EP4067754A1

EP4067754A1 - Air treatment device

Info

Publication number: EP4067754A1
Application number: EP22164216.8A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Daniele Angeletti; Francesco CHIAVARINI; Fabrizio Crisà
Original assignee: Elica SpA
Current assignee: Elica SpA
Priority date: 2021-03-26
Filing date: 2022-03-24
Publication date: 2022-10-05
Also published as: IT202100007526A1

Abstract

The present invention relates to an air treatment device (1) comprising a casing (2) of predetermined length, width and depth, having a plurality of sides defining a volume (20); a hood module (3) comprising first suction means (31) to suck in cooking fumes; a purifier module (4) comprising first filtering means (41) for filtering air from an environment surrounding the device (1) and second suction means (42) for sucking in air from the environment surrounding the device (1); wherein the hood module (3) and the purifier module (4) are housed in the volume (20) of the casing (2); a first inlet opening (5) provided in a first side (211) of the plurality of sides of the casing (2), wherein the hood module (3) comprises a first inlet (310) to suck in cooking fumes in fluid communication with the first inlet opening (5) and second filtering means (6) arranged at the first inlet opening (5). The device comprises a second inlet opening (7) provided in a second side (212) of the casing (2) distinct from the first side (211); the purifier module (4) comprises a second suction inlet (410) in fluid communication with the second inlet opening (7); the first filtering means (41) are arranged between the second inlet opening (7) and the second inlet (410). A key characteristic is that the first side (211) and the second side (212) are opposite each other.

Description

Technical field

The present invention relates to an air treatment device in accordance with the preamble to claim 1.
The air treatment device according to the present invention is suitable for use in kitchens, hence in domestic and professional environments.

Description of the prior art

Air treatment devices are known in the state of the art.
Some of such known devices comprise a casing, having a plurality of sides defining a volume, wherein a first hood module and a second purifier module are inserted, to obtain a double effect of suction of cooking fumes and purification of the air surrounding the device.
In particular, the first hood module comprises a hood configured to convey cooking fumes from a hob, and therefore has a first inlet to suck in cooking fumes and a first outlet to expel cooking fumes.
Conversely, the second purifier module comprises a purifier configured to purify air. Air purification can take place through various known technologies, one of which involves the use of HEPA (High-Efficiency Particulate Air) filters.
To enable the air to reach the HEPA filters, the second module comprises a suction inlet opening shared with the one for sucking in the cooking fumes.
In particular, according to such known air treatment devices, the two modules are placed in fluid communication with each other and, specifically, the second purifier module is placed downstream of the first hood module. In other words, the second suction inlet is placed at the first ejection outlet and is in fluid communication with the first suction inlet.
As a result, the purifier module purifies the air that is sucked in by the hood module.

Problems of the prior art

Disadvantageously, HEPA filters are sensitive to moisture.
In fact, it is known that steam, with which cooking fumes are rich, ruins these types of filter.
Since in the devices described above the air flow entering the purifier module comes from the hob, the steam, even if filtered by grease and/or odours, reaches the HEPA filter, damaging it and causing a loss of efficiency of the purifier module even after only several uses.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In this context, the task underlying the present invention is to propose a device for treating air and which overcomes the drawbacks of the prior art mentioned above.
In particular, it is an aim of the present invention to provide an air treatment device in which the purifier maintains its efficiency over time.
It is a further aim of the present invention to provide an air treatment device wherein the HEPA filter of the purifier is not damaged.
The technical task mentioned and the specified aims are substantially achieved by a device for treating air comprising the technical specifications set out in one or more of the appended claims.

Advantages of the invention

In particular, the air treatment device according to the present invention solves the technical problem in that it provides for the first intake inlet and the second intake inlet to be separated.
Specifically, a first inlet opening placed in fluid communication with the first inlet is provided on a first side of the casing, and a second inlet opening placed in fluid communication with the second inlet is provided on a second side of the casing, distinct from the first side.
Advantageously, the air flow entering the purifier module is different from that which has been sucked in by the hood module.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRA WINGS

The features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description of a possible practical embodiment thereof, illustrated, by way of example only, in the accompanying drawings, wherein:

Figure 1 shows a partially sectioned side view of an air treatment device according to the present invention;
Figure 2 shows a side view of a detail of the device in Figure 1 partially sectioned;
Figure 3 shows a perspective view of the detail in Figure 2;
Figure 4 shows a side view of a component of the device from Figure 1;
Figure 5 shows a partially sectioned perspective view of a detail of Figure 4.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Even if not explicitly highlighted, the individual features described with reference to the specific embodiments shall be understood as accessory to and/or interchangeable with other features described with reference to other embodiments.
With reference to the accompanying Figures, the present invention relates to an air treatment device referenced with the digit 1.
The air treatment device 1 according to the present invention is configured to be connected to a ceiling or to a wall.
Accordingly, in the present description, the terms lower, upper, front and rear, and the like, are to be understood once the air treatment device 1 has been installed.
In particular, the air treatment device 1 is configured to be installed above a hob. Therefore, when installed, the air treatment device 1 faces a hob, at least in part.
The air treatment device 1, in accordance with the present invention, comprises a casing 2 of predetermined length, width and depth. Such casing 2 has a plurality of sides defining a volume 20.
Preferably, the casing 2 takes the form of a box-like body. Such box-like body is bounded at the bottom, top and sides by the previously mentioned plurality of sides. Alternatively, the casing 2 takes the form of a frame not necessarily having closed sides.
Preferably, the casing 2 is prism shaped, for example trapezoidal prism shaped.
The air treatment device 1 comprises a hood module 3 configured to suck in cooking fumes. Particularly, the hood module 3 comprises first suction means 31 to suck in cooking fumes.
The air treatment device 1 comprises a purifier module 4 configured to purify the air surrounding the air treatment device 1.
In particular, the purifier module 4 comprises first filtering means 41 for filtering air from an environment surrounding the air treatment device 1.
In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the first filter means 41 comprise a HEPA filter.
The purifier module 4 further comprises second suction means 42 for sucking in air from the environment surrounding the air treatment device 1.
It should be noted that the hood module 3 and the purifier module 4 are both housed in the volume 20 of the casing 2.
Preferably, the hood module 3 and the purifier module 4 respectively comprise a first support and a second support (not shown in the attached Figures), which can be connected to the casing 2. Such supports take the form of a support element to which the various functional elements of the hood module 3 or the purifier module 4 are connected, for example, the first suction means 31, the first filter means 41 and the second suction means 42.
The supports may be distinct elements or, according to a preferred embodiment, shown in Figure 4, may correspond to a single support element 17 for the hood module 3 and the purifier module 4 comprising respective housings for the respective functional elements.
In greater detail, the air treatment device 1 comprises a first inlet opening 5 provided in a first side 211 of the plurality of sides of the casing 2.
This first side 211 is preferably the lower side of the casing 2.
In particular, the hood module 3 comprises a first suction inlet 310 of said cooking fumes in fluid communication with the first inlet opening 5. This first suction inlet 310 is preferably located in the first support. The first suction means 31 are placed downstream of the first suction inlet 310.
The air treatment device 1 according to the present invention further comprises a second inlet opening 7. This second inlet opening 7 is located on a second side 212 of the casing 2. This second side 212 is in particular distinct from the first side 211. In other words, the first inlet opening 5 and the second inlet opening 7 are separate from each other and do not lie on the same side.
Preferably, the first side 211 and the second side 212 are opposite to one another.
More preferably, said second side 212 is the upper side of the casing 2.
Even more preferably, the first side 211 faces the hob and the second side 212 is opposite the hob.
In fact, the arrangement of the first and second suction openings on opposite sides of the casing has the significant technical effect of preventing part of the cooking fumes from being accidentally sucked out of the purifier module, compromising the effectiveness over time of the HEPA filter, which is sensitive to moisture.
According to one aspect, the air treatment device 1 is configured to be connected to a ceiling at the top 212. Accordingly, the air treatment device 1 comprises, for example, connecting elements 15 connected to and extending away from the second side 212. These connecting elements 15 can be connected to a ceiling and are configured to keep the air treatment device 1 hanging therefrom.
The purifier module 4 comprises a second air suction inlet 410 in fluid communication with the second inlet opening 7. This second suction inlet 410 is located in the second support.
Advantageously, the first suction inlet 310 and the suction inlet 410 are separate from each other.
Preferably, the first filtering means 41 are arranged between the second inlet opening 7 and the second suction inlet 410. The second suction means 42 are placed downstream of the second suction inlet 410 and the first filter means 41. Advantageously, the air is conveyed by the second suction means 42 through the first filter means 41.
In accordance with the present invention, the hood module 3 and the purifier module 4 are hydrodynamically separated.
The volume 20 comprises two portions 11, 12. In greater detail, a first portion 11 is dimensioned to house the hood module 3, and a second portion 12 is dimensioned to house the purifier module 4.
Preferably, the hood module 3 and the purifier module 4 are interchangeable with each other in the respective portions 11, 12 within the volume 20.
According to a preferred embodiment, the hood module 3 and the purifier module 4 are side by side horizontally. According to said embodiment, both the hood module 3 and the purifier module 4 face the hob. Accordingly, the two portions 11, 12 of the casing 2 are preferably symmetrical with respect to a vertical X-X plane of symmetry. Similarly, the hood 3 and purifier 4 modules are also at least partially symmetrical with respect to a vertical X-X plane of symmetry. Advantageously, it is possible to mount the hood module 3 into the first portion 11 and the purifier module 4 into the second portion 12, or vice versa, by rotating the hood module 3 and the purifier module by 180° with respect to a rotation plane parallel to the X-X plane of symmetry.
Preferably, the air treatment device 1 further comprises second filtering means 6. Said second filtering means 6 comprise a grease filter. Preferably, the second filtering means 6 are arranged at the first inlet opening 5. Accordingly, preferably the first side 211 is open and the second filtering means 6 are placed at said first side 211. Even more preferably, the second filtering means 6 extend along the entire length of the first side 211. Consequently, the second filtering means 6 face the hood module 3 and the purifier module 4, to make the two modules 3, 4 interchangeable within said volume 20, without the need for further steps, maintaining the structure of the casing 2 as described above.
In addition, preferably the hood module 3 is bounded below by the second filtering means 6. Accordingly, the support of the hood module 3 has an open bottom.
Preferably, the air treatment device 1 comprises a partition septum 10 arranged within the volume 20. The partition septum 10 is configured to divide the volume 20 into the two portions 11, 12. In particular, the partition septum 10 is configured to make the two portions 11, 12 hydrodynamically separated.
The hood module 3, the purifier module 4 and the partition septum 10 are mechanically constrained to the casing 2. Preferably, the hood module 3, the purifier module 4 and the partition septum 10 are constrained to the casing at least at the second side 212, that is, the upper side.
In accordance with one aspect, the hood module 3 and the purifier module 4 comprise respective coupling means 16 for connecting said modules 3, 4 to the casing.
Preferably the partition septum 10 is part of the second support of the purifier module 4. Accordingly, the hood module 3 is bounded laterally by the partition septum 10 of the purifier module 4.
Preferably, the second inlet opening 7 defines an opening surface 71 such as to allow the extraction, through the opening surface 71, of the first filtering means 41. In other words, said opening surface 71 is shaped so as to be oversized with respect to the first filtering means 41. Advantageously, it is possible to access the first filtering means 41 maintenance or replacement of said first filtering means 41.
In greater detail, the hood module 3 comprises a first ejection outlet 320 in fluid communication with a first outlet opening 8 arranged on one of the sides of the plurality of sides of the casing 2 distinct from the first side 211. In other words, the casing 2 comprises the first outlet opening 8, which is placed on any side other than the first side 211.
According to one aspect of this invention, the hood module 3 can encompass a hood of the type known as a filtering or suction hood. In the case of a suction hood, the hood module 3 is connected to air vent at the first ejection outlet 320. In particular, in the case of a suction hood, the first outlet opening 8 is hydrodynamically connected to an air vent configured to transport the extracted cooking fumes to environment other than that facing the air treatment device 1. In the case of a filtering hood, the first outlet opening 8 is in fluid communication with the environment in which the air treatment device 1 is located.
The purifier module 4 comprises a second ejection outlet 420 in fluid communication with a second outlet opening 9 arranged on one of the sides of the plurality of sides of the casing 2 distinct from the first side 211.
Preferably, the first outlet opening 8 and the second outlet opening 9 are arranged on the same side 212 of the plurality of sides of the casing 2, where this side 212 is distinguished from the first side 211.
In other words, according to a preferred embodiment, the second suction inlet 410, the first ejection outlet 320 and the second ejection outlet 420 are placed on the same side of the casing 2, hence the second side 212.
Advantageously, the second suction inlet 410 remains separate from the hob, and in this way the vapours issuing from the hob do not reach the second suction inlet 410, thereby ensuring that the first filtering means 41 do not come into contact with these vapours.
In fact, as the second side 212 is opposite the hob, the vapours do not flow into the second suction inlet 410.
Alternatively, the second suction inlet 410 is placed on a different side not necessarily opposite the first side 211. For example, the second suction inlet 410 could be arranged on the rear side of the casing 2, if the casing 2 is shaped in such a way that this side is not abutting a wall.
With particular reference to Figure 4, optionally, the purifier module 4 comprises third filtering means 43. Said third filtering means 43 are arranged between the second ejection outlet 420 and the second outlet opening 9.
Optionally, the hood module 3 comprises fourth filtering means 32. Said fourth filtering means 32 are arranged between the first ejection outlet 320 and the first outlet opening 8.
Preferably, the third filtering means 43 and fourth filtering means 32 respectively comprise an active carbon filter.
Optionally, the air treatment device 1 also comprises cover grilles 19 placed at the first and second ejection outlets 320, 420.
The air treatment device 1 comprises an electronic and/or electromechanical unit 13 configured to control the operation of the hood module 3 and the purifier module 4. In particular, said electronic unit 13 is housed in the volume 20.
The air treatment device 1 comprises a control panel 14 associated with the casing 2 externally to the volume 20. Advantageously, the control panel 14 is accessible to a user. The control panel 14 is in signal communication with the electronic unit 13 and is configured to control the electronic unit 13. The control panel 14 comprises, for example, a touch screen or keys that can be pressed by a user to activate the hood module 3 and/or the purifier module 4.
Preferably, the electronic unit 13 is placed at the partition septum 10. Preferably, the electronic unit 13 is housed in the first portion 11 of the volume 20.
Preferably, the control panel 14 and/or the electronic unit 13 are configured to activate the hood module 3 and the purifier module 4 separately. In other words, the hood module 3 and the purifier module 4 are configured to operate separately and not jointly. Advantageously, especially in the case of a filter hood, the air circulating in the hood module 3 remains separated from the air circulating in the purifier module 4.

Claims

Air treatment device (1) comprising:
- a casing (2) of predetermined length, width and depth, having a plurality of sides defining a volume (20);

- a hood module (3) comprising first suction means (31) to suck in cooking fumes;

- a purifier module (4) comprising first filtering means (41) for filtering air from an environment surrounding the device (1) and second suction means (42) for drawing said air from the environment surrounding the device (1), said hood module (3) and said purifier module (4) being housed in said volume (20) of said casing (2);

- a first inlet opening (5) provided in a first side (211) of said plurality of sides of said casing (2), said hood module (3) comprising a first suction inlet (310) of said cooking fumes in fluid communication with said first inlet opening (5);

- second filtering means (6) arranged at said first inlet opening (5);

- a second inlet opening (7) which is provided in a second side (212) of said casing (2) distinct from said first side (211); said purifier module (4) comprising a second suction inlet (410) of said air in fluid communication with said second inlet opening (7), said first filtering means (41) being arranged between said second inlet opening (7) and said second suction inlet (410);
characterised in that said first side (211) and said second side (212) are opposed to each other.
Device (1) according to claim 1, wherein:
- said hood module (3) comprises a first ejection outlet (320) in fluid communication with a first outlet opening (8) arranged in one of the sides of said plurality of sides of said casing (2) distinct from said first side (211),

- said purifier module (4) comprises a second ejection outlet (420) in fluid communication with a second outlet opening (9) arranged in one of the sides of said plurality of sides of said casing (2) distinct from said first side (211).
Device (1) according to claim 2, wherein said first outlet opening (8) and said second outlet opening (9) are arranged on the same side (212) of said plurality of sides of said casing (2) distinct from said first side (211).
Device (1) according to claim 1, comprising a partition septum (10) arranged within said volume (20), said partition septum (10) being configured to subdivide said volume (20) into two hermetically separated portions (11, 12), a first portion (11) being dimensioned to house said hood module (3) and a second portion (12) being dimensioned to house said purifier module (4).
Device (1) according to claim 4, wherein said hood module (3), said purifier module (4) and said partition septum (10) are mechanically constrained to the casing (2) at least at said second side (212).
Device (1) according to claim 1, comprising:
- an electronic unit (13) configured to control the operation of the hood module (3) and of the purifier module (4), said electronic unit (13) being housed in said volume (20);

- a control panel (14) associated with said casing (2) externally to said volume (20), said control panel (14) being configured to control said electronic unit (13).
Device (1) according to claims 4 and 6, wherein said electronic unit (13) is housed in said first portion (11) of said volume (20).
Device (1) according to claim 6, wherein said control panel (14) and/or said electronic unit (13) are configured to alternatively activate the hood module (3) and the purifier module (4).
Device (1) according to claim 1, wherein said purifier module (4) comprises third filtering means (43) arranged between said second ejection outlet (420) and said second outlet opening (9).
Device (1) according to claim 1, wherein said second inlet opening (7) defines an opening surface (71) such as to allow the extraction, through said opening surface (71), of said first filtering means (41) of said purifier module (4).
Device (1) according to claim 1, wherein said hood module (3) comprises fourth filtering means (32) arranged between said first ejection outlet (320) and said first outlet opening (8).
Device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said first filtering means (41) comprise a HEPA filter, said second filtering means (6) comprise a grease filter, and said third filtering means (43) and fourth filtering means (32) comprise an activated carbon filter.