Kitchen hood

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional kitchen hoods with low capturing space height struggle to efficiently extract exhaust air due to limited filter surface area and air flow disturbances, leading to reduced extraction efficiency and energy wastage.

Innovation Solution

The kitchen hood design features two rows of filters in the central part and narrow slots on the lateral sides for blowing in fresh air, ensuring a sufficient filtering surface and laminar air flow, even at low heights, enhancing extraction capacity and energy efficiency.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If the hood height is reduced to accommodate low ceiling kitchens, then the hood becomes more adaptable to various kitchen spaces, but the filter surface area decreases leading to reduced extraction efficiency

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveadaptability to low ceiling kitchensVSAvoidextraction efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The filter system is divided into two separate rows instead of one, allowing the total filter surface area to be maintained even when the hood height is reduced. Each row contains multiple filter elements that can be independently arranged to optimize the filtering capacity within the constrained vertical space.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The invention transitions from a single-row vertical filter arrangement to a two-row configuration that utilizes both horizontal and vertical dimensions more effectively. This dimensional redistribution allows sufficient filter surface area to be achieved within a reduced hood height by spreading filters across a wider horizontal footprint.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Device complexity

If a single row of filters is used at the rear side of the hood, then the device complexity is reduced, but the extraction capacity is insufficient for low height hoods

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefilter arrangement complexityVSAvoidextraction capacity
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The extraction system is segmented into two separate rows of filters positioned at different locations within the hood. This segmentation allows each row to handle a portion of the exhaust air flow, collectively providing sufficient extraction capacity that would be unachievable with a single row in the same space.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Two rows of filters are combined within a single hood structure, merging their extraction capacities to achieve the required performance. The coordinated operation of both filter rows provides enhanced extraction capability compared to a single row, while remaining integrated within one unified device.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Length of stationary object

If the capturing space height is minimized to 250 mm, then the hood fits in spaces with additional superstructures, but the air flow becomes disturbed reducing extraction efficiency

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecapturing space heightVSAvoidextraction efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Length of stationary objectVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The air flow characteristics are optimized locally at different positions within the capturing space. Fresh air is introduced through narrow slots positioned at specific locations on the lateral sides, creating localized laminar flow zones that guide air smoothly toward the filter rows without generating disturbances, even in the constrained 250 mm height.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

Laminar flow is established in advance before air reaches the filter rows. By introducing fresh air through carefully positioned narrow slots that promote smooth flow patterns, the system prepares the air stream to flow laminarly toward the filters, preventing turbulence and maintaining extraction efficiency in the low height configuration.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

4Productivity

If narrow slots for fresh air intake are added to the lateral sides, then the extraction capacity is enhanced, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveextraction capacityVSAvoidair intake system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The lateral sides of the hood serve multiple functions: they provide structural support, define the capturing space boundaries, and incorporate narrow slots for fresh air intake. This multi-functionality allows the air intake feature to be integrated into existing structural elements rather than requiring separate dedicated components, thereby enhancing extraction capacity while minimizing the increase in device complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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 configuration allows for efficient extraction of exhaust air with a smaller capturing space, achieving higher extraction efficiency than traditional hoods and reducing energy consumption, making it an energy-saving solution for kitchens with low ceilings or additional superstructures.

Implementation Method 1

blowing-in of a small quantity of fresh air from a narrow slot having a height of 2 mm to 10 mm and arranged on the lower inner part of the lateral sides of the hood towards the interior of the hood... the air from the kitchen reaches the hood along its entire circumference in as laminar manner as possible without disturbances

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLaminar flow: Laminar Flow

Implementation Method 2

the kitchen hood of the invention, if a wall-mounted hood or a hood mounted above one row of thermal elements is in question, is provided with two rows of filters in the central part of the hood, from where a substantial quantity of exhaust air normally originates

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFiltration: Filter (physical)

Data Source

PatentEP2971979B1Kitchen hood
Publication Date: 2020.11.25 PROVENT D O O
  • EP2971979B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2971979B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2971979B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The object of the invention is a kitchen hood that allows for efficient extraction of exhaust air and installation of a sufficient filtering surface despite a low height of the hood and a low height of an air capturing space within the hood. Unlike typical existing kitchen hoods that are provided with only one row of filters arranged at the rear wall of the hood, the kitchen hood of the invention, if a wall-mounted hood or a hood mounted above one row of thermal elements is in question, is provided with two rows of filters (170, 190) in the central part of the hood, from where a substantial quantity of exhaust air normally originates. The capturing space of the hood for capturing exhaust air is divided into a front capturing space (110) and a rear capturing space (205). The lower inner part of lateral sides of the hood is provided along the entire circumference of the hood, with the exception of the rear side of the hood (210), with narrow slots designed for blowing-in fresh air directly back into the hood in order to prevent potential steam-saturated air from flowing outside the area of the hood. The front blowing-in slot (130) is arranged between the backwards bent lower edge of the lamp holder (135) and the lower edge of the front side (150) of the hood, the construction of which defines also the system for opening the front side of the hood.