RANGE HOOD

A range hood includes: fan unit (4) having a built-in fan; frame unit (3) connected to the fan unit; rectifier (5) disposed in a lower part of the frame unit; and communication module (7) mounted on mounting portion (6) of the frame unit. The communication module includes transmitting/receiving unit (11) and transmitting/receiving unit case (8). The communication module performs, via the transmitting/receiving unit, radio communication using radio waves with a central control unit that controls another ventilation apparatus or another air conditioning apparatus. The transmitting/receiving unit case includes case portion (9) covering the transmitting/receiving unit, and cover portion (10) connected to the case portion. The mounting portion is made of metal, has a box shape, and has opening (21) so that radio waves arrive at transmitting/receiving unit that is built-in the mounting portion. The cover portion is at least partially made of resin or glass. The cover portion is fixed to the mounting portion so as to block the opening and be exposed to the inside of a room.

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Description
BACKGROUND 1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a range hood.

2. Description of the Related Art

A conventionally known range hood includes a box shaped body, a rectifier, a fan casing in the body, and a filter between the fan casing and a suction port disposed in a lower part of the body (for example, Patent Literature 1). Such a range hood is installed above a cooking appliance, for example, and collects the oily smoke generated during cooking and discharges it to the outdoors.

The range hood is described hereinafter with reference to FIG. 12.

FIG. 12 is a configuration diagram showing a side cross section of a conventional range hood. As shown in FIG. 12, the conventional range hood includes box shaped body 101, and rectifier 102 disposed in a lower part of body 101. Fan casing 103 is disposed in body 101. Centrifugal fan 104 is disposed in fan casing 103, and motor 105 for rotating centrifugal fan 104 is disposed in top plate 108 of fan casing 103. Filter 107 held by movable fixing portion 109 is disposed between suction port 106 disposed in a lower part of body 101 and fan casing 103.

CITATION LIST Patent Literature

PTL 1: Unexamined Japanese Patent Publication No. 2015-187536

SUMMARY

In order to control such a conventional range hood via radio communication from a central control unit, a communication module must be mounted in the range hood. For example, when the communication module is mounted in a region covered with a metal shell inside the body so that it is not affected by the oily smoke generated during cooking, the surrounding metal shell reduces the strength of radio wave propagation, and, disadvantageously, it becomes difficult to control the range hood with the communication module.

In order to suppress the reduction in strength of radio wave propagation, the communication module may be independently installed on a wall surface or the like outside the body without being mounted in the body. In this case, however, the construction man-hour increases.

The present invention addresses the conventional problems. The objective of the present invention is to provide a range hood in which, when a communication module is installed, the reduction in strength of radio wave propagation to a transmitting/receiving unit in the communication module can be suppressed.

In order to achieve this object, a range hood in accordance with an aspect of the present invention includes: a fan unit having a built-in fan; a frame unit connected to the fan unit; a rectifier disposed in a lower part of the frame unit; and a communication module mounted on a mounting portion of the frame unit. The communication module includes a transmitting/receiving unit and a transmitting/receiving unit case. The communication module performs, via the transmitting/receiving unit, radio communication using radio waves with a central control unit that controls another ventilation apparatus or another air conditioning apparatus. The transmitting/receiving unit case includes a case portion covering the transmitting/receiving unit, and a cover portion connected to the case portion. The mounting portion is made of metal, has a box shape, and has an opening so that radio waves arrive at the transmitting/receiving unit that is built-in the mounting portion. The cover portion is at least partially made of resin or glass. The cover portion is fixed to the mounting portion so as to block the opening and be exposed to the inside of a room. Thus, an intended object is achieved.

The present invention can provide a range hood in which, when a communication module is installed, the reduction in strength of radio wave propagation to a transmitting/receiving unit in the communication module can be suppressed.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram showing a side cross section of a range hood in accordance with a first exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a bottom view of the range hood;

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a central control unit for performing radio communication with the range hood;

FIG. 4 is a side sectional view showing a modified example of the range hood;

FIG. 5 is a side sectional view showing another modified example of the range hood;

FIG. 6 is a configuration diagram showing a side cross section of a range hood in accordance with a second exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 7 is a top view of the range hood;

FIG. 8 is a bottom view of the range hood;

FIG. 9 is an enlarged side view of a periphery of a communication module in accordance with the second exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 10 is an enlarged perspective view of the periphery of the communication module;

FIG. 11 is a side configuration diagram showing a modified example of the range hood; and

FIG. 12 is a configuration diagram showing a side cross section of a conventional range hood.

 DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

A range hood in accordance with an aspect of the present invention includes: a fan unit having a built-in fan; a frame unit connected to the fan unit; a rectifier disposed in a lower part of the frame unit; and a communication module mounted on a mounting portion of the frame unit. The communication module includes a transmitting/receiving unit and a transmitting/receiving unit case. The communication module performs, via the transmitting/receiving unit, radio communication using radio waves with a central control unit that controls another ventilation apparatus or another air conditioning apparatus. The transmitting/receiving unit case includes a case portion covering the transmitting/receiving unit, and a cover portion connected to the case portion. The mounting portion is made of metal, has a box shape, and has an opening so that radio waves arrive at the transmitting/receiving unit that is built in the mounting portion. The cover portion is at least partially made of resin or glass. The cover portion is fixed to the mounting portion so as to block the opening and be exposed to the inside of a room.

Thus, the transmitting/receiving unit can transmit or receive radio waves via the cover portion. Even when the transmitting/receiving unit of the communication module is disposed in the metal-made mounting portion with a box shape, the reduction in strength of radio wave propagation to the transmitting/receiving unit can be suppressed. Thus, the communication module can be mounted in the range hood, and the increase in construction man-hour can be suppressed.

A range hood in accordance with another aspect of the present invention includes: a fan unit having a built-in fan; a frame unit connected to the fan unit; a rectifier disposed in a lower part of the frame unit; and a communication module. The communication module includes a transmitting/receiving unit and a transmitting/receiving unit case. The communication module performs, via the transmitting/receiving unit, radio communication using radio waves with a central control unit that controls another ventilation apparatus or another air conditioning apparatus. The transmitting/receiving unit case is at least partially made of resin or glass, covers the transmitting/receiving unit, and is disposed on the upper surface of the frame unit so that the transmitting/receiving unit projects into a space separated from the inside of a room.

Thus, the contact of the air containing the oily smoke with the transmitting/receiving unit can be suppressed. As a result, a failure of the communication module can be suppressed, and the reduction in receiver sensitivity of the communication module can be suppressed. Since the transmitting/receiving unit is projected into the space separated from the inside of the room, the transmitting/receiving unit can be disposed outside the body. Therefore, the transmitting/receiving unit can transmit or receive radio waves via the transmitting/receiving unit case, and the reduction in strength of radio wave propagation to the transmitting/receiving unit can be suppressed. Thus, the communication module can be mounted in the range hood, and the increase in construction man-hour can be suppressed.

Hereinafter, exemplary embodiments of the present invention are described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

First Exemplary Embodiment

FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram showing a side cross section of a range hood in accordance with a first exemplary embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a bottom view of the range hood of the first exemplary embodiment. As shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, body 2 constituting the range hood is installed above heating cooker 13. For example, heating cooker 13 is a gas cooker disposed on cooking table 14 in room inside 1 where a kitchen or the like is formed.

Body 2 includes fan unit 4 having a built-in fan (not shown), and frame unit 3 connected to fan unit 4.

Frame unit 3 includes metal-made mounting portion 6 with a box shape on which communication module 7 is mounted.

Mounting portion 6 has front surface 6a, upper surface 6b, lower surface 6c, rear surface 6d, left-side surface 6e, and right-side surface 6f.

Operation unit 15 used for operating a motion of the fan is disposed on front surface 6a of mounting portion 6.

Rectifier 5 is disposed in a lower part of frame unit 3. Suction unit 12 for sucking the air containing the oily smoke generated during cooking is formed between rectifier 5 and rear surface 6d of mounting portion 6.

Communication module 7 includes transmitting/receiving unit case 8, and transmitting/receiving unit 11 in transmitting/receiving unit case 8.

Transmitting/receiving unit case 8 includes case portion 9 and cover portion 10. Case portion 9 covers transmitting/receiving unit 11. Cover portion 10 is at least partially made of resin or glass, for example, and is connected to case portion 9.

Mounting portion 6 is made of metal, has a box shape, and has opening 21 in lower surface 6c so that radio waves arrive at transmitting/receiving unit 11.

Communication module 7 is inserted into mounting portion 6 via opening 21. In other words, communication module 7 is mounted in mounting portion 6. As shown in FIG. 1, cover portion 10 of transmitting/receiving unit case 8 is fixed to lower surface 6c of mounting portion 6 so as to block opening 21 and be exposed to room inside 1. In other words, cover portion 10 is fixed to mounting portion 6 so as to block opening 21 from the outside of mounting portion 6.

In such a configuration, transmitting/receiving unit 11 can transmit or receive radio waves via cover portion 10. Transmitting/receiving unit 11 is not affected by the oily smoke during cooking because it is covered with case portion 9 and cover portion 10. If transmitting/receiving unit 11 is covered with metal, the strength of radio wave propagation to transmitting/receiving unit 11 is reduced. In the present exemplary embodiment, however, the lower surface of transmitting/receiving unit 11 is covered with cover portion 10 made of resin or glass. Thus, the reduction in strength of radio wave propagation to transmitting/receiving unit 11 can be suppressed. Therefore, communication module 7 can be mounted in the range hood without being covered with a metal shell, and hence it is not necessary that communication module 7 is independently disposed on a wall surface or the like outside body 2. Therefore, the construction man-hour can be equivalent to the man-hour for installation of a conventional range hood.

Hereinafter, communication module 7 is described with reference to FIG. 3. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a central control unit for performing radio communication with the range hood of the first exemplary embodiment. As shown in FIG. 3, communication module 41 mounted in central control unit 31 performs radio communication using radio waves with communication modules 7, 42b, 42c, and 42d mounted in range hood 32a and a plurality of ventilation apparatuses 32b, 32c, and 32d. In accordance with the control specification corresponding to the information of the operation states of the range hood and ventilation apparatuses, central control unit 31 controls the operations of range hood 32a and the plurality of ventilation apparatuses 32b, 32c, and 32d.

Some or whole of other ventilation apparatuses 32b, 32c, and 32d may be air conditioning apparatuses such as air conditioners. Range hood 32a is also a ventilation apparatus.

The first exemplary embodiment has described the case that communication module 7 is mounted on the right-side surface 6f side and lower surface 6c side of mounting portion 6. The mounting position of communication module 7 is not limited to this. Hereinafter, another mounting position of communication module 7 is described. FIG. 4 and FIG. 5 are configuration diagrams showing side cross sections of other range hoods of the first exemplary embodiment. As shown in FIG. 4, opening 21 may be disposed in upper surface 6b of mounting portion 6, and cover portion 10 of transmitting/receiving unit case 8 may be fixed to upper surface 6b of mounting portion 6. In other words, communication module 7 may be mounted on the upper surface 6b side. As shown in FIG. 4, communication module 7 is installed near the center of mounting portion 6 in the lateral direction, but may be installed on the left-side surface 6e side or may be installed on the right-side surface 6f side.

In the above-mentioned configuration, since communication module 7 is installed on the upper surface 6b side of mounting portion 6, cover portion 10 of transmitting/receiving unit case 8 is hardly affected by the hot air sucked into the range hood during cooking and the heat from heating cooker 13. Therefore, the reduction in strength of radio wave propagation due to increase in ambient temperature of communication module 7 can be suppressed.

Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 5, opening 21 may be disposed in rear surface 6d of mounting portion 6, and cover portion 10 of transmitting/receiving unit case 8 may be fixed to rear surface 6d of mounting portion 6. As shown in FIG. 5, communication module 7 is installed near the center of mounting portion 6 in the lateral direction, but may be installed on the left-side surface 6e side or may be installed on the right-side surface 6f side.

In the above-mentioned configuration, since communication module 7 is installed on the rear surface 6d side of mounting portion 6, cover portion 10 is not seen from the front surface of the range hood. Therefore, the designability can be improved.

Second Exemplary Embodiment

Hereinafter, a range hood of a second exemplary embodiment is described with reference to FIG. 6 to FIG. 11. In FIG. 6 to FIG. 11, elements similar to those in FIG. 1 to FIG. 5 are denoted by the same reference marks, and the detailed descriptions of those elements are omitted.

FIG. 6 is a configuration diagram showing a side cross section of the range hood in accordance with the second exemplary embodiment.

As shown in FIG. 6, the range hood includes: fan unit 4 having a built-in fan (not shown); frame unit 3 connected to fan unit 4; rectifier 5 disposed in a lower part of frame unit 3; and communication module 57.

Fan unit 4 includes a fan, fan casing 54, and shell 55. The fan is built in fan casing 54. Shell 55 covers fan casing 54.

Communication module 57 is fixed to upper surface 3a of frame unit 3 via fixing portion 53. A part of communication module 57 projects into space 50 (for example, space above ceiling wall 51) separated from the inside of the room.

As shown by air flow A, the air containing the oily smoke generated during cooking is sucked into frame unit 3 through suction unit 12. Then, the air is sucked into fan casing 54 with the fan. Then, the air is discharged to the outside through duct 52 connected to fan casing 54.

Here, a part of fixing portion 53 may be disposed on a region exposed to air flow A.

FIG. 7 is a top view of the range hood in accordance with the second exemplary embodiment. Although not shown in FIG. 6, FIG. 7 also shows flange portion 3b of frame unit 3.

FIG. 8 is a bottom view of the range hood in accordance with the second exemplary embodiment. Although not shown in FIG. 6, FIG. 8 also shows lead wire 61 connected to communication module 57. FIG. 8 shows the state where rectifier 5 is removed.

FIG. 9 is an enlarged side view of a periphery of the communication module in accordance with the second exemplary embodiment. FIG. 10 is an enlarged perspective view of the periphery of the communication module in accordance with the second exemplary embodiment. FIG. 9 and FIG. 10 show one example of a fixing method of communication module 57 via fixing portion 53.

As shown in FIG. 10, communication module 57 includes transmitting/receiving unit 59 and transmitting/receiving unit case 58.

Transmitting/receiving unit case 58 is at least partially made of resin or glass, for example. Transmitting/receiving unit case 58 covers transmitting/receiving unit 59. In FIG. 10, a part of transmitting/receiving unit 59 in transmitting/receiving unit case 58 can be seen.

As shown in FIG. 9, via fixing portion 53 disposed under upper surface 3a of frame unit 3, transmitting/receiving unit case 58 is fixed to upper surface 3a of frame unit 3. Fixing portion 53 disposed under upper surface 3a may include a part disposed above upper surface 3a.

As shown in FIG. 9 and FIG. 10, fixing portion 53 may include claws 71. In the present exemplary embodiment, fixing portion 53 is engaged with upper surface 3a via claws 71. Fixing portion 53 is fixed to upper surface 3a also using screws 72 and nuts 73. Each screw 72 includes tip 72a. Fixing portion 53 is made of resin or glass, for example.

Thus, in the range hood of the present exemplary embodiment, transmitting/receiving unit case 58 is disposed on upper surface 3a of frame unit 3 so that transmitting/receiving unit 59 projects into space 50 separated from room inside 1.

Since transmitting/receiving unit 59 is disposed in space 50 separated from room inside 1 in this configuration, a contact of the air containing the oily smoke with transmitting/receiving unit 59 can be suppressed. As a result, a failure of communication module 57 can be suppressed, and the reduction in receiver sensitivity of communication module 57 can be suppressed.

Transmitting/receiving unit 59 is covered with transmitting/receiving unit case 58, but, when transmitting/receiving unit case 58 has a clearance, air can come into transmitting/receiving unit case 58 through the clearance. When transmitting/receiving unit 59 projects into a space (for example, a space under upper surface 3a) directly communicating with room inside 1 differently from the present exemplary embodiment, the air containing the oily smoke can flow into a periphery of transmitting/receiving unit 59 through the clearance in transmitting/receiving unit case 58. At this time, there is a risk of the following accidents:

    • transmitting/receiving unit 59 is contaminated with the air to make communication module 57 break down; and
    • the heat of the air adversely affects the receiver sensitivity of communication module 57.

While, in the range hood of the present exemplary embodiment, transmitting/receiving unit case 58 is disposed above upper surface 3a so that transmitting/receiving unit 59 projects into space 50 (transmitting/receiving unit is disposed above upper surface 3a). Therefore, even when transmitting/receiving unit case 58 has a clearance, a contact of the air containing the oily smoke with transmitting/receiving unit 59 can be suppressed. Especially, fixing portion 53 disposed under upper surface 3a further suppresses the inflow of contaminated air into transmitting/receiving unit case 58. As a result, a failure of communication module 57 can be further suppressed, and also the reduction in receiver sensitivity of communication module 57 can be further suppressed.

As shown in FIG. 6 and FIG. 10, by projecting transmitting/receiving unit 59 into space 50, transmitting/receiving unit 59 can be disposed outside body 2. In other words, transmitting/receiving unit 59 is not covered with metal-made frame unit 3, so that the strength of radio wave propagation hardly decreases.

Thus, transmitting/receiving unit 59 can transmit or receive radio waves via transmitting/receiving unit case 58, and the reduction in strength of radio wave propagation to transmitting/receiving unit 59 can be suppressed even when transmitting/receiving unit 59 of communication module 57 is mounted in body 2.

Then, regarding the range hood of the present exemplary embodiment, communication module 57 can be mounted in the range hood while increase in construction man-hour is suppressed.

Then, a range hood can be provided in which, even when communication module 57 is mounted in body 2, the influence of the oily smoke during cooking can be reduced and the reduction in strength of radio wave propagation to transmitting/receiving unit 59 can be suppressed.

Similarly to FIG. 3, communication module 57 performs, via transmitting/receiving unit 59, radio communication using radio waves with central control unit 31 that controls other ventilation apparatuses 32b, 32c, and 32d.

The second exemplary embodiment has described the case that the range hood is installed in space 50 above ceiling wall 51. However, the installation position of the range hood is not limited to this. Hereinafter, a modified example of the second exemplary embodiment is described. FIG. 11 is a side configuration diagram showing the modified example of the range hood in accordance with the second exemplary embodiment. The second exemplary embodiment has described the case that the range hood is installed above ceiling wall 51. Hereinafter, the case that the range hood is installed in cabinet 81 disposed above heating cooker 13 and cooking table 14 is described.

As shown in FIG. 11, a great part of frame unit 3 is disposed in internal space 80 as the inside of cabinet 81. Cabinet 81 has upper surface 81a, side surface 81b, and lower surface 81c. Internal space 80 is a space surrounded by upper surface 81a, side surface 81b, and lower surface 81c.

As shown by air flow B, the air containing the oily smoke generated during cooking is sucked into frame unit 3 through suction unit 12. Then, the air is sucked into fan casing 54 with the fan. Then, the air is discharged to the outside through duct 52 connected to fan casing 54.

Communication module 57 shown in FIG. 11 is similar to communication module 57 shown in FIG. 10.

Transmitting/receiving unit case 58 is disposed on upper surface 3a of frame unit 3 so that transmitting/receiving unit 59 projects into internal space 80 as space 50 separated from room inside 1.

In this configuration, a contact of the air containing the oily smoke with transmitting/receiving unit 59 can be suppressed. As a result, a failure of communication module 57 can be suppressed, and also the reduction in receiver sensitivity of communication module 57 can be suppressed.

Furthermore, by projecting transmitting/receiving unit 59 into internal space 80, transmitting/receiving unit 59 can be disposed outside metal-made body 2. Therefore, transmitting/receiving unit 59 can transmit or receive radio waves via transmitting/receiving unit case 58.

In FIG. 11, cabinet 81 is shown by a sectional view, but frame unit 3 is shown by not a sectional view but a side view.

Upper surface 3a includes tilted upper surface 3a1 of frame unit 3. In other words, the upper surface of frame unit 3 means a surface upper than side surface 3c of frame unit 3. Therefore, transmitting/receiving unit case 58 may be disposed on upper surface 3a1 so that transmitting/receiving unit 59 projects into internal space 80.

In FIG. 6, fan unit 4 includes a fan, fan casing 54, and shell 55. In FIG. 11, however, shell 55 for covering fan casing 54 is not always necessary. In FIG. 11, therefore, fan unit 4 is formed of a fan and fan casing 54.

In FIG. 1, FIG. 6, and FIG. 11, the air having passed through suction unit 12 first comes into frame unit 3, and then flows in fan unit 4. Frame unit 3 forms a region into which the air having passed through suction unit 12 first comes.

Hereinafter, a supplement to the exemplary embodiments is described.

As shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 3, the range hood in accordance with an aspect of the present invention includes: fan unit 4 having a built-in fan; frame unit 3 connected to the fan unit; rectifier 5 disposed in a lower part of frame unit 3; and communication module 7 mounted on mounting portion 6 of frame unit 3. Communication module 7 includes transmitting/receiving unit 11 and transmitting/receiving unit case 8. Communication module 7 performs, via transmitting/receiving unit 11, radio communication using radio waves with central control unit 31 that controls other ventilation apparatuses 32b, 32c, and 32d or other air conditioning apparatuses. Transmitting/receiving unit case 8 includes case portion 9 covering transmitting/receiving unit 11, and cover portion 10 connected to case portion 9. Mounting portion 6 is made of metal, has a box shape, and has opening 21 so that radio waves arrive at transmitting/receiving unit 11 that is built-in mounting portion 6. Cover portion 10 is at least partially made of resin or glass, and is fixed to mounting portion 6 so as to block opening 21 and be exposed to room inside 1.

Thus, transmitting/receiving unit 11 can transmit or receive radio waves via cover portion 10. Thus, even when transmitting/receiving unit 11 of communication module 7 is disposed in metal-made mounting portion 6 with a box shape, the reduction in strength of radio wave propagation to transmitting/receiving unit 11 can be suppressed. Therefore, communication module 7 can be mounted in the range hood, and the increase in construction man-hour can be suppressed.

Furthermore, cover portion 10 and opening 21 may be disposed in lower surface 6c of mounting portion 6.

Thus, transmitting/receiving unit 11 can transmit or receive radio waves via cover portion 10 that is disposed on lower surface 6c of the range hood and is exposed to a space in room inside 1.

Furthermore, cover portion 10 and opening 21 may be disposed in upper surface 6b of mounting portion 6.

Thus, communication module 7 is hardly affected by the hot air sucked into the range hood during cooking and the heat from heating cooker 13. Therefore, the reduction in strength of radio wave propagation due to increase in ambient temperature of communication module 7 can be suppressed.

Furthermore, the following configuration may be employed:

    • suction unit 12 is formed between rectifier 5 and rear surface 6d of mounting portion 6; and
    • cover portion 10 and opening 21 are disposed in rear surface 6d of mounting portion 6.

Thus, cover portion 10 is not seen from the front surface of the range hood, and hence the designability can be improved.

As shown in FIG. 6, FIG. 10, and FIG. 11, the range hood in accordance with another aspect of the present invention includes: fan unit 4 having a built-in fan; frame unit 3 connected to fan unit 4; rectifier 5 disposed in a lower part of frame unit 3; and communication module 57. Communication module 57 includes transmitting/receiving unit 59 and transmitting/receiving unit case 58. Communication module 57 performs, via transmitting/receiving unit 59, radio communication using radio waves with central control unit 31 that controls a plurality of ventilation apparatuses 32b, 32c, and 32d or other air conditioning apparatuses. At least a part or the whole of transmitting/receiving unit case 58 is made of resin or glass, and transmitting/receiving unit case 58 covers transmitting/receiving unit 59. Transmitting/receiving unit case 58 is disposed on upper surface 3a or 3a1 of frame unit 3 so that transmitting/receiving unit 59 projects into space 50 separated from room inside 1.

Thus, a contact of the air containing the oily smoke with transmitting/receiving unit 59 can be suppressed. As a result, a failure of communication module 57 can be suppressed, and also the reduction in receiver sensitivity of communication module 57 can be suppressed. By projecting transmitting/receiving unit 59 into space 50, transmitting/receiving unit 59 can be disposed outside body 2. Therefore, transmitting/receiving unit 59 can transmit or receive radio waves via transmitting/receiving unit case 58, and the reduction in strength of radio wave propagation to transmitting/receiving unit 59 can be suppressed. Thus, communication module 57 can be mounted in the range hood, and the increase in construction man-hour can be suppressed.

Space 50 may be space 50 above ceiling wall 51.

Thus, communication module 57 can perform transmission or reception using space 50 above ceiling wall 51.

Space 50 may be internal space 80 in cabinet 81.

Thus, communication module 57 can perform transmission or reception using internal space 80 in cabinet 81.

Furthermore, transmitting/receiving unit case 58 may be fixed to upper surface 3a or 3a1 of frame unit 3 via fixing portion 53 that is disposed under upper surface 3a or 3a1 of frame unit 3.

Thus, fixing portion 53 disposed under upper surface 3a or 3a1 can further suppress the inflow of the contaminated air into transmitting/receiving unit case 58. As a result, a failure of communication module 57 can be further suppressed, and the reduction in receiver sensitivity of communication module 57 can be further suppressed.

Transmitting/receiving unit case 58 and fixing portion 53 may be formed integrally with each other.

Thus, transmitting/receiving unit case 58 and fixing portion 53 can be downsized, and hence communication module 57 is easily attached to upper surface 3a or 3a1. When transmitting/receiving unit case 58 and fixing portion 53 are formed integrally with each other, transmitting/receiving unit case 58 may include claw 71. When transmitting/receiving unit case 58 and fixing portion 53 are formed integrally with each other, it is preferable that transmitting/receiving unit case 58 and fixing portion 53 are made of resin.

The range hoods of the present invention have been described on the basis of the exemplary embodiments, but the present invention is not limited to the exemplary embodiments. Aspects obtained by applying various modifications conceived by persons skilled in the art to the present exemplary embodiments or aspects obtained by combining elements in different exemplary embodiments are included in the scope of the present invention as long as these aspects do not depart from the spirit of the present invention.

A range hood of the present invention allows a communication module to be mounted in the range hood, and hence is useful also as a ventilation air conditioning system or the like in which a central control unit controls another ventilation apparatus or another air conditioning apparatus.

Claims

1. A range hood comprising:

a fan unit having a built-in fan;
a frame unit connected to the fan unit;
a rectifier disposed in a lower part of the frame unit; and
a communication module mounted on a mounting portion of the frame unit,
wherein the communication module includes a transmitting/receiving unit and a transmitting/receiving unit case, and performs radio communication using a radio wave with a central control unit via the transmitting/receiving unit, the central control unit controlling another ventilation apparatus or another air conditioning apparatus, the transmitting/receiving unit case includes a case portion covering the transmitting/receiving unit, and a cover portion connected to the case portion, the mounting portion is made of metal, has a box shape, and has an opening so that the radio wave arrives at the transmitting/receiving unit that is build-in the mounting portion, and the cover portion is at least partially made of resin or glass, and is fixed to the mounting portion so as to block the opening and be exposed to an inside of a room.

2. The range hood according to claim 1, wherein

the cover portion and the opening are disposed in a lower surface of the mounting portion.

3. The range hood according to claim 1, wherein

the cover portion and the opening are disposed in an upper surface of the mounting portion.

4. The range hood according to claim 1, wherein

a suction unit is formed between the rectifier and a rear surface of the mounting portion, and the cover portion and the opening are disposed in the rear surface of the mounting portion.

5. A range hood comprising:

a fan unit having a built-in fan;
a frame unit connected to the fan unit;
a rectifier disposed in a lower part of the frame unit; and
a communication module,
wherein the communication module includes a transmitting/receiving unit and a transmitting/receiving unit case, and performs radio communication using a radio wave with a central control unit via the transmitting/receiving unit, the central control unit controlling another ventilation apparatus or another air conditioning apparatus, and the transmitting/receiving unit case is at least partially made of resin or glass, covers the transmitting/receiving unit, and is disposed on an upper surface of the frame unit so that the transmitting/receiving unit projects into a space separated from an inside of a room.

6. The range hood according to claim 5, wherein

the space includes a space above a ceiling wall.

7. The range hood according to claim 5, wherein

the space includes an internal space in a cabinet.

8. The range hood according to claim 5, wherein

the transmitting/receiving unit case is fixed to the upper surface of the frame unit via a fixing portion disposed under the upper surface of the frame unit.

9. The range hood according to claim 8, wherein

the transmitting/receiving unit case and the fixing portion are made of resin, and the transmitting/receiving unit case and the fixing portion are formed integrally with each other.
Patent History
Publication number: 20180087781
Type: Application
Filed: Sep 12, 2017
Publication Date: Mar 29, 2018
Inventors: NORIHIKO HASEGAWA (Aichi), NAOYUKI FUNADA (Aichi)
Application Number: 15/702,646
Classifications
International Classification: F24C 15/20 (20060101); F24F 11/00 (20060101);