Fume Hood Projection Device for Airflow and Cleaning

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Solution Overview

Problem

Fume hoods and safety workbenches face challenges in maintaining air circulation and ease of cleaning due to internal fixtures like screens, which disrupt airflow and lead to pressure losses and contamination.

Innovation Solution

Incorporating a projection device outside the work space to display information, eliminating the need for internal display devices and allowing for improved airflow and cleaning by projecting images onto the work space surfaces using projectors with deflection mirrors and lenses, and optionally using a glass plate for image projection.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of information

If a display device such as a monitor is installed inside the work space, then information can be displayed to the user, but the air circulation is impaired and cleaning becomes more difficult

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinformation displayVSAvoidair circulation impairment
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of informationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The display function is extracted from the interior of the work space and relocated to the exterior. A projection device is mounted on the exterior surface of the housing, projecting images onto the front pane or a projection surface outside the work space, thereby eliminating the need for internal display devices that would disrupt airflow and complicate cleaning.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

A projection device serves as an intermediary between the control system and the user. Instead of placing a monitor inside the hood, the system uses projection technology to display information on an external surface, mediating the information transfer without introducing harmful elements into the work space.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Loss of information

If a display device such as a monitor is installed inside the work space, then information can be displayed to the user, but cleaning becomes more difficult

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinformation displayVSAvoidcleaning ease
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of informationVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The display device is extracted from the interior environment where it would complicate cleaning operations. By mounting the projection device on the exterior housing and projecting onto an external surface, the work space interior remains free of additional components that would require cleaning, thereby maintaining ease of manufacture and cleaning.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

3Loss of information

If screens are attached to the rear wall of the work area for information display, then device information can be displayed, but pressure losses occur in the return air duct

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinformation displayVSAvoidpressure loss
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of informationVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The information display function is extracted from the interior air circulation path. By using an external projection device mounted on the housing rather than attaching screens to internal surfaces like the rear wall, the system avoids creating obstacles in the airflow path, thereby eliminating pressure losses in the return air duct while still providing information display capability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

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

Enhances information display without impairing air circulation or complicating cleaning, allowing for flexible and secure projection of various data sources and control panels directly onto work surfaces, improving user guidance and process security.

Implementation Method 1

projectors with deflection mirrors and lenses

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectReflection: Reflection

Implementation Method 2

projectors with deflection mirrors and lenses

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLens focusing: Lens

Data Source

PatentEP2564947B1Laboratory fume hood, in particular safety workbench, with a projection device
Publication Date: 2015.11.04 THERMO ELECTRONICS LED GMBH
  • EP2564947B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2564947B1 patent drawingFigure 2

AI summary

The invention relates to a laboratory fume hood, in particular a safety workbench (1), with a work area (3) enclosed by a housing (2), which can be closed with a front panel (4), in particular a movable one. It has a projection device (5) for projecting an image into the work area (3).