WO2023006467A1

WO2023006467A1 - Extraction device and combination apparatus with flexible cover element

Info

Publication number: WO2023006467A1
Application number: PCT/EP2022/070011
Authority: WO
Inventors: Scott King; Peter Negretti; Ines RADHIMA
Original assignee: Electrolux Appliances Aktiebolag
Priority date: 2021-07-30
Filing date: 2022-07-18
Publication date: 2023-02-02
Also published as: EP4124799A1; EP4377613A1; CN117795258A; AU2022317165A1

Abstract

The present invention relates to an extraction device (30) for the extraction of fumes and/or vapours. The extraction device (30) is particularly arranged or configured to be arranged below a worktop or a cover plate (21) and comprises a blower unit (31) and a flow channel (32) for guiding, preferably extracting, the fumes and/or vapours from an upper space (CS) through an inlet opening (23) in the direction (X) of the blower unit (31). The inlet opening (23) has an inlet opening cross-section (23A). The upper space (CS) is defined by an area upstream of the inlet opening (23). An inlet cavity or inlet shaft (33) is arranged at the inlet opening (23) on a lower space (AS), which is defined by an area downstream of the inlet opening (23). The inlet cavity or inlet shaft (33) is in flow connection or in flow communication with the flow channel (32) and comprises an actuation means and a cover element (35, 35a, 35b). The cover element (35) is configured to be actuated to at least partially cover and/or roof the inlet opening cross-section (23A). The present invention relates further to an assembly an extraction device and a worktop or cover plate (21), a combination apparatus (1) and method for operating a combination apparatus (1).

Description

Extraction device and combination apparatus with flexible cover element

The present invention relates to an extraction device for the extraction of fumes and/or vapours according to claim 1. The present invention further relates to a combination apparatus comprising a hob and at least one extraction device according to claim 13. Finally, the present invention relates to a method for operating a combination apparatus according to claim 17.

Extraction devices are known particularly in connection to kitchen activities, more specifically in connection to cooking of food on a cooking appliance, e. g. a cooking hob. It is known to include such kind of appliances, namely an extraction device and a cooking hob in a single apparatus, i. e. in a combination apparatus, which is increasingly used for the preparation of food. In a large number of such combination apparatuses, the ex traction device is integrated at least partially into the hob in order to suck fumes and/or vapours generated at the cooking side of the hob downwards through a recess in the cooktop plate of the hob. On the other hand, a combination of two autarkic appli ances including a cooking hob and a separate extraction device, more specifically a separate downdraft extraction device, in a side-by-side arrangement, particularly implemented in a kitchen worktop, is also common.

Known solutions of combination apparatuses comprise a recess in the cooktop plate, which can be opened or closed by a cover ele ment such as a lid. Further, it is known that filter units with grease filters and/or odour filters, for example, can be in serted into the combination apparatus via the recess and can take part in the process of extracting and cleaning fumes. However, the cover element of such combination apparatuses is a passive element that does not contribute, for example, to a guidance of fumes to be extracted.

Therefore, further combination apparatuses are known in which manually adjustable baffles are used outside the combination ap paratus to guide fumes.

For example, United States Patent No. US 5,279,279 describes a hob with a cooktop plate and several heating elements, a grill portion and an exhaust means. The exhaust means is configured as a downdraft fume extraction device and is arranged in a recess of the cooktop plate between the heating elements and the grill portion. A manually adjustable deflector in the form of a shield is provided that can be selectively positioned and/or oriented over the recess in height and with regard to an angle of attack. The operation of the adjustment of the shield must be done manu ally by the user.

German Utility Model No. DE 202018 105 372 U1 describes a de vice for trough suction of exhaust air generated on a hob, com prising an exhaust air inlet opening arranged in a central re cess of the hob. The device further comprises a manually opera ble slidable closing device arranged in the exhaust air inlet opening of the exhaust air conveying channel. The closing device either completely releases one of the two conveyor channel halves or only one half of each of the two conveyor channel halves. Two second opposite side walls of the separation car tridge on their respective upper edges support the closure de vice slidably.

The extraction devices of said combination of autarkic household appliances or the extraction devices included in combination apparatuses known from the prior art have the disadvantage, for example, with regard to influencing the suction process of fumes that they have to be operated manually.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide an extraction device, a combination apparatus and a method for op erating a combination apparatus with an improved functionality relating to the extraction of fumes and/or vapours.

The object is achieved by the extraction device for the extrac tion of fumes and/or vapours according to the features of claim 1. Moreover, the object is achieved by an assembly of an extrac tion device and a worktop or cover plate according to the fea tures of claim 13. The object is further achieved by the combi nation apparatus according to the features of claim 14. Finally, the object is achieved also by the method for operating a combi nation apparatus according to the features of claim 18.

A first general aspect of the present invention relates to an extraction device for the extraction of fumes and/or vapours. Said fumes and/or vapours may be cooking fumes and/or vapours.

In particular, the extraction device is arranged or configured to be arranged below a worktop or a cover plate, which may be a cooktop plate of a cooking hob that is allocated to the extrac tion device. The extraction device comprises a blower unit and a flow channel for guiding, preferably extracting, the fumes and/or vapours from an upper space through an inlet opening in the direction of the blower unit. The inlet opening has an inlet opening cross-section and is particularly arranged or configured to be arranged in or at a recess or cutout of the worktop or cover plate. Said upper space is defined by an area upstream of the inlet opening and/or an area above the worktop or cover plate. An inlet cavity or inlet shaft is arranged at the inlet opening on a lower space, which is defined by an area downstream of the inlet opening and/or an area opposite to the upper space with reference to the worktop or cover plate. The inlet cavity or inlet shaft is in flow connection or in flow communication with the flow channel and comprises an actuation means and a cover element. Said actuation means is preferably a drive unit. The cover element is configured to be actuated to at least par tially cover and/or roof the inlet opening cross-section. Said actuation may be performable by the actuation means, more spe cifically by the drive unit. Particularly, the cover element is dependent on at least one parameter relating at least to the ex traction device and/or to at least one cooking unit of an asso ciated cooking hob.

The present invention provides, for example, an extraction de vice that provides optimized extraction effect relating to fumes and/or vapours. A flexible and/or dynamic cover element can be provided by the extraction device, for example, that can be ac tuated accordingly dependent on a cooking process with at least one cooking unit arranged on an associated cooking hob.

The present invention allows, for example, a more or less auto matic adjustment of the cover element without manual operation. However, the invention may not be limited to automatic adjust ment, rather, a manual movement of the cover element shall be covered by the invention as well. The region of extraction may be adjusted accordingly by actuating the cover element in rela tion to and/or on the basis of at least one parameter.

According to one particular advantage achievable by the inven tion, the extraction area may be adaptable to the cooking pro cess in order to maximise the amount of fumes and/or vapours ex tracted by the extraction device. It is possible that the cover element may be pivotally mounted and/or may be configured to be actuated translationally and/or rotationally, preferably essentially in parallel to a reference plane that includes the inlet opening cross-section and/or es sentially in parallel to a reference plane of the worktop or cover plate. In addition or as an alternative, the cover element preferably may be pivotally mounted and/or may be configured to be actuated translationally and/or rotationally essentially on a top surface of the worktop or cover plate. More preferably, the cover element is pivotally mounted and/or configured to be actu ated translationally and/or rotationally essentially flush with the top surface of the worktop or cover plate.

It is also possible that the actuation means, in particular the drive unit, can be configured to pivot the cover element and/or to actuate the cover element translationally and/or rotation- ally, preferably essentially in parallel to a reference plane that includes the inlet opening cross-section and/or essentially in parallel to a reference plane of the worktop or cover plate. Additionally or alternatively, the actuation means may be con figured to pivot the cover element and/or to actuate the cover element translationally and/or rotationally on a top surface of the worktop or cover plate, more preferably essentially flush with the top surface of the worktop or cover plate.

According to one example, the cover element can be designed in a way, so as to perform a pivoting movement. Another example pro vides for a cover element, which performs a translational move ment within a plane of the worktop or cover plate, particularly of the cooktop plate of the cooking hob. However, the cover ele ment can also perform additionally or alternatively a rotational movement in order to guide fumes and/or vapours to be extracted from the cooking hob. The cover element can then extend out of a plane of the worktop or cover plate and/or out of the worktop or cover plate.

It is possible that the extraction device can comprise at least in sections at least one guidance element for guiding, prefera bly translationally and/or rotationally guiding, the cover ele ment, the at least one guidance element may be preferably ar ranged or may be configured to be arranged on the worktop or cover plate or in the inlet cavity or inlet shaft in the region of the inlet opening and/or in the region of the recess or cut out of the worktop or cover plate.

This allows, for example, a safe actuation and above all a de fined actuation of the cover element.

Hence, the at least one guidance element may, for example, com prise a guide rail formed as a slide rail or formed as a ball bearing rail.

According to a further aspect of the present invention, the ac tuation means, particularly the drive unit, can comprise an ac tuator unit, preferably an electromechanical actuator unit, wherein the actuator unit may be operatively coupled to the cover element for at least translationally actuating the cover element in at least one direction, preferably essentially in parallel to a reference plane that includes the inlet opening cross-section and/or preferably essentially in parallel to a reference plane of the worktop or cover plate. Additionally, or as an alternative, the actuator unit may be operatively coupled to the cover element for at least translationally actuating the cover element preferably essentially perpendicular to a refer ence plane that includes the inlet opening cross-section and/or preferably essentially perpendicular to a reference plane of the worktop or cover plate. According to another additional or alternative solution, the actuator unit may be operatively cou pled to the cover element for at least translationally actuating the cover element preferably in an angular or oblique orienta tion with reference to a reference plane that includes the inlet opening cross-section and/or preferably in an angular or oblique orientation with reference to a reference plane of the worktop or cover plate.

The actuator unit can provide, for example, fast and/or accurate or precise actuation of the cover element.

The actuator unit may comprise a linkage assembly, the linkage assembly can be driven by at least one motor, preferably by at least one electric motor. The use of a linkage assembly is more robust and/or allows a simplified mounting.

Further, it may still be possible that, even though a drive unit for an automatic operation may be provided, the actuator unit is configured to be operated manually, preferably via a lever ar rangement being operatively coupled to the actuator unit for driving the actuator unit and thus the cover element.

In addition to the more or less automatic actuation by the ex traction device, this allows, for example, manual intervention and adjustment of the cover element, for example in the event of a defect.

The drive unit may comprise at least one motor, preferably at least one electric motor, with a rotor and a stator, wherein the rotor is operatively coupled to the cover element for transla tionally and/or rotationally actuating the cover element.

In some implementations, the inlet opening and/or the recess or cutout of the worktop or cover plate and/or the inlet cavity or inlet shaft includes or include at least one fixed part or sec tion, which is allocated to or which interacts with a movable part. The at least one fixed part or section is particularly at least one fixed frame part or at least one fixed edge part or section. Additionally, or alternatively, the movable part may comprise an edge or edge zone, more specifically a circumferen tial edge or edge zone, for its allocation to or interaction with the fixed frame part or fixed edge part or section. The movable part preferably is or comprises the actuatable cover el ement.

One favourable embodiment of the present invention is character ized in that the at least one fixed part or section at the inlet opening and/or the recess or cutout of the worktop or cover plate and/or the inlet cavity or inlet shaft includes at least one area or segment, which is configured to be set under elec tromagnetic influence. A respective magnetic force may be used in addition or as an alternative to a motoric influence. One preferred arrangement provides that the movable part comprises at least one ferromagnetic element or zone. Naturally, this em bodiment may also be designed inversely, i. e. with the movable part including areas or segments configured to be set under electromagnetic influence, wherein the at least one fixed part or section preferably comprises at least one ferromagnetic ele ment or zone. A combined arrangement with both the fixed part or section and the movable part comprising electromagnetic means may be taken into account, too.

A specific embodiment may provide that the actuation means uses and/or is operated by magnetic force. Preferably, an electromag netic actuator unit is envisaged to this end. Said magnetic force may be arranged within the range of the cover element and/or allocated to at least one of - the inlet opening, - the recess or cutout of the worktop or cover plate,

- the inlet cavity or inlet shaft.

Further, in a view, preferably in a top view, the cover element can comprise a contour, which is essentially identical or at least similar to the contour of the recess, and/or the cover el ement may be configured essentially plate-shaped at least in sections .

This allows, for example, the cover element to be used as a fume and/or vapour deflector, preferably when the cover element is actuated outside the worktop or cover plate.

It is possible that the cover element and/or the inlet opening and/or the recess may comprise an essentially rectangular or an essentially round or an oval contour in a view, preferably in a top view.

This ensures, for example, a simple but effective design of the inlet opening and/or of the recess and/or of the cover element with regard to the extraction effect.

One specific embodiment of the present invention is character ized in that the cover element comprises at least a first part or segment and a second part or segment. Said first and second parts or segments may be moveable independently from each other, in particular moveable in different directions. First and second parts or segments may be arrangeable side-by-side, in particular at least in one example arrangement.

A second general aspect of the invention relates to an assembly of the extraction device according to at least one of the herein described embodiments, on the one hand, and a worktop or cover plate, on the other hand. Said worktop or cover plate comprises a recess or cutout, in or at which the inlet opening of the ex traction device is arranged or configured to be arranged. All the previously described elements and/or features of the extrac tion device shall be applicable to the assembly of the extrac tion device and the worktop or cover plate, too.

A third general aspect of the invention relates to a combination apparatus comprising a hob, which hob comprises a cooktop plate with at least one cooking unit and a recess. The recess includes a recess cross-section, which is formed in the cooktop plate.

The combination apparatus further comprises at least one extrac tion device according to any embodiment as disclosed herein, and all the previously described elements and/or features of the ex traction device shall be applicable to the combination appa ratus, too. Said cooktop plate of the cooking hob forms the worktop or cover plate, below which the extraction device is ar ranged.

According to embodiments, the cover element is configured to be actuated dependent on at least one parameter relating to the ex traction device and/or relating to at least one cooking unit of the associated cooking hob. The at last one parameter may com prise information relating to: selection of the at least one cooking unit for a cooking process to be started, preferably by a user interface unit of the combination apparatus; and/or oper ating condition of the at least one cooking unit, preferably during a cooking process; and/or operating condition of the blower unit; and/or detection of a cooking vessel on the at least one cooking unit; and/or detection of air quality at least in the region between the recess and the at least one cooking unit.

This allows, for example, that several different parameters can be used or form the basis for actuation of the cover element via the actuation means, particularly the drive unit, of the combi nation apparatus.

The at least one parameter can be a detected at least one param eter and/or a calculated at least one parameter on the basis of a detected at least one parameter.

It is possible that the combination apparatus can comprise at least one sensor unit, wherein the at least one sensor unit may be configured for detecting and/or measuring the at least one parameter .

For example, the at least one sensor unit may detect a tempera ture value, an air quality factor, and/or a humidity value, which may represent or be the basis for the at least one parame ter.

According to a further aspect of the present invention, the com bination apparatus may comprise a control unit, wherein the con trol unit can be configured for controlling at least the actua tion means, in particular the drive unit, dependent on the at least one parameter, preferably detected by at least one sensor unit of the combination apparatus.

The control unit may be preferably an electronic control unit with a processing element, storage element, I/O interfaces and the like.

A fourth general aspect of the invention relates to a method for operating a combination apparatus as disclosed herein, compris ing: detecting at least one parameter relating to the at least one cooking unit, preferably by at least one sensor unit; actu ating the cover element dependent on the detected at least one parameter by the actuation means, in particular the drive unit. In order to avoid repetition, features which are directed to the method according to the present invention and/or disclosed in connection therewith should also be considered as disclosed ac cording to the combination apparatus and/or the extraction de vice and be claimable and vice versa.

The previously described examples and features of the present invention can be combined with each other in any way.

Further or other details and advantageous effects of the present invention are described in more detail below with reference to the attached figures:

Fig. 1 illustrates schematically a combination apparatus ac cording to the present invention in a perspective view;

Fig. 2a illustrates schematically in a top view the region of a recess in the cooktop plate of the combination appa ratus as illustrated in Fig. 1 comprising a first exam ple of an actuation means for a cover element;

Fig. 2b illustrates a top view of a combination apparatus with a similar design as schematically illustrated in Fig. 2a, but with a second example of an actuation means for the cover element;

Fig. 3 illustrates a top view of the combination appliance of Fig. 2b, but with an alternative structure of the cover element;

Fig. 4 illustrates schematically in a top view the region of a recess in the cooktop plate of a third example of the combination apparatus according to the present inven tion;

Fig. 5a illustrates a top view of a fourth example of a combi nation apparatus according to the present invention with a cover element in a first position;

Fig. 5b illustrates the combination appliance of Fig. 5a with the cover element in a second position;

Fig. 5c illustrates in a cross-sectional view a detail of the combination appliance as indicated by Vc - Vc in Fig. 5a; and

Fig. 6 illustrates schematically in a cross-sectional view the region of a recess in the cooktop plate of a fifth ex ample of the combination apparatus according to the present invention.

Identical or functionally equivalent components or elements are marked or labelled in the figures with the same reference signs. For their explanation, reference is also made to the description of other examples and/or figures in order to avoid repetition.

The following detailed description of the examples shown in the figures serves as a closer illustration or exemplification and is in no way intended to limit the scope of the present invention.

Fig. 1 illustrates schematically a combination apparatus 1 ac cording to the present invention.

The combination apparatus 1 comprises a hob 20 and an extraction device 30. The hob 20 comprises a cooktop plate 21 and cooking units 22.1 to 22.4 on a cooking side CS. The cooktop plate 21 is preferably configured essentially plate-shaped and/or essen tially flat. The cooktop plate 21 can be made, for example, from a glass-ceramic material. The orientation of the cooktop plate 21 can be described by a plane P21. The plane P21 can be prefer ably a definable or determinable mid-plane or a reference plane of the cooktop plate 21. In the operating status or in an in stalled status of the combination apparatus 1, the cooktop plate 21 can be arranged substantially horizontally.

The cooking units 22.1 to 22.4 are preferably induction cooking units 22.1 to 22.4 each comprising at least an induction coil and a power board (not shown in the figures for reasons of clar ity). Alternatively, the cooking units 22.1 to 22.4 can be con figured differently with regard to the principle of generating heat, for example, as heating coils, gas burners or the like.

The cooking units 22.1 to 22.4 are at least partially integrated and/or mounted into the cooktop plate 21. In other words, the cooktop plate 21 comprises recesses (not identified in Fig. 1) in which the cooking units 22.1 to 22.4 are accommodated or ar ranged at least in sections.

A cooking vessel 50 is placed on cooking unit 22.1 in Fig. 1 and cooking unit 22.1 is activated for food preparation thus gener ating fumes and/or vapours by heating the content of the cooking vessel 50. Fumes and/or vapours can, for example, comprise at least grease and/or odours.

The cooktop plate 21 further comprises a recess 23 with a recess cross-section 23A or defining a recess cross-section 23A. The recess 23 is formed in the cooktop plate 21 of the hob 20.

The recess cross-section 23A comprises an essentially rectangu lar contour in a view, preferably in a top view. As will be illustrated and described further down below in more detail, it is alternatively possible that the recess cross-section 23A com prises an essentially round or an oval contour in a view, pref erably in a top view.

In other words, the recess cross-section 23A forms at least par tially or at least in sections the flow cross-section of the fumes and/or vapours at the entrance into extraction device 30, which will be described in further detail in the following.

The extraction device 30 comprises a flow channel 32 for guid ing, preferably extracting, fumes from the cooking side CS of the hob 20 through the recess 23 in the direction X of the blower unit 31.

The extraction device 30 further comprises a blower unit 31 con sisting of a propeller and a drive element such as an electric motor for driving the propeller in order to generate an extrac tion effect. The blower unit 31 is arranged below the cooktop plate 21 on the apparatus side AS, which is opposite to the cooking side CS with reference to the cooktop plate 21, prefera bly the plane P21 related to the cooktop plate 21.

An inlet shaft 33, designed as a cavity, is arranged in or formed at the recess 23, preferably at the apparatus side AS.

The inlet shaft 33 can be preferably configured at least box shaped. The inlet shaft 33 is in flow connection with the flow channel 32. The inlet shaft 33 comprises or is connected to a cover element 35 for covering at least partially the recess 23 and preferably at least partially the recess cross-section 23A, thus influencing a (resulting) flow cross-section of the fumes and/or vapours to be extracted from the hob 20. According to a first example embodiment, the inlet shaft 33 may further comprise a drive unit 34. The drive unit 34 can be con figured as an electromechanical drive unit or as a pneumatic drive unit or as a hydraulic drive unit or a combination thereof, which will be described in further detail below.

The cover element 35 is configured for actuation by the drive unit 34 in order to at least partially cover the recess cross- section 23A dependent on and/or on the basis of at least one pa rameter relating to at least one of the cooking units 22.1 to 22.4. In other words, the cover element 35 is a movable and/or dynamic element being driven, i. e. actuated by the drive unit 34 in order to further optimize the extraction effect of the combination apparatus 1 according to the present invention.

Hence, according to the present invention, the combination appa ratus 1 is configured for actuating the cover element 35 depend ent on and/or on the basis of at least one parameter relating to the at least one cooking unit 22.1 to 22.4, which will be de scribed in further detail below and in the course of further figures .

The cover element 35 can be configured preferably essentially plate-shaped and/or essentially flat. In other words, the cover element 35 can be formed as an essentially flat shield or an es sentially flat lid.

The combination apparatus 1 further comprises several or a plu rality of sensor units 60.1 to 60.4. At least one sensor unit 60.1, 60.2 is preferably arranged and/or integrated in the cook top plate 21. It is possible that a further at least one sensor unit 60.3, 60.4 is arranged in the flow channel 32 upstream and thus still before the blower unit 31. It is possible that a fil ter unit 80 of the combination apparatus 1, i. e. the extraction device 30, comprising at least one grease filter element and/or at least one odour filter element, is arranged in the flow chan nel 32 between a third sensor unit 60.3 and a fourth sensor unit

60.4.

A sensor unit 60.1 to 60.4 may preferably comprise at least one of the following: temperature sensor, humidity sensor and/or TVOC/VOC sensor (TVOC is an abbreviation for "Total Volatile Or ganic Compounds"; VOC is an abbreviation for "Volatile Organic Compounds") .

For example, sensor units 60.1 and 60.2 comprise a TVOC/VOC sen sor in order to detect air quality at least in the region be tween the recess 23 and thus the inlet shaft 33 and the first cooking unit 22.1 and/or second cooking unit 22.2.

In other words, at least one sensor unit 60.1 to 60.4 may be preferably configured for detection of at least one parameter such as air quality and/or temperature of a cooking unit 22.1 to

22.4. The at least one parameter may preferably relate to at least one of the cooking units 22.1 to 22.4.

With regard to the cover element 35 as illustrated in Fig. 1, it is configured to be actuated translationally by the drive unit 34. In addition, or alternatively, the drive unit 34 may be con figured to actuate the cover element 35 rotationally.

The translational movement options, i. e. in this case direc tions of possible displacement of the cover element 35, are in dicated in Fig. 1 in the area of the cover element 35 by the double arrow.

The cover element 35 can be actuated by the drive unit 34 either in the direction of the cooking units 22.1 and 22.2 or in the direction of the cooking units 22.3 and 22.4 and thus changing the size of the recess cross-section 23A and/or the position or location of the (effective) flow cross-section of the fumes to be extracted from the hob 20.

The combination apparatus 1 further comprises a user interface unit 40 for a user of the combination apparatus 1 to operate at least one of the cooking units 22.1 to 22.4 and/or the blower unit 31 of the extraction device 30.

In addition, the combination apparatus 1 comprises a control unit 70 that may be preferably an electronic control unit 70.

The control unit 70 may be a separate component of the combina tion apparatus 1 or may be integrated, for example, in the user interface unit 40. The control unit 70 can control at least one of the cooking units 22.1 to 22.4, i. e. preferably power boards of the cooking units 22.1 to 22.4 in the present example of the combination apparatus 1 and/or the blower unit 31 of the extrac tion device 30 of the combination apparatus 1.

The control unit 70 may preferably be configured for controlling the drive unit 34 dependent on the at least one parameter, inter alia preferably detected by at least one sensor unit 60.1 to 60.4 of the combination apparatus 1.

The control unit 70 may be connected at least to the cooking units 22.1 to 22.4, the sensor units 60.1 to 60.4, the blower unit 31 and the drive unit 34 via a data bus system (not shown in the figures for reasons of clarity) for signal communication and may control these components in a closed loop configuration. In other words, the control unit 70 may control the blower unit 31 and/or the drive unit 34 dependent on the operating status of the cooking unit 22.1 and/or a parameter being in relation to the cooking unit 22.1 such as temperature of the cooking unit 22.1 and/or temperature of the content of the cooking vessel 50, air quality and/or air composition at least between the recess 23 and the cooking unit 22.1. Controlling the blower unit 31 may comprise adjusting the rotational speed of the propeller of the blower unit 31 via the drive element of the propeller, i. e. the electric motor driving the propeller.

Further, controlling the drive unit 34 may comprise or result in actuating the cover element 35 translationally in direction to wards the cooking unit 22.1 (and the cooking unit 22.2) or in a direction away from the cooking unit 22.1 (and the cooking unit 22.2) which leads to an adjustment (increase or decrease) of the accessible recess cross-section 23A of the recess 23 and thus the (resulting) flow cross-section of the fumes to be extracted from the hob 20.

This allows more or less an automatic and, in particular, opti mized adjustment of the suction effect to the respective cooking conditions or cooking processes.

As already described above in the course of the sensor units

60.1 to 60.4, at least one parameter may preferably comprise in formation relating to detection of air quality, preferably at least in the region between the recess 23 and at least one cook ing unit 22.1 to 22.4.

As regards the at least one parameter, it may comprise infor mation relating to at least selection of at least one cooking unit 22.1 to 22.4 for a cooking process to be started, prefera bly by the user interface unit 40 of the combination apparatus 1. Additionally, or alternatively, the at least one parameter may comprise information relating to operating condition of at least one cooking unit 22.1 to 22.4, preferably during a cooking process and/or operating condition of the blower unit 31. It is possible that at least one parameter may further comprise information relating to detection of a cooking vessel 50 on at least one cooking unit 22.1 to 22.4.

The relation between the drive unit 34 and the cover element 35 and their configuration is described exemplary in further detail in the following.

Fig. 2a illustrates schematically in a top view the region of the recess 23 in the cooktop plate 21 of the combination appa ratus 1 as illustrated in Fig. 1, defining a first example of the present invention.

The recess 23 in the cooktop plate 21 comprises a recess cross- section 23A of essentially rectangular shape or contour. The in let shaft 33 can be configured at least in sections channel-like or tub-shaped and comprises corresponding walls and/or wall sec tions of corresponding thicknesses (not explicitly labelled in the figures for reasons of clarity). The inlet shaft 33 can be configured as a separate part and inserted into the recess 23 at least in sections. It is also possible that the inlet shaft 33 is part of the flow channel 32, being preferably formed inte grally with at least a channel section of the flow channel 32.

The drive unit 34 preferably comprises an actuator unit 34A in the sense of an electromechanical actuator unit 34A that is op eratively coupled to the cover element 35 for translational ac tuating the cover element 35 in at least one direction as illus trated graphically in Fig. 2a by the double arrow. The actuator unit 34A comprises a linkage assembly 34L. The drive unit 34 further comprises a motor 34M with a rotor and a stator. The cover element 35 is connected to the motor 34M, preferably the rotor of the motor 34M, via the linkage assembly 34L such that the motor 34M can actuate the cover element 35 correspondingly via the linkage assembly 34L and dependent on and/or on the ba sis of at least one parameter as described above. The linkage assembly 34L can comprise a plurality of links being connected to each other at least partially via joint connections.

In order to realize the movement of the cover element 35, the combination apparatus 1 comprises a first guidance element 36.1 and a second guidance element 36.2. The first and the second guidance elements 36.1, 36.2 can be preferably arranged in the inlet shaft 33 of the extraction device 30.

The first guidance element 36.1 and the second guidance element 36.2 allow a translational guidance of the cover element 35 that is mounted into or onto the guidance elements 36.1, 36.2 via, for example, a sled section of the cover element 35 (not explic itly labelled in Fig. 2a for the sake of clarity). The guidance elements 36.1, 36.2 can comprises a guide rail formed as a slide rail or formed as a ball bearing rail.

Hence, the cover element 35 can be actuated accordingly and thus automatically dependent on the cooking process and in particular dependent on the amount of generated fumes.

By Fig. 2b a top view of a combination apparatus is shown with a similar design as schematically illustrated in Fig. 2a, but providing a second example of an actuation means for the cover element 35. In line with the embodiment of Fig. 2a, the recess 23 in the cooktop plate 21 comprises a recess cross-section 23A of essentially rectangular shape or contour. Also further compo nents as inlet shaft 33 and flow channel 32 may be designed in the same or a similar way as described with Fig. 2a. In addition to the disclosure of Fig. 2a, the combination apparatus 1, which is presented in its entirety in contrast to the extract presentation of Fig. 2a, comprises the four cooking units 22.1 to 22.4, in Fig. 2b indicated by their graphical illustration on the cooktop plate by three-pointed star symbols. The combination apparatus 1 of the second example may also comprise a first guidance element 36.1 and a second guidance element 36.2 as pre sented with the first example according to Fig. 2a in order to enable a guided movement of cover element 35 in at least one di rection, as illustrated graphically in Fig. 2a by the double ar row. Even though not explicitly shown, also in this second exam ple, the first guidance element 36.1 and the second guidance el ement 36.2 allow a translational guidance of the cover element 35 that is mounted into or onto the guidance elements 36.1, 36.2 via, for example, a sled section of the cover element 35, and the guidance elements 36.1, 36.2 can comprises a guide rail formed as a slide rail or formed as a ball bearing rail.

The second example differs from the first example in the actuat ing means for the movement of the cover element 35. Instead of the drive unit 34 including actuator unit 34A and motor 34M, the cover element 35 of the second example is moved using magnetic force. To this end, electromagnetic segments 37 are arranged in the area of the recess 23, which electromagnetic segments 37 are e. g. border segments, which preferably enclose the recess 23 particularly at its surrounding edge, in the shape of two squared brackets, as illustrated in Fig. 2b. Said electromag netic segments 37 are selectively operable, in particular de pendent on the operated cooking unit(s) 22.1 to 22.4, in order to move the cover element 35 in a direction for an optimized re cess access for extracted air, in particular dependent on the amount of generated fumes and/or vapours comprised therein. De pending on the target position for the cover element 35, the re lated one of the electromagnetic segments 37 is activated. A middle position of the cover element 35 is configurable as well, e. g. when cooking units 22.1 to 22.4 on both sides of the hob 20 are operated. In this case, it may be provided that both electromagnetic segments 37 are jointly operated. In order that the electromagnetic segments 37 are capable of moving the cover element 35, this cover element 35 either comprises ferromagnetic zones (not indicated in Fig. 2b), in particular on its outer edge, or is entirely made of a ferromagnetic material.

Fig. 2b also illustrates a touchscreen interface 40', which is coupled with the interface unit 40, and which provides the user of the combination apparatus 1 touch symbols on a front side of the upper surface of the cooktop plate 21 for entering control commands.

By Fig. 3 a different solution for the first and second examples is presented. This solution is characterized by an alternative structure of the cover element 35 and it furnishes a more flexi ble way for a fumes and/or vapours extraction independently from the operated cooking units 22.1 to 22.4. The setup of the combi nation apparatus 1 is in general identical to the previously de scribed examples, i. e. following the design of Figs. 1 to 2b.

In particular, the recess 23 in the cooktop plate 21 again com prises a recess cross-section 23A of essentially rectangular shape or contour. Also further components as inlet shaft 33 and flow channel 32 may be designed in the same or a similar way as previously described. In contrast to the solutions according to Figs. 2a and 2b, the cover element 35 is a two-part embodiment and it may be subdivided by two parts with the same dimensions, as illustrated in Fig. 3, by first and second cover element parts 35a, 35b. However, any other suitable dimensioning of the two parts can be taken into accounts, e. g. in the case of dif ferently-sized cooking units 22.1 to 22.4. Moreover, a subdivi sion of the cover element 35 into three or more parts may be possible as well. As illustrated by Fig. 3, which shows two operated cooking units 22.2, 22.4, which are diagonally arranged on the cooking surface of the cooktop plate 21, indicated by two bubbling cooking ves sels 50. In order to enable an extraction of the cooking vapours generated by the cooking processes, the first cover element part 35a is moved to a different side of the recess 23 than the sec ond cover element part 35b. That way, two passages of the recess cross-section 23A are left open, which passages are in the same diagonal arrangement to each other as the operated cooking units 22.2, 22.4. The executed movements of the first and second cover element parts 35a, 35b are indicated in Fig. 3 by respective ar rows.

The actuation of the two independently operable, i. e. movable, cover element parts 35a, 35b may be performed by either motor force following the concept as described with reference to Fig. 2a, or by magnetic force following the concept as described with reference to Fig. 2b. In the first case, for each one of the first and second cover element parts 35a, 35b an own drive unit 34 including actuator unit 34A and motor 34M has to be provided, while in the second case, the two electromagnetic segments 37 as described with Fig. 2b have to be subdivided into four electro magnetic segments, with appropriate assignment to the first cover element parts 35a, on the one hand, and to the second cover element parts 35b, on the other hand. It is further noted, that this solution may also comprise a first guidance element 36.1 and a second guidance element 36.2 for each one of the first and second cover element parts 35a, 35b, as presented with the first example according to Fig. 2a.

Fig. 4 illustrates schematically in a top view the region of the recess 23 in the cooktop plate 21 of a third example of the com bination apparatus 1 according to the present invention. The third example of the combination apparatus 1 may comprise components and elements as described in the course of the first example of the combination apparatus 1.

In the view of Fig. 4, preferably a top view, the recess 23 com prises an essentially round contour 23C. Further, the cover ele ment 35 comprises an essentially round contour 35C being mounted movable in the region of the recess 23 via drive unit 34. The drive unit 34 comprises an actuator unit 34A and is configured to actuate translationally the cover element 35 dependent on at least one parameter as described above.

In other words, the cover element 35 can be inter alia pivoted by the drive unit 34 with the actuator unit 34A to different po sitions within the recess 23, thereby changing the size and po sition of the accessible recess cross-section 23A according to or dependent on a cooking process.

Alternatively, instead of the use of the drive unit 34 with the actuator unit 34A and its central coupling to the cover element 35 according to Fig. 4, a rotating driving motor (not shown) with a central pivot point is configured to rotate the circular cover element 35 around the perimeter of the hole, according to Fig. 4a. To this end, the rotating pivot point is coupled to the cover element 35 in an eccentric way. During a resulting possi ble eccentrical rotation of the cover element 35 the area of passage for extracted cooking fumes and/or vapours is simultane ously moving like a rotating crescent moon alongside the perime ter of the circular recess 23, as illustrated by an arc-shaped arrow in Fig. 4a.

Another alternative solution to those ones presented by Figs 4 and 4a is shown in Fig. 4b. The driving motor and the eccentric arrangement of the pivot point is replaced by an actuating means operating with magnetic force. Following the solution according to Fig. 2b, but transferred to the circular design of the recess 23, the cover element 35, which is also circular but has a smaller diameter compared to the diameter of the recess 23, electromagnetic segments 37 are arranged in the area of the re cess 23, which electromagnetic segments 37 are e. g. border seg ments, which preferably enclose the recess 23 particularly at its surrounding circular edge, in the shape of a plurality of arc-shaped electromagnetic segments 37. Said electromagnetic segments 37 are selectively operable, in particular dependent on the operated cooking unit(s) 22.1 to 22.4, in order to move the cover element 35 in a direction for an optimized recess access for extracted air, in particular dependent on the amount of gen erated fumes and/or vapours comprised therein. Depending on the target position for the cover element 35, the related ones of the electromagnetic segments 37 are activated. A middle position of the cover element 35 is configurable as well, e. g. when all cooking units 22.1 to 22.4 of the hob 20 are operated. In this case, it may be provided that all electromagnetic segments 37 are jointly operated. In the same way as with the embodiment ac cording to Fig. 2b, in order that the electromagnetic segments 37 are capable of moving the cover element 35, this cover ele ment 35 either comprises ferromagnetic zones (not indicated in Fig. 4b), in particular on its outer edge, or is entirely made of a ferromagnetic material.

With respect to the circular shapes shown in Figs. 4 to 4b, it is possible in the alternative, that the recess 23 and the cover element 35 can comprise an oval contour in a view, preferably in a top view.

Figs. 5a to 5c illustrate a fourth example of a combination ap paratus 1 according to the present invention, with a cover ele ment 35 in a first position (Fig. 5a), which may represent a rest position (as illustrated, without any operated cooking unit 22.1 to 22.4) or a position, in which cooking units 22.1 to 22.4 on both sides of the cooktop plate 21 related to the recess 23 are operated, and in a second position (Fig. 5b) with one oper ated cooking unit 22.1, represented by cooking vessel 50 posi tioned on this cooking unit 22.1. The solution according to this fourth example is comparable in its effect with the first exam ple according to Fig. 2a. In both cases, either a left section or a right section (as illustrated by Fig. 5b) of the recess cross-section 23A can be covered by the cover element 35, de pending on the position of an operated cooking unit 22.1 to 22.4. In its rest position, the cover element 35 is arranged in an upright orientation, see Figs. 5a and 5c. After activation of a cooking unit 22.1 to 22.4, and preferably depending on any sensor signal or depending on a respective signal from the con trol unit 70 of the hob 20 indicating the operation of a spe cific cooking unit 22.1 to 22.4, the cover element is moved from its rest position into an active position, see arc-shaped arrow in Fig. 5b. In order to get to this active position, the cover element is elevated out of the recess area, particularly out of the inlet shaft 33, as indicated by double-arrow in Fig. 5c, and placed flush to the cooktop plate 21, to partially close the re cess cross-section 23A, namely the section distant from the re cess edge that is positioned next to the operated cooking unit 22.1 to 22.4. In order to perform the described motion, which may be designated as a flap motion, the cover element 35 is guided through a fixed shaft 38 arranged on a centre line of the recess cross-section 23A. During said flap motion, the cover el ement 35 turns from the upright orientation, according to its rest position, into a lying orientation, according to its active position.

Fig. 6 illustrates schematically in a cross-sectional view the region of the recess 23 in the cooktop plate 21 of a fifth example of the combination apparatus 1 according to the present invention .

The fifth example of the combination apparatus 1 may comprise components and elements as described in the course of the first example of the combination apparatus 1.

As it can be retrieved from Fig. 6, the drive unit 34 for actu ating an essentially plate-shaped and/or an essentially flat cover element 35 comprises an actuator unit 34A. The actuator unit 34A is preferably an electromechanical actuator unit 34A and comprises preferably a linkage assembly 34L. The cover ele ment 35 is connected to the linkage assembly 34L and not further guided via guidance elements. The drive unit 34 further com prises at least one motor 34M for operating the linkage assembly 34L and thus actuating the cover element 35 accordingly. It is possible that the linkage assembly 34L comprises at least one lifting cylinder that can be operated pneumatically or hydrau lically additionally.

The configuration as illustrated in Fig. 6 allows to actuate the cover element 35 translationally and/or rotationally and/or in an angular or oblique orientation with reference to the plane P21 being a reference plane of the cooktop plate 21. In other words, the cover element 35 comprises six degrees of freedom with regard to its possibilities of movement.

It has to be noted that instead of only one cover element 35, as illustrated by Fig. 6, a plurality of cover elements 35 of smaller dimensions, each one thereof individually movable in the three-dimensional way, as indicated by Fig. 6. That way, an ad aptation to the actually operated cooking units 22.1 to 22.4 by selectively opening or closing said small cover elements 35 is performable . A control unit 70 as illustrated in Fig. 1 can control the drive unit 34 accordingly dependent on at least one parameter relating to a cooking unit 22.1 to 22.4 in order to actuate the cover el- ement 35 accordingly.

The present invention provides a combination apparatus 1 with a cover element 35 that can be controlled flexible on the basis of parameters relating to at least one cooking unit 22.1 to 22.4 in order to optimize the extraction effect accordingly.

The present invention is not limited to the examples described above. Rather, a large number of variants and modifications are possible, which also make use of the inventive idea and there- fore fall within the scope of protection.

List of reference signs

1 combination apparatus

20 hob

21 cooktop plate

22.1 cooking unit

22.2 cooking unit

22.3 cooking unit

22.4 cooking unit 23 recess

23A recess cross-section 23C contour

30 extraction device

31 blower unit

32 flow channel

33 inlet shaft

34 drive unit 34A actuator unit 34L linkage assembly 34M motor

35 cover element

35a,35b first and second cover element parts

36.1 guidance element

36.2 guidance element

37 electromagnetic segments

38 fixed shaft 40 user interface unit 40' touchscreen interface

50 cooking vessel

60.1 sensor unit

60.2 sensor unit

60.3 sensor unit

60.4 sensor unit 70 control unit

80 filter unit AS apparatus side

CS cooking side

P21 plane related to the cooktop plate

X direction to blower unit

Claims

1. An extraction device (30) for the extraction of fumes and/or vapours, in particular for the extraction of cook ing fumes and/or vapours, the extraction device (30)

- particularly being arranged or configured to be ar ranged below a worktop or a cover plate (21),

- comprising a blower unit (31) and a flow channel (32) for guiding, preferably extracting, the fumes and/or vapours from an upper space (CS) through an inlet open ing (23) in the direction (X) of the blower unit (31), the inlet opening (23) having an inlet opening cross- section (23A) and particularly being arranged or con figured to be arranged in or at a recess or cutout of the worktop or cover plate (21), wherein the upper space (CS) is defined by an area upstream of the inlet opening (23) and/or particularly an area above the worktop or cover plate (21), wherein an inlet cavity or inlet shaft (33) is arranged at the inlet opening (23) on a lower space (AS), which is defined by an area downstream of the inlet opening (23) and/or particularly an area opposite to the upper space (CS) with reference to the worktop or cover plate (21), wherein the inlet cavity or inlet shaft (33) is in flow connection or in flow communication with the flow channel (32) and comprises an actuation means, in particular a drive unit (34), and a cover element (35), wherein the cover element (35, 35a, 35b) is configured to be actuated to at least partially cover and/or roof the inlet opening cross-section (23A), in particular by the actuation means (34) and/or dependent on at least one pa rameter relating to the extraction device (30).

2. The extraction device (30) according to claim 1, wherein the cover element (35, 35a, 35b) is pivotally mounted and/or is configured to be actuated translation- ally and/or rotationally, preferably

- in parallel to a reference plane (P21) that includes the inlet opening cross-section (23A) and/or in paral lel to a reference plane (P21) of the worktop or the cover plate (21), and/or

- on a top surface of the worktop or cover plate (21), more preferably flush with the top surface of the work top or cover plate (21), and/or wherein the actuation means, in particular the drive unit (34), is configured to pivot the cover element (35, 35a, 35b) and/or to actuate the cover element (35, 35a, 35b) at least translationally and/or rotationally, preferably

- in parallel to a reference plane (P21) that includes the opening cross-section (23A) and/or in parallel to a reference plane (P21) of the worktop or a cover plate (21), and/or

- on a top surface of the worktop or a cover plate (21), more preferably flush with the top surface of the work top or the cover plate (21).

3. The extraction device (30) according to claim 1 or 2, further comprising at least in sections at least one guidance element (36.1, 36.2) for guiding, preferably translationally and/or rotationally guiding, the cover element (35, 35a, 35b), the at least one guidance element (36.1, 36.2) being preferably arranged or configured to be arranged on the worktop or cover plate (21) or in the inlet cavity or inlet shaft (33) in the region of the in let opening (23) and/or in the region of the recess or cutout of the worktop or cover plate (21), wherein the at least one guidance element (36.1, 36.2) particularly comprises a guide rail formed as a slide rail or formed as a ball bearing rail.

4. The extraction device (30) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the actuation means, in particular the drive unit (34), comprises an actuator unit (34A), preferably an electromechanical actuator unit (34A), wherein the actua tor unit (34A) is operatively coupled to the cover ele ment (35, 35a, 35b) for at least translationally actuat ing the cover element (35, 35a, 35b) in at least one di rection, preferably

- in parallel to a reference plane (P21) that includes the inlet opening cross-section (23A) and/or in paral lel to a reference plane (P21) of the worktop or cover plate (21), and/or

- perpendicular to a reference plane (P21) that includes the inlet opening cross-section (23A) and/or perpendic ular to a reference plane (P21) of the worktop or cover plate (21), and/or

- in an angular orientation with reference to a reference plane (P21) that includes the inlet opening cross-sec tion (23A) and/or with reference to a reference plane (P21) of the worktop or cover plate (21).

5. The extraction device (30) according to claim 4, wherein the actuator unit (34A) comprises a linkage as sembly (34L), the linkage assembly (34L) being driven by at least one motor (34M), preferably by at least one electric motor (34M), and/or wherein the actuator unit (34A) is configured to be oper ated manually, preferably via a lever arrangement being operatively coupled to the actuator unit (34A) for driv ing the actuator unit (34A).

6. The extraction device (30) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the actuation means, in particular the drive unit (34), comprises at least one motor (34M), preferably at least one electric motor (34M), with a rotor and a sta tor, wherein the rotor is operatively coupled to the cover element (35, 35a, 35b) for at least translationally and/or rotationally actuating the cover element (35, 35a, 35b).

7. The extraction device (30) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the inlet opening (23) and/or the recess or cut out of the worktop or cover plate (21) and/or the inlet cavity or inlet shaft (33) include(s) at least one fixed part or section, in particular at least one fixed frame part or at least one fixed edge part or section, which is allocated to or which interacts with a movable part, in particular an edge or edge zone of the movable part, the movable part preferably being or comprising the cover el ement (35, 35a, 35b).

8. The extraction device (30) according to claim 7, wherein

- the at least one fixed part or section includes areas or segments configured to be set under electromagnetic influence, wherein the movable part preferably com prises at least one ferromagnetic element (37) or zone, and/or

- the movable part includes areas or segments configured to be set under electromagnetic influence, wherein the at least one fixed part or section preferably comprises at least one ferromagnetic element or zone.

9. The extraction device (30) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the actuation means uses and/or is operated by magnetic force, preferably by means of an electromagnetic actuator unit (37), arranged within the range of the cover element (35, 35a, 35b) and/or allocated

- to the inlet opening (23), and/or

- to the recess or cutout of the worktop or cover plate (21), and/or

- to the inlet cavity or inlet shaft (33).

10. The extraction device (30) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein in a view, preferably in a top view, the cover element (35, 35a, 35b) comprises a contour (35C), which is identical or at least similar to the contour (23C) of the recess (23), and/or wherein the cover element (35,

35a, 35b) is designed plate-shaped at least in sections.

11. The extraction device (30) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the cover element (35, 35a, 35b) and/or the re cess (23) comprises a rectangular or a round or an oval contour (35C) in a view, preferably in a top view.

12. The extraction device (30) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the cover element (35) comprises at least a first part (35a) or segment and a second part (35b) or segment, which first and second parts (35a, 35b) or segments are moveable independently from each other, in particular moveable in different directions.

13. An assembly of the extraction device (30) according to anyone of the preceding claims and a worktop or cover plate (21), the worktop or cover plate (21) comprising a recess or cutout, in or at which the inlet opening (23) of the extraction device (30) is arranged or configured to be arranged.

14. A combination apparatus (1) comprising a hob (20), the hob (20) comprising a cooktop plate (21) with at least one cooking unit (22.1, 22.2, 22.3, 22.4) and a recess (23) with a recess cross-section (23A) being formed in the cooktop plate (21), and at least one extraction de vice (30) according to anyone of the claims 1 to 12, wherein the cooktop plate (21) of the cooking hob (20) forms the worktop or cover plate, below which the extrac tion device (30) is arranged.

15. The combination apparatus (1) according to claim 14, wherein the cover element (35, 35a, 35b) is configured to be actuated dependent on at least one parameter relating to the extraction device (30) and/or relating to at least one cooking unit (22.1, 22.2, 22.3, 22.4) of the associ ated cooking hob (20). wherein the at last one parameter comprises information relating to at least one of:

• selection of the at least one cooking unit (22.1, 22.2, 22.3, 22.4) for a cooking process to be started, pref erably by a user interface unit (40, 40') of the combi nation apparatus (1); • operating condition of the at least one cooking unit (22.1, 22.2, 22.3, 22.4), preferably during a cooking process ;

• operating condition of the blower unit (31);

• detection of a cooking vessel (50) on the at least one cooking unit (22.1, 22.2, 22.3, 22.4); and/or

• detection of air quality at least in the region between the recess (23) and the at least one cooking unit (22.1, 22.2, 22.3, 22.4).

16. The combination apparatus (1) according to claim 15, wherein the combination apparatus (1) comprises at least one sensor unit (60.1, 60.2, 60.3, 60.4), wherein the at least one sensor unit (60.1, 60.2, 60.3, 60.4) is config ured for detecting and/or measuring the at least one pa rameter.

17. The combination apparatus (1) according to claim 15 or 16, wherein the combination apparatus (1) comprises a control unit (70), wherein the control unit (70) is configured for controlling at least the actuation means, in particu lar the drive unit (34), dependent on the at least one parameter, preferably detected by at least one sensor unit (60.1, 60.2, 60.3, 60.4) of the combination appa ratus (1).

18. A method for operating a combination apparatus (1) ac cording to anyone of the claims 14 to 17, comprising:

• detecting at least one parameter relating to the at least one cooking unit (22.1, 22.2, 22.3, 22.4), pref erably by at least one sensor unit (60.1, 60.2, 60.3,

60.4); • actuating the cover element (35, 35a, 35b) dependent on the detected at least one parameter by the actuation means, in particular the drive unit (34).