Extractor Hood Filtration Using Capillary and Centrifugal Separation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional extractor hoods face issues with filter saturation and increased fan unit stress due to high dirt particle concentrations, leading to reduced filtration efficiency and increased operating noise.

Innovation Solution

The extractor hood incorporates a separation unit with capillary holes and a baffle element, where the air flow undergoes repeated deflections, utilizing centrifugal forces and capillary action to separate dirt particles, which are then collected and not re-entrained by the exhaust air, reducing the load on the fan unit and minimizing noise.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a fluff filter is used to catch dirt particles, then filtration efficiency is improved, but the filter saturates quickly and fan unit stress increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefiltration efficiencyVSAvoidfilter service life
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by implementing a multi-stage separation system that performs initial dirt particle removal before air reaches the fluff filter. The first separation unit with impact elements and the second separation unit with centrifugal forces pre-clean the exhaust air, preventing rapid saturation of the fluff filter and extending its service life while maintaining filtration efficiency.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Reliability

If a fluff filter is used to catch dirt particles, then filtration efficiency is improved, but operating noise increases due to greater fan unit stress

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefiltration efficiencyVSAvoidoperating noise
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by implementing a multi-stage separation system that performs initial dirt particle removal before air reaches the fluff filter. The first separation unit with impact elements and the second separation unit with centrifugal forces pre-clean the exhaust air, reducing the load on the fluff filter and consequently decreasing fan unit stress and operating noise.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Reliability

If the air flow is deflected repeatedly to separate dirt particles, then separation efficiency is improved, but the air duct becomes more complex

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveseparation efficiencyVSAvoidair duct structure
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies segmentation by dividing the separation process into distinct stages: a first separation unit with impact elements for initial particle removal, a second separation unit with centrifugal forces for further separation, and finally the fluff filter for fine particle capture. This segmented approach achieves high separation efficiency while keeping each individual duct section relatively simple in structure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

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 design effectively separates dirt particles and oil droplets, reducing filter saturation and fan unit stress, resulting in improved filtration efficiency and reduced operating noise.

Implementation Method 1

a baffle element is arranged along the at least one air duct, which has capillary holes at least in some areas, so that dirt particles are separated from the exhaust air flow guided along the at least one air duct via the capillary holes

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCapillary action: Capillary Action

Implementation Method 2

the impact element is arranged in the at least one air duct downstream of a deflection of the deflection flow is arranged such that dirt particles are separated due to centrifugal forces on the impact element

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCentrifugal force: Centrifugal Force

Data Source

PatentEP2334988B1Extractor hood
Publication Date: 2016.06.08 BERBEL ABLUFTTECHN
  • EP2334988B1 patent drawingFigure 1a~1b
  • EP2334988B1 patent drawingFigure 2a~2b
  • EP2334988B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The invention relates to an extractor hood (10) for separating dirt particles and particularly fat and oil droplets from an air flow. The extractor hood (10) comprises a ventilator unit (18) for creating an exhaust air flow through the extractor hood and a separating unit (20) for separating dirt particles from the exhaust air flow. The separating unit (20) defines at least one air guide channel (25a, 25b). An impact element (40) is arranged along the at least one air guide channel (25a, 25b) and comprises at least regionally capillary holes (44) such that dirt particles from the exhaust air flow guided along the at least one air guide channel (25a, 25b) are separated via the capillary holes (44).