Downdraft Ventilation Louvers for Cooking Emission Capture
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional downdraft ventilation systems for cooking appliances are inefficient in capturing cooking emissions due to their vertical airflow tendency and fixed blower orientation, which limits their emission capture capability.
Innovation Solution
A cooking appliance with a duct system and adjustable louvers controlled by a blower motor and a controller module, allowing for selective changes in blower speed and louver positions based on user input and sensor data to optimize airflow and capture efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a fixed blower orientation and vertical airflow arrangement are used in downdraft ventilation systems, then the system structure is simple, but the emission capture capability is insufficient due to the natural upward tendency of cooking emissions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the dynamics principle by making the blower orientation adjustable rather than fixed. The blower can be rotated to different angles (e.g., 0°, 45°, 90°) to dynamically adapt to different cooking emission patterns and kitchen layouts. This dynamic adjustment capability allows the system to optimize emission capture while maintaining structural simplicity through a motorized rotation mechanism.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements parameter changes by varying the blower orientation angle as a controllable parameter. By changing the angular parameter of the blower relative to the cooking surface, the system can optimize airflow direction to counteract the natural upward tendency of emissions. This parameter adjustment transforms a static structure into an adaptive system that improves capture capability without fundamentally redesigning the overall architecture.
2Productivity
If multiple adjustable components (louvers and blower orientation) are added to optimize airflow, then emission capture capability improves, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the merging principle by integrating multiple airflow control functions into a unified system. The adjustable louvers and rotatable blower work together as coordinated components rather than separate systems. The controller synchronizes louver positioning with blower orientation adjustment, creating a integrated airflow optimization system that achieves superior emission capture while managing complexity through coordinated operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements self-service through automated control. Sensors detect cooking emissions and automatically trigger the appropriate louver and blower adjustments without requiring manual intervention. The controller autonomously coordinates the multiple adjustable components based on real-time conditions, allowing the system to self-optimize its performance while minimizing the operational complexity for the user.
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
Improves the capture efficiency of cooking emissions and temperature control, providing more stable cooking conditions by dynamically adjusting airflow speed, volume, and direction.
Implementation Method 1
a blower comprising a blower motor having a speed of operation selectable between at least a first speed and a second speed, the blower in fluid communication with duct and operative to draw the airflow through the duct from the upstream portion to the downstream portion
Implementation Method 2
The controller module is configured to: receive a first signal indicative of a value of a first parameter from a user interface, receive a second signal indicative of a measured a value of a second parameter from a sensor
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 2A
AI summary
A cooking appliance (10) includes a ventilation system (15) having a duct (45) in fluid communication with a vent opening (23) defined in a cooking surface (20). A set of first louvers (31) and a set of second louvers (32) are disposed in the duct (45) and selectively moveable between a respective first position (31a) and second position (31b). A blower motor (76) with a selectable speed of operation is in fluid communication with duct (45). A controller module (80) is operative to receive a first signal (81) indicative of a value of a first parameter (51) from a user interface (50), receive a second signal (82) indicative of a measured a value of a second parameter (62) from a sensor (60), and to selectively trigger a change in the blower motor (76) speed of operation, position of the set of first louvers (31), or the position of the set of second louvers (32), based on the value of the first parameter (51) and the second parameter (62).