 90b are positioned so that an air flow leaves the hob 1 in a direction D1 oblique with respect to the transverse central axis A1 of the hob. hob 1.

Thus, in one embodiment, the first air exhaust openings 90b are slots, each slot 90b extending longitudinally along an oblique axis A2 with respect to the transverse median axis A1 of the hob 1, the oblique axis A2 and the transverse median axis A1 forming an angle ε which may have a value of less than 90 °, and preferably of between 30 ° and 60 °. When the angle ε is within this range of values, the position of the air evacuation openings 90b allows air to be evacuated towards the rear of the table on the side edges 10c, 10d, preventing the air flows directly into the crawl space.

The hob 1 further comprises second discharge openings 90c located at the rear corner areas 11a, 11b of the hob 1. A first corner area 11a is formed between the rear edge 10b and a first side edge 10c and a second corner area 11b is formed by rear edge 10b and a second side edge 10d.

The second air discharge openings 90c open out in an oblique direction D2 between the transverse median axis of the table A1 and a longitudinal median axis A3 perpendicular to the transverse median axis A1.

The second discharge openings 90c are formed in corner walls 12a, 12b positioned bevelled at the level of the rear corner areas 11a, 11b of the hob 1 respectively. In addition, in this embodiment, the corner walls 12a, 12b extend along an inclined plane between the cooking plane Pc and the third plane or intermediate plane P3 in which extend the intermediate parts 803c, 803d of the bottom of the housing 80. The second discharge openings 90c are disposed between the plane of baking Pc and the second plane or upper plane P2 in which extend the side parts 802c, 802d of the bottom of the housing 80.

By way of example, the corner walls 12a, 12b are inclined relative to the vertical direction by an angle β of between 30 ° and 45 °.

In this embodiment, the second air exhaust openings 90c are longitudinal slots.

In this embodiment, the number of first discharge openings 90b is twelve, six on each intermediate portion 803c, 803d of the bottom of the housing 80. The number of second discharge openings 90c is six, three on each wall. angle 12a, 12b of the housing 8.

Of course, the air discharge openings can have different shapes, such as circular openings. They can also be of different number and size.

The intermediate parts 803c, 803d of the bottom of the housing 80 comprise several projections 13 extending along a vertical axis towards the cooking surface P. It will be noted that the axis along which the projections 13 extend is thus perpendicular to the intermediate parts 803c , 803d from the bottom of the housing 80.

The projections 13 of each intermediate portion 803c, 803d are placed substantially equidistant from each other and are, in this embodiment, four.

In this embodiment, the protrusions 13 have a conical shape with the rounded tip or a boss shape.

According to other embodiments, the protrusions may have the shape of a truncated cone, the truncated surface being circular. Further, the protrusions may be in the form of a polygonal base prism or a cylinder.

The height of the projections 13 relative to the intermediate part 803c, 803d of the bottom of the casing 80 is equivalent to the distance between the second plane P2 in which the side parts 802c, 802d extend and the third plane P3 in which extend the intermediate parts 803c, 803d of the bottom of the housing 80.

The support plates 4 of the inductors 3 are in contact with the projections 13 when they are positioned on the lateral parts of the casing 8. Thus, the projections 13 have a function of maintaining the support plates 4 of the inductors. The support plates 4 of the inductors therefore rest on the projections 13 and the side parts 802c, 802d of the bottom of the housing 80 forming with the inductors 3 the heating plane P. Thus, the heating plane P and the second plane P2 are located side by side or can be combined into a single shot. It can thus be considered that the support plates 4 are located substantially in the second plane P2.

In addition, the projections 13 allow the formation of a free space between the heating plane (or the support plates 4 of the inductors 3) and the third plane P3 on which extend the intermediate parts 803c, 803d of the bottom of the casing. 80. This free space, called the intermediate space, serves, as will be described later, as a passage for the circulation of an air flow coming from inside the hob 1 and which goes towards the openings of. air outlet 90b, 90c in order to exit the hob 1.

In the embodiment described, the hob 1 comprises a support part 14 intended to receive and hold components of the hob 1. For example, the fan 9, the electronic card 6 and the control means 5 are mounted on the support part 14. In particular, these elements are mounted on a bottom 140 of the support part 14.

The support piece 14 is placed on the central part 801 of the bottom of the housing 80, between the rear edge 10b and the front edge 10a of the hob 1.

In this embodiment, the fan 9 is placed in the support piece 14 at the level of the rear edge 10b of the hob 1. In addition, the electronic card 6 is placed in the support piece 14, between the fan 9. and the front edge 10a of the hob 1.

In this embodiment, a first face 6a of the electronic card 6 is arranged opposite the bottom wall 140 of the support part 14. On this first face 6a are placed the electronic components necessary for the operation of the hob. 1, as well as a heat exchanger 7 to increase the cooling efficiency of the electronic components of the electronic board 6.

A second face 6b of the electronic card 6 is placed opposite the support plates 4.

In this embodiment, the second face 6b of the electronic card 6 extends in the third plane or intermediate plane P3.

The hob 1 further comprises a cooling system making it possible to cool the electronic components of the electronic card 6 as well as the heating elements 3.

The cooling system is described in particular with reference to figures 4 and 5 .

The cooling system comprises the air circulating means or fans 9 arranged under the hob, at the rear edge 10b of the hob 1.

The cooling system further comprises a ventilation duct 15 positioned between the fan 9 and an outlet zone 16. The ventilation duct 15 has an inlet end 150 located at the level of the fan 9 and an outlet end 151 located at the level of the fan 9. output zone level 16.

The ventilation duct 15 extends along the transverse median axis A1 of the hob 1.

In this embodiment, the ventilation duct 15 is delimited by two side walls 152, 153, by the first face 6a of the electronic card 6 and the bottom wall 140 of the support part 14.

Thus, the ventilation duct 15 runs alongside the electronic card 6.

In one embodiment, the side walls 152, 153 are formed in the support piece 14 and are perpendicular to the bottom wall 140 of the support piece 14.

The air flow leaving the fan 9 is thus directed towards the outlet zone 16 through the ventilation duct 15.

Outlet deflection means 17 are located in the outlet zone 16, opposite said outlet end 151 of the ventilation duct 15. The outlet deflection means 17 are designed to reverse the direction of the air flow exiting from the outlet. ventilation duct 15.

Two outlet side walls 160, 161 are located in the outlet zone 16 on either side of the ventilation duct 15 and connecting the outlet end 151 of the ventilation duct 15 and the outlet deflection means 17.

The outlet side walls 160, 161 extend in a vertical plane parallel to the transverse median axis A1 and perpendicular to the cooking surface P.

Thus, the flow of air leaving the ventilation duct 15 and opening into the outlet zone 16, is conducted by the outlet side walls 160, 161 towards the outlet deflection means 17.

The outlet deflection means 17 comprise at least a first wall 170 comprising a first curved zone 171 forming a hollow located opposite the outlet end 151 of the ventilation duct 15. The first wall 170 extends in a substantially plane. vertical parallel to the front edge 10a and perpendicular to the cooking plane P. Thus, the flow of air leaving the ventilation duct 15 through the outlet end 151 reaches the first wall 170.

The curved zone 171 forms with the vertical direction an angle Δ of between 35 ° and 60 °.

When the air flow arrives at this curved zone, it undergoes a reversal of direction and therefore goes towards the rear edge 10b of the hob 1.

In the embodiment described, the deflection means 17 further comprise a second wall 172 extending in a plane inclined relative to said cooking surface or to the horizontal plane. This second wall 172 extends opposite the outlet end 151 of the ventilation duct 15. The inclined plane is located opposite the outlet end 151 of the ventilation duct 15, and extends from the bottom wall 140 of the support piece 14 towards the front edge 10a of the hob 1. The first wall 170 rests on the second wall 172 to form the deflection means 17.

Thus, the air arriving at the outlet zone 16, guided by the outlet side walls 160, 161 towards the deflection means 17, arrive towards the second wall 172 in the inclined plane. This second inclined wall 172 causes the air flow to rise towards the first wall 170 comprising the curved zone 170.

In one embodiment, the inclined plane in which extends the second wall 172 of the deflection means 17 forms, with the plane in which the bottom wall 140 of the support piece 14 lies, an angle γ d ' a value between 15 ° and 45 °.

In the embodiment described, the second wall 172 is produced by a wall of the casing 8, as an extension of the casing bottom 80.

In another embodiment, illustrated by figure 6 , the second wall 172 is produced by a wall of the support part 14, as an extension of the bottom wall 140 beyond the ventilation duct 15.

In other embodiments, the second wall of the deflection means is a substantially vertical wall disposed opposite the second end of the ventilation duct.

In the embodiment described, the outlet side walls 160, 161 move away towards the front edge 10a of the hob 1 with respect to said median transverse axis A1 of the hob 1.

Thus, the width of the first wall 170 forming deflection means 17 is greater than the width of the ventilation duct 15 at the level of the outlet end 151.

Each outlet side wall 160, 161 forms with the transverse median axis A1 an angle σ having, by way of illustration, a value between 5 ° and 20 ° ( figure 5 ).

Thus, the air flow spreads on either side of the ventilation duct 15.

In one embodiment, the outlet side walls 160, 161 are bevelled with the top side 160a, 161a of the outlet walls 160, 161 being straight and inclined so that the top side 160a, 161a of the outlet side walls 160, 161 at the outlet end 151 of the ventilation duct 15 is located in a plane placed below a plane at which the upper sides 160a, 161a are located at the level of the deflection means 17. The upper sides 160a, 161a form with the plane at which the upper sides 160a, 161a are located at the level of the deflection means 17, an angle Δ 'with a horizontal plane of value between 5 ° and 20 °.

In one embodiment, the lower side 160b, 161b of the outlet side walls 160, 161 at the outlet end 151 of the ventilation duct 15 is located substantially in the third plane or intermediate plane P3 in which extend the intermediate parts 803c 803d of the casing bottom 80, so that the air flow can circulate in the intermediate space formed between the third plane P3 and the assembly formed by the heating plane P and second plane P2.

The figures 2 and 4 represent air flows circulating in the hob 1.

The heat produced by the electronic components of the electronic card 6 is expelled outside the hob 1, in particular by means of a first air flow F1.

The first air flow F1 corresponds to the air entering the fan 9 through the inlet opening 90a, along the ventilation duct 15 to the outlet zone 16, changing direction when arriving at the means deflection 17, entering the space formed between the third plane P3 of the housing 8 and the support plates 4 of the inductors 3 (or between the third plane P3 and the heating plane P), and moving towards the first openings of exit 90b to exit the hob 1.

This first air flow F1 also carries away the heat released under the support plates 4 of the inductors 3, in particular under the front support plate 4a.

It will be noted that the second face 6b of the electronic card 6 prevents the air flow F1 circulating in the intermediate space formed between the third plane P3 and the support plates 4 from descending towards the casing 8 once the flow returns towards the rear edge 10b after having left the ventilation duct 15. In other words, the electronic card 6 separates the intermediate space and the lower space of the hob 1.

In addition, in this aforementioned intermediate space, air flows leave the hob 1 through the second exhaust openings 90c.

It will be noted that the first air exhaust openings 90b are arranged at the level of the lateral edges 10c, 10d of the hob 1, near at least one heating element or inductor 3 and that said at least one element heater 3 is placed between the outlet area 16 of the ventilation duct 15 and the first air exhaust openings 90b.

Thus, when the flow of air leaving the ventilation duct 15 goes towards the first air exhaust openings 90b, it circulates above and below the heating element 3.

The air coming from the ventilation duct 15 also circulates between an upper space formed between the heating plan P and the cooking plate or cooking surface Pc.

In this embodiment, two evacuation hollows 21a, 21b are provided respectively at the level of the side edges 10c, 10d of the hob 1, allowing the air to be evacuated in this upper space. Each evacuation hollow 21a, 21b is located towards the middle of each side edge 10c, 10d of the hob 1.

In another embodiment, a single exhaust hollow is provided on a side edge of the hob.

In other embodiments, a plurality of exhaust recesses are provided on a side edge or on both side edges of the hob.

The evacuation hollows 21a, 21b are placed so that the air flows circulating between the trays of the supports 4 of the inductors 3 and the hob Pc enter the evacuation hollow 21a, 21b and leave the hob 1 through the first outlet openings 90b.

In the embodiment described, the evacuation hollows 21a, 21b are located at the level of each side edge 10c, 10d of said hob 1. Each evacuation hollow 21a, 21b is located near at least one heating element 3, said at least one heating element 3 being placed between the outlet zone 16 and the outlet hollow 21a, 21b.

In the embodiment described, the front and rear support plates 4a, 4b placed side by side, together with the side edges 10c, 10d, form the discharge hollows 21a, 21b respectively.

In this embodiment, the support plates 4a, 4b have a substantially rectangular shape. Each support plate 4a, 4b has two longitudinal sides 4aa, 4ab, 4ba, 4bb parallel to each other, and two transverse sides 4ac, 4ad, 4bc, 4bd parallel to each other. The transverse ribs 4ac, 4ad, 4bc, 4bd are located respectively at the level of the side edges 10c, 10d of the hob 1.

Each support plate 4a, 4b comprises between each transverse side 4ac, 4ad, 4bc, 4bd and each longitudinal side 4aa, 4ab, 4ba, 4bb, a bevelled side 4ax, 4ay, 4bx, 4by.

In this embodiment, the discharge recesses 21a, 21b are formed between bevelled sides 4ax, 4ay, 4bx, 4by of the front and rear support trays 4a, 4b and each side edge 10c, 10d of the cooktop. 1.

Of course, the support plates and the evacuation hollows can have different shapes.

The front support plate 4a has a front opening 41 located on the outlet zone 16 of the ventilation duct 15. Thus, the air flow arriving from the ventilation duct 15 at the outlet zone 16 and changing direction thanks to the means deflection 17, enters the upper space formed between the support plates 4 of the inductors and the cooking plate (not visible).

Thus, a second air flow F2 corresponds to the air entering the fan 9 through the inlet opening 90a, passing through the ventilation duct 15 to the outlet zone 16, changing direction when arriving to the deflection means 17, entering the upper space formed between the front support plates 6a and the cooking plate (not visible), passing into the evacuation recesses 21a, 21b and exiting the cooking hob 1 through the first outlet openings 90b.

It will be noted that the air streams not entering the exhaust hollow 21a, 21b exit towards the rear of the hob 1 through the second outlet openings 90c.

This second air flow F2 is intended to cool in particular the inductors 3 located at the front of the hob 1.

This embodiment is given by way of illustration. In another embodiment, the first outlet openings 90b could be placed in a plane substantially identical to or greater than the heating plane P so as to be free from the evacuation hollows and so that the second air flow F2 goes directly to the outlet openings 90b.

A second opening 42 or rear opening is provided in the rear support plate 4b at the level of the inlet end of the ventilation duct 15. The second opening 42 is therefore placed at the level of the transverse median axis A1 of the table. cooking 1.

In the embodiment shown, the rear opening 42 has a substantially rectangular shape, two sides of the opening 42 being parallel to the front 10a and rear 10b edges of the hob 1.

Under the rear opening 42, inlet deflection means 18 (visible figure 4 and 5 ) are placed at the inlet of the ventilation duct 15, between the fan 9 and the inlet end 150 of the ventilation duct 15.

In one embodiment, the inlet deflection means 18 comprise two inlet side walls 181, 182 placed on either side of the ventilation duct 15. The inlet side walls 181, 182 extend into vertical planes perpendicular to the hob and to the front 10a and rear 10b edges of the hob and parallel to the side edges 10c, 10d of the hob 1. Each side inlet wall 181, 182 is placed between the fan 9 and the inlet end 150 of the ventilation duct 15.

The inlet deflection means 18 comprise a deflection piece 183 located between the two inlet side walls 181, 182 and fixed between them.

In one embodiment, the deflection piece 183 comprises a first wall 183a extending in a plane parallel to the cooking surface. This first wall 183a extends between the two side entry walls 181, 182 along a curved line and forming an arc of a circle.

The deflection piece 183 comprises a second wall 183b projecting from the first wall 183a in a vertical direction and towards the cooking surface Pc.

In the embodiment described, the second wall 183b of the deflection piece 183 is therefore located between the two side entry walls 181, 182 and fixed between them.

The second wall 183b of the deflection part 183 forms a curved or oblique wall forming an arc of a circle, the hollow formed by this curved wall being placed opposite the fan 9.

The inlet deflection means 18 may have other shapes designed to modify the direction of circulation of an air flow arriving on them.

A second embodiment of the inlet deflection means 18 'is shown in figure 6 .

In this embodiment, the input deflection means 18 'comprise a deflection piece 183' having a V shape.

The deflection piece 183 'has two walls 183a1', 183a2 'extending between the two inlet side walls 181', 182 'in oblique directions to the inlet side walls 181', 182 'and between them, and converging in a top part V. The top part V is substantially located on the transverse median axis A1 of the hob 1 and is the part of the deflection part closest to the fan 9.

In this embodiment, the first walls 183a1 ', 183a2' of the deflection piece 183 are symmetrical with respect to the transverse median axis A1 of the hob 1. Thus, the air flow coming from the fan 9 is evenly distributed between the two sides of the hob 1.

Of course, the first walls of the deflection piece may not be symmetrical with respect to the transverse median axis A1 of the hob 1 so that the air flow coming from the fan 9 is directed on both sides. from the hob in different quantities.

In this embodiment, the deflection piece 183 comprises two second walls 183b1 ', 183b2' extending respectively projecting from the first walls 183b1 ', 183b1' in a vertical direction and towards the cooking surface Pc.

Similar to the first walls 183a1 ', 183a2', the second walls 183b1 ', 183b2' extend between the two inlet side walls 181 ', 182' in oblique directions to the inlet side walls 181 ', 182 'and between them, and converge in the top part V. Thus, in this embodiment, the second walls 183b1', 183b2 'are symmetrical with respect to the transverse median axis A1 of the hob 1.

Thanks to the inlet deflection means 18, 18 ', part of the air flow leaving the fan 9 and heading towards the front edge 10a of the hob 1 through the ventilation duct 15, changes direction from circulation through the deflection piece 183 of the inlet deflection means 18 and passes through the rear opening 42 to arrive at the space between the rear support trays 4b and the cooking plate (not visible).

The air arriving at this upper space of the hob 1, passes over the inductors 5 located on the rear support plate 4b to then exit from the hob 1 through the second outlet openings 90c.

Thus, a third air flow F3 corresponds to the air entering the fan 9 through the inlet opening 90a, arriving at the inlet deflection means 18, changing direction when arriving at the deflection piece 183, entering the upper space formed between the rear support trays 4b and the cooktop (not visible), and exiting the cooktop 1 through the second outlet openings 90c.

This third air flow F3 makes it possible to expel from the hob 1 heat produced in particular by the inductors 3 located at the rear of the hob 1.

Thus, the cooling of the inductors 3 located at the rear of the hob 1 is improved.

Claims (15)

1. Hob comprising a cooking surface (Pc), at least one heating element (3) extending in a heating plane (P) located under said cooking surface (Pc), and a cooling system comprising:

   - air circulating means (9) arranged under said heating plane (P) at a rear edge (10b) of said hob (1),

   - a ventilation duct (15) extending from the circulating means (9) and opening into an outlet zone (16) located at said front edge (10a) of the hob (1), said ventilation duct (15) comprising an inlet end (150) located at the air circulating means (9) such that a flow of air from the air circulating means (9) enters said ventilation duct (15) through said inlet end (150), and an outlet end (151) located at said outlet zone (16),

   - air deflecting means (17) located in said outlet zone (16), facing said outlet end (151) of said ventilation duct (15), and which are designed to reverse the direction of the air flow; and

   - at least one air discharge opening (90b) arranged at least at one lateral edge (10c, 10d) of the hob (1), near a heating element (3), said heating element (3) being placed between said outlet zone (16) and said at least one air discharge opening (90b),

   said hob (1) being characterised in that it further comprises a casing (8), placed under the cooking surface (Pc) and formed by a bottom (80) and peripheral walls (8a, 8b, 8c, 8d) located at the front (10a), rear (10b) and lateral (10c, 10d) edges, respectively, of said hob (1), said at least one air discharge opening (90b) being arranged on a lateral part of the bottom (80) of said casing.
2. Hob according to claim 1, characterised in that it comprises at least one discharge recess (21a, 21b) located at least at one lateral edge (10c, 10d) of said hob (1), near at least one heating element (3), said at least one heating element (3) being placed between said outlet zone (16) and said at least one discharge recess (21a, 21b).
3. Hob according to either claim 1 or claim 2, characterised in that it comprises at least one discharge recess (21a, 21b) located at each lateral edge (10c, 10d) of said hob (1), near at least one heating element (3), said at least one heating element (3) being placed between said outlet zone (16) and said at least one discharge recess (21a, 21b).
4. Hob according to either claim 2 or claim 3, characterised in that said at least one discharge recess (21a, 21b) is formed by support plates (4) on which said heating elements (3) are positioned.
5. Hob according to any of claims 1 to 4, characterised in that it includes a printed circuit board (6) for managing the operation of the hob (1), located under said heating plane (P), the ventilation duct (15) being delimited by two side walls (15a, 15b), by a first face (6a) of the printed circuit board (6) and by a support piece (14) on which said printed circuit board (6) and said circulating means (9) are placed.
6. Hob according to any of claims 1 to 5, characterised in that the cooling system further comprises two substantially vertical outlet side walls (160, 161), located in the outlet zone (16) on either side of the ventilation duct (15) and connecting the outlet end (151) of the ventilation duct (15) and the air deflecting means (17).
7. Hob according to claim 6, characterised in that the outlet side walls (160, 161) deviate towards the front edge (10a) of the hob (1) relative to a transverse axis (A1) of the hob (1).
8. Hob according to either claim 6 or claim 7, characterised in that the outlet side walls (160, 161) are cut at an angle, an upper side (160a, 161a) of the outlet walls (160, 161) being rectilinear and inclined such that the upper side (160a, 161a) of the outlet side walls (160, 161) at the outlet end (151) of the ventilation duct (15) is located in a plane located below a plane in which the upper sides (160a, 161a) are located at the deflecting means (17).
9. Hob according to claim 8, characterised in that the upper sides (160a, 161a) of the outlet side walls (160, 161) respectively form, together with a horizontal plane, an angle (Δ') having a value between 5° and 20°.
10. Hob according to any of claims 1 to 9, characterised in that the air deflecting means (17) comprise a first substantially vertical wall (170) arranged opposite the outlet end (151) of said ventilation duct (15), said first wall (170) comprising at least a first curved zone (171) forming a recess located opposite the outlet end of the ventilation duct (15).
11. Hob according to claim 10, characterised in that said air deflecting means (17) further comprise a second wall (172) extending between a bottom wall (140) of the ventilation duct (15) and said first wall (170) in a plane that is inclined relative to said cooking surface (Pc).
12. Hob according to claim 11, characterised in that said inclined plane forms, together with a plane in which the bottom wall of the ventilation duct extends, an angle between 15° and 45°.
13. Hob according to any of claims 1 to 12, characterised in that said at least one air discharge opening (90b) is positioned such that the air flow leaves the hob (1) in an oblique direction (D1) relative to a transverse axis (A1) of the hob (1).
14. Hob according to any of claims 1 to 13, characterised in that said at least one air discharge opening (90b) is a slot extending longitudinally along oblique axes (A2) relative to a transverse axis (A1) of the hob (1) and forming, together with said rear edge (10b) of the hob (1), an angle between 30° and 60°.
15. Hob according to any of claims 1 to 14, characterised in that it comprises second air discharge openings (90c) located between the rear edge (10b) and at least one lateral edge (10c, 10d).

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