Domestic Hood Lighting Module With Auto-Disconnect Removal

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing domestic hoods require users to manually or tool-aidedly disconnect electric lighting components from the power source for filter unit access, posing safety risks and inefficiency.

Innovation Solution

The hood design allows for the electric disconnection of lighting components during removal by moving them from a connected to a disconnected position, ensuring electrical insulation without manual disconnection, facilitated by contact terminals and magnetic fixing means.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of repair

If the lighting means are made removable for maintenance access, then the ease of repair is improved, but the safety risk increases due to manual electrical disconnection requirements

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveremoval of lighting meansVSAvoiduser safety
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of repairVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The electrical disconnection is performed automatically by the system itself when the lighting means are removed, without requiring user intervention. The spring-loaded contact terminals self-disengage when the lighting means move away from the hood frame, making the system self-protecting during maintenance operations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The electrical disconnection action is performed preliminarily and automatically as part of the removal process. Before the user can fully remove the lighting means, the electrical contacts are already disconnected by the spring mechanism, preventing any potential electrical contact during the removal operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Device complexity

If the lighting means require manual electrical disconnection for removal, then the device complexity is reduced, but the ease of operation deteriorates due to additional disconnection steps

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveelectric connection meansVSAvoidremoval of lighting means
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The electrical connection and mechanical fixing functions are merged into a single integrated assembly. The contact terminals are built into the hood frame structure, and the lighting means are mechanically attached in such a way that removal automatically triggers electrical disconnection, combining two operations into one seamless action.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The spring-loaded contact terminals act as an intermediary mechanism between the mechanical removal action and the electrical disconnection. When the lighting means are pulled away, the spring mechanism mediates the transition from connected to disconnected state, providing a smooth and automatic transition without requiring separate user actions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Reliability

If the lighting means are equipped with fixed electrical connections, then the reliability of electrical connection is improved, but the productivity decreases due to time-consuming removal procedures

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveelectrical connectionVSAvoidmaintenance efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The electrical connection system is made dynamic rather than static. The spring-loaded contact terminals can automatically transition between connected and disconnected states based on the position of the lighting means, allowing the system to adapt to both operational and maintenance modes without manual intervention.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The electrical disconnection is performed preliminarily and automatically as part of the removal process. Before the user can fully remove the lighting means, the electrical contacts are already disconnected by the spring mechanism, preventing any potential electrical contact during the removal operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

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

Enables safe and effortless removal of lighting components from the hood frame, reducing user risk and simplifying maintenance by allowing electrical disconnection during removal, thus improving user safety and convenience.

Implementation Method 1

The electric connection means comprise contact terminals arranged on the frame and magnetic fixing means for retaining the lighting means in the operating position

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMagnetic fixing: Magnetism

Data Source

PatentEP3129717B1Domestic hood
Publication Date: 2018.12.12 ELICA SPA
  • EP3129717B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3129717B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3129717B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The present disclosure relates to a hood (1) for domestic use, which comprises a support frame (10) with a power input (11), a motor fan unit (20) located within said support frame (10), lighting means (30) comprising an enclosure (33) that defines a seat (33a) containing a plate (32) having a plurality of LEDs (31), fixing means (40) for removably fixing said lighting means (30) to said support frame (10), electric connection means (60) for electrically connecting said lighting means (30) to said power input (11). The hood is characterized in that the fixing means (40) comprise at least one magnetic element (41) and at least one metal element (42) which are located on said support frame (10) and said lighting means (30) respectively, or vice versa and that said lighting means are movable relative to said support frame (10) between a first position, in which said electric connection means (60) electrically connect said lighting means (30) to said power input (11) and a second position, in which said lighting means (30) are electrically disconnected from said power input (11), wherein said electric connection means (60) are configured to electrically disconnect said lighting means (30) from said power input (11) directly, once said lighting means (30) have moved from said first position to said second position