CN1303367C - A cleaning fluid heating reservoir and motor assembly for a range hood - Google Patents

Abstract

A cleaning fluid heating reservoir and motor assembly for a range hood havin g a motor housing enclosure mounted within the enclosure defined by the hood bod y. The heating reservoir is shaped and dimensioned to be in abutment with the motor which in turn is mounted within the motor housing. The reservoir may occupy space between the top of the motor and the hood body, between the perimeter of the motor and a fan attached to the motor, or between both. Conduits connected to inle t and outlets to the heating reservoir pass through side of the motor housing to a n intermediate reservoir located within the range hood body. Fluid from the intermediate reservoir is pumped to the heating reservoir and back to the intermediate reservoir thereby drawing heat energy from the motor when in operation. Cleaning fluid may also be pumped from the intermediate reservoir to areas requiring cleaning.

Description

Washer fluid heating container and motor assembly for range hoods

technical field

The present invention relates to range hoods for use over stovetops, and more particularly to a washer fluid heating container and motor assembly for range hoods, wherein the washer fluid used to remove grease from the inside of the fan and motor housing is heated.

Background technique

Range hoods are used above the hob to remove grease, bad smells and noxious fumes from the cooking process. Generally, a household range hood has a pair of motors installed horizontally in a motor housing inside the range hood body. Each motor drives a fan. The fan draws air from the cooking area below and forces it through the motor housing to the ventilation ducts.

When the vaporized grease entrained in the air passes through the motor housing, some of it condenses on the inner wall of the housing and may accumulate. Therefore, it is known to provide a washer fluid under pressure in order to clean the interior of the exhaust system.

It is also known in the art to provide a refillable container inside the cooker hood in order to ensure an internal supply of cleaning fluid. The container is usually constructed of plastic in order to eliminate any concerns about corrosion and is mounted on the upper surface of the range hood body towards the front of the range hood, separate from the motor housing. A fluid delivery device coupled to the container delivers fluid under pressure from the container to the inner surface of the motor housing. The container can be filled through a coverable hole located on the outside of the range hood. Once used, the cleaning fluid and any entrained grease drains to an external grease reservoir.

Because the container is separated from the motor housing, the temperature of the fluid within the container remains approximately room temperature. However, as the temperature increases, the cleaning solution becomes more effective at removing grease. Furthermore, the space available to accommodate said container within the cooker hood is limited, so its size is limited and it must be refilled periodically.

Contents of the invention

It is therefore an object of embodiments of the present invention to provide a range hood which has an increased capacity for washer fluid so that it is comparable to those of the prior art which only have a container located outside the motor housing. than, the cleaning fluid container requires less refilling.

Another object of the embodiments of the present invention is to provide a range hood, wherein the cleaning liquid is heated above room temperature.

Other objects of the present invention will be apparent from the following description.

The present invention provides a cleaning fluid heating container and motor assembly for a range hood having a range hood body forming an enclosure, and a motor housing having a top, a bottom and The peripheral side faces the surface and forms another enclosure installed in the range hood. The assembly includes a motor and a heated container for the washer fluid. The motor has a top, bottom and perimeter, and is equipped with a fan. The main parts of the fan and motor are housed in the motor housing. The heating vessel is shaped and positioned to substantially adjoin a portion of the motor and has an inlet and an outlet.

In another aspect of the present invention, a part of the heating container is located between the top of the motor and the range hood body. Alternatively, a part of the heating container is located between the periphery of the motor and the fan, or between the top of the motor and the range hood body, and between the motor and the fan.

In another aspect of the present invention, the assembly further includes an intermediate container located inside the range hood body and outside the motor housing. The intermediate container is suitable for delivering cleaning fluid to the heating container via the inlet.

The assembly may also include a pair of conduits passing through the peripheral lateral surface of the motor housing, a first conduit of the pair connected to the inlet and a second conduit of the pair connected to the outlet. A first pump is connected to the intermediate container and to the first conduit for pumping fluid from the intermediate container to the heating container. A second pump is connected to the intermediate container and to the fluid delivery device for delivering cleaning fluid to the interior of the motor housing.

The heating vessel of the assembly may comprise an enclosure forming a chamber or a duct wrapped around the motor.

Other aspects of the invention will be understood by reference to the following detailed description of the preferred embodiment and claims.

Description of drawings

These and other features of the invention will be more apparent from the following description with reference to the accompanying drawings. in:

Fig. 1 is a sectional view of a range hood equipped with a cleaning liquid heating container and a motor assembly according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention;

Figure 2 is a perspective view of the washer fluid heating vessel and motor assembly shown in Figure 1;

Fig. 3 is a sectional view of a range hood equipped with a cleaning liquid heating container and a motor assembly according to another embodiment of the present invention;

Figure 4 is a perspective view of the washer fluid heating container and motor assembly shown in Figure 3;

Figure 5 is a perspective view of another embodiment of a washer fluid heating vessel and motor assembly;

Figure 6 is a perspective view of another embodiment of a washer fluid heating vessel and motor assembly;

Figure 7 is a partial top view of the washer fluid heating vessel and motor assembly shown in Figure 6, showing the fastening means.

Detailed ways

A preferred embodiment of a cooker hood equipped with a cleaning liquid heating container 20 of the present invention is shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 . Another exemplary embodiment of a washer fluid heating container 50 is shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 . Further exemplary embodiments are shown in FIGS. 5 and 6 .

Figure 1 shows a range hood installed above the stove to remove harmful gases generated during cooking. The motor casing 10 forms an enclosure, and can be installed in another enclosure formed by the range hood body 2 . The motor housing has a top 6, a bottom 8 and peripheral side walls 14 which generally form a figure eight when viewed from the top of the motor. The motor housing is preferably made of metal and coated against rust. The interior of the housing 10 may be coated with a non-stick material to facilitate grease removal and is divided into two substantially similar separate chambers 4, only one of which is visible in FIG. 1 .

Each respective chamber 4 has an air inlet formed in the bottom 8 of the motor housing 10 and a ventilation hole (not shown) formed in the top 6 . Each chamber is designed to accommodate a motor 15 having a top, a bottom and a perimeter, and a fan 12 for drawing hot, grease-laden air from above the range into the chamber 4 of the motor housing 10 , and exhaust from the vent. The fan 12 is connected to the motor 15 through the fan cap 11 . A tray 40 may be attached to the motor housing at the air inlet area to direct the air drawn into the motor housing by the fan and to catch any grease dripping from the outer surface of the fan. The fan grill 42 prevents objects from being inserted into the fan.

The motor 15 is installed on the bracket 3, and the bracket is connected to the range hood body 2, preferably by welding. The connector 16 of the motor is preferably mounted on the bracket 3 using screws, as is known in the art. After the motor is installed in place, the motor housing 10 is also connected to the bracket 3 by screws or the like. The cleaning liquid heating container 20 has an outer shell forming a chamber. The shape of the heating vessel 20 follows the outer contour of the motor 15 , as shown in FIG. 2 , with a top vessel portion 25 and a peripheral vessel portion 23 . The shape and size of the heating vessel 20 is also such that it occupies the available space between the top of the motor 15 and the range hood body 2 and between the motor 15 and the fan 12 (without being in contact with the fan). Fastening means 47 may be used to ensure that the peripheral container portion 23 remains adjacent to the motor 15 . When the motor is mounted on the bracket 3 , the top container part 25 is sandwiched between the range hood body 2 and the top of the motor 15 . The heating vessel is preferably made of a stainless, heat-conducting metal such as copper. When the motor 15 works, heat is generated, and the heat is conducted to the cleaning liquid in the container through the heating container 20 . In addition, the heated air from the hob raises the temperature inside the motor housing. Therefore, the temperature of the heating fluid is raised well above normal room temperature, making it more effective at removing grease from contact when used for cleaning purposes as described below.

A further intermediate container 30 is located outside the motor housing 10 . The intermediate container 30 can be filled by pouring cleaning liquid into the container through an opening (not shown) on the range hood body, a conduit 38 and an inlet 36 . Pump 32 may be activated to pump cleaning fluid from intermediate vessel 30 to inlet portion 18 of heating vessel 20 via conduit 34 and inlet 22 . The cleaning fluid pumped into the heating vessel 20 fills the top portion 25 and the peripheral portion 23 before exiting through the outlet 24 and flowing through the conduit 26 and returning to the intermediate vessel 30 through the inlet 27 . The inlet 27 preferably extends into the lower interior of the intermediate vessel so that the hot water from the heating vessel 20 is close to the outlet of the spray distribution means which will be discussed below.

The fluid delivery device connected to the intermediate chamber 30 delivers the cleaning fluid to the inner surface of the range hood, especially the motor casing under pressure. In a preferred embodiment, a further pump 28 can be activated to pump cleaning fluid from the intermediate container through outlet, conduit 29 to a spray dispenser, such as nozzle 31 . While spray dispenser 31 is used to spray washer fluid on the fan and inside the motor housing, other spray dispensers supplied by pump 28 or other such pumps may be provided to wash other parts of the motor housing. It is conceivable that other fluid delivery arrangements could be used, wherein essentially the intermediate vessel and the heating vessel are in fluid communication with the cleaning fluid, and the heated cleaning fluid can be used for cleaning purposes. Used cleaning fluid, grease and other liquids in the motor housing cavity are drained through the drain hose 44 to the external oil cup 46 .

The conduits 26, 29, 34, 38 are preferably made of heat resistant flexible hose. Hoses 26 and 34 must pass through openings (not shown) in the side of motor housing 10 . To prevent any air or grease inside the motor case from flowing through these openings on the motor case, use some form of seal, such as a rubber gasket seal. Some form of retainer may also be provided to keep the hoses 26 and 34 in contact with the range hood body 2 to avoid contact with the fan 12 , as shown in FIG. 1 .

In another embodiment shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 , the heating vessel 50 is in the form of a tube that wraps around the top and sides of the motor 15 . Conduit 50 is constructed of a thermally conductive stainless metal, preferably copper. However, any material that meets the required criteria (thermal conductivity and stainless) will do. The conduit does not have to be in the form of a specific pipe, but only needs to form a channel or the like, inside which the cleaning fluid can be accommodated and which increases the surface area of the thermally conductive material in contact with the cleaning fluid. Components that are the same as in the preferred embodiment have been marked with the same reference numerals.

Cleaning liquid from the intermediate container 30 is sent by the pump 32 through the hose 24 and the inlet 22 into the pipeline inlet 58 . The cleaning fluid then flows through top conduit 55 and side perimeter conduit 53 to conduit outlet 59 where it flows through outlet 24 and hose 26 to inlet 27 back into intermediate container 30 . Once in the conduit, the cleaning fluid is heated by conduction in a similar manner to the preferred embodiment described. However, because there is a more thermally conductive material relative to the amount of cleaning fluid, the cleaning fluid can be heated at a faster rate and to a higher overall temperature.

As with the preferred embodiment, the heating vessel 50 is shaped and sized to abut the motor while occupying the available space above and around the motor 15 without contacting the fan 12 .

It is not necessary for the heating vessel to be located both above the top and around the perimeter. As shown in another embodiment in FIG. 5 , the heating vessel 60 may be located only around the periphery of the motor 15 . Alternatively, as shown in FIG. 6 , the heating vessel 70 may be located only on top of the motor 15 .

When there is no top container part sandwiched between the top of the motor and the hood body, the fastening means to keep the position of the heating container around the motor becomes more important in order to hold said peripheral part in place. Fastening means 47 are clearly shown in FIG. 7 . Preferably, a pair of spaced apart flanges 52 project radially from the perimeter heating vessel 60, one flange on the inlet portion of the perimeter heating vessel and the other on the outlet portion of the perimeter heating vessel, said The two parts are spaced apart as shown in FIGS. 6 and 7 . Bolts 48 are inserted through openings in each flange 52 and are engaged with nuts. Preferably, the spring 51 is located between the flange and the head of the bolt, or between the flange and the nut. The nuts and bolts are tightened until the heating chamber is securely tightened around the motor. As the heating chamber expands due to heating, the spring absorbs any stretching on the connection, keeping the heating vessel in place around the motor.

It is contemplated that the pump may be controlled automatically by a programmable system or manually. Preferably, the pump 32 is activated when the motor 15 is energized. This way, a constant flow of water will flow through the heating vessel, absorbing thermal energy from the conductive surfaces. This not only heats up the washer fluid, but conversely cools the motor (where the heat comes from). In addition to providing a heated washer fluid that is more effective at degreasing, this also brings the benefit of extending the life of the motor by reducing the temperature at which the motor operates.

An intermediate container 30 may also be provided for determining the temperature of the cleaning liquid contained therein. The pump 32 can also be equipped with a shut-off valve so that once the cleaning liquid in the intermediate container 30 reaches a predetermined temperature, the pump 32 is turned off. Once the temperature drops to the set temperature, the pump 32 is restarted. This arrangement helps to extend the life of the pump 32 by reducing the length of time it is on. The pump 28 for directing fluid from the intermediate container 30 to the fluid transfer device may also be activated automatically, for example after a certain number of days or after use of the hood, or manually.

It is conceivable that one or more intermediate containers 30 and corresponding pumps may be used with the range hood's two heating containers and motor assemblies (one in each chamber of the motor housing).

The addition of a heated container provides additional washer fluid storage area. When combined with the storage capacity of the intermediate container 30, the heated container allows the range hood to contain a larger volume of washer fluid than prior art designs having only a washer fluid container located outside the motor housing. In addition, the heating container can only utilize the existing space inside the range hood body, so the overall size of the range hood does not have to be increased to accommodate the container.

It is contemplated that other materials such as heat resistant plastics could be used to form the heating vessel. While the use of plastic does not transfer the same amount of heat from the motor to the washer fluid in the heated container, it is more convenient and less expensive to use.

It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that while preferred and alternative embodiments have been described in detail, certain changes may be made without departing from the principles of the invention.

Claims (14)

1. a cleaning fluid heating reservoir and motor sub-assembly that is used for smoke exhaust ventilator, described smoke exhaust ventilator has hood body and the motor shell that forms casing, described motor shell has top, bottom and peripheral lateral surface, and form another casing that is installed in the hood body, described assembly comprises:

The motor of fan is housed, and described motor has top, bottom and periphery, and the major part of described fan and described motor is contained in the described motor shell;

The heating container that is used for cleaning fluid,

Wherein said heating container forms the shape that is provided with in abutting connection with the part of described motor, and has entrance and exit.

2. assembly as claimed in claim 1 is characterized in that, the part of described heating container is between the described top and described hood body of described motor.

3. assembly as claimed in claim 1 is characterized in that, the part of described heating container is between the described periphery and described fan of described motor.

4. assembly as claimed in claim 1, it is characterized in that, the first of described heating container is between the described top and described hood body of described motor, and the second portion of described heating container is between the described periphery and described fan of described motor.

5. as claim 1,2,3 or 4 described assemblies, it is characterized in that also comprise the intermediate receptacle that is positioned at described hood body, described motor shell outside, described intermediate receptacle is suitable for through described inlet cleaning fluid being transported to described heating container.

6. assembly as claimed in claim 5, it is characterized in that, the conduit that also comprises the described peripheral lateral surface of the described motor shell of a pair of process, first conduit of described a pair of conduit is connected in described inlet, and second conduit of described a pair of conduit is connected in described outlet.

7. assembly as claimed in claim 6 is characterized in that, also comprises first pump that is connected in described intermediate receptacle and described first conduit, is used for fluid is pumped into from described intermediate receptacle described heating container.

8. assembly as claimed in claim 7 is characterized in that, also comprises fluid delivery system, and is connected in described intermediate receptacle and described fluid delivery system, is used for cleaning fluid is delivered to second pump of the inside of described motor shell.

9. assembly as claimed in claim 1 is characterized in that described heating container comprises the shell that forms chamber.

10. assembly as claimed in claim 1 is characterized in that described heating container comprises pipeline.

11., it is characterized in that described heating container is made by Heat Conduction Material as claim 9 or 10 described assemblies.

12. assembly as claimed in claim 11 is characterized in that, described Heat Conduction Material is a copper.

13. assembly as claimed in claim 8 is characterized in that, described fluid delivery system comprises flexible pipe and nozzle.

14, a kind of manufacturing has the method for the improved smoke exhaust ventilator of fan motor, described method is included in the described smoke exhaust ventilator purging system is installed, described purging system partly or fully contacts with fan motor, and is suitable for keeping cleaning solution, absorbs heat and heat is conducted to described cleaning solution from fan motor in operation process.

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