Vapour extractor hood with light module

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional extractor hoods with lighting modules are limited in their functionality, as they primarily illuminate the cooking area and do not effectively support plant growth, as they emit light across a broad visible spectrum, which is inefficient for promoting photosynthesis.

Innovation Solution

An extractor hood with a lighting module that emits light in specific, limited wavelength ranges (630-660 nm, 400-520 nm, and 700-750 nm) using LEDs, which can be integrated or attached to the hood, allowing for targeted light emission to promote plant growth, connected to the hood's control unit for activation, and powered through the hood's supply, optimizing energy use and design.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If conventional lighting modules with broad visible spectrum emission are used, then the cooking area is well illuminated, but the light cannot be effectively used for plant growth purposes

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemulti-functionality of lighting moduleVSAvoidenergy efficiency for plant growth
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The lighting module employs LEDs with different color temperatures (6504K, 5700K, 5000K) to emit light in specific wavelength ranges that correspond to different plant growth needs. This local quality differentiation allows the same lighting module to serve both illumination and plant growth functions by directing appropriate wavelengths to plants while maintaining general lighting capability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The lighting module is designed to perform multiple functions simultaneously: it provides general illumination for the cooking area while also serving as a growth light for plants through its LED array with specific color temperatures. The control unit enables the system to switch between different lighting modes, making the single module universal for both cooking and plant cultivation purposes.

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

2Adaptability or versatility

If a lighting module dedicated to plant growth is added separately, then plant growth is promoted effectively, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveplant growth support capabilityVSAvoidnumber of separate components
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines the cooking hood and plant growth lighting system into a single integrated unit. The lighting module with multi-temperature LEDs is built into the hood structure, and the control unit consolidates management of both the extraction fan and lighting functions. This merging eliminates the need for separate plant growth lights while maintaining effective plant cultivation capability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The control unit is designed to manage multiple functions through a single interface, allowing the user to control both the extraction system and the plant growth lighting from one controller. This universal control mechanism reduces operational complexity despite the multi-functional capability of the system.

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

3Loss of energy

If LEDs with specific wavelength ranges are used, then energy efficiency for plant growth is improved, but the illumination quality for cooking area may be reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveenergy efficiency for plant growthVSAvoidlight quality for cooking area
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of energyVSIllumination intensity

Solution Approach 1:

The control unit enables periodic or selective activation of different LED color temperatures based on operational needs. During cooking operations, the full-spectrum illumination mode is activated for optimal visibility. When plant growth is the priority, the system can switch to enhanced growth-lighting modes with specific wavelength emphasis, allowing both functions to operate effectively at different times.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

Solution Approach 2:

The lighting module directs light with different color temperatures to different areas or uses. The LED array with 6504K, 5700K, and 5000K options provides localized quality control where specific wavelengths can be emphasized for plant growth while maintaining adequate general illumination for the cooking area, resolving the trade-off between specialized and general lighting requirements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

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 solution enables the extractor hood to serve multiple functions by providing targeted light for plant growth without the need for additional devices, allowing users to maintain herbs or spices near the cooking area, enhancing energy efficiency and simplifying the design by using LEDs that emit light only in growth-promoting wavelengths.

Implementation Method 1

the light source is an LED (Light Emitting Diode)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLight Emitting Diode: Light Emitting Diode

Implementation Method 2

the wavelength range can be specifically adjusted to contribute to plant growth

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPhotosynthesis: Photosynthesis

Data Source

PatentEP3699496B1Vapour extractor hood with light module
Publication Date: 2023.08.02 BSH HAUSGERATE GMBH
  • EP3699496B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3699496B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4

AI summary

The present invention relates to a cooker hood with at least one light module (2), characterized in that the light module (2) has at least one light source and the light module (2) emits light in a limited wavelength range.