Range Hood Filter Access Design for Round Cross-Section Housing

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Solution Overview

Problem

Extractor hoods with round cross-sections face challenges in accessibility and space constraints for odor reduction filters, making it difficult to remove and replace them for cleaning or maintenance, especially in recirculation mode.

Innovation Solution

An extractor hood design with a flow-tight separating device that divides the processing section into a lower inlet and upper blow-out section, featuring a ring-shaped receiving space for filter units, accessible via a recess in the separating device, and a blower device positioned above the passage to facilitate air flow and filter unit placement, allowing for easy insertion and removal of odor filters.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Area of stationary object

If the extractor hood has a round cross-section with compact housing, then space efficiency and attractive design are improved, but accessibility to filters for cleaning and replacement deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvespace occupied by extractor hoodVSAvoidaccessibility to filters
Core Design Contradiction:
Area of stationary objectVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The housing is segmented into separate functional sections: an inlet section for filter access and a treatment section for air processing. This allows the filter to be accessed from the inlet opening without requiring access to the entire housing, solving the accessibility problem in compact round designs.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

A removable inlet opening acts as an intermediary access point to the filter. This mediator allows users to reach the filter for cleaning and replacement without dismantling the entire housing structure, maintaining both compact design and ease of maintenance.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If additional odor filters are added to recirculation mode extractor hoods, then odor filtering performance is improved, but the space required and device complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveodor filtering performanceVSAvoidnumber of filter units
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Multiple filter units (grease filter and odor filter) are merged into a single integrated filter arrangement within the inlet section. This combination allows multiple filtering functions to be performed in one compact location, improving odor filtering performance without proportionally increasing device complexity or space requirements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The inlet section is designed as a multi-functional component that houses both grease filtration and odor filtration capabilities. This universal design allows a single structural element to perform multiple filtering functions, reducing overall device complexity while maintaining comprehensive air treatment.

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

3Area of stationary object

If filters are placed deep within the housing for compact design, then space efficiency is improved, but ease of maintenance and filter replacement deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvehousing space utilizationVSAvoidfilter replacement ease
Core Design Contradiction:
Area of stationary objectVSEase of repair

Solution Approach 1:

The filter units are extracted from deep within the housing and positioned at the inlet opening where they can be easily accessed. This extraction maintains compact overall housing dimensions while significantly improving ease of maintenance and filter replacement.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The inlet opening is pre-configured as an accessible access point to the filter during the design phase. This preliminary arrangement ensures that filter maintenance can be performed easily without requiring subsequent housing disassembly, combining compact design with maintenance accessibility.

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

This design enhances accessibility and maintenance of odor filters, ensuring efficient air flow and odor reduction, particularly in recirculation mode, while maintaining an attractive and space-efficient design.

Implementation Method 1

at least one fan device being arranged on the passage, which draws in air from the inlet opening and blows it out in the direction of the outlet opening

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAir flow:

Implementation Method 2

odor filters, for example activated carbon filters, remove odors from the air that has already been cleaned by grease filters

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectOdor absorption: Absorption (physical)

Implementation Method 3

odor-absorbing and/or neutralizing filters, such as activated carbon filters

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectActivated carbon filtration: Activated Carbon

Data Source

PatentEP3686496B1Vapour hood and method for changing filter units
Publication Date: 2022.06.22 MIELE & CO KG
  • EP3686496B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3686496B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP3686496B1 patent drawingFigure 5

AI summary

A range hood (1) comprising a housing (2) with a processing section (3) having a round cross-section (4) and an inlet opening (5) for drawing in fumes and an outlet opening (6) for expelling processed air. A substantially flow-tight separating device (7) is arranged in the processing section (3), which divides the processing section (3) into a lower inlet section (8) and an upper outlet section (9), wherein a passage (26) is provided in the separating device (7) as a connection between the lower inlet section (8) and the upper outlet section (9). A blower (10) is arranged in the passage, which draws air from the inlet opening (5) and blows it out towards the outlet opening (6).Furthermore, in the upper discharge section (9) of the processing section (3), between the separating device (7) and the outlet opening (6), a substantially annular receiving chamber (11) is formed for receiving at least two filter units (12), which is accessible via a recess (13) in the separating device (7) in order to remove and/or insert the filter units (12) through this recess (13). In the method according to the invention, a filter unit (12) is removed from the receiving chamber (11) through the recess (13).