Vortex Suction Hood Structure for Better Fume Capture
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional suction hoods have relatively low efficiency in treating fumes from cooktops as they suck air from the surrounding environment equally, leading to ineffective capture of airborne grease, combustion products, smoke, odors, heat, and steam.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a suction hood with a vortex generator that creates a substantially circular, cyclone, or helix movement using ring-shaped areas with tangential channels and separating blades, along with an additional fan to enhance air guidance and suction, improves the suction characteristics while being cost-effective.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If traditional suction hoods suck air equally from all surrounding areas, then the structure is simple and cost-effective, but the suction efficiency is low and fumes are not effectively captured
Solution Approach 1:
The hood structure is segmented into multiple functional zones: a central vortex generation area with tangential channels and separating blades, an outer suction area, and an inner suction area. This segmentation allows different regions to perform specialized functions (vortex generation, outer air intake, inner fume capture) rather than a uniform structure, thereby improving suction efficiency while maintaining reasonable structural complexity
Solution Approach 2:
Different parts of the hood are given different functional qualities: the central region generates vortex movement for enhanced fume capture, the outer area provides supplemental air intake, and the inner area focuses on direct fume extraction. This local differentiation of functional qualities optimizes overall performance without requiring complete structural redesign
2Productivity
If a vortex generator with ring-shaped areas and separating blades is implemented, then suction characteristics are improved, but the device complexity and manufacturing cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The vortex generator is segmented into a ring-shaped structure with discrete separating blades positioned at specific intervals. This segmentation allows for modular manufacturing where blades can be individually positioned and attached, simplifying the manufacturing process compared to creating a completely new complex structure while still achieving the desired vortex effect for improved fume capture
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of trying to capture fumes with a traditional direct suction approach, the invention inverts the approach by first generating a vortex movement that naturally draws fumes inward. The tangential channels and separating blades create rotational flow that passively pulls fumes into the suction area, reducing the need for high-power direct suction fans and simplifying the overall manufacturing requirements
3Ease of operation
If an additional fan is added to push air out of the hood, then air guidance is improved, but the device complexity and power consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The additional fan for pushing air out is merged with the existing vortex generator structure, sharing the same housing and integration points. The fan is positioned to work in conjunction with the vortex flow rather than as a separate independent component, thereby improving air guidance while minimizing the increase in overall device complexity through shared structural elements
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 configuration enhances the suction efficiency by generating a vortex movement that effectively captures fumes and reduces material costs, allowing for improved air guidance and increased suction power when needed.
Implementation Method 1
the sucking means pulls the air into a suction hood by generating an at least substantially circular, cyclone, vortex or helix movement
Implementation Method 2
generating an at least substantially circular, cyclone, vortex or helix movement
Implementation Method 3
The fans or blowers create, when activated, an area of low pressure which takes effect spherically around the hood
Implementation Method 4
The airborne grease, combustion products, smoke, odours, heat and steam generated by the cooking of food on the cooktop rise naturally in a vertical motion due to gravity effect
Data Source
Figure 1a~1b
Figure 1c~1d
Figure 2~3a
AI summary
The invention relates to a sucking means (10, 20, 30, 40, 50), preferably vortex generator or tornado suction means, for a suction hood, a) which pulls the air into the suction hood (1, 2, 3, 4, 5) by generating an at least substantially circular, cyclone, vortex or helix movement, b) wherein the sucking means (10, 20, 30, 40, 50) comprises a, preferably ring shaped, area (17, 27, 37, 47, 57) with at least substantially tangential channels (172, 272, 372, 472) and/or channels (172, 272, 372, 472) with a tangential component which are separated from each other by separating elements (171) (preferably blades), for generating the at least substantially circular, cyclone, vortex or helix movement. The invention further relates to a suction hood and a method for generating an air suction by means of a suction hood.