Combined device with cooking hob and vapour extraction unit
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing kitchen ventilation systems, such as downdraft fans and extractor hoods, face challenges in efficiently extracting cooking vapors and preventing contaminants from entering the blower, often requiring high-performance fans and large spaces.
Innovation Solution
A combination appliance with a hob and extractor hood where the fan is positioned directly under a recess in the hob, with an air inlet opening aligned to minimize airflow deflection and allow for a larger fan size, reducing fan performance demands and integrating the hob and extractor as a single unit for simplified installation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If the fan is positioned far from the cooking vapor source (as in separate downdraft ventilation systems), then the space requirement is reduced, but the negative pressure source requires higher performance and energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the cooktop and extractor hood into a single integrated unit, placing the fan directly beneath the cooktop surface. This merging of functions eliminates the need for separate ventilation systems and reduces the distance between the vapor source and fan, thereby lowering the power requirements while maintaining effective vapor extraction
2Area of stationary object
If the fan is positioned close to the cooking vapor source (as in integrated units), then the space requirement is reduced, but the complexity of preventing contaminant entry into the blower increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a localized filter system positioned between the cooktop surface and the fan blades. This filter creates a controlled zone that captures cooking vapors and contaminants before they reach the blower, preventing contaminant entry without requiring complex sealing mechanisms throughout the entire device
3Volume of moving object
If the air inlet opening is not aligned with the recess, then the fan can be smaller, but the airflow deflection increases and extraction efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent optimizes the spatial arrangement by aligning the air inlet opening vertically with the recess in the cooktop surface. This dimensional alignment creates a direct airflow path from the cooking zone through the recess into the fan, minimizing turbulence and maximizing extraction efficiency while allowing for a compact fan design
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 enables efficient vapor extraction with reduced fan demands, prevents contaminants from entering the blower, and simplifies assembly and installation, while allowing for a more compact design suitable for kitchens.
Implementation Method 1
a blower (110) arranged in the combination device directly under at least one recess (104) in the hob (10), wherein an air inlet opening (115) of the blower (110) can be approached as directly as possible from above
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2a~2c
Figure 3
AI summary
A combined device includes a cooking surface having a recess. Arranged underneath the cooking surface is a fume extractor to extract air from a space above the cooking surface via the recess. The fume extractor forms with the cooking surface an assembly unit and includes a fan with an air inlet opening. The fan is arranged such that the air inlet opening of the fan faces the cooking surface. The air inlet opening of the fan, when viewed in a top view upon the cooking surface, is located at least partially underneath the recess.