Background Art In general, a ventilator is used for forcedly discharging out indoor polluted air and maintaining clean indoor air. In general offices or houses, a ventilator discharges out indoor polluted air and inhales external fresh air, to thereby circulate indoor air in order to make the indoor air maintained to be fresh. However, the existing ventilator is nothing but an electric fan hanging on a wall which does not discharge indoor polluted air properly.

That is, in the case that indoor air is discharged by the ventilator, the discharged air is limited toward the front area of the ventilator and the air to be inhaled comes indoors via a gap in a door or window. Accordingly, since air circulation is not accomplished at the corners indoor, but is accomplished only at the front area of the ventilator or in the neighborhood of the gap in the door or window through which air comes in, polluted air remains at the corners and the place near the gap in the door or window is exposed to the outer air so that people feel cold. As a result, the existing ventilator has failed to smoothly ventilate indoor air.

According to a preferred structure of a ventilator for solving the above-described conventional problems, indoor polluted air is discharged at the same time when fresh outdoor air is inhaled.

Accordingly, there have been developed various types of ventilation apparatuses which performs inhalation of fresh outdoor air and discharging of indoor polluted air simultaneously.

Some of known technologies will be described below.

One of the prior art known technology is the Korean Utility-Model Registration No. 20-293655 on 17 October 2002, entitled"External air introducing heating ventilator. "As shown in FIGs. 1 through 3, a heating ventilator 10 is mounted with a duct 13 communicating indoor and outdoor so that external air is inhaled into indoor in a building. The heating ventilator 10 has a structure of assembling a filter 14 which is installed in an external air inlet 12 for filtering the introduced external air, a fan 16 which introduces and ventilates the external air having passed through the filter 14, a low-temperature exothermic heater assembly 18 which heats the ventilated air at a low temperature, a temperature setter 32 which adjusts temperature of the heater assembly, and a silencer heat isolator 24 which is installed in front of an outlet 26 which is positioned at the rear end of the heater assembly 18, in series in a case 28.

The external air introducing heating ventilator having the above-described structure is linked with an artificial intelligent sensor (SR) which detects indoor pollution, a kitchen air exit duct ventilator (F), and a control switching portion (C) which switching-controls operating power for the external air introducing heating ventilator 10 and the kitchen air exit duct ventilator (F). Thus, when the artificial intelligent sensor (SR) detects indoor pollution, the heating ventilator 10 and the kitchen air exit duct ventilator (F) are automatically operated.

As a result, in the case of the above-described known prior art, when the artificial intelligent sensor (SR) for a kitchen air exit hood operates to drive a hood fan, the external air introducing heating ventilator is made to operate simultaneously.

Therefore, air is supplied indoors and an indoor air pressure becomes positive so that indoor polluted air is smoothly discharged via a common duct for exiting air of the indoor and the kitchen, and external air is introduced indoors to thereby provide indoors with warm air.

However, in the case of the Korean Utility-Model Registration No. 20-293655, the heating ventilator 10 which inhales external air and the kitchen air exit duct

ventilator (F) which discharges indoor air externally are separated from each other and installed in a separated space, respectively. Accordingly, the technology disclosed in the Korean Utility-Model Registration No. 20-293655 is a ventilation apparatus which is appropriate for use in a general restaurant where food is cooked only in the kitchen or a common house where a kitchen air exit common duct is installed, but is not preferable to be employed in a restaurant where meat or food is cooked indoors separated from the kitchen.

That is, in the case of the restaurant where meat is grilled or food is cooked indoors, if external air is inhaled, smoke is flied or flames heating a heating plate on which meat is baked are flied. In fact, the technology disclosed in the Korean Utility-Model Registration No. 20-293655 may be desirable to circulate external air and discharge smoke or smell occurring in cooking food in the kitchen and indoor polluted air, but is not appropriate as a structure of discharging smoke or smell occurring in cooking food indoors at a restaurant where food is cooked indoors separately from the kitchen.

Meanwhile, another of the prior art known technology is the Korean Utility-Model Registration No. 20-240939 on 21 July 2001, entitled"Air circulator." The air circulator which may be called a ventilator has a structure of inhaling external air as much as an amount of indoor air being discharged and circulating the indoor air, to thereby discharge the polluted air even at the indoor corners in which external air has a small temperature difference from the indoor air so as to be inhaled indoors.

Accordingly, the Korean Utility-Model Registration No. 20-240939 is a ventilator which can be applied in a restaurant where meat is grilled or food is cooked indoors separated from the kitchen.

That is, as shown in FIGs. 4 and 5, the air circulator disclosed in the Korean Utility-Model Registration No. 20-240939 has a structure of having a discharge vessel 10 installed on the upper portion indoor in which outlets 11 are formed in all directions, a T-shaped air flowing path tube 20 which is installed in the discharge vessel 10 for discharging indoor air and isolated from the inside of the discharge vessel 10, a discharge tube 30 which is combined laterally with the air flowing path tube 20 in which a discharge fan 31 is installed to discharge indoor air externally, an indoor air inhalation

tube 40 which is combined with the lower side of the air flowing path tube 20 for inhaling indoor air, and an external air inhalation tube 50 which is installed in parallel with the discharge vessel 10 for inhaling external air.

Also, the indoor air inhalation tube 40 is coupled with a duct 41 in the middle portion thereof. The duct 41 is adjusted with a fixed string 42 in length. On the lower inner side of the inhalation tube 40 is installed an air quantity adjustment plate 46 which is adjusted with a level 45.

In particular, on the leading end of the external air inhalation tube 50 is installed a filter portion 51 in which a filter is incorporated. In the external air inhalation tube 50 are installed an ultraviolet lamp 54 and a heater 55. On the outer side of the external air inhalation tube 50 is installed a cover 53. Accordingly, when external air comes indoors via the indoor upper portion, temperature of the external air is raised up to a certain temperature, and then the heated external air is sent indoors, to thereby prevent the indoor temperature from abruptly falling down due to the external cold air in the winter season.

Thus, in the case of the Korean Utility-Model Registration No. 20-240939, outdoor air is inhaled as much as the indoor air discharged in order to ventilate air in a closed space. In particular, indoor air is discharged at the indoor center and outdoor air is distributed from the indoor upper portion in all directions. Accordingly, since fresh air moves downwards in all directions and indoor air is inhaled, ventilation is accomplished without having any air congestion portions.

However, the air circulator disclosed in the Korean Utility-Model Registration No. 20-240939 inhales external air indoors and discharges indoor polluted air externally, like the external air introducing ventilator disclosed in the Korean Utility-Model Registration No. 20-293655.

Thus, in the case that the air circulator is installed in a restaurant where meat is grilled or food is cooked indoors, if external air is inhaled, smoke may be flied or flames heating a heating plate on which meat is baked may be flied.

In particular, in the case of the air circulator disclosed in the Korean Utility-Model Registration No. 20-240939, the duct 41 whose length can be adjusted is installed in the inhalation tube 40 which inhales indoor air, and thus indoor air is inhaled and discharged via the duct 41. Accordingly, in the case that the air circulator is installed

in a restaurant where meat is grilled or food is cooked indoors, indoor polluted air such as smoke or smell is inhaled and discharged from the place near the meat or food, to thus greatly enhance an air exit performance.

However, due to the duct 41 which is pendent downwards lengthily, eyesight of people who sit at opposite sides from the duct 41 can be hidden to thereby cause inconvenience of use. Also, since a structure of disposing the duct is complicated in the whole indoor space, it is undesirable in view of an indoor interior design.

Accordingly, the same applicant as that of the present application has proposed a ventilation apparatus which has solved the above-described problems and can quickly discharge indoor polluted air, in the Korean Utility-Model Registration No. 20-321835 on 21 July 2003, entitled"Ventilation apparatus." That is, the Korean Utility-Model Registration No. 20-321835 provides a ventilation apparatus which mixes polluted air such as smoke and smell which can occur at the time of cooking food at a closed indoor space with external air and quickly discharges the mixed air, without opening a door or window.

As shown in FIGs. 6 through 8, the ventilation apparatus 10 disclosed in the Korean Utility-Model Registration No. 20-321835 includes a ventilation case 20, an opening and closing unit 30 which intermittently allows inhalation of external air provided in one side of the ventilation case 20, and a discharge unit 40 formed in the other side of the ventilation case 20, for discharging the internal air. The ventilation case 20 includes an indoor air inhalation tube 25 whose lower portion is opened so that indoor air is inhaled at the center thereof, an inhalation tube 26 which is connected with one side of the indoor air inhalation tube 25 so that the cross-sectional area is enlarged, a number of inhalation holes 21 are formed in one side thereof, and the opening and closing unit 30 is formed in the other side thereof, and a discharge tube 28 which is connected with the other side of the indoor air inhalation tube 25 so that the cross-sectional area is enlarged, and a number of discharge holes 23 are formed on one side thereof. The discharge unit 40 has a structure having a blower which is provided at the other side of the discharge tube 28 for stepwise speed adjustment.

That is, the ventilation case 20 includes the inhalation tube 26, the discharge tube 28, and the indoor air inhalation tube 25 on the indoor ceiling 60 in which external air is

inhaled and not supplied indoors but discharged right away. The ventilation case 20 is formed so that the cross-sectional area of the ventilation case 20 toward the indoor air inhalation tube 25 provided at the center portion of the ventilation case 20 so as to collect and inhale the indoor polluted air becomes smaller than those of the external air inhalation tube 26 and the discharge tube 28 which are provided in both sides of the indoor air inhalation tube 25.

Also, an inverter 50 is provided in the discharge unit 40 provided in the ventilation apparatus 10, to thereby effectively adjust speed of the blower and prevent unnecessary power consumption. Since oil or grease would not well adhere to the inside and outside of the ventilation apparatus 10, hygienic and clean ventilation apparatus 10 can be maintained.

However, in the case of the Korean Utility-Model Registration No. 20-321835, the inhalation tube 26, the discharge tube 28, and the indoor air inhalation tube 25 are integrally formed to constitute a single ventilation case 20, and thus when the ventilation case 20 is installed on the indoor ceiling 60 in integral form, the installation work is somewhat inconvenient.

In addition, since the ventilation apparatus 10 having the inhalation tube 26, the discharge tube 28, and the indoor air inhalation tube 25 which are integrally formed in the ventilation case 20 is installed on the indoor ceiling 60, in the case of the Korean Utility-Model Registration No. 20-321835, it is more or less difficult to install the indoor illumination devices on the indoor ceiling 60.

In particular, in the case of the prior art ventilation apparatus 10, when external air is inhaled and discharged together with the indoor polluted air, the discharge air flowing path is designed only in the linear direction, and thus positions where the external air inhalation hole 31 and the discharge unit 40 such as the blower are installed are limited. As a result, it is difficult to easily alter a design according to a structure of an indoor space where the ventilation apparatus 10 is installed, that is, according to an installation condition.

Disclosure of Invention To solve the above problems, it is an object of the present invention to provide a ventilation apparatus which inhales outer air and does not supplies indoors with the inhaled outer air but discharges it right away, to thereby mix polluted air such as smoke or smell generated at the time of cooking food in a closed indoor space with external air to be discharged and to then discharge the mixed air without opening a door or window, and to thereby employ the features of the prior art ventilation apparatus earlier filed by the same applicant so that indoor air can be swiftly discharged outwards by a change in pressure due to reduction of a cross-sectional area of a ventilation case toward the indoor air inhalation side in which the intake air unit and the exhaust air unit are separated and installed on the indoor ceiling, to thereby allow a user to install the ventilation apparatus more easily and indoor illumination devices more harmoniously together with the ventilation apparatus.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a ventilation apparatus which allows alteration of a design of an external air inhalation and discharge flowing path freely and easily and the installation work more easily, according to an installation condition of a place where the ventilation apparatus is installed, in which openings of the intake air unit or exhaust air unit are not easily exposed externally to enhance an external appearance and provide an increased ventilation effect.

It is still another object of the present invention to provide a ventilation apparatus which presents an arrangement structure of allowing alteration of a design of an external air inhalation and discharge flowing path freely and in various forms according to an installation condition of a place where the ventilation apparatus is installed, to thereby be extensively applied to a kitchen hood as an applicable field of the ventilation apparatus.

To accomplish the above objects of the present invention, there is provided a ventilation apparatus comprising: an intake air unit having an external air inhalation hole through which external air is inhaled from one side connected to the outdoor and a plurality of discharge holes through which the external air inhaled via the external air inhalation hole; a exhaust air unit having a number of inhalation holes which are

installed opposingly in correspondence to the plurality of discharge holes in the intake air unit and a discharge hole through which indoor air mixed with the external air inhaled via the intake air unit can be discharged; and a discharge unit which is connected with the exhaust air unit for providing an air blowing force so that the external air and the indoor air can be inhaled via the intake air unit and the exhaust air unit, respectively, whereby the indoor air inhaled via the plurality of inhalation holes in the exhaust air unit can be externally discharged together with the external air inhaled into the intake air unit.

Here, it is preferable that the intake air unit and the exhaust air unit are installed in opposition to each other on the indoor ceiling, in which an indoor air inhalation portion is provided between the intake air unit and the exhaust air unit, and the intake air unit and the exhaust air unit have an inclined structure so that indoor air can be collected toward the indoor air inhalation portion, respectively.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is also provided a ventilation apparatus comprising: an intake air unit having an external air inhalation hole through which external air is inhaled and a plurality of discharge holes; and a exhaust air unit having a plurality of inhalation holes which are installed in correspondence to the plurality of discharge holes in the intake air unit and a discharge hole through which indoor air mixed with the external air inhaled into the intake air unit can be discharged through operation of a blower, in which the intake air unit and the exhaust air unit are installed in opposition to each other one on top of another.

Here, it is preferable that when the indoor air is inhaled via the plurality of inhalation holes in the exhaust air unit, a guide panel which is connected with the intake air unit or exhaust air unit is installed while having an inclined surface along indoor ceiling so as to guide a flow of the indoor air.

According to still another aspect of the present invention, there is also provided a ventilation apparatus comprising: an outer case constituting a kitchen hood; an intake air unit which is installed in the outer case and connected with an external air intake air unit communicating with the outside so as to inhale external air; a exhaust air unit through which the external air inhaled via the intake air unit is inhaled as it is, and simultaneously connected with the intake air unit in the outer case and connected with

the exhaust air unit communicating with the outside so that polluted air generated during cooking in the kitchen is inhaled and discharged; and a blower which provides an air blowing force so that the external air can be inhaled via the intake air unit, and the inhaled external air and the polluted air in the kitchen can be inhaled via the exhaust air unit.

That is, the ventilation apparatus according to the present invention has a more desirable structure of a ventilation condition which can perfectly open and close the indoor with respect to the outside, and thus provides a conventional restaurant with a much great effect if a ventilation apparatus according to the present invention is installed in the conventional restaurant where smoke or flame for heating a heating plate on which meat is grilled can be flied due to external air inhaled from the outside.

In particular, in the case that the door or indoor window is perfectly closed due to external cold air in the winter season, smoke or smell generated during cooking indoors is not scattered but goes up directly toward the indoor ceiling. In this case, a change in pressure occurs in the indoor air inhalation portion due to reduction of a cross-sectional area, and thus the indoor air and the air inhaled via the intake air unit is swiftly mixed with each other and discharged. Accordingly, the indoor polluted air can be more effectively discharged out.

Also, it is preferable to construct an environmental condition that smoke or smell is not scattered indoors but goes up directly toward the indoor ceiling in order to forward the indoor polluted air such as smoke or smell generated during cooking foods directly to the indoor air inhalation portion. This means that the ventilation apparatus according to the present invention may work more effectively when the indoor space maintains a closed space.

Also, the ventilation apparatus according to the present invention can obtain an additional effect of reducing oil adhesion in the inside and outside of the ventilation apparatus, since the indoor polluted air such as smoke or smell is mixed and diluted with the external air, and then discharged out swiftly at the diluted state, unlike the conventionally well-known ventilation apparatus.

In particular, as described above, since it is preferable to use the ventilation apparatus according to the present invention at the state where the indoor space is closed

so that smoke or smell is not scattered indoors due to the external air but goes up directly toward the indoor air inhalation portion, doors or windows need not be opened in order to discharge smoke or smell generated during cooking foods, to thereby provide an effect of enhancing a cooling/heating efficiency.

Brief Description of Drawings The above and other objects and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent by describing the preferred embodiment thereof in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an external air introduction heating ventilator according to the prior art; FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the inner structure of the conventional external air introduction heating ventilator shown in FIG. 1; FIG. 3 shows an example of a desirable use state of the conventional external air introduction heating ventilator shown in FIG. 1; FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view showing an example of an air circulation apparatus according to the prior art; FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view showing the inner structure of the conventional air circulation apparatus shown in FIG. 4; FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing a ventilation apparatus which has been early filed by the same applicant; FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing an air flow in a ventilation case of the ventilation apparatus shown in FIG. 6; FIG. 8 is a perspective view showing a desirable use state of the ventilation apparatus shown in FIG. 6; FIG. 9 is a perspective view showing a ventilation apparatus according to the present invention; FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing an air flow in the ventilation apparatus shown in FIG. 9; FIG. 11 is a perspective view showing a desirable use state of the ventilation

apparatus shown in FIG. 9; FIGs. 12 through 14 show various embodiments in connection with an installation of the ventilation apparatus according to the present invention; FIG. 15 is a perspective view showing a ventilation apparatus according to another embodiment of the present invention in which partitions are formed in a exhaust air unit; FIG. 16 is a perspective view showing a ventilation apparatus according to still another embodiment of the present invention in which a duct is formed in a exhaust air unit; FIG. 17 shows a state where the ventilation apparatus according to the present invention is partitioned into a number of spaces and applied in a closed indoor space; FIG. 18 shows a state where illumination devices are mounted on the indoor ceiling together with the ventilation apparatus according to the present invention; FIG. 19 shows an intake air unit and a exhaust air unit in a ventilation apparatus according to still another embodiment of the present invention ; FIG. 20 shows a plurality of pairs of the intake air units and the exhaust air units according to the embodiment of FIG. 19; FIG. 21 shows flows of indoor air and inhaled external air according to a structure of disposing the intake air units and the exhaust air units shown in FIG. 20; FIG. 22 shows a state where a pair of an intake air unit and a exhaust air unit are installed according to still another embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 23 shows an air flow at the state where the positions of the disposed intake air unit and exhaust air unit shown in FIG. 22 are altered; FIG. 24 shows a kitchen hood in which the ventilation apparatus according to the present invention is applied; FIG. 25 shows an external structure of the kitchen hood in which the ventilation apparatus according to the present invention is applied; and FIG. 26 is a front view of a kitchen hood in which the ventilation apparatus according to the present invention is applied.

Best Mode for Carrying out the Invention Hereinbelow, a ventilation apparatus according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

As illustrated in the drawings, a ventilation apparatus according to the present invention is to improve the ventilation apparatus shown in FIGs. 6 through 8, and previously filed by the same applicant as that of the present invention. Accordingly, the structural features of the ventilation apparatus according to the present invention are very similar to those of the ventilation apparatus shown in FIGs. 6 through 8.

However, the ventilation apparatus according to the present invention is to easily change a design in an installation structure of the ventilation apparatus according to an installation condition of a place to be installed. That is, the ventilation apparatus according to the present invention has been improved into a structure that can be more easily installed on the indoor ceiling although a variety of structures or functions have been added therein.

As shown in FIGs. 9 through 11, the ventilation apparatus according to the present invention includes an intake air unit 1 through which external air is inhaled and the inhaled external air can be supplied, a exhaust air unit 2 through which indoor air can be inhaled and discharged together with the external air inhaled via the intake air unit 1, and a discharge unit (F) for providing an air blowing force so that the external air and the indoor air can be inhaled via the intake air unit and the exhaust air unit, respectively.

Here, an external air inhalation hole la through which external air is inhaled from one side connected to the outdoor is provided in one side of the intake air unit 1, and a plurality of discharge holes 1b through which the external air inhaled via the external air inhalation hole la is discharged in the other side thereof.

Here, on one side of the exhaust air unit 2 are provided a plurality of inhalation holes 2a which are installed in opposition to the discharge holes 1b in the intake air unit 1 and through which indoor air can be inhaled together with the external air inhaled via the intake air unit 1, and on the other side thereof are provided a discharge hole 2b through which the inhaled indoor air can be discharged together with the inhaled

external air.

In addition, the intake air unit 1 and the exhaust air unit 2 are installed in opposition to each other with a predetermined gap on the ceiling 6. That is, the discharge holes lb in the intake air unit 1 and the inhalation holes 2a in the exhaust air unit 2 are installed in opposition to each other on the indoor ceiling so that all the external air inhaled from the outside can be moved from the intake air unit 1 to the exhaust air unit 2.

In addition, an indoor air inhalation portion 5 is provided at the gap formed between the intake air unit 1 and the exhaust air unit 2, so that indoor air can be inhaled together with the external air inhaled via the intake air unit 1.

Here, the intake air unit 1 and the exhaust air unit 2 have an inclined structure, in their cross-sections, respectively toward the indoor air inhalation portion 5.

Accordingly, the indoor air can be effectively collected toward the indoor air inhalation portion 5, and thus a change in pressure occurs due to the reduction. in the cross-sectional area toward the indoor air inhalation portion 5 when the external air inhaled via the intake air unit 1 passes through the indoor air inhalation portion 5. As a result, the indoor air and the external air is mixed and the mixed air can be swiftly discharged.

Here, the external air inhalation hole la in the intake air unit 1 is an opening which is provided to inhale external air from the outdoor side, in which it is preferable to have an opening and closing unit (C) which can control inhalation of external air.

Here, the opening and closing unit (C) can be formed of a number of blades which are installed in the external air inhalation hole la to control inhalation of external air. The blades are the well-known conventional opening and closing unit, in which it is preferable that both ends of each blade are hinged in the external air inhalation hole la in order to open and close the external air inhalation hole la by a driving force of a driving unit (not shown).

It is also preferable that a filter member (not shown) performing a filter function is installed in the inside of the external air inhalation hole la as necessary in order to prevent impurities are inhaled when external air is inhaled.

It is also preferable that an opening and closing unit (not shown) is installed in the

form of a shutter which can be selectively opened and closed through electric power supplied in the discharge holes lb in the intake air unit 1 and the inhalation holes 2a in the exhaust air unit 2 as necessary, as well as the external air inhalation hole la in the intake air unit 1 where the above-described blade-like opening and closing unit is provided. That is, it is preferable that the external air inhalation hole la in the intake air unit 1 is formed of a blade-like opening and closing unit and the discharge holes lb in the intake air unit 1 and the inhalation holes 2a in the exhaust air unit 2 are formed of a shutter-like opening and closing unit (not shown). This is to prevent indoor air from being unnecessarily discharged or external air from being unnecessarily inhaled even at the state where the discharge unit (F) does not operate, that is, even at the state that there is no need to ventilate, in the case that the external air inhalation hole la, the discharge holes lb, and the inhalation holes 2a are always opened.

In other words, in the case of indoor cooling or heating, if indoor and outdoor air is unnecessarily discharged or inhaled via openings such as the external air inhalation hole la, the discharge holes lb, and the inhalation holes 2a, the cooling or heating efficiency may be lowered. Thus, the above-described opening and closing units allow a user can selectively open and close the external air inhalation hole la, the discharge holes lb, and the inhalation holes 2a, to thereby prevent the cooling or heating efficiency from being lowered.

Here, since the blade-like or shutter-like opening and closing unit (C) are well-known, the detailed description thereof will be omitted.

However, the external air inhalation hole la, the discharge holes lb, and the inhalation holes 2a are not positioned at heights where users can easily touch by the hands, it is not preferable to manually open and close them, but is preferable to automatically open and close them by the blade-like or shutter-like opening and closing unit (C) through manipulation of switches.

In addition, the discharge unit (F) provides a strong air blowing force, and plays a role of inhaling external air via the external air inhalation hole la in the intake air unit 1 and then discharging the inhaled external air via the exhaust air unit 2 as it is.

Preferably, the discharge unit (F) is provided in the other side of the exhaust air unit 2 and is a blower 3 named a ventilation fan which can inhale external air with the strong

air blowing force.

Likewise, in the case that the discharge unit (F) is formed of the blower 3, it is preferable that an inverter 4 controls the discharge speed of the blower 3 stepwise. That is, in the case of the blower 3, the rotational speed is controlled by the well-known inverter 4 connected with a control board which can be used to control operation of the ventilation apparatus. Accordingly, it is preferable that the rotational speed of the blower 3 is controlled at desired speeds, so that an amount of indoor air discharged can be properly selectively controlled according to smoke or smell occurring indoors.

Further, when the rotational speed of the blower 3 is controlled by the inverter 4, unnecessary electricity consumption is prevented to save electricity fees.

Also, as shown in FIGs. 12 through 14 showing various types of embodiments of the present invention, a blower 3 constituting the discharge unit (F) is connected with the discharge hole 2b in the exhaust air unit 2. Here, the blower 3 can be installed on the inner-front side of the discharge hole 2b, or installed in the outside via a connection tube 2c which is extended from the discharge hole 2b in the exhaust air unit 2.

As described above, the case that the blower 3 is installed on the inner-front side of the discharge hole 2b, or the case that the blower 3 is installed in the outside via a connection tube 2c has its own merits and demerits. That is, as shown in FIGs. 13 and 14, in the case that the blower 3 is installed on the inner side of the exhaust air unit 2, the blower 3 operates in the exhaust air unit 2, and thus an air blowing force, or an external air inhalation force is relatively stronger than that when the blower 3 is installed in the outside of the exhaust air unit 2. Thus, a relatively smaller capacity of the blower 3 can be employed. In contrast, as shown in FIG. 12, in the case that the blower 3 is installed in the outside of the exhaust air unit 2 via the connection tube 2c, an after-service is easily performed when the blower 3 is out of order since the blower 3 is provided in the separated external space, and the blower 3 is relatively more easily installed than that when the blower 3 is installed in the inside of the exhaust air unit 2.

In addition, the blower 3 as the discharge unit (F) and the blade-like opening and closing unit (C) operate by an on-off switch 4a which is manually controlled directly by a user, or by a speed control switch 4b which can manipulate the inverter 4 which can control the speed of the blower 3.

Meanwhile, as shown in FIGs. 12 through 14, the intake air unit 1 and the exhaust air unit 2 can be installed on the indoor ceiling 6 in various forms according to size of an indoor space and an installation condition. That is, as shown in FIG. 12, a exhaust air unit 2 can be disposed in both sides of the ventilation apparatus, respectively, interposing a plurality of intake air units 1 between the exhaust air units 2. As shown in FIG. 14, an intake air unit 1 can be disposed in both sides of the ventilation apparatus, respectively, interposing a plurality of exhaust air units 2 between the intake air units 1.

Also, the plurality of intake air units 1 which are adjacent each other as shown in FIG. 12 are separated and partitioned from each other. However, the plurality of intake air units 1 can be incorporated into a single intake air unit 1 while communicating with each other. Of course, the plurality of exhaust air units 2 which are adjacent each other as shown in FIG. 14 are separated and partitioned from each other. However, the plurality of exhaust air units 2 can be incorporated into a single exhaust air unit 2 while communicating with each other.

In addition, the external air inhalation hole la formed in the intake air unit 1 and the discharge hole 2b formed in the exhaust air unit 2 can be positioned in linear direction with respect to the discharge holes lb and the inhalation holes 2a as shown in FIGs. 9 and 11, or positioned in perpendicular direction with respect to the discharge holes 1b and the inhalation holes 2a as shown in FIGs. 12 through 14, according to an installation condition of a place where the ventilation apparatus is installed, that is, according to the position of a portion which is connected directly with the outside.

Here, in the case that the external air inhalation hole la formed in the intake air unit 1 and the discharge hole 2b formed in the exhaust air unit 2 are positioned in perpendicular direction with respect to the discharge holes lb and the inhalation holes 2a, it is preferable that an external air induction guide lc for inducing external air inhaled in linear direction via the external air inhalation hole la to be in perpendicular direction to then be smoothly discharged via the discharge holes lb is installed in one inner side of the discharge holes lb in the intake air unit 1, in view of an air flow characteristic.

Also, an inhalation guide portion 2d which can collect and inhale mixed air and whose width is narrowed inwards of the exhaust air unit 1, is provided in the inhalation

holes 2a in the exhaust air unit 2.

As shown in PIGs. 12 through 14, the external air inhalation hole la formed in the intake air unit 1 and the discharge hole 2b formed in the exhaust air unit 2 are formed to be positioned in the perpendicular direction with respect to the discharge holes lb and the inhalation holes 2a. Accordingly, the space where the ventilation apparatus is installed becomes widened, and thus the length of the exhaust air unit 2 becomes long. As a result, when the whole cross-sectional area of an air flow path provided in the exhaust air unit 2 becomes identical, it is natural that an inhalation force which inhales air is lowered as the exhaust air unit 2 becomes far from the blower 3.

In other words, in view of the air flow characteristic in the exhaust air unit 2, the mixed air (the external air +the indoor polluted air) inhaled via the inhalation hole 2a which is close from the discharge hole 2b receives a stronger inhalation force than the mixed air inhaled via the inhalation holes 2a which is far from the discharge hole 2b.

Accordingly, the identical air flow does not appear in the whole exhaust air unit 2, and as a result a smooth ventilation may not be performed in all the indoor space.

To supplement this, a ventilation apparatus according to another embodiment of the present invention gives a change in cross-section along an air flow path in the exhaust air unit 2, to thereby uniformly maintain the whole pressure distribution. That is, as shown in FIG. 15, a partition wall 7 which forms an air flow path is installed across the whole inner portions of the exhaust air unit 2.

Here, the partition wall 7 is designed to have a sealing structure the cross-section of the air flow path is reduced toward the inhalation holes 2a which are subsequently far from the discharge hole 2b. Thus, since the pressure working on each portion of the exhaust air unit 2 is distributed more uniformly due to the sealed partition wall 7, the indoor polluted air is uniformly inhaled and discharged via all the inhalation holes 2a in the exhaust air unit 2 irrespective of the length of the exhaust air unit 2.

Also, as shown in FIG. 16, a duct 8 is inserted into and installed in the exhaust air unit 2, and a guide tube 8a is connected between the duct 8 and the respective inhalation holes 2a of the exhaust air unit 2, so that all the inhaled mixed air can be discharged from the discharge hole 2b via the duct 8. Here, the guide tubes 8a connected with the inhalation holes 2a have the structure of extending guide portions 2d (FIG. 17) in the

inhalation holes 2a, to thereby pay a role of inhaling and sending the mixed air to the duct 8 more effectively.

In FIG. 16, the shape of the duct 8 is cylindrical, but is not limited thereto. Of course, the shape of the duct 8 can be formed of a variety of shapes such as a rectangular cross-section.

Meanwhile, the ventilation apparatus according to the present invention can be applied in a space which requires for a more effective ventilation effect in the case that the indoor rooms like karaoke rooms are partitioned into a number of indoor spaces, and the whole indoor spaces are sealed. That is, as shown in FIG. 17, in the case that the indoor space is partitioned and sealed into a number of rooms (A, B, C,...) in parallel with each other, the intake air unit 1 and the exhaust air unit 2 are installed to penetrate the ceiling 6 in the partitioned spaces (A, B, C,...), to thereby form an integral single path. Here, at least one discharge hole lb in the intake air unit 1 and at least one inhalation hole 2a in the exhaust air unit 2 which are disposed in opposition to each other, are disposed in the respectively partitioned spaces (A, B, C,...).

In particular, it is preferable that a shutter-like opening and closing unit 9 which can selectively open and close the discharge holes as necessary as described above, is installed in at least one discharge holes 1b formed in the intake air unit 1 in the respectively partitioned spaces (A, B, C,...).

Here, the shutter-like opening and closing unit 9 is well-known and formed to open and close the discharge holes lb by a separate switching operation (not shown).

The reason why the discharge holes lb are selectively opened and closed in the respectively partitioned indoor spaces, is to heighten a use efficiency of the ventilation apparatus in the whole indoor space by opening the discharge holes lb in a space which requires for a ventilation (for example, a space which are occupied by users) and closing the discharge holes 1b in a space which does not require for a ventilation (for example, a space which are not occupied by users).

Meanwhile, in the case of the ventilation apparatus according to the present invention, as shown in FIG. 18, indoor illumination devices 5a are installed on the indoor ceiling 6 above an indoor air inhalation portion 5 provided between the intake air unit 1 and the exhaust air unit 2. As described above, when the indoor illumination

devices 5a are installed on the indoor ceiling 6 above an indoor air inhalation portion 5, the ventilation apparatus is harmoniously disposed together with the illumination devices 5a, which provides a very preferable effect in view of an indoor interior design.

Meanwhile, although it is not shown in the drawings showing the embodiments of the present invention, an air-conditioner may be installed for indoor cooling. In this case, in order to heighten an effect of the ventilation apparatus, it is preferable that a system air-conditioner (or ceiling air-conditioner) installed toward the indoor ceiling 6 is installed at one corner to thereby have cooling air flow out from the indoor bottom sides via a well-known duct which can induce separate cooling air. This is to accomplish an effect that smoke or smell occurring during cooking foods indoors are not flied but goes up directly toward the indoor air inhalation portion 5, when taking a flow of the cooling air flowing out from the air-conditioner into consideration.

As described above, the ventilation apparatus according to the present invention can be varied in various forms according to conditions of the indoor space where the ventilation apparatus is installed.

The function and effect of the ventilation apparatus according to the present invention will follow.

When smoke and smell occurs during cooking foods and thus a ventilation is needed, a user manipulates an on-off switch 4a in order to operate a discharge unit (F) and an opening and closing unit (C). Accordingly, horizontal blades which are hinged with the external air inhalation hole la are rotated by a certain degree around the hinged axis by a driving unit provided in the intake air unit 1 and thus the external air inhalation hole la is opened so that external air can be inhaled via the external air inhalation hole la.

Simultaneously, as the blower 3 in the discharge unit (F) is operated, external air is inhaled via the external air inhalation hole la by the strong air blowing force of the blower 3, and transferred to the inhalation holes 2a in the exhaust air unit 2 via the discharge holes lb in the intake air unit 1. Also, smoke and smell which occurs during cooking foods goes up and is collected toward the indoor air inhalation portion 5 by the operation of the blower 3.

Accordingly, the indoor air such as smoke and smell collected toward the indoor

air inhalation portion 5 is mixed with the external air passing through between the discharge holes 1b in the intake air unit 1 and the inhalation holes 2a in the exhaust air unit 2. Then, the mixed air is inhaled into the inhalation holes 2a in the exhaust air unit 2 and passes through the discharge hole 2b and the blower 3, to then be discharged out.

Here, since the cross-section is reduced toward the indoor air inhalation portion 5 provided between the intake air unit 1 and the exhaust air unit 2, a change in pressure at the narrow cross-section increases an air flowing speed to thereby more swiftly discharge smoke and smell.

Meanwhile, although it is preferable that all the external air discharged from the discharge holes lb in the intake air unit 1 is inhaled into the inhalation holes 2a in the exhaust air unit 2, some external air may be inhaled indoors because the intake air unit 1 and the exhaust air unit 2 are installed at a predetermined distance from each other indoors.

Thus, when a ventilation apparatus according to still another embodiment of the present invention is applied as an indoor ventilation structure, it is designed so that the external air inhaled via the intake air unit 1 can be inhaled indoors at minimum.

Accordingly, the indoor air is not flied but goes up directly toward the exhaust air unit 2, to then be swiftly discharged together with the external air.

That is, as shown in FIG. 19 showing a ventilation apparatus of still another embodiment of the present invention, an intake air unit 10 and a exhaust air unit 20 which constitutes the ventilation apparatus are installed in opposition to each other in a top-and-bottom relationship therebetween. Accordingly, the ventilation apparatus can be installed indoors more efficiently and easily according to an installation condition of a place where the ventilation apparatus is installed, and provides a layout structure of enhancing a ventilation efficiency.

According still another embodiments of the present invention which is characterized in that the intake air unit 10 and the exhaust air unit 20 are disposed in a top-and-bottom relationship therebetween as described above, they may be disposed in various forms in the process of actually installing them indoors. That is, according to a variety of variables, that is, installation conditions, such as an output quantity requiring for ventilation dependent upon the whole indoor space volume, the intake air unit 10 and

the exhaust air unit 20 can be disposed in a pair or a plurality of pairs.

Hereinbelow, the intake air unit 10 and the exhaust air unit 20 which are installed in a disposition structure which opposes each other top and bottom can be embodied in various forms, which will be described in more detail through some preferable embodiments shown in FIGs. 20 through 23.

FIG. 20 shows that ventilation apparatuses according to the present invention are installed at both corners indoors, according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

As shown in FIG. 20, a plurality of ventilation apparatuses are installed along both corners indoors, at the state where the intake air unit 10 and the exhaust air unit 20 are disposed in a pair with a top-and-bottom relationship therebetween.

Here, in FIG. 20, the exhaust air unit 20 is positioned above the intake air unit 10 and is mounted on the ceiling 80. A guide panel 50 which guides inhalation of the indoor air is provided between both the exhaust air units 20.

Here, the guide panel 50 is installed to play a role of guiding the rising indoor air to be inhaled toward the inhalation holes 21 of FIG. 21 in the exhaust air unit 20 installed at both corners indoors.

Thus, when the guide panel 50 guides the rising indoor air toward the inhalation holes 21 in the exhaust air unit 20, it is installed to cover the whole ceiling 80 with inclined surfaces toward the inhalation holes 21 from the indoor central portion so that the rising indoor air can be smoothly guided by structure.

An air flow in the ventilation apparatus according to the present invention shown in FIG. 20 will be described in more detail with reference to FIG. 21.

That is, as shown in FIGs. 19 through 21, when smoke and smell occurs during cooking foods and thus a ventilation is needed, a user manipulates an on-off switch 61 in order to operate a blower 30 to inhale external air.

Here, blades 70 which open and close the external air inhalation hole 11 are rotated by a certain degree by a driving unit (not shown) provided in the intake air unit 10 and thus the external air inhalation hole 11 is opened so that external air can be inhaled via the external air inhalation hole 11.

That is, as the blower 30 is operated, external air is inhaled via the external air

inhalation hole 11 by the strong air blowing force of the blower 30, and inhaled into the inhalation holes 21 in the exhaust air unit 20 via the discharge holes 12 in the intake air unit 10. Also, smoke and smell which occurs during cooking foods goes up and is collected toward the guide panel 50 by the operation of the blower 30.

Accordingly, the indoor air such as smoke and smell collected toward the guide panel 50 is guided between the discharge holes 12 in the intake air unit 10 and the inhalation holes 21 in the exhaust air unit 20 along the inclined surfaces of the guide panel 50 and then is mixed with the external air. Then, the mixed air is inhaled into the inhalation holes 21 in the exhaust air unit 20 and passes through the discharge hole 22 and the blower 30, to then be discharged out.

As described above, the indoor air is guided by the guide panel 50 provided between the intake air unit 10 and the exhaust air unit 20, to thereby discharge the indoor air together with the external air more swiftly.

Meanwhile, as shown in FIGs. 22 and 23, the intake air unit 10 and the exhaust air unit 20 can be installed on the indoor ceiling 80 in various forms according to size of the indoor space and installation conditions.

That is, as shown in FIG. 22, the exhaust air unit 20 can be disposed above the intake air unit 10. Also, as shown in FIG. 23, the intake air unit 10 can be disposed above the exhaust air unit 20.

Here, in the case of the ventilation apparatuses shown in FIGs. 22 and 23, a pair of the intake air unit 10 and the exhaust air unit 20 are installed at a central position indoors.

In FIG. 22, since the exhaust air unit 20 is attached on the ceiling 80 and positioned above the intake air unit 10, the guide panel 50 is inclined at both sides of the exhaust air unit 20 along the ceiling 80.

In FIG. 23, since the intake air unit 10 is attached on the ceiling 80 and positioned above the exhaust air unit 20, the guide panel 50 is inclined at both sides of the intake air unit 10 along the ceiling 80.

According to various embodiments of the present invention as described above, the intake air unit 10 and the exhaust air unit 20 can be installed in the form of at least one pair according to conditions of an indoor space where the ventilation apparatus is

installed. In addition, the intake air unit 10 and the exhaust air unit 20 can be installed at the indoor central portion or corners. The intake air unit 10 and the exhaust air unit 20 can be changed in their top-and-bottom relationship therebetween.

Also, although it has not been illustrated in the drawings, the space where the ventilation apparatus is installed is wide, and thus the lengths of the intake air unit 10 and the exhaust air unit 20 become long. As a result, when the whole cross-sectional area of an air flow path provided in the exhaust air unit 20 becomes identical, it is natural that an inhalation force which inhales air is lowered as the exhaust air unit 20 becomes far from the blower 3. To supplement this, the ventilation apparatus according to this embodiment of the present invention gives a change in cross-section along the air flow path in the exhaust air unit 20, to thereby uniformly maintain the whole pressure distribution.

As described above, giving the change in cross-section for the uniform pressure distribution is determined by a variety of variables in an actual installation space. Here, only the spiritual concept of the present invention which can change the cross-section of the exhaust air unit 20 is presented so that the whole pressure distribution can be uniformly maintained, but the detailed embodiments will be omitted.

Since the ventilation apparatus according to the present invention is to improve the ventilation apparatus of FIG. 6 which has been early filed by the same applicant as that of the present invention, the ventilation apparatus according to the present invention has the function and effect possessed by the ventilation apparatus of FIG. 6, basically.

That is, differently from the existing known or well-known ventilation apparatus, the present invention inhales external air via the intake air unit 10, and then inhales and discharges the indoor polluted air such as smoke and smell via the exhaust air unit 20, by using the flow of all the inhaled external air and the air blowing force or inhalation force of the blower 30. Accordingly, unlike the conventional art, smoke and smell is not scattered and flied due to the external air but goes up directly toward the inhalation holes 21 in the exhaust air unit 20, to then discharge the rising smoke and smell swiftly.

In particular, since the ventilation apparatus according to the present invention can be used in a closed indoor space more effectively, doors or windows need not be opened in order to discharge smoke and smell occurring during cooking foods, to

thereby provide an effect of heightening a cooling and heating efficiency.

Meanwhile, the ventilation apparatus according to the present invention can be applied to a kitchen hood provided in the kitchen in order to swiftly discharge various polluted air such as smoke, smell and dust occurring during cooking foods.

That is, FIGs. 24 through 26 show a kitchen hood in which the ventilation apparatus according to the present invention is applied.

As shown in FIGs. 24 through 26, a ventilation apparatus according to the present invention includes an outer case 110 constituting a kitchen hood 100, an intake air unit 120 which is installed in the outer case 110 to inhale external air, and a exhaust air unit 130 through which polluted air generated during cooking in the kitchen is inhaled and discharged by using the external air inhaled via the intake air unit 120.

Here, the intake air unit 120 is connected with an external air intake air unit 121 connected with the outside so as to inhale external air, and the exhaust air unit 130 is connected with an exit tube 132 playing a role of a discharge hole through which the kitchen polluted air is mixed with the external air inhaled via the intake air unit 120 and the mixed air is discharged out.

In addition, the intake air unit 120 and the exhaust air unit 130 which are installed in the outer case 110 have a top-and-bottom disposition relationship therebetween, in which the discharge hole 122 provided in the intake air unit 120 and the inhalation hole 131 provided in the exhaust air unit 130 oppose each other and all the external air discharged via the discharge hole 121 in the intake air unit 120 is inhaled into the inhalation hole 131 in the exhaust air unit 130.

Of course, a blower 150 providing an air blowing force or inhalation force by which external air can be inhaled is installed in one end of the exhaust air unit 130.

In addition, a guide panel 140 which guides kitchen polluted air to be swiftly inhaled into the inhalation hole 120 in the exhaust air unit 130 is installed in an inclined manner at both sides of the exhaust air unit 130 in the outer case 110, when the kitchen polluted air is inhaled into the kitchen hood 100.

In particular, as shown in FIG. 25, it is preferable that the exhaust air unit 130 is positioned above the intake air unit 120. However, as described above, the top and bottom positional relationship between the intake air unit 120 and the exhaust air unit

130 can be changed each other.

Also, the structure of disposing the intake air unit 10 and the exhaust air unit 20 in the first embodiment of the present invention can be applied in the outer case 110 of this kitchen hood 100.

That is, if the kitchen hood 100 itself has a structure of disposing the intake air unit 120, the exhaust air unit 130, and the blower 150, which inhales external air via the intake air unit 120, and inhales all the inhaled external air via the exhaust air unit 130 to simultaneously swiftly inhale kitchen polluted air via the exhaust air unit 130 taking advantage of the flow of the external air, the intake air unit 120, the exhaust air unit 130, and the blower 150 can be modified in various forms taking an installation space in the outer case 110 into consideration.

Industrial Applicability As described above, the ventilation apparatus according to the present invention mixes polluted air occurring during cooking foods indoors with external air and discharges the mixed air without opening doors or windows basically. As a result, oil adhesion is lowered in the inside and outside of the ventilation apparatus, to thereby provide a hygienic effect. Also, since the present invention discharges polluted air without opening doors or windows, a cooling and heating efficiency increases.

Also, in the case of the ventilation apparatus according to the present invention, a cross-section toward an indoor air inhalation portion provided at the central portion of the ventilation apparatus, in order to collect and inhale indoor air, is formed on a reduction basis than that of the intake air unit and the exhaust air unit of the external air provided at both sides of the indoor air inhalation portion, to thereby provide a basic effect of discharging out the indoor air more swiftly.

Also, in the case of the ventilation apparatus according to the present invention, the intake air unit and the exhaust air unit are separately installed on the indoor ceiling, to thereby provide an effect of installing the ventilation apparatus more easily on the indoor ceiling and more harmoniously together with illumination devices.

Further, the present invention can easily change a design of the ventilation

apparatus according to an installation condition of a place where the ventilation apparatus is installed.

As described above, the present invention has been described with respect to particularly preferred embodiments. However, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiments, and it is possible for one who has an ordinary skill in the art to make various modifications and variations, without departing off the spirit of the present invention. Thus, the protective scope of the present invention is not defined within the detailed description thereof but is defined by the claims to be described later and the technical spirit of the present invention.