Vent system for a cooking appliance

Abstract

A vent system for a cooking appliance is disclosed. The appliance has a cooktop surface supporting a plurality of surface heating units. The vent system includes a vent box mounted beneath the cooktop surface; a telescopic vent assembly telescopically mounted relative to the vent box, the telescopic vent assembly being movable between a retracted position proximate the cooktop surface and an extended position above the cooktop surface; a retention unit configured to releasably hold the telescopic vent assembly in the retracted position; and a stored energy mechanical drive unit configured to move the telescopic vent assembly in a first direction to the extended position upon release of the retention unit.

1 . A vent system for a cooking appliance with a cooking area comprising a cooktop surface supporting a plurality of surface heating units, comprising:
 a vent box mounted substantially beneath the cooktop surface;   a telescopic vent assembly telescopically mounted relative to the vent box, the telescopic vent assembly being movable between a retracted position proximate the cooktop surface and an extended position above the cooktop surface;   a retention unit configured to releasably hold the telescopic vent assembly in the retracted position; and   a stored energy mechanical drive unit configured to move the telescopic vent assembly in a first direction to the extended position upon release of the retention unit.   
   
   
       2 . The vent system of  claim 1 , wherein the stored energy mechanical drive unit comprises a spring system. 
   
   
       3 . The vent system of  claim 1 , wherein the stored energy mechanical drive unit is configured to move the telescopic vent assembly to the extended position within about three seconds. 
   
   
       4 . The vent system of  claim 1 , wherein the retention unit is configured to release the telescopic vent assembly when the telescopic vent assembly is moved in a second direction substantially opposite the first direction. 
   
   
       5 . The vent system of  claim 1 , further comprising a detection unit configured to detect when the telescopic vent assembly is in the extended position, wherein the vent system is operable for venting only when the telescopic vent assembly is in the extended position. 
   
   
       6 . The vent system of  claim 1 , wherein the surface heating units are arrayed in rows and wherein the telescopic vent assembly has at least one vent inlet configured to effect an airflow over and around the cooking area of the appliance when the telescopic vent assembly is in the extended position, wherein the airflow has a substantial V-shape, each leg of the substantially V-shaped airflow passing over a respective row of the surface heating units. 
   
   
       7 . The vent system of  claim 1 , wherein the telescopic vent assembly has at least one vent inlet located a predetermined distance above the cooking area of the appliance when the telescopic vent assembly is in the extended position such that at most about 15% of vented air is drawn from a relatively lower region sufficiently close to the surface heating units to effect heating performance. 
   
   
       8 . The vent system of  claim 7 , wherein the predetermined distance is about seven inches. 
   
   
       9 . The vent system of  claim 1 , wherein the telescopic vent assembly comprises a cover which is substantially flush with the cooktop surface, when the telescopic vent assembly is in the retracted position. 
   
   
       10 . The vent system of  claim 1 , wherein the surface heating units are gas burners and the appliance comprises grates positioned above the gas burners and wherein the telescopic vent assembly comprises a cover which is substantially flush with the cooktop surface or a top surface of the grates when the telescopic vent assembly is in the retracted position. 
   
   
       11 . The vent system of  claim 1 , wherein the vent box is configured for mounting to the cooktop surface such that the telescopic vent assembly protrudes through the cooktop surface when in the extended position. 
   
   
       12 . A cooking appliance comprising:
 a cooktop surface;   a plurality of surface heating units located on the cooktop surface; and   a vent system comprising:   a vent box mounted substantially beneath the cooktop surface;   a telescopic vent assembly telescopically supported by the vent box, the telescopic vent assembly being movable between a retracted position where the telescopic vent assembly is substantially disposed within the vent box and an extended position where part of the telescopic vent assembly is disposed above the cooktop surface;   a retention unit configured to releasably hold the telescopic vent assembly in the retracted position; and   a stored energy mechanical drive unit configured to move the telescopic vent assembly in a first direction to the extended position upon release of the retention unit.   
   
   
       13 . The cooking appliance of  claim 12 , wherein the stored energy mechanical drive unit comprises a spring system. 
   
   
       14 . The cooking appliance of  claim 12 , wherein the stored energy mechanical drive unit is configured to move the telescopic vent assembly to the extended position within about three seconds. 
   
   
       15 . The cooking appliance of  claim 14 , wherein the stored energy mechanical drive unit is configured to move the telescopic vent assembly to the extended position no faster than one second. 
   
   
       16 . The cooking appliance of  claim 12 , wherein the retention unit is configured to release the telescopic duct assembly when the telescopic duct assembly is moved a predetermined distance in a second direction substantially opposite the first direction. 
   
   
       17 . The cooking appliance of  claim 12 , wherein the telescopic vent assembly comprises a vent duct telescopically received in the vent box, the vent duct having an upper end and a vent inlet adjacent to the upper end, the vent inlet being configured to effect an airflow over and around at least one of the surface heating units when the telescopic vent assembly is in the extended position. 
   
   
       18 . The cooking appliance of  claim 17 , wherein the telescopic vent assembly further comprises a passing-through cover for covering the vent inlet. 
   
   
       19 . The cooking appliance of  claim 17 , wherein the telescopic vent assembly further comprises a filter disposed in the vent duct. 
   
   
       20 . The cooking appliance of  claim 17 , further comprising a seal disposed between the vent box and the vent duct.