Corn roaster
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing corn roasters fail to evenly roast corn on the cob due to inadequate heating elements and lack of proper holding mechanisms, leading to inefficient cooking and uneven results.
Innovation Solution
A corn roaster assembly with a cylindrical tube structure and a removable cage forming semicircular apertures, featuring a heating element on the outer boundary and spring-loaded receptacles to securely hold each cob, ensuring even exposure to heat and accommodating various corn sizes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If corn is placed horizontally on supporting rods, then the device structure is simple, but the corn is not evenly roasted
Solution Approach 1:
The corn roasting device divides the corn cob into multiple segments by inserting vertical rods through the cob at intervals, creating separate roasting zones for each segment. This segmentation allows each portion of the corn to be exposed to heat more uniformly, resolving the uneven roasting problem while maintaining structural simplicity
Solution Approach 2:
The invention transitions from horizontal roasting to vertical roasting by standing the corn cob upright on a base and inserting vertical rods through it. This dimensional change from horizontal to vertical orientation allows heat to penetrate the corn more evenly from multiple directions, improving roasting uniformity without significantly increasing device complexity
2Manufacturing precision
If a cage or frame is added to hold corn properly, then even roasting is achieved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of using a complex cage structure, the invention segments the corn cob itself by inserting vertical rods through it at regular intervals. This segmentation serves the dual purpose of holding the corn in position and facilitating even heat distribution, achieving proper corn positioning without adding a separate cage component
Solution Approach 2:
The vertical rods inserted through the corn cob serve multiple functions simultaneously: they act as support elements to hold the corn upright, serve as heat conduction paths for even roasting, and function as structural reinforcement. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate cage structures while achieving proper corn positioning and even heating
3Power
If heating element is placed inside the corn holding structure, then heating efficiency is improved, but the corn cannot be individually exposed to heat
Solution Approach 1:
The heating element is designed with varying proximity to different parts of the corn cob, with some areas having closer heating elements for intense localized heating and other areas having moderate heating. This non-uniform heating arrangement ensures that each region of the corn receives appropriate heat exposure, achieving both efficient heating and individual heat exposure
Solution Approach 2:
The invention transitions from a centralized heating element to a distributed heating arrangement where heating elements are positioned around the exterior of the corn cob at multiple locations. This spatial distribution allows each portion of the corn to be individually exposed to heat while maintaining overall heating efficiency through coordinated thermal energy delivery
4Stability of the object's composition
If a fixed rack structure is used, then the device is stable, but it cannot accommodate different corn sizes
Solution Approach 1:
The rack structure incorporates adjustable and flexible elements that can adapt to different corn cob sizes. The vertical rods and support structures can be repositioned or flexed to accommodate varying dimensions, maintaining device stability while providing versatility for different corn sizes through dynamic adjustment capabilities
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 solution provides efficient and uniform roasting of corn on the cob, ensuring each cob is properly secured and heated evenly, addressing the inefficiencies of previous designs.
Implementation Method 1
an electrical corn on the cob roaster assembly
Data Source
AI summary
The invention involves an electrical corn-on-the-cob roaster including a repository with a cavity having a structure that generally forms a plurality of cylindrical tubes for receiving a plurality of cobs of corn. In exemplary embodiments, a corn roaster assembly includes a cover concealing a heating element, a repository including a cavity defined by the heating element, and a removable cage forming a plurality of cylindrical receptacles, each of the plurality of cylindrical receptacles configured to receive a cob of corn. The removable cage may include a first metallic cage component having a first set of semicircular apertures, and a second metallic cage component having a second set of semicircular apertures. When aligned, the first and second metallic cage components form the plurality of cylindrical receptacles in-between the first and second set of semicircular apertures.