Kitchen arrangement having extractor hood

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing extractor hoods suffer from low capture rates of cooking vapors due to turbulence caused by upward suction and downward air curtains, allowing vapors to escape to the sides and rear.

Innovation Solution

An extractor hood design featuring a suction device with a suction fan positioned below the suction opening and a ceiling fan unit that creates a downward-directed air curtain, encapsulating vapors and directing them towards the suction opening, creating a laminar airflow that enhances capture efficiency.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If an upward suction flow and downward air curtain are used in conventional extractor hoods, then the extraction of fumes and vapors is achieved, but turbulence is generated that reduces the capture rate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecapture rate of fumes and vaporsVSAvoidturbulence reducing capture efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent inverts the conventional airflow direction by using downward suction instead of upward suction. The suction opening is positioned at the bottom of the extractor hood and sucks air downward, while the air curtain flows upward from the cooking surface. This inverted configuration eliminates turbulence by having the suction and air curtain flows move in opposite directions without colliding, thereby improving the capture rate of fumes and vapors.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

2Productivity

If conventional extractor hoods are used, then fume extraction is provided, but vapors escape to the front and sides due to low capture rate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvevapor capture rateVSAvoidescape of vapors to sides and front
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSLoss of substance

Solution Approach 1:

By inverting the suction direction to downward flow and positioning the suction opening at the bottom, the patent creates a more effective containment zone. The downward suction combined with upward air curtain forms a more stable and confined airflow pattern that prevents vapor escape to the front and sides, thereby reducing substance loss.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the airflow parameters by reversing the suction direction and adjusting the interaction between suction flow and air curtain. This parameter change creates a more effective capture zone that confines vapors more efficiently, preventing their escape to surrounding areas.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Productivity

If the suction fan is positioned above the suction opening, then conventional extraction is achieved, but turbulence reduces extraction efficiency

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveextraction efficiencyVSAvoidairflow turbulence
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent inverts the fan positioning from above to below the suction opening. The suction fan is now located at the bottom of the extractor hood, creating downward suction flow. This inverted positioning, combined with upward air curtain flow, eliminates turbulent interaction between opposing flows and improves extraction efficiency.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

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 design significantly improves vapor capture rates by encapsulating vapors and preventing escape, ensuring efficient suction and containment of cooking fumes and particles, even with high ceilings.

Implementation Method 1

The suction fan is arranged below the suction opening... air is sucked in downwards via the extraction opening

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectSuction: Suction

Implementation Method 2

the ceiling fan unit... creates a downward-directed air curtain, encapsulating vapors and directing them towards the suction opening

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAir curtain:

Implementation Method 3

creating a laminar airflow that enhances capture efficiency

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLaminar airflow: Laminar Flow

Implementation Method 4

The extraction device preferably has at least one filter element through which the sucked-in fumes and vapors... are cleaned

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFiltration: Filter (physical)

Data Source

PatentEP3899373B1Kitchen arrangement having extractor hood
Publication Date: 2024.07.31 BSH HAUSGERATE GMBH
  • EP3899373B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3899373B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3899373B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The present invention relates to an extractor hood for extracting air from a space above a cooktop (2), the extractor hood comprising an extraction apparatus (11) having at least one extraction opening (110) and at least one suction fan (111), which is arranged below the extraction opening (110). The extractor hood is characterized in that the extractor hood (1) has a ceiling fan unit (10), which is arranged above the extraction apparatus (11), at least one fan (101) and at least one air outlet opening (100) in the underside (104) of the ceiling fan unit (104), through which opening a downward-directed air curtain (L) is output, which air curtain delimits the space below the ceiling fan unit (10) on at least three sides. The invention additionally relates to a kitchen arrangement (4) having a cooktop (2) and at least one extractor hood (1).