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(11) | EP 2 487 423 B1 |
| (12) | EUROPEAN PATENT SPECIFICATION |
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| (54) |
Suction hood Absaughaube Hotte de cuisine |
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| Note: Within nine months from the publication of the mention of the grant of the European patent, any person may give notice to the European Patent Office of opposition to the European patent granted. Notice of opposition shall be filed in a written reasoned statement. It shall not be deemed to have been filed until the opposition fee has been paid. (Art. 99(1) European Patent Convention). |
[0002] Known or traditional suction hoods, which also can be denominated as destructor hoods, range hoods, kitchen hoods, stove hoods, exhaust hoods, cooker hoods, extraction hoods, cooking canopy or ventilation hoods, are used to remove airborne grease, combustion products, smoke, odours and/or heat and steam, which is generated usually by a cooking process on a cooktop, normally by a combination of filtration and evacuation of the air. They usually comprise three main components: A skirt or capture panel to contain the rising gases (also known as the "effluent plume"), one or more grease filters, and a fan or tangential blower for forced ventilation.
[0003] There are two major applications of extractor hoods: vented application, and recirculating application. In a vented application, the output collar of the extractor hood's blower motor is attached to a duct system, which terminates outside of the kitchen. In a recirculating application, a filter containing activated charcoal is used to remove odour and smoke particles from the air, before releasing the cleaned air back into the kitchen environment.
[0004] The fans or blowers create, when activated, an area of low pressure which takes effect spherically around the hood.
[0005] The airborne grease, combustion products, smoke, odours, heat and steam generated by the cooking of food on the cooktop rise naturally in a vertical motion due to gravity effect, and enter the effective area of the hood to be captured by the low pressure area.
[0006] The traditional hoods as described above present at least relatively low efficiency in treating the fumes from the cooktop as they suck-up equally air from the surrounding environment. FIG la shows such a hood 1', where the gas is sucked in from all sides along paths shown by arrows 74'.
[0007] The pressure field 71' of a traditional hood 1' over a cooktop 7' is shown in FIG 1b. The pressure field represents the effective suction volume of the hood.
[0008] In WO 89/11926 A1, a ventilating system has been proposed with nozzles and/or blowers mounted around one or more centrally located exhaust channels.
[0009] In EP 1 887 286 A2 and EP 0 753 706 A1, ventilating systems have been proposed comprising a first sucking means for sucking the fume from a cooking area and a second sucking means for generating an air flow, the second sucking means having an internally located channel system with plurality of outflow ports in order to create a hollow cylindrical air flow characteristics.
[0010] In is an object of invention, to improve the characteristics of the hood, especially the suction characteristics.
[0011] This object is solved by a suction hood according to claim 1. Advantageous embodiments can be derived especially from the dependent claims.
[0012] According to claim 1, the invention relates to a suction hood, which sucks air from a first area to a second area, wherein the hood comprises a first sucking means which pulls the air to the suction hood by generating an at least substantially direct suction to the suction hood and a second sucking means which pulls the air to the suction hood by generating an at least substantially circular, cyclone or helix movement. An outer suction area surrounds an inner suction area wherein
- a) the first sucking means sucks the air to the suction hood mostly through the outer suction area or
- b) the second sucking means pulls the air to the suction hood at least substantially uniformly through the outer suction area and the inner suction area.
[0013] In this case, at least substantially separate suction areas are provided for both suction means so that the suction areas can complement one another without interfering or cancelling each other too much.
[0014] The second sucking means preferably generates a tornado suction in the area underneath of it which allows an improved and focussed suction. The combination of a first sucking means and a second sucking means according to the invention enables an improvement of the suction characteristics of the suction hood, as the addition of the second sucking means especially allows an improvement and/or a focusing of the suction in the area underneath the second sucking means which is preferably used for cooking.
[0015] In a preferred embodiment, the second sucking means are operatable in a boost mode, so that the second sucking means temporarily boosts the suction of the first sucking means. This allows to boost the suction in cases wherein, for example, a lot of fumes are generated. By activating the boost mode, the fumes normally can be exhausted or reduced more rapidly.
[0016] Preferably, the first and the second sucking means are operatable in a pulse working mode and/or alternatively. This enables that, on the one hand, fumes underneath of the second sucking means can be exhausted or reduced more rapidly, when this suction means is active, whereas also fumes from the surrounding area are removed when the first sucking means is active.
[0017] In a preferred embodiment, the first and the second sucking means are operatable together, so that the second sucking means continuously boosts the suction of the first sucking means. This enables an improved suction in the area underneath the second sucking means whereas also air is sucked from the surrounding area by the first suction means.
[0018] In an advantageous embodiment, the air for operating the vortex is sucked in laterally, preferably through lateral openings and/or from the outer suction area. This allows an at least relatively easy feeding of the required air while not affecting the circular, cyclone or helix movement more than necessary.
[0019] Preferably, the second sucking means is addable by a adding means, preferably dependent on noise, efficiency and/or fumes, the adding means is preferably a switch and/or a sensor driven device. By this, the second sucking means can be added only when necessary.
[0020] Preferably, the suction hood is a vented and/or a recirculating suction hood. Both embodiments can be used in a preferred way with the suction means.
[0021] Furthermore, the invention relates to a method for generating a air suction by means of a suction hood according to one of the preceding claims.
[0022] The invention will now be described in further details with references to the schematical drawings in which
FIG 1c outlines the concept of a tornado suction hood,
FIG 1d shows the pressure field of a hood system according to FIG 1c,
FIG 2a to 2c show an embodiment of the invention and in which
[0023] FIG 1c outlines the concept of a tornado suction hood 1. The arrows 75 represent the rotating column of air and the arrows 74 represent the suction draft. The combination of these two flows generates the tornado. The air is sucked in through air inlets 101, 102 and therefore pushed into the suction channel 13.
[0024] The pressure field 71 of such a hood system 1 is shown in FIG 1d. The pressure field represents the effective suction volume of the hood. The generated vortex between the cooktop 7 and the hood 1 sucks in the fume from the cooktop 7 in a swirling motion.
[0025] FIG 2a to 2c show an embodiment of the invention. FIG 2a shows a perspective view of the hood with the vortex module 62. FIG 2b shows a cross sectional view of the hood, whereas FIG 2c shows a bottom view of the hood with the vortex module 62.
[0026] The suction hood 6 comprises a first sucking means 64 which pulls the air to the suction hood by generating an at least substantially direct suction to the suction hood 6 and a second sucking means 62 which pulls the air to the suction hood 6 by generating an at least substantially circular, cyclone or helix movement.
[0027] The suction hood 6 comprises a cuboidal upper part 681 under which a lower part 682 with an at least nearly square shaped upper and lower surface, between which four longish side surfaces are arranged. At the sides of the lower part 682, air inlets 601 and 602 are shown.
[0028] The upper part 681 and the lower part 682 are arranged directly adjacent, where the common surface is left out to allow the air to flow through.
[0029] FIG 2b shows a number of suction channels 623 of the vortex module 62 arranged tangentially around the ring shaped area 622. Not shown engines blow the air tangentially from the air inlets 601 and 602 through the outer suction area 634 into the inner suction area 631 of the hood 6 and thus generate the circulating air. The circulating air, in turn, generates a suction which sucks the air into and through the inner suction area 631. The air escapes the suction area at the outlet 633. This is also called tornado aspiration.
[0030] A suctions means 64 is arranged centrally in the upper part 681 which is able to suck the air directly upwards through the inner suction area 631 and the outer suction area 634. This is also called standard aspiration.
[0031] The hood 6 can be operated with standard aspiration as well as with Tornado aspiration. This can be done in three different ways:
In a first mode, the tornado aspiration is added in a pulse working mode, so that the tornado aspiration and standard aspiration are operated alternatively. For example in the first second, tornado aspiration is used, whereas in the second second, standard aspiration is used. In the next second, tornado aspiration is used again and so on. This means that during the tornado aspiration the suction through the suction area 631 is boosted, while, during the standard aspiration, the suction are is, at least substantially spreaded over the inner suction area 631 and the outer suction area 634.
[0032] In a second mode, the tornado aspiration can be operated in a boost mode to amplify the effect of the standard aspiration. This means that, in a normal mode, only the standard aspiration runs, whereas for boosting, the tornado aspiration is added and boosts the suction mostly in the inner suction area 631.
[0033] In a third mode, the tornado aspiration is operated together with the standard aspiration so that both modes are operated at the same time. This means that the inner suction area 631 is boosted, while the outer suction area 634 is, at least with respect to the inner suction area 631 operated with standard suction.
List of reference signs
which sucks air from a first area to a second area, wherein the hood comprises
a first sucking means (64) which pulls the air to the suction hood by generating an at least substantially direct suction to the suction hood and
a second sucking means (62) which pulls the air to the suction hood by generating an at least substantially circular, cyclone or helix movement,
characterized in that
an outer suction area (634) surrounds an inner suction area (631) wherein
a) the first sucking means (64) sucks the air to the suction hood mostly through the outer suction area (634) or
b) the second sucking means (62) pulls the air to the suction hood at least substantially uniformly through the outer suction area (634) and the inner suction area (631).
wherein the first (64) and the second (62) sucking means are operatable in a pulse working mode and/or alternatively.
wherein the first (64) and the second (62) sucking means are operatable together, so that the second sucking means (62) continuously boosts the suction of the first sucking means (64).
wherein the air for operating the second sucking means (62), which is preferably a vortex module, is sucked in laterally, preferably
a) through lateral openings (601, 602) and/or
b) from the outer suction area (634).
a) wherein the second sucking means (62) is addable by a adding means, preferably dependent on noise, efficiency and/or fumes,
b) wherein the adding means is preferably a switch and/or a sensor driven device.
wherein the suction hood is
a) a vented suction hood, wherein preferably the first area is inside a room and the second area is outside the room, and/or
b) a recirculating suction hood, wherein preferably the first area is inside a room and the second area is inside the room.
die Luft von einem ersten Bereich in einen zweiten Bereich saugt, wobei die Haube Folgendes umfasst:
ein erstes Saugmittel (64), das die Luft zur Absaughaube zieht, indem es einen wenigstens im Wesentlichen direkten Sog zur Absaughaube erzeugt, und
ein zweites Saugmittel (62), das die Luft zur Absaughaube zieht, indem es eine wenigstens im Wesentlichen kreisförmige, wirbelstromförmige oder spiralförmige Bewegung erzeugt,
dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass
ein äußerer Saugbereich (634) einen inneren Saugbereich (631) umgibt, wobei
a) das erste Saugmittel (64) die Luft großteils durch den äußeren Saugbereich (634) zur Absaughaube saugt, oder
b) das zweite Saugmittel (62) die Luft wenigstens im Wesentlichen gleichmäßig durch den äußeren Saugbereich (634) und den inneren Saugbereich (631) zur Absaughaube zieht.
a) durch seitliche Öffnungen (601, 602) und/oder
b) vom äußeren Saugbereich (634).
a) wobei dem zweiten Saugmittel (62) ein Zuschaltmittel hinzugefügt werden kann, vorzugsweise in Abhängigkeit von Lärm, von der Effizienz und/oder von den Dämpfen,
b) wobei das Zuschaltmittel vorzugsweise eine schalter- und/oder sensorbetriebene Vorrichtung ist.
a) eine Abluft-Absaughaube ist, wobei sich der erste Bereich vorzugsweise innerhalb eines Raumes und der zweite Bereich außerhalb des Raumes befindet, und/oder
b) eine Umluft-Absaughaube ist, wobei sich der erste Bereich vorzugsweise innerhalb eines Raumes befindet und sich der zweite Bereich innerhalb des Raumes befindet.
un premier moyen d'aspiration (64) qui aspire l'air dans la hotte d'aspiration en produisant une aspiration au moins sensiblement directe vers la hotte d'aspiration et
un deuxième moyen d'aspiration (62) qui aspire l'air dans la hotte d'aspiration en produisant un mouvement au moins sensiblement circulaire, de cyclone ou d'hélice,
caractérisé en ce qu'
une zone d'aspiration extérieure (634) entoure une zone d'aspiration intérieure (631), où
a) le premier moyen d'aspiration (64) aspire l'air vers la hotte d'aspiration essentiellement à travers la zone d'aspiration extérieure (634) ou
b) le deuxième moyen d'aspiration (62) aspire l'air vers la hotte d'aspiration au moins sensiblement uniformément à travers la zone d'aspiration extérieure (634) et la zone d'aspiration intérieure (631).
a) à travers des ouvertures latérales (601, 602) et/ou
b) de la zone d'aspiration extérieure (634).
a) dans laquelle le deuxième moyen d'aspiration (62) peut être ajouté par un moyen d'ajout, de préférence en fonction du bruit, de l'efficience et/ou des fumées,
b) où le moyen d'ajout est de préférence un commutateur et/ou un dispositif entraîné par un capteur.
dans laquelle la hotte d'aspiration est
a) une hotte d'aspiration aérée, où de préférence la première zone est à l'intérieur d'une pièce et la deuxième zone est à l'extérieur de la pièce, et/ou
b) une hotte d'aspiration à recirculation, dans laquelle de préférence, la première zone est à l'intérieur d'une pièce, et la deuxième zone est à l'intérieur de la pièce.
REFERENCES CITED IN THE DESCRIPTION
This list of references cited by the applicant is for the reader's convenience only. It does not form part of the European patent document. Even though great care has been taken in compiling the references, errors or omissions cannot be excluded and the EPO disclaims all liability in this regard.
Patent documents cited in the description