WO2008114906A1

WO2008114906A1 - Range hood with auxiliary duct

Info

Publication number: WO2008114906A1
Application number: PCT/KR2007/002991
Authority: WO
Inventors: Baeg Geum Lee; Suk Ho Hong; Jae Yeol Koo; Hee Su Kim; Jin Woo Park; Su Mun Lee
Original assignee: Samsung Corporation
Priority date: 2007-03-21
Filing date: 2007-06-20
Publication date: 2008-09-25
Also published as: KR100845577B1

Abstract

A range hood with an auxiliary duct includes: a hood installed above cooking appliances of a kitchen; a main duct serving as a passage for discharging gas collected by the hood to the outdoors; an auxiliary intake unit installed spaced apart from the hood on one side of an upper portion of the kitchen; an auxiliary duct connected to the auxiliary intake unit at one end thereof and to the main duct at the other end thereof, and carrying the gas collected by the auxiliary intake unit to the main duct; and a ventilating fan mounted in the main duct, installed downstream from a joint between the main duct and the auxiliary duct, and serving as a power source that draws the gas into the hood and the auxiliary intake unit and discharges the drawn gas to the outdoors.

Description

RANGE HOOD WITH AUXILIARY DUCT

Technical Field

[1] The present invention relates, in general, to a range hood with an auxiliary duct, and more particularly, to a range hood with an auxiliary duct, capable of secondarily collecting pollutants (gas, etc.), which are not primarily collected by the hood, to discharge them to the outdoors, minimizing the sound accompanying the operation of a ventilating fan, automatically controlling flow cross sections of the auxiliary duct and a main duct, and preventing the ventilating fan installed in the main duct from being soiled. Background Art

[2] Generally, when food is cooked in kitchens, smells and smoke are unavoidably generated. Without a separate exhaust unit, the smells and smoke generated during cooking spread indoors, thereby polluting indoor air. This is inconvenient, because windows must be opened to replace the indoor air with outdoor air. Furthermore, this air cleaning method is not efficient because it takes a considerable amount of time to completely discharge the polluted air.

[3] In order to solve this problem, use is made of a method of installing a duct having a ventilating fan above a cooking appliance, such as a gas range, of the kitchen, and discharging various smells, smoke, and cooking heat generated during cooking to the outdoors through an exhaust duct. Because the cooking appliance of the kitchen is spaced apart from the exhaust duct by a considerable distance, a variety of pollutants are not rapidly drawn out through the exhaust duct, and thus diffuse into the indoor space. These diffused pollutants cannot be rapidly discharged.

[4] In order to overcome these limits on the method of removing various pollutants generated during cooking, a range hood that forms an air film (air curtain) to thus prevent the indoor diffusion of pollutants has been proposed. In most cases, a separate apparatus for forming the air curtain is required, and the structure thereof is complicated. Further, the actual effect of blocking the pollutants does not meet expectations, and operating noise is high. Disclosure of Invention

Technical Problem

[5] Accordingly, the present invention has been made in an effort to solve the problems occurring in the related art, and the objects of the present invention are as follows.

[6] The first object of the present invention is to provide means for secondarily collecting pollutants (gas, etc.), which are not primarily collected by a hood, to discharge them to the outdoors.

[7] The second object of the present invention is to provide means for minimizing the sound accompanying the operation of a ventilating fan.

[8] The third object of the present invention is to provide means for automatically controlling flow cross sections of an auxiliary duct and a main duct.

[9] The fourth object of the present invention is to provide means for preventing a ventilating fan installed in a main duct from being soiled. Technical Solution

[10] In order to achieve the above object, according to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a range hood with an auxiliary duct, which comprises a hood installed above cooking appliances of a kitchen; a main duct serving as a passage that discharges gas collected by the hood to the outdoors; an auxiliary intake unit installed spaced apart from the hood on one side of an upper portion of the kitchen; an auxiliary duct, connected to the auxiliary intake unit at one end thereof and to the main duct at the other end thereof, and carrying the gas collected by the auxiliary intake unit to the main duct; and a ventilating fan mounted in the main duct, installed downstream from a joint between the main duct and the auxiliary duct, and serving as a power source that draws the gas into the hood and the auxiliary intake unit and discharges the drawn gas to the outdoors. Advantageous Effects

[11] As can be seen from the foregoing, the invention has the following advantageous effects.

[12] First, the pollutants (gas, etc.), which are not primarily collected by the hood, can be secondarily collected, and can then be discharged outdoors.

[13] Specifically, the auxiliary intake unit is provided to the kitchen along with the hood.

Thereby, the pollutants such as gas, which have not yet been collected to be diffused indoors, can be secondarily collected through the auxiliary intake unit, and can then be discharged outdoors, so that the indoor environment can be maintained in a more comfortable way.

[14] Second, the sound accompanying the operation of the ventilating fan can be minimized.

[15] Specifically, the ventilating fan is not mounted in the hood, unlike the related range hood, but is installed in the main duct, which is spaced apart from the indoor rooms by a considerable distance, so that the sound accompanying the operation of the ventilating fan propagates indoors to the minimum extent, thus creating a quiet indoor environment.

[16] Third, the flow cross sections of the auxiliary duct and the main duct can be auto- matically controlled.

[17] Specifically, the flow distribution damper is installed at the joint between the auxiliary duct and the main duct, and the pivoting angle thereof is automatically adjusted using the controller. Thus, the flow of the pollutants discharged through the auxiliary duct and the flow of the pollutants discharged through the main duct can be controlled. In other words, the discharge passages are automatically adjusted according to the amount of gas detected by the gas sensors installed in the hood and the auxiliary intake unit, thereby making effective exhaust possible.

[18] Fourth, the ventilating fan, installed in the main duct, can be prevented from being soiled.

[19] Specifically, the auxiliary intake unit and the hood are provided with the filters.

Thereby, foreign materials are blocked at the outset from flowing into the auxiliary intake unit and the hood, so that the ventilating fan can be prevented from being soiled and damaged by such foreign materials, and the life span of products can thus be prolonged.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[20] The above objects, and other features and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent after a reading of the following detailed description when taken in conjunction with the drawings, in which:

[21] FIG. 1 is a schematic side view illustrating main constituents of an embodiment of the present invention;

[22] FIG. 2 is a schematic plan view illustrating a layout of main constituents of an embodiment of the present invention;

[23] FIG. 3 is a partial transverse cross-sectional view illustrating a flow distribution damper of an embodiment of the present invention;

[24] FIGS. 4 through 6 illustrate an auxiliary intake unit of an embodiment of the present invention, wherein FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the auxiliary intake unit, and FIGS. 5 and 6 are schematic cross-sectional views in which the auxiliary intake unit is cut away in transverse and longitudinal directions, respectively; and

[25] FIG. 7 is a block diagram illustrating main constituents of an embodiment of the present invention. Best Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[26] Reference will now be made in greater detail to an exemplary embodiment of the invention, an example of which is illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

[27] FIG. 1 is a schematic side view illustrating main constituents of an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a schematic plan view illustrating a layout of main constituents of an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 is a partial transverse cross-sectional view illustrating a flow distribution damper of an embodiment of the present invention. FIGS. 4 through 6 illustrate an auxiliary intake unit of an embodiment of the present invention, wherein FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the auxiliary intake unit, and FIGS. 5 and 6 are schematic cross-sectional views in which the auxiliary intake unit is cut away in transverse and longitudinal directions, respectively. FIG. 7 is a block diagram illustrating the main constituents of an embodiment of the present invention.

[28] The present invention comprises a hood 100, a first gas sensor 110, a switch 120, a main duct 200, an auxiliary intake unit 300, a second gas sensor 310, a blade 330, an auxiliary duct 400, a ventilating fan 500, a flow distribution damper 600, and a controller 700.

[29] As illustrated in FIG. 1, the hood 100 is installed above the cooking appliances of a kitchen, and functions to primarily collect pollutants, such as gas generated from the cooking appliance.

[30] The hood 100 is provided with a filter 11 at an inlet side thereof, so that the filter 11 primarily filters foreign materials contained in the gas to prevent the inside of the main duct 200 and the ventilating fan 500 from being soiled.

[31] The first gas sensor 110 is installed on one side of the hood 100, detects the concentration of pollutants, such as gas, contained in the indoor air, and sends the detection result to the controller 700.

[32] As illustrated in FIG. 2, the switch 120 is installed in the front of the hood 100, enables a signal to be transmitted to and received from the controller 700, and has selection buttons capable of selecting automatic control or manual control of the ventilating fan 500, the flow distribution damper 600, and the blade 330.

[33] In the case of selecting the automatic control, the controller 700 automatically adjusts the pivoting angle of the flow distribution damper 600 on the basis of signals received from the first gas sensor 110 of the hood 100 and the second gas sensor 310 of the auxiliary intake unit 300, as well as the rotating speed of the ventilating fan 500.

[34] In the case in which manual control is selected, the controller 700 adjusts the pivoting angle of the flow distribution damper 600 or the rotating speed of the ventilating fan 500 on the basis of the selection made using the switch 120.

[35] As illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2, the main duct 200 serves as a passage for discharging the gas collected by the hood 100 to the outdoors.

[36] The auxiliary intake unit 300 is installed apart from the hood 100 on one side of the upper portion of the kitchen, and is typically embedded in the ceiling of the kitchen.

[37] The auxiliary intake unit 300 also functions to collect the pollutants (gas, etc.) of the kitchen, like the hood 100.

[38] As illustrated in FIG. 4, the auxiliary intake unit 300 is provided with a filter 11 at an inlet side thereof, like the hood 100, the filter 11 preventing the inside of the auxiliary duct 400, as well as the main duct 200 and ventilating fan 500, which communicate with the auxiliary duct 400, from being soiled.

[39] The auxiliary intake unit 300 has a quadrilateral passage 320, in and across which a blade 330 is mounted. The blade is pivotable using an electric motor (not shown). The controller 700 automatically adjusts the pivoting angle of the blade 330 to close and open the passage 320.

[40] More specifically, the controller 700 can wholly or partially close and open the auxiliary intake unit 300.

[41] In the case in which manual control is selected, the controller 700 adjusts the pivoting angle of the blade 330 of the auxiliary intake unit 300 according to the selection made using the switch 120.

[42] In other words, the blade 330 of the auxiliary intake unit 300 can be subjected to automatic control of the controller 700 as well as manual control using the switch 120, like the flow distribution damper 600 and the ventilating fan 500.

[43] The second gas sensor 310 is installed on one side of the auxiliary intake unit 300, thereby detecting the concentration of pollutants, such as gas, contained in the indoor air and then sending the detection result to the controller 700.

[44] The auxiliary duct 400 is connected to the auxiliary intake unit 300 at one end thereof and to the main duct 200 at the other end thereof, thereby functioning as a passage for carrying the gas collected by the auxiliary intake unit 300 to the main duct 200.

[45] The flow distribution damper 600, illustrated in FIG. 2 and 3, is installed at the joint between the auxiliary duct 400 and the main duct 200 such that it can be pivoted using an electric motor (not shown), and adjusts the cross section of flow through the auxiliary duct 400 as well as the cross section of flow through the main duct 200.

[46] More specifically, by adjusting the pivoting angle of the flow distribution damper

600, the flow through the auxiliary duct 400 can be increased, while the flow through the main duct 200 can be decreased. Alternatively, the flow through the auxiliary duct 400 can be decreased, while the flow through the main duct 200 can be increased.

[47] The ventilating fan 500 is installed in the main duct 200, rather than in the hood 100 or the auxiliary intake unit 300.

[48] In other words, as illustrated in FIG. 2, the ventilating fan 500 is installed downstream from the joint between the main duct 200 and the auxiliary duct 400, and serves as a power source that causes the gas to be drawn into the hood 100 or the auxiliary intake unit 300 and causes the gas collected by the hood 100 or the auxiliary intake unit 300 to be discharged outdoors.

[49] Although not illustrated in detail in the attached drawings, the controller 700 can be installed in the hood 100 or the ventilating fan 500, or, if necessary, outside.

[50] The controller 700 automatically adjusts both the pivoting angle of the flow distribution damper 600 and the pivoting angle of the blade 330, which is pivotably m ounted in and across the quadrilateral passage 320 of the auxiliary intake unit 300 on the basis of the amount of gas detected using each of the first gas sensor 110 and the second gas sensor 310, thereby controlling the closing and opening of the passage 320.

[51] Further, the controller 700 automatically adjusts the rotating speed of the ventilating fan 500, thereby adjusting the flow of the discharged gas.

[52] In other words, the controller 700 adjusts the pivoting angle of the flow distribution damper 600 on the basis of the amount of gas detected by each of the first gas sensor 110 and the second gas sensor 310, thereby properly distributing the flow of the gas collected and discharged through each of the hood 100 and the auxiliary intake unit 300. Further, the controller 700 properly adjusts the rotating speed of the ventilating fan 500 according to the total amount of detected gas, thereby controlling the total amount of discharged gas.

[53] The invention has been described using exemplary embodiments. However, it is to be understood that the scope of the invention is not limited to these embodiments, but rather encompasses various modifications and alternative arrangements within the capabilities of persons skilled in the art using presently known or future technologies and equivalents. Industrial Applicability

[54] As can be seen from the foregoing, the invention has the following advantageous effects.

[55] First, the pollutants (gas, etc.), which are not primarily collected by the hood, can be secondarily collected, and can then be discharged outdoors.

[56] Specifically, the auxiliary intake unit is provided to the kitchen along with the hood.

[57] Second, the sound accompanying the operation of the ventilating fan can be minimized.

[58] Specifically, the ventilating fan is not mounted in the hood, unlike the related range hood, but is installed in the main duct, which is spaced apart from the indoor rooms by a considerable distance, so that the sound accompanying the operation of the ventilating fan propagates indoors to the minimum extent, thus creating a quiet indoor environment. [59] Third, the flow cross sections of the auxiliary duct and the main duct can be automatically controlled.

[60] Specifically, the flow distribution damper is installed at the joint between the auxiliary duct and the main duct, and the pivoting angle thereof is automatically adjusted using the controller. Thus, the flow of the pollutants discharged through the auxiliary duct and the flow of the pollutants discharged through the main duct can be controlled. In other words, the discharge passages are automatically adjusted according to the amount of gas detected by the gas sensors installed in the hood and the auxiliary intake unit, thereby making effective exhaust possible.

[61] Fourth, the ventilating fan, installed in the main duct, can be prevented from being soiled.

[62] Specifically, the auxiliary intake unit and the hood are provided with the filters.

Claims

[1] A range hood with an auxiliary duct, comprising: a hood installed above cooking appliances of a kitchen; a main duct serving as a passage for discharging gas collected by the hood to an outdoors; an auxiliary intake unit installed spaced apart from the hood on one side of an upper portion of the kitchen; an auxiliary duct connected to the auxiliary intake unit at one end thereof and to the main duct at the other end thereof, and carrying the gas collected by the auxiliary intake unit to the main duct; and a ventilating fan mounted in the main duct, installed downstream from a joint between the main duct and the auxiliary duct, and serving as a power source that draws the gas into the hood and the auxiliary intake unit and discharges the drawn gas to the outdoors.

[2] The range hood as set forth in claim 1, further comprising: a first gas sensor installed on one side of the hood; a second gas sensor installed on one side of the auxiliary intake unit; a flow distribution damper installed at the joint between the auxiliary duct and the main duct so as to be able to be pivoted using a first electric motor, and adjusting a cross section of a flow through the auxiliary duct and a cross section of a flow through the main duct; and a controller automatically adjusting a pivoting angle of the flow distribution damper according to an amount of gas detected by the first gas sensor and the second gas sensor, and automatically adjusting a rotating speed of the ventilating fan.

[3] The range hood as set forth in claim 2, wherein the auxiliary intake unit includes a blade that is mounted in and across a quadrilateral passage of the auxiliary intake unit and is pivoted using a second electric motor, and the controller automatically adjusts a pivoting angle of the blade to close and open the passage.

[4] The range hood as set forth in claim 3, wherein each of the auxiliary intake unit and the hood includes a filter, which filters foreign materials contained in the collected gas, at an inlet side thereof.

[5] The range hood as set forth in claim 4, further comprising a switch that is installed on the hood, enables a signal to be transmitted to and received from the controller, and has selection buttons selecting automatic control or manual control of the ventilating fan, the flow distribution damper, and the blade.