HK1064436B - Range hood having a back panel with air intake - Google Patents

Description

Exhaust hood having a back plate with air inlets

Technical Field

The present invention relates to an exhaust hood for removing cooking fumes, and more particularly, to an exhaust hood having a back plate equipped with an air inlet separated from an exhaust hood body.

Background

Exhaust hoods are used above cooking surfaces to remove grease, general odors and dangerous gases produced during cooking. Generally, a household exhaust hood has a pair of motors horizontally mounted in a motor housing within the exhaust hood body. Each motor drives a fan. The fan draws air from the cooking area beneath it and forces the air through the motor housing to the vent tube.

One difficulty encountered with these designs is the inability to adequately cover the cooking area of a four-burner stove. The exhaust hood operates by generating a negative pressure and drawing air through an air inlet located in the lower surface of the exhaust hood. The negative pressure area is located above and at a distance from the cooking surface and a large amount of cooking steam can escape from the suction area of the hood, contaminating the surrounding cooking environment.

It is therefore an object of one embodiment of the present invention to provide an exhaust hood that provides a negative pressure closer to the cooking surface and thus a greater suction area than prior art exhaust hoods.

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

Disclosure of Invention

According to the present invention there is provided an exhaust hood for use over a cooking surface, comprising: an outer body having a lower surface, a front portion and a rear portion, a motor housing received within the outer body, and a back plate, wherein the motor housing has an exhaust aperture, the back plate defines an enclosure in which air can move, and the back plate has an air intake.

In another aspect of the invention, the air inlet is located at a position spaced below the lower surface. The lower surface has an air inlet.

In another aspect of the invention, the back plate is generally rectangular in shape and extends downwardly from the rear of the outer body. The back plate is substantially perpendicular to the lower surface and may be fixedly attached to the outer body. The back panel may be foldable such that when the back panel is folded, the air inlet is adjacent the lower surface.

In another aspect of the invention, the exhaust hood further includes a tray, wherein the motor housing generally defines an enclosure and includes a bottom surface having an inlet and an outlet. The air inlet is defined by a wall depending from the bottom surface and projecting into the interior of the enclosure of the motor housing. The tray is detachably connected between the lower surface of the outer main body and the bottom surface of the motor housing, and is composed of a first tray wall, a second tray wall and a horizontal bottom plate located between the first tray wall and the second tray wall, wherein the first tray wall is located inside and limits an opening, the opening is communicated with an air opening of the outer main body and an air inlet of the motor housing, the second tray wall is located outside, the opening limited between the first tray wall and the second tray wall is communicated with the air inlet of the motor housing, an inlet is arranged on the wall surface of the second tray wall, and the inlet is connected to one end of the ventilation pipe.

In another aspect of the invention, the exhaust hood further comprises a vent tube having a first end and a second end, wherein the back plate has a top end to which the first end of the vent tube is connected. The second end of the vent tube is connected to the inlet of the tray.

According to an alternative embodiment of the present invention, there is provided an exhaust hood for use over a cooking surface, comprising: the air conditioner includes an outer body having a lower surface, a front portion and a rear portion, a motor housing received in the outer body, and a back panel, wherein the back panel defines an enclosure in which air can move, and the back panel has an air inlet. The hood further includes a fan mounted in a chamber in the front of the hood body.

According to another aspect of this alternative embodiment of the present invention, the exhaust hood further includes a vent hole in a lower surface of the exhaust hood main body, wherein air is blown out of the vent hole by the fan.

In another aspect, an exhaust hood according to the present invention includes: a main body having a lower surface, a front portion and a rear portion, and a motor housing received within the main body, and further including a panel extending downwardly from the rear portion of the lower surface, the panel having an air inlet spaced from the lower surface. The panel defines an air passage between the air inlet and the main body.

Other aspects of the invention may be appreciated by reference to the detailed description of the preferred embodiments.

Drawings

These and other features of the present invention will become more apparent from the following description with reference to the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of an exhaust hood having a back plate fitted with an intake port.

FIG. 2 is a side cross-sectional view of the exhaust hood of FIG. 1, showing the folded position of the back panel in phantom.

FIG. 3 is a bottom view of the motor housing shown in FIG. 2 without the fan and motor but including a cross-sectional view through the back plate;

FIG. 4 is a side cross-sectional view of an alternative embodiment of an exhaust hood having a back panel fitted with an air intake, the back panel shown in a folded position in phantom.

FIG. 5A is a cross-sectional view of the engagement portion of the back plate shown in FIG. 2 in a closed position;

FIG. 5B is a cross-sectional view of the joint of FIG. 5A, showing an open or folded position.

FIG. 6A is a cross-sectional view of an alternative embodiment of one engagement portion of the back plate in a closed position;

FIG. 6B is a cross-sectional view of the joint of FIG. 6A in an open or folded position.

Detailed Description

Referring to fig. 1 to 3, there is shown an exhaust hood 10 according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the exhaust hood 10 having a back plate 16, an intake port 18 being fitted to the back plate 16.

The hood 10 is designed for mounting over the surface of a household hob, for example a four-burner stove, in order to facilitate the removal of grease-laden cooking vapours or the like which are produced during cooking. The motor housing 4 defines an enclosure and is mountable in another enclosure formed by the hood outer body 2. The motor housing is preferably made of metal and is divided into two substantially similar, independent chambers. The interior of the housing may be coated with a non-stick material to facilitate grease removal. The air inlet 7 of the motor housing (one for each chamber of the motor housing) is defined by a wall 40 depending from the bottom surface 44 of the motor housing 4 and standing vertically. A vent hole (not shown) formed in the top surface of the housing mates with a corresponding hole in the upper surface of the hood outer body and can fit into a vent tube leading to the exterior of the building.

The motors 8 are mounted in respective chambers of the housing 4. The fans 6 are mounted through fan covers 29, one for each motor 8. The lower panel 14 has an opening corresponding in size and position to the air inlet 7 of the motor case, and is releasably attached to the lower surface of the hood outer body 2. When the motor is operating, the fan is rotated and acts to draw grease-laden air through the motor housing air inlet 7, into the motor housing 4 and force it out of the vent hole in the motor housing 4. A fan grill 22 attached to the lower panel 14 prevents foreign matter from entering the exhaust hood and coming into contact with the fan or motor.

The motor housing acts as an integral grease trap and the wall 40 prevents liquid (water, grease and other contaminants) discharged through the inlet 7 of the motor housing from accumulating inside the motor housing. Alternatively, the bottom surface 44 of the motor housing 4 is shaped so as to discharge liquid at the rear of the motor housing to a discharge hole 46 where it is then fed through a hose 48 to a grease container 49. The grease container 49 is accessible through the access door 24 for emptying its contents. The grease container should be emptied regularly. Preferably, as shown in fig. 3, grease is drained from both chambers of the motor housing to a grease reservoir, wherein two hoses 48 (one leading from each chamber of the hood) are connected to the grease reservoir 49. However, it is also contemplated that each chamber may have its own grease reservoir, and other systems for grease discharge would be satisfactory.

An outwardly and downwardly projecting extension or flange 42 depends from wall 40 to form a gap between flange 42 and wall 40. The flange 42 may be offset or diverge from the wall 40 so that the gap forms a wedge-shaped surface. Preferably, the air inlet 7 of the motor housing defined by the wall 40 is dimensioned to allow a minimum spacing between the lower outer radial edge 5 of the fan and the flange 42 to pass therethrough, in order to minimise the amount of air flow between the two surfaces in operation. A tray 30 has an opening defined by a first, interior tray wall 32. The tray 30 further includes a second, outer tray wall 33 and a floor between the two walls. The tray 30 is sized so that its outer tray wall 33 can be removably attached in the gap formed between the flange 42 and the wall 40. The inner tray wall 32 has a diameter smaller than the lower inner radial edge 3 of the fan. As shown in fig. 2 and 3, the tray 30 has an inlet 34 to which a vent tube 36 can be mounted. Preferably, the tray and the vent are both constructed of plastic, however, other materials may be used. As shown in fig. 2 and 3, the vent tube 36 is attached to a top end 37 of the back panel 16.

The back panel 16 defines a generally rectangular enclosure extending downwardly from the rear of the hood outer body 2 so as to be substantially perpendicular to the lower panel 14. The back plate is preferably fixedly attached to the hood outer body 2 by welding or the like. At its upper end 37, the backplate has an opening corresponding in size to the ventilation tube 36 so that the ventilation tube can be detachably connected to the backplate. Preferably, as best shown in fig. 5A and 5B, back panel 16 is comprised of upper portion 54 and lower portion 56, with upper portion 54 and lower portion 56 being joined at a joint 50 and allowing the back panel to move from a straightened (closed) position to a folded (open) position. However, it is also conceivable that the back plate does not have such an engagement so that it can only be in a straightened position. A suitable locking mechanism may be used to lock the back plate in the folded and straightened positions.

At the base of the back panel 16, there is an air inlet 18 with a protective screen attached. The air inlet 18 of the backplate is in spaced relationship with the outer body 2 of the exhaust hood so that it is lower than the outer body 2 of the exhaust hood. The back plate 16 serves as an air passage between the air intake port 18 in the hood outer body 2 and the motor case 4. When the exhaust hood is in operation, air is drawn up through the air inlet 18 of the backplate into the enclosure defined by the backplate, through the ventilation duct 36, the inlet 34 of the tray, the tray 30 and into the motor housing 4, and is then expelled therefrom to the outside. A sealing band 52 of rubber or the like is located in the region of the joint 50 so as to form an airtight seal between the upper portion 54 and the lower portion 56 when in the straightened position shown in figure 5A.

Liquid accumulated inside the back plate drains to the lower surface 17. The lower surface 17 is shaped to allow accumulated liquid to drain by gravity to the outer oil cup 20. The oil cup needs to be emptied periodically. Alternatively, the air inlet 18 of the back plate may be fitted with a filter to remove unwanted grease. The oil cup 20 can then be replaced by a plug when there is substantially no liquid accumulated on the lower surface 17. It is desirable to simply move the plug onto a regular substrate so that any accumulated liquid can be drained into a waiting grease container or wipe. The filter can be cleaned or replaced if desired.

As shown in phantom in fig. 2, when in the folded position, grease trapped in the bottom of the back panel drains toward the angled surface 19 and pools there. Preferably with the joint 50 and angled surface 19 to attach the S-shaped extension or S-band 15 to the inner panel surface. The S-band is intended to be connected to an angled surface 19 to prevent liquid from draining from the interior of the panel when in the folded position. When not in use, the back panel can be placed in a folded position to improve the appearance of the kitchen without fear of grease draining onto the underlying cooking surface. In the folded position, the air inlet 18 of the back panel is adjacent the lower face panel 14. The sides of the exhaust hood may extend below the level of the lower surface of the exhaust hood body 2 so as to form baffles 12. The baffle 12 serves to block the back panel when the back panel is in the folded position to improve the appearance of the exhaust hood.

The exhaust hood and back plate may be sized to be mounted over the cooking surface so as to leave sufficient space between the outer oil cup 20 and the cooking surface. A negative pressure zone is created above and behind the cooking surface by drawing air through the air inlet 18 of the backplate and into the backplate 16. As a result, air will be drawn back from the front of the cooking surface toward the back plate, effectively increasing the exhaust hood suction area above the cooking surface and preventing more cooking steam from escaping into the surrounding cooking environment. By varying the size of the tray 30, the amount of air drawn through the air inlet 18 of the backplate and the air inlet 7 of the motor housing, respectively, can be varied. The size of the tray 30 is increased by reducing the diameter of the inner tray wall 32 so that less air is drawn through the air inlet 7 of the motor housing and more air is drawn through the air inlet 18 of the back panel. Conversely, by increasing the diameter of the inner tray wall 32 to decrease the size of the tray 30, the opposite effect is achieved.

Other designs for the folding of the back panel are contemplated. For example, fig. 6A and 6B illustrate a different joint design. The rounded joint 60 is used to connect an upper portion 62 and a lower portion 64. The S-band 15 serves to prevent liquid from dripping out of the joint when in the open position shown in fig. 6B. The seal 66 is used to provide an air tight connection when the joint is in the closed position shown in fig. 6A.

An alternative embodiment of the invention is shown in fig. 4. In this alternative embodiment, substantially the same components as in the previously described preferred embodiment have the same reference numerals. In addition to the back plate 16 of the preferred embodiment, the exhaust hood 100 is fitted with an additional fan 110, the fan 110 being mounted outside the motor housing 4 and in a compartment located at the front of the exhaust hood 100. The fan 110 draws air through an opening 114 in the upper surface of the exhaust hood 102 and forces it out of the vents 112 toward the front of the cooking surface, effectively creating an air barrier. The vents 112 may be manually controlled to change the direction of air blown toward the cooking surface. The air barrier helps to prevent cooking vapors from escaping into the surrounding cooking environment.

It is also conceivable to fit a cleaning system or the like in the exhaust hood as in the prior art.

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

Claims (9)

1. An exhaust hood for use over a cooking surface, comprising:

an outer body having a lower surface, a front portion and a rear portion, at least one air opening being defined in said lower surface;

a motor housing received in said outer body and defining a chamber, said motor housing having a bottom surface with an inlet port, said inlet port being positioned above and aligned with said opening, said motor housing having an outlet port;

a motor and a fan secured within the motor housing chamber; and

a back plate having a rectangular shape and extending downwardly from a rear portion of the outer body, wherein the back plate defines an enclosure in which air can move and has an air inlet and an air outlet.

2. The exhaust hood of claim 1 further comprising:

a tray detachably connected between a lower surface of the outer body and a bottom surface of the motor housing, the tray being composed of first and second tray walls and a horizontal bottom plate between the first and second tray walls, wherein the first tray wall is located inside and defines an opening communicating with an air opening of the outer body and an air inlet of the motor housing, the second tray wall is located outside and communicates with an air inlet of the motor housing, an inlet is provided on a wall surface of the second tray wall, the inlet being connected to an end portion of the ventilation duct.

3. The exhaust hood according to claim 2 wherein said back plate is perpendicular to said lower surface and said inlet is located at a position spaced below said lower surface.

4. The exhaust hood of claim 2 wherein the back plate is fixedly attached to the outer body.

5. The exhaust hood of claim 1 wherein the back panel is foldable such that the inlet opening is adjacent the lower surface when the back panel is folded.

6. The exhaust hood of claim 2 wherein the back panel is foldable such that the inlet opening is adjacent the lower surface when the back panel is folded.

7. The exhaust hood according to claim 1 or 2 further comprising a fan mounted within a chamber located in the front portion of the exhaust hood body.

8. The exhaust hood according to claim 7 further comprising a vent hole in a lower surface of the exhaust hood body, wherein air is blown out of the vent hole by the fan.

9. The exhaust hood of claim 1 or 2 wherein the air inlet is defined by a wall depending from the bottom surface and projecting into the interior of the motor housing chamber.