EP-3875859-B1 - VENTILATION DEVICE, ESPECIALLY DOWNDRAFT HOOD, AND METHOD FOR OPERATING A VENTILATION DEVICE

Inventors

• CESARONI, Claudio
• Foiera, Riccardo
• BEKJAROVA, Milka
• PONDO, Claudio
• Speciale, Michele
• D'ALESSIO, Stefano

Dates

Publication Date

20260506

Application Date

20200306

Claims (10)

1. Ventilation device for a cooking hob (2), comprising an actuator (3) for moving a telescoping section (5) of the ventilation device (1) between a fully retracted position (9) and a fully extended position (10) and a control unit (7) designed to control the actuator (3) to move the telescoping section (5) depending on a user input received via a main input element (17), wherein the control unit (7) is designed to control a fan (8) and an illumination device (31) for illuminating the cooking hob (2), wherein the fan (8) and/or the illumination device (31) is controlled by the control unit (7) depending on: - a user input received via at least one secondary input element (18 - 23), and - depending on the position of the telescoping section (5), characterized in that inputs to the secondary input elements (18 - 23) are ignored or at least a requested change of operation is not performed when the telescoping section is not in the fully extended position.
2. Ventilation device according to claim 1, characterized in that the fan (8) and/or the illumination device (31) is operated only in the fully extended position (10).
3. Ventilation device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the control unit (7) is designed in such a way, that a user input received via the respective secondary input element (18 - 23) only triggers a change of an operational state of the fan (8) and/or the illumination device (31) when the telescoping section (5) is in the fully extended position (10).
4. Ventilation device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a respective secondary input element (18 - 23) is used to select one of multiple fan speeds and/or modes of operation for the fan (8) and/or to switch the illumination device (31) on and off.
5. Ventilation device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the control unit (7) is designed to control the backlight (30) of at least one of the secondary input elements (18 - 23) in such a way that it flashes repeatedly when the error condition is fulfilled.
6. Ventilation device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the control unit (7) is designed to control the backlights (30) of multiple or all of the secondary input elements (18 - 23) in such a way that they flash synchronously when the error condition is fulfilled.
7. Ventilation device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the control unit (7) is designed to evaluate two or more different error conditions and to control the respective backlight (30) for illuminating the respective secondary input element (18 - 23) depending on which of the error conditions is fulfilled.
8. Ventilation device according to claim 7, characterized in that each of the backlights (30) can illuminate the respective secondary input element (18 - 23) in at least two different colors, wherein the control unit (7) is designed to control the backlight (30) or backlights (30) to flash in a selected color, when at least one of the error conditions is fulfilled, wherein the selected color depends on which of the different error conditions is fulfilled.
9. Method for operating a ventilation device according to one of the claims 1 to 8, wherein the control unit (7) controls a fan (8) and/or an illumination device (31) for illuminating the cooking hob (2) depending on a user input received via at least one secondary input element (18 - 23), wherein the control unit (7) controls a fan (8) and an illumination device (31) for illuminating the cooking hob (2), characterized in that the fan (8) and/or the illumination device (31) is controlled by the control unit (7) depending on: - a user input received via at least one secondary input element (18 - 23), and - depending on the position of the telescoping section (5), wherein the fan (8) and/or the illumination device (31) is only operated in selected positions, including the fully extended position (10), of the telescoping section (5).
10. Method according to claim 9, characterized in that the fan (8) and/or the illumination device (31) is operated only in the fully extended position (10).

Description

The invention concerns a ventilation device, especially a downdraft hood for a cooking hob, comprising an actuator for moving a telescoping section of the ventilation device between a fully retracted position and a fully extended position and a control unit designed to control the actuator to move the telescoping section depending on a user input received via a main input element. Additionally, the invention concerns a method for operating a ventilation device. Exhaust hoods that ventilate a cooking area are a common feature used in conjunction with cooking hobs. Since typical exhaust hoods can limit the access to the cooking hob, downdraft hoods are increasingly used that create a downward air stream to pull fumes from the area of the cooking hob. For design reasons and to allow for less usage of kitchen space when such a downdraft hood is not used, a vent for pulling in fumes from the cooking hob can be installed on a telescoping section of the ventilation device that can completely or at least largely retract into the cooking hob itself or when the ventilation device is configured as a separate device into a workbench in the proximity of the hob. When the ventilation device is switched on, the telescoping section can be moved into an extended position and a fan can be activated. The extension of the telescoping section can e.g. be blocked by obstacles. It is known to stop the extraction movement in midway if this is the case. When the ventilation device is operated in a non-optimal position of the telescoping section or when other issues lead to a non-optimal operation for extended amounts of time the life span of the ventilation device, especially of the electric system of the ventilation device can be reduced. In US 2014/0 034 040 A1 a downdraft system is disclosed, wherein the disclosure describes a downdraft assembly capable of ventilating a cooktop, which includes a housing with a frame, a fluid box, and a movement assembly. The assembly features a vertically moveable chimney with dual fluid inlets, an upper and a lower inlet. The system is designed to efficiently capture and exhaust cooking effluent, with adjustable inlet heights and a control panel that remains stationary during chimney movement. The assembly may include illumination sources and a visor to enhance functionality. Additionally, a control panel that can be voice-activated or remotely controlled is proposed, enhancing user interaction with the downdraft system. In US 2007/0 295 324 A1 an extraction unit and method for ventilating a cooking surface is disclosed. The extraction unit includes a retractable device allowing an extraction component to be extended and retracted, a control unit with at least one actuating component for triggering the retractable device by manual user input, and a fan unit. The fan unit can also be controlled by the control unit through the same manual user input. The actuating component can be configured as a rotary component, enabling additional functions to be controlled by rotation. It is further described that the fan unit switches on automatically after the extension process is completed, with the control system setting the power stage to the last used or a manufacturer-specified setting. The user can adjust the power stage by turning the rotary knob, with multiple power stages available. The object of the present invention is therefore to improve such a ventilation device and to especially increase the life span of the device. The object is solved by a ventilation device for a cooking hob, comprising an actuator for moving a telescoping section of the ventilation device between a fully retracted position and a fully extended position and a control unit designed to control the actuator to move the telescoping section depending on a user input received via a main input element, wherein the control unit is designed to control a fan and an illumination device for illuminating the cooking hob, wherein the fan and/or the illumination device is controlled by the control unit depending on: a user input received via at least one secondary input element, anddepending on the position of the telescoping section, characterized in that inputs to the secondary input elements are ignored or at least a requested change of operation is not performed when the telescoping section is not in the fully extended position. Further, the object is solved by the combined features of above described ventilation devices, characterized in that the fan and/or the illumination device is operated only in the fully extended position. It was recognized that an operation of an illumination device and/or a fan in certain positions of the telescoping section can be disadvantageous and that a user might not be aware of this fact and therefore try to operate the fan and/or the illumination device in these positions. By taking the position of the telescoping section into account when controlling the fan and/or the illumination device due to a u