Closed tank fryer
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional pressure fryers require complex and costly high-pressure components, posing safety hazards and inefficiencies, while open fryers lack moisture retention and result in shorter oil life and longer cooking times.
Innovation Solution
A non-pressurized closed tank fryer with a liftable carriage and coordinated lift mechanism, featuring a motor-driven tank closure assembly with pistons and actuation support structure, maintains a sealed cooking environment for efficient heat retention and moisture control.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If pressure fryers are used to maintain moisture and cook faster, then cooking time is reduced and moisture retention is improved, but device complexity and safety hazards increase due to high-pressure components
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the high-pressure components from the frying system entirely. Instead of using pressurized vessels, gaskets, and locking mechanisms, the invention uses atmospheric pressure frying with a simple lid that can be manually positioned to cover or expose the food, thereby maintaining moisture without the complexity and safety hazards of pressure systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the pressure parameter from high-pressure to atmospheric pressure, while compensating by optimizing temperature and time parameters. The system achieves fast cooking and moisture retention through controlled atmospheric pressure frying with adjustable heat and timing, rather than relying on pressure elevation.
2Productivity
If pressure fryers are used to cook food faster, then cooking time is reduced, but manufacturing cost and maintenance cost increase due to robust components and strict tolerances
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs simple, inexpensive components that can be easily manufactured and replaced if needed. The lid, carriage, and lifting mechanism are designed with basic materials and straightforward construction, eliminating the need for expensive high-pressure rated components while achieving the same cooking performance.
3Device complexity
If open fryers are used to simplify the design, then device complexity is reduced, but moisture retention deteriorates and oil life decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a dynamic lid system that can transition between open and closed positions during the cooking process. The carriage-mounted lid can be automatically or manually positioned to cover the food during critical moisture-retention phases while allowing access when needed, combining the benefits of both open and closed systems.
4Device complexity
If open fryers are used to reduce complexity, then device complexity is reduced, but cooking time increases due to higher temperatures and longer exposure
Solution Approach 1:
The patent maintains continuous heat application and moisture containment through the automated carriage system that continuously adjusts the lid position and cooking parameters. This ensures optimal cooking conditions are maintained throughout the entire cooking process, achieving fast cooking times without the need for complex pressure systems.
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 design reduces cooking time and energy consumption, preserves natural flavors and juices, and extends oil life by maintaining a sealed cooking environment without the need for high-pressure components, enhancing safety and efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
a motor adapted to actuate the tank closure assembly between an open position and a closed position. A plurality of pistons are coupled to the motor. Lift arms are removably coupled to respective pistons
Implementation Method 2
maintains a sealed cooking environment for efficient heat retention and moisture control
Implementation Method 3
maintains moisture in the closed, non-pressurized cooking environment to help seal in natural flavors and juices
Data Source
AI summary
A tank closure assembly for a deep fryer is provided. The tank closure assembly includes a motor driver actuator that is adapted to actuate the tank closure assembly between an open position and a closed position and a plurality of pistons coupled to the motor. In addition, lift arms are removably coupled to respective pistons from the plurality of pistons. An actuation support structure having at least one actuation track is adapted to allow the lift arms to move along the actuation support structure during actuation of the tank closure assembly. Further, a fryer lid is removably coupled to a bottom portion of the lift arms and a cooking carriage is removably coupled to a bottom portion of the fryer lid.