Forced convection cooling of led lighting and electronics in a range hood appliance   

Abstract: The use of forced convection or air currents to provide cooling of LED lighting and/or other electronics in a range hood appliance is provided. A channel provides for a flow of air over the electronics to providing cooling to the same. Various configurations are provided for causing air to flow through the channel.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to the use of forced convection or air currents to provide cooling of LED lighting and/or other electronics in a range hood appliance.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Range hoods provide for the treatment of heat and fumes generated during cooking. These kitchen appliances are frequently provided with various features that rely upon electronics for operation. For example, a range hood may include a processing device mounted on a printed circuit board (PCB) and connected with a touch panel or other device whereby the user may select various options for operation of the appliance. For a range hood, such PCB might include different, user selectable modes for the fan and/or lighting provided by the range hood. The PCB typically associated with such features is electrically-powered and generates heat during operation. If the PCB becomes too hot, the electronics may cease to operate properly or even become permanently damaged.

Range hoods may also be equipped with lighting features that rely upon light emitting diodes (LEDs) to provide illumination. For example, a range hood or an over the range microwave oven with a built in hood may include various LED bulbs to light up a cook top. Such lighting may be important to the user as the cook top will typically have several heating elements positioned on a horizontal surface for the cooking of food contained in pots and pans.

For these applications, LED lighting has certain advantages as compared to incandescent or other types of lights. These advantages can include e.g., resistance to vibration, long life expectancy, relatively low energy use, durability for repeated on-off switching, and compactness. In addition, where more light is needed, LED bulbs can be grouped together to increase the intensity of the light output.

However, there are certain challenges to using LED lamps in a kitchen appliance. As with a PCB, LED lamps can produce a significant amount of heat and are susceptible to poor operation if their temperature rises too high. More particularly, there is generally a narrow range of temperatures at which LED lamps can efficiently produce their maximum light output or most efficient light output. In addition, if the temperature elevates above a certain range, the LEDS can be damaged or even destroyed.

As such, a range hood must provide for properly cooling electronics and LED lamps during operation. Such can be a difficult task because of the heat that is generated from cooking. For example, LED lamps are sometimes provided in a range hood to provide lighting above the cook top. Heat coming from the cook top and/or an associated oven will rise up and through the range hood. Depending upon the placement of the LED lamps, this heat can provide further temperature problems for LED lamps by advancing the temperature increase. Similar problems can be created for a PCB or other electronics if positioned where they can be affected by heat from cooking.

Accordingly, a system for the effective cooling of LED lamps or other electronics in a kitchen range hood would be useful. A system that can use forced convection to accelerate such cooling would be beneficial. Such a system that can be readily incorporated within the overall design of a range hood would also be very useful.

Aspects and advantages of the invention will be set forth in part in the following description, or may be obvious from the description, or may be learned through practice of the invention.

In one exemplary embodiment, the present invention provides a kitchen appliance for the treatment of heated air and fumes generated from cooking. The appliance includes a hood for capturing the heated air and fumes. A vent duct is positioned in fluid communication with the hood. The vent duct has an inlet for the receipt of the heated air and fumes generated during cooking. A fan is provided that is in communication with the vent duct. The fan is configured for creating a flow of the heated air and fumes into the hood and through the vent duct. The appliance includes a channel for the flow of air. The channel is connected with the hood and has an air inlet and an air outlet. The air outlet is positioned in the flow of air created by the fan. The appliance includes an electronic component that provides one or more features for the kitchen appliance. The electronic component is placed at least partially into the channel such that air flowing through the channel operates to provide cooling for the electronic component.

In another exemplary embodiment, the present invention provides a kitchen appliance for the treatment of cooking gases. The appliance includes a hood configured for the receipt of the cooking gases. A vent duct is positioned with the hood. The vent duct has an inlet for the receipt of the cooking gases moving into the hood. A fan is placed in communication with the vent duct. The fan is configured for creating a flow of the cooking gases through the vent duct. A channel provides for the flow of air. The channel is connected with the hood and has an air inlet and an air outlet. The appliance includes an electronic component providing one or more features for the kitchen appliance. The electronic component is placed at least partially into the channel such that air flowing through the channel operates to provide cooling for the electronic component. An auxiliary fan is positioned within the channel and is configured for creating a flow of air through the channel.

These and other features, aspects and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following description and appended claims. The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate embodiments of the invention and, together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

A full and enabling disclosure of the present invention, including the best mode thereof, directed to one of ordinary skill in the art, is set forth in the specification, which makes reference to the appended figures, in which:

FIG. 1 provides a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of a range hood according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 provides a cross-sectional view of another exemplary embodiment of a range hood according to the present invention in which a cooling channel provides air flow into a vent duct upstream of a fan.

FIG. 3 provides a cross-sectional view of another exemplary embodiment of a range hood according to the present invention in which a cooling channel provides air flow into a vent duct downstream of a fan and Venturi is used to draw air through the channel.

FIG. 4 provides a cross-sectional view of another exemplary embodiment of a range hood according to the present invention in which a cooling channel provides air flow into a vent duct downstream of a fan in the vent duct. An auxiliary fan in the cooling channel helps move air through the channel.

The use of identical reference numerals in the figures is used to denote identical or similar features unless otherwise described.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The present invention relates to the use of forced convection or air currents to provide cooling of LED lighting and/or other electronics in a range hood appliance. A channel provides for a flow of air over the electronics to provide cooling to the same. Various configurations are provided for causing air to flow through the channel as will be more fully described below.

Reference now will be made in detail to embodiments of the invention, one or more examples of which are illustrated in the drawings. Each example is provided by way of explanation of the invention, not limitation of the invention. In fact, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and variations can be made in the present invention without departing from the scope or spirit of the invention. For instance, features illustrated or described as part of one embodiment can be used with another embodiment to yield a still further embodiment. Thus, it is intended that the present invention covers such modifications and variations as come within the scope of the appended claims and their equivalents.

FIG. 1 provides a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of a range hood 10 as may be used with the present invention. Range hood 10 is installed within cabinetry 12 of a kitchen area typically over a cooking appliance such as a cook-top, range, or oven appliance. A vent duct 14 provides for the removal and exhaust of heated air and fumes created during the cooking process. A filter screen 16 provides for the capture of grease and other small particles entrained within the heated air and fumes rising from the cooking surface.

LED lamp modules 20 provide for illumination of the cooking appliance. Controls 18 provide for the operation of fans, LED lamp modules, and/or other features as described herein. While only two lamp modules 20 are shown, additional lighting may be included as desired. In addition, rather than manual controls 18, other controls such as touch panel may be used as well.

Thus, range hood 10 is provided by way of example only. Other configurations may be used within the spirit and scope of the present invention. For example, portions of range hood 10, particularly vent duct 14, could be contained within cabinetry 12. Also, range hood 10 could be part of a micro-wave or other cooking appliance designed to be located over e.g., a cook-top. The canopy 24 of range hood 10 could also be provided with other shapes or styles. Still other constructions may be used as well.

FIG. 2 provides a cross-sectional view of an exemplary embodiment of a range hood 10 according to the present invention. As shown, range hood 10 includes a channel 28 that extends between in air inlet 22 and an air outlet 30. Channel 28 is created by walls 29 that define a path for the flow of air.

As shown in FIG. 2, air inlet 22 is positioned at a location on canopy 24 such that air drawn into inlet 22 (arrows A) is separate from air drawn into vent duct 14 (arrows V). In this manner, air drawn into the channel has not been heated and/or affected by cooking fumes. Although shown on the front of canopy 24, air inlet 22 could be position on any exterior surface of canopy 24 including e.g., the sides of canopy 24, on a covering surrounding the upper portion of vent duct 14, and other locations as well. In still another alternative embodiment, air inlet 22 may be positioned at a location inside or under canopy 24 preferably at a location where cooler air can be drawn from inside the range hood.

Air outlet 30 is positioned in the flow of air (arrows V) created by fan 32. More particularly, fan 32 operates to draw air from the cooking surface through filter screen 16. Such air will include air than has been heated by cooking and/or its fumes. This flow of air moves upward into the canopy 24 of range hood 10 and into vent duct 14. Eventually, such air is pushed out of the range hood to an exhaust. By positioning the air outlet 30 of channel 28 upstream of fan 32, the suction of fan 32 will also draw air into air inlet 22 and through channel 28 as shown by arrows A.

As shown in FIG. 2, LED lamp module 20 is placed into the air flow channel 28. LED lamp module 20 includes cooling fins 26 positioned on the rear of the lighting module. As air flows past LED lamp module 20 and across cooling fins 26, module 20 will be cooled by forced convection from the cooler air flowing from the exterior of range hood 10. This air flow, heated from light module 20, is exhausted through vent duct 14 along with heated air and fumes from the cooking surface.

Preferably, air outlet 30 is positioned upstream of fan 32 as shown in FIG. 2 and may be connected directly to the side of vent duct 14 as shown or placed into vent duct 14 so that outlet 30 is directly in the flow of air and opening towards fan 32. Alternatively, air outlet 30 may be positioned downstream of fan 32 and directly in the flow of air with the outlet 30 opening in a direction downstream and away from fan 32. In this alternative configuration, air outlet 30 is positioned such that the flow of air (arrows V) can entrain parts of the air at air outlet 30, thereby causing a flow through channel 28. While such a configuration may be used, it is believed such will not provide as much air flow as the embodiment shown in FIG. 2.

FIG. 3 provides another exemplary embodiment of a range hood 10 of the present invention. As with FIG. 2, a fan 32 is used to draw heated air and fumes from the cooking appliance, through filter screen 16, and into vent duct 14 for exhaust. A channel 28 defined by walls 29 provides for a flow of air from the exterior of range hood 10 as shown by arrows A. More particularly, air is drawn into air inlet 22, through channel 28, and passes out through air outlet 30. In the same manner as previously described, the flow of air provides cooling for LED lamp module 20.

However, different from the exemplary embodiment of FIG. 2, the air outlet of the range hood 10 of FIG. 3 is equipped with a Venturi 36 and is positioned downstream of fan 32. Venturi 36 is a cone or other constriction into which some of the air flow created by fan 32 will flow. As air passes into and through this constriction, its local velocity will increase while its local pressure will decrease. This effect, known as the Venturi effect, will cause air to flow through channel 28 and exit air outlet 30 and thereby provide cooling for LED lamp module 20. In an alternative embodiment, Venturi 36 and air outlet 30 may be positioned upstream of fan 32. However, it is believed that such configuration may by not be as effective as the positioning shown in FIG. 3.

Similar to the embodiment of FIG. 2, the air inlet 22 for FIG. 3 is located at a position in canopy 24 that will draw air from the exterior of range hood 10. Other positions may be used as well. For example, air inlet 22 may be located within or below range hood 22—preferably at a location that will allow air to be drawn into channel 28 that is cooler than the air drawn into filter screen 16.

Still another exemplary embodiment of a range hood 10 according to the present invention is shown in FIG. 4. As with the embodiment of FIG. 3, a channel 30 for the flow of air extends between air inlet 22 and air outlet 30. Air outlet 30 is positioned downstream of fan 32.

An auxiliary fan 34 is positioned within channel 28 and moves air through channel 28 as illustrated by arrows A. As with previous embodiments, this air provides cooling for LED lamp module 20 as it passes over cooling fins 26. This air is then exhausted into vent duct 14, downstream of fan 32, along with the heated air and fumes drawn into vent duct 14 by fan 32. Alternatively, air outlet 30 may be positioned upstream of fan 32. In still other configurations, air outlet 30 may exhaust to the exterior of range hood 10 through another opening in canopy 24 or may even exhaust such air downwardly within range hood 10 where the air may be drawn into vent duct 14 if fan 32 is operating.

The exemplary embodiment of range hood 10 as illustrated in FIG. 4 can offer the user certain advantages. For example, because auxiliary fan 34 is likely smaller than fan 32, auxiliary fan 34 does not create as much noise as fan 32 during operation. This may preferable to certain consumers who use LED lamp module 30 at times when fan 32 is not needed. Also, due to its smaller size, auxiliary fan 34 will likely use less power than fan 32 and is, therefore, preferable to operating fan 32 when only cooling of LED lamp module 20 is needed instead of the intake of heated air or fumes by fan 32.

The previous exemplary embodiments have been described with reference to the cooling of LED lamp module. However, using the teachings disclosed herein, one of ordinary skill in the art will understand that the present invention may also be used to cool a PCB or other electronics that may have sensitivity to heat and, therefore, a need for cooling. As such, the PCB or other electronics are located along channel 28 as previously described to provide for a cooling effect.

This written description uses examples to disclose the invention, including the best mode, and also to enable any person skilled in the art to practice the invention, including making and using any devices or systems and performing any incorporated methods. The patentable scope of the invention is defined by the claims, and may include other examples that occur to those skilled in the art. Such other examples are intended to be within the scope of the claims if they include structural elements that do not differ from the literal language of the claims, or if they include equivalent structural elements with insubstantial differences from the literal languages of the claims.