COMBINATION APPLIANCE AND METHOD FOR ASSEMBLING THE SAME

Abstract

 The present invention concerns a combination appliance (10) comprising a cooking hob (12) and an extraction device (14). The cooking hob (12) is covered by a top plate or a worktop (22) having an opening (24) or a recess formed therein. The extraction device (14) is arranged below the top plate or worktop (22) and comprises at least one fan (36) for sucking air from an area above the cooking hob (12) through the opening (24) or recess of the top plate or worktop (22) and for conveying the air through an air channel of the extraction device (14). The air channel of the extraction device (14) includes a channel section (58), which is arranged downstream of the opening (24) or recess and upstream of the fan (36). The channel section (58) is arranged adjacent to components of the cooking hob (12), the channel section (58) thereby forming a barrier for preventing the conveyed air to get in contact with the components of the cooking hob (12). According to the invention, the channel section (58) comprises an upper portion and a lower portion. The upper portion abuts a surface zone of the top plate or worktop (22). The lower portion abuts and/or is supported by a wall section of the cooking hob (12).
Further disclosed is a method for assembling a combination appliance (10) comprising a cooking hob (12) and an extraction device (14).

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a combination appliance comprising a cooking hob and an extraction device for removing air, specifically cooking vapours, from an area above the cooking hob according to the preamble of claim 1. The present invention further relates to a method for assembling a combination appliance comprising a cooking hob and an extraction device according to claim 12.

[0002] During the performance of cooking activities under use of a cooking hob, cooking vapours are generated, which are distributed over the cooking area. In order to avoid these cooking vapours to be spread throughout the entire kitchen space, an arrangement of an extraction device, particularly an extractor hood, is common. Said extraction device is operated in parallel to the cooking hob, thereby sucking in those cooking vapours in order to filter out particles and tiny droplets from the vapours and/or to blow the vapours to the outside of the building. While it has been common to arrange such an extractor hood above the cooking area, in recent years downdraft extraction devices have been finding a growing market. Such kind of extraction device is usually arranged below a worktop of the related cooking hob and it comprises at least one fan for sucking air from the cooking area through an opening arranged in the worktop. Such a configuration of a cooking hob and an extraction device being connected together in a combined arrangement is commonly called a combination appliance.

[0003] There are combination appliances known, in which the airstream is directed across the cooking hob in a vertical direction towards a lower area where the fan is located. The airstream is guided through a recess that commonly houses a filter unit. Said recess is shielded by an initial channel section unit, which separates the airflow from the interior of the cooking hob, notably in order to protect components, in particular electronic components, from getting into contact with the aspirated air that comprises cooking vapours. In order to keep the aspirated air including cooking vapours and respective moisture entirely away from the cooking hob components, the channel is sealed against casing parts of the cooking hob or of the combination appliance, respectively. To this end it is known to provide a sealed joint by using extra components like sponges squeezed between the top plate of the cooking hob and the initial channel section unit. According to the known solution, the sealing level is located above the upper surface of the top plate and a circumferential edge of the initial channel section unit compresses the sealant from above. This type of channel section installation from above, results in a loss of an unobstructed mobility of cookware during cooking activities, because of an absence of a flat cooking surface.

[0004] It is an object of the present invention to provide a combination appliance of the above-described nature that has a design allowing unhindered movements of cookware, specifically sliding motions, during cooking processes. According to a further object, a method for assembling a combination appliance shall be proposed, which provides a simple structure and an easy and inexpensive manufacturing.

[0005] The object is achieved for a combination appliance according to the preamble of claim 1 by the features of the characterizing part of claim 1.

[0006] A combination appliance, in particular for domestic use, comprises a cooking hob and an extraction device. The cooking hob, configured for cooking a food item thereon, is covered by a top plate or a worktop, which may be a glass plate. The top plate or worktop includes an opening or a recess that is formed therein providing a passage through the top plate or worktop. The extraction device is arranged below the top plate or worktop and comprises at least one fan for sucking air from an area above the cooking hob through the opening or recess of the top plate or worktop and for conveying the air through an air channel of the extraction device. The air channel of the extraction device includes a channel section, which is arranged downstream of the opening or recess and upstream of the fan. The channel section is further arranged adjacent to components, in particular electrical and/or electronic components, of the cooking hob. More specifically because of an impenetrable wall, the channel section forms a barrier for the prevention of the conveyed air to get in contact with the components of the cooking hob. According to the present invention, the channel section comprises an upper portion and a lower portion. The upper portion, which is particularly a top edge or top surface, abuts a surface zone of the top plate or worktop, particularly of the bottom of the top plate or worktop. Moreover, the lower portion, which is particularly a bottom surface, abuts and/or is supported by a wall section of the cooking hob. Said wall section is in particular a bottom wall section or a side wall section or an intermediate wall section.

[0007] The cooking hob being the source for the aspirated cooking vapours may be of any type including electric or gas cooking hobs. In particular, the electric cooking hob is an induction cooking hob. The cooking hob may further be an autarkic cooking appliance, particularly integrated in a countertop of kitchen furniture, or it may be part of a stove.

[0008] A top surface of the top plate or worktop, which is accessible to a user, may be used for putting cookware thereon, specifically in order to perform a cooking process. To this end, the cooking hob preferably comprises at least one heating element defining a cooking zone on the worktop or, specifically, the glass plate, which is favourably made out of glass ceramics.

[0009] One particular advantage of the solution according to the present invention is the fact that the top surface of the top plate or worktop is entirely kept in a flat execution and there are no obstacles provided to the user of the appliance, when moving the cookware along the cooking surface.

[0010] Said channel section, particularly also further sections of the air channel, may be made in plastic or any other suitable material, e. g. sheet metal.

[0011] More specifically, in order to provide an air discharge for conveyed air, the extraction device comprises an exhaust opening for blowing out the air into the atmosphere. Said exhaust opening is notably arranged at the end of the air channel downstream of the fan. Moreover, in order to purify the conveyed air from particles inside of the aspirated cooking vapours, at least one filter element or a filter unit may be arranged in the extraction device, more specifically in the path of the air stream, particularly inside of the air channel.

[0012] A preferred embodiment of the present invention provides for a sealing means, which is arranged or arrangeable at the upper portion of the channel section, in particular between the upper portion and the surface zone of the top plate or worktop. Additionally, or alternatively, the sealing means may be arranged or arrangeable at the lower portion of the channel section, in particular between the lower portion and the wall section of the cooking hob. Said sealing means are adapted to hermetically seal the cooking hob, in particular components of the cooking hob, off from the air conveyed through the air channel. This allows an entire aspiration of the cooking vapours through the opening or recess and prevents any air bypass.

[0013] One specific solution for the sealing means comprises a layer of glue, which is particularly a circumferential glue bead applied on or contacting the upper portion of the channel section. The upper portion of the channel section preferably surrounds a cross-sectional area of the interior space of the channel section. More preferably, the upper portion of the channel section surrounds a wall of the channel section. An entirely circumferential glue spread surrounding the interior of the channel section not only cares for a fixed connection between the top plate or worktop and the channel section, but also avoids any air bypass and allows to skip any specific additional sealing means.

[0014] The upper portion of the channel section may comprise a circumferential rim or collar laterally protruding from the channel section wall. The circumferential rim or collar and the bottom of the top plate or worktop are preferably aligned parallel to one another. Additionally, or alternatively, the circumferential rim or collar are preferably arranged or arrangeable spaced from the bottom of the top plate or worktop. The space between the circumferential rim or collar and the bottom of the top plate or worktop particularly forms a receiving space for the layer of glue. That way, the layer of glue is not squeezed out at any point of the area or its application, which would entail the risk of air leakage at a point without gluing.

[0015] According to an embodiment, the channel section comprises a pipe section, which includes an insertion space for housing a filter element or a filter unit. The channel section and/or pipe section may have any shape with an arbitrary cross section, however, a rectangular cross section, is a preferred solution for such section(s).

[0016] The channel section may comprise a supporting means, notably a first supporting means, or a fixation means for a, preferably releasably, fixed positioning of a filter element or a filter unit. In addition to that, or as an alternative solution, a supporting means, notably a second supporting means, for supporting a grid or a lid adapted to cover the opening or recess may be included. Said second supporting means is particularly a supporting surface or supporting frame or supporting element.

[0017] The extraction device according to the present invention may also be characterized by an outlet port of the channel section, which opens out into a suction compartment arranged downstream thereof and upstream of the fan. By this means, after having passed the channel section, the conveyed air is supplied, particularly directly supplied, to the fan.

[0018] According to embodiments, a circumferential protection edge is arranged at the upper portion of the channel section, which protection edge abuts lateral edges of a cutout of the top plate or worktop, wherein the cutout is specified by the opening or recess. In particular, the cutout is rectangular, specifically when also the channel section is of a rectangular shape. More specifically, the protection edge is arranged at an inlet port located at the opening or recess, thus protecting the edges of the cutout from any mechanical damages.

[0019] The combination appliance is advantageously characterized by a wall of the channel section, which comprises a double-walled structure including an inner channel section wall and an outer channel section wall. Moreover, the inner channel section wall opens out into a suction compartment arranged downstream thereof and upstream of the fan and particularly penetrates the bottom wall. The outer channel section wall is preferably supported by the bottom wall section of the cooking hob.

[0020] Supporting ribs may be arranged between the inner channel section wall and the outer channel section wall. Said supporting ribs are particularly orthogonally arranged to the inner and outer channel section walls.

[0021] According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, a lower portion, which may be a lower end surface, of the channel section wall is supported by a bottom wall section of the cooking hob. Said bottom wall section may be more specified by a protrusion of the bottom wall protruding from a box or a compartment defined by walls, which comprise the bottom wall and a side wall adjacent to the channel section wall. As an alternative, the bottom wall section may be a circumferential edge of a cutout in the bottom wall.

[0022] A sealing function may be integrated at the lower portion as well. This may be designed in that way that a suction effect of the fan only affects the interior of the channel section, while no suction effect affecting the interior of the cooking hob is performed. Therefore, the lower sealing means are designed in a way that no or at least a very low bypass air suction is established. This is particularly received by respective surfaces and/or edges of both walls, i. e. the inner channel section wall and the outer channel section wall, of the double-walled channel section, which abut at least one cooking hob wall. This way of two contacting areas with only small gaps implemented in series increase the sealing effect. Additionally, or alternatively, the double-walled concept may include a labyrinth sealing.

[0023] The object is further achieved for a method for assembling a combination appliance comprising a cooking hob and an extraction device according to the features of claim 12.

[0024] A method for assembling a combination appliance comprising a cooking hob and an extraction device, comprises at least a first and a second assembly step. In the first step, a channel section of an air channel of the extraction device is connected to a top plate or worktop of the cooking hob in a way that an inlet port of the channel section is assigned to an opening or recess formed in the top plate or worktop. The connection between channel section and top plate or worktop is preferably performed in an airtight, i. e. hermetical, manner. More preferably, the channel section is glued on the top plate or worktop. In the second step, the top plate or worktop is positioned on a substructure, in particular on a lower hob box, of the cooking hob. In doing so, the channel section is arranged alongside the substructure or penetrates the channel section, so that, as a result, the channel section extends from the opening or recess of the top plate or worktop to or through a bottom wall, in particular to or through a cutout in the bottom wall, of the cooking hob. Moreover, an outlet port of the channel section opens out or is provided to open out into a suction compartment of a fan of the extraction device. Said fan is configured for sucking air from the area above the cooking hob through the opening or recess of the top plate or worktop and for conveying the air through an air channel of the extraction device. The suction compartment of the fan is arranged beneath the cooking hob in an assembly step prior to the first step, between first and second steps or after the second step. The first assembly step may be performed at an installation location different from that one of the second assembly step. In particular, the first assembly step may be executed on a pre-assembly line.

[0025] According to a specific embodiment of the method according to the present invention, the channel section is connected during the first step to the top plate or worktop in a way that the central axis of the channel section passes through the centre of the opening or recess. That way, full alignment between the two involved components is established.

[0026] Prior to or at the beginning of the first step, a glue bead may be circumferentially applied on an upper portion, in particular on a top surface or top edge, of the channel section. The upper section preferably surrounds a cross-sectional area of the interior space of the channel section. More preferably, the upper section surrounds a wall of the channel section. Alternatively, the glue bead may by circumferentially applied on a border around the opening or recess of the bottom side of the top plate or worktop. More specifically, after said application of the glue bead, a glued joint is established between the upper portion of the channel section and the top plate or worktop. Said glue bead is not only provided for establishing a fixed connection, but also works as a sealing means for preventing air to pass through the respective junction.

[0027] In order to establish a particular compact structure and, more specifically, in order to further increase airtightness between the interior of the channel section and the interior of the cooking hob, the lower portion of the channel section is set down during the second step on the bottom wall of the cooking hob. This joining of the two components is performed in particular in a final stage of the second step. On this occasion an at least approximately airtight junction is preferably established at the contact zone. Said lower portion may be a bottom surface or bottom edge of the channel section.

[0028] Novel and inventive features of the present invention are set forth in the appended claims.

[0029] The present invention will be described in further detail with reference to the drawings, in which

Fig. 1

is a perspective view of a combination appliance comprising a cooking hob and a downdraft extraction device installed in a kitchen cabinet according to a first embodiment;

Fig. 2

is a cross-sectional perspective view of the disassembled combination appliance of Fig. 1 with a frontal surface cut away;

Fig. 3

is a cross-sectional view of the cooking hob section of Fig. 2 along the line III - III, but with a filter assembly removed;

Fig. 4

is an enlarged view of detail IV as indicated in Fig. 3;

Fig. 5

illustrates a second example being an alternative solution to the embodiment of Fig. 3;

Fig. 6

is a perspective bottom view of the embodiment of Fig. 5; and

Fig. 7

illustrates a third example being yet another alternative solution to the embodiments of Figs. 3 and 5.

[0030] In all figures the same or equivalent part are marked with the same reference numbers.

[0031] Fig. 1 illustrates a combination appliance 10 comprising a cooking hob 12 and a downdraft extraction device 14 installed in a kitchen cabinet 16. The cooking hob 12 is implemented in a cutout of a kitchen countertop 18 forming a top cover plate of the kitchen cabinet 16. The downdraft extraction device 14 is configured to take away cooking vapours occurring during cooking processes, in particular when cooking with uncovered cookware. The cooking hob 12 comprises cooking regions 20a, 20b arranged on a left half and a right half of a cooktop 22 of the cooking hob 12, which left and right halves are separated from each other by a suction opening 24 for an intake of the cooking vapours, the suction opening 24 being arranged alongside a cooktop centreline. The suction opening 24 is covered by a cover grid 26 for preventing items, e. g. cookware, to fall into the suction opening 24. Instead of the cover grid 26 a lid may be used for entirely covering the suction opening when the extraction device 14 is out of use, but for the operation of the extraction device 14 the lid is pivotable into an upright open position.

[0032] A casing 28 of the extraction device 14 is shown in Fig. 1 in transparent illustration. Said casing 28 provides a closed outer shell or channel segment for a flow of the sucked-in cooking vapours on their way from the suction opening 24 to an exhaust opening 30 in a base area 32 of the kitchen cabinet 16. Said exhaust opening 30 is also covered, namely by an outlet grille 34.

[0033] The flow of the sucked-in cooking vapours through the extraction device 14 is driven by the operation of an extraction fan 36 arranged inside of the casing 28. Said extraction fan 36 comprises a bottom-sided intake opening 38 for sucking the cooking vapours from the interior space of the casing 28.

[0034] A rear-sided fan outlet (not shown) is arranged for a horizontal exit of the air blown out backwards from the extraction fan housing 42. The fan outlet is connected to a first end of an air duct 44 designed as a rectangular tube and forms a second channel arranged downstream the above-mentioned first channel. Directly at the passage from the fan outlet to the air duct 44, an air duct bending by 90 degrees is implemented, which redirects the air flow from horizontal to vertical downwards. The air duct 44 may be guided alongside a rear side of the kitchen cabinet 16 and may be bent again by 90 degrees close to a rear lower edge of the kitchen cabinet 16 in order to direct the airflow towards exhaust opening 30 in the base area 32 of the kitchen cabinet 16. Accordingly, the second end of the air duct 44 is connected to the exhaust opening 30. The embodiment illustrated in Fig. 1 shows a solution of the air duct 44 with an inclined section of its downwardly directed portion, directed slightly to the right. Naturally, a solution with said portion arranged in an exact vertical direction is considerable as well.

[0035] The course of the cooking vapours from the cooking area through the extraction device 14 to a re-entry into ambient air is illustrated in Fig. 1 by dotted arrows 46¹ to 46⁵. On their way through the extraction device 14, the cooking vapours pass through a filter assembly 48, which is arranged downstream directly behind the suction opening 24 for providing a purification of the conveyed air. Said filter assembly 48 includes a filter carrier 50 supporting a filter element (not shown) that is usually configured for filtering out grease particles and droplets.

[0036] The cross-sectional view of Fig. 2 further shows two power boards 54, one for the left cooking region 20a and one for the right cooking region 20b, the power boards 54 providing cooking zones in the left and right cooking regions 20a, 20b with electrical power. In the present embodiment, the cooking hob 12 is an induction cooking hob and the cooking zones are defined by induction coils (not shown) that are arranged below the cooktop 22 of the cooking hob 12. Attached to the bottom side of the power board 54 assigned to the right cooking region 20b, a further circuit board is arranged forming a control electronics 56 for the combination appliance 10.

[0037] Fig. 3 illustrates a cross-sectional view of the upper section of the combination appliance 10 representing the area of localisation of the cooking hob 12. This means, that the combination appliance section beneath the cooking hob 12 is cut away. The viewing direction providing the illustration of Fig. 3 is shown in Fig. 2. It is to be noted that the presentation according to Fig. 3 represents the status of the filter assembly 48 being removed from its operating position according to Figs. 1 and 2 and shows a vertical cross-section through an initial channel section 58. The initial channel section is formed as a pipe section with a rectangular horizontal cross-section, which is defined by its front and rear (from user's perspective) channel walls 58a as well as its lateral channel walls 58b, the channel walls 58a, 58b forming a cuboid tube, with an inlet opening directly downstream of the suction opening 24 and an outlet opening opening out into the interior of the casing 28, which is a subsequent air channel segment directly downstream of the initial channel section 58. In addition, the casing 28 also works as a suction compartment, which provides the conveyed air to the fan 36 that aspirates the air through the intake opening 38. As previously mentioned, in Fig. 3 the filter assembly 48 is not present, however, the suction opening 24 is covered with grid 26.

[0038] On its bottom side, defining also the outlet opening, the initial channel section 58, more precisely the channel walls 58a, 58b of the channel section 58, rests on a bottom wall 60 of the cooking hob 12.

[0039] The top sides of the channel walls 58a, 58b of the initial channel section 58 abut with their upper front faces a border around the suction opening 24 on the bottom surface of the cooktop 22. That way, the initial channel section 58 is sandwiched between the upper side of the bottom wall 60 of the cooking hob 12 and the bottom side of the cooktop 22.

[0040] In order to provide a hermetical sealing of the conveyed air in the interior of the initial channel section 58 against the interior of the cooking hob 12, more precisely against the electrical and electronic components arranged in the interior of the cooking hob 12, in particular on the power boards 54 and control electronics 56, sealing means are arranged between the initial channel section 58, on the one hand, and the bottom surface of the cooktop 22 as well as the bottom wall 60 of the cooking hob 12, on the other hand.

[0041] As is shown in more detail by the enlarged detail view according to Fig. 4, the sealing means on the top side of the initial channel section 58 is realized by a circumferential glue bead 62 continuously surrounding the upper front faces of the channel walls 58a, 58b of the initial channel section 58. In order to provide a receiving space for the glue bead 62, the upper portion of the initial channel section 58 comprises a circumferential rim 64 laterally protruding from the upper end of the channel walls 58a, 58b. The circumferential rim 64 and the bottom surface of the cooktop 22 are aligned parallel to one another and the circumferential rim 64 is arranged spaced from the bottom surface of the cooktop 22, wherein the space between the circumferential rim 64 and the bottom surface of the cooktop 22 forms said receiving space for the glue bead 62.

[0042] The sealing on the bottom side of the initial channel section 58 according to the embodiment of Figs 3 and 4 is simply realized by a firm touching or pressing of the lower front faces of the channel walls 58a, 58b of the initial channel section 58 onto the upper side of the bottom wall 60 of the cooking hob 12, or more precisely, on a border around a cutout in the bottom wall 60 adjacent to the outlet opening of the initial channel section 58, which cutout provides a passage for the conveyed air from the initial channel section 58 to the interior of the casing 28.

[0043] Figs. 5 and 6 illustrate a second example of the initial channel section 58. In contrast to the first example according to Figs. 3 and 4, the initial channel section 58 comprises a double-walled structure including an inner channel section wall 66a and an outer channel section wall 66b. Naturally, as in the first example above, both inner and outer channel section walls 66a, 66b comprise four single walls, analogous to front and rear walls 58a and lateral walls 58b of the above-described first example. The inner channel section wall 66a opens out into the casing 22 and penetrates the bottom wall 60 of the cooking hob 12, thereby protruding somewhat from the lower surface of the bottom wall 60. In this example, the outer channel section wall 66b rests on the bottom wall section of the cooking hob 12.

[0044] While the first example according to Figs. 3 and 4 relies on a simple sealing in its bottom region by said firm touching or pressing of the lower front faces of the channel walls 58a, 58b against the bottom wall 60, the sealing effect of the second example is increased by an arrangement of two such minimized gaps in series, i. e. both the inner channel section wall 66a and the outer channel section wall 66b of the double-walled channel section about the bottom wall 60 of the cooking hob 12, either on the top surface of the bottom wall 60 (see outer channel section wall 66b) or laterally against the cutout edge (see inner channel section wall 66a). This way of two contacting areas with only small gaps implemented in series increase the sealing effect.

[0045] Moreover, in order to provide both inner and outer channel section walls 66a, 66b in a straight design and parallel to one another, supporting ribs 68 are arranged between the inner channel section wall 66a and the outer channel section wall 66b. Said supporting ribs 68 are orthogonally arranged to the inner 66a and outer 66b channel section walls. Further supporting ribs 68 are arranged at the outer surface of the outer channel section wall 66b, which are adapted to rest against an inner wall 70 of the cooking hob 12.

[0046] With Fig. 7 a third example of the initial channel section 58 is shown. The embodiment according to this third example is almost entirely congruent with the embodiment of the first example (see particularly Fig. 3). The only difference to the first example concerns a circumferential protection edge 72, which is arranged at the inlet port located at the suction opening 24 of the channel section 58. The protection edge 72 abuts against lateral edges of the cutout of the glass cooktop 22, which cutout is specified by the suction opening 24. Due to its function of covering said cutout edges, the circumferential protection edge 72 thus protects these cutout edges from any mechanical damages.

[0047] Although illustrative embodiments of the present invention have been described herein with reference to the accompanying drawings, it is to be understood that the present invention is not limited to these precise embodiments, and that various other changes and modifications may be affected therein by one skilled in the art without departing from the scope or spirit of the invention. All such changes and modifications are intended to be included within the scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.

List of reference numerals

[0048] 

10

combination appliance

12

cooking hob

14

downdraft extraction device

16

kitchen cabinet

18

kitchen countertop

20a,20b

cooking regions

22

cooktop

24

suction opening

26

cover grid

28

casing

30

exhaust opening

32

base area

34

outlet grille

36

extraction fan

38

intake opening

42

fan housing

44

air duct

46¹ to ⁵

arrows indicating air flow

48

filter assembly

50

filter carrier

54

power boards

56

control electronics

58

initial channel section

58a

front and rear walls

58b

lateral wall

60

bottom wall

62

glue bead

64

rim

66a

inner channel section wall

66b

outer channel section wall

68

supporting rib

70

inner wall

72

protection edge

Claims

1. A combination appliance (10) comprising

- a cooking hob (12), which is covered by a top plate or a worktop (22), in particular a glass plate, having an opening (24) or a recess formed therein,
and

- an extraction device (14), which is arranged below the top plate or worktop (22) and comprises at least one fan (36) for sucking air from an area above the cooking hob (12) through the opening (24) or recess of the top plate or worktop (22) and for conveying the air through an air channel of the extraction device (14),
wherein the air channel of the extraction device (14) includes a channel section (58), which is arranged downstream of the opening (24) or recess and upstream of the fan (36), which channel section (58) is arranged adjacent to components, in particular electrical and/or electronic components, of the cooking hob (12), the channel section (58) thereby forming a barrier for preventing the conveyed air to get in contact with the components of the cooking hob (12), characterized in that
the channel section (58) comprises

- an upper portion, particularly a top edge or top surface, abutting a surface zone of the top plate or worktop (22), particularly of the bottom of the top plate or worktop (22),
and

- a lower portion, particularly a bottom surface, abutting and/or being supported by a wall section, in particular a bottom wall section (60) or a side wall section or an intermediate wall section, of the cooking hob (12).

2. The combination appliance (10) according to claim 1, characterized in that
a sealing means is arranged or arrangeable

- at the upper portion of the channel section (58), in particular between the upper portion and the surface zone of the top plate or worktop (22),
and/or

- at the lower portion of the channel section (58), in particular between the lower portion and the wall section (60) of the cooking hob (12),

the sealing means being adapted to hermetically seal the cooking hob (12), in particular components of the cooking hob (12), off from the air conveyed through the air channel.

3. The combination appliance (10) according to claim 2, characterized in that
the sealing means comprises a layer of glue, in particular a circumferential glue bead (62) applied on or contacting the upper portion of the channel section (58), wherein the upper portion of the channel section (58) preferably surrounds a cross-sectional area of the interior space of the channel section (58), more preferably surrounding a wall (58a, 58b) of the channel section (58).

4. The combination appliance (10) according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that
the upper portion of the channel section (58) comprises a circumferential rim (64) or collar laterally protruding from the channel section wall (58a, 58b), the circumferential rim (64) or collar and the bottom of the top plate or worktop (22) preferably being aligned parallel to one another and/or the circumferential rim (64) or collar being arranged or arrangeable spaced from the bottom of the top plate or worktop (22), the space between the circumferential rim (64) or collar and the bottom of the top plate or worktop (22) particularly forming a receiving space for the layer of glue (62).

5. The combination appliance (10) according to anyone of the preceding claims,
characterized in that
the channel section (58) comprises a pipe section, in particular having a rectangular cross section, which includes an insertion space for housing a filter element or a filter unit (48) .

6. The combination appliance (10) according to anyone of the preceding claims,
characterized in that
the channel section (58) comprises

- a first supporting means or fixation means for a, preferably releasably, fixed positioning of a filter element or a filter unit (48),
and/or

- a second supporting means, particularly a supporting surface or supporting frame or supporting element, for supporting a grid (26) or a lid for covering the opening (24) or recess.

7. The combination appliance (10) according to anyone of the preceding claims,
characterized in that
an outlet port of the channel section (58) opens out into a suction compartment (28) arranged upstream of the fan (36).

8. The combination appliance (10) according to anyone of the preceding claims,
characterized in that
a circumferential protection edge (72) is arranged at the upper portion, in particular at an inlet port located at the opening (24) or recess, of the channel section (58), which protection edge (72) abuts lateral edges of a, particularly rectangular, cutout of the top plate or worktop (22).

9. The combination appliance (10) according to anyone of the preceding claims,
characterized in that
a wall (58a, 58b) of the channel section (58) comprises a double-walled structure including an inner channel section wall (66a) and an outer channel section wall (66b), the outer channel section wall (66b) preferably being supported by the bottom wall section (60) of the cooking hob (12), wherein the inner channel section wall (66a) opens out into a suction compartment (28) arranged upstream of the fan (36) and particularly penetrates the bottom wall (60) of the cooking hob (12) .

10. The combination appliance (10) according to claim 9, characterized in that
supporting ribs (68) are arranged between the inner channel section wall (66a) and the outer channel section wall (66b), which supporting ribs (68) are particularly orthogonally arranged to the inner (66a) and outer (66b) channel section walls.

11. The combination appliance (10) according to anyone of the preceding claims,
characterized in that
a lower portion, in particular a lower end surface, of the channel section wall (58a, 58b, 66b) is supported by a bottom wall section (60) of the cooking hob (12), in particular

- by a protrusion of the bottom wall (60) protruding from a box or a compartment defined by walls, which comprise the bottom wall (60) and a side wall adjacent to the channel section wall (58a, 58b, 66b),
or

- by a circumferential edge or border of a cutout in the bottom wall (60).

12. A method for assembling a combination appliance (10) comprising a cooking hob (12) and an extraction device (14), wherein

- in a first step, a channel section (58) of an air channel of the extraction device (14) is connected to, preferably hermetically connected to, more preferably glued on, a top plate or worktop (22) of the cooking hob (12) in a way that an inlet port of the channel section (58) is assigned to an opening (24) or recess formed in the top plate or worktop (22),
and

- in a second step, the top plate or worktop (22) is positioned on a substructure, in particular on a lower hob box, of the cooking hob (12), thereby arranging the channel section (58) alongside the substructure or penetrating the substructure by the channel section (58), so that the channel section (58) extends from the opening (24) or recess of the top plate or worktop (22) to or through a bottom wall (60), in particular to or through a cutout in the bottom wall (60), of the cooking hob (12), wherein an outlet port of the channel section (58) opens out or is provided to open out into a suction compartment (28) of a fan (36) of the extraction device (14), the fan (36) being configured for sucking air from the area above the cooking hob (12) through the opening (24) or recess of the top plate or worktop (22) and for conveying the air through an air channel of the extraction device (14),
and wherein the suction compartment (28) of the fan (36) is arranged beneath the cooking hob (12) prior to the first step, between first and second steps or after the second step.

13. The method according to claim 12,
characterized in that
during the first step, the channel section (58) is connected to the top plate or worktop (22) in a way that the central axis of the channel section (58) passes through the centre of the opening (24) or recess.

14. The method according to claim 12 or 13,
characterized in that
prior to or at the beginning of the first step, a glue bead (62) is circumferentially applied

- on an upper portion, in particular on a top surface or top edge, of the channel section (58), the upper section preferably surrounding a cross-sectional area of the interior space of the channel section (58), more preferably surrounding a wall (58a, 58b) of the channel section (58), or

- on a border around the opening (24) or recess of the bottom side of the top plate or worktop (22).

15. The method according to anyone of the claims 12 to 14, characterized in that
during the second step, in particular in a final stage thereof, the lower portion, in particular a bottom surface or a bottom edge, of the channel section (58) is set down on the bottom wall (60) of the cooking hob (12), in particular by establishing on this occasion an at least approximately airtight junction at the contact zone.

Drawing