FUME EXTRACTOR DEVICE FOR A HOB, AND COMBINED APPLIANCE

Abstract

A fume extractor device for a hob includes an air intake opening via which air is sucked downward, and a fan which includes a fan housing, a fan wheel received in the fan housing, and a motor received in the fan housing and operably connected to the fan wheel The fan housing has an upper face which includes an air inlet opening. Means for removing impurities in the fume extractor device are provided only in a flow direction downstream of the air inlet opening of the fan housing.

Description

The present invention relates to a fume extractor device for a hob and a combined appliance with a hob with a fume extractor device.

To extract and clean fumes and vapors which develop while cooking on a hob, it is known to provide a fume extractor device which extracts the fumes and vapors downward out of the space above the hob. Such a fume extractor device is also referred to as a downdraft extractor or a worktop extractor.

The fume extractor device can be integrated here at least partially into the hob or arranged adjacent thereto.

The fume extractor device has an air intake opening, by way of which air is extracted downward. At least one filter element for removing the impurities from the air taken in is arranged in the flow direction between the air intake opening of the fume extractor device and the air inlet opening of the fan housing. This at least one filter element can be arranged in a carrier apparatus, which is introduced removably into the air intake opening.

One disadvantage of such a fume extractor device consists in the fume extractor device having to have a specific height on account of the at least one filter element which is arranged above the fan housing. Since the fume extractor device is generally installed in a kitchen cabinet, the installation space required for the fume extractor device reduces the useful space in the kitchen cabinet for drawers, for instance.

The object underlying the invention is therefore to create a solution with which the fume extractor device has a low height and impurities can consequently be reliably removed from the fumes and vapors taken in with a simple design.

According to a first aspect of the invention, this object is achieved by a fume extractor device for a hob, which has an air intake opening, by way of which air is sucked downward, and a fan with a fan wheel, a motor and a fan housing, in the upper face of which an air inlet opening is provided. The fume extractor device is characterized in that means for removing impurities in the fume extractor device are only provided in the flow direction downstream of the air inlet opening of the fan housing.

A fume extractor device for a hob is understood to mean a device by means of which fumes and vapors, which are also referred to below as air or contaminated air, can be extracted from the space above the hob and cleaned.

Direction indicators such as above and below relate, unless otherwise stated, to a fume extractor device in the assembled state, in which the air intake opening is in the upper face of the fume extractor device.

The fume extractor device has an air intake opening. The fume extractor device can also comprise a number of air intake openings.

The air intake opening can be formed by a cutout in the hob, for instance, which is arranged above the air inlet opening of the fan housing. Air is sucked downward by way of the air intake opening. Therefore air, in particular contaminated air, is sucked out of the space above the hob and routed downward. The air reaches the fan from the air intake opening; the fan generates the suction to suck in the air. The fume extractor device therefore has a fan. It also lies within the scope of the invention that the fume extractor device has a number of, in particular two, fans. The invention is described below for improved understanding only on the basis of a fume extractor device with one fan. The fan is arranged below the air intake opening and preferably below a hob. The fan has a fan wheel, a motor and a fan housing. The fan represents in particular a radial fan. The fan housing is preferably a spiral-shaped housing, which can also be referred to as a spiral housing.

The fan wheel is driven by the motor: the fan wheel has blades which are curved in particular on the outer periphery and which extend in the axial direction of the fan wheel. The blades can be curved rearward for instance with respect to the direction of rotation of the fan wheel. The motor can be received in the fan wheel, in other words is surrounded by the blades. The axis of the fan wheel lies in the vertical. An air inlet opening is provided in the upper face in the fan housing. The axis of the fan wheel preferably lies in the center of the air inlet opening. In the vertical projection onto the fan wheel, the air inlet opening lies in the interior of the fan wheel. In particular, the blades of the fan wheel lie outside of the vertical projection of the air inlet opening. The fan housing moreover preferably has an air outlet opening, which is located on the outer wall of the fan housing, for instance. With a spiral housing, the air outlet opening is particularly preferably at the end of the air outlet channel, which connects to the receiving space in which the fan wheel is received. A protective mesh can be arranged in the air inlet opening and/or the air intake opening and prevents the user from accessing the motor and the fan wheel from above.

The fume extractor device is characterized in that means for removing impurities in the fume extractor device are only provided to the fan wheel in the flow direction downstream of the air inlet opening. Surfaces or elements on which impurities, in particular liquid impurities such as fat or water, are removed from the air are referred to as means for removing impurities. The impurities can collect on the means or run off from the same and be routed to a collection area, for instance. The blades of the fan wheel can also be used as a means for removal, wherein the impurities are only deposited hereon, but are generally removed again from this by rotation of the fan wheel.

By the means being arranged in the flow direction downstream of the air inlet opening of the fan housing, the installation space, which is required in the flow direction upstream of the air inlet opening and in particular above the air inlet opening of the fan housing, is reduced. Moreover, contrary to known fume extractor devices in which filter elements are arranged in the flow direction upstream of the air inlet opening, the flow to the air inlet opening and moreover to the fan wheel is improved. Therefore, the fan wheel can be operated with lower speeds and can consequently reliably suck air into the vapor extractor device. The noise development is minimized in the process.

The means for removing impurities are particularly preferably only provided in the flow direction downstream of the fan wheel. In this way, impurities which have been deposited on the blades of the fan wheel for instance, can be easily routed, in particular spun, by the rotation of the fan wheel to the means for removal. With this embodiment, too, the installation height required for the fume extractor device is minimal.

According to an embodiment, the fan housing has a radial housing wall and the radial housing wall is the means for removing impurities. With a radial fan with a spiral housing, the radial housing wall is the spiral wall of the housing in the receiving area of the fan housing, in which the fan wheel is received. The radial housing wall surrounds the fan wheel, which is arranged in the housing. By the motor driving the fan wheel, a vacuum is produced in the fan by the fan wheel, by means of which air is sucked into the air inlet opening. Moreover, impurities, in particular liquid particles, such as blobs of fat and water droplets, are accelerated radially outward by the rotating fan wheel. In this way, the impurities are accelerated toward the radial housing wall of the fan housing, impact the same and are as a result deposited on the radial housing wall. With this embodiment, the fan therefore acts as a centrifugal separator. With this embodiment, the fume extractor device preferably has no filter element for removing particles, in other words no grease trap. The fume extractor device can therefore be referred to also as a filterless fume extractor device. It is clear that an odor filter may possibly be provided in or on the fume extractor device. This is however also preferably arranged in the flow direction downstream of the fan wheel. In particular, the odor filter can be provided on the air outlet opening of the fan housing. However, it also lies within the scope of the invention that the odor filter is provided at one end of a channel, which connects in the flow direction downstream of the fan housing.

The fan housing can have an opening on its lower side, by way of which impurities, which were deposited on the radial housing wall and collect on the base of the fan housing, can be discharged.

At least one part of the fan housing is preferably fastened detachably, however. In particular, only the radial housing wall can be detachable from the fume extractor device, for instance. In addition, at least one part of the base can be detachable from the fume extractor device. In this case, the outer region of the base is preferably detachably connected to the middle region of the base. The outer region of the base and the radial side wall are preferably embodied in one piece here. One advantage that the embodiments have in which only the radial side wall or the radial side wall and a part of the base can be detached is that the base or the middle part of the base furthermore covers the fan wheel from below. The operational safety of device is the improved in this way since accidental access by the user to the fan wheel can be prevented when the housing part is detached. Alternatively, at least the radial housing wall and the base of the fan housing can be detached from the fume extractor device. In this regard, the radial housing wall and the base are preferably designed in one piece, in other words are non-detachably connected with one another or produced integrally. With this embodiment, the radial housing wall and thus also the base can be fastened to the upper face of the fan housing, which can also be referred to as the cover. The fastening can take place by means of a snap-on connection, for instance. Alternatively, the radial housing wall and moreover also the base can be fastened to the lower face of a hob, below which the fume extractor device is arranged. In this case, the fan housing does not have an upper face or a cover.

By at least one part and in particular the radial housing wall and at least one part of the base of the fan housing being detachable from the fume extractor device, this part of the fan housing can be easily cleaned. In particular, this part of the fan housing can be cleaned in a dishwasher.

According to a further preferred embodiment, the fan wheel is also fastened detachably in addition to at least one part of the fan housing. The fan wheel is preferably fastened to the motor.

Since impurities from the contaminated air which passes the fan wheel and is accelerated hereby are deposited, for instance condensed, at least partially on the fan wheel, the embodiment in which other than the part of the fan housing the fan wheel is also fastened detachably is advantageous. In particular, the fan wheel can be removed and can possibly be cleaned in a dishwasher.

According to a further embodiment, in addition to the part of the fan housing and the fan wheel, the motor is additionally detachably fastened. The motor can be fastened to the fume extractor device by way of the fan housing, for instance. In particular, the motor can be fastened to the base of the fan housing and the fan housing can be fastened detachably to the hob. Alternatively, the motor which is fastened to the base of the fan can be detachably fastened to a cover of the fan housing by way of the base and the radial housing wall.

According to one embodiment, the detachable part of the fan housing and the fan wheel are a preassemblable or preassembled unit. In particular, the detachable part of the fan housing and the fan wheel can be detached from and fastened to the fume extractor device as a unit. This facilitates operation, in particular cleaning.

According to a further embodiment, the motor represents an additional part of the preassemblable or preassembled unit which consists of the detachable part of the fan housing and fan wheel. With this embodiment, the motor is preferably embodied to be dishwasher-proof. It can for instance be received in a waterproof housing.

According to a further embodiment, the fume extractor device comprises an air guiding channel, which extends between the air intake opening of the fume extractor device and the air inlet opening of the fan housing. The air guiding channel, which can also be referred to as the flue, can be introduced into a cutout of a hob or a worktop. Here the upper edge of the air guiding channel forms the air intake opening of the fume extractor device. The contaminated air, which, with the inventive fume extractor device, flows through the fume extractor device as far as the fan wheel in the contaminated state, does not reach further components of the fume extractor device or the hob in this embodiment and these further components are therefore protected against contamination.

According to one embodiment, the fan wheel can be operated with a speed of at least 1000 rpm. This speed is used with a diameter of the fan wheel of 160 mm, for instance. By means of this speed, the reliable acceleration of impurities, which are deposited on the fan wheel, can be ensured as far as the radial housing wall. The fan wheel can also be operated with other speeds, however. In particular, the speed is set so that a reliable detachment of impurities from the fan wheel can be ensured by the rotational speed.

According to a further aspect, the invention relates to a combined appliance, which comprises a hob and at least one inventive fume extractor device.

Advantages and features described in relation to the fume extractor device apply accordingly—to the extent that they are applicable—to the combined appliance and vice versa, and are therefore in some cases explained only once.

With the combined appliance, the air intake opening of the fume extractor device is preferably formed by a cutout in the hob or by an air guiding channel which is introduced into the cutout.

The invention is described again below with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1: shows a schematic block diagram of an embodiment of the inventive combined appliance;

FIG. 2: shows a schematic, perspective partial sectional view of an embodiment of the inventive combined appliance,

FIG. 2a: shows a schematic top view onto a fan housing of the fume extractor device of the combined appliance; and

FIG. 3: shows a schematic, perspective sectional view of the embodiment of the combined appliance of FIG. 2 in the region of the air inlet opening.

FIG. 1 shows an embodiment of the inventive combined appliance 1 in a block diagram. Only half of the combined appliance 1 is shown in FIG. 1. The combined appliance 1 consists of a hob 4 and a fume extractor device 2. In the embodiment shown the fume extractor device 2 comprises a fan 3 and an air guiding channel 21. The fume extractor device 2 has an air intake opening 20, which, in the embodiment shown, is formed by the upper edge of the air guiding channel 21.

In the embodiment shown the hob 4 consists of a cover plate 40 and heating modules 41, of which only one is visible in FIG. 1. In the embodiment shown, a heating module 41 is arranged below the cover plate 40. The heating module 41 can be an induction heating module. It is however also within the scope of the invention that the heating module 41 is an electric module or gas module. In the latter case, the heating module 41 can project through an opening (not shown) through the cover plate 40 of the hob 4. In the embodiment shown, a cutout 42 is introduced in the center of the cover plate 40. The cutout 42 can be a rectangular or round cutout. In the embodiment shown, an air guiding channel 21 of the fume extractor device 2 is introduced into the cutout 42. This air guiding channel 21 has a height which corresponds to the distance between the upper face of the cover plate 40 and the lower face of the heating module 41.

The fan 3 of the fume extractor device 2 is arranged below the hob 4. The fan 3 has a fan housing 30, a fan wheel 31 and a motor 32. The motor 32 and the fan wheel 31 are received in the fan housing 30. The fan housing 30 preferably represents a spiral housing. An air inlet opening 303 is provided in the upper face of the fan housing 30. The air inlet opening 303 is introduced in the center of the upper face of the fan housing 30. With a spiral housing, the air inlet opening 303 is provided in the center of the surface of the receiving space 300 (see FIG. 2) in which the fan wheel 31 is received. The fan 3 is arranged in the fume extractor device 2 so that the air inlet opening 303 lies below the air intake opening 20 and preferably in a vertical projection of the air intake opening 20 onto the air inlet opening 303 lies in the air intake opening 20.

The motor 32 of the fan 3 is arranged below the air inlet opening 303. It is therefore below the air intake opening 20 of the fume extractor device 2. The motor is connected to the fan wheel 31 by way of fastening means 33, for instance by way of a shaft. On its outer radial periphery the fan wheel 31 has blades 310, which extend in the vertical direction. The connection between the blades 310, which can be held on a blade ring (not shown), and the motor 32 or the fastening means 33 can be realized by way of bars or a disk (not shown). The motor 32 can be connected to the upper face of the fan housing 30 or the lower face of the heating modules 41 additionally by way of fastening means 22.

The fan housing 30 has at least one base 301 and a radial housing wall 302, which can also be referred to as a side wall or an outer wall. In addition, the fan housing 30 can have an air outlet channel 307 (see FIG. 2), on the end of which an air outlet opening 305 is provided. The fan housing 30 preferably has a cover 306, which upwardly covers at least the receiving space 300. The cover 306 rests on the lower face of the heating module 41 and can be connected hereto.

The fan wheel 31 has a diameter which is smaller than the diameter of the fan housing 30 and in particular of the receiving space 300 of the fan housing 30. The blades 310 of the fan wheel 31 are therefore distanced from the radial housing wall 302.

No further elements, in particular no filter elements, are present between the air inlet opening 20 and the fan wheel 31 except for the air guiding channel 21 and a protective mesh 204 which is possibly provided on the air inlet opening 303. The fume extractor device 2 of the combined appliance 1 can therefore also be referred to as a filterless fume extractor device 2. This does not however rule out that an odor filter (not shown) is provided on the air outlet opening 305 or downstream hereof in the flow direction.

During operation of the fume extractor device 2, the fan wheel 31 is driven by the motor 32. This produces suction, by way of which air is sucked into the fume extractor device 2 by way of the air intake opening 20. In this process the air passes the air guiding channel 21 and reaches the fan housing 30 by way of the air inlet opening 303. There the air is directed radially outward by rotating the fan wheel 31 and the blades 310 provided thereon. The air is routed radially outward by the distances between the blades 310 and is accelerated against the radial housing wall 302. Impurities in the air which is sucked in from above the hob 4, in particular fat or water, are therefore spun against the radial housing wall 302. Impurities which are deposited on the blades 310 of the fan wheel 31 are spun against the radial housing wall 302 by the rotation of the fan wheel 31. These impurities generally represent liquid impurities, such as fat or other liquids. These liquid impurities therefore run downward on the radial housing wall 302 and collect on the base 301. With low-viscosity impurities, the impurities can also collect on the radial housing wall 302 and adhere thereto.

In accordance with the invention, in order to clean the fume extractor device 2, at least one part of the fan housing 30, in particular the base 301 and the radial housing wall 302, can be detached together with the fan wheel 31. Alternatively, the motor 32 can also be detached in addition to the at least one part of the fan housing 30 and the fan wheel 31. Also with this embodiment, the part of the fan housing 30, the fan wheel 31 and the motor 32 are configured such that they can be detached together.

In the first case in which only one part of the fan housing 30 and the fan wheel 31 is to be removed from the fume extractor device 2, the part of the fan housing 30 which can be detached preferably represents the part which comprises the base 301 and the radial housing wall 302. It is however also possible that the entire fan housing 30, in other words the base 301, the radial housing wall 302 and the cover 306 of the fan housing 30, can be detached. In this case, the air inlet opening 303 is preferably dimensioned so that the motor 32 can be guided into the interior of the fan housing 30 through the air inlet opening 303. In the case in which at least one part of the fan housing 30 and the fan wheel 31 can be detached, the fan wheel 31 can be mounted rotatably in a guide on the base 301 of the fan housing 30, for instance. The detachable connection to the fume extractor device 2 can take place by means of the fastening means 33, by way of which the fan wheel 31 and the fan housing 30 are fastened to the motor 32. In addition, the fan housing 30 or the part of the fan housing 30 which can be detached can be fastened to the lower face of the heating modules 41 of the hob 4 by way of fastening means 22.

In the case in which in addition to at least one part of the fan housing 30 and the fan wheel 31 the motor 32 can also be detached from the fume extractor device 2, the fan housing 30 can have a cover 306, and this can form a unit with the base 301 and the radial housing wall 302. With this embodiment, the entire fan housing 30, the fan wheel 31 received therein and the motor 32 is then detached from the fume extractor device 2. With this embodiment, the detachable unit can be detachably fastened to the lower face of the hob 4 by way of fastening means 22.

The user of the combined appliance 1 can therefore downwardly detach and clean at least one part of the fume extractor device 2. The air guiding channel 21 is preferably removable from the top of the cutout 42 of the hob 4. In the introduced state, the air guiding channel 21 rests on the upper face of the fan housing 30. In addition, the air guiding channel 21 can have an outwardly facing flange (not shown) on its upper edge. When the air guiding channel 21 is in the introduced state, this flange can rest on the edge of the cutout 42 of the hob 4.

In FIG. 2, an embodiment of the inventive combined appliance 1 is shown in a perspective partial sectional view. The embodiment according to FIG. 2 corresponds substantially to the embodiment according to FIG. 1. In the sectional view according to FIG. 2, only one part of the fan wheel 31, in particular the blades 310, is visible. The bars or disk, by way of which the blades 310 are connected to the motor 32, and the motor 32 are not shown in FIG. 2.

In the embodiment shown the fan housing 30 has a receiving space 300. This receiving space 300, in which the fan wheel 31 is received, has a spiral-shaped cross-section. On one side, in FIG. 2 the left side, the receiving space 300 is widened and passes into an air outlet channel 307, the end of which represents the air outlet opening 305 of the fan housing 30. FIG. 2a shows a schematic top view onto such a fan housing 30.

In the embodiment according to FIG. 2 the fan housing 30 has a cover 306. A vertical wall, which can be used as a fastening means 22 to fasten the fan housing 30 to the hob 4, is shown schematically on the upper face of the cover 306. The cutout 42 in the hob 4 represents a rectangular cutout in the embodiment shown in FIG. 2, which extends in the depth direction of the hob 4 in the center of the hob 4. In this embodiment the connection between the hob 4 and the fan housing 30 lies on the lower face of the cover plate 40 of the hob 4 on the cutout 42. An air guiding channel 21 is introduced into the cutout 42, moreover, as also in the embodiment according to FIG. 1. The air guiding channel 21 is shown in a raised state in FIG. 2 for improved visibility. In the introduced state, the lower face of the air guiding channel 21 lies on the cover 306 of the fan housing 30.

The air inlet opening 303 of the fan housing 30 is introduced in the cover 306 and thus in the upper face of the fan housing 30. In the embodiment shown, a protective mesh 304, which is used as an engagement protection, is provided in the air inlet opening 303. The air inlet opening 303 is aligned with the air intake opening 20, which is formed by the upper edge of the air guiding channel 21.

In FIG. 3, the fan 3 is shown more precisely in the region of the air inlet opening 303. As is clear from this figure, with the embodiment shown, the diameter of the fan wheel 31 is greater than the diameter of the air inlet opening 303. The axis of rotation of the fan wheel 31 lies in the vertical and is arranged in the center of the air inlet opening 303. The motor 32 is present in the axis of rotation of the fan wheel 31, by way of which the fan wheel 31 is driven. The blades 310 of the fan wheel, which lie on the outer periphery of the fan wheel 31 in the vertical direction and thus parallel to the axis of rotation of the fan wheel 31, extend from the outer periphery of the fan wheel 31 in a curved manner radially inward. The extension of the blades 310 in the radial direction is measured so that the inner ends of the blades 301 rest on the outer periphery of the air inlet opening 303.

The present invention therefore relates to a combination between a hob, which can be an electric, induction or gas hob, and an integrated fume extractor device, which can also be referred to as a worktop extractor. With the present invention the device is designed to be compact. Nevertheless, many functions, such as in particular the fan, a fat separation and possibly an odor filter are integrated in the combined appliance in a small area. The width and depth of the combined appliance is generally provided by the furniture industry. The height of the combined appliance is critical because this engages into the space of the kitchen cabinet, in which drawers are provided, for instance.

Known combined appliances with a fume extractor device, which is integrated with a hob and which has expanded metal filters for filtering out fat, for instance, in most cases have a height of around 20 cm. Conversely, with the present invention, a fume extractor device and a combined appliance are produced, which allows reliable filtering out of liquid impurities with a small installation space and in particular low height.

The knowledge underlying the invention is that this object can be achieved by the fume extractor device representing a filterless device.

Instead of using a standard fat filter, with the invention an at least partially detachable centrifugal separation device is used. In particular, the fan, which can also be referred to as a ventilator, is used at least partially as a separation device. The fan comprises three main parts. In particular, the fan preferably comprises an electric motor, which drives the fan wheel, a fan wheel, by means of the rotation of which air is sucked into the fume extractor device, and a fan housing, which can represent a spiral housing and which guides the air.

The principle which is used according to the invention is the principle of a centrifugal separator. In this regard the fumes and vapors, which can also be referred to as fat/water vapors, are sucked into the fan and flung onto the fan housing by means of the centrifugal forces and the impurities collect there.

In accordance with the invention, the fan can be detached at least partially from below and cleaned in the dishwasher. According to the invention, two interfaces are possible:

a. In one embodiment, the motor, the fan wheel and the fan housing are a unit which can be detached and is compatible with dishwashers. In this regard the motor is designed to be dishwasher-proof.
b. In a further embodiment, the fan wheel and the fan housing are a unit. The motor cannot be detached. The fan wheel is preferably detachably coupled to the motor. With this embodiment, the motor does not need to be tight.

Provision can be made in the flow direction upstream of the motor for an upwardly detachable air guiding channel, which can also be referred to as a flue, which can also be cleaned and is introduced into a cutout in the hob.

An odor filter is preferably provided so that this is arranged with respect to the fan wheel so that impurities, which are accelerated by the fan wheel, do not reach the odor filter directly. In particular, the odor filter can be provided on an air outlet opening of the fan housing or on the end of an air channel, which connects to the air outlet opening of the fan housing.

The present invention has a series of advantages. In particular, all parts can preferably be cleaned. With the invention, saturation does not occur, such as occurs with conventional fat filters. The fume extractor device is suited in particular to thin liquid impurities, such as for instance with Asiatic cooking. The combined appliance can be produced with a minimal height of 12 cm or 16 cm, for instance, and can thus be easily integrated into a kitchen cabinet, such as, for instance, a kitchen floor unit.

REFERENCE CHARACTERS

• 1 combined appliance
• 2 fume extractor device
• 20 air intake opening
• 21 air guiding channel
• 22 fastening means
• 3 fan
• 30 fan housing
• 300 receiving space
• 301 base
• 302 radial housing wall
• 303 air inlet opening
• 304 protective mesh
• 305 air outlet opening
• 306 cover
• 307 air outlet channel
• 31 fan wheel
• 310 blade
• 32 motor
• 33 fastening means
• 4 hob
• 40 cover plate
• 41 heating module
• 42 cutout

Claims

1-10. (canceled)

11. A fume extractor device for a hob, said fume extractor comprising:

an air intake opening via which air is sucked downward;

a fan including a fan housing, a fan wheel received in the fan housing, and a motor received in the fan housing and operably connected to the fan wheel, said fan housing having an upper face which includes an air inlet opening; and

means for removing impurities in the fume extractor device provided only in a flow direction downstream of the air inlet opening of the fan housing.

12. The fume extractor device of claim 11, wherein the means for removing impurities are only provided in the flow direction downstream of the fan wheel.

13. The fume extractor device of claim 11, wherein the fan housing has a radial housing wall configured to represent the means for removing impurities.

14. The fume extractor device of claim 11, wherein at least one part of the fan housing and the fan wheel are fastened detachably.

15. The fume extractor device of claim 11, wherein the motor is fastened detachably.

16. The fume extractor device of claim 11, wherein at least one part of the fan housing and the fan wheel form a preassembled unit.

17. The fume extractor device of claim 11, wherein the motor is constructed to be dishwasher-proof.

18. The fume extractor device of claim 11, further comprising an air guiding channel, which extends between the air intake opening and the air inlet opening of the fan housing.

19. The fume extractor device of claim 11, wherein the fan wheel has a diameter of 160 mm and capable of being operated with a speed of 1000 rpm.

20. A combined appliance, comprising:

a hob; and

a fume extractor device interacting with the hob, said said fume extractor comprising an air intake opening via which air is sucked downward, a fan including a fan housing, a fan wheel received in the fan housing, and a motor received in the fan housing and operably connected to the fan wheel, said fan housing having an upper face which includes an air inlet opening, and means for removing impurities in the fume extractor device provided only in a flow direction downstream of the air inlet opening of the fan housing.

21. The combined appliance of claim 20, wherein the means for removing impurities are only provided in the flow direction downstream of the fan wheel.

22. The combined appliance of claim 20, wherein the fan housing has a radial housing wall configured to represent the means for removing impurities.

23. The combined appliance of claim 20, wherein at least one part of the fan housing and the fan wheel are fastened detachably.

24. The combined appliance of claim 20, wherein the motor is fastened detachably.

25. The combined appliance of claim 20, wherein at least one part of the fan housing and the fan wheel form a preassembled unit.

26. The combined appliance of claim 20, wherein the motor is constructed to be dishwasher-proof.

27. The combined appliance of claim 20, wherein the fume extractor device includes an air guiding channel, which extends between the air intake opening and the air inlet opening of the fan housing.

28. The combined appliance of claim 20, wherein the fan wheel has a diameter of 160 mm and capable of being operated with a speed of 1000 rpm. as claimed in one of claims 20 to 19.