Central Downdraft Hob Layout for Cooking Vapor Extraction

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing hobs with suction slots on both sides and the rear are inefficient due to canceled suction flows, high production and maintenance costs, significant energy consumption, noise pollution, and restricted worktop usage for storage purposes.

Innovation Solution

A hob design featuring a central recess for vertical cooking vapor extraction, with a grease filter insert and exhaust air duct system that allows for efficient suction and low noise operation, enabling unrestricted worktop usage and reduced costs.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If suction slots are provided on both sides and on the rear of the hob, then cooking vapors can be extracted, but the suction flows cancel each other out in the center area, reducing extraction effectiveness

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveextraction effectivenessVSAvoidsuction flow configuration
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The invention extracts the suction function from multiple distributed slots and concentrates it into a single central suction opening. This central opening is positioned directly above the geometric center of the hob, allowing the suction flow to act effectively on the entire cooking surface without cancellation effects.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention merges multiple suction openings into one central suction opening. By combining the suction function into a single location, the patent eliminates the conflicting flow patterns that occur when multiple suction slots operate simultaneously from different positions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Reliability

If three suction devices with associated exhaust air duct systems are implemented, then cooking vapor extraction is achieved, but production costs and material costs increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecooking vapor extractionVSAvoidproduction cost
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The invention extracts the essential suction function and implements it through a single simplified central opening rather than three separate suction devices. This reduction in the number of components directly lowers production costs and material requirements while maintaining extraction effectiveness.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention merges three separate suction devices and their associated exhaust air duct systems into a single integrated central suction opening. This consolidation reduces the total amount of materials needed and simplifies the manufacturing process.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Reliability

If three grease filters are installed for the suction slots, then filtration is provided, but maintenance costs and time consumption increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefiltration functionVSAvoidmaintenance effort
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of repair

Solution Approach 1:

The invention extracts the filtration function from multiple separate grease filters and implements it through a single grease filter associated with the central suction opening. This reduces maintenance effort from managing three filters to managing one filter.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

4Reliability

If strong suction streams are released simultaneously via all suction slots, then cooking vapors are extracted, but energy consumption increases significantly

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvevapor extractionVSAvoidenergy consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The invention extracts the suction function from multiple high-energy-consuming slots and concentrates it into a single central opening. This allows the suction system to operate more efficiently with lower energy consumption while maintaining effective vapor extraction.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

5Reliability

If three strong suction flows are used, then cooking vapors are extracted, but noise pollution from flow noise and fan motors increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvevapor extractionVSAvoidnoise pollution
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The invention extracts the suction function from multiple high-noise suction slots and implements it through a single central opening. This reduction in the number of suction devices directly reduces noise pollution from flow noise and fan motors while maintaining effective vapor extraction.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

6Ease of operation

If a separate installation frame is used to bridge the suction slots, then the hob can be assembled, but assembly becomes material and time-intensive

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveassembly processVSAvoidinstallation structure
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The invention extracts the suction function from multiple slots requiring a complex installation frame and concentrates it into a single central opening. This eliminates the need for a separate installation frame to bridge multiple suction slots, greatly simplifying the assembly process.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention merges the functions of multiple suction slots and their associated installation frame into a single central suction opening, eliminating the need for complex bridging structures and simplifying assembly.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

7Reliability

If suction slots are provided on both sides and on the rear, then vapor extraction is achieved, but the worktop surfaces cannot be used for storage purposes

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvevapor extractionVSAvoidworktop usable area
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The invention extracts the suction function from multiple slots distributed across the worktop surface and concentrates it into a single central opening. This frees up the previously occupied side and rear worktop surfaces, making them fully available for storage purposes while maintaining effective vapor extraction.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

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 design effectively prevents vapor rise and spread, lowers production, assembly, and maintenance costs, while enhancing energy efficiency and reducing noise levels, allowing for compact and easy assembly.

Implementation Method 1

a device for extracting cooking vapors in a downward direction pointing vertically below the hob (1)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectSuction: Suction

Implementation Method 2

a grease filter insert (6), which has a drip tray (10) in its bottom area for liquid that has entered through the central recess (4)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFiltration: Filter (physical)

Data Source

PatentEP2702329B1Hob with central removal of cooking vapours by suction-extraction in the downward direction
Publication Date: 2015.07.22 BRUCKBAUER WILHELM
  • EP2702329B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2702329B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2702329B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Hob (1) having one or having several cooking points (2), which hob - in plan view - has one or more cutouts (4) only in the region (25) around the geometric centre (3) of its surface, said cutouts each being connected to one or to several apparatuses (5) for drawing away cooking vapours, wherein these apparatuses (5) for drawing away cooking vapours draw away the cooking vapours, which are produced above the cooking points (2), in the direction pointing vertically below the hob (1) in the downward direction, and a hob (1) of this kind which is formed, in the assembly unit, with an apparatus (36) for operating the hob (2) and for drawing away cooking vapours in the downward direction.