Vortex Suction Hood With Stabilized Cyclone Fume Capture

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Solution Overview

Problem

Traditional suction hoods in kitchens have relatively low efficiency in capturing fumes from cooktops due to inefficient suction characteristics, as they draw in equal amounts of air from the surrounding environment, leading to unstable vortex air streams that dissipate quickly.

Innovation Solution

A suction hood with a vortex generator that creates a stable cyclone or helix air movement, enhanced by a ring-shaped skirt that can be adjusted to extend downwards, and a diffuser that adapts the vortex generator's cross-section to the suction channel, reducing radial losses and maintaining vortex stability over a longer distance.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Area of stationary object

If traditional suction hoods draw air from surrounding environment, then suction coverage area is increased, but vortex stability deteriorates and efficiency decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesuction coverage areaVSAvoidvortex stability
Core Design Contradiction:
Area of stationary objectVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The invention extracts and isolates the vortex generation function from the surrounding environment by introducing a dedicated vortex generator that creates a controlled vortex air stream. This separates the useful vortex effect from the harmful influence of ambient air diffusion, allowing the vortex to maintain stability while still achieving broad fume capture coverage through the directed cyclonic flow pattern.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention changes the parameters of air flow by introducing a pre-rotated vortex air stream with specific rotational velocity and flow characteristics through the vortex generator. This parameter change transforms the ordinary air flow into a stable, high-energy vortex that maintains its structure over distance, resolving the contradiction between coverage area and vortex stability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Productivity

If vortex generator creates strong vortex air stream, then fume capture efficiency is improved, but vortex stability over time deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefume capture efficiencyVSAvoidvortex duration
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDuration of action of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The invention ensures continuous vortex generation through the vortex generator, which constantly supplies a stabilized vortex air stream to the suction hood. This continuous action prevents the vortex from dissipating, maintaining both high fume capture efficiency and extended vortex duration through uninterrupted rotational flow.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #20Continuity of useful action

Solution Approach 2:

The vortex generator acts as an intermediary device that mediates between the air supply and the suction hood, transforming ordinary air into a stable, pre-rotated vortex air stream. This intermediary function allows the vortex to maintain both high energy for effective fume capture and sufficient stability for extended duration.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Stability of the object's composition

If skirt is extended downwards to stabilize vortex, then vortex stability is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvevortex stabilityVSAvoidhood structure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The invention employs a movable, adjustable skirt that can be dynamically positioned to optimize vortex stability. The skirt's ability to move between retracted and extended positions provides adaptive control over the vortex chamber volume and airflow patterns, improving vortex stability without permanently increasing structural complexity. The adjustability allows the system to maintain simplicity when full extension is not required.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

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 stable vortex air stream effectively pulls in fumes with improved suction characteristics, reducing air diffusion and maintaining stability, thus enhancing the hood's ability to capture cooking-related gases and particles over a larger area with reduced costs and space requirements.

Implementation Method 1

a vortex generator for generating a vortex air stream, wherein the vortex air stream comprises an at least substantially circular, cyclone, vortex and/or helix like air movement

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectVortex flow: Vortex Ring

Implementation Method 2

a diffuser that adapts the vortex generator's cross-section to the suction channel, reducing radial losses

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPressure gradient: Pressure Gradient

Data Source

PatentEP2196738B1Suction hood
Publication Date: 2013.10.23 ELECTROLUX HOME PROD CORP NV
  • EP2196738B1 patent drawingFigure 1a~1b
  • EP2196738B1 patent drawingFigure 1c~1d
  • EP2196738B1 patent drawingFigure 2

AI summary

The invention relates to a suction hood (3, 4, 5), preferably vortex hood or tornado hood, a) comprising a vortex generator (33, 43, 53) for generating a vortex air stream (336, 436, 536), b) wherein the vortex air stream comprises an at least substantially circular, cyclone, vortex and/or helix like air movement, c) such that fumes or smoke can be pulled into the suction hood (3, 4, 5) by the vortex air stream, d) comprising stabilizing means (32, 433, 54) for improving the stability of the vortex air stream.