Downdraft system
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional downdraft ventilation systems often obstruct kitchen sightlines and occupy significant space under counters, limiting their installation in smaller kitchens and interfering with the installation of cooktops and ovens due to their bulky design and noise from movement mechanisms.
Innovation Solution
A downdraft assembly with a vertically moveable chimney, a belt-lift or pulley-lift configuration, and a visor that can articulate to control airflow and illumination, allowing for a sleeker profile and reduced noise through sound insulation, enabling efficient ventilation without obstructing kitchen layouts.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a conventional downdraft ventilation system is installed, then ventilation function is provided, but kitchen sightlines are obstructed and space is occupied
Solution Approach 1:
The chimney is made vertically moveable between a retracted position (below counter level) and an extended position (above counter level). This dynamic configuration allows the system to occupy minimal space during storage while providing full ventilation functionality when needed, directly resolving the contradiction between maintaining ventilation reliability and reducing kitchen space occupation.
2Reliability
If a bulky downdraft system is installed, then ventilation is achieved, but installation in smaller kitchens is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The moveable chimney mechanism transforms a bulky stationary system into a compact dynamic system that adapts to different kitchen sizes and layouts. When retracted, the system has a minimal footprint suitable for small kitchens; when extended, it provides adequate ventilation for various cooking scenarios, thereby improving both installation flexibility and ventilation capability.
3Reliability
If a downdraft system with movement mechanism is installed, then ventilation is provided, but noise is generated
Solution Approach 1:
The movement mechanism is extracted from the visible kitchen space by positioning it below the counter level. The chimney moves vertically within the cabinet space, isolating the mechanical components and their noise-generating operations away from the kitchen environment, thus maintaining ventilation functionality while reducing noise pollution in the kitchen area.
Data Source
AI summary
Some embodiments of the invention provide a downdraft assembly capable of ventilating a cooktop including housing with a frame, a fluid box, and a movement assembly with a belt-lift. In some embodiments, the movement assembly can include a vertically moveable chimney. Some embodiments include a chimney with a horizontal member coupled to a first vertical region and a second vertical region and including a fluid inlet. In some embodiments, a first control panel can be coupled to the housing to activate at least one function of the downdraft assembly while remaining substantially stationary as the chimney moves. Some embodiments include a second control panel coupled chimney. Some embodiments include a visor and at least one illumination source configured and arranged to at least partially illuminate the cooktop. In some embodiments, the visor can articulate to control illumination or the flow of a cooking effluent into a fluid inlet.