Self-Closing Hood Outflow Collar for Backflow Prevention
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing hood suction devices are passive when off, prone to backflows, external disturbances like dust and insects, and are complex to assemble and install.
Innovation Solution
A suction device with a self-closing outflow collar featuring hinged flaps that lift with air flow to prevent backflow and external contamination, using semicircular flaps and counterweights for easy assembly and reduced noise, with abutment elements to ensure synchronized operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If the suction device is left open when off, then assembly and installation are simple, but backflow and external contamination occur
Solution Approach 1:
The collar is transformed from a static open structure to a dynamic self-regulating structure. The flap is hinged to the collar and automatically opens when the impeller rotates (allowing air flow) and closes when the impeller stops (preventing backflow and contamination). This dynamic behavior resolves the contradiction by adapting the collar state to operational requirements without complicating assembly.
Solution Approach 2:
The flap mechanism is designed to operate autonomously without external control. The air flow itself acts as the actuating force that opens the flap, and gravity/closing force closes it when air flow stops. This self-service mechanism prevents backflow and contamination while maintaining structural simplicity for easy assembly and installation.
2Reliability
If the collar is kept closed to prevent contamination, then reliability improves, but assembly and installation become more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The collar transitions from a static closed structure to a dynamic self-regulating structure. The hinged flap automatically opens during operation and closes when idle, providing reliable protection from contamination while maintaining structural simplicity. This dynamic design achieves high reliability without increasing assembly complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The flap mechanism operates autonomously using air flow pressure to open and gravity to close, requiring no external actuators or complex control systems. This self-service approach ensures reliable contamination prevention while keeping the device simple to assemble and install.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If a self-closing collar with hinged flap is added, then protection from backflow and contamination improves, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
A hinged flap is added to the collar to create a dynamic self-closing mechanism. The flap opens when the impeller rotates (allowing air flow) and closes when idle (preventing backflow and contamination). This dynamic addition provides superior protection while maintaining relatively simple structure through the use of a single hinged component.
Solution Approach 2:
The hinged flap mechanism operates autonomously, using air flow pressure to open and gravity to close, without requiring external actuators, motors, or complex control systems. This self-service approach achieves effective backflow prevention with minimal structural complexity.
4Device complexity
If the suction device remains passive when off, then device simplicity is maintained, but exposure to external disturbances increases
Solution Approach 1:
The collar is transformed from a static passive structure to a dynamic self-regulating structure. The hinged flap automatically opens when the impeller rotates and closes when idle, providing active protection against dust and insects during non-operation. This dynamic behavior maintains operational simplicity while significantly improving reliability by reducing exposure to external disturbances.
Solution Approach 2:
The flap mechanism operates autonomously without external control, using air flow to open and gravity to close. This self-service capability allows the suction device to actively protect itself from external disturbances during idle periods while maintaining simple operation during use, thereby improving reliability without complicating the operational 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 effectively prevents backflow and external contamination, enhancing the reliability and simplicity of the suction device while reducing noise and vibration, and lowering production costs.
Implementation Method 1
an impeller driven by the motor for drawing an air flow and directing it into an outflow collar
Implementation Method 2
the flap being configured to close the collar when the impeller is idle
Implementation Method 3
to be lifted by the air flow so as to clear the collar when the impeller is rotating
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to a suction device for a hood, comprising a motor, and further comprising an impeller driven by the motor and configured to draw an air flow and direct it into an outflow collar; the suction device further comprises at least one flap connected to the collar and hinged on one side only, the at least one flap being configured to close the collar when the impeller is idle, and to be lifted by the air flow so as to clear the collar when the impeller is rotating.