EP4675180A1

EP4675180A1 - Device for thermal insulation and ventilation of a unit, preferably a kitchen unit, and kitchen unit comprising same

Info

Publication number: EP4675180A1
Application number: EP24723190.5A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Francisco José MARTÍNEZ GARCÍA; Fabián Alejo MARTÍNEZ GARCÍA
Original assignee: Famar Muebles SL
Current assignee: Famar Muebles SL
Priority date: 2023-03-27
Filing date: 2024-03-27
Publication date: 2026-01-07
Also published as: ES2984753A1; WO2024200899A1

Abstract

The invention relates to ventilation systems used in kitchen units, in particular to systems or devices used to enhance the ventilation of home appliances installed in kitchen units.

To this end, a device is provided for the thermal insulation of an electrical appliance which comprises at least a ventilation opening; the device comprises a thermally insulating base plate that can be coupled to the electrical appliance and configured to, when coupled, form an insulation chamber with the electrical appliance, wherein the ventilation opening (101) is oriented towards said insulation chamber, and a thermally insulating partition plate, that can be coupled to the base plate such that, when coupled, the partition plate divides the insulation chamber into two independent subchambers (C1), (C2) in a substantially airtight manner with each other, such that the ventilation opening of the electrical appliance is located in one of said subchambers.

Description

Technical field

The present invention relates to the technical sector of thermal insulation and ventilation systems used in units in which electrical devices that radiate heat are used. More particularly, the invention relates to the sector of systems or devices used to facilitate or enhance both the thermal insulation and ventilation of electrical appliances, such as induction hobs, in particular, glass ceramic hobs, installed in kitchen units.

Background of the invention

Generally, electrical appliances used for cooking emit or radiate heat, which, if not channelled properly, has a negative impact on the performance and durability of the appliance in question. This drawback is accentuated in appliances or home appliances that are normally intended to work embedded in partially or completely closed units or cabinets, and in environments with high temperatures such as kitchens.
Among the devices and systems intended to alleviate these increases in temperature in the areas close to said appliances is patent document ES 2 850 081 by the same applicant. Figure 1 of the aforementioned document is a representation of said ventilation and reinforcement system in which a flexible sheet (7) and a series of supports and ventilation elements (1, 2, 8 and 9) can be seen. Essentially, the sheet (7), which is insulating, creates a chamber just below, for example, an induction hob (on the underside of which the latter's ventilation system is usually installed) and, in this way, the heat generated by the hob does not diffuse through the inner area of the unit - where an oven, fresh food storage areas, etc. may be installed - but is forced to exit through the front or rear area of the unit, specifically through profiles (1) equipped with holes for this purpose.
Furthermore, it is common for kitchen hobs of this type to incorporate at least one automatic ventilation element on their lower surface, which generates an air current towards the interior of the home appliance itself for ventilation of its energy generators, in order to maintain a working temperature according to the parameters required by said installation; this is because, if these generators or components overheat, an automatic disconnection or power limitation of the induction hob may occur, by means of a safety mechanism, which entails a relevant impact on the proper operation thereof, and on its own performance.
The aforementioned system has clear advantages over home appliances that lack same, but it is susceptible to improvements, which are achieved through the present invention as will be detailed below. In short, the device disclosed in this document facilitates or enhances the thermal insulation and heat evacuation of chambers such as those described in the previous paragraph, with an imaginative solution and relatively simple application, without the need to change the unit or make modifications thereto. Furthermore, said assembly is applicable to any home appliance or electrical or electronic appliance that has a ventilation system similar to that of induction hobs for kitchens.

Description of the invention

To provide a solution to the aforementioned need for improvement, in a first embodiment, the present invention provides a device for the thermal insulation of an electrical appliance, such that these two coupled elements, device and electrical device, are thermally insulated when coupled in a unit, protecting the latter.
The present invention is designed to work with electrical appliances such as kitchen induction hobs, which are generally coupled in the recess of the unit. Such induction hobs incorporate ventilation means to dissipate part of the heat generated during operation, wherein said ventilation means comprise at least one ventilation opening through which the air for cooling enters and at least a second opening through which the hot air from inside the induction hob exits.
Thus, the device of the present invention comprises a thermally insulating base plate, which, when coupled to the electrical appliance, forms an insulation chamber therewith, such that the ventilation opening, through which the cooling air enters, of said electrical device is oriented towards said insulation chamber.
The device of the invention further comprises a thermally insulating partition plate that can be coupled to the base plate such that, when coupled to the electrical appliance, said partition plate divides the insulation chamber into two independent cavities in a substantially airtight manner with each other, in such a way that the ventilation opening or inlet of the electrical device is located and isolated in one of said subchambers, and the ventilation outlet is either in the other subchamber or facing outward from the insulation chamber. In this way, it is ensured that the cooling air and the hot air expelled by the electrical appliance do not mix, improving ventilation and increasing the efficiency of the electrical device.
In an alternative embodiment, the base plate and the partition plate are made from a thermally insulating and/or fire retardant, and/or self-extinguishing and/or fireproof material.
In the description and claims the terms "substantially" and "substantial" are used in relation to "air-tightness". In the first case, it is clear that it refers to a condition of "air-tightness" sufficient to improve the air flow in the insulation chamber formed when the device and the electrical appliance are coupled together in the unit. That is, in order to achieve the improvement provided by the present invention at a certain level, it is not necessary for the thermally insulating separator device to completely hermetically divide the two cavities of the chamber, although this is the recommended situation.
Preferably, the partition plate is adjustable in relation to the base plate such that the dimensions of the independent subchambers can be adjusted to better accommodate the position of the ventilation opening of the electrical appliance so that the same is conveniently insulated in one of said subchambers.
In this sense, and to enable said adjustment, the base plate comprises adjustment means that allow the partition plate to be located in different positions along the base plate, as needed. Optionally, the adjustment means comprise holes made in the base plate that are passed through by pins that are inserted into the partition plate. Such pins may be of the threaded type, which are inserted in a threaded manner into holes provided in the partition plate.
Alternatively, the device comprises a longitudinal separation support. This support is intended to be located below the partition plate, supporting same with respect to the base plate.
The longitudinal separation support comprises a housing along the same and suitable for receiving the partition plate such that the latter is better secured in the coupling position thereof.
"Operating position" or "coupling position" or "coupled" in relation to any of the elements of the device or the corresponding unit relates to the position adopted by those elements when they are installed and ready to operate properly.
Preferably, the base plate has an essentially rectangular shape and comprises tabs arranged at the ends of said base plate. Some or all of such tabs may be flexible. Within the context of the invention, when referring to "flexible tabs", it relates to the ability thereof to move, travel or flex slightly to fit into and secure to the unit, as well as to adjust and close on the interior walls of the unit to, when coupled, create the insulation chamber with the electrical appliance. These tabs simultaneously function as side walls extending from the base plate such that the partition plate preferably extends between two tabs each located at opposite ends of the base plate.
Furthermore, the base plate is provided with means suitable for coupling to the unit, such that hooking elements are arranged on said tabs in two of such tabs that are provided at opposite ends of the base plate, wherein the hooking elements are configured for coupling to the unit of the base plate.
In an alternative embodiment, the base plate is comprised of a metal sheet on which a layer of thermally insulating material, hereinafter insulating layer, is superimposed. Therefore, in this embodiment, the tabs are formed from folds of the ends of the metal sheet, such that the hooking elements are formed as folds in the form of a curved hook arranged at opposite ends of the tabs to the fold with the metal sheet.
In a preferred embodiment, the insulating layer protrudes from at least one of the tabs, particularly, it protrudes from the two tabs that do not comprise the hooking elements.
Thus, the material with which the partition plate is made, the separation support thereof, the metal sheet and the layer of material superimposed thereon are also heat resistant, preferably fire retardant, self-extinguishing or fireproof. Even more preferably, the material chosen for the metal sheet is aluminium.
In an alternative embodiment, the partition plate and the layer of material superimposed on the metal sheet are made with the same material, said material being thermally insulating, fire retardant, self-extinguishing or fireproof and, in addition, flexible.
In alternative embodiments, the electrical appliance in which the device of the present invention can preferably be applied is a kitchen hob mounted on a unit, more preferably, an induction hob, even more preferably, a glass ceramic hob.
Likewise, in a second embodiment of the invention, a piece of furniture is provided equipped with an electrical appliance, the latter preferably being a kitchen hob, more preferably an induction hob, wherein, to thermally insulate said electrical appliance in the unit and improve its ventilation efficiency, the device for thermal insulation of the invention is arranged in the unit as described so far.

Brief description of the drawings

In order to complement this description and to facilitate understanding of the features of the invention, the following figures are attached in which, for illustrative and non-limiting purposes, the following has been represented:

Figure 1 illustrates the device for thermal insulation of the invention, arranged to be mounted in a unit.
Figure 2 shows the device of the invention mounted in the unit, and an electrical appliance of the induction hob type arranged to be mounted in the unit to operate together with the device.
Figure 3 shows the lower portion of the device, showing the adjustment means of the partition plate.
Figure 4 shows a cross-sectional view in which both the device and the electrical appliance are installed in the unit.

Detailed description of the invention

Next, a detailed description of the separator device of the present invention is made with reference to the attached drawings.
Although the device described herein is particularly intended to be used in units that couple kitchen appliances, and, more specifically, to induction hobs, due to the ventilation system that many of them incorporate, based on the technical characteristics set forth in the claims, it is deduced that the same is also applicable to any other appliance - whether kitchen or not - that uses a similar ventilation system in which compartmentalisation into two separate chambers is beneficial.
Now, in relation to Figures 2 and 4, an electrical appliance 100 of the kitchen hob type that has been illustrated is a typical induction hob such as, for example, a glass ceramic hob, hereinafter induction hob 100, which usually includes a ventilation system, for example, by means of fans. Thus, this ventilation system absorbs air from outside through a ventilation opening 101, passing it through the most critical elements of said induction hob 100 and then expelling it through at least one corresponding outlet opening (not illustrated).
The inventors have observed that when an insulation chamber is formed between the inner face of the induction hob and an insulating sheet such as that described in patent document ES 2 850 081 by the same applicant with reference number 7, the division of the aforementioned insulation or ventilation chamber improves the air flow rate that ventilates the internal components of the induction hob and also reduces the temperature thereof, thus promoting its proper operation, while insulating the remaining portion of the unit.
Therefore, to both thermally insulate the unit and promote the proper operation of the induction hob, the present invention provides a device 1 for thermal insulation, which is intended to work together with the induction hob 100 and be mountable/removable from unit 10.
In this way, in the exemplary embodiment that accompanies figures 1 to 4, the device 1 comprises a base plate 2 formed by a metal sheet 2' on which a layer 2" of thermally insulating material, hereinafter insulating layer 2", is superimposed. The metal sheet 2' has an essentially rectangular shape and comprises at the edges or side ends thereof four side walls formed by bending said metal sheet 2' along the edges thereof. The side walls of the metal sheet 2' together with the layer 2" form tabs 21, 22, 23, 24, preferably a pair of said flexible tabs 23, 24, wherein the flexibility of these tabs 23, 24 enables the device 1 to fit into the unit 10 and slightly adjust to the dimensions thereof.
For the coupling of the device 1, the unit 10 may have guides or similar in which hooking elements 210, 220 arranged on the metal sheet 2' are hooked. In particular, these hooking elements 210, 220 are each arranged with tabs 21, 22 opposite or facing each other in relation to the metal sheet 2'. In the preferred embodiment, the hooking elements 210, 220 are formed as hook-like folds arranged at opposite ends to the fold of the metal sheet 2' that forms the wall of the tabs 21, 22, where the hooking elements 210, 220 conveniently hook onto the unit 10.
In the illustrated embodiments, the wall of the insulating layer 2" protrudes on two of the side walls of the metal sheet 2' to form the tabs 23, 24 which, when coupled, will contact either the interior walls of the unit 10, or the induction hob 100. A person skilled in the art will be able to understand that the tabs 23, 24, opposite each other, are considered tabs 23, 24 both when the insulating layer 2" protrudes therefrom, and when it does not protrude.
The device 1 further comprises a partition plate 3 which can be coupled to the base plate 2. In Figures 1, 2 and 4, said partition plate 3 is shown coupled to the base plate 2, while in Figure 3 it is shown in an uncoupled state, and in said Figure 3 adjustment means 222 are displayed that enable the coupling and the adjustment of the partition plate 3 along the base plate 2. In the illustrated embodiment, the adjustment means 222 are formed as two rows of equally spaced holes passing through the base plate 2, that is, passing through the metal sheet 2' and the insulating layer 2", wherein the partition plate 3 is coupled by threaded pins or bolts that pass through the holes and are inserted in a threaded manner into the partition plate 3. The rows of holes allow the position of the partition plate 3 to be adjusted up to a maximum distance "x" measured from the fold of the flange 21.
As can be seen in the figures, the partition plate 3 passes through the base plate in an intermediate area, contacting the tabs 23, 24, which hereinafter will be referred to as side tabs 23, 24. The height of the partition plate 3 will be sufficient to, when coupled with the unit 10 and with the induction hob 100, contact the inner face of said induction hob 100, as seen in Figure 4.
Thus, the device 1 resembles a tray intended to be coupled to the recess of a countertop 102 for an induction hob 100. When coupled, the base plate 2 forms with the induction hob 100 an insulation chamber, wherein the partition plate 3 divides, in a substantially airtight manner, said insulation chamber into two independent subchambers C1, C2, in such a way that the ventilation opening 101 of the induction plate 100 is located in one of said subchambers C1, C2, for example, in C1, as illustrated in Figure 4.
Therefore, the ventilation opening 101 through which air is sucked into the induction hob 100 is located in one of the subchambers and the ventilation opening through which the air exits is either located in the other subchamber, for example in C2, or facing outward from the isolation chamber. Normally the air outlet is placed frontally on the kitchen unit, such that the air can exit through the corresponding ventilation holes. This airtight separation between the inlet and outlet of the ventilation air ensures that the hotter air that comes out through the openings of the ventilation system of the induction hob 100 does not mix again with that which enters through the respective inlets and, therefore, the temperature in the two subchambers C1, C2 is maintained with a sufficient difference to further enhance, through convection, the flow created by the fans of the induction hob 100.
The greater the air-tightness or sealing provided by the partition plate 3, the better the effect achieved by the device 1, but any degree of separation between the two subchambers will generate a contributory effect for the ventilation of the induction hob 100.
Due to the temperatures to which the partition plate 3 will be subjected - and the different components that will be described later - it is preferred that the material of the partition plate 3 be heat resistant and, preferably, fire retardant, self-extinguishing and/or fireproof.
Furthermore, the material of said partition plate 3 will preferably be flexible such that its final height can be adapted to the height of the insulation chamber formed between the base plate 2 and the inner face of the induction plate 100, which, in turn, will depend on the thickness of said plate 3; being flexible means that a vertical compression of said material will only result in a better hermetic seal between the two subchambers C1, C2.
In Figure 3 it can be seen that the device 1 comprises a longitudinal separation support 31 for supporting the partition plate 3. Preferably, the longitudinal separation support 31 supports the partition plate (3) along the entire length thereof.
The longitudinal separation support 31 comprises a housing (not shown) to better contain the partition plate 3. This longitudinal housing can occupy the entire length of the support 31 or can be distributed in various sections of the total length.
Preferably, both the insulating layer 2" and the partition plate 3 are made from the same material which, also preferably, is flexible.
In another preferred embodiment, the partition plate 3 actually consists of a longitudinal element folded, along an axis that runs along the entire length of said element, into two articulated parts in such a way that the cross section thereof has a substantial "V" shape. This cross section is better contained, for example, within the longitudinal housing of the support 31, providing the desired flexibility to close and create the two subchambers C1, C2 when coupled.
According to another additional embodiment, the walls that delimit the longitudinal housing of the support 31 have a certain elasticity such that, in the resting state, the opening between them is less than the thickness of the partition plate 3 and, thus, when it is inserted into said housing, it is clamped for greater firmness in fastening
The invention further relates to a unit 10 for an electrical kitchen appliance 100, in particular for an induction hob 100, wherein the cabinet 10 comprises an inner cavity enabled for the arrangement of the device 1 described heretofore and a countertop 102 configured for the coupling of the induction hob 100. The countertop 102 and/or the unit 10 comprises a recess for coupling the device 1 and the induction hob, as seen in Figure 4.

Claims

A device (1) for the thermal insulation of an electrical appliance (100) which comprises at least a ventilation opening (101), the device (1) comprising:
- a thermally insulating base plate (2) that can be coupled to the electrical appliance (100) and configured to, when coupled, form an insulation chamber with the electrical appliance (100), wherein the ventilation opening (101) is oriented towards said insulation chamber;
characterised in that it comprises:
- a thermally insulating partition plate (3), said partition plate (3) being able to be coupled to the base plate (2) such that, when coupled, said partition plate (3) divides the insulation chamber into two subchambers (C1), (C2), which are independent and substantially airtight with each other, such that the ventilation opening (101) of the electrical appliance (100) is located in one of said subchambers.
The device according to claim 1, wherein the base plate (2) has an essentially rectangular shape and comprises tabs (21, 22, 23, 24) arranged at the ends of said base plate (2), wherein hooking elements (210, 220) are arranged in two tabs (21, 22) each arranged at opposite ends of the base plate (2).
The device according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the base plate (2) comprises a metal sheet (2') on which a layer (2") of thermally insulating material is superimposed.
The device according to claim 3, when claim 3 is dependent on claim 2, wherein the tabs (21, 22, 23, 24) are formed from folds of the ends of the metal sheet (2') and the layer (2"), and wherein the hooking elements (210, 220) comprise hook-shaped folds arranged at opposite ends of the tabs (21, 22) to the metal sheet (2').
The device according to any of claims 2 to 4, wherein the two tabs (23, 24) each adjacent to the two tabs (21, 22) are flexible.
The device according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the partition plate (3) is adjustable in relation to the base plate (2), the latter comprising adjustment means (222) configured to enable the adjustment of the partition plate (3).
The device according to the preceding claim, wherein the adjustment means (222) comprise holes made in the base plate (2).
The device according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the base plate (2) and the partition plate (3) are made from a thermally insulating material.
The device according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the electrical appliance (100) is a kitchen induction hob.
A unit (10) for electrical apparatus (100), characterised in that it comprises the device (1) for thermal insulation of the electrical apparatus (100) according to any of claims 1 to 9.
The unit according to the preceding claim, comprising an inner cavity enabled for the arrangement of the device (1) and a countertop (102) configured for coupling the electrical appliance (100).
The unit according to claims 10 or 11, wherein the electrical appliance (100) is a kitchen induction hob.