Curved Suction Grid Spokes for Low-Noise Hood Air Intake

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing suction grids for domestic hoods suffer from increased intake air turbulence and aerodynamic noise, which reduce the efficiency of ventilation units.

Innovation Solution

A suction grid with spokes that follow a curvilinear path, becoming less densely spaced and with warped profiles, and additional coaxial rings, reducing turbulence and noise by optimizing the airflow path.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If spokes are arranged in a checkered pattern with constant section, then safety protection is ensured, but intake air turbulence increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesafety protectionVSAvoidintake air turbulence
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The spokes transition from constant section to variable section along their length, with the section gradually reducing from root to tip. This local variation in geometry optimizes airflow characteristics while maintaining structural integrity and safety protection functions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The spokes are designed with curved, warped profiles rather than straight lines, following curvilinear paths that better conform to airflow patterns. This curvature reduces turbulence by guiding air more smoothly through the suction grid openings.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

2Device complexity

If spokes are arranged in a checkered pattern with constant section, then structural simplicity is maintained, but aerodynamic noise increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestructural simplicityVSAvoidaerodynamic noise
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The spoke section dimensions are varied along the length of each spoke, changing from larger at the root to smaller at the tip. This parameter variation reduces aerodynamic noise by optimizing the relationship between spoke geometry and airflow velocity, while the overall checkered pattern structure is preserved.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Ease of manufacture

If spokes are arranged in a checkered pattern, then manufacturing ease is maintained, but ventilation unit efficiency decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemanufacturing easeVSAvoidventilation unit efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The variable section spokes allow optimization of airflow characteristics in different regions - larger sections near the root provide structural support while smaller sections at the tips reduce turbulence. This localized optimization improves ventilation efficiency without compromising manufacturability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The curved spoke profiles follow natural airflow streamlines, reducing turbulence and improving ventilation efficiency. The curvilinear design can be manufactured using modern成型 techniques while maintaining the overall simplicity of the checkered pattern structure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

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 results in lower noise levels and reduced flow turbulence, enhancing the performance of ventilation units by up to 37% in fluid-dynamic efficiency and reducing noise by 2 dBA.

Implementation Method 1

increased intake air turbulence, such that it may decrease the efficiency of the ventilation unit

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectTurbulence: Turbulence

Data Source

PatentEP3247952B1Suction grid for an air guide of a domestic hood, air guide having such grid and domestic hood having such air guide
Publication Date: 2019.03.20 ELICA SPA
  • EP3247952B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3247952B1 patent drawingFigure 2A
  • EP3247952B1 patent drawingFigure 2B

AI summary

The present invention concerns a suction grid for an air guide of a domestic hood, an air guide having such grid and a domestic hood having such air guide. Particularly, the suction grid comprises a first plurality of mutually spaced spokes (12), said grid defining a central area (10) and a peripheral edge (11). The suction grid is characterized in that each spoke of the first plurality of spokes (12) extends along a first curvilinear path (13) from the central area (10) toward the peripheral edge (11), each spoke of the first plurality of spokes (12) defining a profile (14), which is warped around the first curvilinear path (13), said profile (14), in any section normal to said first curvilinear path (13), defines a front side (14A), a rear side (14B), opposite to said front side (14A), an underside (14C) and a topside (14D) opposite to said underside (14C), wherein the ratio of said front side (14A) or rear side (14B) to said underside (14C) or topside (14D) changes from said central area (10) toward said peripheral edge (11),