Air fryer

Abstract

According to one aspect, an air fryer (1) is provided, comprising: a housing (2) defining a cooking chamber (34); a basket (14) for supporting food (10) to be cooked and configured to be mounted in the cooking chamber (34) during a cooking operation; an air guide element (20) located above the basket (14); a blower (4) for circulating air within the cooking chamber (34) such that the air is directed toward the air guide element (20) and then directed downwardly by the air guide element (20) through the basket (14); and a heater (24) for heating the air circulated by the blower (4).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the field of cooking equipment, and more particularly to an air fryer. Background Art

[0002] Cooking devices, such as air fryers, are used to cook food, such as meat, fish, and vegetable chunks, by circulating hot air around the food. Air fryers typically include a fan for circulating the air and a heating element for heating the circulating air. The food is typically supported by a basket in the air fryer. Air fryers offer healthier cooking than traditional fryers because the food is not submerged in oil.

[0003] Known air fryers often encounter problems achieving uniform cooking of all the food in the fryer. When cooking certain foods, in order to achieve uniform cooking, it is necessary to periodically stop the cooking process and shake or stir the food. This may require additional work by the user and may result in longer cooking times.

[0004] Another problem encountered with air fryers is the generation of unwanted smoke during use. Typical air fryers use fans that rotate at high speeds to achieve short cooking times. However, the high-speed air circulated by these fans can cause oil and fat from the food to be blown onto the heating element, thereby generating smoke.

[0005] There is a need to develop an improved air fryer that alleviates at least some of the above-mentioned problems.

[0006] WO2015 / 081549 discloses a multifunctional vessel for cooking food, the vessel having a thermal convection fan. In one example, the air inlet to the cooking chamber is located at the top and conveys air downwards. Summary of the invention

[0007] The present invention provides an air fryer which seeks to provide improved airflow through the food during the cooking process.The invention is defined by the claims.

[0008] According to a first specific aspect, there is provided an air fryer, comprising: a housing defining a cooking chamber; a basket for supporting food to be cooked and configured to be mounted in the cooking chamber during a cooking operation; an air guide element located above the basket; a blower for circulating air in the cooking chamber such that the air is directed toward the air guide element and then directed downwardly by the air guide element through the basket; and a heater for heating the air circulated by the blower.

[0009] The blower includes a fan. The fan includes a base plate; a circumferential side wall extending axially from an upper surface of the base plate; and a plurality of fan blades. In a cooking operation, the basket can be configured to be at least partially mounted within a volume formed by the base plate and the side wall of the fan.

[0010] All or some of the plurality of fan blades may be formed in the sidewall and arranged circumferentially around the axis of the fan. The fan may also include an air guide ring radially inward of the fan blades. The air guide ring may include a plurality of openings configured to guide airflow radially outward to the fan blades.

[0011] The air guide ring comprises a plurality of circumferential fins arranged axially along the length of the air guide ring. Each opening may be formed between adjacent fins. Each fin may extend at an angle relative to the axis of the ring. The plurality of fins may be arranged such that the fins closer to the substrate extend at a greater angle relative to the axis of the ring than the fins further away from the substrate.

[0012] Openings closer to the substrate may have a larger cross-sectional area than openings further from the substrate.

[0013] All or some of the plurality of fan blades may be formed on a lower surface of the base plate, the lower surface being opposite to the upper surface of the base plate. The fan blades may be arranged symmetrically. The fan blades may extend between an inner portion and an outer portion of the lower surface of the base plate.

[0014] The base may also include a plurality of ventilation openings extending from the upper surface to the lower surface to direct airflow from the basket downwardly to the fan blades.

[0015] The heater may include at least one heating element arranged around the fan. The at least one heating element may extend around the periphery of the fan. The at least one heating element may include one of a wire heating element, a tubular heating element, and a coiled heating element.

[0016] The air guiding element may comprise a plurality of air deflecting arms. The air deflecting arms may be arranged symmetrically. The air deflecting arms may extend in a horizontal plane between an inner part and an outer part of the air guiding element.

[0017] The housing may include a cover that can be opened to place food in the cooking chamber and closed to seal the cooking chamber. An air guide element may be formed on an inner surface of the cover.

[0018] The upper surface of the substrate may be tapered such that the upper surface slopes downward from the center of the substrate toward the sidewalls.

[0019] According to another aspect, an air fryer is provided, comprising:

[0020] a housing defining a cooking chamber;

[0021] a basket for supporting food to be cooked and configured to be mounted in the cooking chamber during a cooking operation;

[0022] an air directing element positioned above the basket;

[0023] a blower for circulating air within the cooking chamber such that air is directed toward the air directing element and then directed downwardly by the air directing element through the basket; and

[0024] a heater for heating the air circulated by the blower,

[0025] The air guiding element comprises a plurality of air deflecting arms.

[0026] The air deflecting arms are preferably arranged symmetrically and preferably they extend in a horizontal plane between the inner part and the outer part of the air guiding element.

[0027] These and other aspects will be apparent from and elucidated with reference to the embodiments described hereinafter. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0028] Exemplary embodiments will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the following drawings, in which:

[0029] Figure 1 is a cross-sectional view of an exemplary air fryer according to a first embodiment of the present invention;

[0030] Figure 2 is a bottom view of an exemplary air directing element;

[0031] Figure 3 Yes Figure 2 A three-dimensional view of the air guide element is shown;

[0032] Figure 4a shows a cross section through a first exemplary air deflecting arm of the air guiding element;

[0033] Figure 4b shows a cross section through a second exemplary air deflector arm of the air guiding element;

[0034] Figure 5a shows a three-dimensional view of an exemplary fan used in a first embodiment of the present invention;

[0035] Figure 5b yes Figure 5a A cross-sectional view of an exemplary fan is shown;

[0036] Figure 6a , Figure 6b and Figure 6c Various alternative arrangements of openings for an exemplary fan used in a first embodiment of the invention are shown;

[0037] Figure 7 is a cross-sectional view of an exemplary air fryer according to a second embodiment of the present invention;

[0038] Figure 8 is a bottom view of an exemplary fan used in the second embodiment of the present invention.

[0039] Fig. 9 is a cross-sectional view of an exemplary air fryer according to a third embodiment of the present invention;

[0040] Fig.10 is a cross-sectional view of an exemplary air fryer according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention; and

[0041] Fig.11 is a cross-sectional view of an exemplary air fryer according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0042] Figure 1 An air fryer 1 according to a first embodiment of the present invention is shown. The fryer 1 includes a housing 2. A cooking chamber 34 is defined by the housing 2. The housing 2 also includes a lid 18 that can be opened to allow food 10 to be placed in the cooking chamber 34 and can be closed to seal the cooking chamber 34. In this example, the lid 18 is coupled to the housing 2 by a hinge 22. In other examples, the lid 18 can have an alternative mechanism for coupling to the housing 2, such as by a push fit. The lid 18 can be formed of a transparent material.

[0043] The fryer 1 includes a basket 14 for supporting food 10 to be cooked. The basket 14 is air-permeable to allow circulating air to pass through. For example, the basket 14 can be formed of a mesh material. The basket 14 can be removed from the fryer 1. The basket 14 includes a handle 16 to allow a user to lift the basket 14 into and out of the fryer 1. During a cooking operation, the food 10 can be loaded into the basket 14, and the basket 14 can be installed in the cooking chamber 34 of the fryer 1.

[0044] The fryer 1 includes a blower for circulating air in the cooking chamber. In this example, the blower is a fan 4 configured to rotate about a central axis. The fan 4 can be a radial or centrifugal fan. The fan 4 has a disc-like shape, including a base 38 and a side wall 30 extending axially upward from the base 38. The side wall 30 extends around the periphery of the base 38. The fan 4 includes a plurality of fan blades 50 (such as Figure 5a and Figure 5b). A plurality of fan blades 50 are arranged in the side wall 30 of the fan 4 and are symmetrically arranged around the central axis. The fan 4 also includes an air guide ring 28 located radially inside the side wall 30. The air guide ring 28 includes a plurality of openings 40, which are configured to guide airflow toward the fan blades 50.

[0045] The fryer 1 includes a drive mechanism configured to provide rotational motion to the fan 4. In this example, the drive mechanism includes a motor 6. The fan 4 is coupled to a drive shaft 8 of the motor 6. The motor 6 may be housed in a compartment 12 that is separate and sealed from the cooking chamber 34. The fan 4 may be removably connected to the drive shaft 8 of the motor 6 so that a user may remove the fan 4 from the fryer 1 for cleaning. For example, the fan 4 may be attached to the drive shaft 8 using a snap-fit ​​connection, a wing nut and bolt, or a threaded connection.

[0046] The fryer 1 has a heater 24 to heat the air circulated by the fan 4. The heater 24 includes at least one heating element 26. The at least one heating element 26 can be arranged around the outside of the fan 4. In this example, the heating element 26 extends around the periphery of the fan 4. In other examples, multiple heating elements 26 can be arranged at different locations around the outside of the fan 4. This enables heat to be evenly distributed throughout the cooking chamber 34. In one example, the heating element 26 can include a wire heating element. The wire heating element provides efficient heat transfer to the air and minimizes the heater temperature. In other examples, a coil heating element or a tubular heating element can be used.

[0047] The fan 4 has a larger diameter than the basket 14 so that the basket 14 can be at least partially mounted within the interior volume of the fan 4, which is formed by the base 38 and side walls 30 of the fan 4. The volume formed by the base 38 and side walls 30 of the fan is larger than the basket so that during the cooking operation, a large amount of airflow can reach the food 10 through the basket 14 to achieve uniform cooking. By mounting the basket 14 within the interior volume of the fan 4, residue including fat and oil from the food 10 can be collected on the upper surface 36 of the base 38. Conventional air fryers typically have a drip tray located below the food support basket to collect the residue. The fan 4 of the present disclosure performs the functions of both the fan and the drip tray. This minimizes the number of components within the fryer.

[0048] The air directing element 20 is located above the basket 14 in the upper portion of the fryer 1. In this example, the air directing element 20 is formed on the inner surface of the lid 18. In other examples, the air directing element 20 may be formed separately from the lid 18. The size and structure of the air directing element 20 are designed to direct airflow downward through the basket 14. In other examples, the air directing element 20 may be formed by the shape of the lid 18 itself, so that the shape of the lid 18 may be configured to direct airflow through the basket 14 in a downward direction.

[0049] Figure 2 An example air guide element 20 is shown viewed upward from the interior of a cooking chamber 34 of a fryer. The air guide element 20 is formed in the lid 18 of the fryer. The air guide element 20 comprises a plurality of air deflection arms 42 arranged symmetrically and extending in a horizontal plane P between an inner portion IP and an outer portion OP of the air guide element 20. In this example, the air guide element 20 has four deflection arms 42a, 42b, 42c and 42d arranged every 90 degrees. The inner portion IP corresponds to the center of the air guide element. If the air guide element 20 is circular, the inner portion is the center of the corresponding circle. The outer portion OP corresponds to the outer end of the air guide element 20. More generally, a number of at least two air deflection arms 42 may be similarly arranged. A seal 48 is arranged around the periphery of the outer portion OP of the lid 18 for sealing engagement with the housing 2 of the fryer 1.

[0050] The air deflection arm 42 further includes a first surface 44 and a second surface 46. The first surface 44 is inclined at a positive angle a1 relative to the horizontal plane P, and the second surface 46 is inclined at a negative angle a2 relative to the horizontal plane P. Figure 4a As shown, Figure 4a A vertical section through the air deflection arm 42 is shown. For example, the absolute values ​​of the positive angle a1 and the negative angle a2 are in the range of 10 degrees to 60 degrees relative to the horizontal plane P. Figure 4b In another example shown, the first surface 44 and the second surface 46 have a concave curvature facing the horizontal plane P.

[0051] In the present example, the four deflection arms 42a, 42b, 42c, 42d have first surfaces 44a, 44b, 44c and 44d, respectively, and second surfaces 46a, 46b, 46c and 46d, respectively.

[0052] The air deflection arms 42 are such that the second surface 46 of a given air deflection arm 42 intersects with the first surface 44 of the air deflection arm 42 that is continuous with the given air deflection arm 42 to form a concave air passage AC extending between the outer portion OP and the inner portion IP. In the present example, four deflection arms 42a, 42b, 42c, and 42d are utilized, and the first surfaces 44a, 44b, 44c, and 44d intersect with the second surfaces 46a, 46b, 46c, and 46d, respectively, to form four separate concave air passages AC.

[0053] Figure 3 A three-dimensional view of an air guiding element 20 according to the invention is shown. It can be seen that the concave air channel AC extending between the outer part OP and the inner part IP is in the shape of a groove or furrow. Figure 3 Also shown are air flow characteristics relative to the air guiding element 20. The input air flow AF1 is directed to the air guiding element 20 in a vertical plane and will be directed vertically upwards when the air guiding element 20 is located in the fryer 1. The air flow AF1 may have a possible inclination with an angle I1 compared to the horizontal plane P and towards the outer part OP of the air guiding element 20. The concave air channel AC directs a portion AF2 of the input air flow AF1 towards the inner part IP of the air guiding element 20. As a result, each first surface 44 receives an air flow component AF3 along its length, which air flow component AF3 may be further directed outwards towards the top of the air deflecting arm 42 due to the inclination of the first surface 44. The air flow component AF4 is directed vertically away from the air guiding element 20 in the fryer 1 in a vertically downward direction. This also results in the vertical air flow component AF4 being evenly distributed between the outer part OP and the inner part IP of the air guiding element 20.

[0054] The bottom of the concave air channel AC has a height compared to the horizontal plane P that varies between the outer part OP and the inner part IP. Advantageously, the height increases towards the inner part IP. This characteristic is Figure 3 . In other examples, the height may decrease toward the inner portion IP. For example, the entire length of the concave air passage AC may have a decreasing height. In further examples, the height may increase between the outer portion OP and a middle region along the concave air passage AC, and decrease between this middle region and the inner portion IP. For example, the middle region may be located at a distance in the range of 10-50% of the length between the inner portion IP and the outer portion OP compared to the inner portion IP.

[0055] In one example, the vertical projection of the bottom portion of the concave air channel AC on the horizontal plane P is at an equal distance between two consecutive air deflection arms 42. The span of the air deflection arm 42 may have a value in the range of 80-100% of the length between the inner portion IP and the outer portion OP. The air deflection arm 42 may converge to the inner portion IP to form an upper end at the inner portion IP. The air guiding element 20 may further include a curved portion around the periphery of the outer portion OP.

[0056] Figure 5a Shown in Figure 1 3D view of an exemplary fan 4 in a fryer of FIG. As previously described, the fan 4 includes a base plate 38 and a side wall 30 extending axially upward from the base plate 38. The side wall 30 extends around the periphery of the base plate 38. The fan 4 includes a plurality of fan blades 50. The plurality of fan blades 50 are arranged in the side wall 30 of the fan 4 and are symmetrically arranged around the central axis. The fan 4 also includes an air guide ring 28 located radially inward of the side wall 30. The air guide ring 28 includes a plurality of openings 40 configured to direct airflow toward the fan blades 50. The fan 4 also includes a central hub 52 configured to be coupled to the drive shaft 8 of the motor 6.

[0057] In this example, the air guide ring 28 includes a plurality of fins 32. Each of the plurality of fins 32 extends circumferentially around the air guide ring 28. The fins 32 are arranged in series in the axial direction of the air guide ring 32. A plurality of openings 40 are formed by gaps between adjacent fins 32. In other examples, the fins 32 may extend only partially around the periphery of the air guide ring 28.

[0058] Figure 5b Shown along Figure 5a 4 is a partial cross-sectional view taken along the line AA of the fan 4. Each fin 32 of the air guide ring 28 extends from the inner surface to the outer surface of the air guide ring. Each fin 32 extends at an angle α relative to the central axis of the air guide ring 28. For ease of reference, Figure 5b, each fin 32 is shown extending at an angle α relative to a line CC, which is parallel to the central axis of the air guide ring 28. The angle of the fins 32 helps to direct the airflow towards the fan blades 40. In particular, the fins 32 serve to prevent the downwardly flowing air from the air guide element 20 from returning upward before the air has passed through the food 10 in the basket 14. In order to ensure that sufficient airflow is provided along the entire axial length of the fan 4, the opening 40 of the air guide ring 28 is sized to allow the airflow to reach the base plate 38 of the fan 4. In this example, the angle α of the fins 32 gradually increases along the axial length of the fan 4, so that the angle α increases towards the base plate 38. The fins 32 that are farther from the base plate 38 have a smaller angle α than the fins 32 that are closer to the base plate 38. The fins 32 adjacent to the base plate 38 may be inclined perpendicular to the central axis of the air guide ring 28.

[0059] The upper surface 36 of the base plate 38 can taper from the center of the base plate 38 toward the outer edge near the air guide ring 28, so that the center of the upper surface 36 forms the upper end of the upper surface 36 of the base plate. The upper surface 36 can be at an angle β with the horizontal plane, from the central axis to the radial range. The angle β can be in the range of 2 degrees to 15 degrees. Therefore, the upper surface 36 of the base plate 38 can have a substantially conical profile. The angle β of the upper surface 36 allows any residue or fat from the food to flow out and collect at its periphery during the rotation of the fan 4. In addition, when the fan 4 rotates, the angle β of the upper surface 36 can also help the air flow radially outward from the center.

[0060] Figure 6a , Figure 6b and Figure 6c Segments of other exemplary air guide rings 28 are shown with different arrangements of openings 40. Advantageously, there are large openings 40 in the air guide ring 28 close to the base plate 38, and small openings 40 or no openings 40 in the air guide ring 28 away from the base plate 38. This ensures that the airflow is forced downward toward the bottom of the fan 4 so that adequate airflow flows through the food 10 in the basket 14.

[0061] Figure 6a An exemplary air guide ring 28 ′ is shown having an opening 40 ′ with a cross-sectional area that gradually increases from an upper region of the air guide ring 28 ′ to a lower region close to the base plate 38 . Figure 6a It is also shown that the openings 40' can also have different shapes in different regions of the air guide ring 28'. In this example, the openings 40' in the upper region of the air guide ring 28' have an oval shape and the openings 40' in the lower region of the air guide ring 28' have a rectangular shape. Figure 6bAnother example air guide ring 28 ″ is shown, in which no openings are provided in the upper region. A rectangular opening 40 ″ is provided in the lower region, the opening 40 ″ being adjacent to the base plate 38 having the largest cross-sectional area. Figure 6c Shown with Figure 6b Instead of using circular openings 28"', an example air guide ring 28"' is shown similar to the air guide ring shown in FIG.

[0062] As previously described, the air guide ring 28 guides the air flow to the fan blades 50. The air guide ring 28 also serves the secondary purpose of preventing fat and oil from the food 10 from being blown onto the heater 24 and generating smoke. The air guide ring 28 is only partially opened due to the opening 40 to allow the air flow to pass through to the fan blades 50. The rest of the air guide ring 28 acts as a barrier and reduces the possibility of fat and oil reaching the heater 24 located outside the fan 4.

[0063] In the cooking operation, food 10 is placed in the basket 14 by the user. The lid 18 of the air fryer 1 is opened, and the basket 14 is lowered into the cooking chamber 34 and installed in the cooking chamber 34. Figure 1 In the example shown, at least a portion of the basket 14 is mounted within the interior volume of the fan 4 formed by the side wall 30 and the base 38. The lid 18 is then closed to seal the cooking chamber 34. When the fryer 1 is activated, the heater 24 is activated and the motor 6 is activated to rotate the fan 4. The fan 4 can be configured to rotate at a speed of less than 2500 rpm. Preferably, the fan is configured to rotate at a speed in the range of 300 rpm-800 rpm. When the fan 4 rotates, air circulates in the cooking chamber 34. The airflow AF is pushed radially outward from the center of the fan 4 toward the air guide ring 28. The airflow AF reaches the fan blades 50 through the openings 40 in the air guide ring 28. As previously described, the openings 40 are arranged to guide the airflow AF downward to the lower portion of the fan 4. The air is then pushed radially outward by the fan blades 50 and passes through the heater 24. The heater 24 heats the circulating air. After passing through the heater 24, the airflow continues to flow radially outward into the channel formed between the heater 24 and the housing 2. The air flows upward through the passage toward the air guide element 20 located in the lid 18 of the fryer 1. As previously mentioned, the air guide element 20 includes an air deflecting arm 42 which is configured to deflect the air vertically downward into the cooking chamber 34. Figure 1 As shown, the airflow is directed downwardly into the basket 14. The air directing elements 20 also create sufficient pressure to push the hot air through the food 10 to cook the food 10. After passing through the food 10, the airflow passes through the basket 14 again and through the openings 40 in the air directing ring 28. The airflow AF continues to circulate in this direction to cook the food 10.

[0064] By using a fan 4 having a larger diameter than the basket 14, a large amount of airflow through the food 10 can be achieved. This enables the food 10 to be cooked evenly, potentially without any manual shaking or agitation of the food 10 in the basket 14. This high airflow can also be delivered using a relatively low fan speed. The low fan speed results in the fryer 1 producing less noise. In addition, the high airflow means that a relatively low heater temperature can be used to deliver sufficient heat energy to the food 10 to be cooked.

[0065] Figure 7 An air fryer 100 according to a second embodiment of the present invention is shown. The fryer 100 includes similar features to the first embodiment described above, and the same reference numerals represent the same features. The difference is that it includes a different fan structure.

[0066] Similar to the first embodiment, the fan 104 has a disc-like shape, including a base 138 and a side wall 130 extending axially upward from the base 138. The side wall 130 extends around the periphery of the base 138. However, the plurality of fan blades 150 in this embodiment are not formed in the side wall, but are formed on a lower surface 154 of the base 138. The fan blades 150 are arranged symmetrically around the central axis. The fan 104 also includes a plurality of ventilation openings 140 formed in the base 138. The ventilation openings 140 extend from the upper surface 136 of the base 138 to the lower surface 154. The ventilation openings 140 allow air to flow downward from the basket 14 through the fan 104 and reach the fan blades 150 on the lower surface 154 of the fan 104.

[0067] Figure 8 Shown in Figure 7 1 is a bottom view of an exemplary fan 104 in a fryer 100. As previously described, the fan 104 includes a base plate 138 and a side wall 130 extending axially upward from the base plate 138. The side wall 130 extends around the periphery of the base plate 138. The fan 104 includes a plurality of fan blades 150. The fan blades 150 are formed on a lower surface 154 of the base plate 138. The fan blades 150 can be arranged symmetrically around the central axis of the fan 104. The fan blades 150 extend between the inner portion and the outer portion of the lower surface 154. In this example, the fan 104 includes eight fan blades 150 with a 45 degree angle interval between adjacent blades. In this example, the fan blades 150 divide the base plate 138 into eight sections 156 having a central portion 158. In other examples, a greater or lesser number of fan blades 150 may be used. The fan 104 includes a hub 152 located in the central portion 158. The hub 152 is configured to be coupled to a drive shaft of a motor.

[0068] As previously described, the fan 104 includes a plurality of ventilation openings 140 formed in the base plate 138. The ventilation openings 140 extend from the upper surface 136 of the base plate 138 to the lower surface 154 (i.e., through the thickness). The ventilation openings 140 allow air to flow downward through the fan 104. The ventilation openings 140 may be small in size to allow only air to pass through and prevent fat or debris from falling through the base plate 138. In this example, the ventilation openings 140 are formed in the central portion and sections of the base plate 138. In other examples, the ventilation openings 140 may be formed in other portions of the lower surface 154 of the base plate 138. In this example, the ventilation openings 140 are formed in only a portion of the lower surface 154 of the base plate 138, but in other examples, the ventilation openings 140 may be formed in substantially the entire lower surface 154 of the base plate 138.

[0069] The side wall 130 and base plate 138 of the fan ensure that fat and oil in the food are prevented from blowing onto the heating element 24 and generating smoke. Since the ventilation opening 140 only allows airflow through to the fan blades 150 and prevents fat and oil from dripping through the base plate 138, the base plate 138 is only partially opened.

[0070] As the fan 104 rotates, air circulates in the cooking chamber 34. The airflow AF is pushed downward through the fan 104 via the ventilation openings 140. The air is then pushed out from under the fan 104 by the fan blades 150 and passes through the heater 24. The heater 24 heats the circulating air. After passing through the heater 24, the air flows upward into a passage formed between the heater 24 and the housing 2. The air flows upward through the passage toward the air guide element 20 located in the lid 18 of the fryer 100. As previously described, the air guide element 20 includes an air deflection arm 42, which is configured to deflect air vertically downward into the cooking chamber 34. Figure 7 As shown, the airflow is directed downward into the basket 14, where the hot air passes through and cooks the food 10. After passing through the basket 14, the air again flows through the ventilation openings 140 in the fan 104. The airflow continues to circulate in this direction to cook the food.

[0071] Fig. 9 An air fryer 200 according to a third embodiment of the present invention is shown. The fryer 200 includes similar features to the aforementioned second embodiment, and the same reference numerals represent the same features. The difference is that it includes a different fan structure and a different basket structure.

[0072] The basket 214 includes an airtight sidewall and an airtight base that allows circulating air to pass through. For example, the base of the basket 214 can be formed of a mesh material, and the sidewalls of the basket 214 can be solid. Therefore, during cooking operations, the basket 214 allows air to flow through the base of the basket 214 to reach the fan 204.

[0073] The fan 204 is similar to the fan 104 of the second embodiment, except that the sidewall 230 only partially extends upward from the base 138 and does not extend upward along the height of the basket 214 when installed in the cooking chamber 34. The sidewall 230 is configured to capture any debris or fat that falls from the food 10 through the basket 214 when the fan 204 rotates. By using a shorter sidewall 230, the mass of the fan 204 can be reduced, and therefore the energy required to rotate the fan 204 can be reduced. In other examples, the fan 204 may not have the sidewall 230. The fan 204 may alternatively be provided with a channel or groove at or toward the outer periphery of the base 138 to collect any debris or fat.

[0074] Fig.10 An air fryer 300 according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention is shown. The fryer 300 includes similar features to the first and second embodiments described above, and the same reference numerals represent the same features. The difference is that it includes a different fan structure.

[0075] Similar to the first and second embodiments, the fan 304 has a disc-like shape, including a base plate 338 and a side wall 330 extending axially upward from the base plate 338. The side wall 330 extends around the periphery of the base plate 338. A plurality of fan blades 350 are formed around the outside of the side wall 330 and extend radially outward from the side wall. The fan blades 350 are symmetrically arranged around the central axis of the fan 304. The fan 304 may be an axial flow fan. The fan blades 350 may extend radially outward until the wall of the housing 2.

[0076] The fan 304 also includes a plurality of ventilation openings 340 formed in the base plate 338. The ventilation openings 340 extend from the upper surface 336 to the lower surface 354 of the base plate 338 (i.e., through the thickness). The ventilation openings 340 allow air to flow downward from the basket 14 through the fan 304. The ventilation openings 340 may be formed across substantially the entire base plate 338 or only in portions of the base plate 338. The fan blades 350 on the exterior of the side wall 330 are configured to circulate air within the cooking chamber 34.

[0077] As the fan 304 rotates, air circulates in the cooking chamber 34. The airflow AF is forced downward through the fan 304 via the ventilation openings 340. The air then flows radially outward under the fan and then upward. The heater 24 is positioned above the fan blades 350 in the cooking chamber 34. In other examples, the heater 24 may be positioned below the fan blades 350. The air is then forced upward through the heater 24 by the fan blades 350. The heater 24 heats the circulating air. After passing through the heater 24, the air continues to flow upward toward the air directing element 20 located in the lid 18 of the fryer pot 300. As previously described, the air directing element 20 includes an air deflecting arm 42 that is configured to deflect air vertically downward into the cooking chamber 34. As shown in FIG. Fig.10 As shown, the airflow is directed downward into the basket 14, where the hot air passes through and cooks the food 10. After passing through the basket 14, the air again flows through the ventilation openings 340 in the fan 304. The airflow continues to circulate in this direction to cook the food.

[0078] Fig.11 An air fryer 400 according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention is shown. The fryer 400 includes similar features to the first, second, third and fourth embodiments described above, and the same reference numerals represent the same features. The difference is that it includes a different drive mechanism for the fan and a different heating device.

[0079] The fryer 400 includes a fryer unit 410 and a base unit 412. The fryer unit 410 includes a housing 2 defining a cooking chamber 34 in which a basket 14 supporting food 10 may be mounted during a cooking operation. The base unit 412 includes a motor drive unit 408 and a heater 424. The fryer unit 410 is separate from the base unit 412 so that the fryer unit 410 may be placed on the base unit 412 for a cooking operation.

[0080] The motor drive unit 408 includes a motor 6 and a motor coupler 414 coupled to the drive shaft 8 of the motor 6. The fryer unit 410 includes a fan 104 for circulating air in the fryer. In this example, the fan 104 is shown as an example fan described with respect to the second embodiment. In other examples, any suitable fan structure can be provided for circulating air in the fryer, including the example fans described with respect to the first, third, and fourth embodiments. The fan 104 includes a fan shaft 418, which is coupled to a fan coupler 416. Each of the motor coupler 414 and the fan coupler 416 can be a magnetic coupler. The magnetic attraction between the motor coupler 414 and the fan coupler 416 causes the motor 6 to be non-contactly coupled to the fan 104 for rotational movement. The motor 6 is configured to rotate the motor coupler 414, and the magnetic attraction causes the fan coupler 416 to rotate correspondingly and drive the rotation of the fan 104.

[0081] The heater 424 is located within the base unit 412. The heater 424 is positioned proximate to the upper surface of the base unit 412, which contacts the lower surface of the fryer unit 410 in use. The heater 424 may be an induction coil configured to heat the housing of the fryer unit 410 or the fan 104 by magnetic induction, which transfers heat to the circulating air within the cooking chamber 34. In other examples, the induction coil may be configured to heat a component in the fryer unit 410 formed of or containing ferrous metal, which may transfer heat to the circulating air within the cooking chamber 34. In other examples, the heater 424 may be a resistive heater or a radiant heater, which may transfer heat from the base unit 412 to the fryer unit 410 to heat the air circulating within the cooking chamber 34.

[0082] To start the cooking operation, the fryer unit 410 is placed on the base unit 412. The food 10 is loaded into the basket 14 installed in the cooking chamber 34. When the fryer 400 is turned on, the heater 424 is activated and the motor 6 is activated to rotate the motor coupler 414. When the motor coupler 414 rotates, the magnetic coupler drives the rotation of the fan coupler 416 and rotates the fan 104 and circulates air in the cooking chamber 34. The heater 424 is configured to transfer heat to the air circulating in the cooking chamber 34. As previously described, the air guide element 20 includes an air deflection arm 42, which is configured to deflect air vertically downward into the cooking chamber 34. The hot air passes through and cooks the food 10.

[0083] In other examples, the coupling between the motor 6 and the fan 104 may not be magnetic, but instead be formed by a suitable mechanically detachable connection, such as a spline connection, which allows for quick and easy detachment and attachment of the fryer unit 410 to the base unit 412 .

[0084] Those skilled in the art, in practicing the principles and techniques described herein, can understand and implement variations of the disclosed embodiments by studying the drawings, the disclosure and the appended claims. In the claims, the word "comprising" does not exclude other elements or steps, and the indefinite article "a" or "an" does not exclude a plurality. A single processor or other unit can implement the functions of several items described in the claims. The fact that certain measures are recited in mutually different dependent claims does not mean that a combination of these measures cannot be used to advantage. The computer program may be stored or distributed on an appropriate medium, such as an optical storage medium or solid-state medium provided with or as part of other hardware, but may also be distributed in other forms, such as via the Internet or other wired or wireless telecommunications systems. Any figure marks in the claims should not be interpreted as limiting the scope.

Claims

1. An air fryer (1, 100), include: a housing (2) defining a cooking chamber (34); a basket (14) for supporting food to be cooked and configured to be mounted in the cooking chamber during a cooking operation; an air directing element (20) located above the basket; a fan (4, 104) for circulating air within the cooking chamber such that the air is directed toward the air directing element and then directed downwardly by the air directing element through the basket; as well as a heater (24) for heating the air circulated by the fan, The fan comprises: substrate(38, 138); a circumferential sidewall (30, 130) extending axially from an upper surface (36, 136) of the base plate; and a plurality of fan blades (50, 150); And wherein the basket is configured to fit at least partially within a volume formed by the base and the sidewall of the fan.

2. The air fryer according to claim 1, wherein the fan blades (50, 150) are formed in the side wall (30, 130) and are circumferentially arranged around the axis of the fan.

3. The air fryer according to claim 1, wherein the fan comprises an air guide ring (28) radially inward of the fan blades, the air guide ring comprising a plurality of openings (40) configured to direct airflow radially outward to the fan blades.

4. The air fryer of claim 2, wherein the fan comprises an air guide ring (28) radially inward of the fan blades, the air guide ring comprising a plurality of openings (40) configured to direct airflow radially outward to the fan blades.

5. The air fryer of claim 3, wherein the air guide ring comprises a plurality of circumferential fins (32) arranged axially along the length of the air guide ring. The air fryer according to claim 5 , wherein each opening is formed between adjacent wings.

7. The air fryer according to claim 5, wherein the fins arranged closer to the base extend at an angle (α) relative to the axis of the ring, and the angle (α) is greater than the angle of the fins arranged farther from the base relative to the axis of the ring.

8. The air fryer according to any one of claims 3 to 7, wherein the opening closer to the base plate has a larger cross-sectional area than the opening farther from the base plate.

9. The air fryer according to claim 1, wherein fan blades are formed on a lower surface (154) of the base plate (138), the lower surface being opposite to an upper surface of the base plate.

10. The air fryer according to claim 9, wherein the fan blades (150) are symmetrically arranged and extend between an inner portion and an outer portion of the lower surface.

11. The air fryer of claim 9, wherein the base further comprises a plurality of ventilation holes (140) extending from the upper surface to the lower surface to direct airflow downward from the basket to the fan blades.

12. The air fryer according to any one of claims 1 to 7, 9 and 10, wherein the heater comprises at least one heating element (26) arranged around the fan.

13. The air fryer of claim 12, wherein the at least one heating element comprises one of a wire heating element, a tubular heating element, and a coiled heating element.

14. The air fryer according to any one of claims 1 to 7, 9, 10 and 13, wherein the air guiding element (20) comprises a plurality of air deflecting arms (42).

15. The air fryer according to claim 14, wherein the plurality of air deflecting arms (42) are symmetrically arranged and extend in a horizontal plane between an inner portion (IP) and an outer portion (OP) of the air guiding element.

16. The air fryer according to any one of claims 1 to 7, 9, 10, 13 and 15, wherein the housing comprises a lid (18) which can be opened to put food into the cooking chamber and closed to seal the cooking chamber. The air fryer according to claim 16 , wherein the air guide member is formed on an inner surface of the cover.

18. The air fryer according to any one of claims 1 to 7, 9, 10, 13, 15 and 17, wherein the upper surface (36, 136) of the base plate is tapered such that the upper surface slopes downward from the center of the base plate toward the side wall.

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