COOKTOP SYSTEM AND FUME EXTRACTION DEVICE FOR THE DOWNWARD EXTRACTION OF COOKING FUMES

A cooktop system has a cooktop for heating food, and a fume extraction device for the downward extraction of cooking fumes. The fume extraction device includes at least one inflow opening for entering of the cooking fumes into the fume extraction device, and at least one fan for suctioning the cooking fumes through the at least one inflow opening, wherein a front installation height of the cooktop system in a horizontal region between a front edge and a geometric center of area of the cooktop system is at most 100 mm.

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Description
CROSS-REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the priorities of German Patent Applications, Serial No. 10 2018 212 330.6, filed Jul. 24, 2018, Serial No. 10 2018 215 426.0, filed Sep. 11, 2018, and Serial No. 10 2019 202 089.5, filed Feb. 15, 2019, pursuant to 35 U.S.C. 119(a)-(d), the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety as if fully set forth herein.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to a cooktop system. The invention furthermore relates to a fume extraction device for the downward extraction of cooking fumes for a cooktop system of this type. The invention furthermore relates to a cooktop system having a cooktop cover.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

A cooktop system having a fume extraction device which for the downward extraction of cooking fumes has two fans is known from WO 2012/146 237 A1. In order for the required extraction output to be provided, the fans are of a comparatively large dimension, and the accommodation of said fans in the fume extraction device is accordingly intensive in terms of installation space. The space below the cooktop system is maintained as a storage space only to a limited extent.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is an object of the invention to improve a cooktop system.

This object is achieved by a cooktop system having a cooktop for heating food; and a fume extraction device for the downward extraction of cooking fumes, having at least one inflow opening for entering of the cooking fumes into the fume extraction device; and

at least one fan for suctioning the cooking fumes through the at least one inflow opening; wherein a front installation height of the cooktop system in a horizontal region between a front edge and a geometric center of area of the cooktop system is at most 100 mm, characterized by an overall installation height (H) of at most 250 mm. It has been recognized according to the invention that a cooktop system which has a cooktop and a fume extraction device and which has a front installation height between a front edge and a geometric center of area of at most 100 mm enables a particularly intensive utilization of the installation space available in kitchens, in particular as storage space. The cooktop system is preferably configured for the integration in a worktop. The worktop preferably bears on an item of kitchen furniture, in particular a kitchen base unit. The front edge of the cooktop system is to be understood to be that edge that faces the user of the cooktop system. Control elements for controlling the cooktop system are preferably disposed proximal to the front edge. In particular, the control elements, in particular items of information illustrated on display elements, can be oriented in the direction of the front edge. The front region of the cooktop system is particularly easily accessible to the user. On account of the front installation height of the cooktop system being at most 100 mm, the installation space that is available and accessible to the user in a simple manner can largely remain as a storage space. For example, storage shelves and/or drawers which render the available storage space utilizable in a particularly simple manner can be provided in a front region of the item of kitchen furniture in which the cooktop system is disposed.

The cooktop system has an overall installation height, an overall installation width, and an overall installation depth. The overall installation height corresponds to the vertical extent of the cooktop system. The overall installation depth corresponds to the extent of the cooktop system perpendicular to the overall installation height and perpendicular to the front edge. The overall installation width is the extent of the cooktop system perpendicular to the overall installation height and to the overall installation depth. When viewed in a plan view, the cooktop system can have flat regions which are configured having a particularly minor installation height. These flat regions can represent at least 30%, in particular at least 50%, in particular at least 75%, in particular at least 90%, of an area claimed by the cooktop system in the plan view. The installation height of the cooktop system in these flat regions preferably is at most 250 mm, in particular at most 200 mm, in particular at most 150 mm, in particular at most 120 mm, in particular at most 100 mm, in particular at most 75 mm, in particular at most 50 mm. The flat region, when viewed in the plan view, proceeding from the front edge preferably extends across at least 20%, in particular at least 30%, in particular at least 50%, in particular at least 75%, of the overall installation depth. The flat region, when viewed in the plan view, in particular proceeding from one or both lateral edges of the cooktop system, more preferably extends across at least 20%, in particular at least 30%, in particular at least 50%, in particular at least 75%, of the overall installation width. The space which below the cooktop system is readily accessible to the user can thus be utilized as a storage space.

According to an aspect of the invention, the fume extraction device has at least two, in particular at least three, of the fans for suctioning the cooking fumes. The fume extraction device can have exactly one or exactly two or exactly three fans. The fume extraction device preferably has at least four, in particular at least five, in particular at least six, in particular at least eight, in particular at least ten, fans. The at least one fan, in particular the at least three fans, can be configured as axial fans and/or radial fans and/or crossflow fans. A large number of fans enables the use of comparatively small and/or silent fans while maintaining the extraction output. In comparison to axial fans, crossflow fans have a smaller diameter and therefore enable particularly compact dimensions of the fume extraction device at an identical extraction output.

According to an aspect of the invention, the at least one fan, in particular the at least three fans, have in each case one fan propeller having a diameter of at most 150 mm, in particular at most 120 mm, in particular at most 100 mm, in particular at most 80 mm, in particular at most 50 mm. The fume extraction device can thus be configured so as to be particularly compact. The installation space claimed by the fume extraction device is minor.

In principle, fans having larger fan propellers, in particular having a diameter of 160 mm, 200 mm, or up to 250 mm, can also be used. It is in particular possible for four fans having fan propellers having a diameter of in each case 160 mm to be used. The fan propellers can in each case have an installation height of 80 mm or less, in particular 50 mm or less.

An installation height of the fume extraction device preferably is at most 220 mm, in particular at most 200 mm, in particular at most 150 mm, in particular at most 120 mm, in particular at most 100 mm. It is advantageously achieved on account thereof that the fume extraction device is able to be configured in a particularly compact manner A space below the fume extraction device can be largely maintained as a storage space, for example for cooking utensils.

According to a further aspect of the invention, the at least two fans, in particular the at least three fans, are aerodynamically connected to one another by way of a negative-pressure duct portion of the fume extraction device. The negative-pressure duct portion of the fume extraction device extends between the at least one inflow opening and the at least two, in particular the at least three, fans. All of the fans are preferably aerodynamically connected to one another by way of the negative-pressure duct portion. The at least two, in particular the at least three, fans can be connected to the at least one inflow opening by way of a single negative-pressure duct portion. Alternatively, the fume extraction device can have a plurality of inflow openings, wherein each of the inflow openings is aerodynamically connected to one of the fans by way of a separate negative-pressure duct portion. All of the at least two, in particular of the at least three, fans are preferably able to be controlled in a mutually independent manner, in particular by means of a corresponding control installation. Cooking fumes can thus be preferably extracted in a mutually independent manner by way of the individual inflow openings. In order for the extraction output to be varied, all of the fans, or individual ones thereof, can be selectively activatable. The individual fans can thus at all times be operated at an optimum rotating speed which is in particular determined by the geometry of the fan propellers and that which said fans operate in an efficient and silent manner, wherein the extraction output remains controllable by activating a reduced number of fans in comparison to the overall number of fans.

The fume extraction device can have a filter for filtering the cooking fumes. On account of the at least two, in particular the at least three, fans being aerodynamically connected to one another by way of the negative-pressure duct portion, the number of filters can be less than the number of fans. The fume extraction device is thus particularly easy to service and to embody in a compact manner. The fume extraction device is preferably configured in such a manner that each of the fans extracts the cooking fumes through each of the filters, in particular through a single filter.

According to a further aspect of the invention, the filter in the vertical direction is disposed so as to be adjacent to the at least one inflow opening and/or a food carrier, in particular a surface of the food carrier, and/or so as to be flush here with. The filter, when viewed in a plan view, can be completely overlapped by the food carrier or be disposed behind the food carrier. On account of a disposal of the filter in such a manner, the fume extraction device can be configured in a particularly space-saving manner and have a particularly minor installation height.

The filter can be adhesively bonded to the food carrier and/or by way of a filter receptacle, be connected to the food carrier, in particular in a formfitting manner, in particular by way of a rail. The filter is preferably reversible, in particular able to be removed without tools, from the fume extraction device, in particular the food carrier. The filter can be configured as a grease filter. An area of the filter which, when viewed in a plan view, is covered by the food carrier is preferably at least 50% of the area of the food carrier when viewed in the plan view. Energy-efficient filtering of the cooking fumes is thus guaranteed.

The fume extraction device can have at least one cover for covering the at least one inflow opening. The cover can be disposed so as to be parallel to a surface of the food carrier, in particular so as to be flush with the surface of the latter. The cover can have a plurality of, in particular at least ten, in particular at least fifty, in particular at least one hundred, cover openings for extracting the cooking fumes. The cover can be configured as a mesh or as a knitted metal mesh. The cover can comprise glass, in particular glass ceramics, or a metal, in particular stainless steel. The cover, in particular in terms of color and/or structure, is preferably adapted to the food carrier in such a manner that said cover and said food carrier, if at all, are barely able to be visually distinguished from one another.

The filter can comprise the at least one cover and at least one filter element. The cover can be reversibly connected to the filter element. The filter can have a collection tray for receiving overflowing liquids. The filter is triangular in the cross section, for example.

According to an aspect of the invention, the fume extraction device has at least one fan motor which, in a rotatingly driven manner, is in each case connected to at least two, in particular to at least three, of the fans. All of the fans are preferably rotatingly driven by means of a single fan motor. To this end, the fan motor by way of one or a plurality of rotation-transmitting means, in particular one or a plurality of transmissions and/or a belt drive, can be connected in a rotation-transmitting manner to the respective fan propeller of the at least two, in particular at least three, fans. The fan motor can be connected in a rotation-transmitting manner to the fan propellers of the fans, or be decoupled from the latter, in particular by way of a switchable clutch installation. In general, the number of fan motors can be less than the number of fans, in particular less than the number of fan propellers. This aspect is also advantageous independent of the other details of the present invention.

According to a further aspect of the invention, the fume extraction device comprises at least one odor filter, in particular an activated carbon filter, that is disposed in the negative-pressure duct portion. The filter is advantageously configured as a combination filter, wherein said combination filter comprises a grease filter as well as an odor filter. The odor filter disposed in the negative-pressure duct portion is able to be reversibly removed in a particularly simple manner, in particular by way of the at least one inflow opening. The fume extraction device is thus particularly simple to service.

According to a further aspect of the invention, at least two of the fans have rotation axes which are oriented so as to be mutually oblique. This is to be understood such that at least two of the fans have rotation axes which are not mutually parallel. The rotation axes of the at least two, in particular of the at least three fans can be oriented so as to be vertical and/or horizontal. The rotation axis of the at least one fan, in particular of the at least two, in particular of the at least three fans, can also be disposed so as to be inclined in relation to the vertical direction, wherein an angle in relation to the vertical direction is more than 5° and less than 85°. The rotation axis of the at least one fan, in particular of the at least two fans can be oriented so as to be radial in relation to the negative-pressure duct portion disposed upstream and/or to a vertical axis that runs in particular through the geometric center of area of the inflow opening. The at least two fans can thus be disposed in a particularly space-saving manner on the negative-pressure duct portion. An angle between the rotation axes of the at least two fans is preferably at least 30°, in particular at least 45°, in particular 90°.

According to a further aspect of the invention, the fume extraction device comprises one or a plurality of fans having a rotation axis which is oriented so as to be inclined in relation to a horizontal plane and to a vertical plane. The statements pertaining to the inclination of the rotation axis refer in particular to all of the fans of the fume extraction device.

The inclination angle between the horizontal plane and the rotation axis of the at least one fan is in a range from 10° to 85°, in particular in a range from 30° to 80°.

It has been demonstrated that an oblique orientation of the rotation axis enables the fume extraction device to be configured with a particularly minor overall installation height, in particular in the front region of the cooktop system. A deflection of the flow between the inflow opening and the at least one fan can in particular be reduced on account of an oblique orientation of the rotation axis, on account of which the extraction of the cooking fumes can take place in a particularly energy-efficient manner.

According to a further aspect of the invention, the fume extraction device comprises at least one baffle element which for masking one side of an upper space that lies upstream of the at least one inflow opening is adjacent to the at least one inflow opening and able to be repositioned along a vertical direction. An upper space is understood to be a space above the fume extraction device from which the cooking fumes are extracted downward by means of the fume extraction device. The baffle element is preferably configured in a plate-shaped manner. The at least one baffle element surrounds the at least one inflow opening on one side, that is to say not completely. When viewed in the plan view, the at least one baffle element surrounds the at least one inflow opening, in particular proceeding from a geometric center of area of the inflow opening, preferably across an angle of at least 30°, in particular at least 45°, in particular at least 90°, in particular at least 120°, in particular at least 180°. The extraction of the cooking fumes can thus take place in a directed and particularly energy-efficient manner.

The effectiveness of the baffle element depends substantially on the height of the latter. The at least one baffle element in the vertical direction, proceeding from the at least one inflow opening, extends preferably upward across at least 50 mm, in particular at least 100 mm, in particular at least 150 mm, in particular at least 200 mm.

The at least one baffle element can be configured so as to be flat or curved once or curved twice, that is to say not be able to be shown in a developed view. The at least one baffle element in the cross section is preferably configured in an arcuate manner.

The at least one baffle element can have an illumination. The at least one baffle element can also have a user interface for controlling the at least one fan, in particular the at least three fans and/or the at least one cooktop.

The at least one baffle element is preferably repositionable relative to the at least one inflow opening. To this end, the fume extraction device can have a guide installation, in particular a gate guide. The at least one baffle element is preferably able to be disposed between a directing position, in which the upper space is masked on one side, and a restoring position, in which the extraction of the cooking fumes takes place so as to be unimpeded by the at least one baffle element.

According to a further aspect of the invention, an upper side of the at least one baffle element in restoring position is able to be disposed below, or so as to be flush with, the inflow opening, that is adjacent thereto. A region above the inflow opening can thus be used for placing food in a manner unimpeded by the at least one baffle element.

The baffle element preferably comprises a closure element for closing the at least one inflow opening, in particular in an air-tight manner, in the restoring position.

When viewed in a plan view, the at least one baffle element in the directing position preferably at least partially covers the at least one inflow opening. The extraction of the cooking fumes can thus take place in a more directed and thus particularly efficient manner.

According to a further aspect of the invention, the at least one inflow opening has an area of at most 100 mm2, in particular at most 10 mm2, in particular at most 1 mm2, in particular at most 0.1 mm2 The number of inflow openings is preferably at least ten, in particular at least twenty-five, in particular at least fifty, in particular at least one hundred, in particular at least one thousand. The extraction of the cooking fumes can thus take place at a multiplicity of different positions and so as to be in direct proximity to the location where the cooking fumes are created. The extraction of the cooking fumes is thus particularly efficient.

According to a further aspect of the invention, the plurality of inflow openings are associated to in each case one of at least two extraction sections, wherein the extraction of the cooking fumes can take place independently by way of each of the extraction sections. The inflow openings of each of the at least two extraction sections can in each case be connected to negative-pressure duct portions that are present so as to be mutually separated in an air-tight manner Each of the at least two extraction sections, in particular by way of in each case one separate negative-pressure duct portion, is preferably aerodynamically connected to in each case at least one fan for extracting the cooking fumes. Each of the at least two extraction sections preferably comprises at least one, in particular at least two, in particular at least five, in particular at least ten, in particular at least fifty, inflow openings.

The cooktop preferably comprises at least one food carrier and at least one heating unit disposed below the food carrier. The at least one heating unit can be configured as a radiation heating unit and/or as an induction heating unit. The at least one heating unit, in particular the induction coils, can in each case have a diameter, or a length and width, respectively, of up to 23 cm, in particular up to 24 cm, in particular more than 24 cm. The cooktop system can in particular have four cooktops having a diameter, or a length and width, respectively, of in each case 24 cm.

The at least one inflow opening, when viewed in a plan view, is preferably disposed in the rear third, in particular in the rear quarter, of the cooktop system. The at least one inflow opening preferably extends across at least 50%, in particular at least 70%, in particular at least 85%, of the width of the cooktop system.

When viewed in a plan view, the food carrier according to an aspect of the invention completely overlaps all of the fans. The horizontal dimensions of the cooktop system are thus particularly minor.

According to a further aspect of the invention, the fans, when viewed in a plan view, are disposed in a region behind the rearward edge of the food carrier. This enables the cooktop system to be configured having a particularly minor installation height in the front region, in particular in the region of the cooktops, which are also referred to as hobs. The cooktop system in the front region, in particular across at least 50%, in particular at least 70%, in particular at least 80%, in particular at least 90%, of the extent thereof in the direction perpendicular to the front edge can have an installation height of at most 10 cm, in particular at most 5 cm, in particular at most 4 cm. These statements pertaining to the installation height of the cooktop system apply in particular to the entire region in which the cooktops are disposed. The cooktop system in this region thus has a minor installation of such a type that the entire space in the base unit situated there below is utilizable. The top drawer in particular does not have to be dispensed with. The latter can optionally be configured with a somewhat reduced internal depth.

According to an aspect of the invention, the filter, when viewed in the plan view, is disposed between at least two of the cooktops, or behind the at least one cooktop.

According to an aspect of the invention, the at least one inflow opening is configured so as to be gas-permeable and liquid-repellent, in particular liquid-tight. To this end, a gas-permeable and liquid-repellent, in particular liquid-tight, layer can be disposed on the at least one inflow opening, in particular on the food carrier. The gas-permeable and liquid-repellent layer can be disposed above or below the food carrier. The gas-permeable and liquid-repellent layer can be attached, in particular in a materially integral or interchangeable manner, on the food carrier and/or on the at least one filter. The gas-permeable and liquid-repellent layer is preferably configured so as to be able to be cleaned, in particular so as to be dishwasher safe. It can be achieved on account thereof that cooking fumes are reliably suctioned downward but liquids cannot invade the region below the food carrier and/or the at least one inflow opening.

The at least one inflow opening can in each case delimit upstream an inflow duct which penetrates the food carrier. The at least one inflow duct can be configured as a bore, in particular as a microbore and/or a perforation. At least one of the inflow openings, when viewed in the plan view, is preferably disposed in a central region of the food carrier, in particular in the region of the geometric center of area of the food carrier. At least one of the inflow openings, when viewed in a plan view, can be disposed in a peripheral region of the food carrier.

According to an aspect of the invention, the proportion in terms of area of a perforated surface of the food carrier in relation to the overall surface of the food carrier, when viewed in a plan view, is at least 30%, in particular at least 50%, in particular at least 75%, in particular 100%.

According to an aspect of the invention, the at least one food carrier is able to be reversibly removed, in particular without tools, from a food carrier receptacle of the cooktop system.

The food carrier can in particular be configured as a separate construction element which can be separated from the other component parts of the cooktop system. Said food carrier can also be able to be separated, in particular removed, conjointly with the induction generators from the other component parts of the cooktop system.

The food carrier can be configured so as to be dishwasher safe and/or for cleaning by a pyrolysis method. To this end, the food carrier can in particular be configured so as to be resistant to scratches and/or corrosion and/or heat, in particular for temperatures of at least 200° C., in particular at least 300° C., in particular at least 400° C., in particular at least 500° C.

The at least one food carrier can also be configured as capacitively and/or electrically heatable hot plate which is in particular removable without tools and/or portable. For electrical heating, the hotplate can have layers of micanite. The hotplate is preferably able to be heated up to a temperature of at most 120° C., in particular at most 100° C., in particular at most 80° C. The food carrier preferably has a specific thermal capacity of at least 500 J/kgK, in particular at least 700 J/kgK, in particular at least 850 J/kgK.

According to a further aspect of the invention, the cooktop system is configured as a compact apparatus. A compact apparatus is understood to be an assembly unit comprising the cooktop and the fume extraction device, wherein the fume extraction device comprises the negative-pressure duct portion and the at least one fan. The cooktop system configured as a compact apparatus is able to be assembled in particular on a worktop in a manner which is particularly rapid and favorable in terms of complexity.

According to a further aspect of the invention, the at least one fan, in particular the at least three fans, when viewed in a plan view, is horizontally disposed completely behind the geometric center of area of the cooktop system, in particular of the food carrier. An overall installation height of the cooktop system can thus be particularly minor. When the cooktop system is attached to a kitchen base unit, the storage space available below the worktop, in particular in a front region, remains largely unimpeded by the cooktop system. The at least one fan, in particular the at least three fans, when viewed in the plan view, is preferably disposed completely in a region behind the food carrier. A rotation axis of the at least one fan, in particular of the at least three fans herein can be oriented so as to be horizontal, in particular in the depth direction of the cooktop.

According to a further aspect of the invention, a front installation height of the cooktop system, in a horizontal region between the front edge and the geometric center of area of the cooktop system, is at most 180 mm, in particular at most 150 mm, in particular at most 120 mm, in particular at most 100 mm, in particular at most 80 mm, in particular at most 50 mm. It has been demonstrated that a cooktop system having an installation height of 40 mm in the front region is possible.

The cooktop system has a minor installation height of this type in particular in a region which, proceeding from the front edge, extends in a direction perpendicular to the latter across at least 30 cm, in particular at least 40 cm, in particular at least 50 cm.

The cooktop system can have a minor installation height of this type in particular in the entire region of the hobs.

An overall installation height of the cooktop system is preferably at most 250 mm, in particular 200 mm, in particular 150 mm.

The invention is furthermore based on the object of improving a cooktop system having a cooktop cover.

This object is achieved by a cooktop system having a cooktop cover which is able to be disposed in an open position in which the at least one inflow opening and the at least one hob are non-covered, and able to be disposed in a closed position in which the at least one inflow opening and the at least one hob, when view in a plan view, are at least partially covered. It has been recognized according to the invention that the cooktop system having the cooktop cover which is able to be repositioned relative to the cooktop and which, when viewed in a plan view, in the closed position at least partially covers and in the open position exposes the at least one inflow opening and the at least one hob is able to be utilized in a particularly flexible and intensive manner A region above the food carrier in which the at least one heating unit heats the food is referred to as a hob.

When the cooktop cover is disposed in the open position, the entire hob can be used in the usual manner for heating the food. When the cooktop cover is disposed in the closed position, a first region above the hob can be utilized for heating food, for example, wherein a second region above the hob can simultaneously be used for preparing the food. By covering the at least one inflow opening at least in portions, the extraction intensity is increased in the non-covered region of the inflow opening in particular while the fan output remains unchanged. An increased extraction output can thus be provided in that region of the hob that is used for cooking. Moreover, the cooktop cover disposed in the open position can reliably protect a wall lying therebehind against grease splatters. An intensive utilization of the space available in a kitchen and an energy-efficient extraction of cooking fumes are thus enabled.

According to a further aspect of the invention, the cooktop cover in the closed position covers only the at least one inflow opening but not the hobs. The cooktop cover in the closed position can adjoin a rear edge of the hobs, in particular of the food carrier, in particular so as to be flush with said rear edge.

An upper side of the cooktop cover can be configured as the mechanically resistant, in particular scratch-resistant, storage surface and/or a cut-resistant cutting surface. When the cooktop cover is disposed in the closed position, the upper side of the cooktop cover can then be utilized for preparing food stuff to be heated, for example. The cooktop cover is preferably highly temperature resistant, in particular to temperatures of at least 150° C., in particular at least 200° C., in particular at least 250° C. The cooktop cover can have a particularly low thermal conductivity of at most 3.0 W/mK, in particular at most 2.0 W/mK, in particular at most 1.0 W/mK. Heated food can thus be placed on the cooktop cover without the risk of damaging the cooktop cover and without the risk of burning the skin on the heated cooktop cover.

The cooktop cover can in particular be made from metal, in particular cast iron, glass, or glass ceramics, or from plastics material.

The cooktop cover is preferably attached so as to be pivotable on the cooktop system, in particular on the cooktop. The cooktop cover can be connected to a drive installation for repositioning the cooktop cover between the closed position and the open position. The drive installation can comprise a motor and/or a spring element. The cooktop cover can thus be repositioned in a particularly simple, in particular automated, manner between the closed position and the open position. The cooktop cover can have a gripping means for the manual repositioning between the open position and the closed position.

The cooktop cover in the closed position preferably completely covers the at least one inflow opening and/or the at least one hob. The cooktop cover in the closed position, when viewed in a plan view, can completely overlap the entire cooktop, in particular the entire food carrier. The cooktop cover in the closed position can bear on the cooktop, in particular on the food carrier. In the closed position, a surface of the cooktop cover can be disposed so as to be flush with a worktop or protrude upward beyond the latter.

According to an aspect of the invention, the cooktop cover in the closed position closes the at least one inflow opening in an air-tight manner. To this end, the cooktop cover can have a closure seal. In the closed position, the closure seal preferably completely surrounds the at least one inflow opening. The exit of odors from the fume extraction device through the at least one inflow opening can thus be reliably prevented, in particular in the case of deactivated fans.

According to a further aspect of the invention, the cooktop cover comprises at least two cover members which are able to be repositioned in a mutually independent manner. The at least one inflow opening and the food carrier are preferably in each case able to be partially covered by the at least two cover members. Regions of the food carrier that are not in use can thus be covered conjointly with an in particular adjacent sub-region of the at least one inflow opening, wherein a further sub-region of the food carrier can in particular be used for heating food. The cooking fumes can be extracted in a particularly intensive manner by way of the thus decreased region of the inflow opening.

The cooktop cover can have at least one closure lid that is attached to the at least one cover member. The closure lid can be configured in such a manner that the latter in the closed position of the at least one cover a member invades a negative-pressure duct portion of the fume extraction device. The closure seal is preferably disposed on the at least one closure lid. The at least one entry opening can thus be closed in a particularly reliable, in particular air-tight, manner.

According to a further aspect of the invention, the cooktop cover can serve as a flow baffle element for an air flow. Said cooktop cover can in particular serve as a flow baffle element for an air flow that flows out above the food carrier. The air flow can in particular be an air flow for generating purging air. The extraction of cooking fumes can be improved by means of the air flow, in particular by means of the purging air.

It is also possible for lines for an air flow, in particular purging-air lines, to be integrated in the cooktop cover. The air flow, in particular the purging air, can flow out through define air outlets, in particular in the region of a free edge of the cooktop cover.

The air flow directed by means of the cooktop cover and/or exiting through the latter can in particular have downward-directed component. On account thereof, the suctioning of cooking fumes by means of the fume extraction device can be improved.

According to a further aspect of the invention, the cooktop system can be configured for assembling flush with a surface, for assembling as a top attachment, or for assembling with the aid of an assembly frame.

A further object of the invention lies in improving a fume extraction device for the extraction of cooking fumes.

This object is achieved by a fume extraction device for a cooktop system according to the preceding description. The advantages of the fume extraction device according to the invention correspond to the advantages of the afore-describe cooktop system, in particular of the fume extraction device described in the context of the cooktop system according to the invention.

Further features, advantages, and details of the invention are derived from the description hereunder of the food carrier, the cooktop, and the cooktop system by means of the figures.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of a cooktop system having a cooktop and a fume extraction device;

FIG. 2 shows a sectional illustration of the cooktop system along the section line II-II in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 shows a plan view onto a cooktop system according to a further exemplary embodiment, according to which the cooktop system comprises six inductive heating units, a fume extraction device having a plurality of crossflow fans, and a food carrier having a plurality of inflow ducts, wherein said inflow ducts are distributed in an non-homogenous manner across a surface of the food carrier;

FIG. 4 shows a perspective illustration of a cooktop system according to a further system of embodiment, comprising a fume extraction device having a single inflow opening configured by a food carrier, and a cooktop cover for reversibly and completely covering the food carrier and the inflow opening;

FIG. 5 shows a sectional illustration of the cooktop system along the section line V-V in FIG. 4, having four fans which are disposed so as to be equiangular and equidistant about a vertical axis that runs through a center of area of the inflow opening;

FIG. 6 shows a sectional illustration of the cooktop system along the section line VI-VI in FIG. 4, having a hollow-cylindrical filter;

FIG. 7 shows a perspective rear view of a cooktop system according to a further exemplary embodiment, wherein the cooktop system has a cooktop having four heating elements which disposed beside one another, a cooktop cover having two cover members which are able to be repositioned in a mutually independent manner, and a fume extraction device having an inflow opening which is disposed on the rear side on the cooktop;

FIG. 8 shows a sectional illustration of the cooktop system along the section line VIII-VIII in FIG. 7, wherein an odor filter of the extraction device is disposed in a negative-pressure duct portion that is disposed upstream of the fans;

FIG. 9 shows a perspective illustration of a cooktop system according to a further exemplary embodiment, having two repositionable cooktop baffle elements for masking in each case one side of an upper space that lies upstream of an inflow opening; and

FIG. 10 shows a sectional illustration of the cooktop system along the section line X-X in FIG. 9, having two fans that are disposed downstream of the two inflow openings.

 DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Various details of a cooktop system 1 having a cooktop 2 and a fume extraction device 3 will be described hereunder by means of FIG. 1 and FIG. 2. The cooktop 2 comprises a food carrier 4 having four heating units 5 which for heating food 6 are disposed on said food carrier 4. The cooktop system 1 is disposed on a kitchen base unit 7. To this end, the cooktop system 1 is fastened to a worktop 8 of the kitchen base unit 7. A surface of the food carrier 4 herein is disposed so as to be flush with a surface of the worktop 8.

The cooktop system 1 comprises a user interface 9 for controlling the fume extraction device 3 and the heating units 5. The user interface 9 is configured as a touch-sensitive screen. The user interface 9 in terms of signals is connected to the fume extraction device 3 and the heating units 5 by way of the control unit which is not illustrated.

The food carrier 4 comprises a glass plate, in particular a glass-ceramics plate. The glass plate is penetrated by a multiplicity of inflow ducts 10 for extracting the cooking fumes. A cross-sectional area of the inflow ducts 10 is in each case less than 1 mm2.

A region which is level or above the food carrier 4 and is able to be heated by the respective heating unit 5 forms one hob 11. The respective heating unit 5 can act on the food 6 in the region of the hobs 11 and heat said food. The food carrier 4 in the region of the hobs 11 does not have any inflow ducts 10. With the exception of the region of the hobs 11, when viewed in a plan view, the inflow ducts 10 are disposed so as to be distributed in a mutually equidistant manner on the food carrier 4. The inflow ducts 10 extend in each case in a rectilinear manner and in the vertical direction through the food carrier 4. The inflow ducts 10 have a circular cross-section.

As is illustrated in FIG. 2, the cooktop system 1 has a housing 12. A food carrier receptacle 13 is disposed on the housing 12. The food carrier 4 bears from above on the food carrier receptacle 13 and is able to be reversibly removed from the latter without tools in an upward manner. The food carrier receptacle 13 has a tilting edge which is not illustrated. The tilting edge delimits a contact face of the food carrier receptacle 13 in relation to a depression. The depression is configured in such a manner that raising a region of the food carrier 4 that lies opposite the tilting edge can be achieved by stressing the food carrier 4 in a downward manner in a region above the depression.

The food carrier 4 is configured so as to be dishwasher safe. The food carrier 4 is in particular configured so as to be highly temperature resistant, in particular to temperatures of at least 350° C., and suitable for cleaning by pyrolysis.

The number of inflow ducts 10 that penetrate the food carrier 4 exceeds 50. The filter 14 is disposed below the food carrier 4, in particular in the regions that are penetrated by the inflow ducts 10. The filter 14, when viewed in a plan view, completely overlaps the inflow ducts 10. The filter 14 is configured as a combination filter for filtering grease and odor from the cooking fumes. The food carrier 4 has a filter receptacle 15. The filter 14 by means of the filter receptacle 15 is reversibly attached to the food carrier 4.

The food carrier 4 is configured so as to permeable to gases and impermeable to liquids. To this end, the food carrier 4 in the region of the inflow ducts 10 has a hydrophobic surface coating 16.

The filter 14 is disposed in a negative-pressure portion 17 of the fume extraction device 3. The negative-pressure duct portion 17 extends between inflow openings 18, which are configured by the inflow ducts 10 on the upper side of the food carrier 4, and fans 19 of the fume extraction device 3. The fume extraction device 3 comprises four fans 19. The fans 19 are configured as crossflow fans. A rotation axis 20 of the respective fan 19 is oriented so as to be horizontal, in particular so as to be parallel to a front edge 20a of the cooktop system 1. The fans 19 by way of the negative-pressure duct portion 17 are fluidically connected to the inflow openings 18, and by way of a positive-pressure duct portion 21 are fluidically connected to a cooking fumes outlet 21.

The fume extraction device 3 is configured for extracting cooking fumes by way of four extraction sections 22a, 22b, 22c, 22d which are able to be operated in a mutually independent manner. To this end, the respective extraction section 22a, 22b, 22, 22d is in each case connected to one of the fans 19 by way of a separate negative-pressure duct portion 17. The surface of the food carrier 4 is sub-divided into four extraction sections 22 of identical area.

Sealing elements (not illustrated) for connecting in an air-tight manner the negative-pressure duct portion 17 disposed downstream of the respective extraction section 22 to the food carrier 4 are disposed on the negative-pressure duct portion 17. The sealing elements herein completely border the respective extraction sections 22.

The food carrier 4 has a depth T of 500 mm. The cooktop system 1 in the front region, in particular across at least 70% of the depth T proceeding from the front edge 20a of the cooktop system 1, has a front installation height HV of 120 mm or less. The installation height HV of the cooktop system 1 in this region can in particular be in the range of only 3 cm to 5 cm. A storage space 23 of the kitchen base unit 7 remains largely unimpeded by the cooktop system 1 and free of any installations of the latter. A top drawer 24 of the kitchen base unit 7 herein is shortened neither in the vertical direction nor in the depth direction. It is optionally possible for the top drawer 24 of the kitchen base unit 7 to be configured so as to be somewhat shorter in the depth direction so as to have sufficient space for disposing the fan 19 in the rear region.

The fans 19 having each case one fan propeller 25. A diameter D of the fan propellers 25 is 80 mm.

The cooktop system 1 is configured as a compact apparatus and as a preassembled system can thus be inserted into the worktop 8 in a simple and rapid manner. The cooktop system 1 configured as a compact apparatus herein comprises the housing 12, the cooktop 2, and the fume extraction device 3, wherein the negative-pressure duct 17 and the fans 19 of the fume extraction device 3 are completely associated with the compact apparatus, but the positive-pressure duct portion 26 disposed downstream of the fans 19 is only partially associated with said compact apparatus.

The functional mode of the top stove system 1, the fume extraction device 3, the cooktop 2, and the food carrier 4 is as follows:

Putting the cooktop system 1 in operation takes place by way of the user interface 9. User inputs for controlling the heating units 5 and the fans 19 are transmitted to the control unit by way of the user interface 9. Electric power for operating the heating units 5 and the fans 19 is provided by means of the control unit. Status and output data of the heating units 5 and of the fans 19 are transmitted to the user interface 9 by way of the control unit, and visually displayed by way of the user interface 9.

The heating units 5 as well as the fans 19 can be provided with an electric output in a mutually independent manner by means of the control unit. By activating the heating unit 5 disposed in the region of the extraction section 22a, the food 6 disposed there is exclusively heated. By activating the fan 19 that is connected to the extraction section 22a, cooking fumes are extracted by way of the inflow ducts 10 associated with the extraction section 22a.

A further exemplary embodiment of the cooktop system 1 according to the invention will be described hereunder by means of FIG. 3. As opposed to the preceding exemplary embodiment, the inflow ducts 10 are disposed in a non-homogenous manner across the surface of the food carrier 4. Moreover, inflow ducts 10 are also disposed in the region of the hobs 11. The negative-pressure duct portion 17 herein extends in particular between the heating unit 5 and the food carrier 4. To this end, the heating unit 5 is disposed so as to be spaced apart from the food carrier 4. The number of inflow ducts 10 per unit area in a peripheral region of the respective hob 11 is larger than in a central region of the respective hob 11, and larger than in the peripheral region of the food carrier 4. A cross-sectional area of the inflow ducts 10 varies so as to correspond to the position of the respective inflow duct 10 relative to the hob 11. The inflow ducts 10 that are disposed in a peripheral region of the hob 11 have a larger cross-sectional area than those inflow ducts 10 in the central region of the hob 11 and in the peripheral region of the food carrier 4.

The inflow ducts 10 are configured so as to be permeable to gases and liquids. A collection tray 27 for overflow liquids is disposed below the food carrier 4. When viewed in a plan view, the collection tray 27 overlaps a multiplicity of the inflow ducts 10.

The cooktop system 1 comprises six cooktops 2 having in each case one food carrier 4. The food carriers 4 of the respective cooktops 2 are configured in a mutually separate manner.

The functional mode of the cooktop system 1 according to the exemplary embodiment illustrated in FIG. 3 corresponds to the functional mode of the cooktop system 1 according to the above-described exemplary embodiment. On account of the cooktop system 1 having a plurality of cooktops 2 having only a single heating unit 5, the dimensions of the food carriers 4 are correspondingly minor. The food carriers 4 can thus be removed from the respective food carrier receptacle 13 in a particularly simple manner and be cleaned in particular in a dishwasher.

Upon the retrieval of the food carriers 4 from the respective food carrier receptacle 13, the collection trays 27 can be easily cleaned from above. The filter 14 disposed on the respective food carrier 4 can be cleaned or replaced in a particularly simple manner.

A further exemplary embodiment of the invention is described by means of FIG. 4 to FIG. 6. As opposed to the above-described exemplary embodiments, the food carrier 4 has a single inflow duct 10. An upper side of the inflow duct 10 forms the single inflow opening 18 of the fume extraction device 3. The inflow opening 18 is covered by an inflow mesh 28.

The cooktop system 1 comprises a cooktop cover 29 for reversibly covering the food carrier 4 and the inflow opening 18. The cooktop cover 29 comprises a cover member 30 which is able to be repositioned relative to the food carrier 4. The cover member 30 is able to be disposed in a closed position and in an open position. When viewed in a plan view, the cover member 30 in the closed position completely covers the food carrier 4 and the inflow opening 18. The cover member 30 comprises a closure seal 31 for closing the inflow opening 18 in an air-tight manner in the closed position.

The cooktop cover 29 is attached to the cooktop 2 in an articulated manner. The cooktop cover 29 in the open position exposes the food carrier 4, in particular the hobs 11, for heating the food, as well as the inflow opening 18 for extracting cooking fumes.

The surface of the food carrier 4 is disposed so as to be flush with the surface of the worktop 8. The cover member 30 in the closed position bears peripherally on the worktop 8. According to an alternative variant of embodiment (not illustrated) the surface of the food carrier 4 can be disposed below the surface of the worktop 8, and a surface of the cooktop cover 29 in the close position can be disposed so as to be flush with the surface of the worktop 8.

FIG. 5 shows a section of the cooktop system 1 from below. The fume extraction device 3 of the cooktop system 1 comprises four fans 19. The fans 19 have a horizontally oriented rotation axis 20. The fans 19, when viewed in a plan view, are disposed in an equidistant and equiangular manner about a vertical axis that runs through a central area of the inflow opening 18. The rotation axes 20 of in each case two mutually neighboring fans 19 are mutually oriented at an angle of 90°. The diameter D of the fan propellers 25 is 120 mm. The fans 19 are configured as axial fans.

The fans 19 are connected to the inflow opening 18 by way of a common negative-pressure duct portion 17. The fume extraction device 3 comprises a positive-pressure duct portion 26 that fluidically connects the fans 19.

As is illustrated in FIG. 6, an overall installation height H of the cooktop system is 150 mm A hollow-cylindrical filter 14 having a collection tray 17 for overflowing liquids is disposed downstream of the inflow opening 18. The filter 14 is configured as a grease filter.

The functional mode of the cooktop system 1 according to the exemplary embodiment illustrated in FIG. 4 to FIG. 6 corresponds to the functional mode of the cooktop system 1 according to the preceding exemplary embodiments. The inflow mesh 27 is able to be reversibly removed from the food carrier 4. The filter 14 can be removed from the inflow opening 18. The cooktop cover 29 can be pivoted between the closed position and the open position. The food carrier 4 is fixedly connected to the worktop 8.

A further exemplary embodiment of the invention is described by means of FIG. 7 and FIG. 8. As opposed to the preceding exemplary embodiments, the cooktop system 1 comprises a cooktop 2 having four heating units 5 which are disposed beside one another. An inflow opening 18 of the fume extraction device 3 has a rectangular contour and is disposed behind the heating units 5, or the hobs 11, respectively. The inflow opening 18 by way of a negative-pressure duct portion 17 is aerodynamically connected to four fans 19 which have in each case one fan propeller 25. The rotation axes 20 of the fan propellers 25 are oriented so as to be mutually parallel and horizontal.

A maximum front installation height HV in a horizontal region from the front edge 20a up to a geometric center of area SP of the cooktop system 1 is 120 mm or less. The installation height HV of the cooktop system 1 in this region can in particular be in the range of only 3 cm to 5 cm. The cooktop system 1, has a minor installation height of this type in particular proceeding from the front edge 20a thereof across a width T of at least 30 cm, in particular at least 40 cm. An overall height H of the cooktop system 1 is 180 mm or less.

The cooktop cover 29 has two cover members 30. The two cover members 30 are able to be disposed in a mutually independent manner between the open position and the closed position. Each of the cover members 30 in the closed position completely covers in each case two of the hobs 11, and laterally half of the inflow opening 18.

The two cover members 30 are in each case attached to the cooktop system 1 by way of a rotating mechanism 31a. The rotating mechanism 31a has a drive spring (not illustrated) and a damper element (likewise not illustrated). The rotating mechanism 31a guarantees that the respective cover member 30 can be opened and closed by way of a smooth and damped movement.

As is illustrated in FIG. 8, the fume extraction device 3 comprises two filters 14a, 14b that are disposed in the negative-pressure duct portion 17. The first filter 14a disposed downstream of the inflow opening 18 is configured as a grease filter, and the second filter 14b is configured as an odor filter. An activated carbon filter serves in particular as an odor filter. The second filter 14b can in particular have one or a plurality of activated carbon elements. Said activated carbon elements can be replaceable in a simple manner. Said activated carbon elements can in particular be able to be removed through the inflow opening 18.

Alternatively or additionally to the second filter 14b in the negative-pressure duct portion 17, an odor filter, in particular in the form of an activated carbon filter, can be disposed downstream of at least one of the fans 19. It is in particular possible for a corresponding odor filter to be disposed downstream of each of the fans 19. Said odor filters are preferably replaceable, in particular replaceable without tools. Said odor filters can in particular be able to be removed from the positive-pressure duct portion 26 by way of retrieval openings that are in each case provided.

The cooktop cover 29 comprises in each case one closure lid 32 which for closing the inflow opening 18 in an air-tight manner is connected to the cover member 30. The cover member 30 is disposed so as to be spaced apart from the closure lid 32.

The functional mode of the cooktop system 1 corresponds to the functional mode of the cooktop system 1 according to the afore-mentioned exemplary embodiments. On account of the relative repositioning capability of the cover members 30 in relation to one another, the inflow opening 18 can selectively be covered not at all, so as to laterally cover half said inflow opening 18, or be completely covered. When half the inflow opening 18 is laterally covered, the extraction output is increased in the non-covered region of the inflow opening 18 while the output of the fans 19 remains the same. The non-covered hobs 11 can continue to be used for heating food 6. The hobs 11 covered by the cover members 30 are automatically deactivated. To this end, the control unit in terms of signals is connected to contact switches 33 for detecting the cover member 30 disposed in the closed position.

A further exemplary embodiment of the invention is described by means of FIG. 9 and FIG. 10. As opposed to the preceding exemplary embodiments, the extraction device 3 comprises two inflow openings 18 which are formed by inflow ducts 10 that penetrate the food carriers 4. The fume extraction device 3 moreover comprises two baffle elements 34 which are in each case disposed so as to neighbor the inflow openings 18 and are oriented so as to be parallel to a main extent of the inflow openings 18. The baffle elements 13 are in each case configured as a shell with a single curvature. The baffle elements 34 are able to be repositioned relative to the food carrier 4 between a restoring position and a directing position. The respective baffle element 34 in the directing position is at least in portions disposed above the food carrier 4. The respective baffle element 34 in the directing position masks an upper space on one side that lies upstream of the respective inflow opening 18 in relation to the inflow opening 18. In the restoring position, an upper side of the respective baffle element 34 is disposed so as to be flush with the surface of the respective inflow opening 18 that adjoins said baffle element 34.

The baffle elements 34 have a closure element 35. The closure element 35 is configured for covering the respective inflow opening 18 in the restoring position.

As is illustrated in FIG. 10, the cooktop system 1 has one gate guide 36 for repositioning each of the baffle elements 34.

The functional mode of the cooktop system 1 illustrated in FIGS. 9 and 10 corresponds to the functional mode of the cooktop system 1 according to the afore-described exemplary embodiments. The repositioning of the respective baffle element 34 along the gate guide 36 enables the upper space to be masked on one side in order for the cooking fumes to be extracted in a directed manner in the directing position, and the respective inflow opening 18 to be closed in the restoring position, wherein an exit of odors from the fume extraction device 3 is reliably prevented.

Claims

1. A cooktop system comprising:

a cooktop for heating food; and
a fume extraction device for the downward extraction of cooking fumes, the fume extraction device comprising: at least one inflow opening for entering of the cooking fumes into the fume extraction device; and at least one fan for suctioning the cooking fumes through the at least one inflow opening;
wherein a front installation height of the cooktop system in a horizontal region between a front edge and a geometric center of area of the cooktop system is at most 100 mm and an overall installation height of the cooktop system is at most 250 mm.

2. The cooktop system according to claim 1, wherein the at least one fan has a fan propeller having a diameter of at most 150 mm.

3. The cooktop system according to claim 1, further comprising a flat region in which an installation height of the cooktop system is at most 75 mm, wherein the flat region, proceeding from the front edge, extends across at least 25% of an overall installation depth of the cooktop system.

4. The cooktop system according to claim 1, further comprising at least one odor filter which is disposed in a negative-pressure duct portion.

5. The cooktop system according to claim 1, further comprising at least a second fan to provide a plurality of fans wherein at least two of the fans have rotation axes that are oriented so as to be mutually oblique.

6. The cooktop system according to claim 1, further comprising at least one baffle element which for masking one side of an upper space lying upstream of the at least one inflow opening is adjacent to the at least one inflow opening and able to be repositioned along a vertical direction.

7. The cooktop system according to claim 6, wherein an upper side of the at least one baffle element in a restoring position is able to be disposed below or flush with the inflow opening adjacent to said baffle element.

8. The cooktop system according to claim 1, wherein the at least one inflow opening has a cross-sectional area of at most 100 mm2.

9. The cooktop system according to claim 1, wherein said cooktop system is configured as an assembly unit.

10. The cooktop system according to claim 1, wherein the at least one fan, when viewed in a plan view, is horizontally disposed completely behind a geometric centre of area of the cooktop system.

11. (canceled)

12. The cooktop system according to claim 1, further comprising at least a second fan and a third fan.

13. The cooktop system, in particular according to claim 1, wherein the cooktop for heating food comprises the cooktop system further comprising:

a food carrier for carrying food; and
at least one hob; and
a cooktop cover configured to be repositioned relative to the cooktop and which is configured to be disposed in an open position in which the at least one inflow opening and the at least one hob are non-covered; and is configured to be disposed in a closed position in which the at least one inflow opening and the at least one hob, when viewed in a plan view, are at least partially covered.

14. The cooktop system according to claim 13, wherein the at least one cooktop cover in the closed position air-tight closes the at least one inflow opening.

15. The cooktop system according to claim 13, wherein the cooktop cover comprises at least two cover members that are able to be repositioned in a mutually independent manner.

16. The cooktop system according to claim 13, wherein the cooktop cover is attached so as to be pivotable on the cooktop system.

17. Fume extraction device for a cooktop system, the fume extraction device comprising:

at least one inflow opening for entry of cooking fumes into the fume extraction device; and
at least one fan for suctioning the cooking fumes through the at least one inflow opening.

18. The cooktop system according to claim 13, wherein the cooktop cover is attached so as to be pivotable on the cooktop.

Patent History
Publication number: 20210310666
Type: Application
Filed: Jul 24, 2019
Publication Date: Oct 7, 2021
Inventor: Wilhelm Bruckbauer (Neubeuern)
Application Number: 17/262,415
Classifications
International Classification: F24C 15/20 (20060101); F24C 15/10 (20060101); F24C 15/12 (20060101);