Compact Induction Cooktop with Integrated Below-Plate Vapor Extraction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional hob designs with integrated extractor units require significant space, making them unsuitable for cramped cooking areas, and often necessitate the use of an extractor hood above the hob plate, which can be inconvenient.
Innovation Solution
A compact cooktop device with a hob plate of reduced length (up to 75 cm) that integrates the extractor unit below the plate, allowing for efficient vapor extraction through a partially enclosed extractor recess and duct unit, eliminating the need for an additional hood.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the hob plate length is increased to accommodate an integrated extractor unit, then the extractor unit can be installed below the hob plate, but the space requirement increases making it unsuitable for cramped cooking areas
Solution Approach 1:
The patent repositions the extractor unit from a horizontal arrangement (requiring extended hob plate length) to a vertical arrangement below the hob plate. This dimensional change allows the extractor unit to be integrated without increasing the hob plate's longitudinal footprint, solving the space constraint problem in cramped cooking areas.
2Ease of operation
If the extractor unit is arranged below the hob plate, then no extractor hood is needed above the hob plate, but the impeller arrangement creates turbulence and friction effects that reduce air flow efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a localized optimized air flow path directly beneath the extractor recess, positioning the impeller's air inlet opening in direct alignment with the recess. This local optimization ensures smooth air flow from the cooking area through the duct unit to the impeller, minimizing turbulence and friction effects while maintaining the compact below-hob-plate arrangement.
3Length of stationary object
If the vent recess is reduced by structural units in its region, then space is saved, but the vapor extraction capability is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent moves the vapor extraction function from a horizontal vent recess configuration to a vertical duct unit configuration below the hob plate. This allows the full area of the vent recess to be utilized for vapor intake without being reduced by structural units, while the duct unit efficiently channels the vapors to the impeller in the vertical space below.
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 achieves a compact, space-efficient design with improved performance, enabling effective vapor extraction and reduced structural complexity, enhancing operational comfort by eliminating the need for an extractor hood.
Implementation Method 1
the extractor unit sucks vapors produced in the operating state out of a cooking area through an extractor recess of the hob plate by means of the impeller
Implementation Method 2
which, by means of the impeller in at least one operating state, extracts vapors from at least one cooking area
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3~4
AI summary
The invention relates to a cooktop device (10a-b), in particular an induction cooktop device, with at least one cooktop plate (12a-b) and with at least one extraction unit (14a-b), which has at least one fan wheel (16a-b) and which, by means of the fan wheel (16a-b), at least partially extracts vapors generated in at least one cooking area (18a-b) in at least one operating state through at least one extraction recess (20a-b) of the cooktop plate (12a-b). In order to provide a generic device with improved design characteristics, it is proposed that the longitudinal extent (22a-b) of the cooktop plate (12a-b) be a maximum of 75 cm.