Vertical extractor hood for a kitchen

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing vertical extractor hoods with lateral aspiration openings compromise on aesthetics and overhang, often requiring significant space from the kitchen wall while maintaining performance and production costs similar to existing designs.

Innovation Solution

A compact vertical extractor hood design with a lateral aspiration opening, featuring a second surface inclined at the lower part and a movable panel positioned close to the aspiration opening, creating a narrow space that enhances aspiration efficiency without altering the overhang from the wall, allowing the hood to be used as a kitchen furnishing element.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Shape

If the hood is designed with a lateral aspiration opening and inclined surface, then aesthetic appeal and reduced overhang are improved, but aspiration performance may deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveaesthetic appealVSAvoidaspiration performance
Core Design Contradiction:
ShapeVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs a movable panel that can change position between a retracted position (for normal operation) and an extended position (for enhanced aspiration). This dynamic element allows the hood to adapt its configuration based on operational needs, resolving the contradiction between aesthetic appearance and aspiration performance by providing both a clean look during normal use and effective fume removal when required.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The front surface is divided into a fixed inclined portion and a movable panel portion. This segmentation allows the fixed part to maintain aesthetic appeal with its inclined design, while the movable panel can be deployed to improve aspiration performance when needed, thus resolving the contradiction between form and function.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Productivity

If the movable panel is positioned close to the aspiration opening, then aspiration efficiency is improved through low-pressure area creation, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveaspiration efficiencyVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The movable panel is designed to be movable by the user without requiring complex automation systems. The panel can be manually extended or retracted by the user based on cooking needs, eliminating the need for motors, sensors, or control systems while still achieving the desired low-pressure area formation for enhanced aspiration efficiency.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

3Productivity

If the second surface is placed inclined relative to the first surface, then aspiration assistance is improved, but manufacturing precision requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveaspiration assistanceVSAvoidmanufacturing precision
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent specifies a moderate inclination angle range (5-15 degrees) for the second surface relative to the first surface. This parameter optimization provides sufficient aspiration assistance while remaining within standard manufacturing tolerances, thus resolving the contradiction between performance improvement and manufacturing feasibility.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

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 design achieves comparable performance to traditional hoods with reduced overhang, maintaining aesthetic appeal and production costs while providing efficient fume and vapor removal through the creation of a low-pressure area, making it suitable for placement near the hob.

Implementation Method 1

creating a narrow space that enhances aspiration efficiency... providing efficient fume and vapor removal through the creation of a low-pressure area

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPressure gradient: Pressure Gradient

Implementation Method 2

a fan which aspirates the fumes and/or vapours from the aspiration opening

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectSuction: Suction

Data Source

PatentEP3228941B1Vertical extractor hood for a kitchen
Publication Date: 2019.11.06 FABER SPA
  • EP3228941B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3228941B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4

AI summary

An extractor hood (1) has a body (2) which is hollow in its interior (at 15), provided with a lateral opening (8) and containing in its cavity (15) a fan (16) which can aspirate from the lateral opening (8) fumes and/or vapours generated by an underlying hob of a kitchen, said body (2) having opposite surfaces (5, 6) with a larger area, connected by surfaces or walls (10, 1 1 , 12, 13) with a smaller area, a first one (5) of these surfaces (5, 6) with a larger area being placed on a vertical wall (2) of said kitchen, the second surface (6) with a larger area containing the aforementioned lateral opening (8), and in front of this opening (8) there being a flat panel (23) placed spaced from this second surface. Said panel (23) is parallel to said second surface (6), including when the hood (1) is in use.