Combination appliance having a cooktop and steam extraction device
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing kitchen ventilation systems, such as downdraft fans and cooktops with radial fans, require significant space and increased power for effective suctioning of cooking fumes and vapors, leading to inefficiencies and increased requirements for vacuum sources.
Innovation Solution
A combination appliance that integrates a cooktop with a steam extraction device featuring a single blower with an air inlet opening facing the cooktop, reducing the need for additional guide elements and allowing for simplified airflow suction with reduced blower power requirements, while being compact and easy to install.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If a downdraft ventilation system is used with an exhaust air channel system, then fumes and vapors can be extracted from the cooktop area, but the space requirement increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the steam extraction device with the cooktop into a single integrated unit. The extraction device is built directly into the cooktop structure, eliminating the need for separate downdraft ventilation systems and their associated exhaust air channel systems. This merging of functions reduces the overall space requirement while maintaining effective fume and vapor extraction capability.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If a radial fan is used to extract kitchen fumes, then air can be suctioned from cooking fumes chambers, but the vacuum requirements increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of using radial fans that suction air upward from below the cooktop, the patent employs blowers positioned above the cooktop that push air downward through the cooking surface. This inversion of the airflow direction and suction/extraction approach reduces the vacuum power requirements while achieving effective fume removal.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the airflow direction from vertical upward suction to horizontal or downward airflow across the cooking surface. By altering the dimension and direction of air movement, the system achieves effective fume extraction with lower power consumption compared to traditional radial fan systems.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If multiple components are used for steam extraction, then effective suctioning can be achieved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The steam extraction device is integrated directly into the cooktop structure, merging two separate functions (cooking and ventilation) into one unified appliance. This eliminates the need for separate ventilation units, exhaust channels, and multiple guide elements, thereby reducing construction complexity while maintaining effective fume suctioning capability.
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 solution enables efficient suctioning of fumes and vapors with reduced blower power and size, simplified construction, and reduced noise, while allowing for a more compact and user-friendly kitchen appliance design.
Implementation Method 1
a steam extraction device arranged below the cooktop for suctioning air from the space above the cooktop
Data Source
AI summary
A combination appliance includes a cooktop having an opening representing a suction opening of the combination appliance. Arranged below the cooktop is a steam extraction device for suctioning air from a space above the cooktop via the opening. The steam extraction device includes a single blower having an air inlet opening and arranged in the combination appliance such that the air inlet opening of the blower faces the cooktop.