Extractor Hood Lift Mechanism With Adjustable Spring Force

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing extractor hood adjustment devices using spring mechanics negatively impact running properties and noise, and lack adjustable force strength to counteract the weight of the displaceable part.

Innovation Solution

An extractor hood adjustment device featuring a stationary and movable sub-segment with a force accumulator that can be adjusted in its installation position, utilizing a gas pressure spring or helical spring, and a profile guide, allowing for varying force intensity by changing the installation angle of the energy accumulator.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If spring mechanics are used to counteract the weight of the displaceable hood part, then the hood can be lowered and raised, but the running properties and noise development are negatively influenced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvehood lowering and raisingVSAvoidnoise and running properties

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces traditional spring mechanics with a motor-driven adjustment device that uses an electric motor, gear mechanism, and lead screw to lower and raise the hood. This substitution eliminates the mechanical vibrations and noise associated with spring mechanisms while providing controlled, quiet operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs a lift mechanism comprising a telescopic support rod with a piston and cylinder arrangement. This pneumatic/hydraulic system provides smooth, controlled movement of the hood without the noise and vibration of traditional spring mechanisms, improving running properties.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #29Pneumatics and hydraulics

2Force

If a fixed force accumulator is used, then the hood can be balanced, but the force strength cannot be adjusted to different device weights

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveforce strength of energy accumulatorVSAvoidadjustability to different weights

Core Design Contradiction:

ForceVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent features an adjustable force accumulator that can be repositioned along the movable sub-segment at different locations. By changing the installation position of the energy accumulator, the force strength can be adapted to counteract different weights of the displaceable hood part, providing versatility for various configurations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent allows adjustment of the force accumulator's installation position to change its mechanical advantage and force output. This parameter adjustment enables the same energy accumulator to provide different force strengths suitable for balancing hoods of varying weights.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Ease of operation

If spring mechanics are used for weight compensation, then the hood can be positioned at different heights, but the running properties are degraded

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveheight adjustment capabilityVSAvoidrunning properties

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces spring-based mechanical compensation with an electric motor-driven system that uses a gear mechanism and lead screw for precise height adjustment. This eliminates the poor running properties and noise associated with spring mechanics while maintaining full height adjustability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses a telescopic support rod with piston-cylinder mechanism to provide smooth, controlled height adjustment without the vibrations and noise of spring systems, improving running properties while maintaining positioning capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #29Pneumatics and hydraulics

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 solution improves running properties and allows for device weight-specific lowering and raising with adjustable force strength, enhancing the operation of the extractor hood.

Implementation Method 1

The energy accumulator comprises a gas pressure spring and/or a helical spring

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectGas pressure spring: Spring

Implementation Method 2

The energy accumulator comprises a gas pressure spring and/or a helical spring

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectHelical spring: Spring

Data Source

PatentEP2642209B1Extractor hood with adjustment device to raise and lower the hood

Publication Date: 2016.12.14 MIELE & CO KG

AI summary

The device (4) has a sub-segment (6) that is held slidably relative to a sub-segment (5). A support and guide element (7) is connected with the sub-segments. An energy accumulator (8) is installed in the sub-segment (6) and varied to adjust force in installation position. The energy accumulator is provided with a gas spring (9) and/or a helical spring. The energy accumulator is fixable in different angular positions to the support and guide element.