Abstract
An extractor apparatus includes a suction opening, a fan arranged under the suction opening for sucking away primary air downward via the suction opening, and an expulsion opening which is adjacent to the suction opening and via which an oriented secondary air stream is expelled.
Claims
1-24. (canceled)
25. An extractor apparatus, comprising: a suction opening; a fan arranged under the suction opening for sucking away primary air downward via the suction opening; and an expulsion opening which is adjacent to the suction opening and via which an oriented secondary air stream is expelled.
26. The extractor apparatus of claim 25, wherein the expulsion opening lies in a horizontal.
27. The extractor apparatus of claim 25, wherein the expulsion opening lies in a vertical.
28. The extractor apparatus of claim 25, wherein the expulsion opening is tilted with regard to a vertical and a horizontal.
29. The extractor apparatus of claim 25, wherein the expulsion opening is oriented upward.
30. The extractor apparatus of claim 25, wherein the expulsion opening lies above a plane of the suction opening and is tilted downward.
31. The extractor apparatus of claim 25, further comprising an expulsion duct formed with the expulsion opening and extending upward from a plane in which the suction opening is located.
32. The extractor apparatus of claim 31, wherein the expulsion duct is arranged in a center or at lateral ends of a width of the suction opening.
33. The extractor apparatus of claim 25, further comprising a separating element arranged between the suction opening and the expulsion opening.
34. The extractor apparatus of claim 33, wherein the separating element extends vertically upward from a plane of the suction opening.
35. The extractor apparatus of claim 33, wherein the separating element is a deflector plate.
36. The extractor apparatus of claim 35, wherein the deflector plate has a thickness in a range of 2 mm to 20 mm.
37. The extractor apparatus of claim 33, wherein the separating element is a suction unit, with the suction opening provided on a side of the suction unit which side faces away from the expulsion opening.
38. The extractor apparatus of claim 25, further comprising a supplementary fan connected to the expulsion opening.
39. A kitchen appliance, comprising: a cooktop; and an extractor apparatus comprising a suction opening, a fan arranged under the suction opening for sucking away primary air downward via the suction opening, and an expulsion opening which is adjacent to the suction opening and via which an oriented secondary air stream is expelled, said suction opening being arranged in a horizontal direction between the expulsion opening and the cooktop.
40. The kitchen appliance of claim 39, wherein the extractor apparatus is arranged behind the cooktop.
41. The kitchen appliance of claim 39, wherein the extractor apparatus comprises a separating element defined by a width which corresponds to a width of the cooktop.
42. A method of operating an extractor apparatus, said method comprising: sucking away primary air downward via a suction opening of the extractor apparatus; and outputting a secondary air stream via an expulsion opening of the extractor apparatus in adjacent relation to the suction opening such that the secondary air stream is oriented via sides of the suction opening to the outside.
43. The method of claim 42, wherein the secondary air stream is aligned such as to lie in a plane that is parallel to a plane in which a longitudinal projection of the suction opening lies.
44. The method of claim 42, wherein the secondary air stream is output in a fanlike shape.
45. The method of claim 42, wherein the secondary air stream flows upward at least in a perimeter area of an upper edge of a separating element arranged between the suction opening and the expulsion opening such as to form in a central area of the upper edge of the separating element an eddy, with the eddy having a center which lies in front of the separating element.
46. The method of claim 42, wherein the secondary air stream is output such as to be oriented, at least in one area, from behind onto a separating element arranged between the suction opening and the expulsion opening, to flow along the separating element, to detach from a lateral edge of the separating element, and to flow laterally to the outside.
47. The method of claim 42, wherein the secondary air stream is output at a speed which is greater than a speed of a flow of the primary air at the suction opening.
48. The method of claim 42, wherein the secondary air stream is output at the expulsion opening at an average outgoing speed in a range of 6 to 7 m/s at a volumetric flow of the secondary air stream of 120 to 150 m.sup.3/h.
Description
[0048] The present invention is described again below with reference to the enclosed figures. These show:
[0049] FIG. 1: A schematic rear view (1a), side view (1b), and plan view (1c) of a first embodiment of the inventive kitchen appliance;
[0050] FIG. 2: A schematic rear view (2a), side view (2b), and plan view (2c) of a second embodiment of the inventive kitchen appliance;
[0051] FIG. 3: A schematic perspective view of an embodiment of an inventive kitchen appliance with a system of coordinates;
[0052] FIG. 3a: A schematic perspective view showing flow speeds;
[0053] FIGS. 4a and 4b: Representations of flow behavior through the lateral planes Y+ and Y− with and without a secondary air stream in the form of flow lines;
[0054] FIGS. 4c and 4d: Representations of flow behavior through the lateral planes Y+ and Y− with and without a secondary air stream in the form of speed vectors along flow lines;
[0055] FIGS. 5a and 5b: Representations of flow behavior through the lateral planes Y+ and Y− with and without a secondary air stream in the form of speed vectors along flow lines in a perspective view;
[0056] FIGS. 6a and 6b: Representations of flow behavior through the rear plane X− with and without a secondary air stream in the form of speed vectors along flow lines in a perspective view;
[0057] FIGS. 7a and 7b: Representations of flow behavior through the upper plane Z+ with and without a secondary air stream in the form of speed vectors along flow lines in a perspective view;
[0058] FIGS. 8a and 8b: Representations of flow behavior through the front plane X+ with and without a secondary air stream in the form of speed vectors along flow lines in a perspective view;
[0059] FIG. 9: Schematic representations of different embodiments of a separating element in a front view;
[0060] FIG. 10: A schematic rear view (10a), side view (10b), and plan view (10c) of a third embodiment of the inventive kitchen appliance;
[0061] FIG. 11: A schematic rear view (11a), side view (11b), and plan view (11c) of a fourth embodiment of the inventive kitchen appliance;
[0062] FIG. 12: A schematic rear view (12a), side view (12b), and plan view (12c) of a fifth embodiment of the inventive kitchen appliance;
[0063] FIG. 13a: A schematic perspective view showing flow speeds; and
[0064] FIG. 13b: A schematic side view of the embodiment shown in FIG. 13 with a tangential projection of the speed vectors.
[0065] FIG. 1 shows a first embodiment of the inventive kitchen appliance 1. The kitchen appliance 1 comprises a cooktop 3 and an extractor hood 2. The extractor hood 2 comprises a suction opening 20 and multiple expulsion openings 21. The expulsion openings 21 are realized in the upper side of an expulsion duct 210. A separating element 22 in the form of a deflector plate 220 is arranged between the expulsion openings 21 and the suction opening 20. Furthermore the extractor apparatus 2 has a fan (not shown) via which air is sucked into the suction opening 20. Additionally the extractor apparatus 2 can have a supplementary fan (not shown) via which air is routed to the at least one expulsion opening 21.
[0066] Furthermore the extractor apparatus 2 has a casing 23, only a cover of which is visible in FIG. 1. The cooktop 3 is arranged in front of the suction opening 20. A cooking vessel G in the form of a pot is shown schematically on the cooktop 3.
[0067] As can be seen in FIG. 1, the secondary fluid stream S is output in a fanlike manner in the first embodiment of the kitchen appliance 1. In this regard, as shown, the secondary air stream S can be expelled by the expulsion openings 21 in an oriented manner in the direction of the deflector plate 220. The way the secondary volumetric flow is generated for the secondary air stream S, and the presence or the geometry of the deflector plate 220 is irrelevant for the inventive effect in this regard.
[0068] Secondary air is expelled from the expulsion duct 210 from the expulsion openings 21. The scope of the invention includes that the expulsion duct 210 only has one expulsion opening 21, which extends over the entire length of the upper side of the expulsion duct 210. Expulsion takes place close to the deflector plate 220 as shown in FIG. 1. In this regard the secondary air can be output initially through the expulsion opening 21 in the direction of the deflector plate. Due to the proximity to the deflector plate 220 the fanlike secondary volumetric flow S establishes itself at the deflector plate 220. This effect is also referred to as a Coanda Effect. At the outer edges of the deflector plate 220 the secondary fluid undergoes a slight deflection in direction on to the cooktop and the secondary fluid stream S therefore flows off. Beyond the deflector plate 220 a boundary layer flow is created between the secondary fluid stream S. The boundary layer flow is present in this regard even without the presence of a solid boundary. The primary fluid is carried along by air friction and steered in a targeted manner in the desired direction on to the suction opening. The mass movement of the primary fluid in the direction of the flow-off edge results in a splitting of the primary fluid in the direction of the suction and away from the suction (following the secondary fluid). A continuous flow is realized. As a result the primary fluid is steered more strongly from the front and upper area of the cooktop in the direction of the suction.
[0069] Additionally an air curtain is created as a result of the secondary fluid stream S, which substantially impedes an air flow from the area in front of the deflector plate 220 to the area behind the deflector plate 220.
[0070] The effects on the vapor capture rate resulting from deflection of the primary fluid stream P due to the effect of the secondary fluid stream being carried along is described later in more detail with reference to FIGS. 4 to 8.
[0071] FIG. 2 shows a second embodiment of the inventive kitchen appliance. The second embodiment differs from the first embodiment only in that in the second embodiment a suction unit 221 is provided as a separating element 22 in place of a deflector plate 220. The suction unit 221 comprises a hollow body closed in the upward direction, which can also be referred to as a duct. The suction opening 20 of the extractor apparatus 2 is realized in the upper area of the side of the suction unit 221. Air can be sucked via the hollow suction unit 221 to the fan located under the plane of the cooktop 3 (not shown). In this embodiment also, the secondary fluid stream S, which is expelled through the expulsion openings 21, results in a fanlike effect being realized which extends at least beyond the lateral edges of the suction unit 221. In the second embodiment according to FIG. 2 also, therefore, an entrainment effect of the primary air stream P by the secondary air stream S is generated, and the primary air stream P is reliably steered to the suction opening in the suction body 221.
[0072] FIG. 3 shows the geometry of an embodiment of the kitchen appliance with reference planes. FIG. 3a shows the outgoing shape of the mass flow of the secondary fluid. As this diagram shows, the secondary air stream S forms a fanlike effect which extends along the rear side of the deflector plate 220 to the sides of the deflector plate 220 and projects beyond. The mass flow in the vertical direction is small. The scope of the invention also includes, however, that the secondary fluid stream S is also oriented upward and extends beyond the upper side of the deflector plate. The speed of the secondary fluid stream is higher in the vicinity of the expulsion opening and decreases with increasing distance from the expulsion opening. In particular the speed decreases from the point of reaching the edges of the deflector plate 220.
[0073] FIGS. 4 to 8 show the flow behavior through different reference planes of FIG. 3 in different diagrams. In this regard the flow behavior is shown with and without a secondary air stream in each case.
[0074] An excessively high volumetric flow, moving from the sides of the suction opening (Y+ and Y− planes) to the suction has a negative effect on the vapor capture rate. A volumetric flow of this type can arise for example due to air around the cooktop being sucked in. On the other hand the lateral primary volumetric flow only has a small influence on the vapor capture rate and uses a large part of the overall suction performance required from the fan
[0075] FIGS. 4a and 4b show diagrams of the flow behavior through the lateral planes Y+ and Y− with and without a secondary air stream in the form of flow lines. As can be seen in FIGS. 4a and 4b the secondary air stream carries away parts of the primary air stream in its front area as soon as the secondary air stream passes the edge of the deflector plate. Parts of the primary fluid must follow the flow for continuity reasons. This results in the lateral outer area being separated from the inner area by an air curtain by means of the primary fluid. The outer rear area, that is to say the lateral area behind the deflector plate, is also separated from the lateral front area by the secondary air stream. The primary fluid is deflected downward in the direction of the suction opening 20 and only part of the mass of the primary fluid is carried away by the secondary fluid.
[0076] FIGS. 4c and 4d show the flow behavior through the lateral planes Y+ and Y− with and without a secondary air stream in the form of speed vectors along flow lines, and FIGS. 5a and 5b show diagrams of flow behavior through the lateral planes Y+ and Y− with and without a secondary air stream in the form of speed vectors along flow lines in a perspective view. As can be seen from these figures, a more targeted suction of the primary fluid is achieved.
[0077] FIGS. 6a and 6b show diagrams of the flow behavior through the rear plane X− with and without a secondary air stream in the form of speed vectors along flow lines in a perspective view. As can be seen from FIG. 6a, a large part of the primary volumetric flow that is sucked in comes from the area behind the cooktop and in particular behind the deflector plate. This volumetric flow is not desirable since in the event of the suction power being too weak it cannot carry downward the vapor arising on the cooktop, and takes up part of the overall suction power. FIG. 6a shows the flow behavior through the rear plane X− on the other hand. In this regard it can be seen that the lost stream from the area behind the cooktop and in particular behind the deflector plate is limited. The lost stream is limited in particular due to the secondary fluid carrying away parts of the primary fluid for continuity reasons. This occurs as early as the flow-off point at the edge of the deflector plate. As a result a tendency to flow in the direction of the suction opening and the deflector plate is imposed on the primary fluid even in the distant upper area. Additionally the secondary fluid acts as an air curtain that hinders the sucking in of primary fluid from behind the deflector plate.
[0078] FIGS. 7a and 7b show diagrams of the flow behavior through the upper plane Z+ with and without a secondary air stream in the form of speed vectors along flow lines in a perspective view. In particular the flow behavior in the vicinity of the cooking vessel G is shown as a result. The primary volumetric flow is deflected downward in the direction of the suction opening and deflector plate by the effect of the secondary air stream.
[0079] As can be seen from FIGS. 8a and 8b, which show diagrams of the flow behavior through the front plane X+ with and without a secondary air stream in the form of speed vectors along flow lines in a perspective view, the effect of the secondary air stream is also effective in the front area of the cooktop. The primary volumetric flow, as changed by the secondary volumetric flow, acts against the naturally rising thermal properties of the vapor and carries same in the direction of the deflector plate to the suction opening.
[0080] FIG. 13a shows the outgoing shape of the mass flow of the secondary fluid in an embodiment of the extractor apparatus. As can be seen from this diagram, the secondary air stream S forms a fanlike effect which extends along the rear side of the deflector plate 220 to the sides of the deflector plate 220 and projects beyond. The mass flow in the vertical direction is smaller. In particular the fanlike effect of the secondary air flow splits up.
[0081] As a result of the secondary air stream S flowing off at the upper edge of the deflector plate 220 and the suction of the primary air stream (not shown in FIG. 13a) in front of the deflector plate 220, two eddies W are formed. The eddies W are produced by a rolling up of the secondary air stream as soon as it passes the upper edge of the deflector plate 220. In the ideal case the eddies W are stationary. The eddies W result in an additional component being created which deflects the rising vapor, that is to say the primary air flow, prematurely downward in the direction of the suction opening. This is shown schematically in FIG. 13b, which shows a tangential projection of the speed vector on to a plane normal to the Y axis at a distance of 100 mm from the vertical outer edge of the deflector plate 220. In this diagram it is possible to identify the eddy formation at the upper edge of the deflector plate 200, in particular the rolling up of the secondary air stream at the upper margin of the deflector plate 220 and the effect on the primary air stream in the lower area of the deflector plate 220. This additionally prevents the vapor being carried away by the secondary air stream in the outer area of the deflector plate 220.
[0082] The precise shape of the deflector plate is not significant. However, a minimum height can be advantageous to separate the primary volumetric flow and the secondary volumetric flow from each other so that no primary flow containing vapor is carried away in the lower area. The height and width of the deflector plate are not critical for the functional principle. However different optimal dimensions can be selected for different use cases, for example the height of the deflector plate depending on the pot height, or the width depending on the cooktop width. As explained above the shape of the separating element and in particular of the deflector plate exerts no influence on the effect of the secondary air stream. Different types and shapes of deflector plate can be used therefore. FIG. 9 shows different shapes of deflector plate in schematic form. As can be seen from FIG. 9 depressions can be provided on the upper side of the deflector plate (FIGS. 9b, 9c and 9d). It is also possible to provide one or more openings in the surface of the deflector plate (FIGS. 9f, 9g and 9h). Lastly it is also possible to bevel the upper edges of the deflector plate (FIG. 9i) or provide same with depressions (FIG. 9e). It has been found that in spite of the different shapes, the effect of the primary air stream being deflected or steered to the suction opening by the secondary air stream is maintained.
[0083] FIG. 10 shows a third embodiment of the inventive kitchen appliance 1. This third embodiment differs from the first embodiment shown in FIG. 1 only by the configuration of the expulsion duct 210. In the third embodiment, two expulsion ducts 210 running vertically are provided in place of one expulsion duct 210 lying horizontally. The expulsion ducts 210 are located on the side of the deflector plate 220 facing away from the suction opening 20. The expulsion ducts 210 are provided on the outer lateral margins of the deflector plate 220. The expulsion openings 21 are located on the respective expulsion duct 210 on the side facing the outside. In the third embodiment also, therefore, a secondary air stream S is output to the sides to the outside. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 10 the expulsion openings 21 are designed such that the secondary air stream S is output upward in a fanlike manner. The scope of the invention also includes however that the expulsion openings 21 are designed such that the secondary air stream is output downward in a fanlike manner. At least the lower expulsion openings 21 of the expulsion ducts 210 can be oriented downward.
[0084] FIG. 11 shows a fourth embodiment of the inventive kitchen appliance 1. This fourth embodiment differs from the third embodiment shown in FIG. 10 only by the configuration of the expulsion duct 210. In the fourth embodiment, only one expulsion duct 210 running vertically is provided in place of the two expulsion ducts 210 running vertically. The expulsion duct 210 is located on the side of the deflector plate 220 facing away from the suction opening 20. The expulsion duct 210 is arranged in the center of the width of the deflector plate 220 and therefore also in the middle of the width of the suction opening 20. The expulsion openings 21 are located on the respectively opposite outward-facing sides of the expulsion duct 210. In the fourth embodiment also, therefore, a secondary air stream S is output to the sides to the outside. As in the first embodiment the expulsion openings 21 can also be arranged in this regard such that the secondary air stream S is expelled at an angle with regard to the deflector plate 220. In this regard the secondary air stream clings to the deflector plate due to the Coanda Effect and only flows off from same at the outer edges of the deflector plate 220. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 11 the expulsion openings 21 are designed such that the secondary air stream S is output upward in a fanlike manner. The scope of the invention also includes however that the expulsion openings 21 are designed such that the secondary air stream is output downward in a fanlike manner. At least the lower expulsion openings 21 of the expulsion ducts 210 can be oriented downward.
[0085] FIG. 12 shows a fifth embodiment of the inventive kitchen appliance 1. This fifth embodiment differs from the first embodiment shown in FIG. 1 only by the configuration of the expulsion duct 210. In the fifth embodiment, the expulsion ducts 210 have a semicircular-shaped surface that extends vertically upward. The expulsion openings 21 are located in the upper side of the expulsion duct 210 and are designed such that same output a secondary air stream S to the sides to the outside. As in the first embodiment the expulsion openings 21 can also be designed in this regard such that the secondary air stream S is expelled at an angle with regard to the deflector plate 220. In this regard the secondary air stream clings to the deflector plate due to the Coanda Effect and only flows off from same at the outer edges of the deflector plate 220. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 12 the expulsion openings 21 are designed such that the secondary air stream S is output upward in a fanlike manner.
[0086] The present invention is not limited to the embodiments shown by way of example. In particular the shape and arrangement of the expulsion openings, of the deflector plate and of the suction opening can diverge from the embodiments shown. The embodiments shown in the figures can be combined with each other. For example the nature of the suction opening and of the separating element in the second embodiment can be combined with any of the expulsion variants of the third to fifth embodiments.
[0087] In all cases however the oriented secondary air stream will steer and in particular deflect the vapor such that the same arrives at the suction openings in a targeted manner. The exhaust-air stream, that is to say the primary air stream, is sucked in at the front side of the deflector plate, and the oriented secondary air stream is expelled behind the deflector plate. As a result of the targeted air routing the volumetric flow in the space above the cooktop can be regulated from above, in front and behind. The suction can take place on a full-spread basis in front of a deflector plate. A similar mode of functioning exists if the position of the secondary fluid nozzle or of the suction is changed and the target volumetric flow of the secondary fluid is maintained.
[0088] According to the invention it is consequently possible to reduce the required suction power and therefore the noise generated.
[0089] The present invention has a number of advantages. By means of the present invention, vapor extraction behavior can be improved and additionally noise can be minimized and energy efficiency increased due to a lower discharge volume requirement for countertop ventilation systems. In particular a very good extraction, that is to say vapor capture rate, can be achieved on cooktops lying farther away from the suction area of the suction opening and also in the case of tall pots. Current cooktop ventilation systems can only suck vapor in over a limited distance. The distance of approx. 380-450 mm that exists at the front cooking zone of a four-zone cooktop cannot be overcome with the usual delivery volumes, that is to say the vapor created on the front cooking zone cannot be sucked away. This problem does not arise with the present invention due to the targeted secondary air routing. Additionally, problem-free suction is ensured with regard to cross-currents. Furthermore a lower fan motor power is required and as a result noise generation is minimized even in the case of higher suction powers. Lastly no additional cut-outs and/or construction spaces are needed around the cooktop with the present invention since the expulsion openings, a deflector plate where relevant, and a supplementary fan where relevant, can be installed in the extractor apparatus.
REFERENCE SYMBOLS
[0090] 1 Kitchen appliance [0091] 2 Extractor apparatus [0092] 20 Suction opening [0093] 21 Expulsion opening [0094] 210 Expulsion duct [0095] 22 Separating element [0096] 220 Deflector plate [0097] 221 Suction unit [0098] 23 Casing [0099] 3 Cooktop [0100] 30 Cooking zone [0101] G Cooking vessel [0102] S Secondary air stream [0103] P Primary fluid stream [0104] W Eddy
