Gas hob

Abstract

A gas hob comprising a top sheet, a port, a gas burner arranged on the top sheet and releasably connected to the port the port being configured to supply the gas burner with fuel gas, and an extraction unit configured to extract fumes, the extraction unit being retractable into the top sheet.

Claims

1. A gas hob, comprising: a top sheet; a port; a gas burner arranged on the top sheet and releasably connected to the port, with the port being configured to supply the gas burner with fuel gas; a connection rail being retractable into the top sheet; and an extraction unit configured to extract fumes, said extraction unit being retractable into the top sheet.

2. The gas hob of claim 1, wherein the extraction unit is a downdraft extraction unit.

3. The gas hob of claim 1 or 2, wherein the top sheet and the extraction unit, in its retracted state, form a flat surface.

4. The gas hob of claim 1, further comprising a drive configured to retract the extraction unit into the top sheet.

5. The gas hob of claim 1, wherein the extraction unit is configured to allow retraction thereof by hand into the top sheet.

6. The gas hob of claim 1, wherein the connection rail includes the port, and wherein the gas burner is arranged on the top sheet and releasably connected to the port, the port being configured to supply the gas burner with fuel gas.

7. The gas hob of claim 6, wherein the extraction unit is arranged at least one of: on top of the connection rail; and at least partially inside the connection rail.

8. The gas hob of claim 6, wherein the extraction unit and the connection rail are fixedly connected to each other.

9. The gas hob of claim 6, wherein the extraction unit is retractable into the connection rail.

10. The gas hob of claim 6, wherein the port comprises a plurality of ports and the gas burner comprises a plurality of gas burners, wherein the connection rail includes the plurality of ports, wherein the plurality of gas burners are arranged on the top sheet and releasably connected to the plurality of ports, the plurality of ports being configured to supply the plurality of gas burners with the fuel gas, and wherein the plurality of ports are arranged on different sides of the connection rail.

11. The gas hob of claim 6, wherein the port comprises a plurality of ports and the gas burner comprises a plurality of gas burners, wherein the connection rail includes the plurality of ports, wherein the plurality of gas burners are arranged on the top sheet and releasably connected to the plurality of ports, the plurality of ports being configured to supply the plurality of gas burners with the fuel gas, and wherein the plurality of ports are arranged on opposite sides of the connection rail.

12. The gas hob of claim 6, wherein at least one of the extraction unit and the connection rail extends perpendicularly upwards from the top sheet.

13. The gas hob of claim 6, wherein at least one of the extraction unit and the connection rail is arranged in the center of the top sheet and/or wherein at least one of the extraction unit and the connection rail is arranged equidistant from opposite edges of the top sheet.

14. The gas hob of claim 6, wherein at least one of the extraction unit and the connection rail includes a power supply socket for connecting electrical devices.

15. The gas hob of claim 1, wherein the top sheet has, at least below the gas burner, a continuous flat surface on which the gas burner stands.

16. The gas hob of claim 1, further comprising a pan support for supporting a pan above the gas burner, said pan support being connected to the gas burner so as to form a unit which is configured to be lifted off the top sheet as one.

17. The gas hob of claim 1, further comprising a pan support for supporting a pan above the gas burner, said pan support being formed integrally with the gas burner.

18. The gas hob of claim 1, wherein the extraction unit is retractable into the connection rail, and wherein the connection rail and the extraction unit are retractable into the top sheet.

19. The gas hob of claim 1, wherein the extraction unit is arranged at least one of: on top of the connection rail; and at least partially inside the connection rail, and wherein the connection rail and the extraction unit are retractable into the top sheet.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) Further embodiments, features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the subsequent description and dependent claims, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

(2) FIGS. 1 to 4 show perspective views of a gas hob according to a first embodiment;

(3) FIGS. 5 and 6 show perspective views of a gas hob according to a second embodiment; and

(4) FIGS. 7 and 8 show perspective views of a gas hob according to a third embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS OF THE PRESENT INVENTION

(5) In the Figures, like reference numerals designate like or functionally equivalent elements, unless otherwise indicated.

(6) FIGS. 1 to 4 show, in perspective views, a gas hob 1 according to a first embodiment. The gas hob 1 has a top sheet 2. The top sheet 2 may be of a rectangular shape having short edges 5a, 5b and long edges 5c, 5d. The edges 5a, 5b, 5c, 5d may limit the area of the gas hob 1.

(7) A connection rail 3 is arranged on the top sheet 2 and, when seen in a top view, passes through its center, for example. In particular, opposing sides 4a, 4b, 4c, 4d of the connection rail 3 each have the same distance to opposite edges 5a, 5b, 5c, 5d of the top sheet 2 which are parallel to the opposing sides 4a, 4b, 4c, 4d of the connection rail 3.

(8) Opposing sides 4c, 4d of the connection rail 3 are formed as, for example, rectangular end faces. The connection rail 3 has its lengthwise direction in a direction perpendicular to the long edges 5c, 5d of the top sheet 2 (long sides 4a, 4b of the connection rail 3 parallel to the short edges 5a, 5b of the top sheet 2). This allows placement of gas burners 7 (as will be explained in more detail later) to the left and right of the connection rail 3 when standing in front of the long side 5c (or 5d) of the top sheet 2, i.e. when cooking. The sides 4a, 4b, 4c, 4d are, preferably, oriented perpendicularly to the top sheet 2, thus extending upwards therefrom. In embodiments where the connection rail 3 is configured to be retractable into the top sheet 2 (see below), this applies only to the extended state of the connection rail 3, of course.

(9) The connection rail 3 has ports 6a, 6b to connect gas burners 7 thereto. The ports 6a, 6b are arranged on different sides 4a, 4b, especially on opposite sides, of the connection rail 3. Thus, at least one, preferably 2, 3 or more gas burners 7 can be arranged on either side of the connection rail 3. For example, the ports 6a are configured to supply fuel-gas, whereas the ports 6b supply electrical power for an ignitor (not shown) of the gas burner 7. Or also port 6b can carry an electrical flame detection signal (e.g. from a thermocouple) to keep the gas regulation valve open.

(10) In FIG. 3, the gas burners 7 are disconnected, and ports 6a, 6b on the left-hand side of the connection rail 3 are shown (in addition to the ports 6a, 6b seen on the right-hand side in FIG. 1).

(11) For example, as shown in FIG. 1 each gas burner 7 is connected to one (gas) port 6a and two ports 6b (for electricity) of the connection rail 3. The gas burners 7 are provided with the fuel-gas-air-mixture through a respective pipe 8a via a respective port 6a. Two ignition connectors 8b connect each gas burner 7 to the ports 6b. The ignition connectors 8b are connected to an ignitor (not shown) inside each gas burner 7 configured to ignite the fuel-gas-air-mixture.

(12) In another embodiment, there are provided two struts 8b (instead or in addition to the ignition connectors or the ignition connectors may be integrated into the struts 8b) per gas burner 7 and fixedly connected thereto at one end. At the other end, each strut 8b engages a respective hole or pocket 6b (not or not exclusively a port in this case) formed inside the connection rail 3. By way of the struts 8b, the gas burners 7 may be prevented from moving inadvertently on the top sheet 2, i.e. the gas burners 7 are secured in the horizontal plane.

(13) For example, the gas burners 7 each stand on a continuous flat surface 2a (see FIG. 4) of the top sheet 2. In fact, the entire surface of the top sheet 2 may be formed as one continuous flat surface 2a. When the gas burners 7 are not needed by the user, they can be disconnected from the ports 6a, 6b to create more free space on the top sheet 2.

(14) Further, each gas burner 7 may be associated with a pan support 9 to support a pan. The pan support 9 may be formed integrally with the gas burner 7 or be a separate element which can be connected to the gas burners 7 to form a unit therewith which can be handled as one. The gas burners 7 may be of the same or different kindthe latter case being shown in FIG. 1.

(15) Furthermore, the gas hob 1 comprises, for example, an extraction unit 10 arranged partially (extended state, FIG. 2) or fully (retracted state FIGS. 1, 3 and 4) inside the connection rail 3. In FIG. 1, the extraction unit 10 is retracted into the connection rail 3 (for example when the gas hob 1 is not in use). FIG. 2 shows the extraction unit 10 extended from the connection rail 3 (for example when cooking). In operation, the extraction unit 10 extracts fumes from the cooking area. The extraction unit 10 may be configured to remove gases from above the top sheet 2 to a location under the top sheet 2 (so called downdraft extraction unit). The extraction unit 10 can be retracted into the connection rail 3 and extended therefrom using an electric motor or pneumatic system (not shown), for example.

(16) According to the first embodiment, the extraction unit 10 has a housing 10a (see FIG. 2) which, at least in the extended position of the extraction unit 10, extends upwardly through an opening 3c formed inside a top surface 3b of a housing 3a of the connection rail 3. In the extended state, openings 10b of the housing 10a are exposed through which fumes are drawn in from the cooking area. The openings 10b may face the towards the gas burners 7 to one side (or both sides) of the connection rail 3.

(17) In the retracted state (FIGS. 1, 3 and 4), the housing 10a may still (slightly) protrude above the top surface 3b. The reason for this may be to provide improved sealing between the housing 10a and the opening 3c in the top surface 3b. Or, a top surface 10c of the housing 10a (extraction unit 10) may be flush with the top surface 3b of the housing 3a (connection rail 3).

(18) FIG. 4 shows the gas hob 1 with the connection rail 3 in a retracted state, wherein the connection rail 3 is retracted completely into the top sheet 2. Preferably, the top surface 3b of the retracted connection rail 3 is flush with the top sheet 2. The retracted extraction unit 10 and the retracted connection rail 3 form a substantially flat area on the top sheet 2 in FIG. 4.

(19) When the user starts cooking, the connection rail 3 can be extended upwardly from the top sheet 2 (which is shown by arrows 11) using drive means 12, for example an electric motor, or by hand. The connection rail 3 may extend upon a user input, for example, via a touch screen (not shown) controlling the drive means 12. Or, the connection rail 3 may extend automatically when the user turns on a stand-by mode of the gas hob 1. Of course, the connection rail 3 may be retracted, for example after cooking, through user input (e.g. via the touch screen) or by hand.

(20) Returning to FIG. 1, the connection rail 3 may comprise one or more sockets 13 for electrically connecting kitchen appliances or other electrical devices (i.e. the sockets supply electrical power, for example at 220 Volts). The sockets 13 may be arranged on different sides 4b, 4c of the connection rail 3. In embodiments where the connection rail 3 is configured to be retractable into the top sheet 2, the sockets 13 move along with the connection rail 3, and are thus also hidden in the retracted state of the connection rail 3.

(21) FIGS. 5 and 6 show, in perspective views, a gas hob 1 according to a second embodiment. As seen in FIG. 5, the connection rail 3 and the extraction unit 10 comprise respective housings 3a, 10a, the housings 3a, 10a being fixedly connected to each other. Alternatively, the connection rail 3 and the extraction unit 10 may be integrated into one and the same housing.

(22) The extraction unit 10 is, in the example of FIG. 5, arranged on top of the connection rail 3. The housing 10a, having the same width W and length L as the housing 3a, extends the housing 3a in the perpendicularly upwards direction. The combined shape of the housings 10a and 3a is, thus, a cylinder with a rectangular base area. The extraction unit 10 has, on one or both of its sides facing the gas burners 7, a slit-shaped opening 10b for drawing in fumes from the cooking area.

(23) According to the second embodiment, the extraction unit 10 is retracted along with the connection rail 3 into the top sheet 2 by way of drive means 12. FIG. 6 shows the retracted state of both, the extraction unit 10 and the connection rail 3. In the retracted state, an upper surface 10c of the extraction unit 10 is flush with the top sheet 2, forming a flat surface therewith.

(24) Analogously, the extraction unit 10 and the connection rail 3 may be extended again by the drive means 12.

(25) The power supply sockets 13 may, in addition or alternatively, provided on the extraction unit 10 (not shown).

(26) FIGS. 7 and 8 show, in perspective section views, a gas hob 1 according to a third embodiment. The third embodiment may have any of the features of the first and second embodiment.

(27) The third embodiment illustrates that an injector 14 may be integrated into the port 6a, thus injecting fuel gas into the pipe 8a. The injector 14 is supplied with the fuel gas by a channel 20 inside the connection rail 3 and the top sheet 2. A gap 19 may be formed between the injector 14 and the pipe 8a through which primary air is drawn in and mixed with the fuel gas forming a combustible fuel-gas-air-mixture.

(28) Also, FIGS. 7 and 8 illustrate that the pan support 9 and the gas burner 7 are provided as separate components which are not connected to each other (as opposed to the first and second embodiment).

(29) Further, the pan support 9 may comprise a frame 21 composed of frame members (e.g. bars) 16. The pan support 9 rests with one frame member 16 on a top surface 3b of the connection rail 3. As can be seen in FIG. 8, a downwards pointing protrusion (e.g. a pin) 17 formed on the one frame member 16 engages a recess 18 in the top surface 3b in the vertical direction, securing the pan support 9 on the connection rail 3 in the horizontal direction. A leg 15 is provided on a frame member 16 opposite the frame member 16 resting on the top surface 3b. The leg 15 reaches down towards the top sheet 2 and rest thereon. Fingers 22 reach from the frame 21 inwards to provide a surface to support the pan above the gas burner 7. Even though not shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, another pair of a protrusion 17 (and corresponding recess 18) and a leg 15 may be formed symmetrically with respect to the cross-sectional plane on the frame 21.

(30) As can be seen in FIG. 8, the pan support 9 can be removed (completely) from the top sheet 2, and also independent of the gas burner 7.

(31) Although the present invention has been described in accordance with preferred embodiments, it is obvious for the person skilled in the art that modifications are possible in all embodiments.