Catalytic Oven Filter Layout for Simpler Heating and Installation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing cooking ovens with catalytic filter systems are complex to produce and install, with heating elements and catalytic filters often requiring intricate arrangements within the oven cavity and air outlet conduits.

Innovation Solution

The heating element is placed within the oven cavity, and the catalytic filter system is fixed externally, with a housing having inlet and outlet holes for efficient heat transfer and easy installation, allowing for separate or integrated heating and a reflective sheet for enhanced heat utilization.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the catalytic filter system and heating element are arranged within the oven cavity and air outlet conduit, then the filtration function is achieved, but the production and installation become complex

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefiltration functionVSAvoidproduction and installation complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The catalytic filter system is divided into separate functional modules: the catalytic filter element, the housing with inlet/outlet openings, and the heating element. This segmentation allows each component to be manufactured independently and simplified assembly, resolving the contradiction between achieving filtration function and reducing production/installation complexity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The heating element is extracted from the traditional air outlet conduit arrangement and positioned separately within the oven cavity near the catalytic filter system. This extraction simplifies the overall structure by eliminating the need for complex integrated arrangements, while still achieving the required heat transfer for catalytic operation

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

2Use of energy by moving object

If the heating element is placed close to the catalytic filter system, then heat transfer efficiency is improved, but the risk of overheating and fire increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveheat transfer efficiencyVSAvoidoverheating and fire risk
Core Design Contradiction:
Use of energy by moving objectVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

A reflective insulating material is introduced as an intermediary between the heating element and the catalytic filter system. This intermediary reflects thermal radiation back toward the filter while providing thermal insulation, thereby maintaining high heat transfer efficiency to the catalytic elements while preventing excessive temperature rise that could cause overheating or fire hazards

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The reflective insulating material changes the thermal radiation parameters by reflecting infrared radiation back toward the catalytic filter system. This parameter change enables efficient heat transfer at close distances without the linear increase in temperature that would normally occur, thus resolving the contradiction between heat transfer efficiency and fire risk

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Adaptability or versatility

If a separate heating element is used for the catalytic filter system, then the filter system can be independently controlled, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveindependent control capabilityVSAvoidnumber of heating elements
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The heating element designed for the catalytic filter system is configured to serve multiple functions: it provides thermal energy for catalytic operation, acts as a support structure for the filter elements, and can be integrated with the housing structure. This multi-functionality enables independent control of the filter system while avoiding the proportional increase in complexity that would result from simply adding another heating element

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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

This configuration simplifies the production and installation of the catalytic filter system, enhances heat transfer efficiency, and reduces complexity while maintaining effective air filtration and condensate collection.

Implementation Method 1

a reflective sheet element arranged below or besides the heating element... The reflective sheet element increases the effect of the heat transfer

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectThermal radiation: Thermal Radiation

Implementation Method 2

the distance between the heating element and the catalytic filter system may be 1 mm to 10 mm... This small distance contributes also to an efficient heat transfer

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectThermal conduction: Conduction (thermal)

Implementation Method 3

A catalytic coating is used in order to optimize the effect... The catalytic filter system comprises a ceramic catalyser

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCatalysis: Catalysis

Implementation Method 4

the oven cavity comprises a reflective sheet element arranged below or besides the heating element. The reflective sheet element increases the effect of the heat transfer

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectReflection: Reflection

Data Source

PatentEP2273202B1A cooking oven with a catalytic filter system
Publication Date: 2015.10.21 ELECTROLUX HOME PROD CORP NV
  • EP2273202B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2273202B1 patent drawingFigure 2A~3B

AI summary

The present invention relates to a cooking oven with at least one oven cavity, at least one air outlet conduit and at least one catalytic filter system, in particular a fat, grease and/or odour filter system. The catalytic filter system comprises a housing (10, 14) containing a catalyser element (12). The catalytic filter system is arranged within the air outlet conduit and outside of the oven cavity. The housing (10) includes a plurality of the inlet holes (20) in a wall (16) facing the oven cavity. The housing (10) includes a plurality of the outlet holes (34) in a wall (30) opposite to the oven cavity. The catalytic filter system is fixed outside of the oven cavity by fixing elements. At least one heating element (40; 50) is arranged upstream of the catalytic filter system. The heating element (40; 50) is provided for heating the catalytic filter system. The heating element (40; 50) is arranged within the oven cavity and is additionally provided for heating the oven cavity and the fixing elements are outside of the oven cavity and outside of the air outlet conduit.