Extraction device and method for operating the same

Abstract

An extraction device ( 10 ) for removing heated air from an area above a cooking hob comprises an inlet opening ( 12 ) for an air intake into an interior of the extraction device ( 10 ), a conduction means for conducting the heated air through the interior of the extraction device ( 10 ), a fan ( 22 ) for sucking-in the heated air from the area above the cooking hob, the fan ( 22 ) being arranged in or being inoperative connection with the conduction means, and an outlet opening ( 14 ) for exhausting air. According to the present invention, a cooling down means ( 40 ) for cooling down the heated air and a separation means ( 40 ) for a separation of fluid particles from the heated air are arranged upstream of the fan ( 22 ), wherein the separation of the fluid particles is particularly an effect of the cooling down process. Further, a method for operating an extraction device ( 10 ) is disclosed. Air loaded with fluid particles is transported from an inlet opening ( 12 ) to an outlet opening ( 14 ) of the extraction device ( 10 ). According to the invention, the fluid particles are separated from the air by benefitting from a condensation effect.

1 . An extraction device for removing heated air from an area above a cooking hob, comprising:
 an inlet opening configured to intake air into an interior of the extraction device,   an air duct configured to conduct the heated air through the interior of the extraction device,   a fan configured to suck in the heated air from the area above the cooking hob, the fan being arranged in or being in operative connection with the air duct, and   an outlet opening for exhausting air into ambient air, and   a cooling down means configured to cool down the heated air and a condenser or a condensation surface configured to separate from the heated air arranged upstream of the fan, wherein the separation of the fluid particles is an effect of cooling down the heated air.   
     
     
         2 . The extraction device according to  claim 1 ,
 wherein the cooling down means and the condenser or condensation surface are arranged downstream of a filter element, which is arranged at or downstream of the inlet opening, the filter element being a grease filter element.   
     
     
         3 . The extraction device according to  claim 1 , wherein a heating up means is arranged downstream from the cooling down means and is configured to reheat the cooled air, the heating up means being arranged upstream of the fan. 
     
     
         4 . The extraction device according to  claim 3 , wherein at least one of the cooling down means and the heating up means comprises a heat exchanger. 
     
     
         5 . The extraction device according to  claim 4 , wherein the cooling down means and the heating up means are components of a heat pump unit, the heat pump unit further comprising a coolant circuit including a compressor and an evaporator. 
     
     
         6 . The extraction device according to  claim 1 , further comprising a drip tray, for receiving the separated fluid particles. 
     
     
         7 . The extraction device according to  claim 6 ,
 wherein at least two of
 the cooling down means, 
 the heating up means, and 
 the drip tray 
   are inextricably connected to each other or integrally designed.   
     
     
         8 . The extraction device according to  claim 6 , wherein at least one of the cooling down means, the heating up means and the drip tray is configured to be individually cleaned in a dishwasher. 
     
     
         9 . The extraction device according to  claim 1 , wherein a carbon filter element is arranged downstream of the cooling down means, the separation means, the heating up means, and the fan, the carbon filter element being arranged, directly upstream of the outlet opening. 
     
     
         10 . The extraction device according to  claim 9 , wherein the carbon filter element is configured to be separately refreshed in an oven. 
     
     
         11 . The extraction device according to  claim 1 , configured such that the outlet opening is arrangeable inside of a cabinet. 
     
     
         12 . The extraction device according to  claim 1 , further comprising a sensor configured to detect an anomalous condition in the interior of the extraction device, the sensor being a temperature sensor and/or a light sensor. 
     
     
         13 . The extraction device according to  claim 12 , further comprising a control means, configured to stop operation of the fan, or to disconnect the extraction device from a power supply, in case of a detection of an anomalous condition in the interior of the extraction device. 
     
     
         14 . A method for operating the extraction device according to  claim 1 , wherein air loaded with fluid particles comprising water particles and/or grease or oil particles, is transported from the inlet opening to the outlet opening, wherein the fluid particles are separated from the air a through condensation. 
     
     
         15 . The method according to  claim 14 , wherein during its transportation from the inlet opening to the outlet opening the air is cooled down, thereby promoting or causing the condensation, and subsequently reheated with a reduced content of fluid particles. 
     
     
         16 . An extraction device for removing heated air from an area above a cooking hob, the extraction device configured to be installed within a cabinet beneath the hob and to draw a downdraft air flow from the area above the cooking hob, the extraction device comprising an inlet communicating with an opening in a worktop surface of the hob, an outlet communicating with a space within said cabinet when the extraction device is installed therein, and each of the following along an air channel from said inlet to said outlet for the air drawn into the inlet from the area above the cooking hob:
 a grease filter disposed at or downstream of the inlet,   a heat pump unit downstream of the grease filter,   a fan downstream of the heat pump unit,   a carbon odor filter downstream of the fan, and   a drip tray;   
       the heat pump unit comprising a cold area heat exchanger compartment located upstream of a hot area heat exchanger compartment, a border therebetween, and a common closed-loop cooling circuit adapted to circulate a coolant through both the cold-area and hot-area heat exchange compartments, the cooling circuit comprising:
 a compressor adapted to compress and thereby heat the coolant in connection with transitioning said border into the hot area heat exchanger compartment through the cooling circuit, 
 an evaporator adapted to expand and thereby cool the coolant in connection with transitioning said border into the cold area heat exchanger compartment through the cooling circuit, 
 a cold area heat exchanger in the cold area heat exchanger compartment, and 
 a hot area heat exchanger in the hot area heat exchanger compartment; 
 
       wherein the cold area heat exchanger compartment is configured to cool the heated air drawn from the area above the hob via heat-exchange with the coolant in the cold area heat exchanger to thereby induce condensation and separation of at least a portion of water and/or grease in the air; and the hot area heat exchanger compartment is configured to reheat the air from the cold area heat exchanger to raise its capacity for carrying fluid and thus reduce a relative humidity thereof prior to the air being exhausted into the space within the cabinet via said outlet; said drip tray being configured to collect said condensate. 
     
     
         17 . The extraction device of  claim 16 , further comprising a sensor adapted to detect an anomalous condition within the extraction device, and a controller operatively coupled to the sensor, said controller adapted to deactivate the fan and/or to disconnect the extraction device from its power source upon detection of an anomalous condition via said sensor, the sensor being a temperature sensor or a light sensor.