Air circulation arrangement for a downdraft extraction device, a furniture base and a corresponding downdraft extraction device

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Solution Overview

Problem

Downdraft extractor devices experience significant pressure loss and noise due to filtration, and structural complexities arise from air duct systems colliding with kitchen furniture legs, leading to inefficiencies and installation challenges.

Innovation Solution

An air duct arrangement that integrates air guiding elements and support legs within the base ventilation box, allowing for flexible routing and reduced pressure loss, while also serving as a furniture leg replacement, with adjustable components and tapered designs for space efficiency.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If filtration is performed in the plinth ventilation box, then cooking fumes are removed effectively, but pressure drop increases and noise levels rise

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefume removal effectivenessVSAvoidpressure drop
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The air duct system is divided into multiple segments with individual ventilation boxes at different locations along the plinth, allowing distributed filtration rather than concentrating all filtration in one location, thereby reducing pressure drop across each filter while maintaining overall fume removal effectiveness

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The ventilation system transitions from vertical duct routing through the cabinet to horizontal routing along the plinth base, changing the spatial dimension of air flow path and enabling more efficient pressure distribution across multiple filtration points

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

2Reliability

If air ducting is routed through the plinth area, then fume extraction is achieved, but structural complexity increases due to collisions with cabinet legs

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefume extractionVSAvoidair ducting system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The plinth ventilation boxes serve dual functions: they act as structural support elements replacing traditional cabinet legs while simultaneously housing the air filtration and venting system, thereby eliminating the need for separate air ducting components and reducing overall system complexity

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

Solution Approach 2:

The support function and air venting function are merged into a single integrated plinth ventilation box component, combining structural and functional elements to simplify the overall air ducting system and reduce the number of separate parts required

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Reliability

If traditional bulky base ventilation boxes are used, then filtration is provided, but structural difficulties arise in kitchen furniture integration

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovefiltrationVSAvoidstructural integration
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The ventilation box is designed to perform multiple functions simultaneously: structural support replacement, air filtration, and air venting, allowing it to be integrated into kitchen furniture without requiring additional space or components, thereby resolving structural integration difficulties

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

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of adding a separate ventilation box to existing furniture structure, the design inverts the approach by making the ventilation box itself the structural support element, replacing the traditional leg and eliminating the need for separate structural components

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

This solution reduces pressure loss, enhances energy efficiency, and simplifies installation by integrating air guiding elements and support functions within the base ventilation box, improving airflow and structural compatibility with kitchen furniture.

Implementation Method 1

The base ventilation box has at least one air guide element that is incorporated into the base ventilation box, whereby air flowing into the base ventilation box via the air guide element is redirected towards the air outlet

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAir flow redirection:

Data Source

PatentEP3401606B1Air circulation arrangement for a downdraft extraction device, a furniture base and a corresponding downdraft extraction device
Publication Date: 2022.01.05 NABER HOLDING GMBH & CO KG
  • EP3401606B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3401606B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3401606B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The invention relates to a base ventilation box (1) for mounting in a furniture base (100), the base ventilation box (1) having at least one air outlet (2) covered by an exhaust air grille (23) and at least one air inlet (3), characterized in that an inside (5) of an upper side (6) of the base ventilation box (1) and/or an underside (7) of the base ventilation box (1) opposite the top (6) has a receptacle (8) for a support foot (9). A corresponding furniture base and a downdraft extractor device are also described.