SPLIT-TYPE RANGE HOOD HAVING OPTIMAL CONFIGURATION OF SMOKE-COLLECTING CASE

A split-type range hood having an optimal configuration of a smoke-collecting case includes a housing and the smoke-collecting case. The housing has an upper wall, a lower wall, and an intake port. The smoke-collecting case covers on the intake port. The smoke-collecting case has an outer box and a covering lid. The outer box is fixed to a periphery of the intake port. The covering lid is fixedly connected to a top portion of the outer box. The covering lid has an outlet port that fluidly connects the smoke-collecting case to the intake port of the housing. A height of the smoke-collecting case is between 5 cm and 7 cm.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED PATENT APPLICATION

This application claims the benefit of priority to Taiwan Patent Application No. 111134630, filed on Sep. 14, 2022. The entire content of the above identified application is incorporated herein by reference.

FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE

The present disclosure relates to a split-type range hood having an optimal configuration of a smoke-collecting case, and more particularly to a split-type range hood having a blower unit being separate from the smoke-collecting case, and the smoke-collecting case having an optimal configuration.

BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE

As shown inFIG.1, a conventional range hood such as an island range hood9has a top wall91and a bottom wall92, and includes a smoke-collecting cap93, a fan motor95, and a hood filter96. The smoke-collecting cap93is disposed on the top wall91, the fan motor95is disposed in the smoke-collecting cap93, and the hood filter96is disposed on the bottom wall92. During the use of the conventional range hood, the noise from the fan motor95may not be prevented from affecting the kitchen. Furthermore, when a cooking fume passes through the hood filter96and the smoke-collecting cap93, and then is exhausted by the fan motor95outside the range hood9, the fume usually remains between the top wall91and the bottom wall92. The fume also easily remains at the corners of the smoke-collecting cap93, and cannot be smoothly exhausted outside. These issues cause the range hood9to have low efficiency, accumulation of fumes, and shortened life span.

In another conventional technology associated with the relevant art, the fan motor is arranged to be outside the smoke-collecting cap, and the fan motor is disposed outside the kitchen room for noise reduction similar to the way of a split-type air conditioner. For example, in Taiwan Patent No. TWI750684 “Split-Type Range Hood” as filed by the applicant of the present disclosure, the fan motor is disposed outside the smoke-collecting cap so as to be separated from the range hood as an outdoor split blower unit. However, after removing the fan motor outside, the space inside the smoke-collecting cap becomes larger, and the fluid phenomenon in the smoke-collecting cap is changed, so as to affect the speed and sound of the fume exhausting flow.

Considering the flow phenomenon in the smoke-collecting cap, when an object is moving in an air flow, viscous air molecules will attach on the object and form a boundary layer. When a flow distance of the air flow is increased, a disorder and unpredictable turbulent flow is formed. Gases move randomly to form different vortices, which causes energy to be lost. Moreover, if an exhaust duct above the smoke-collecting cap is bent, a partial resistance may be formed.

Furthermore, the smoke-collecting cap is made of metal boards with bending processes and is usually connected to the housing through screws or rivets. The interior of the smoke-collecting cap, which is used to collect the fume, inevitably has some fixing screws that are exposed. These fixing screws are not only unaesthetic, but also cause turbulence in the flow of the fume, so that the fume does not flow smoothly. In addition, residue of the fume can remain on screws and is difficult to be cleaned and wiped off.

Therefore, how to improve the internal fluid performance in the smoke-collecting cap through an improvement in structural design to overcome the above-mentioned problems has become one of the important issues to be solved in this field.

SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE

In response to the above-referenced technical inadequacies, the present disclosure provides a split-type range hood having an optimal configuration of a smoke-collecting case, which provides a smoke-collecting case that is able to improve the fluid flow performance in the smoke-collecting cap, so as to improve a smoothness of an airflow of a fume.

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, one of the technical aspects adopted by the present disclosure is to provide a split-type range hood having an optimal configuration, which includes a housing and a smoke-collecting case. The housing includes an upper wall, a lower wall, and an intake port. The intake port is fluidly connected to the upper wall and the lower wall. The smoke-collecting case covers the intake port, and protrudes above the upper wall. The smoke-collecting case includes an outer box and a covering lid. The outer box is fixed to a periphery of the intake port. The covering lid is fixedly connected to a top portion of the outer box. The covering lid has an outlet port. The outlet port fluidly connects the smoke-collecting case to the intake port of the housing. A height of the smoke-collecting case is between 1 cm and 10 cm, so that a fume passes through the smoke-collecting case to be exhausted outside from the outlet port of the covering lid.

Therefore, in the present disclosure, when the split-type range hood having an optimal configuration of a smoke-collecting case has a height between 1 cm and 10 cm, the flow speed at the entrance of the outlet port can be increased, and the noise can be reduced. Therefore, the fume can be more smoothly exhausted outside through the guiding shell of the smoke-collecting case.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS

First Embodiment

Referring toFIG.2toFIG.7, a first embodiment of the present disclosure provides a split-type range hood having an optimal configuration of a smoke-collecting case100, or a split-type range hood100for sake of brevity, which includes a housing10and a smoke-collecting case20. As shown inFIG.7, a blower unit M is arranged outside the smoke-collecting case20, the split-type range hood100exhausts the air flow outside by an exhaust duct P connected to the blower unit M.

As shown inFIG.2andFIG.3, the housing10includes an upper wall11, a lower wall12, and an intake port10C. The intake port10C passes through the upper wall11and the lower wall12. The housing10is substantially an inverted rectangular housing. The upper wall11is parallel to the lower wall12. However, the present disclosure is not limited thereto. For example, the lower wall12can be arranged in a slanted manner and be obliquely disposed under the upper wall11. The intake port10C indicates an inlet portion for the fume to flow therein. In this embodiment, the intake port10C is shaped in a rectangle.

The smoke-collecting case20covers on the intake port10C, and protrudes above the upper wall11. The smoke-collecting case20includes an outer box21, a guiding shell23, and a covering lid25. The outer box21is fixed to a periphery of the intake port10C. For example, a portion of the outer box21adjacent to a bottom edge of the outer box21is fixed on an upper edge of the intake port10C or an inner wall of the intake port10C by fixing elements such as screws or rivets. Details thereof will be described later. The outer box21provides a fixing function. The guiding shell23is disposed in an interior of the outer box21, and provides a smooth surface, which can enhance the smoothness of the air flow and cleanliness thereof can be easily maintained. The covering lid25includes an outlet port250. The outlet port250fluidly connects the smoke-collecting case20to the intake port10C of the housing10. The covering lid25is fixedly connected to a top portion of the outer box21by way of screwing or riveting. Details of the connection will be described with examples later. The top end of the guiding shell23is fixedly connected to the covering lid25by way of spot welding or riveting. Details of the connection will be described with examples later.

As shown inFIG.2andFIG.3, in this embodiment, the outer box21includes four box plates (211,212,213, and214) each in a shape of a rectangular tube. The guiding shell23has four sides which are arranged to have a shape of a rectangular tube. The upper wall11of the housing10has four connection walls112. The four connection walls112extend upward and are bent from the upper walls11along a periphery of the intake port10C. A bottom portion of the outer box21is fixedly connected to the connection walls112. For example, as shownFIG.5andFIG.6, fixing elements S1, such as screws or rivets, pass through the outer box21and connection walls112. However, the present disclosure is not limited thereto. For example, the bottom portion of the outer box21is screwed to an inner wall101of the intake port10C.

The guiding shell23is disposed in the outer box21. A bottom edge of the guiding shell23does not extend beyond the lower wall12of the housing10, and is spaced apart from the lower wall12by a predetermined distance. As shown inFIG.5, the predetermined distance provides an assembling space for a hood filter50.

As shown inFIG.2andFIG.3, the guiding shell23includes a top guiding wall231and four side guiding walls (232a,232b,232c,232d). A bottom edge of the guiding shell23has a plurality of shielding tabs233extended outwardly. A quantity of the shielding tabs233can be equal to or less than that of the side guiding walls (232a,232b,232c,232d). In this embodiment, three shielding tabs233are provided. The shielding tabs233are close to the inner wall101of the intake port10C. The four side guiding walls (232a,232b,232c,232d) are connected to a periphery of the top guiding wall231. Three of the shielding tabs233are connected to three of the side guiding walls (232a,232b,232c). In this embodiment, the guiding shell23includes three shielding tabs233and four side guiding walls (232a,232b,232c,232d), in which the side guiding wall232bhas no shielding tab. A height of the side guiding wall232bis smaller than a height of another three of the side guiding walls (232a,232c,232d), so that a concave portion2322can be formed.

In this embodiment, a vent2310is formed on the top guiding wall231. The shape and position of the vent2310correspond with the shape and the position of the outlet port250. Specifically, the vent2310of this embodiment is circle-shaped, and has a diameter of 6 inches (substantially 15.3 cm). The top guiding wall231is fixedly connected to the covering lid25by the fixing element S3 (as shown inFIG.5, andFIG.6), such as a rivet. A round-headed rivet allows the inner wall to be smoother. In another way, the top guiding wall231and the covering lid25can be connected to each other by spot welding. The advantage of spot welding is that, no fixing element is exposed outside the inner wall, so that the appearance is enhanced and turbulence is reduced.

As shown inFIG.2andFIG.3, the covering lid25includes a top covering wall251and a plurality of assembling flaps252. The covering lid25can be made of metal board by way of bending and other processes. The assembling flaps252extend and are bent downward from a periphery of the top covering wall251. The outlet port250protrudes upward from the top covering wall251by a process, such as an integrally drawing process. The assembling flaps252are fixedly connected to the outer box21. For example, fixing elements S2 (as shown inFIG.5andFIG.6), such as screws or rivets, are used to pass through the assembling flaps252and upper portions of the box plates (211,212,213, and214) of the outer box21, so that the covering lid25is fixedly connected to the outer box21. However, the present disclosure is not limited thereto. For example, the covering lid25and the guiding shell23can be made from one metal board by way of bending and other processing processes. Furthermore, the walls on the periphery of the covering lid25can extend continuously to integrally form four box plates of the outer box21.

By the above-mentioned structural configuration, the guiding shell23covers the fixing element S1, S2, such as screws or rivets, of the outer box21, thereby providing an aesthetically pleasing appearance, and reducing the turbulence of the fume. The fume can pass through the guiding shell23more smoothly and is exhausted out from the outlet port250of the covering lid25. In addition, the fume is not attached by screws, so that cleanliness is easily maintained and the guiding shell23can be more smoothly wiped clean.

Reference is made toFIG.4andFIG.7.FIG.4shows a perspective view of the smoke-collecting case20being assembled to the housing10. In this embodiment, the blower unit M, or referred to as a split-type machine, is moved outside the smoke-collecting case20. Such arrangement not only reduces the noise indoor, but also lowers a height H of the smoke-collecting case20. Therefore, the height and weight of the indoor mechanism of the split-type range hood100can be significantly reduced, thereby facilitating a convenient assembly. A decorative sleeve70is arranged on the outside of the smoke-collecting case20.

Referring toFIG.4, according to this embodiment, a length L of the outer box21(i.e., a horizontal width of the box plate211close to a user) is 29 cm. The width W of the outer box21(i.e., a horizontal width of the box plate213or214adjacent to the box plate211) is 26 cm. Because the shape of the outer box21corresponds to that of the intake port10C, the size of the intake port10C is also 29 cm by 26 cm. The outlet port250of the covering lid25corresponds in position to an air inlet of the blower unit M, and the air inlet has a diameter R of 6 inches (substantially 15.3 cm).

Referring toFIG.7, in this embodiment, the fume is transferred from the smoke-collecting case20having a larger square area to the outlet port250of the covering lid25, and then is exhausted from the exhaust duct P. Such structure causes a local resistance in fluid mechanics From the intake port10C to the outlet port250, the cross-sectional area of the smoke-collecting case20is suddenly reduced. The fluid forms a flow separation region at corners of an upper region inside the smoke-collecting case20, and at an exit area of the outlet port250. In other words, the fluid forms a turbulent region, and certain degree of an energy loss is inevitable.

The energy loss has at least two parameters. A first parameter of the energy loss is a ratio of an area of the outlet port to an area of the intake port, which is substantially 0.24:1. As shown inFIG.3andFIG.4, a ratio of an area of the outlet port250((0.5R)2*3.14=((0.5*15.3)2*3.14)), to an area of the intake port10C (L*W=29*26), is substantially 0.24:1. Such ratio is a parameter that would affect the local resistance. When the ratio is 1, the local resistance has a minimum value. When the ratio is maintained to be substantially 0.24:1, a second parameter is the height H of the smoke-collecting case20. Experiments are performed according to the present disclosure. When the height H of the smoke-collecting case20exceeds a predetermined height, and when a motor suction is maintained to be the same, the higher the height H of the smoke-collecting case20is, the lower the flow speed at the outlet port250is. As shown inFIG.5, the reason for the abovementioned phenomenon may be that the higher the height H of smoke-collecting case20is, the bigger the turbulent region along the inner wall of the smoke-collecting case20is. Accordingly, the bigger the turbulent region is, the more vortexes which cause energy loss there are.

According to experiments, if the height H of the outer box21is 18 cm, the flow speed at the entrance of the outlet port250is substantially from 5.8 msec to 6.2 msec and a volume under the housing10is 58 decibels. If the height H of the outer box21is 7 cm, the flow speed at the entrance of the outlet port250is substantially from 7.0 m/sec to 7.2 m/sec, and the volume under the housing10is 56 decibels. Comparing the two experiments, the flow speed at the entrance of the outlet port250can be increased, the noise is reduced, and an overall exhaust airflow is smoother. When the height H of the outer box21is between 1 cm and 10 cm, the flow speeds at the outlet port250are substantially the same. Preferably, the height H of the outer box21is 7 cm. When the height H of the outer box21is larger than 18 cm, the flow speed at the entrance of the outlet port250becomes lower.

Referring toFIG.5,FIG.5is a cross-sectional view taken along line V-V ofFIG.4. When viewing from an interior of the split-type range hood100, the guiding shell23shields the outer box21and the fixing elements S1, S2. The fixing elements S1, S2 of the outer box21are arranged at an outside of the guiding shell23, and only the guiding shell23can be seen. The shielding tabs233of the guiding shell23are adjacent to the inner wall101of the intake port10C. According to the present disclosure, the guiding shell23is arranged in the outer box21, so that the interior of the smoke-collecting case20is more aesthetically pleasing, and the turbulence of the fume can be reduced. Through the guiding shell23, the fume can be exhausted outside more smoothly from the outlet port250of the covering lid25.

Reference is made toFIG.3andFIG.6.FIG.6is a cross-sectional view taken along line VI-VI ofFIG.4. In this embodiment, the side guiding wall232bdoes not have any shielding tab, and the concave portion2322is formed. In other words, the quantity (three) of the shielding tabs233is less than the quantity (four) of the side guiding walls (232a,232b,232c,232d). All the side guiding walls, (including232b) are separated away from the outer box21by a distance so that a gap G is formed. The above structure of this embodiment has another advantage that, the gap G and the concave portion2322can be used as a wiring space for wires. Therefore, the guiding shell23can be designed without any wire hole to improve the appearance of the guiding shell23, and the smoothness of a fume flow.

Referring toFIG.3,FIG.5, andFIG.6, in order to cooperate with the gap G and the concave portion2322, the split-type range hood100further includes an auxiliary-shielding member14. The auxiliary-shielding member14is fixed to one side of the inner walls101of the intake port10C, and shields the concave portion2322. In this embodiment, the auxiliary-shielding member14is L-shaped, and includes a vertical portion141and a horizontal portion142. As shown inFIG.5andFIG.6, the vertical portion141, the outer box21, and the connection wall112are fixedly connected by the fixing element S1 such as screws or rivets. In another way, the vertical portion141can be fixedly connected to one side of the inner wall101of the intake port10C. The auxiliary-shielding member14extends in two lateral sides and shields two of the shielding tabs233.

Referring toFIG.6, the split-type range hood100of the present disclosure further includes a control box30. The control box30is disposed on a top surface of the covering lid25of the smoke-collecting case20. Controlling wires (not shown in the figures) can be arranged to pass through the wiring space between the upper wall11and the lower wall12of the housing10, the inner wall101, the auxiliary-shielding member14, the gap G, and the top covering wall251of the covering lid25, and then connect to the control box30. Thus, the wires can be completely hidden. In other words, wires do not need to pass through the guiding shell23, and the guiding shell23does not need any wire hole.

The split-type range hood100of the present disclosure further includes a hood filter50. The hood filter50is disposed on the intake port10C, and abuts against the auxiliary-shielding member14.

Second Embodiment

Referring toFIG.8, in this embodiment, the auxiliary-shielding member14is omitted. The guiding shell23has four shielding tabs233and four side guiding walls (232a,232b,232c,232d). The four shielding tabs233are bent and extend outward from the four side guiding walls (232a,232b,232c,232d), respectively. In this embodiment, the quantity of the shielding tabs233, which is four, is equal to the quantity of the side guiding walls (232a,232b,232c,232d) which is four. In other words, a lower edge of each side guiding wall (232a,232b,232c,232d) is bent outward and extends to form one of the shielding tabs233.

In this embodiment, controlling wires (not shown in the figures) can be arranged to pass through the space between the upper wall11and the lower wall12of the housing10, the inner wall101, the gap G, and the top covering wall251of the covering lid25, and then connect to the control box30. Therefore, the wires of this embodiment can still be completely hidden.

Third Embodiment

Referring toFIG.9, in this embodiment, the guiding shell23includes four shielding tabs233and four side guiding walls (232a,232b,232c,232d). The four shielding tabs233are bent and extend outward from the four side guiding walls (232a,232b,232c,232d), respectively. The front one of the side guiding wall232ahas a cutout2330formed thereon. A first wire hole2312is formed on the top guiding wall231of the guiding shell23, and a second wire hole2510is formed on the top covering wall251of the covering lid25.

In this embodiment, controlling wires (not shown in the figures) can be arranged to pass through the space between the upper wall11and the lower wall12of the housing10, the cutout2330, the first wire hole2312of the guiding shell23, and the second wire hole2510of the covering lid25, and then connect to the control box30.

Beneficial Effects of the Embodiments

In conclusion, at least one beneficial effect of the present disclosure is that, after experiments, the split-type range hood100provides an optimal configuration of a smoke-collecting case having a height between 1 cm and 10 cm, so that the flow speed at the entrance of the outlet port can be increased and the noise can be reduced. Therefore, the fume can be more smoothly exhausted outside through the guiding shell of the smoke-collecting case.

In addition, the guiding shell23is arranged in the outer box21of the smoke-collecting case20, and the covering lid25is fixedly connected to a top portion of the outer box21, so that the fixing elements can be prevented from being exposed from an interior of the smoke-collecting case20. Therefore, the turbulence of the fume can be reduced. The fume can pass through the guiding shell23and be more smoothly exhausted outward from the outlet port250of the covering lid25. In addition, the fume is not attached by screws, so that cleanliness is easily maintained and the guiding shell23can be more smoothly wiped clean.

In addition, the gap G is formed between the side guiding wall of the guiding shell23and the outer box21, and the gap G can be used as a wiring space for wires, so that the guiding shell23does not need a wire hole to be formed thereon. Therefore, the appearance of the range hood and the smoothness of a fume flow in the present disclosure can be improved.