Downdraft Extractor Hood Air Deflection for Quiet Vapor Capture

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing kitchen arrangements with extractor devices face challenges in reliably extracting vapors and fumes due to high noise levels and interference from cross-influences like open windows or user movement, and have complex structures.

Innovation Solution

A kitchen arrangement with a hob and an extractor device featuring a fan offset downwards from the suction opening, where supply air is directed tangentially and partially against the suction direction to enhance vapor extraction using the Venturi effect and Coanda effect, simplifying the structure by eliminating the need for additional fans or complex air ducts.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the extractor fan is operated at high power to ensure reliable extraction of fumes and vapors, then the suction power and air speed are improved, but the noise level increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveextraction reliabilityVSAvoidnoise
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The invention introduces a preliminary action by supplying air in advance against the suction direction to create favorable flow conditions before the main extraction action. This preliminary air supply prepares the airflow path, allowing the extractor to operate more efficiently at lower power levels, thus reducing noise while maintaining extraction reliability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The invention changes the parameters of the airflow by introducing supply air that moves against the suction direction. This parameter change creates a controlled flow pattern that enhances extraction efficiency, allowing the system to achieve reliable vapor removal at lower fan speeds and power consumption, thereby reducing noise generation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Reliability

If the extractor fan operates at high power to bridge the distance between vapor source and intake opening, then the suction power is improved, but cross-influences like open windows or user movement affect the airflow

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveextraction reliabilityVSAvoidcross-influences
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The invention applies preliminary anti-action by introducing supply air that moves against the suction direction. This creates a controlled counter-flow that establishes stable airflow patterns, making the extraction system more resistant to external cross-influences such as open windows or user movement, thereby maintaining extraction reliability despite environmental variations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #9Preliminary anti-action

3Reliability

If supply air is used to form an air curtain to overcome cross-influences, then the extraction reliability is improved, but the structure becomes complex

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveextraction reliabilityVSAvoidstructure
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The invention merges the supply air function with the existing extractor hood structure. The supply air openings are integrated into the extractor housing, and the control unit combines the management of both supply air and extractor fan operations. This merging approach achieves reliable extraction without requiring separate complex air curtain systems, thus reducing overall structural complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

4Reliability

If multiple air supply devices are provided between cooking zones to extract fumes, then the extraction coverage is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveextraction coverageVSAvoidstructure
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The invention makes the extractor hood multi-functional by integrating both extraction and air supply functions into a single device. The extractor hood not only extracts fumes through its fan and intake opening but also supplies air through integrated openings and controls cooking zone activation. This universality eliminates the need for separate air supply devices between cooking zones, reducing structural complexity while maintaining comprehensive extraction coverage.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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 ensures reliable extraction of vapors and fumes while reducing noise and structural complexity, effectively deflecting vapor flow towards the suction opening through the use of supply air, enhancing suction efficiency.

Implementation Method 1

supply air is directed tangentially and partially against the suction direction to enhance vapor extraction using the Venturi effect

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectVenturi effect: Venturi Effect

Implementation Method 2

supply air is directed tangentially and partially against the suction direction to enhance vapor extraction using the Coanda effect

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCoanda effect: Coanda Effect

Data Source

PatentEP3553389B1Kitchen assembly and method for operating same
Publication Date: 2024.02.28 BSH HAUSGERATE GMBH
  • EP3553389B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3553389B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP3553389B1 patent drawingFigure 4~5

AI summary

The present invention relates to a kitchen arrangement comprising a cooktop (3) with at least one cooking zone (30, 31, 32, 33) and a range hood (22) comprising a fan and a range hood housing (20) with an intake opening (200) for drawing air from the cooktop (3), wherein the fan is arranged offset downwards from the intake opening (200) and the intake opening (200) is adjacent to at least one cooking zone (30, 31, 32, 33) of the cooktop (3) with at least one intake side (2000). The kitchen arrangement (1) is characterized in that the extractor hood (2) has at least one supply air device (22) with at least one output element (220) in which at least one supply air opening (221) is provided, that the at least one output element (220) is located near the intake side (2000) of the intake opening (200) and that the output element (220) is oriented at least temporarily to output supply air in the direction of the hob (3).Furthermore, the present invention relates to a method for operating such a kitchen arrangement (1).