Table hood and method for cleaning a table hood
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional downdraft extractors are expensive to clean and lack reliable cleaning methods, with filter elements requiring manual removal and cleaning, and existing systems often have high water requirements and limited cleaning modes.
Innovation Solution
A downdraft extractor with a circulation system that includes a reservoir, nozzles, and a pump to direct cleaning liquid through the filter elements, allowing for multiple cleaning cycles with different temperatures and compositions, and the ability to evaporate the liquid, reducing water usage and enabling automatic filter cleaning.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If filter elements are removed and cleaned in a dishwasher, then cleaning effectiveness is improved, but time consumption and operational complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables self-service cleaning by incorporating a circulation system with pump and spray nozzles that automatically clean the filter elements while they remain installed in the housing, eliminating the need for manual removal and dishwasher cleaning
Solution Approach 2:
The circulation system performs preliminary cleaning action by spraying cleaning fluid through the filter elements before contaminants can accumulate to problematic levels, maintaining continuous cleanliness without requiring periodic removal for deep cleaning
2Reliability
If a spray device with collection sump is used, then cleaning capability is improved, but water consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system recovers and recirculates cleaning fluid through the circulation system and pump, allowing the same water to be used multiple times for cleaning different filter elements rather than discarding it after a single use
Solution Approach 2:
The circulation system maintains continuous useful action by constantly recirculating cleaning fluid through the spray nozzles and filter elements, maximizing the cleaning effectiveness of each unit of water rather than using large volumes in discrete cycles
3Productivity
If cleaning fluid is recirculated by an electromagnetic pump, then cleaning efficiency is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The electromagnetic pump serves multiple functions within the system: it circulates cleaning fluid through the spray nozzles, enables recirculation of water to reduce consumption, and can be integrated with the existing blower motor housing to minimize additional components
Solution Approach 2:
The circulation system is merged with the existing housing structure, where the pump can be integrated into the blower motor housing or filter chamber, combining cleaning functionality with existing structural elements to reduce overall device complexity
4Ease of operation
If the housing part is extendable upwards, then accessibility for cleaning is improved, but structural complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The housing part with the intake opening is designed to be extendable upwards in a controlled manner, allowing dynamic adjustment of the filter element position for cleaning access while maintaining structural integrity through guided movement mechanisms
Solution Approach 2:
The housing is segmented into movable and fixed parts, where the housing part containing the intake opening can be extended independently to provide cleaning access without requiring disassembly of the entire housing structure
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 system allows for efficient, automatic, and cost-effective cleaning of filter elements, reducing water consumption and enabling multiple cleaning modes, ensuring reliable and easy maintenance of the downdraft extractor.
Implementation Method 1
a circulation system (20) for circulating a cleaning fluid (R) in a cleaning circuit (21)
Implementation Method 2
The circulation system (20) comprises a reservoir (22), at least one nozzle (24), a pump (27) and a connecting line (23)
Implementation Method 3
allowing for multiple cleaning cycles with different temperatures and compositions, and the ability to evaporate the liquid
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
The present invention relates to a table fan comprising a fan, a suction opening (33) via which air is suctioned downwards, and a filter chamber (30) having at least one filter element (32). The table fan (10) is characterised in that the table fan (10) comprises a cleaning device (2) which has a circulation system (20) for guiding cleaning liquid (R) in a cleaning circuit (21), and at least one portion of the filter element (32) is located in the cleaning circuit (21). The invention also relates to a method for cleaning such a table fan (10). The method is characterised in that the method comprises the following steps: - the cleaning liquid (R) is pumped to at least one nozzle (24), and at least the filter element (32) is sprayed with the cleaning liquid (R); - cleaning liquid (R) is collected by the filter element (32); and - the cleaning liquid (R) is pumped again to the at least one nozzle (24).