DE102023105852A1 - Extractor hood and maintenance procedures - Google Patents

Abstract

Method for servicing an extractor device (1) comprising an intake section (2) with an intake opening (3), a blower device (4) in operative connection with the intake opening (3), and a filter device (5) for partially filtering sucked-in air and/or vapors, wherein the filter device (5) is arranged in sections in the intake section (2). The filter device (5) is heated in sections by means of a heating device (6) at a predetermined time for a heating interval. Extractor device (1) comprising an intake section (2) with an intake opening (3), a blower device (4) in operative connection with the intake opening (3), and a filter device (5) for partially filtering sucked-in air and/or vapors, wherein the filter device (5) is arranged in sections in the intake section (2) and can be heated at least in sections by means of a heating device (6). The extractor device comprises a control device (8) which is suitable and designed to carry out a method according to the invention.

Description

The present invention relates to an extractor device comprising at least one intake section with at least one intake opening, at least one blower device in operative connection with the intake opening and at least one filter device for at least partially filtering sucked-in air and/or vapors, wherein the filter device is arranged at least in sections in the intake section and can be heated at least in sections by means of at least one heating device. The present invention further relates to a method for maintaining an extractor device.

Extractor hoods such as extractor hoods, downdraft fans and/or ceiling fans are often arranged and/or installed in the immediate vicinity of a cooking area, i.e. above, next to, behind and/or in a hob, in order to extract the fatty fumes that rise when cooking and thus prevent the kitchen elements from becoming dirty and unpleasant odors from developing. In extractor hoods, the fatty fumes and/or air that rises from a hob or from cookware placed on the hob are typically sucked in by a fan through at least one filter into the extractor hood, freed of grease particles and/or unpleasant odors and moisture and, depending on the design of the extractor hood, fed into a recirculation or exhaust air system.

As a rule, it is advisable for the extractor hood to enable effective and powerful extraction of air and/or fumes.

However, particularly with regular and/or frequent use of the extractor fan, grease and/or other contaminants often build up on and/or in the filter, which often causes an unpleasant smell and/or a drop in the extractor fan's suction power. For example, due to chemical reactions, grease can become resinous on and/or in the filter, causing the filter to become clogged and the suction power to drop. Grease buildup and/or deposits in and/or on a filter also regularly represent a potential source of danger, particularly a fire hazard.

Therefore, filters, especially grease filters, in known extractor hoods must be cleaned, maintained and/or replaced regularly at relatively short intervals. However, such cleaning, maintenance and/or replacement of a filter is often difficult and/or involves considerable effort. In addition, when cleaning and/or maintaining a filter, grease and/or other contaminants are often only inadequately removed and/or, for example, when cleaning a filter in an alkaline environment, the filter can even be damaged.

It is therefore the object of the present invention to provide an extractor device and a method for maintaining an extractor device, which enables particularly user-friendly and reliable maintenance, in particular cleaning, of a filter device.

This object is achieved by the method for maintaining an extractor device with the features of claim 1 and the extractor device with the features of claim 9. Preferred developments of the invention are the subject of the subclaims. Further advantages and features of the invention emerge from the exemplary embodiments.

The method according to the invention is used for servicing an extractor device. The extractor device comprises at least one intake section with at least one intake opening, at least one fan device in operative connection with the intake opening and at least one filter device for at least partially filtering the air and/or vapors that are sucked in, the filter device being arranged at least in sections in the intake section. The filter device is heated at least in sections by means of at least one heating device at least temporarily for at least one heating interval at least at one predetermined time.

In particular, the method according to the invention serves for the maintenance and/or operation and/or at least partial cleaning and/or at least partial regeneration of an extractor device and in particular the filter device.

Preferably, the maintenance method can be carried out before, after and/or during operation of the extractor device.

A heating interval is in particular a period of time in which the filter device is heated at least in sections by means of at least one heating device.

Preferably, the extractor device comprises at least one control device. Preferably, the control device controls and/or regulates the heating device, in particular a heating output of the heating device.

In expedient developments, the heating device comprises at least one resistance heating element. The heating device can preferably be heated by means of at least one electronic energy source.

In advantageous further developments, the filter device comprises at least one grease filter element for filtering grease from the sucked-in air and/or sucked-in vapor. Depending on the task and design, the filter device can also comprise further filter elements, e.g. an odor filter element.

The present invention has many advantages. A significant advantage is that the filter device is heated at least in sections by means of at least one heating device at least temporarily for at least one heating interval at least at one predetermined point in time.

This makes it particularly user-friendly and reliable to maintain and, in particular, clean an extractor hood.

Because the filter device is heated at least in sections by means of at least one heating device, fats and/or other contaminants can be at least partially converted into a liquid and/or flowable state, so that they can be easily removed from and/or from the filter device, in particular by a user, or even at least partially exit the filter device on their own. This enables and also considerably facilitates reliable, in particular essentially complete cleaning of an extractor device, preferably a filter device. This makes the method according to the invention particularly reliable and user-friendly.

Furthermore, it is also possible and advantageous for the filter device to be heated by means of the heating device in such a way that fats and/or other contaminants are at least partially broken down and/or resinification of the fats is reduced or even essentially completely avoided. This also enables reliable, in particular essentially complete, cleaning of an extractor device and in particular significantly extends the time period between two maintenance operations of the extractor device, preferably the filter device, to be carried out by a user.

Also, dismantling and/or removing the filter device from the extractor device, as is often necessary for maintenance and/or cleaning of known extractor devices, is essentially not necessary or at least less necessary, since the filter device can be cleaned at least in sections by heating when installed in the intake section. This makes the method according to the invention even more user-friendly.

Since the filter device is heated at least temporarily for at least one heating interval at least at a predetermined time, the method according to the invention is even more user-friendly, because maintenance, in particular cleaning, of the extractor device can be carried out, for example, whenever a drop in the suction power of the extractor device, in particular due to the build-up and/or deposits of grease and/or other contaminants on and/or in the filter device, is significant and/or is expected soon. The time during which the filter device is heated by means of the heating device can also be adapted to the circumstances, in particular the amount of grease and/or other contaminants deposited and/or accumulated in and/or on the filter device.

Preferably, the predetermined point in time is a maintenance point in time of a maintenance interval, in particular a recurring one. This enables maintenance of the filter device and/or cleaning of the filter device, in particular in a regular and/or particularly user-friendly manner.

The maintenance time is in particular a specific time of a preferably periodic, recurring and/or repeating maintenance interval and/or cleaning interval.

The maintenance interval and/or cleaning interval is in particular a time interval between two maintenance points in time.

Preferably, the maintenance time is repeated within a maintenance interval. For example, the maintenance time can be repeated every second, minute, hour, day, week, month and/or year.

Depending on the task and design, the duration of the maintenance interval and/or cleaning interval can increase and/or decrease, in particular over time, preferably the state of use of the extractor device and/or the filter device.

Particularly preferably, the predetermined time occurs when the operating period of the extractor device is at least one exceeds a certain threshold value. This allows the method to be carried out in particular whenever a reduction or deterioration in the filter performance of the filter device is present and/or is to be expected. In particular, this avoids the method being carried out when the filter performance is essentially not reduced or only slightly reduced, or when essentially no or only a slight reduction in the filter performance is to be expected. The method thus enables preferably energy-saving and/or user-friendly maintenance and/or cleaning of an extractor device, in particular a filter device.

Preferably, the predetermined point in time is reached and/or given when the operating time of the extractor device exceeds at least a predetermined threshold value.

The operating time period is in particular a sum of operating times of the extractor device since the extractor device was first operated. The operating time period is preferably a sum of operating times of the extractor device since the start or end of the method for servicing an extractor device, in particular since the last time the extractor device was serviced. The operating time period is preferably in particular an operating time of the extractor device.

The predetermined threshold value is in particular a time of 15 minutes or 30 minutes, preferably 45 minutes or 60 minutes, preferably 90 minutes or 120 minutes, particularly preferably 180 minutes or 240 minutes, in particular 12 hours or even more.

In advantageous further developments, the predetermined time depends on the total operating times. Preferably, the predetermined time depends on the last operating time or operating duration of the extractor device.

In expedient developments, the predetermined heating interval is a time period in the range of 30 s to 300 s. This enables particularly quick maintenance and/or cleaning of an extractor device, in particular within a short period of time. This makes the method particularly user-friendly.

The heating interval preferably extends over a period of time in the range of 5 s - 3600 s, preferably 10 s - 1800 s, in particular 20 s - 900 s, particularly preferably 30 s - 600 s, preferably 40 s - 300 s, in particular 100 s - 150 s. Depending on the task and design, the heating interval can also extend over a period of time of less than 5 s, such as 3 s or 1 s. Depending on the task and design, the heating interval can also extend over a period of time of more than one hour.

In advantageous further developments, the length of the heating interval depends on the, in particular commutative, operating time of the extractor device and/or the state of use of the extractor device and/or the filter device.

Particularly preferably, the predetermined time and/or the heating interval is selected such that the resinification of fats in and/or on the filter device is at least reduced. This allows the extractor device to be cleaned particularly quickly and in a user-friendly manner.

In particular, the length of the heating interval is selected in such a way that the resinification of fats in and/or on the filter device is at least reduced.

Preferably, the predetermined time and/or the heating interval is selected such that resinification of fats in and/or on the filter device is reduced or even substantially avoided.

In particular, the filter device provides at least one grease filter element for at least partially filtering out grease from the sucked-in air and/or the sucked-in vapor. Preferably, the predetermined time and/or the heating interval is selected such that the resinification of grease in and/or on the filter device, in particular the grease filter element, is at least reduced.

Preferably, the filter device is heated to a predetermined temperature so that resinification of fats in and/or on the filter device is at least reduced, preferably substantially avoided.

Preferably, the filter device is heated to a predetermined temperature so that fats and/or other organic contaminants are burned.

The predetermined temperature is in particular a temperature in the range of 30 °C - 800 °C, preferably in the range of 40 °C - 500 °C, preferably in the range of 50 °C - 300, particularly preferably in the range of 60 °C - 200 °C, in particular in the range of 70 °C - 120 °C, preferably 50 °C - 100 °C.

In advantageous further developments, the filter device is heated in such a way that fats and/or other contaminants at least partially change into a liquid and/or flowable state. This makes it particularly easy and reliable to remove fats and/or other contaminants at least partially, either directly or at a later time.

In particular, the filter device is heated in such a way that fats and/or other contaminants drip and/or flow out of the filter device.

In appropriate further developments, liquefied and/or flowable fats and/or other contaminants are collected in a collecting device. This makes the process particularly user-friendly.

Preferably, the collecting device is provided by at least one tub, tray, channel and/or similar suitable device.

The extractor device according to the invention comprises at least one intake section with at least one intake opening, at least one blower device in operative connection with the intake opening and at least one filter device for at least partially filtering sucked-in air and/or vapors, wherein the filter device is arranged at least in sections in the intake section and can be heated at least in sections by means of at least one heating device. At least one control device is included which is suitable and designed to carry out at least one method as described above.

Preferably, the heating device comprises at least one resistance heating element. In advantageous further developments, the heating device can be heated by means of at least one electronic energy source.

In expedient further developments, the control device controls and/or regulates at least the heating device, in particular at least one heating output of the heating device.

The extractor device according to the invention also has the advantages of the method according to the invention already described.

Preferably, the filter device provides the heating device so that the filter device can be heated directly. This enables a particularly space-saving or installation volume-saving design.

In particular, the filter device provides a resistance heating element at least in sections and/or is designed as a resistance heating element at least in sections.

Depending on the task and design, the heating device can also be present as a separate assembly, so that the filter device can be heated indirectly, in particular by heat radiation and/or via thermal contact by means of the heating device.

Particularly preferably, the filter device comprises at least one grease filter element for at least partially filtering out grease from the sucked-in air and/or the sucked-in vapors.

In expedient further developments, the filter device can be heated by means of the heating device to at least one predetermined temperature in the range of 50 °C - 150 °C.

The predetermined temperature is in particular a temperature in the range of 30 °C - 800 °C, preferably in the range of 40 °C - 500 °C, preferably in the range of 50 °C - 300, particularly preferably in the range of 60 °C - 200 °C, in particular in the range of 70 °C - 120 °C, preferably 50 °C - 100 °C.

Preferably, the filter device can be heated by means of the heating device in such a way that fats and/or other contaminants can be at least partially converted into a liquid and/or flowable state, or that fats and/or other contaminants can be at least partially decomposed.

Preferably, at least one collecting device for collecting fats and/or other contaminants is included. The filter device can be arranged at an angle of 20° to 45°, for example, to promote the drainage of the liquefied contaminants.

Preferably, the collecting device collects liquefied and/or flowable fats.

In advantageous further developments, the collecting device is provided by at least one tub, tray, channel and/or a similarly suitable device.

The drip tray can be removed from the device and placed in the dishwasher for cleaning, for example.

Particularly preferably, the collecting device comprises at least one level measuring device device for measuring the filling level of the collecting device.

• 1 eine rein schematische Darstellung eines Ausführungsbeispiels einer erfindungsgemäßen Dunstabzugseinrichtung in einer geschnittenen Ansicht von der Seite;
• 2 eine rein schematische Darstellung eines weiteren Ausführungsbeispiels einer erfindungsgemäßen Dunstabzugseinrichtung in einer geschnittenen Ansicht von der Seite;
• 3 eine rein schematische Darstellung eines möglichen Ablaufdiagramms eines erfindungsgemäßen Verfahrens zur Wartung einer Dunstabzugseinrichtung; und
• 4 eine schematische Darstellung eines Diagramms, das eine Verschmutzung des Fettfilters der erfindungsgemäßen Dunstabzugseinrichtung über die Zeit darstellt.

In the figures show:

• 1 a purely schematic representation of an embodiment of an extractor device according to the invention in a sectional view from the side;
• 2 a purely schematic representation of a further embodiment of an extractor device according to the invention in a sectional view from the side;
• 3 a purely schematic representation of a possible flow chart of a method according to the invention for the maintenance of an extractor device; and
• 4 a schematic representation of a diagram showing the contamination of the grease filter of the extractor device according to the invention over time.

In 1 An embodiment of an extractor device 1 according to the invention is shown purely schematically in a sectional view from the side.

In the embodiment shown here, the extractor device 1 comprises an intake section 2 with two intake openings 3, a blower device 4, a filter device 5 for at least partially filtering air and/or vapors and a heating device 6.

The filter device 5 is arranged here in the intake section 2 and is provided here by a grease filter element 7 for at least partially filtering out grease from the air and/or the vapor. Depending on the task and design, the filter device 5 can also be provided by another filter element, such as an odor filter element, and/or comprise several, in particular different, filter elements.

The blower device 4 is also arranged in the intake section 2 and is operatively connected to the two intake openings 3, so that air and/or vapors can be sucked in through the intake openings 3 and through the filter device 5 to the blower device 4.

In the embodiment shown here, the two suction openings 3 are each arranged in a lower lateral section. Depending on the task and design, the suction section 2 can also comprise only one suction opening 3, which is arranged, for example, in a lower, essentially central section of the suction section 2.

The heating device 6 is arranged here essentially below the filter device 5, so that the filter device 5 provided by a grease filter element 7 can be heated by means of the heating device 6. Depending on the task and design, the heating device 6 can also be arranged essentially above and/or next to the filter device 5. It is also possible for the heating device 6 to be arranged in a different position, in particular in the intake section 2, and/or for the heating device 6 to be positioned such that the heating device 6 is in direct contact with the filter device 5.

It is possible and advantageous here that the filter device 5 can be heated by means of the heating device 6 to a predetermined temperature T1, e.g. in the range of 30 °C - 800 °C or in the range of 60 °C - 200 °C or the like.

In the exemplary embodiment shown here, the extractor device 1 comprises a control device 8, which is suitable and designed to carry out a method according to the invention, in which the filter device 5 is heated at least in sections by means of the heating device 6 at least temporarily for at least one heating interval at least at one predetermined point in time. The extractor device 1 shown here purely schematically can thus be maintained using the method according to the invention.

The control device 8 is suitable and designed to control and/or regulate a heating output of the heating device 6. The control device 8 can thus control the heating output of the heating device 6, for example, such that the filter device 5 is heated by the heating device 6 for a heating interval at recurring maintenance intervals, or that the filter device 5 is heated by the heating device 6 when an operating period of the extractor device 1 exceeds a predetermined threshold value SW1.

The predetermined time and/or the heating interval is selected so that fats and/or other contaminants which are deposited on and/or in the filter device 5, for example during operation of the extractor device 1, are partially converted into a liquid and/or flowable state, so that fats and/or other contaminants exit the filter device 5. Such fats and/or other contaminants which are converted into a liquid and/or flowable state and exit the filter device 5 here drip and/or flow out of the filter device 5 and are collected by a collecting device 9. Thus, the extractor device 1 with the filter device 5 can be maintained and cleaned in a particularly reliable and user-friendly manner.

In the embodiment shown here, the collecting device 9 comprises a level measuring device 10, which determines a level of the collecting device 9. When a predetermined level is reached, a user can be informed, for example, that the collecting device 9 is to be emptied.

In 2 A further embodiment of an extractor device 1 according to the invention is shown purely schematically in a sectional view from the side.

In the embodiment shown here, the extractor device 1 comprises an intake section 2 with an intake opening 3, a blower device 4, a filter device 5 for at least partially filtering air and/or vapors, a heating device 6 and a control device 8.

As in 1 Here too, the blower device 4 and the filter device 5 are arranged in the intake section 2. Here too, the filter device 5 is provided by a grease filter element 7.

In contrast to the embodiment according to 1 Here, the heating device 6 is provided by the filter device 5, so that the filter device 6 can be heated directly. For example, the filter device 5 can comprise at least one resistance heating element, by means of which the filter device 5 can be heated directly.

In the exemplary embodiment shown here, the control device 8 is also suitable and designed to carry out a method according to the invention. To this end, the control device 8 controls and/or regulates a heating output of the heating device 6, so that the filter device 5 is heated at least in sections by means of the heating device 6 at least temporarily for at least one heating interval at least at a predetermined time.

Thus, here too, the filter device 5 can be heated by means of the heating device 6, for example in repeated maintenance intervals for a heating interval and/or when an operating period of the extractor device exceeds a predetermined threshold value SW1.

The length of the maintenance interval and/or the heating interval depends on the usage status of the extractor device 1. For example, the maintenance interval can be reduced and/or the heating interval can be increased depending on the age of the extractor device 1 and/or the operating time of the extractor device 1. Depending on the task and design, the maintenance interval can also be increased and/or the heating interval can be reduced.

It is also possible and advantageous here that a predetermined temperature T1 to which the filter device 5 is heated by means of the heating device 6 depends on the state of use of the extractor device 1. For example, in a state of use which essentially corresponds to that of a new extractor device 1, the filter device 5 can be heated to a predetermined temperature T1 in the range of 50 °C - 120 °C and in a state of use which deteriorates, for example as the extractor device 1 ages, to a predetermined temperature T1 in the range of 70 °C - 200 °C.

In the exemplary embodiment shown here, the predetermined time, the heating interval and/or the predetermined temperature T1 can be selected such that the resinification of fats in and/or on the filter device 5 is reduced or even completely avoided. This makes it easier to remove fats and/or other contaminants from the filter device 5 and thus the extractor device 1 can be maintained in a more user-friendly manner.

In 3 An example of a possible flow chart of a method according to the invention for maintaining an extractor device 1 is shown purely schematically.

The following steps S1 to S5 are carried out by the control device 8. Depending on the task and/or design, it is also possible and advantageous that only certain and/or individual steps S1 to S5 are carried out by the control device 8.

In the exemplary embodiment shown here, a usage state of an extractor device 1 is determined in an optional step S1. For this purpose, for example, a current suction power of the extractor device 1, a current and/or expected contamination state of the filter device 5 and/or an operating period of the extractor device 1 can be taken into account.

In a step S2, a time length of a heating interval is determined and/or set, optionally taking into account the usage state of the extractor device 1 determined in the optional step S1.

In a step S3, a time length of a maintenance interval is determined and/or specified, optionally taking into account the usage state of the extractor device 1 determined in the optional step S1.

Depending on the task and design, a predetermined temperature T1 to which the filter device 5 is to be heated can optionally be determined and/or set in step S3.

In a step 4, an operating time period of the extractor device, such as the current and/or the last operating time or operating duration of the extractor device 1, is compared with a threshold value SW1, which here corresponds to the length of the maintenance interval. If the operating time period is less than the threshold value SW1, step S1 is repeated. If the operating time period is greater than the threshold value SW1, the predetermined point in time at which the filter device 5 is to be heated at least in sections and at least temporarily for at least one heating interval is given and step S5 is carried out.

In step S5, the heating power of the heating device 6 is controlled such that the filter device 5 is heated by means of the heating device 6 for the length of the heating interval.

In 4 a schematic representation of a diagram 11 is shown. Diagram 11 shows, as a solid line, a contamination of the grease filter of the extractor device according to the invention over time, preferably over the operating period. For comparison, the dashed line shows the contamination when the grease filter is cleaned less frequently. It can be seen that by frequently heating up after the time intervals with the length of the threshold value SW1 for the operating period, the degree of contamination can be kept comparatively low.

List of reference symbols

1

Extractor hood

2

Intake section

3

Intake opening

4

Blower device

5

Filter device

6

Heating device

7

Grease filter element

8

Control device

9

Collection facility

10

Level measuring device

11

diagram

SW1

Threshold

T1

temperature

S1

Step

S2

Step

S3

Step

S4

Step

S5

Step

Claims (14)

Method for servicing an extractor device (1) comprising at least one intake section (2) with at least one intake opening (3), at least one blower device (4) in operative connection with the intake opening (3) and at least one filter device (5) for at least partially filtering sucked-in air and/or vapors, wherein the filter device (5) is arranged at least in sections in the intake section (2), characterized in that the filter device (5) is heated at least in sections by means of at least one heating device (6) at least temporarily for at least one heating interval at least at one predetermined point in time. Procedure according to Claim 1 , characterized in that the predetermined point in time is a maintenance point in time of a, in particular recurring, maintenance interval. Method according to one of the two preceding claims, characterized in that the predetermined point in time occurs when the operating time period of the extractor device (1) exceeds at least one predetermined threshold value (SW1). Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the predetermined heating interval is a time period in the range of 30 s to 300 s. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the predetermined time and/or the heating interval is selected such that resinification of fats in and/or on the filter device (5) is at least reduced. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the filter device (5) is heated to a predetermined temperature (T1) so that resinification of fats in and/or on the filter device (5) is at least reduced. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the filter device (5) is heated so that fats and/or other contaminants at least partially change into a liquid and/or flowable state. Method according to the preceding claim, characterized in that liquefied and/or flowable fats and/or other contaminants are collected in a collecting device (9). Extractor hood device (1) comprising at least one intake section (2) with at least one intake opening (3), at least one blower device (4) in operative connection with the intake opening (3) and at least one filter device (5) for at least partially filtering sucked-in air and/or vapors, wherein the filter device (5) is arranged at least in sections in the intake section (2) and can be heated at least in sections by means of at least one heating device (6), characterized in that at least one control device (8) is included, which is suitable and designed to carry out at least one method according to one of the preceding claims. Extractor hood (1) after Claim 9 , characterized in that the filter device (5) provides the heating device (6), so that the filter device (5) can be heated directly. Extractor hood device (1) according to one of the two preceding claims, characterized in that the filter device (5) comprises at least one grease filter element (7) for at least partially filtering out grease from the sucked-in air and/or the sucked-in vapors. Extractor device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the filter device (5) can be heated by means of the heating device (6) to at least one predetermined temperature (T1) in the range of 50 °C - 150 °C. Extractor hood device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least one collecting device (9) for collecting fats and/or other contaminants is included. Extractor device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the collecting device comprises at least one level measuring device (10) for measuring a level of the collecting device.

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