EXHAUST HOOD WITH A VAPOR-COLLECTING CANOPY

Abstract

An exhaust hood is provided that includes a chimney housing and a first vapor-collecting canopy pivotally secured to the chimney housing. The first vapor-collecting canopy is automatically movable between two end positions by a driving mechanism. The driving mechanism is in the form of a crank mechanism and includes a first crank disk and an electric motor for rotating the first crank disk. The first crank disk is torque-transmittingly connected by a push rod to the first vapor-collecting canopy.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims benefit of German Patent Application No. 10 2006 060 496.2, filed Dec. 19, 2006, which is hereby incorporated by reference herein.

FIELD

The present invention relates to an exhaust hood having a chimney housing and a first vapor-collecting canopy pivotably secured to the chimney housing.

BACKGROUND

German Patent DE 198 14 000 C2 describes exhaust hoods having a vapor-collecting canopy that is automatically adjusted depending on a height adjustment made to the chimney housing of the exhaust hood.

SUMMARY

It is an aspect of the present invention to provide an exhaust hood whose vapor-collecting canopy can be automatically adjusted independently of the vertical position of the chimney housing.

In an embodiment, the present invention provides an exhaust hood that includes a chimney housing and a first vapor-collecting canopy. The first vapor-collecting canopy is pivotably secured to the chimney housing and is automatically movable between two end positions by a driving mechanism. The driving mechanism includes a crank mechanism including a first crank disk and an electric motor configured to rotate the first crank disk. The first crank disk is torque-transmittingly connected by a first push rod to the first vapor-collecting canopy.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Aspects of the present invention will now be described by way of exemplary embodiments with reference to the following drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective partial view of an exhaust hood having two vapor-collecting canopies, which are shown in their first end positions, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a partial side view of the exhaust hood of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a perspective detail view looking at one side of the exhaust hood shown in FIG. 1 and showing the two vapor-collecting canopies in their second end positions;

FIG. 4 is a perspective detail view looking at one side of the exhaust hood shown in FIG. 1 and showing the two vapor-collecting canopies in their second end positions; and

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a guide member according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In addition to the ability to automatically adjust the vapor-collecting canopy independently of the vertical position thereof, a particular advantage offered by the present invention is that the driving mechanism, which is in the form of a crank mechanism, allows a simple and rugged construction of the exhaust hood. Thus, the driving mechanism is implemented such that it is space-efficient, inexpensive, and has a long service life.

In an embodiment of the present invention, the first crank disk has two actuating cams for actuating a limit switch, said limit switch being integrated in the electric circuit of the electric motor. Thus, the control of the electric motor of the driving mechanism is implemented in a structurally simple and rugged manner.

In the aforementioned embodiment, the limit switch may be operated by an electrical controller of the exhaust hood. In this manner, the switching state of the switch, which is produced by the actuating cams, can be cancelled.

In another embodiment, the driving mechanism includes a second crank disk which extends parallel to the first crank disk and is torque-transmittingly connected to the first crank disk via a shaft, and which is connected by a push rod to the first vapor-collecting canopy; the push rods of the two crank disks being secured to the first vapor-collecting canopy in such a manner that they are substantially maximally spaced apart. This enables a particularly uniform transfer of force from the driving mechanism via the push rods to the vapor-collecting canopy. This is particularly advantageous in the case of larger exhaust hoods whose vapor-collecting canopies are correspondingly longer and, therefore, have a large surface area. Moreover, the susceptibility to warping of such larger vapor-collecting canopies is reduced because the two push rods are substantially maximally spaced apart.

In a further embodiment, the first vapor-collecting canopy has at least one side skirt, said side skirt engaging in a guide groove provided on the chimney housing. Thus, first of all, the cooking vapors rising from a cooktop, or the like, are effectively prevented from unintentionally escaping laterally past the first vapor-collecting canopy. Secondly, the first vapor-collecting canopy is thereby stiffened, making it torsionally rigid. Moreover, since the first vapor-collecting canopy is carried in a guide groove, the operational reliability of the movable first vapor-collecting canopy, and thus of the exhaust hood, is improved. Exhaust hood parts which move relative to each other are effectively prevented from collision.

In the aforementioned embodiment, the guide groove may be formed in a separate guide member, and the guide member may be detachably secured to the chimney housing. Thus, the guide member can be purchased separately from the chimney housing. This also allows the type and material of the guide member to be suitably selected independently of the chimney housing and the first vapor-collecting canopy. Since the guide member is detachably mounted, it can later be replaced.

In the latter two embodiments, the guide groove may be formed by a base and two side walls, the longitudinal profiles of the base and the free edges of the side walls substantially following a circular path about the axis of rotation of the pivoting attachment of the first vapor-collecting canopy to the chimney housing. In this way, wear marks such as scratches, which inevitably appear on the contact surfaces of the guide groove and side skirt during the operation of the exhaust hood, are prevented from extending in a direction contrary to a pattern provided on the surface of the side skirt, such as a grinding pattern in the case of metal sheets. This improves the overall aesthetic appearance.

In another embodiment, a second vapor-collecting canopy is pivotably secured to the chimney housing on the side opposite the first vapor-collecting canopy and can be automatically moved between two end positions by the driving mechanism; the driving mechanism including a third crank disk which extends parallel to the first crank disk and is torque-transmittingly connected to the first crank disk, and which is force-transmittingly connected by a further push rod to the second vapor-collecting canopy. Thus, in particular in the case of exhaust hoods in the form of island hoods, the cooking vapors rising from a cooktop, or the like, are effectively prevented from unintentionally escaping. Moreover, the coupling of the third crank disk to the driving mechanism allows a simple, rugged and cost-effective implementation of this embodiment.

In the aforementioned embodiment, the second vapor-collecting canopy may have a side skirt which overlaps with the side skirt of the first vapor-collecting canopy in one end position of the two vapor-collecting canopies; the two side skirts may engage in two spaced-apart guide grooves in a common guide member mounted to the chimney housing. This enables, first of all, a very compact arrangement of the two vapor-collecting canopies, and thus of the exhaust hood. Secondly, the two guide grooves prevent the moving vapor-collecting canopies from colliding with each other.

The pivoting attachment of the vapor-collecting canopy or canopies to the chimney housing may be selected within wide suitable limits in terms of type, material, and arrangement. The vapor-collecting canopy or canopies may have an angularly bent portion which, together with an edge of the chimney housing, provides the pivoting attachment of the vapor-collecting canopy to the chimney housing. This allows a simple implementation of the pivoting attachment and, in addition, facilitates the assembly of the exhaust hood.

In FIG. 1, an exhaust hood according to the present invention is shown in a partial view. The exhaust hood has a chimney housing 2 to which is pivotably secured a first vapor-collecting canopy 4. The axis of rotation is symbolized in FIG. 1 by a line 10 and will be explained in more detail below.

The exhaust hood further includes a driving mechanism 12 in the form of a crank mechanism. Crank mechanism 12 includes a first crank disk 14, an electric motor 16 for rotating first crank disk 14, and a push rod 18, which is pivotably linked to first crank disk 14 and to first vapor-collecting canopy 4. In the present exemplary embodiment, push rod 18 is pivotably linked to a side skirt 4.1 of first vapor-collecting canopy 4. Side skirt 4.1 is also formed as an angularly bent portion bent from the sheet metal of first vapor-collecting canopy 4.

Driving mechanism 12 includes a second crank disk 20 which extends parallel to first crank disk 14 and is torque-transmittingly connected to first crank disk 14 via a shaft 22, and which is connected by a push rod 24 to first vapor-collecting canopy 4; the push rods 18 and 24 of the two crank disks 14 and 20 being secured to first vapor-collecting canopy 4 in such a manner that they are substantially maximally spaced apart in the manner described above.

The driving mechanism 12 described above allows first vapor-collecting canopy 4 to be moved between two end positions, namely an open position and a closed position.

The exhaust hood of the present exemplary embodiment takes the form of an island hood and includes a second vapor-collecting canopy 26 which has a side skirt 26.1 and is pivotably secured to chimney housing 2 on the side opposite the first vapor-collecting canopy 4. To this end, vapor-collecting canopies 4, 26, which are made of sheet metal, have an angularly bent portion 6 formed at their ends facing the chimney housing 2, as shown in more detail in FIG. 2. Vapor-collecting canopies 4, 26 are engaged with said angularly bent portion to an edge 8 of chimney housing 2 from above, respectively. Thus, edge 8 and angularly bent portion 6 together form a pivoting attachment of the respective vapor-collecting canopy 4, 26 to chimney housing 2. The axes of rotation (symbolized by lines 10) extend along the respective edges 8. However, it is also possible to use other suitable pivoting attachments.

Similarly to first vapor-collecting canopy 4, second vapor-collecting canopy 26 can be automatically moved between two end positions by driving mechanism 12; driving mechanism 12 including a third crank disk 28 which extends parallel to first crank disk 14 and is torque-transmittingly connected to first crank disk 14, and which is force-transmittingly connected by a further push rod 30 to second vapor-collecting canopy 26. As with first vapor-collecting canopy 4, the rotary motion of driving mechanism 12 is transmitted via shaft 22 to a fourth crank disk 31, and thus to the opposite end of the exhaust hood, said fourth crank disk being torque-transmittingly connected to second crank disk 20, and said rotary motion being further transmitted to second vapor-collecting canopy 26 via a further push rod 32.

Here, the torque of electric motor 16 is first transmitted to shaft 22, then from shaft 22 to crank disks 28 and 31, and from there to crank disks 14 and 20. It is also possible to use other suitable transmission techniques.

First crank disk 14 has two actuating cams 14.1, which cooperate with a limit switch 34 in a manner; see FIG. 2. Limit switch 34 is integrated in the electric circuit of electric motor 16. When limit switch 34 is actuated by one of the two actuating cams 14.1, power to electric motor 16 will be interrupted. The pivotable attachment of the two vapor-collecting canopies 4 and 26 to crank disks 14, 20, 28 and 31 via push rods 18, 24, 30 and 32, and the arrangement of actuating cams 14.1 on crank disk 14 are matched in such a way that limit switch 34 is actuated by one of actuating cams 14. 1, respectively, when vapor-collecting canopies 4 and 26 are in one of their two end positions. In this regard, see also FIGS. 1 and 2, which show the first end position, i.e., the respective open position of the two vapor-collecting canopies 4 and 26.

Limit switch 34 can also be controlled by a controller of the exhaust hood so that the electric circuit of electric motor 16 can be reclosed after limit switch 34 has been opened by actuating cams 14.1 in the manner described above. However, alternatively, closing of the electric circuit can also be accomplished using other suitable control methods.

Of course, the above statements regarding the two end positions also apply to exhaust hoods of the present invention which have only one vapor-collecting canopy, as is the case with wall-mounted exhaust hoods.

FIG. 3 shows the two vapor-collecting canopies 4 and 26 in their second end positions, i.e., the closed positions.

Similarly to FIGS. 1 and 2, FIG. 4 shows the first end position, i.e., the open position, of the two vapor-collecting canopies 4 and 26. Side skirts 4.1 and 26.1 of the two vapor-collecting canopies 4 and 26 are carried in a guide member 36. In this case, guide member 36 is formed as a plastic part and is detachably secured to chimney housing 2 by a latching connection. To this end, guide member 36 has a latching nose 36.1 which engages into an opening 2.1 of chimney housing 2.

Guide member 36 is described in more detail with reference to FIG. 5. Guide member 36 has a base 36.2 and three side walls 36.3, 36.4 and 36.5 arranged substantially perpendicularly to base 36.2. Side walls 36.3 through 36.5 extend substantially parallel to each other and are spaced apart by guide grooves 36.6 and 36.7. The two vapor-collecting canopies 4 and 26 engage in the guide grooves with their side skirts 4.1 and 26.1. More specifically, vapor-collecting canopy 4 engages in guide groove 36.6 with side skirt 4.1, and vapor-collecting canopy 26 engages in guide groove 36.7 with side skirt 26.1; see also FIG. 4.

Here, the longitudinal profiles of base 36.2 and the free edges of side walls 36.3 through 36.5 of guide grooves 36.6 and 36.7 each substantially follow a circular path about the axis of rotation 10 of the respective pivoting attachment of the associated vapor-collecting canopy 4 and 26 to chimney housing 2.

However, the guide grooves could also be formed directly as part of chimney housing 2. Moreover, base 36.2 and the free ends of side walls 36.3 through 36.5 could also have different longitudinal profiles.

As can be seen in particular in FIGS. 3 and 4, side skirts 4.1 and 26.1 overlap each other at least when vapor-collecting canopies 4 and 26 are in the second position, i.e., the closed position.

In the present exemplary embodiment, the suction area of the exhaust hood is not closed when the two vapor-collecting canopies 4 and 26 are in the closed position. Extraction through the exhaust hood is possible even when vapor-collecting canopies 4 and 26 are in this position.

In the following, an exemplary embodiment of the operation of the exhaust hood will be briefly described with reference to the Figures:

The exhaust hood is OFF and vapor-collecting canopies 4 and 26 are in the second end position, i.e., the closed position, which is shown in FIG. 3. The electric circuit of electric motor 16 is closed and electric motor 16 is energized by actuating a circuit closer of the exhaust hood. Electric motor 16 rotates crank disks 14, 20, 28 and 31 about shaft 22, so that push rods 18, 24, 30 and 32 push the two vapor-collecting canopies 4 and 26 outward, moving them to the second position, i.e., the open position; see FIGS. 1, 2 and 4. When the open position is reached, one of actuating cams 14.1 actuates limit switch 34, thereby interrupting the electric circuit of electric motor 16 and de-energizing electric motor 16; see FIG. 2. Vapor-collecting canopies 4 and 26 are retained in the first position, i.e., the open position, by driving mechanism 12. When the circuit closer is re-actuated by the user, the electric circuit of electric motor 16 is re-energized by the controller, and electric motor 16 rotates crank disks 14, 20, 28 and 31 further until the other actuating cam 14.1 re-actuates limit switch 34 and de-energizes electric motor 16. Then, the vapor-collecting canopies are in the second position, i.e., the closed position, again.

In the exemplary embodiment illustrated here, vapor-collecting canopies 4, 26 also have side skirts provided at their opposite ends, similar to the side skirts 4.1 and 26.1 described in detail hereinabove.

The present invention is not limited to the exemplary embodiment described above.

Claims

1. An exhaust hood, comprising:

a chimney housing;

a first vapor-collecting canopy pivotally secured to the chimney housing; and

a driving mechanism, the drive mechanism configured to automatically move the first vapor-collecting canopy between two end positions,

wherein the driving mechanism includes a crank mechanism including a first crank disk and an electric motor configured to rotate the first crank disk, the first crank disk torque-transmittingly connected by a first push rod to the first vapor-collecting canopy.

2. The exhaust hood recited in claim 1, wherein the first crank disk has two actuating cams configured to actuate a limit switch, the limit switch integrated in an electric circuit of the electric motor.

3. The exhaust hood recited in claim 2, wherein the limit switch is operatable by an electrical controller of the exhaust hood.

4. The exhaust hood recited in claim 1, wherein the driving mechanism includes a second crank disk extending parallel to the first crank disk, the second crank disk torque-transmittingly connected to the first crank disk via a shaft and connected by a second push rod to the first vapor-collecting canopy, the first and second push rods secured to the first vapor-collecting canopy so as to be substantially maximally spaced apart.

5. The exhaust hood recited in claim 1, wherein the first vapor-collecting canopy includes a first side skirt, the first side skirt engaging a guide groove on the chimney housing.

6. The exhaust hood recited in claim 5, wherein the guide groove is formed in a separate guide member, the guide member detachably secured to the chimney housing.

7. The exhaust hood recited in claim 5, wherein the guide groove includes a base and two side walls, longitudinal profiles of the base and free edges of the side walls substantially following a circular path about an axis of rotation of the pivoting attachment of the first vapor-collecting canopy to the chimney housing.

8. The exhaust hood recited in claim 5, wherein a second vapor-collecting canopy is pivotally secured to the chimney housing opposite the first vapor-collecting canopy, the second vapor-collecting canopy automatically movable between two respective end positions by the driving mechanism, the driving mechanism including a third crank disk which extends parallel to the first crank disk and torque-transmittingly connected to the first crank disk and force-transmittingly connected by a third push rod to the second vapor-collecting canopy.

9. The exhaust hood recited in claim 8, wherein the second vapor-collecting canopy includes a second side skirt overlapping the first side skirt of the first vapor-collecting canopy in one end position of the two vapor-collecting canopies, the first and second side skirts engaging in a first guide groove and a second guide groove, respectively, of a common guide member mounted to the chimney housing, the first and second guide groves spaced-apart.

10. The exhaust hood recited in claim 1, wherein the first vapor-collecting canopy includes an angularly bent portion and the chimney housing includes an edge, the angularly bent portion and the edge pivotally securing the first vapor-collecting canopy to the chimney housing.

11. The exhaust hood recited in claim 2, wherein the driving mechanism includes a second crank disk extending parallel to the first crank disk, the second crank disk torque-transmittingly connected to the first crank disk via a shaft and connected by a second push rod to the first vapor-collecting canopy, the first and second push rods secured to the first vapor-collecting canopy so as to be substantially maximally spaced apart.

12. The exhaust hood recited in claim 3, wherein the driving mechanism includes a second crank disk extending parallel to the first crank disk, the second crank disk torque-transmittingly connected to the first crank disk via a shaft and connected by a second push rod to the first vapor-collecting canopy, the first and second push rods secured to the first vapor-collecting canopy so as to be substantially maximally spaced apart.

13. The exhaust hood recited in claim 2, wherein the first vapor-collecting canopy includes a first side skirt, the first side skirt engaging a guide groove on the chimney housing.

14. The exhaust hood recited in claim 3, wherein the first vapor-collecting canopy includes a first side skirt, the first side skirt engaging a guide groove on the chimney housing.

15. The exhaust hood recited in claim 4, wherein the first vapor-collecting canopy includes a first side skirt, the first side skirt engaging a guide groove on the chimney housing.

16. The exhaust hood recited in claim 6, wherein the guide groove includes a base and two side walls, longitudinal profiles of the base and free edges of the side walls substantially following a circular path about an axis of rotation of the pivoting attachment of the first vapor-collecting canopy to the chimney housing.

17. The exhaust hood recited in claim 2, wherein a second vapor-collecting canopy is pivotally secured to the chimney housing opposite the first vapor-collecting canopy, the second vapor-collecting canopy automatically movable between two respective end positions by the driving mechanism, the driving mechanism including a third crank disk which extends parallel to the first crank disk and torque-transmittingly connected to the first crank disk and force-transmittingly connected by a third push rod to the second vapor-collecting canopy.

18. The exhaust hood recited in claim 3, wherein a second vapor-collecting canopy is pivotally secured to the chimney housing opposite the first vapor-collecting canopy, the second vapor-collecting canopy automatically movable between two respective end positions by the driving mechanism, the driving mechanism including a third crank disk which extends parallel to the first crank disk and torque-transmittingly connected to the first crank disk and force-transmittingly connected by a third push rod to the second vapor-collecting canopy.