Cooking device and components thereof
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional cooking devices are limited to single cooking operations, requiring multiple devices for various cooking modes, leading to cost and storage issues for consumers who want to cook food in different ways.
Innovation Solution
A multifunctional cooking system that integrates conductive and convective cooking modes into a single device, using a housing with a primary and secondary lid, multiple heating elements, and a fan system to allow for various cooking operations like pressure cooking, air frying, baking, and dehydrating without removing the food container.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple separate cooking devices are used to perform different cooking operations, then cooking versatility is improved, but device complexity and storage space requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a single cooking device capable of performing multiple cooking operations including pressure cooking, air frying, baking, and dehydrating. The device achieves versatility through a combination of heating elements, a fan system for air circulation, and a sealed chamber that can operate in both pressurized and non-pressurized modes, eliminating the need for multiple separate appliances.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines the functionality of multiple cooking devices (pressure cooker, air fryer, oven, dehydrator) into a single integrated unit. The merging is achieved through shared components including a common heating element, fan assembly, control system, and cooking chamber that can accommodate various cooking modes without requiring separate devices.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple separate cooking devices are used to perform different cooking operations, then cooking versatility is improved, but storage space requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
By designing a single multi-functional device that can perform pressure cooking, air frying, baking, and dehydrating operations, the patent reduces the total volume of cooking equipment needed in the kitchen. The unified device occupies less space compared to multiple separate appliances while providing equivalent or superior cooking versatility.
3Device complexity
If a single device performs multiple cooking operations, then device complexity is reduced, but cooking performance for each mode may deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent optimizes different regions and components for specific cooking functions: the heating element is positioned and controlled for efficient heat transfer in both pressure and air frying modes, the fan system is designed to create appropriate air circulation patterns for convection cooking, and the sealed chamber geometry is optimized for both pressure retention and air flow. This localized optimization ensures high performance in each cooking mode despite the device's multi-functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The device employs dynamic control mechanisms that adjust operational parameters based on the selected cooking mode. The control system dynamically modifies heating power, fan speed, chamber pressure, and air flow rates to match the specific requirements of each cooking operation, thereby maintaining optimal performance across different functions.
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 system enables versatile cooking options within a single device, reducing the need for multiple appliances and optimizing space and cost, while maintaining efficient cooking performance across different modes.
Implementation Method 1
In the conductive cooking mode, the cooking system is operable as a conductive cooker
Implementation Method 2
In the convective cooking mode, the cooking system is operable as a convection cooker
Implementation Method 3
A fan is disposed in the lid at or above an opening at an upper extent of the food container, the fan being positioned to move heated air relatively downward through the annulus
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed herein is a cooking system including a housing defining a hollow chamber configured to receive a food container. The housing has an upper portion defining an opening to said hollow chamber. A food container is receivable within said hollow chamber. A lid is attachable about the upper portion of the housing and is configured to extend across said opening to the hollow chamber. At least one heating element is associated with at least one of said housing and said lid. The cooking system is operable in a conductive cooking mode and a convective cooking mode. In the conductive cooking mode, the cooking system is operable as a conductive cooker and in said convective cooking mode, the cooking system is operable as a convection cooker. The cooking system is operable in the conductive cooking mode and then the convective cooking mode without removing the food container from said hollow chamber.