Extraction device and combination apparatus with flexible cover element

Abstract

The present invention relates to an extraction device (30) for the extraction of fumes and/or vapours. The extraction device (30) is particularly arranged or configured to be arranged below a worktop or a cover plate (21) and comprises a blower unit (31) and a flow channel (32) for guiding, preferably extracting, the fumes and/or vapours from an upper space (CS) through an inlet opening (23) in the direction (X) of the blower unit (31). The inlet opening (23) has an inlet opening cross-section (23A). The upper space (CS) is defined by an area upstream of the inlet opening (23). An inlet cavity or inlet shaft (33) is arranged at the inlet opening (23) on a lower space (AS), which is defined by an area downstream of the inlet opening (23). The inlet cavity or inlet shaft (33) is in flow connection or in flow communication with the flow channel (32) and comprises an actuation means and a cover element (35, 35a, 35b). The cover element (35) is configured to be actuated to at least partially cover and/or roof the inlet opening cross-section (23A).The present invention relates further to an assembly an extraction device and a worktop or cover plate (21), a combination apparatus (1) and method for operating a combination apparatus (1).

1 . An extraction device for the extraction of fumes and/or vapours, the extraction device being arranged or configured to be arranged below a worktop or a cover plate, the extraction device comprising:
 a blower unit and a flow channel for guiding fumes and/or vapours from an upper space through an inlet opening in a direction toward the blow-er unit, the inlet opening having an inlet opening cross-section and being arranged or configured to be arranged in or at a recess or cutout of the worktop or cover plate, wherein the upper space is defined by an area upstream of the inlet opening above the worktop or cover plate,   an inlet cavity or inlet shaft is arranged at the inlet opening on a lower space defined by an area downstream of the inlet opening opposite to the upper space with reference to the worktop or cover plate,   wherein the inlet cavity or inlet shaft is in flow connection or in flow communication with the flow channel and comprises a drive unit and a cover element,   wherein the cover element is configured to be actuated to at least partially cover the inlet opening cross-section by the drive unit and/or dependent on at least one parameter relating to the extraction device.   
     
     
         2 . The extraction device according to  claim 1 ,
 wherein the cover element is pivotally mounted and/or is configured to be actuated translationally and/or rotationally:
 in parallel to a reference plane that includes the inlet opening cross-section and/or is parallel to the worktop or the cover plate, and/or 
 on a top surface of the worktop or cover plate, or flush with the top surface of the worktop or cover plate, 
   and/or   wherein the drive unit is configured to pivot the cover element and/or to actuate the cover element translationally and/or rotationally:
 in parallel to a said reference plane 
 and/or 
 on a top surface of the worktop or a cover plate, or flush with the top surface of the worktop or the cover plate. 
   
     
     
         3 . The extraction device according to  claim 1 ,
 further comprising in sections at least one guidance element for translationally and/or rotationally guiding the cover element, the at least one guidance element being arranged or configured to be arranged on the worktop or cover plate or in the inlet cavity or inlet shaft in a region of the inlet opening and/or in a region of the recess or cutout of the worktop or cover plate,   wherein the at least one guidance element comprises a guide rail formed as a slide rail or formed as a ball bearing rail.   
     
     
         4 . The extraction device according to  claim 1 ,
 wherein the drive unit comprises an actuator unit that is operatively coupled to the cover element for at least translationally actuating the cover element in at least one direction:
 in parallel to a reference plane that includes the inlet opening cross-section and/or is parallel the worktop or cover plate, and/or 
 perpendicular to said reference plane, and/or 
 in an angular orientation with reference to said reference plane. 
   
     
     
         5 . The extraction device according to  claim 4 ,
 wherein the actuator unit comprises a linkage assembly driven by a motor, and/or   wherein the actuator unit is configured to be operated manually via a lever arrangement that is operatively coupled to the actuator unit for driving the actuator unit.   
     
     
         6 . The extraction device according to  claim 1 ,
 wherein the drive unit comprises a motor with a rotor and a stator, wherein the rotor is operatively coupled to the cover element for at least translationally and/or rotationally actuating the cover element.   
     
     
         7 . The extraction device according to  claim 1 ,
 wherein the inlet opening and/or the recess or cutout of the worktop or cover plate and/or the inlet cavity or inlet shaft include(s) at least one fixed frame part or at least one fixed edge part or section, which is allocated to or which interacts with an edge or edge zone of the cover element.   
     
     
         8 . The extraction device according to  claim 7 ,
 wherein
 the at least one fixed frame part or at least one fixed edge part or section includes areas or segments configured to be set under electro-magnetic influence, wherein the cover element comprises at least one ferromagnetic element or zone, 
   and/or
 the cover element includes areas or segments configured to be set under electromagnetic influence, wherein the at least one fixed frame part or at least one fixed edge part or section comprises a ferromagnetic element or zone. 
   
     
     
         9 . The extraction device according to  claim 1 ,
 wherein the drive unit uses and/or is operated by an electromagnetic actuator arranged within a range of the cover element and/or allocated:
 to the inlet opening, and/or 
 to the recess or cutout of the worktop or cover plate, and/or 
 to the inlet cavity or inlet shaft. 
   
     
     
         10 . The extraction device according to  claim 1 ,
 wherein in a top view, the cover element comprises a contour, which is identical or at least similar to a contour of the recess, and/or wherein the cover element is designed plate-shaped at least in sections.   
     
     
         11 . The extraction device according to  claim 1 ,
 wherein the cover element and/or the recess comprises a rectangular or a round or an oval contour in a top view.   
     
     
         12 . The extraction device according to  claim 1 ,
 wherein the cover element comprises at least a first part or segment and a second part or segment, which first and second parts or segments are moveable independently from each other.   
     
     
         13 . An assembly comprising the extraction device according to  claim 1  and a worktop or cover plate, the worktop or cover plate comprising a recess or cutout, in or at which the inlet opening of the extraction device is arranged or configured to be arranged. 
     
     
         14 . A combination apparatus comprising a hob, the hob comprising a cooktop plate with at least one cooking unit and a recess with a recess cross-section being formed in the cooktop plate, and the extraction device according to  claim 1 , wherein the cooktop plate of the cooking hob forms the worktop or cover plate, below which the extraction device is arranged. 
     
     
         15 . The combination apparatus according to  claim 14 ,
 wherein the cover element is configured to be actuated dependent on at least one parameter relating to the extraction device and/or relating to the at least one cooking unit,   wherein the at last one parameter comprises information relating to at least one of:
 selection of the at least one cooking unit for a cooking process to be started by a user interface of the combination apparatus; 
 operating condition of the at least one cooking unit; 
 operating condition of the blower unit; 
 detection of a cooking vessel on the at least one cooking unit; and/or 
 detection of air quality at least in the region between the recess and the at least one cooking unit. 
   
     
     
         16 . The combination apparatus according to  claim 15 ,
 further comprising at least one sensor unit, wherein the at least one sensor unit is configured for detecting and/or measuring the at least one parameter.   
     
     
         17 . The combination apparatus according to  claim 15 ,
 further comprising a control unit is configured for controlling at least the drive unit, dependent on the at least one parameter detected by at least one sensor unit of the combination apparatus.   
     
     
         18 . A method for operating the combination apparatus according to  claim 14 , comprising:
 detecting at least one parameter relating to the at least one cooking unit by at least one sensor unit;   actuating the cover element dependent on the detected at least one parameter by the drive unit.   
     
     
         19 . An extraction device for extraction of fumes or vapours from above a cooktop, comprising:
 a recess in a cooktop plate of the cooktop, said cooktop plate having at least first and second cooking stations configured to receive a cooking vessel thereon for cooking food, said first and second cooking stations having respective first and second cooking units associated therewith configured to deliver cooking energy, said recess disposed at least partially between said first and second cooking stations of the cooktop plate, said recess defining an inlet of a flow channel extending beneath the cooktop plate, said inlet having an inlet cross-sectional area;   a blower disposed within or communicating with said flow channel and configured to draw a flow of air from a region above said cooktop plate, through said inlet defined by said recess, and into said flow channel beneath the cooktop plate;   a cover element configured to cover at least a portion of said recess, thereby impeding flow into said flow channel through said inlet;   an actuator unit operatively coupled to said cover element and adapted to adjust a position thereof relative to said inlet to thereby optimize an operative cross-sectional region of said inlet cross-sectional area that is open to air flow from said region above the cooktop into the flow channel via the inlet; and   a control unit operatively linked to said actuator unit and to at least one of:
 a user interface adapted to receive user inputs concerning the activation of one or more of said heating units, and 
 respective sensors associated with each of said cooking stations, configured to measure a cooking parameter associated with cooking food in the respective cooking station; 
   said control unit being configured to operate said actuator unit to adjust the position of said cover element in order to maximize the operative cross-sectional region of said inlet cross-sectional area adjacent to the one or more of said cooking stations in use during one or more cooking operations based on a user selection via said user interface and/or sensor data from one or more of said sensors,   and wherein when both of said first and second cooking zones are in operation as determined from either or both the user interface or from said first and second sensors, said actuator unit is configured to adjust the position of said cover element in order that respective portions of the operative cross-sectional region of said inlet cross-sectional area adjacent to both said first and second cooking stations are approximately equal.   
     
     
         20 . The extraction device according to  claim 19 , said cooktop plate further comprising third and fourth cooking stations configured to receive a cooking vessel thereon for cooking food, said third and fourth cooking stations having respective third and fourth cooking units associated therewith configured to deliver cooking energy, said recess in the cooktop plate being at least partially disposed adjacent to each of said first, second, third and fourth cooking stations,
 wherein when all of the first, second, third and fourth cooking zones are in operation as determined from either or both the user interface or from said respective sensors, said actuator unit is configured to adjust the position of said cover element in order that respective portions of the operative cross-sectional region of said inlet cross-sectional area adjacent to all of said first, second, third and fourth cooking stations are approximately equal.