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.

1 . A kitchen appliance for the treatment of heated air and fumes generated from cooking, the appliance comprising:
 a hood for capturing the heated air and fumes;   a vent duct positioned in fluid communication with said hood, said vent duct having an inlet for the receipt of the heated air and fumes generated during cooking;   a fan in communication with said vent duct, said fan configured for creating a flow of the heated air and fumes into said hood and through said vent duct;   a channel for the flow of air, said channel connected with said hood and having an air inlet and an air outlet, and wherein said air outlet is positioned in the flow of air created by said fan; and,   an electronic component providing one or more features for the kitchen appliance, said electronic component placed at least partially into said channel such that air flowing through said channel operates to provide cooling for said electronic component.   
     
     
         2 . A kitchen appliance for the treatment of heated air and fumes generated from cooking as in  claim 1 , wherein the air outlet for said channel is positioned upstream of said fan such that air is drawn through said channel by said fan. 
     
     
         3 . A kitchen appliance for the treatment of heated air and fumes generated from cooking as in  claim 2 , wherein the air inlet for said channel is positioned so as to draw air from a location separate from the heated air and fumes captured by said hood. 
     
     
         4 . A kitchen appliance for the treatment of heated air and fumes generated from cooking as in  claim 2 , wherein said electronic component comprises an LED lamp module. 
     
     
         5 . A kitchen appliance for the treatment of heated air and fumes generated from cooking as in  claim 2 , wherein said electronic component comprises a PCB. 
     
     
         6 . A kitchen appliance for the treatment of heated air and fumes generated from cooking as in  claim 1 , wherein the air outlet for said channel is connected directly to said vent duct at a position upstream of said fan such that air is drawn through said channel by said fan. 
     
     
         7 . A kitchen appliance for the treatment of heated air and fumes generated from cooking as in  claim 1 , wherein the air outlet for said channel is positioned downstream of said fan such that air is drawn through said channel by the flow of air past the air outlet. 
     
     
         8 . A kitchen appliance for the treatment of heated air and fumes generated from cooking as in  claim 1 , further comprising a Venturi positioned at the air outlet for said channel, and wherein said Venturi and the air outlet for said channel are positioned downstream of said fan such that air is drawn through said channel by said Venturi. 
     
     
         9 . A kitchen appliance for the treatment of heated air and fumes generated from cooking as in  claim 8 , wherein the air inlet for said channel is positioned so as to draw air from a location separate from the heated air and fumes captured by said hood. 
     
     
         10 . A kitchen appliance for the treatment of heated air and fumes generated from cooking as in  claim 8 , wherein said electronic component comprises an LED lamp module. 
     
     
         11 . A kitchen appliance for the treatment of heated air and fumes generated from cooking as in  claim 8 , wherein said electronic component comprises a PCB. 
     
     
         12 . A kitchen appliance for the treatment of heated air and fumes generated from cooking as in  claim 1 , further comprising a Venturi positioned at the air outlet for said channel, and wherein said Venturi and the air outlet for said channel are positioned upstream of said fan such that air is drawn through said channel by said Venturi. 
     
     
         13 . A kitchen appliance for the treatment of heated air and fumes generated from cooking as in  claim 12 , wherein said electronic component comprises an LED lamp module. 
     
     
         14 . A kitchen appliance for the treatment of heated air and fumes generated from cooking as in  claim 12 , wherein said electronic component comprises a PCB. 
     
     
         15 . A kitchen appliance for the treatment of heated air and fumes generated from cooking as in  claim 12 , wherein the air inlet for said channel is positioned so as to draw air from a location separate from the heated air and fumes captured by said hood. 
     
     
         16 . A kitchen appliance for the treatment of heated air and fumes generated from cooking as in  claim 1 , further comprising:
 an auxiliary fan in communication with said channel, said auxiliary fan configured for creating a flow of air through said channel so as to provide cooling for said electronic components.   
     
     
         17 . A kitchen appliance for the treatment of heated air and fumes generated from cooking as in  claim 16 , wherein said auxiliary fan is configured for operation separate from said fan in communication with said vent duct. 
     
     
         18 . A kitchen appliance for the treatment of heated air and fumes generated from cooking as in  claim 16 , wherein the air inlet for said channel is positioned so as to draw air from a location separate from the heated air and fumes captured by said hood. 
     
     
         19 . A kitchen appliance for the treatment of cooking gases, the appliance comprising:
 a hood configured for the receipt of the cooking gases;   a vent duct positioned with said hood, said vent duct having an inlet for the receipt of the cooking gases moving into said hood;   a fan in communication with said vent duct, said fan configured for creating a flow of the cooking gases through said vent duct;   a channel for the flow of air, said channel connected with said hood and having an air inlet and an air outlet;   an electronic component providing one or more features for the kitchen appliance, said electronic component placed at least partially into said channel such that air flowing through said channel operates to provide cooling for said electronic component; and   an auxiliary fan positioned within said channel and configured for creating a flow of air through said channel.   
     
     
         20 . A kitchen appliance for the treatment of cooking gases as in  claim 19 , wherein the air outlet for said channel is positioned away from said vent duct so as to vent outside of said hood.