Hob Device with Dual-Function Blower for Vapor Extraction and Cooling

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing hob devices with integrated extractor units require additional cooling fans, increasing complexity and costs, while existing solutions do not efficiently address the need for low complexity and effective cooling of hob units.

Innovation Solution

A hob device with an integrated extractor unit that uses a blower unit to generate two air flows: one for vapor extraction and another for cooling the hob unit, eliminating the need for an additional cooling fan by utilizing an air duct unit with cooling ribs and an optimized air flow direction to efficiently cool the hob unit.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Temperature

If an additional cooling fan is used to cool the hob unit, then the cooling effectiveness is improved, but the device complexity and costs increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvehob unit cooling effectivenessVSAvoidnumber of cooling components
Core Design Contradiction:
TemperatureVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The blower unit is designed to perform multiple functions: it generates both the first air flow for vapor extraction and the second air flow for cooling the hob unit. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for a separate cooling fan, reducing device complexity while maintaining effective cooling through the integrated design.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Reliability

If multiple separate units are used for vapor extraction and cooling, then each function can be optimized independently, but the overall device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefunction-specific optimizationVSAvoidnumber of separate units
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines the vapor extraction function and the cooling function into a single integrated system using one blower unit. The air duct is designed with multiple outlets that distribute air flows for both vapor removal and hob unit cooling, achieving functional integration while maintaining reliable performance through careful airflow path design.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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 configuration reduces complexity and costs, enables efficient cooling of hob units, and allows for a design that saves components by integrating multiple functions into the blower unit, effectively managing vapor extraction and cooling without an additional cooling fan.

Implementation Method 1

a blower unit (16) that generates at least one first air flow (18) in at least one operating state, by means of the first air flow (18) vapors produced in the operating state being transported away

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectForced Convection: Forced Convection

Implementation Method 2

The air duct unit has at least one cooling rib, which is provided to cool the hob unit

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectForced Convection: Forced Convection

Implementation Method 3

The air duct unit has at least one cooling rib, which is provided to cool the hob unit

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHeat Sink: Heat Sink

Data Source

PatentEP3267116B1Hotplate device
Publication Date: 2020.08.05 BSH HAUSGERATE GMBH
  • EP3267116B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3267116B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP3267116B1 patent drawingFigure 5~6

AI summary

The invention is based on a hob device (10a-c) with at least one hob plate (12a-c) and with at least one integrated extraction unit (14a-c) which has at least one blower unit (16a-c) which, in at least one operating state, is at least generates a first air flow (18a-c) and uses the first air flow (18a-c) to transport away vapors arising in the operating state. In order to provide a generic device with improved properties in terms of low complexity, it is proposed that the blower unit (16a-c) generates at least one second air flow (20a-c) in the operating state and is intended to be at least partially ventilated by means of the second air flow (20a -c) to cool at least one hob unit (22a-c).