Hob Odor Filter Housing Latch and Support Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing hob devices with downdraft cooking fume extraction systems face difficulties in ensuring accurate placement and easy replacement of odor filters due to their inaccessible location, leading to potential parasitic flow paths and compromised filtration efficiency.
Innovation Solution
The odor filter housing features a support surface, latch connection means, and oblique insertion surfaces to securely hold and guide the odor filter into position, facilitated by a handle for easy removal, accommodating various filter types and incorporating a grease filter assembly to prevent contamination.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the odor filter assembly is located in the hob device structure, then the filtration function is integrated, but the odor filter becomes difficult to access and replace
Solution Approach 1:
The odor filter is designed as a separate, removable component from the odor filter housing, allowing it to be independently accessed and replaced. The housing remains fixed in the hob device while the filter element can be removed through the opening without disassembling the entire housing structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The opening in the odor filter housing serves as an intermediary access path, allowing users to reach and replace the odor filter from the front of the hob device. This opening acts as a mediator between the user and the otherwise inaccessible filter located within the integrated housing structure.
2Device complexity
If the odor filter is simply placed in the housing, then the structure is simple, but the filter may be mispositioned creating parasitic flow paths
Solution Approach 1:
The support surface is pre-configured in the odor filter housing at the correct position and orientation. This preliminary structural preparation ensures that when the filter is placed on the support surface, it is automatically positioned accurately without requiring complex alignment procedures or additional adjustment mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The support surface design allows the odor filter to self-position correctly through its own weight and geometry. The filter's lower edge naturally rests on the support surface, creating parasitic flow path prevention through gravity-assisted alignment without requiring external positioning mechanisms.
3Reliability
If the odor filter is securely held in place, then filtration efficiency is maintained, but the filter becomes difficult to remove for replacement
Solution Approach 1:
The latch connection means are pre-positioned in the odor filter housing to engage with the latch connection counter means on the filter frame. This preliminary arrangement allows the filter to be securely held during operation while enabling simple one-handed release by manipulating the handle, balancing security with ease of replacement.
Solution Approach 2:
The handle on the odor filter acts as an intermediary leverage point, allowing users to easily overcome the latch connection's holding force. By providing a mechanical advantage through the handle, users can release the secure latch connection without requiring excessive force or complex tools.
Data Source
Figure 1
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AI summary
A hob device (100) comprising • a hob (102) having an opening (108), • an extraction device arranged below the hob (102) and having a fan (110) for extracting cooking fumes from above the hob (102) through the opening (108), • an odor filter assembly (114) disposed in the direction of flow of the cooking fumes between the opening (108) and the fan (110), wherein the odor filter assembly (114) comprises an odor filter housing (116) and at least one odor filter (118, 118'), and the odor filter housing (116) has at least one abutment surface (116b; 116g) for lateral abutment of an associated odor filter (118, 118'), the odor filter housing (116) comprises latch connection means (116c) and the at least one odor filter (118) comprises latch connection counter means (118a, 118a') adapted and intended to cooperate with the latch connection means (116c) of the odor filter housing (116) to hold the at least one odor filter (118, 118') to the odor filter housing (116), and the odor filter housing (116) has, above the at least one support surface (116a) and at least partially within the at least one abutment surface (116b), a recess (116e) whose lower boundary surface forms a further support surface (116f) and whose lateral boundary surface forms a further abutment surface (116g), and the at least one odor filter (118') is dimensioned such that it protrudes from the further support surface (116f) and is supported by the further support surface (116f) when its latch connection counter means (118a') cooperate with the latch connection means (116c) of the odor filter housing (116).