JP6846965B2 - Range food - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a range hood that can be automatically washed.

Range hoods that discharge oily air generated during cooking are widespread. This range hood includes a housing having an intake port and an exhaust port, a ventilation mechanism for sending air from the intake port to the exhaust port, and a rectifying plate provided at the intake port. In the process of blowing air, the oil separated from the air adheres to the blowing mechanism and the straightening vane.

Patent Document 1 discloses a technique for automatically cleaning a blower mechanism (exhaust impeller in the document). The range hood of Patent Document 1 includes a blower casing for accommodating an exhaust impeller and a nozzle for blowing water from a water storage tank into the blower casing. As a result, the water blown out from the nozzle is made to collide with the rotated exhaust impeller to peel off and remove the oil film, and the water containing oil is scattered and washed by centrifugal force.

Patent Document 2 discloses a technique in which a blower mechanism is composed of an impeller and a power transmission member, and a filter attached around the power transmission member is automatically cleaned. The range hood of Patent Document 2 includes a blower box for accommodating an impeller and a power transmission member, and a nozzle for blowing water from a tank to a filter. As a result, water is made to collide with the filter impregnated with the detergent to remove the oil adhering to the filter.

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2013-44471 Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2016-13229

The inner surface of the straightening vane exists in the air blowing path inside the housing, and the oil separated from the colliding air adheres to the inner surface of the straightening vane, or the oil separated from the air colliding with the inner surface of the housing. Drops on the baffle plate and adheres to the inner surface of the baffle plate. For this reason, in the conventional range hood, it is necessary to remove the current plate and manually clean it. Since it takes time and effort to remove the straightening vane and clean it, some users may leave it for a long period of time and oil may stick to the straightening vane, making cleaning difficult.

Therefore, there is a demand for a range hood that can maintain the current plate in a clean state without bothering the user.

The characteristic configuration of the range hood according to the present invention is a housing having an intake port and an exhaust port, a ventilation mechanism arranged inside the housing and sending air from the intake port to the exhaust port, and the inside of the housing. A liquid supply pipe arranged in a water supply source and connected to a liquid supply source, a rectifying plate provided at the intake port and having a liquid drainage port, and a drainage pipe connected to the liquid drainage port are provided. The liquid supply pipe is provided with an air outlet that blows out the liquid supplied from the liquid supply source toward the inner surface of the straightening vane, and cleans the inner surface of the straightening vane with the liquid blown out from the air outlet. With the configuration to
The outlet is configured to be switchable between a first outlet that ejects the liquid in the form of a mist and a second outlet that ejects the liquid in the form of a lump .

In this configuration, the inner surface of the straightening vane is cleaned with the liquid blown out from the outlet of the liquid supply pipe connected to the liquid supply source. Therefore, the oil content adhering to the inner surface of the straightening vane can be automatically cleaned.

In addition, since the outlet is configured to blow out the liquid toward the inner surface of the straightening vane, it is possible to collide the liquid with the inner surface of the straightening vane and forcibly clean the oil adhering to the inner surface of the straightening vane. it can. Moreover, since the straightening vane is provided with a drainage port, it is possible to drain the liquid mixed with oil each time, and the straightening vane can be kept clean.

In this way, it was possible to provide a range hood that can maintain the straightening vane in a clean state without bothering the user.
Further, if the outlet is formed so that the mist and the lumpy liquid can be blown out as in this configuration, for example, the oil adhering to the straightening vane is softened and floated by the mist, and then the lumpy liquid is forcibly used. It is possible to wash away the oil. As a result, the cleaning efficiency of the straightening vane can be improved.

Another configuration is that the inner surface of the straightening vane has an inclined surface so that the drainage port is lower than the position directly below the air outlet.

If the straightening vane has an inclined surface so that the drainage port is lower than the position directly below the air outlet as in this configuration, the liquid colliding with the inner surface of the straightening vane flows smoothly along the inclined surface. Since the liquid is discharged from the drain port, the liquid does not remain on the inner surface of the straightening vane. As a result, there is no inconvenience that the remaining liquid evaporates and oil is reattached to the inner surface of the straightening vane, and the straightening vane can be maintained in a clean state.

In another configuration, the drainage port is formed on one end side of the straightening vane, and the outlet blows out liquid to the other end side of the straightening vane opposite to the drainage port. The inner surface of the straightening vane is inclined so that the liquid flows from the other end side toward the one end side.

If the air outlet and the drainage port are provided at both ends of the straightening vane as in this configuration, the liquid can be distributed over the entire area of the inner surface of the straightening vane. Moreover, since the liquid colliding with the inner surface of the straightening vane flows smoothly along the inclined surface and is discharged from the drainage port, the liquid does not remain on the inner surface of the straightening vane. As a result, the entire area of the inner surface of the straightening vane can be maintained in a clean state.

Other configurations include a first input unit capable of inputting an operation command and a stop command of the blower mechanism, a second input unit capable of inputting a cleaning command of the straightening vane, and a control unit controlling the operation of the air outlet. When the stop command is input to the first input unit and the cleaning command is input to the second input unit, the control unit mists the liquid from the first outlet. It is at the point where the liquid is blown out from the second outlet after a predetermined time has passed.

In this configuration, the oil adhering to the current plate is softened and floated with mist, and then the oil is forcibly washed away with a lumpy liquid. As a result, the cleaning efficiency of the straightening vane can be improved. Further, since the cleaning of the straightening vane is started after the blower mechanism is stopped, the mist is not forcibly discharged by the blower mechanism. Moreover, since cleaning is started only by inputting a cleaning command, it does not bother the user.

It is a schematic diagram of a range hood. It is the bottom view of the range hood. It is a perspective view of a straightening vane. It is a control block diagram of a range hood. It is a cleaning flow chart of a straightening vane. It is a perspective view of the rectifying plate which concerns on another Embodiment 1. FIG. It is a perspective view of the rectifying plate which concerns on another Embodiment 2.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the range hood according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. However, the present invention is not limited to the following embodiments, and various modifications can be made without departing from the gist thereof.

The range hood X of the present embodiment is provided above a cooker (not shown) and discharges air or the like containing oil generated during cooking. As shown in FIG. 1, the range hood X includes a housing 1, a blower mechanism 2, a water supply pipe 3 (an example of a liquid supply pipe), a rectifying plate 4, and a drainage pipe 5 (an example of a drainage pipe). I have.

The housing 1 has an intake port 1a that serves as an air intake port and an exhaust port 1b that serves as an air discharge port. The ventilation mechanism 2 and the water supply pipe 3 are housed in the internal space 10 surrounded by the housing 1 and the straightening vane 4. In the present embodiment, the intake port 1a is provided in the lower opening of the housing, and the rectifying plate 4 is provided in the intake port 1a. The intake port 1a may be set above the lower opening of the housing 1 and the straightening vane 4 may be arranged so as to be separated from the lower opening of the housing 1 upward, or the intake port 1a may be arranged below the housing 1. The straightening vane 4 may be arranged below the opening so as to be separated from the lower opening of the housing 1.

The ventilation mechanism 2 is arranged in the internal space 10 of the housing 1. The blower mechanism 2 has a sirocco fan driven by a motor or the like, and when the sirocco fan is rotationally driven, the air sucked from the intake port 1a is sent toward the exhaust port 1b. The blower mechanism 2 is housed in the blower caging 21, and a small hole 21a is formed at the bottom of the blower cage 21. A filter may be provided on the front surface (upstream side of the air) of the blower mechanism 2, the blower mechanism 2 may be composed of a propeller fan, and the blower mechanism 2 may have a structure for sending air. It may be.

The water supply pipe 3 is arranged in the internal space 10 of the housing 1 between the blower mechanism 2 and the straightening vane 4. The water supply pipe 3 is connected to a hot water supply source 30 (an example of a liquid supply source) such as a water heater, and is configured to be able to supply hot water (an example of a liquid) to the internal space 10 of the housing 1. The water supply pipe 3 is provided with a nozzle 31 (an example of an outlet) that blows hot water supplied from the hot water supply source 30 toward the inner surface 40 of the straightening vane 4 (the surface of the straightening vane 4 that is in contact with the internal space 10). (See Fig. 3). Further, a first on-off valve 3a is provided on the path of the water supply pipe 3. By opening the first on-off valve 3a, the inner surface 40 of the straightening vane 4 is washed with the hot water blown from the nozzle 31.

The nozzle 31 is configured to be switchable between a first outlet 31a for ejecting hot water in the form of a mist and a second outlet 31b for ejecting the hot water in the form of a lump. In this switching structure, the first outlet 31a and the second outlet 31b may be provided separately and opened / closed with an on-off valve (not shown), or the second outlet 31b is arranged in the center and the second outlet 31b is arranged. The first outlet 31a may be composed of micropores arranged around the second outlet 31b, and a switching valve (not shown) may be used to switch between the first outlet 31a and the second outlet 31b. It may be in any form.

Further, the range hood X includes a branch pipe 32 having a third outlet 32a that is branched from the water supply pipe 3 and blows hot water toward the blower mechanism 2. A second on-off valve 32b is provided on the path of the branch pipe 32. By opening the second on-off valve 32b, the inside of the blower mechanism 2 is washed with the hot water blown out from the third outlet 32a. The hot water after cleaning is configured to be discharged from a small hole 21a provided at the bottom of the blower caging 21, fall into the straightening vane 4, and be discharged from the drainage port 41 of the straightening vane 4, which will be described later. The branch pipe 32 for cleaning the blower mechanism 2 may be omitted, and the third outlet 32a can switch between an outlet that ejects hot water in the form of a mist and an outlet that ejects the hot water in the form of a lump. It may be configured.

As shown in FIG. 2, the straightening vane 4 is arranged so as to be fixed to the housing 1 and to close the center of the intake port 1a. The straightening vane 4 has a function of narrowing the opening area of the intake port 1a, and increases the suction speed of air or the like containing oil generated during cooking. The straightening vane 4 is formed in a rectangular shape when viewed from the bottom, and an intake port 1a is provided along three sides, and one end constituting the remaining one side is brought into close contact with the housing 1. The intake port 1a may be provided along the four sides of the straightening vane 4 without bringing one end of the straightening vane 4 into close contact with the housing 1, or may be provided on at least one of the four sides, particularly. Not limited. When a gap is provided between one end of the straightening vane 4 and the housing 1 without bringing one end of the straightening vane 4 into close contact with the housing 1, the intake port 1a is provided on the entire circumference of the straightening vane 4, so that the suction speed of air or the like is increased. Can be surely increased. The fixing of the straightening vane 4 is not limited to the form of fixing to the housing 1, and may be fixed to the wall or to another member.

As shown in FIG. 3, the straightening vane 4 has a bottom portion 4a and a side wall 4b extending upward from the four sides of the bottom portion 4a. A drainage port 41 (an example of a drainage port) that is in close contact with the housing 1 of the straightening vane 4 and penetrates the center of the bottom portion 4a is provided, and the drainage pipe 5 is connected to the drainage port 41. Further, the straightening vane 4 is formed by pressing a plate-shaped member (stainless steel plate, steel plate, etc.), and has a box shape having an opening on the side of the internal space 10 of the housing 1. Here, the surface of the bottom portion 4a of the straightening vane 4 on the side of the internal space 10 of the housing 1 is defined as the inner surface 40 of the straightening vane 4.

The inner surface 40 of the straightening vane 4 is oil-repellent, water-repellent, or hydrophilic, which prevents oil contained in the air from sticking. A nozzle 31 is provided directly above the other end side of the rectifying plate 4, which is opposite to one end side of the rectifying plate 4 provided with the drain port 41. Further, the inner surface 40 of the straightening vane 4 is inclined so as to be separated from the internal space 10 from the other end side to the one end side of the straightening vane 4. As a result, the hot water and mist blown out from the nozzle 31 smoothly flow down along the inner surface 40 of the inclined straightening vane 4, and are discharged from the drain port 41. It should be noted that the inclined surface may be provided so that the drain port 41 is lower than the position directly below the nozzle 31 without providing the inclined surface from the other end side to the one end side of the straightening vane 4, and is not particularly limited. .. For example, the intermediate position of the straightening vane 4 to the drainage port 41 may be inclined so as to be separated from the internal space 10. Further, it is not necessary to incline the inner surface 40 of the straightening vane 4.

The drainage pipe 5 is connected to a drainage port 41 provided at one end of the straightening vane 4, and joins the sewer pipe in a state of being embedded in the wall W.

FIG. 4 is a functional block diagram showing a functional unit provided in the range hood X. Each functional unit in the present embodiment is constructed by hardware, software, or both with a processor and a memory for executing various processes as the core.

The range hood X is a remote controller R (an example of an input unit, and the input unit may be built in the range hood X) that allows the user to input the operation of the range hood X, and the remote controller R. It includes a control unit C that receives an output signal and controls the operation of the range hood X. The means for transmitting the output signal from the remote controller R to the control unit C may be wireless communication or wired communication.

The remote controller R includes an operation button 51 (an example of the first input unit) capable of inputting an operation command of the blower mechanism 2 and a stop button 52 (an example of the first input unit) capable of inputting a stop command of the blower mechanism 2. , A cleaning button 53 (an example of a second input unit) capable of inputting a cleaning command of the range hood X is provided. The remote controller R also has other function buttons such as a power button, but the description thereof will be omitted.

The cleaning button 53 is configured so that at least a cleaning command for the straightening vane 4 can be input. As described above, when the blower mechanism 2 has a cleaning function, the blower mechanism 2 is also configured to be cleaned in addition to the straightening vane 4 by pressing the cleaning button 53. The operation button 51 and the stop button 52 may be configured so that the on / off can be changed with one button, or may be configured with two buttons. Further, the cleaning button 53 may include two buttons for cleaning the straightening vane 4 and a button for cleaning the blower mechanism 2, or may separately provide a cleaning stop button.

The control unit C is a determination unit 61 that determines whether or not the range hood X needs to be operated based on an output signal from the remote controller R, and a ventilation mechanism that controls the operation of the ventilation mechanism 2 in response to the determination result of the determination unit 61. The control unit 62, the cleaning control unit 63 that receives the determination result of the determination unit 61 and controls at least the cleaning process of the rectifying plate 4, and the determination unit 61 that receives the determination result and notifies the user of the state of the range hood X. It includes a notification unit 64.

When the user presses the operation button 51, the determination unit 61 transmits the operation signal of the ventilation mechanism 2 to the ventilation mechanism control unit 62, and when the user presses the stop button 52, the determination unit 61 transmits the stop signal of the ventilation mechanism 2 to the ventilation mechanism. It is transmitted to the control unit 62. Further, the determination unit 61 determines whether or not the total operating time of the ventilation mechanism 2 is equal to or longer than the first predetermined time T1 (for example, 1 hour). Further, the determination unit 61 transmits at least a cleaning command for the straightening vane 4 to the cleaning control unit 63 when the stop button 52 and the cleaning button 53 are pressed. At this time, the determination unit 61 determines whether or not the time for ejecting the mist from the first outlet 31a has reached the second predetermined time T2 (for example, 10 minutes), and at the same time, the hot water is lumped from the second outlet 31b. It is determined whether or not the blowing time is equal to or longer than the third predetermined time T3 (for example, 5 minutes).

When the blower mechanism control unit 62 receives an operation signal from the determination unit 61, the blower mechanism control unit 62 drives the blower mechanism 2 to suck air or the like containing oil generated during cooking from the intake port 1a and discharge it from the exhaust port 1b. .. Further, the blower mechanism control unit 62 stops the blower mechanism 2 when it receives a stop signal from the determination unit 61.

When the cleaning control unit 63 receives a cleaning command from the determination unit 61, the cleaning control unit 63 opens the first on-off valve 3a and blows out mist or hot water from the nozzle 31 toward the inner surface 40 of the straightening vane 4. At this time, the second on-off valve 32b may also be opened to blow out hot water from the third outlet 32a toward the inside of the blower mechanism 2. The cleaning control unit 63 always opens the first on-off valve 3a when receiving a cleaning command from the determination unit 61, and the second on-off valve 32b opens once every a plurality of cleaning commands. It may be configured as follows.

When the notification unit 64 receives a determination result from the determination unit 61 that the total operating time of the ventilation mechanism 2 is T1 or more for the first predetermined time, the notification unit 64 notifies the user that the cleaning time has come. As the notification form, for example, the cleaning button 53 is blinked, the notification is made by voice, or a separately provided light emitting unit (for example, an LED light) is turned on. This can urge the user to press the wash button 53. Further, the notification unit 64 lights the operation button 51 when the ventilation mechanism 2 is being driven, and lights the cleaning button 53 when the range hood X is being washed.

Subsequently, an example of the cleaning method of the straightening vane 4 according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.

When the power is turned on and the user presses the operation button 51, the operation of the blower mechanism 2 starts (# 71). Next, the determination unit 61 determines whether or not the user presses the stop button 52 to input the stop command of the ventilation mechanism 2 (# 72). When the stop command of the blower mechanism 2 is not input (# 72Nо determination), the operation of the blower mechanism 2 is continued. On the other hand, when the stop command of the blower mechanism 2 is input (# 72Yes determination), the determination unit 61 determines whether or not the total operating time of the blower mechanism 2 is T1 or more for the first predetermined time (# 73). When the total operating time of the blower mechanism 2 is T1 or more for the first predetermined time (# 73Yes determination), the notification unit 64 notifies the user that the cleaning time has come (# 74).

Next, when the user presses the cleaning button 53 and receives a cleaning command (# 75Yes determination), the determination unit 61 transmits the cleaning command of the straightening vane 4 to the cleaning control unit 63. Then, the cleaning control unit 63 that receives the cleaning command opens the first on-off valve 3a to eject mist from the first outlet 31a of the nozzle 31 toward the inner surface 40 of the straightening vane 4 (# 76). ). As a result, the oil content adhering to the inner surface 40 of the straightening vane 4 is softened and floated. Then, when the time for ejecting the mist from the first outlet 31a is T2 for the second predetermined time (# 77Yes determination), the hot water is ejected in a lump by switching to the second outlet 31b (# 78). As a result, the oil component floating on the mist is forcibly washed away with the lumpy warm water, and drained from the drain port 41 provided at one end of the straightening vane 4.

Next, when the time for agglomerating hot water from the second outlet 31b and blowing it out is T3 or more for the third predetermined time (# 79Yes determination), the washing is stopped (# 80), and the washing process is completed. At this time, the notification unit 64 turns off the cleaning button 53 and notifies the user of the end of cleaning by voice, turning off the light emitting unit, or the like. In this way, since the cleaning of the straightening vane 4 is started after the blower mechanism 2 is stopped, it is possible to prevent the inconvenience that the mist is forcibly discharged by the blower mechanism 2.

In the present embodiment, since the nozzle 31 is configured to blow out hot water toward the inner surface 40 of the straightening vane 4, the oil content adhering to the inner surface 40 of the straightening vane 4 can be forcibly washed. Moreover, since the drain port 41 is provided on the straightening vane 4, the hot water mixed with oil can be discharged each time, and the straightening vane 4 can be kept clean.

In the present embodiment, since the rectifying plate 4 is provided with an inclined surface so that the drain port 41 is lower than the position directly below the nozzle 31, the hot water colliding with the inner surface 40 of the rectifying plate 4 smoothly flows along the inclined surface. It flows and is discharged from the drain port 41. As a result, the water containing oil does not remain on the inner surface 40 of the straightening vane 4, and there is no inconvenience that the remaining water evaporates and the oil reattaches to the inner surface 40 of the straightening vane 4. Moreover, since the drain port 41 is provided on one end side of the straightening vane 4 and the nozzle 31 is provided directly above the other end side of the straightening vane 4, hot water can be distributed over the entire area of the inner surface 40 of the straightening vane 4. ..

In the present embodiment, since the nozzle 31 is formed so that the mist and the massive hot water can be blown out, the oil adhering to the straightening vane 4 is softened and floated by the mist, and then the oil is forcibly discharged by the massive hot water. It can be washed away. As a result, the cleaning efficiency of the straightening vane 4 can be improved.

[Other Embodiments]
(1) As shown in FIG. 6, the inclined plate 42 may be fixed to the bottom portion 4a of the straightening plate 4, and the inner surface 40 of the straightening plate 4 may be formed by the inclined plate 42. In this case, it is not necessary to press the straightening vane 4 to form an inclined surface, so that the processing is easy.

(2) As shown in FIG. 7, the nozzle 31 may be inserted into the through hole 43 formed in the side wall 4b of the straightening vane 4 to expose the tip of the nozzle 31 to the inside of the straightening vane 4. Even in this case, the hot water can be smoothly flowed along the inclination of the inner surface 40 of the straightening vane 4.

(3) The liquid blown out from the nozzle 31 is not limited to hot water, and may be cold water or a cleaning liquid in which a chemical is mixed with water. Further, the nozzle 31 may be configured to blow out only one of the mist and the lumpy hot water without providing the switching mechanism.

(4) The drainage port 41 is formed so as to penetrate the center of the bottom portion 4a of the straightening vane 4, but may be formed to penetrate the side of the bottom portion 4a of the straightening vane 4 or penetrate the lower portion of the side wall 4b of the straightening vane 4. It may be formed. Further, a plurality of drainage ports 41 may be provided, or an on-off valve may be provided in the drainage pipe 5 connected to the drainage port 41 so as to open the valve only at the time of cleaning.

(5) The nozzle 31 is not limited to the form in which one nozzle 31 is provided directly above the center of the straightening vane 4 or on the side wall 4b. For example, two nozzles 31 may be provided and arranged directly above both ends of the straightening vane 4 or on the side walls 4b facing each other of the straightening vane 4, or three or more nozzles 31 may be provided and arranged. Further, the nozzle 31 may be composed of only one of the first outlet 31a and the second outlet 31b. Further, a plurality of water supply pipes 3 may be provided.

(6) In the above-described embodiment, the water supply pipe 3 is directly connected to the hot water supply source 30 such as a water heater, but a storage tank is provided between the hot water supply source 30 and the first on-off valve 3a, and a pump is provided from this storage tank. It may be configured so that the cleaning liquid can be supplied by.

(7) The second predetermined time T2 for ejecting mist from the nozzle 31 and the third predetermined time T3 for ejecting hot water in a lump are appropriately changed according to the total operating time of the blower mechanism 2 in which the cleaning process is not executed. Is also good.

The configuration disclosed in the above-described embodiment (including another embodiment, the same shall apply hereinafter) can be applied in combination with the configuration disclosed in other embodiments as long as there is no contradiction. Moreover, the embodiment disclosed in the present specification is an example, and the embodiment of the present invention is not limited to this, and can be appropriately modified without departing from the object of the present invention.

The present invention can be used for a microwave oven provided above the cooker.

1 Housing 1a Intake port 1b Exhaust port 2 Blower mechanism 3 Water supply pipe (liquid supply pipe)
4 Rectifying plate 5 Drainage pipe (drainage pipe)
30 Hot water supply source (liquid supply source)
31 Nozzle (outlet)
31a First outlet 31b Second outlet 40 Inner surface 41 Drainage port (drainage port)
51 Operation button (first input section)
52 Stop button (first input section)
53 Wash button (second input section)
C Control unit X Range hood

Claims (4)

A housing having an intake port and an exhaust port,
A ventilation mechanism that is arranged inside the housing and sends air from the intake port to the exhaust port.
A liquid supply pipe arranged inside the housing and connected to a liquid supply source,
A straightening vane provided at the intake port and having a liquid drainage port,
A drainage pipe connected to the drainage port is provided.
The liquid supply pipe is provided with an outlet for blowing out the liquid supplied from the liquid supply source toward the inner surface of the straightening vane.
The inner surface of the straightening vane is cleaned with the liquid blown out from the outlet .
The outlet is a range hood that can be switched between a first outlet that ejects a liquid in the form of a mist and a second outlet that ejects the liquid in a mass. The range hood according to claim 1, wherein the inner surface of the straightening vane has an inclined surface so that the drainage port is lower than the position directly below the air outlet. The drainage port is formed on one end side of the straightening vane.
The air outlet is configured to blow out liquid to the other end side of the straightening vane, which is opposite to the drain port.
The range hood according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the inner surface of the straightening vane is inclined so that the liquid flows from the other end side toward the one end side. The first input unit that can input the operation command and stop command of the blower mechanism,
The second input unit that can input the cleaning command of the current plate and
A control unit that controls the operation of the air outlet is further provided.
When the stop command is input to the first input unit and the cleaning command is input to the second input unit, the control unit ejects the liquid from the first outlet in the form of a mist. The range hood according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein a liquid is blown out from the second outlet after a lapse of a predetermined time.

Images