Cooking appliance with repositionable vent arm

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional cooking hoods and vents are ineffective in capturing cooking byproducts due to limited positioning and manual operation, failing to provide adequate ventilation for cooking appliances.

Innovation Solution

A repositionable vent arm system integrated with a cooking appliance that automatically adjusts its position based on thermal and distance sensors to focus ventilation on active cooking elements, using a controller and fan system for enhanced air management.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If conventional hoods or vents are positioned at a fixed location (approximately 30 inches above the cooktop), then the device structure is simple and easy to manufacture, but the ability to capture cooking byproducts from specific cooking locations is limited

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of manufactureVSAvoidcapture efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The vent arm is made dynamically repositionable through a drive mechanism that allows it to move between retracted and extended positions. The controller receives signals from thermal sensors detecting active cooking elements and automatically positions the vent arm accordingly, transforming a static structure into a dynamic one that adapts to cooking needs.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The vent arm can be positioned to provide focused ventilation over specific cooking zones rather than distributing ventilation capacity uniformly across the entire cooktop. This localizes the ventilation function to match the actual cooking activity, improving capture efficiency for active cooking elements.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

2Device complexity

If conventional hoods or vents are operated manually by a user via separate controls, then the device structure is simple, but the coordination with cooking appliance operation is poor

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedevice complexityVSAvoidcoordination with cooking operation

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The vent arm control system is merged with the cooking appliance's existing control infrastructure. The controller utilizes signals already present in the cooking appliance (thermal sensor data, cooking element status) to automatically control vent arm positioning, eliminating the need for separate manual controls while improving coordination between cooking and ventilation operations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The vent arm positioning system operates autonomously by detecting active cooking elements through thermal sensors and automatically adjusting its position without requiring user intervention. The system serves itself by using the cooking appliance's operational data to control its own positioning.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

3Productivity

If a repositionable vent arm with automatic positioning is implemented, then the capture of cooking byproducts is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecapture efficiencyVSAvoiddevice complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The manual mechanical control system is replaced with an automated control system that uses thermal sensors and electronic actuators. The controller electronically manages the vent arm positioning based on thermal detection, substituting complex manual mechanical adjustments with an automated sensor-actuator-control system that is more efficient and better coordinated with cooking operations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

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 system provides targeted and efficient ventilation, improving the capture of heat, steam, and odors, enhancing indoor air quality by dynamically positioning the vent arm to align with active cooking elements.

Implementation Method 1

the controller determines that the first cooking element is active based on a signal from a thermal sensor positioned to detect heat emanating from the first cooking element

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThermal radiation detection: Thermal Radiation

Implementation Method 2

a fan coupled to the controller and configured to draw air through the repositionable vent arm

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectForced convection: Forced Convection

Implementation Method 3

the repositionable vent arm further includes a distance sensor coupled to the controller and configured to sense a distance to an object disposed on the first cooking element

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectDistance sensing: Time of Flight

Data Source

PatentUS10697647B1Cooking appliance with repositionable vent arm

Publication Date: 2020.06.30 MIDEA GROUP CO LTD

AI summary

A venting appliance for use with a cooking appliance including a cooktop with at least one cooking element disposed thereon, where the venting appliance may include: a housing configured to be positioned above the cooktop; a repositionable vent arm coupled to and extending below the housing; and a controller coupled to the repositionable vent arm and configured to determine that a first cooking element among at least one cooking elements is active, and in response thereto, automatically reposition the vent arm to be closer to the first cooking element.