KITCHEN ASSEMBLY

Abstract

 Kitchen assembly (1) comprising a hob (2) positioned on a counter top (3), said hob (2) having at least one hotplate or cook-top (4), said assembly (1) further comprising a hood (5) arranged above said hob (2), said hood (5) being connected to suction means (6) for creating an air suction field (7) between said hob (2) and said hood (5), and said assembly (1) further comprising air jet means (8) arranged at said hotplate or cook-top (4) for creating an air stream (9), wherein said air stream (9) is directed towards said hob (2) and is adapted to reach said suction field (7), wherein said air jet means (8) comprise at least one nozzle (10), wherein said nozzle (10) is connected to a pumping member (11) for repeatedly and alternately sucking in ambient air through said nozzle (10) and blowing out said air through said nozzle (10) to create said air stream (9).

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a kitchen assembly comprising a hob positioned on a counter top, said hob having at least one hotplate or cooktop, said assembly further comprising a hood arranged above said hob, said hood being connected to suction means for creating an air suction field between said hob and said hood, and said assembly further comprising air jet means arranged at said hob for creating an air stream, wherein said air stream is directed towards said hob and is adapted to reach said suction field. The present invention is further related to a hob for such kitchen assembly, and to a method for generating an air stream between a hob positioned on a counter top and a suction field of a hood arranged above said hob.

[0002] Kitchen hoods known in the art, usually are placed above kitchen hobs and create a suction field between the hood and the hob, in order to suck cooking steam, vapor or humidity, which is generated during cooking. However, such usually applied hoods show many constraints, particularly, as their performance may be restricted due to occurring turbulences or inadequate exhaustion of the cooking steam or humidity created during cooking. Particularly, known kitchen hoods are disadvantageous in that moisture, vapor or humidity generated during cooking on the hob moves up to the hood in an uncontrolled manner. Therefore, the performance of such hoods is disturbed or affected by turbulences air twirl and the like. For example, low speed air flow perturbation may occur caused by movements around the hood, e.g. fast opening of a door, or movements of the user itself, which may provoke a removal of steam and odors out of the hood's effective suction field. Accordingly, a substantial part of the cooking steam or humidity created during cooking is not efficiently sucked into the hood. Moreover, known cooking hoods usually apply ventilators for generation of their sucking performance, which are relatively loud, particularly, as such ventilators exhibit relatively load running noises.

[0003] The document EP 1 696 180 A2 describes a hood and cooktop combination, which comprises an air curtain touching all sides of the cooktop. However, according to this document a centralized blowing system is applied, using one centrifugal fan and the air is supplied to the blowing slots. Also in such arrangement, the blowing system is relatively loud, particularly, as such blowing system exhibits relatively loud running noises. Moreover, a cooking top surrounded by such curtain, may be disturbed in function by the user cooking on said cooking top. Particularly, the air certain is not adaptable to different needs.

[0004] The document EP 2 175 204 A1 discloses a hood and cooktop combination, which comprises an air curtain touching the front and back of the cooktop, wherein the hood uses an elongated air intake, which is parallel to the air stream sources. Also in such arrangement the system is relatively loud due to the running noise of a central blower, and the relatively load running noises. Moreover, such air curtain touching the front and back of the cooktop may be disturbed in function by the user cooking on said cooking top. Particularly, the air certain is not adaptable to different needs.

[0005] It is an object of the present invention to provide a kitchen assembly, particularly a kitchen hob, which overcomes the above constraints.

[0006] It is a further object of the present invention to provide a kitchen assembly, particularly a kitchen hob, which is more effective in building a suction field of a hood preventing escape of moisture, humidity, vapor, odors, and the like, out of said suction field.

[0007] It is a still further object of the present invention to provide a kitchen assembly, particularly a kitchen hob, which shows low noise levels during operation.

[0008] These and other problems are solved by the subject matter of the attached independent claims.

[0009] The above objects of the invention are achieved by a kitchen assembly according to claim 1, a hob for such kitchen assembly according to claim 7 and a method according to claim 12.

[0010] Preferred embodiments may be taken from the dependent claims.

[0011] A kitchen assembly according to claim 1 comprises at least a hob positioned on a counter top, said hob having at least one hotplate or cooktop, said assembly further comprising a hood arranged above said hob, said hood being connected to suction means for creating an air suction field between said hob and said hood, and said assembly further comprising air jet means arranged at said hob particularly said hotplate or cooktop, for creating an air stream, wherein said air stream is directed towards said hob and is adapted to reach said suction field.

[0012] Such kitchen assembly according to the present invention is characterized in that said air jet means comprise at least one nozzle, wherein said nozzle is connected to a pumping member for repeatedly and alternately sucking in ambient air through said nozzle and blowing out said air through said nozzle to create said air stream.

[0013] This particularly allows to create an advantageous air stream, which is directed towards said hob and reaches the air suction field between said hob and said hood, in that said hood is connected to suction means for creating said air suction field and in that said air jet means are arranged at said hotplate or cooktop for creating the air stream. Moreover, such kitchen assembly, particularly the application of such air jet means allows for a relatively low noise application of the kitchen assembly during operation.

[0014] It will be immediately understood that the various advantageous effects of the present invention can be achieved for various kitchen assemblies comprising a hob, particularly for assemblies comprising a hob, which is inserted or insertable into a counter top. The term "hob" as used herein, preferably is to be understood in its broadest sense, i.e. referring to any hob for a kitchen appliance, such as a hob or hob of a stove, a ceran hob, or the like. Particularly, a hob may comprise at least one or more hotplates and/or hot plate elements or at least one cooktop.

[0015] Such hotplate or cooktop usually comprises at least one hotplate or hotplate element. A "hotplate" or "hotplate element" as used herein may be any of ceran hotplate, electric hotplate, induction hotplate or gas hotplate according to the respective hob. Such air jet means is arranged at said hotplate or cooktop. For creating an air stream. Particularly, said air jet means may be arranged besides or alongside of said hotplate or cooktop, may be integrated into the hob or, alternatively may be integrated into the hotplate or cooktop.

[0016] For creating an air suction field, particularly, an airstream, which is directed upwards from the hob to the hood, said hood is connected to suction means. Such suction means is capable of generating a suction effect sucking air into the hood. Such suction means may comprise, for example, a ventilator and connection parts for such ventilator. Additionally or alternatively, such suction means may comprise a so-called perimetrical suction means. Such perimetrical suction means may be capable of exhibiting a perimetrical suction effect. The hood may comprise such perimetrical suction means having at least one, preferably more than one, relatively small gap. Such gap preferably is of a width of about 10 mm to about 30mm, preferably of about 15 mm to about 25mm, more preferably of about 20 mm. Through such gap, the air is sucked into the hood. Preferably, such hood comprises such gap as the perimetrical suction means and performs the perimetrical suction effect, where the air is sucked into the hood only through the gap, which has the perimetrical configuration of the hood. Preferably, such hood having said perimetrical suction means, particularly such gap, has at least one air filter, which more preferably is arranged such that it is not visible to the user. Compared to a standard "open face" hood, such hood comprising a perimetrical suction means use and/or sucks less air than the "open face" hood.

[0017] In the kitchen assembly according to the present invention, the moisture, vapor, cooking steam, humidity and odor, or the like, generated during cooking on said hob is advantageously prevented from escaping out of the hood suction field. This is achieved by the present invention in that the air suction means, and particularly the air suction field acts together with said air stream, which is created by blown out air through said nozzle, and which advantageously may be arranged such that an air curtain is created, providing a barrier against turbulences caused near the kitchen assembly, e.g. low speed air flow perturbation flow, e.g. caused by people movement, or fast door opening. Advantageously, the kitchen assembly according to the present invention thereby prevents unwanted removal of steam and odors out of the hood's effective suction field.

[0018] In this way, the hob, and preferably the entire cooking space is advantageously enclosed by said air suction field and said air stream, and accordingly the cooking plume is more efficiently captured and suction into the hood is improved. Moreover, the kitchen assembly according to the present invention allows for a relatively compact design and, particularly, such air jet means can be applied independent from a plumbing for air suction.

[0019] Such kitchen assembly according to the present invention, is of further advantage compared to the usual application of ventilators or fans in that it allows for a more compact, less difficult and less expensive design and arrangement.

[0020] The air jet means of the kitchen assembly according to the present invention, also known as "synthetic jets", comprises at least one nozzle, wherein said nozzle is connected to a pumping member for repeatedly and alternately sucking in ambient air through said nozzle and blowing out said air through said nozzle to create said air stream.

[0021] The pumping member connected to said nozzle in said air jet means is capable of repeatedly and alternately sucking in ambient air through said nozzle and blowing out said air through said nozzle to create said air stream.

[0022] It will be immediately understood by a person skilled in the art that the application of such air jet means according to the present invention in the kitchen assembly according to the present invention thereby advantageously allows for a nearly zero net mass flow (ZNMF), i.e. allows for nearly zero mass of air, which passes through the nozzle. Moreover, each of such air jet means may be configured such that it is capable of sucking and blowing independently its "own" airflow, cyclically, particularly through a unique available nozzle.

[0023] Particularly, such air jet means may advantageously applied independent of any plumbing to suck the air. It is capable of directly sucking in ambient air through said nozzle and blowing out said air through said nozzle to create said air stream. The air sucked in by said air jet means thereby advantageously is taken directly from the ambient air surrounding said air jet means nozzles and is blown back with a predetermined speed and volume sufficient to reach the hood suction field.

[0024] Thereby such air jet means, particularly in the form of synthetic jet units, allow for a very compact geometry, as such air jet means is capable of sucking and blowing the air only from only one side. Moreover, such air jet means are capable of sucking and blowing air with a relatively low noise.

[0025] Additionally, the kitchen assembly according to the present invention comprising such air jet means, may further comprise a control unit, capable of controlling the air jet means, e.g. by software. Accordingly, various parameters, e.g. the intensity of blowing and/or sucking, and/or the independent or coordinated operation of one air jet means with further air jet means, may be controlled and adjusted to the intended purpose and function.

[0026] In an advantageous embodiment of the inventive kitchen assembly, said pumping member comprises a movable portion, in particular a membrane portion, and a drive member for actuating said movable portion, wherein in particular said drive member is controllable for a predetermined actuation frequency and/or for a predetermined actuation amplitude.

[0027] Said movable portion is actuated by a drive member. In connection therewith, it is to be understood that a movement of said movable portion in one direction either generates a blowing or a sucking action of the air jet means. A movement of said movable portion in a reverse direction thus will generate the opposite effect. Accordingly, a repeated movement of said movable portion in a first and a reverse direction, respectively, will result in a repeatedly and alternately sucking in of ambient air and blowing out said air through said nozzle, which creates said air stream. Thereby, the movable portion preferably is a membrane portion or membrane, which advantageously allows an easy and relatively cheap configuration. Particularly, such membrane may be arranged to vibrate in both directions in order to move the air, either in or out of the nozzle. However, alternative configurations, e.g. comprising plunger, bellow or the like, are also considered within the scope of the present invention. In a further embodiment, said pumping member comprises more than one such movable portion, in particular more than one membrane portion, e.g. two membranes.

[0028] In an embodiment, the time periodic motion of the movable portion, particularly the membrane can be achieved by piezoelectric, electromagnetic or electrostatic measures.

[0029] In an embodiment, the drive member may be piezoelectric or electromagnetic.

[0030] Advantageously, for a given form factor, the piezoelectric membrane has an advantage in weight, particularly exhibits a relatively low power consumption.

[0031] Advantageously, an electromagnetic drive member has a lower operation noise, and particularly exhibits a more reliable performance.

[0032] In an embodiment, the membrane is selected from unimorph membrane and bimorph membrane. It will be immediately understood that a unimorph membrane may comprise one active layer and one inactive layer. Particularly, the active layer may be piezoelectric. In the case where the active layer is piezoelectric, deformation in that layer is induced by the application of an electric field.

[0033] The inactive layer may be fabricated from a non-piezoelectric material. A bimorph membrane may comprise two active piezoelectric layers and inactive layer, for example a metal. However, also other flexible tabs are also applicable for the purpose of the present invention. These layers may produce a displacement by electrical activation of a piezoelectric bimorph, i.e. electric field causes one layer to extend and the other layer to contract.

[0034] In a further advantageous embodiment of the inventive kitchen assembly, said air jet means comprise a multitude of nozzles, wherein in particular each nozzle is connected to an individual pumping member.

[0035] Such multitude of nozzles, particularly of at least two nozzles, preferably more than two nozzles, allows for creating an advantageous air stream directed towards said hob and being adapted to reach said suction field, particularly in that said nozzles may be arranged such that said air stream is provided in the form of an air curtain generated by such multitude of nozzles. This advantageously allows enclosing the hob, hotplate or cooktop by the said air suction field and said air stream such that the cooking plume is more efficiently captured and suction into the hood is improved.

[0036] Particularly, each nozzle may be connected to an individual pumping member; more particularly each of said plumbing members is a plumbing member as described herein. This advantageously allows that each nozzle is operated individually, and accordingly the air stream generated by the multitude of nozzles can be adjusted more easily and controlled according to the intended purpose and the particular needs. Accordingly, the air stream generated by the multitude of nozzles can be adapted to various circumstances, for example, particular cooking actions, the amount of cooking fumes, moisture, or the like, to be sucked, or to parameters of the ambient air surrounding the kitchen assembly.

[0037] A control of the air stream may be achieved by control of the frequency variation and/or amplitude variation. A person skilled in the art will immediately recognize that a high frequency may particularly applied for small scales; whereas a low frequency and amplitude modulation may be applied for large scales.

[0038] In a further advantageous embodiment of the inventive kitchen assembly, said nozzles are arranged in at least one linear array alongside said hotplate or cooktop or alongside said hob, respectively.

[0039] This particularly allows providing said air stream directed towards said hob and adapted to reach said suction field, in the form of an advantageous air curtain. Particularly said air curtain. An arrangement alongside said cooktop or hotplate or alongside said hob, respectively, preferably is an arrangement lateral to the hob or said cooktop or hotplate, respectively. This advantageously allows that said air stream directed towards said hob and adapted to reach said suction field is formed on said lateral side of said cooktop or hotplate or alongside said hob, respectively. A user in the front of the kitchen assembly may thus perform a cooking action without causing turbulences disturbing said air stream.

[0040] In a further advantageous embodiment of the inventive kitchen assembly, said nozzles are arranged in at least two linear arrays, wherein in particular said arrays are located at opposite sides of said cooktop or hotplate or said hob, respectively.

[0041] A single unit of such linear array, i.e. a nozzle and, preferably an individual pumping member, preferably have a diameter of less than about 40 mm, more preferably of less than about 35 mm, still more preferably of about 32 mm. In an embodiment, such linear array has a thickness of less than about 2.50 mm, preferably of less than about 1.75 mm, more preferably of less than about 1.50 mm, still more preferably of about 1.30 mm. The weight of such linear array is of less than about 25g, preferably of less than about 20g, of less than about 17.5g, still more preferably of less than about 15.0g, most preferably of about 12,5g per single unit, i.e. per nozzle comprised in the array.

[0042] Particularly, an array comprising 8 single units may have a weight of about 100g. In an embodiment a single unit of such array, particularly a single nozzle has a diameter of less than about 50mm, preferably less than about 40mm, more preferably of about 35mm. Preferably, such array has a length of less than about 40mm, preferably of less than about 38mm, more preferably 38,125 mm per single unit of the array. For example, an array having 8 nozzles of 35mm diameter may have a length of 305 mm. With such arrangement, for example, an array having 8 nozzles may have a dimension of about 305 x 40 mm. Such arrangement, and particularly the relatively low thickness of only a few mm, allows for a relatively compact design. This is of particular advantage if such relatively compact design allows for a non-disturbing design of integration into the kitchen top or cooking top.

[0043] Such arrangement advantageously allows providing said air stream directed towards said hob and adapted to reach said suction field, in the form of at least two advantageous air curtains. Particularly said nozzles arranged in said at least two linear arrays, are arranged such that at least two air curtains are generated alongside said cooktop or hotplate or alongside said hob, respectively. In an embodiment according to which said arrays are located at opposite sides of said cooktop or hotplate or said hob, respectively, it is preferred that said arrays are arranged lateral to the hob or said cooktop or hotplate, respectively, i.e. one on the right side and one on the left side of the hob, or cooktop or hotplate, respectively.

[0044] This advantageously allows that said air stream directed towards said hob and adapted to reach said suction field is formed on both lateral sides of said cooktop or hotplate, or said hob, respectively. A user in the front of the kitchen assembly may thus perform a cooking action without causing turbulences disturbing said air stream, whereby both sides of the cooktop or hotplate, or hob, respectively are advantageously closed and protected by said air stream, preferably provided as two air curtains, one on each side of the hob or cooktop or hotplate, respectively. This advantageously prevents that cooking steam, humidity, or the like escapes out of the effective hood suction fields. In such arrangement it is of particular advantage if said air jet means comprise a multitude of nozzles, wherein in particular each nozzle is connected to an individual pumping member. In such arrangement each nozzle, and particularly each linear array may be independently operated and controlled. Accordingly, the air stream and particularly an air stream in the form of one or several air curtains can be achieved with uniform and symmetric or asymmetric operation. Particularly, such air stream and/or air curtain may be achieved by an air stream resulting from a uniform action of the multitude or array of nozzles, i.e. all nozzles are in function operate with same performances, or alternatively in some other specific, asymmetric, singular or symmetric or asymmetric mode. A symmetric performance of the multitude or array of nozzles is preferred. The present inventors surprisingly found that a symmetrical operation of the multitude or array of nozzles, particularly, such air stream and/or air curtain generated thereby, is relatively resistant against cross flow.

[0045] This particularly allows adjusting and controlling the air curtain on each side of the hob or cooktop or hotplate, independently. Moreover, such arrangement allows for the formation of air curtain multimodal operation. Particularly, an air stream is adaptable to various circumstances, such as the cooking intensity, the amount of moisture, vapor, or the like to be sucked, etc.

[0046] In a further advantageous embodiment of the inventive kitchen assembly, said air jet means are integrated into said hob.

[0047] With such air jet means according to the present invention it is particularly possible to integrate such air jet means into the hob, particularly if, for example said nozzles are arranged in at least one linear array alongside said cooktop or hotplate or alongside said hob, respectively.

[0048] This advantageously allows for an integral solution, according to which the hob, hotplate, or cooktop can be provided with integrated air jet means as one assembly unit, which may be then assembled or integrated into the counter top.

[0049] In an alternative embodiment, such air jet means, particularly such linear array of nozzles are arranged and configured as a separate supply part, e.g. integrated into a frame. This advantageously allows retrofitting or upgrading a kitchen assembly without such air jet means by integrating or assembling said separate supply part comprising the air jet means into the counter top, particularly alongside an already existing hotplate or cooktop. For such purpose, the air jet means, particularly an array of linear nozzles, may comprise a frame, which allows an easy assembly or integration into an existing counter top.

[0050] Both alternatives, i.e. said air jet means being integrated into said hob or being supplied as separate supply part, advantageously allow providing a kitchen assembly according to the present invention, particularly with relatively small space requirements.

[0051] The above described problems are also advantageously solved by a hob according to claim 7.

[0052] Such hob according to the present invention particularly shows the technical features and advantages as described in connection with the kitchen assembly according to the present invention.

[0053] Particularly, such hob comprising said nozzles according to the present invention might be provided as a separate supply part, advantageously allowing to retrofit or upgrade a kitchen assembly without such hob according to the present invention, and particularly to integrate or assemble such hob according to the present invention into a counter top under a hood.

[0054] Such a hob comprises at least one hotplate or cooktop and at least one nozzle, wherein said nozzle is connected to a pumping member for repeatedly sucking in ambient air through said nozzle and blowing out said air through said nozzle to create said air stream.

[0055] In an advantageous embodiment of the inventive hob said pumping member comprises a movable portion, in particular a membrane portion, and a drive member for actuating said movable portion, wherein in particular said drive member is controllable for a predetermined actuation frequency and/or for a predetermined actuation amplitude.

[0056] In a further advantageous embodiment of the inventive hob, said hob comprises a multitude of nozzles, wherein in particular each nozzle is connected to an individual pumping member.

[0057] In a further advantageous embodiment of the inventive hob, said nozzles are arranged in at least one linear array alongside said cooktop or hotplate.

[0058] In a further advantageous embodiment of the inventive hob, said nozzles are arranged in at least two linear arrays, wherein in particular said arrays are located at opposite sides of said cooktop or hotplate.

[0059] The above described problems are also advantageously solved by a method according to claim 12.

[0060] In such a method for generating an air stream between a hob positioned on a counter top and a suction field of a hood arranged above said hob, said air stream is generated by repeatedly and alternately sucking in ambient air through at least one nozzle arranged at a cooktop or hotplate of said hob and blowing out said air through said nozzle.

[0061] This advantageously allows providing a method for generating an air stream and a suction field of a hood, which prevents escape of moisture, humidity, vapor, odors, and the like, out of said suction field. Moreover, said method is advantageous in showing a relatively low noise levels during operation.

[0062] In connection therewith it is within the present invention that advantages and features described herein in connection with a kitchen assembly and/or a hob according to the present invention also apply to the method according to the present invention and vice versa.

[0063] In an advantageous embodiment of the inventive method said air stream is generated by means of a multitude of nozzles.

[0064] Preferably, each nozzle of such multitude of nozzles generates such air stream by repeatedly and alternately sucking in ambient air through said nozzle.

[0065] In a further advantageous embodiment of the inventive method, a frequency with which ambient air is sucked in and blown out is controlled to a predetermined frequency, wherein said predetermined frequency in particular depends on ambient parameters.

[0066] In connection therewith, it is to be understood that such frequency with which ambient air is sucked in and blown out may particularly result from or be correlated to a predetermined actuation frequency of a drive member actuating a movable portion of a pumping member. Such pumping member may comprise such movable portion, in particular a membrane portion, and a drive member for actuating said movable portion, wherein in particular said drive member is controllable for said predetermined actuation frequency.

[0067] Such ambient parameter, as used herein may be used to predetermine an optimal frequency with which ambient air is sucked in and blown out to achieve an advantageous air stream according to the present invention. Particularly, the air stream generated by repeatedly and alternately sucking in ambient air through the at least one nozzle may thus be controlled or adjusted according to such ambient parameters, e.g. a temperature of ambient air, a cooking performance or cooking intensity, a desired size of cooking equipment, cooking pot, or the like, humidity or moisture, sucking performance of the hood, or the like. In an embodiment of the method and/or kitchen assembly according to the present invention the kitchen assembly comprises at least one sensor capable of determining such ambient parameter. For example, such sensor may be configured and arranges such that an air movement of ambient air is detected, and the frequency with which ambient air is sucked in and blown out is adapted accordingly to achieve an advantageous air stream according to the present invention.

[0068] In a further advantageous embodiment of the inventive method, an amount of ambient air sucked in before being blown out is controlled to a predetermined amount, wherein said predetermined amount in particular depends on ambient parameters.

[0069] In connection therewith, it is to be understood that such amount with of ambient air sucked in before being blown out may particularly result from or be correlated to a predetermined actuation amplitude of a drive member actuating a movable portion of a pumping member. Such pumping member may comprise such movable portion, in particular a membrane portion, and a drive member for actuating said movable portion, wherein in particular said drive member is controllable for said predetermined actuation amplitude.

[0070] It is considered herein that such predetermined amount of ambient air sucked in before being blown out is a predetermined volume of said ambient air. However, alternatively such predetermined amount may also refer to other parameters of said ambient air, e.g. a weight of said ambient air.

[0071] All described embodiments of the invention have the advantage, that a kitchen assembly, a hob and a method according to the present invention provide an air stream, particularly in the form of an air curtain, created by air jet means, which overcomes various constraints of known kitchen assemblies, and particularly provide a more effective suction field of a hood preventing escape of moisture, humidity, vapor, odors, and the like, out of said suction field. Moreover, the present invention allows such suction field and air stream to be operated with relatively low noise levels during operation, particularly allowing for a zero net mass flow (ZNMF) solution. Furthermore, the present invention provides a relatively compact solution, which may be flexibly applied, particularly without the need of plumbing said air jet means or nozzles according to the present invention. Moreover, the air jet means and nozzles requiring minimal space can be easily integrated into hob, cooktop, or hotplate with only a minimal space requirement. The present invention further enables an advanced flow control of said suction field and air stream. Particularly, the present invention allows for a multitude and/or arrays of air jet means and nozzles, which may be operated uniformly and symmetrically or asymmetrically, particularly providing for multimodal operation. Particularly, such operation modes of the air jet means and nozzles of the present invention can be operated adaptively to various parameters, e.g. the cooking intensity, or the like.

[0072] The present invention will be described in further detail with reference to the drawings from which further features, embodiments and advantages may be taken, and in which:

FIG 1A

illustrates a schematic perspective view of a kitchen assembly showing a first inventive embodiment;

FIG 1B

illustrates an air distribution of the kitchen assembly according to the first inventive embodiment;

FIG 2

illustrates a schematic view of air of the kitchen assembly according to the first inventive embodiment; and

FIG 3A and FIG 3B

illustrate two operational states of a single air jet means according to a second inventive embodiment; and

FIGs 4A and 4B

show an individual air jet means 8 according to a third inventive embodiment; and

FIG 5

shows an air jet means in the form of an array of nozzles according to the third inventive embodiment.

[0073] FIG 1A shows a schematic perspective view of a kitchen assembly 1 showing a first inventive embodiment. Such kitchen assembly 1 comprises a hob 2 positioned on a counter top 3. The hob 2, here a ceran hob has several hotplates 4 for placing a pot or pan for performing a cooking. The kitchen assembly 1 further comprises a hood 5 for sucking fumes and vapor, moisture and cooking plume, or the like. Such hood 5 is arranged above the hob 2 and is capable of creating a suction field between the hood 5 and the hob 2. Said hood 5 is connected to a suction means 6 for creating the air suction field 7 between said hob 2 and said hood 5. According to the shown embodiment, the suction means 6 comprise a so-called perimetrical suction means 6 being capable of exhibiting a perimetrical suction effect. For this purpose, the hood comprises such perimetrical suction means 6 with a small gap. Such gap preferably is of a width of about 10 mm to about 30mm, preferably of about 15 mm to about 25mm, more preferably of about 20 mm. Through said gap the air is sucked into the hood 5, which comprises said gap as the perimetrical suction means 6 and performs the perimetrical suction effect, where the air is sucked into the hood 5 only through the gap, which has the perimetrical configuration of the hood 5.

[0074] The assembly 1 according to the present invention further comprising air jet means 8 integrated into the hob 2 and arranged alongside of said hob 2. Said air jet means are for creating an air stream 9, which is directed towards said hob 2, particularly towards a middle of said hob 2 and which is adapted to reach said suction field 7.

[0075] As may be best seen from Fig. 1A said air jet means 8 comprises a multitude of nozzles 10, whereby each nozzle 10 is connected to an individual here not shown pumping member 11. The nozzles 10 are arranged in two linear arrays alongside of said hob 2, whereby both arrays are located at opposite sides of said hob 2. Thereby, the air stream 9 directed towards said hob 2 and adapted to reach said suction field 7 is provided in the form of an advantageous air curtain 9 formed on the lateral sides of the hob 2.

[0076] As may be taken from Fig. 1B, showing a heat and airflow distribution of the inventive kitchen assembly 1 shown in Fig. 1A, in operation, such kitchen assembly 1 advantageously prevents that cooking steam, humidity, or the like escapes out of the effective hood suction field. Thereby, it is of particular advantage that said air jet means 8 comprise a multitude of nozzles 10 arranged in arrays alongside of the hob 2, each nozzle 10 being connected to an individual pumping member 11. In such arrangement, each nozzle and particularly each linear array can be independently operated and controlled. In general, a symmetric performance of the multitude or array of nozzles is preferred. The present inventors surprisingly found that a symmetrical operation of the multitude or array of nozzles, particularly, such air stream and/or air curtain generated thereby, is relatively resistant against a cross flow. In performing post processing approach of various simulations that also include lateral blowing of so called "cross flow, disturbance effect" the present inventors found that the speed of such a cross flow of up to about 0.15 - 0.25m/s, particularly of about 0.20 m/s does not result in significant disturbance of the suction field. This is, as such disturbance flow, for example in the shown arrangement provided by a lateral cross flow from the right outside of the kitchen assembly, will cause an inclination of the right air stream 9 of the right array of nozzles towards the middle of the suction field 7. Thereby, also the left air stream 9 generated by the left array of nozzles is slightly inclined towards the left side, i.e. towards the left outside of the space hob-hood, however, the inclination of the left air stream is less than the inclination of the right air stream. This advantageously results in the air streams 9 still being both, the left and the right air stream, directed towards the hob 2 and adapted to reach the suction field 7, which results in an advantageous air curtain 9 formed on the lateral sides of the hob 2. Thereby, the left air stream is protected from stronger disturbance by the right air stream, and vice versa, in that such cross flow touches the right one jet. Additionally, to a symmetrical performance of the two arrays of nozzles, an asymmetric performance may be desired in the event of occurrence of such cross-flow, as a more intensive blowing of the nozzles providing the "impacted" air curtain 9 laterally by the crossflow.

[0077] Accordingly, the air streams 9 in the form of air curtains 9 are achieved with uniform and symmetric or asymmetric operation. Particularly, in the shown embodiment each air curtain 9 results from a uniform action of the respective array of nozzles 10, i.e. all nozzles of one array in function operate with same performance, however, may be operated also asymmetrically, i.e. with different performances, if desired. This particularly allows adjusting and controlling the air curtain 9 on each side of the hob 2, independently. Accordingly, an air stream 9 is adaptable to various circumstances, such as the cooking intensity, the amount of moisture, vapor, or the like to be sucked, etc. In addition, an air stream 9 on one side of the hob 2 may completely be turned off, while the air stream 9 on the other side of the hob 2 is still operating.

[0078] In particular from Fig. 2 showing the air flows of such kitchen assembly 1 as shown in Fig. 1A and 1B, it may be seen that if a pot 14, or the like is placed on the hob and a cooking action is performed, cooking plume is moving upwards from the pot 14 with much turbulences. Thereby the linear arrays of nozzles 10 are positioned into the hob's 2 structure laterally. Thereby the multitude of nozzles 10 in form of the arrays blow air towards the border of the kitchen hood 5, vertically, sucking the static air flow over the jet nozzles 10 and blowing it with certain frequency towards the hood 5. The array of nozzles 10 thereby do not need a plumbing to suck the air, as it is taken in front of the said air jet means 8 nozzle 10 and blown back with necessary speed and volume to reach the hood suction field 7. Thereby the air jet means 8, and particularly the arrays of nozzles 10 have a relatively compact geometry, as sucking and blowing of the air is performed only from one side. Moreover, the air jet means allow for a relatively low noise operation and are completely controllable, e.g. by software, with to various parameters, e.g. an intensity of blowing and common operation with other nozzles or arrays of nozzles. For this reason, it is possible to integrate the air jet means 8 into hob 2 structure, without bigger design modifications. The operation of the air jet means 8 and the generated air stream or curtain 9 thereby can be adjusted dependent on various ambient parameters, e.g. cooking intensity, pot size or a kitchen sensored air movement. This particularly is advantageous compared to solutions with only a single, for example central blower. Particularly, the air jet means 8 can be integrated into the hob 2, and do not necessarily have to be integrated into the counter-top 3 where usually the hob 2 is installed. This also advantageously allows for an easy on-site installation of the hob 2 with integrated air jet means 8.

[0079] Fig. 3A and Fig. 3B illustrate two operational states of an exemplary air jet means 8 in the form of a single jet.

[0080] Said air jet means 8 comprises one nozzle 10, wherein said nozzle 10 is connected to a pumping member 11 for repeatedly and alternately sucking in ambient air through said nozzle 10 and blowing out said air through said nozzle 10 to create said air stream 9. FIG 3A shows an operational state of such air jet means 8 in which ambient air is sucked in through said nozzle 10. FIG 3B shows an operational state of such air jet means 8 in which said air is blown out through said nozzle 10 to create said air stream 9. Thereby said pumping member 11 comprises a movable portion 12, here in the form of two membrane portions 12, and a not shown drive member 13 for actuating said movable portions 12, wherein in particular said drive member 13 is controllable for a predetermined actuation frequency and/or for a predetermined actuation amplitude. It will be immediately understood by a person skilled in the art that such air jet means 8 as shown in FIG 3A and 3B can be combined to an array of such air jet means 8. Particularly, such air jet means 8, preferably in the form of an array of such air jet means 8, comprises a multitude of nozzles 10, wherein in particular each nozzle 10 is connected to an individual pumping member 11. Said nozzles 10, particularly, may be arranged in at least one linear array alongside said hotplate or cooktop 4 or alongside said hob 2, respectively. Preferably, said nozzles 10 may be arranged in at least two linear arrays, wherein in particular said arrays are located at opposite sides of said hotplate or cooktop 4 or said hob 2, respectively. Thereby, said air jet means 8 may be integrated into said hob 2. Said hob 2 may comprise at least one hotplate or cooktop 4 and at least one nozzle 10, wherein said nozzle 10 is connected to a pumping member 11 for repeatedly sucking in ambient air through said nozzle 10 and blowing out said air through said nozzle 10 to create said air stream 9. As may be seen from FIG 3A and FIG 3B said pumping member 11 comprises a movable portion 12, in particular a membrane portion 12. Particularly, according to the schematically shown embodiment the air jet means 8 may comprise two membranes 12.

[0081] Particularly, the pumping member 11 is provided by two laterally arranged membranes 12. The membrane 12 operates based on a bimorph membrane principle. The drive member 13, which is not shown, may be positioned separately of the air jet means 8, particularly when a custom solution and battery solutions are applied. Alternatively, however, an integral solution of such air jet means having an integrated drive member 13 may also be applied. In such integral solution, the membranes 12 are moved by the electromagnetic motion technique and are advantageously very silent. A person skilled in the art will immediately recognize that the actuator, with integrated drive element (or the battery of these elements) needs only the power supply for its functional application.

[0082] The air jet means shown in Figs 3A and 3B are preferably provided in the form of bimorphal double side pulsation air jet means 8. Such air je means 8 comprises the membranes 12, which may function as vibrating diaphragms. Particularly, such air jet means 8 may comprise a piezo fiber composite (PFC).

[0083] Figures 4A and 4B show an individual air jet means 8 in the form of a unimorphal double side air jet means 8. Also this air jet means 8 comprises at least one nozzle 10, wherein said nozzle 10 is connected to a pumping member 11 for repeatedly and alternately sucking in ambient air through said nozzle 10 and blowing out said air through said nozzle 10 to create said air stream 9. Particularly, such air jet means as shown in Figs. 4A and 4B comprises a unimorph membrane having one active layer and one inactive layer. Particularly, the active layer may be piezoelectric, preferably in the form of a piezoelectric disk 12, 15. In the case where the active layer is piezoelectric, deformation in that layer is induced by the application of an electric field. The inactive layer may be fabricated from a non-piezoelectric material, particularly in the form of an elastomer disk 12, 16. As may be best seen from the schematical illustration of Fig. 4B the piezo-polymer disk structure 12, 15 may be mounted on the elastomer disk 12, 16. If a voltage is applied said voltage induces a change in shape of the piezo-polymer disk structure 12, 15 and the elastomer disk 12, 16, resulting in an air stream 9 from the nozzle 10, in the form of a slot in the chamber 11, in which the elastomer disk 12, 15 and the piezo-polymer disk structure 12, 15 is arranged. The pumping member 11 is provided in the form of said chamber 11 for repeatedly and alternately sucking in ambient air through said slot 10 and blowing out said air through said slot 10 to create said air stream 9. The chamber 11 may be mounted on the elastomer disk 12, 16 comprising a compliant mount 17. A piezo-polymer actuator generates a small displacement motion of the movable portion 12 inwards out of its plane. The frequency is lower than the resonant frequency, but is sufficient for a high air speed. The high air speed is also possible for a high ratio between the areas of the piston and the orifice. The bend of the piezo-polymer disk structure 12, 15 causes an amplification of the motion. In this example, the piezo-polymer actuator is formed as a multilayer of polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) and includes three segments with fixed ends. When the voltage is applied to the PVDF actuator, then the flexure moves with a constant radius curvature. The constant radius curvature is obtained by operating two end segments of each flexure in phase with each other, while a central segment is out of phase to said end segments. In particular, the fixed ends allow an easy stacking in series and/or in parallel.

[0084] Figure 5 shows an array of individual nozzles 10, which form an air jet means 8. Such array as air jet means 8 comprises a multitude of nozzles 10, wherein in particular each nozzle 10 is connected to an individual pumping member 11. Such array may form a linear array arranged alongside a hotplate or cooktop 4 or alongside a hob 2, respectively. Preferably, two such linear arrays are located at opposite sides of said hotplate or cooktop 4 or said hob 2, respectively. The embodiment of such array shown in Fig. 5 is in the form of ultra-compact unitsof, having a diameter of about 32 mm, and a thickness of about 1.30 mm. The weight of the array, here comprising 8 nozzles 10 is of only about 100g. With such arrangement, for example, dimensions of about 305 x 40 mm may be realized. Thereby it is remarkable that the thickness of such array is of only a few mm. This advantageously allows a relatively compact design. The solution may advantageously be based on piezoelectric composite technology as, for example, described in connection with Fig. 4A and 4B. Particularly, such array may be composed of a piezo ceramic (PZT) bounded to an electrically conductive stainless steel substrate and one aluminum substrate. It will be immediately understood that when no voltage is applied the PZT may be in a prestressed compressive state. If the voltage, particularly a positive voltage, is applied, the PZT is allowed to shrink and reduce internal compression, resulting in the air stream 9. In a particularly preferred configuration, the piezoelectric layer may be arranged on top of a metal substrate stainless steel, preferably using an adhesive, for example, polyimide. A metal top aluminum layer may be arranged on top of said PZT layer, preferably using an adhesive, for example, polyimide.

[0085] The features of the present invention disclosed in the specification, the claims, and/or the figures may both separately and in any combination thereof be material for realizing the invention in various forms thereof.

List of reference numerals

[0086] 

1

Kitchen assembly

2

hob

3

counter top

4

hotplate

5

hood

6

suction means

7

air suction field

8

air jet means

9

air stream

10

nozzle

11

pumping member

12

movable portion

13

drive member

14

cooking pot

15

piezo-polymer disk structure

16

elastomer disk

17

compliant mount

Claims

1. Kitchen assembly (1) comprising
a hob (2) positioned on a counter top (3),
said hob (2) having at least one hotplate or cooktop (4), said assembly (1) further comprising a hood (5) arranged above said hob (2),
said hood (5) being connected to suction means (6) for creating an air suction field (7) between said hob (2) and said hood (5),
and said assembly (1) further comprising air jet means (8) arranged at said hob (2), particularly said hotplate or cooktop (4), for creating an air stream (9),
wherein said air stream (9) is directed towards said hob (2) and is adapted to reach said suction field (7), characterized in that
said air jet means (8) comprise at least one nozzle (10), wherein said nozzle (10) is connected to a pumping member (11) for repeatedly and alternately sucking in ambient air through said nozzle (10) and blowing out said air through said nozzle (10) to create said air stream (9).

2. Kitchen assembly (1) according to claim 1, wherein said pumping member (11) comprises a movable portion (12), in particular a membrane portion (12), and a drive member (13) for actuating said movable portion (12), wherein in particular said drive member (13) is controllable for a predetermined actuation frequency and/or for a predetermined actuation amplitude.

3. Kitchen assembly (1) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein said air jet means (8) comprise a multitude of nozzles (10), wherein in particular each nozzle (10) is connected to an individual pumping member (11).

4. Kitchen assembly (1) according to claim 3, wherein said nozzles (10) are arranged in at least one linear array alongside said hotplate or cooktop (4) or alongside said hob (2), respectively.

5. Kitchen assembly (1) according to 3 or 4, wherein said nozzles (10) are arranged in at least two linear arrays, wherein in particular said arrays are located at opposite sides of said hotplate or cooktop (4) or said hob (2), respectively.

6. Kitchen assembly (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein said air jet means (8) are integrated into said hob (2).

7. Hob (2) for a kitchen assembly (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 6, said hob (2) comprising at least one hotplate or cooktop (4) and at least one nozzle (10), wherein said nozzle (10) is connected to a pumping member (11) for repeatedly sucking in ambient air through said nozzle (10) and blowing out said air through said nozzle (10) to create said air stream (9).

8. Hob (2) according to claim 7, wherein said pumping member (11) comprises a movable portion (12), in particular a membrane portion (12), and a drive member (13) for actuating said movable portion (12), wherein in particular said drive member (13) is controllable for a predetermined actuation frequency and/or for a predetermined actuation amplitude.

9. Hob (2) according to claim 7 or 8, wherein said hob (2) comprise a multitude of nozzles (10), wherein in particular each nozzle (10) is connected to an individual pumping member (11).

10. Hob (2) according to claim 9, wherein said nozzles (10) are arranged in at least one linear array alongside said hotplate or cooktop (4).

11. Hob (2) according to any one of claims 9 or 10, wherein said nozzles (10) are arranged in at least two linear arrays, wherein in particular said arrays are located at opposite sides of said hotplate or cooktop (4).

12. Method for generating an air stream (9) between a hob (2) positioned on a counter top (3) and a suction field (6) of a hood (5) arranged above said hob (2),
characterized in that
said air stream (9) is generated by repeatedly and alternately sucking in ambient air through at least one nozzle (10) arranged at a hotplate or cooktop (4) of said hob (2) and blowing out said air through said nozzle (10).

13. Method according to claim 12, wherein said air stream (9) is generated by means of a multitude of nozzles (10).

14. Method according to claim 12 or 13, wherein a frequency with which ambient air is sucked in and blown out is controlled to a predetermined frequency, wherein said predetermined frequency in particular depends on ambient parameters.

15. Method according to any one of claims 12 to 14, wherein an amount of ambient air sucked in before being blown out is controlled to a predetermined amount, wherein said predetermined amount in particular depends on ambient parameters.

Drawing