VARIABLE HOOD APPARATUS

Abstract

Proposed is a variable hood apparatus. The variable hood apparatus includes a support holder fixed to a wall, a rotation holder configured to be rotatable around a vertical axis of rotation while being supported by the support holder, an arm portion supported by the rotation holder and configured to be capable of performing a three-dimensional movement, a foldable hood mounted on an end portion of the arm portion, the foldable hood being configured to be unfolded while being used and to be folded while being not used, an exhaust pipe which is connected to the foldable hood and which extends to an outside, and an exhaust mechanism configured to generate an airflow which is formed inside the exhaust pipe and which is in a direction toward the outside, thereby inducing a negative pressure in the foldable hood.

Claims

1. A variable hood apparatus comprising: a support holder fixed to a wall; a rotation holder configured to be rotatable around a vertical axis of rotation while being supported by the support holder; an arm portion supported by the rotation holder and configured to be capable of performing a three-dimensional movement; a foldable hood mounted on an end portion of the arm portion, the foldable hood being configured to be unfolded while being used and to be folded while being not used; an exhaust pipe which is connected to the foldable hood and which extends to an outside; and an exhaust mechanism configured to generate an airflow which is formed inside the exhaust pipe and which is in a direction toward the outside, thereby inducing a negative pressure in the foldable hood.

2. The variable hood apparatus of claim 1, wherein the support holder is provided with a vertical hole which extends in a vertical direction and which has a predetermined inner diameter, wherein the rotation holder comprises: a fitting shaft fitted into the vertical hole such that the fitting shaft is axially rotatable; and a support bracket connected to the fitting shaft via a connector, the support bracket being formed in a semicircular disk shape, and the support bracket having a first through-hole and a plurality of second through-holes disposed at equal angle intervals around the first through-hole, wherein the arm portion comprises: a first arm supported by the support bracket such that the first arm is rotatable up and down, the first arm having an extension end portion thereof provided with an arm connecting pin; a second arm linked to the arm connecting pin of the first arm and configured to be rotatable; and a third arm which is connected to an end portion of the second arm via a joint portion and which extends in a longitudinal direction, the third arm having an extension end portion thereof coupled to the foldable hood, wherein an end portion of the first arm is formed with a support pin hole corresponding to the first through-hole, and is formed with an angle pin hole corresponding to the plurality of second through-holes, wherein the support pin hole enables a support pin to pass therethrough while the support pin hole and the first through-hole are aligned, and the angle pin hole enables an angle maintaining pin to pass therethrough while the angle pin hole and selected second through-hole are aligned.

3. The variable hood apparatus of claim 1, wherein the exhaust pipe is a flexible bellows, an extension end portion of the exhaust pipe is provided with a fixing block that is capable of being fitted into and fixed to a window frame, and the exhaust mechanism comprises a blower and an air guiding pipe which is connected to the blower and inserted into an inside of the exhaust pipe, the air guiding pipe being configured to eject air supplied from the blower to the inside of the exhaust pipe.

4. The variable hood apparatus of claim 3, wherein a venturi portion is further provided inside the exhaust pipe, and the air guiding pipe is disposed on a downstream of the venturi portion.

5. The variable hood apparatus of claim 2, wherein the foldable hood comprises: a head portion linked to an end portion of the third arm and connected to the exhaust pipe; and a wing portion connected to a lower portion of the head portion, the wing portion being configured to guide gas to be exhausted to the head portion by being unfolded while being used, and the wing portion being folded while being not used.

6. The variable hood apparatus of claim 5, wherein the wing portion comprises a plurality of split wings hinge-connected to the head portion and configured to be rotatable up and down, the plurality of split wings being configured such that opposite end portions in a side direction thereof are in close contact with each other while being rotated upward, thereby maintaining an unfolded state.

7. The variable hood apparatus of claim 5, wherein the wing portion comprises: a plurality of fixing ribs which is fixed to the head portion and which extends in a radial direction around the head portion, and which is spaced apart from each other by predetermined intervals; a plurality of rotation ribs respectively pin connected to the plurality of fixing ribs and configured to be rotatable up and down; a plurality of rib fixing mechanisms configured to enable the plurality of rotation ribs to maintain an unfolded state when the plurality of rotation ribs is rotated upward; and a heat-resistant light permeable fabric fixed to the plurality of fixing ribs and the plurality of rotation ribs, the heat-resistant light permeable fabric being configured to be unfolded while the plurality of rotation ribs is rotated upward, thereby guiding the gas to be exhausted to the head portion.

8. The variable hood apparatus of claim 7, wherein the plurality of rib fixing mechanisms comprises: a plurality of arcuate-shaped rods having a predetermined curvature and respectively fixed to the plurality of rotation ribs; a plurality of ratchet fingers respectively mounted on the plurality of arcuate-shaped rods, the plurality of ratchet fingers being configured to be rotatable; and a plurality of locking tubes supported by the head portion and providing a plurality of passages through which the plurality of arcuate-shaped rods respectively passes, the plurality of locking tubes being configured such that inner portions of the passages are respectively provided with a plurality of toothed portions, and the plurality of toothed portions being configured to be locked on the plurality of ratchet fingers, respectively, such that the plurality of rotation ribs is prevented from being moved downward.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0020] The above and other objectives, features, and other advantages of the present disclosure will be more clearly understood from the following detailed description when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0021] FIG. 1 is a view for explaining a configuration and a use method of a variable hood apparatus according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0022] FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view separately illustrating the variable hood apparatus according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0023] FIG. 3 is a view illustrating a hood and an exhaust pipe in the variable hood apparatus according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0024] FIG. 4 shows (A) to (C) which are partial cross-sectional views for explaining various exhaust methods that can be applied to the variable hood apparatus according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0025] FIGS. 5 and 6 are views for explaining a configuration and an operation of a foldable hood that can be applied to the variable hood apparatus according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0026] FIGS. 7 and 8 are views for explaining a configuration and an operation of another type of the foldable hood that can be applied to the variable hood apparatus according to an embodiment of the present disclosure; and

[0027] FIGS. 9 and 10 are views for explaining a configuration of still another type of the foldable hood that can be applied to the variable hood apparatus according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0028] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0029] FIG. 1 is a view for explaining a configuration and a use method of a variable hood apparatus 30 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view separately illustrating the variable hood apparatus 30. In addition, FIG. 3 is a view illustrating a hood and an exhaust pipe in the variable hood apparatus 30. FIGS. 4A to 4C are partial cross-sectional views for explaining various exhaust methods that can be applied to the variable hood apparatus 30.

[0030] As illustrated in the drawings, the variable hood apparatus 30 is applied to a kitchen 11 on which a sink 12, a gas stove 13, and so on are mounted, and is configured to discharge odors and harmful gas generated during cooking a food using the gas stove 13 to the outside. This variable hood apparatus 30 includes a support holder 31, a rotation holder 33, an arm portion, a foldable hood 40, an exhaust pipe 40, and an exhaust mechanism.

[0031] The support holder 31 is fixed to a first side of a wall 11a of the kitchen 11, and has a vertical hole 31a. The vertical hole 31a is a vertical hole having a predetermined inner diameter, and supports a fitting shaft 33a such that the fitting shaft 33a that will be described later is axially rotatable. The support holder 31 is mounted around the gas stove 13. In addition, since the fitting shaft 33a can be disassembled from the vertical hole 31a, at least two vertical holders 31 may be mounted, and the variable hood apparatus 30 can be used while changing a position of the variable hood apparatus 30.

[0032] The rotation holder 33 is a member rotatable with respect to a virtual vertical axis of rotation while being fitted to the support holder 31, and includes the fitting shaft 33a, a connector 33b, and a support bracket 33d.

[0033] The fitting shaft 33a is a round bar-shaped member inserted into the vertical hole 31a, and is axially rotatable while being inserted into the vertical hole 31a. In addition, the fitting shaft 33a can be freely disassembled from the vertical hole 31a.

[0034] The connector 33b is a member which is formed integrally with an upper end portion of the fitting shaft 33a and which is connecting the fitting shaft 33a to the support bracket 33d. By the connector 33b, the fitting shaft 33a and the support bracket 33d are spaced apart from each other by a predetermined distance.

[0035] The support bracket 33d is provided with two sheets of semicircular disks 33h, and provides an accommodating space 33e. The accommodating space 33e is a space in which a first end portion of a first arm 35 that will be described later is accommodated. Each of the semicircular disks 33h has a first through-hole 33f and second through-holes 33g. The first through-hole 33f is a hole that is formed in the substantially central portion of each of the semicircular disks 33h. In addition, each of the second through-holes 33g is a hole that is disposed in a circumferential direction of a circle having the first through-hole 33f as a center. A support pin 34a is fitted into the first through-hole 33f, and an angle maintaining pin 34b is fitted into the second through-hole 33g. A detailed description thereof will be described later.

[0036] The rotation holder 33 having the structure described above is rotatable in left and right directions by using the fitting shaft 33a as a rotary shaft while the rotation holder 33 is fitted to the support holder 31.

[0037] The arm portion is supported by the rotation holder 33, and is capable of performing a three-dimensional movement. Further, the arm portion includes the first arm 35, a second arm 36, and a third arm 37. The three-dimensional movement is a movement which can move the foldable hood 40 in all directions that are front-rear, left-right, and up-down directions.

[0038] The first arm 35 is a rod-shaped member which has the first end portion thereof inserted into and supported by the accommodating space 33e and which extends in a longitudinal direction. Further, the first end portion of the first arm 35 has a support pin hole 35a and an angle pin hole 35c, and a second end portion of the first arm 35 has an arm connecting pin 35e. The arm connecting pin 35e is a round-bar shaped member for connecting the second arm 36 to an end portion of the first arm 35.

[0039] The support pin hole 35a is a hole through which the support pin 34a passes while the support pin hole 35a and the first through-hole 33f are aligned. The first arm 35 is rotatable in the up and down directions with respect to the support pin 34a. In addition, the angle pin hole 35c is a hole through which the angle maintaining pin 34b passes while the angle pin hole 35c and the selected second through-hole 33g are aligned. By using the angle maintaining pin 34b, the first arm 35 may be maintained to a required angle. Which second through-hole 33g is selected from among three of the second through-holes 33g is determined by a user.

[0040] The second arm 36 is a rod-shaped member which is linked to the arm connecting pin 35e of the first arm 35 and which is rotatable by using the arm connecting pin 35e as the center of rotation. A link hole 36a into which the arm connecting pin 35e is fitted is provided in a first end portion of the second arm 36, and a joint portion 36c connected to the third arm 37 is provided on a second end portion of the second arm 36.

[0041] The third arm 37 is a member connected to the second arm 36 via the joint portion 36c, and an end portion of the third arm 37 has a hood coupling hole 37a. The hood coupling hole 37a enables a hinge pin 41b to pass therethrough while the hood coupling hole 37a is inserted between upper fixing hinges 41a. The third arm 37 is connected to the foldable hood 40 via the hinge pin 41b.

[0042] Meanwhile, the foldable hood 40 is a hood having a structure which is connected to an end portion of the third arm 37 and which is unfolded while being used and which is folded while being not used. That is, during cooking, the foldable hood 40 is disposed above the gas stove 13 while being in the unfolded state, and is folded when the foldable hood 40 is not needed. A basic function of the foldable hood 40 is the same as a basic function of a conventional hood. In other words, the foldable hood 40 is configured to suction and exhaust odors or gas that is generated during cooking. A description of the foldable hood 40 will be described later.

[0043] The exhaust pipe 65 is a flexible bellows, and extends in the longitudinal direction. Further, a first end portion of the exhaust pipe 65 is connected to a head portion 41, and a second end portion of the exhaust pipe 65 is coupled to a fixing block 66. The fixing block 66 is formed in a substantially hexahedral shape. Further, as illustrated in FIG. 1, the fixing block 66 is fixed by being fitted between a window frame 15a and a casement window 15b. The reference numeral 17 in FIG. 1 is a support block supporting the fixing block 66. Since the exhaust pipe 65 is fixed to a window 15, gas collected by the foldable hood 40 may be exhausted to the outside via the exhaust pipe 65.

[0044] In addition, the exhaust mechanism generates an airflow inside the exhaust pipe 65 in a direction toward the outside, thereby inducing a negative pressure in the foldable hood 40. That is, by forming the negative pressure inside the head portion 41 of the foldable hood 40, harmful gas or odors generated during cooking is guided to the exhaust pipe 65 via the head portion 41.

[0045] The exhaust mechanism includes a blower 67 and an air guiding pipe 67a. The blower 67 is mounted outside the exhaust pipe 65. For example, the blower 67 may be disposed on a shelf 16 that is mounted in the kitchen 11. As long as air can be supplied inside the exhaust pipe 65, a position of the blower 67 may be variously changed. The blower 67 generates compressed air and presses the compressed air to the air guiding pipe 67a.

[0046] The air guiding pipe 67a ejects the air supplied from the blower 67 to the inside of the exhaust pipe 65. A spray nozzle 67b is mounted on an end portion of the air guiding pipe 67a. The air ejected via the spray nozzle 67b is moved toward a downstream and exits to the atmosphere. At this time, a pressure of an upstream is lowered, and gas to be exhausted is introduced into the inside of the exhaust pipe 65.

[0047] The exhaust mechanism illustrated in FIG. 4A includes a venturi portion 65c, and is formed in a shape in which the air guiding pipe 67a is inserted into an internal space of the venturi portion 65c and is bent to the downstream. As the air is ejected via the air guiding pipe 67a, an internal pressure of the venturi portion 65c is lowered, so that the gas to be exhausted is efficiently exhausted.

[0048] The air guiding pipe 67a in FIG. 4b is formed in a shape in which the air guiding pipe 67a is inserted inside the exhaust pipe 65 and is bent to the downstream.

[0049] In addition, the exhaust mechanism in FIG. 4C is provided with a stream guider 65e. The stream guider narrows a flow cross-sectional area of the exhaust pipe 65 so that the gas to be exhausted is enabled to be discharged at a faster speed. In addition, a plurality of air guiding pipes 67a is disposed symmetrically on the downstream of the stream guider 65e.

[0050] FIGS. 5 and 6 are views for explaining a configuration and an operation of the foldable hood 40 that can be applied to the variable hood apparatus 30 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 5 is a view illustrating an unfolded shape of the foldable hood 40, and FIG. 6 is a view illustrating a folded shape of the foldable hood 40.

[0051] As illustrated in the drawings, the foldable hood 40 includes the head portion 41 having a shape of a hollow cylinder, and includes a wing portion 43 positioned below the head portion 41. The head portion 41 is linked to the end portion of the third arm 37 via the upper fixing hinges 41a, and is also connected to the exhaust pipe 65. As the negative pressure is formed inside the exhaust pipe 65, gas under the head portion 41 is collected in the head portion 41, and the gas is suctioned into the exhaust pipe 65.

[0052] In addition, a plurality of lower fixing hinges 41e is fixed to a lower portion of the head portion 41. The lower fixing hinges 41e are in a one-to-one correspondence with rotation hinges 43e of split wings 43a. In a state in which the lower fixing hinges 41e are respectively brought into contact with the rotation hinges 43e, other hinge pins 43f are connected, so that the split wings 43a are coupled to the head portion 41.

[0053] The wing portion 43 includes a plurality of split wings 43a. The split wings 43a all have the same size. Further, as described above, the split wings 43a are connected to the lower fixing hinges 41e by the other hinge pins 43f, respectively. In a state in which each of the split wings 43a is fully deployed upward, each of the split wings 43a maintains a state in which a thickness surface of the split wing 43a is in contact with another thickness surface of the adjacent split wing 43a. To this end, a protruding portion 43c is formed on one thickness surface of each of the split wings 43a, and a groove portion 43d is formed on an opposite thickness surface of each of the split wings 43a.

[0054] In a state in which the wing portion 43 is fully opened, the protruding portion 43c of each of the split wings 43a is fitted into the groove portion 43d of each of the adjacent split wings 43a. As such, since the protruding portion 43c is inserted into the groove portion 43d, the split wings 43a are in close contact with each other and are prevented from being dislocated from each other under the action of gravity.

[0055] When the user holds and dislocates any two split wings 43a by hand in order for folding the wing portion 43, other split wings 43a are also separated, and the split wings 43a are moved downward by the action of gravity and are in a state illustrated in FIG. 6.

[0056] The wing portion 43 may be fabricated from a light permeable heat-resistant glass, acrylic, or the like. Otherwise, as illustrated in FIG. 5, a border portion of the wing portion 43 may be fabricated from stainless steel, and light transmission windows 43b may be fixed to an inner side of the border portion. By using a light permeable material as described above, a situation at a position below the foldable hood 40 can be visually checked, even though the foldable hood 40 is lowered as far as possible to a level directly above a cooking vessel.

[0057] FIGS. 7 and 8 are views for explaining a configuration and an operation of another type of the foldable hood 40 that can be applied to the variable hood apparatus 30 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0058] Hereinafter, the same reference numerals described above indicate the same members having the same functions.

[0059] The foldable hood 40 illustrated in FIG. 7 includes the head portion 41, fixing ribs 45a, rotation ribs 45c, rib fixing mechanisms, and a heat-resistant light permeable fabric 51.

[0060] The fixing ribs 45a are members which are fixed to a peripheral portion of the head portion 41, and which extend in a radial direction and which are spaced apart by predetermined intervals. Further, the fixing ribs 45a respectively have accommodating grooves 45b. The accommodating grooves 45b are grooves in which insertion portions 45d of the rotation ribs 45c are respectively accommodated.

[0061] The rotation ribs 45c are linear members which are connected to the fixing ribs 45a via connecting pin 45q, respectively, and which are rotatable in the up and down directions like umbrella ribs. The insertion portions 45d are respectively formed on an end portion of each of the rotation ribs 45c. The insertion portions 45d are portions inserted into the accommodating grooves 45b, respectively. In a state in which the insertion portions 45d are respectively inserted into the accommodating grooves 45b, the rotation ribs 45c are connected to the fixing ribs 45a by passing the connecting pins 45q therethrough, respectively.

[0062] The heat-resistant light permeable fabric 51 is a known flexible heat-resistant flame-retardant fabric that is attached to and fixed to bottom surfaces of both the fixing ribs 45a and the rotation ribs 45c. When the rotation ribs 45c are unfolded, the heat-resistant light permeable fabric 51 is tightly unfolded like a waterproof fabric of an umbrella, and the heat-resistant light permeable fabric 51 guides the gas to be exhausted to the head portion 41.

[0063] Meanwhile, in a state in which the rotation ribs 45c are rotated upward, the rib fixing mechanisms serve to maintain the unfolded state. As illustrated in FIG. 8, the rib fixing mechanisms include locking pins 45f and springs 45m. In addition, locking grooves 45e are respectively formed on a first side of each of the insertion portions 45d such that the rib fixing mechanisms are capable of being operated, and mounting space portions 45p are respectively formed in the fixing ribs 45a.

[0064] Each of the locking grooves 45e is a groove into which an end portion of each of the locking pins 45f is respectively inserted, and each of the mounting space portions 45p is a space in which each of the springs 45m and a portion of each of the locking pins 45f are accommodated. Each of the mounting space portions 45p corresponds to each of the locking grooves 45e.

[0065] The locking pins 45f are pin-shaped members movable in an arrow c direction or in a direction opposite to the arrow c direction, and have pin heads 45g and spring locking portions 45h. For example, the pin heads 45g are handles for a user to pull respective locking pins 45f in the arrow c direction. In addition, the spring locking portions 45h are portions receiving an elastic force by the springs 45m. The locking pins 45f receive the elastic force via the spring locking portions 45h and are elastically supported in the direction opposite to the arrow c direction, and the locking pins 45f are fitted into the locking grooves 45e, respectively, so that the rotation ribs 45c maintain the unfolded state.

[0066] The pin heads 45g that protrude toward side portions of the fixing ribs 45a are pulled in the arrow c direction in order for folding the rotation ribs 45c, and the locking pins 45f are separated from the locking grooves 45e. When the locking pins 45f are separated, the rotation ribs 45c are folded downward by weight thereof. The rotation ribs 45c are pulled upward while the locking pins 45f are pulled in the arrow c direction in order for unfolding the folded rotation ribs 45c, and each of the locking grooves 45e is positioned on an extending line of each of the locking pins 45f, and then the locking pins 45f are released. When the locking pins 45f are released, the locking pins 45f are respectively fitted into the locking grooves 45e by the action of the springs 45m.

[0067] FIGS. 9 and 10 are views for explaining a configuration of still another type of the foldable hood 40 that can be applied to the variable hood apparatus 30 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0068] The foldable hood 40 illustrated in FIG. 9 includes another head portion 41, four other fixing ribs 45a that are spaced apart from each other by predetermined intervals, other rotation ribs 45c linked to the other fixing ribs 45a via other connecting pins 45q, respectively, and other rib fixing mechanisms.

[0069] The rib fixing mechanisms are configured to enable the other rotation ribs 45c rotated upward to maintain the unfolded state, and include arcuate-shaped rods 46, ratchet fingers 46a, locking tubes 47, and tube holders 48.

[0070] Each of the arcuate-shaped rods 46 is an arcuate-shape member having a predetermined curvature. Further, a first end portion of each of the arcuate-shaped rods 46 is formed integrally with each of the other rotation ribs 45c, respectively, and a second end portion of each of the arcuate-shaped rods 46 is inserted into each of side portion holes 41f, respectively. The side portion holes 41f are through-holes formed on a peripheral portion of the another head portion 41, and enable the arcuate-shaped rods 46 to pass therethrough, respectively. Each of the arcuate-shaped rods 46 is partially inserted inside the another head portion 41 via each of the side portion holes 41f, respectively.

[0071] In addition, the ratchet fingers 46a are respectively mounted on the arcuate-shaped rods 46. The ratchet fingers 46a are members which are rotatably mounted on the arcuate-shaped rods 46 via finger shafts 46b, respectively, and are configured to be locked on respective toothed portions 47c, thereby preventing the other rotation ribs 45c from being moved downward.

[0072] The locking tubes 47 are square pipe-shaped members fixed to an outer portion of the another head portion 41 via the tube holders, respectively, and the tooth portions 47c are provided inside the locking tubes 47, respectively. The toothed portions 47c are portions locked on the ratchet fingers 46a, respectively. In a state in which each of the arcuate-shaped rods 46 is respectively fitted into passages 47a that are provided by the locking tubes 47, if the ratchet fingers 46a are not provided, the arcuate-shaped rods 46 are freely rotatable in an arrow g direction or in a direction opposite to the arrow g direction when the other rotation ribs 45c are rotated.

[0073] However, since the ratchet fingers 46a are provided and the toothed portions 47c are formed inside the locking tubes 47, the movement of the arcuate-shaped rods 46 in the arrow c direction is restricted. In other words, when the other rotation ribs 45c are unfolded, the other rotation ribs 45c may maintain the unfolded state.

[0074] The specific embodiment of the present disclosure is described in detail above. However, the present disclosure is not limited to the specific embodiment. It would be apparent to a person of ordinary skill in the art that various modifications to the present disclosure are possible within the scope of the technical idea of the present disclosure.