Cooktop Extractor Plate Closure for Flush Vapor Inlet Sealing

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Solution Overview

Problem

Cooktop extractors with existing designs face issues such as odors rising through access openings, requiring valuable worktop space for closure, risking injury and damage from falling covers, and cookware getting caught on protruding components during movement.

Innovation Solution

A cooktop extractor with a device featuring pull-out panels that can be reversibly opened and closed, allowing for the cooking vapor inlet opening to be sealed without obstructing the worktop surface, and designed to prevent accidental falls and entanglements with cookware.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Object-affected harmful factors

If a lid is placed on the worktop to close the cooking vapor inlet opening, then the opening is sealed, but the worktop surface area is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecooking vapor escapeVSAvoidworktop surface area
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The lid is designed to be recessed into the worktop surface rather than sitting on top of it. This dimensional change allows the lid to effectively close the cooking vapor inlet opening while maintaining the full worktop surface area for cooking activities, eliminating the trade-off between sealing effectiveness and available workspace.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Object-affected harmful factors

If a lid is placed on the worktop, then the cooking vapor inlet opening is closed, but the lid may fall down causing injury or damage

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecooking vapor escapeVSAvoidlid stability
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The lid is pre-installed in a recessed position within the worktop, creating a mechanical interlock that prevents accidental displacement. This preliminary positioning action ensures the lid remains securely in place during cooking activities, eliminating the risk of it falling down and causing injury or damage while maintaining the sealed state.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Object-affected harmful factors

If components tower upwards over the cooktop, then the cooking vapor inlet opening can be closed, but cookware may get caught on these components

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecooking vapor escapeVSAvoidcookware movement
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The lid is designed to be flush with or recessed into the cooktop surface rather than protruding upwards. This dimensional design allows the cooking vapor inlet opening to be effectively closed while maintaining a smooth, level surface that prevents cookware from getting caught or snagged during movement across the cooktop.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Data Source

PatentEP2798278B1Hob extractor having one or more groups of plates for reversibly closing and opening the cooking-vapour-inlet opening
Publication Date: 2016.08.17 BRUCKBAUER WILHELM
  • EP2798278B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2798278B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2798278B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A hob extractor (4) for withdrawing cooking vapours (3) in a vertically downward direction, having a device (1) which is intended for reversibly closing and opening the cooking-vapour-inlet opening (2) and comprises one or more groups (17) of plates (5), it being possible for said groups to be inserted in a reversible manner into the cooking-vapour-inlet opening (2), wherein each group (17) comprises two or more horizontally oriented plates (5) which can be pushed reversibly back and forth in the horizontal direction, and fully or partially, over the length (6) or over the width (7) of the cooking-vapour-inlet opening (2) - to open or close the cooking-vapour-inlet opening (2) - wherein displacement of a non-fixed plate (5) in its entirety inevitably causes the rest of the likewise non-fixed plates (5), located at a higher or lower level, to be automatically displaced along therewith.