Adjustable Exhaust Canopy for Safe Filter and Plenum Cleaning
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Solution Overview
Problem
Commercial kitchen exhaust canopies require regular cleaning of grease filters and plenums, which poses occupational health and safety risks due to the need for staff to climb ladders or stand on greasy equipment to access these areas.
Innovation Solution
An exhaust canopy with an adjustable mechanism, such as an electric linear actuator and interconnecting arms, allows the exhaust plenum to be lowered for easy access during cleaning, reducing the need for staff to climb or stand on equipment, and includes a control unit for user-controlled movement between cleaning and use configurations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the exhaust canopy is installed at a fixed height above cooking equipment, then it effectively captures heat, smoke and grease during cooking, but cleaning staff must climb ladders or stand on greasy equipment to access the exhaust plenum for regular cleaning
Solution Approach 1:
The exhaust plenum is made dynamically adjustable in height through an electric linear actuator mechanism. The plenum can move between a raised position during cooking operations and a lowered position during cleaning operations. This dynamic positioning resolves the contradiction by allowing the system to optimize for exhaust capture effectiveness during cooking while providing easy cleaning accessibility when needed.
2Productivity
If the exhaust plenum is positioned at standard commercial height (2000-2100mm above floor), then it maintains proper cooking environment, but creates occupational health and safety risks during maintenance
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts the plenum height based on operational mode. During cooking operations, the plenum remains at the standard 2000-2100mm height to maintain proper cooking environment and productivity. During cleaning operations, the plenum is automatically lowered to a safe, accessible height, eliminating occupational health and safety risks associated with ladder climbing or standing on greasy equipment.
Solution Approach 2:
The cleaning process becomes self-service in nature through automated positioning. The electric linear actuator automatically lowers the plenum to a safe working height when cleaning is initiated, allowing cleaning staff to safely access and clean the plenum without manual intervention to reposition equipment or take safety risks.
3Stability of the object's composition
If the exhaust canopy structure is made fixed and stationary, then it provides structural stability, but requires complex cleaning procedures and increased safety risks
Solution Approach 1:
The exhaust canopy is segmented into a fixed stationary portion and a movable exhaust plenum portion. The stationary portion remains fixed to provide structural stability and support, while the exhaust plenum is separated and made movable through the electric linear actuator mechanism. This segmentation allows the stable structure to remain while the cleaning-accessible plenum can be independently positioned.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The adjustable exhaust canopy enhances safety by allowing for easy and safe cleaning of filters and plenums without the need for ladder use, reducing occupational hazards and improving maintenance efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
An exhaust canopy with an adjustable mechanism, such as an electric linear actuator and interconnecting arms
Data Source
AI summary
An exhaust canopy comprising: a stationary portion adapted for mounting on a stationary object, above cooking equipment; an exhaust portion for removing or filtering cooking effluent or fluids, the exhaust portion being adjustably connected, directly or indirectly, with the stationary portion or the stationary object; and an adjustment mechanism for moving the exhaust portion with respect to the stationary portion or the stationary object; wherein the exhaust canopy is adjustable between a first configuration in which the exhaust portion is raised, retracted or withdrawn and a second configuration in which the exhaust portion is lowered, protracted, or extended.