Induction Hob Fan Integration for Compact Vapor Extraction

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing cooking systems require additional components and storage for extractor fan units, leading to increased complexity and costs, while also occupying more space.

Innovation Solution

The integration of an extractor fan unit directly into the cooking system's design, with the fan unit being partially housed within the hob's outer housing unit and utilizing a recessed mounting plate to extract vapors, eliminates the need for a separate carrier unit, thereby reducing component count and storage requirements.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a separate carrier unit is used to accommodate the extractor fan unit, then the fan unit can be properly housed and supported, but the number of components increases and storage requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveproper housing and support of fan unitVSAvoidnumber of components
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines the carrier unit and extractor fan unit into a single integrated assembly. The carrier unit is designed to accommodate both the electronics unit and the extractor fan unit, eliminating the need for a separate carrier unit solely for the fan. This merging reduces the total number of components while maintaining proper housing and support for the fan unit.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Reliability

If a separate carrier unit is used to accommodate the extractor fan unit, then the fan unit can be properly housed, but storage requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveproper housing of fan unitVSAvoidstorage requirements
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSVolume of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

By merging the carrier unit and extractor fan unit into a single integrated assembly, the overall volume required for storage is reduced. The fan unit shares the carrier unit's housing space with the electronics unit, eliminating redundant structural components and reducing total storage requirements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Reliability

If additional carrier units are used for extractor fan units, then proper accommodation is achieved, but production costs increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveaccommodation of extractor fan unitVSAvoidproduction cost
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The integrated design combining the carrier unit and extractor fan unit reduces the number of separate components that need to be manufactured, assembled, and inventoried. This consolidation simplifies the manufacturing process, reduces assembly steps, and lowers production costs while maintaining proper accommodation of the extractor fan unit.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

4Adaptability or versatility

If the cooking system includes separate units for electronics and extractor fan, then each unit can be optimized independently, but the overall system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveindependent optimization of unitsVSAvoidoverall system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent integrates the electronics unit and extractor fan unit within the same carrier unit, creating a modular assembly that can be optimized together as a single unit. This approach maintains design flexibility while reducing overall system complexity by eliminating the need for separate carrier units and reducing the number of interfaces and connections required.

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 design achieves a compact, cost-effective, and efficient vapor extraction system that minimizes the number of components and storage needs, allowing for a more streamlined cooking system with improved functionality and reduced susceptibility to faults.

Implementation Method 1

an extractor fan unit (30a), which at least partially extracts vapors arising in at least one operating state from at least one cooking area (32a) through at least one recess (14a) of at least one support plate (12a)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectVapor extraction: Convection

Data Source

PatentEP3671046B1Cooking system
Publication Date: 2023.11.01 BSH HAUSGERATE GMBH
  • EP3671046B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3671046B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP3671046B1 patent drawingFigure 5

AI summary

The invention relates to a cooking system (10a-b), in particular an induction cooking system, with at least one exhaust fan unit (30a-b) which at least partially extracts vapors generated in at least one cooking area (32a-b) in at least one operating state, and with at least one support unit (34a-b) which has at least one electronics receiving area (36a-b) which is provided for at least partial reception of at least one electronic unit (38a-b). In order to provide a generic system with improved design characteristics, it is proposed that the support unit (34a-b) has at least one fan receiving area (40a-b) which is provided for at least partial reception of at least one element (42a-b) of the exhaust fan unit (30ab).