Extractor Hood Airflow Switching for Cleaner Post-Cooking Air
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing extractor hoods lack the ability to achieve optimal air purification during and after cooking, as they either continuously suck in or expel air without a closing function for air flow control, limiting their versatility and effectiveness in different spatial conditions.
Innovation Solution
Incorporation of at least one additional closable suction point with a pivotable flap, allowing for controlled air flow from the housing into a chamber, and a diverting device with pivotable flaps to direct air flow for recirculation or exhaust, enhancing air purification by guiding residual vapors through filters and exhaust ducts.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If air is permanently sucked in from the outer housing, then continuous air flow is maintained, but air purity is insufficient during and after cooking
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the suction points closable with actuatable closing elements, allowing the system to switch between different operational states (open/closed) based on cooking conditions. This enables the extractor hood to adaptively control air flow paths rather than maintaining a fixed continuous flow, thereby improving air purity by selectively directing vapors through appropriate filtration paths.
2Productivity
If air is permanently expelled through the housing, then air flow is continuously exhausted, but versatility in different spatial conditions is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements universality by providing multiple suction points (both in the lower hood and upper lateral openings) with independent closing control. This multi-functional design allows the extractor hood to operate in various modes (exhaust through housing, recirculation through lateral openings, selective vapor extraction) adapting to different spatial conditions and cooking requirements, thereby enhancing versatility.
3Reliability
If additional suction points are added to improve air purity, then device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies merging by integrating the additional suction points into the existing housing structure, combining the new vapor extraction function with the original air flow paths. The closing elements are incorporated into the existing opening structures, allowing multiple functions (original air intake, new vapor suction, recirculation) to share common structural elements, thereby reducing the overall complexity increase despite adding functionality.
4Use of energy by stationary object
If recirculation mode is used to clean air, then energy is consumed for filtering, but cleaned air is not effectively removed from the cooking area
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements continuity of useful action by enabling simultaneous operation of multiple suction points with different functions. While recirculation cleans air through filters, the additional suction points continuously extract vapors at the source, and exhaust paths remain available for removing cleaned air. This continuous multi-path action ensures both filtration and effective vapor removal occur concurrently, maintaining air purification effectiveness throughout the cooking process.
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 solution significantly improves air purity by effectively extracting and recirculating vapors, ensuring optimal air cleaning during and after cooking, and allows for versatile use in various spatial conditions by enabling controlled air flow and recirculation.
Implementation Method 1
a suction motor (33) with an outlet (32) and filter cassettes (36, 37) are arranged
Implementation Method 2
Two pivotable diverting flaps are mounted in the housing, which shut off or open the outlet or the two lateral outlets
Implementation Method 3
filter cassettes (36, 37) are arranged... routed completely through these cleaning or soundproofing filter cassettes (36, 37)
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~3
Figure 4~5
AI summary
A range hood (30) comprises an outer housing (35) with openings (13, 14), a suction motor (33) with an outlet (32), and at least one chamber (38, 38') between this suction motor (33) and the outer housing (35). Additional intake points (16, 17), each closable by means of an actuating closing element, are provided. When the suction motor (33) is switched on, an airflow passes through these intake points from the openings (13, 14) into a chamber (38, 38') in their open positions. These intake points in the range hood enable a significant improvement in air purity, as the majority of the uncaptured fumes are extracted and directed into an exhaust duct.