Electric Grill Combustible Substrate Module for Compact Smoke Flavor

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing cooking systems do not efficiently impart smoke flavor to food without the need for bulky and expensive stand-alone smokers, making it impractical for intermittent use.

Innovation Solution

A cooking system with a combustible substrate module and an ignition source, allowing for the generation of smoke within an electric countertop cooking appliance, featuring compartments for varying smoke durations and a controlled air movement mechanism to modulate smoke production.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a stand-alone smoker is used to impart smoke flavor to food, then the smoke flavor quality is improved, but the device size and cost increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesmoke flavor qualityVSAvoiddevice size

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent integrates a smoke generation system within the housing of an electric countertop cooking appliance. The combustible substrate module is positioned inside the cooking chamber, allowing the appliance to perform both cooking and smoking functions without requiring a separate stand-alone smoker device.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent combines multiple functions (cooking, heating, and smoke generation) into a single integrated appliance. The heating element serves dual purposes for both cooking food and igniting/combusting the substrate to generate smoke, eliminating the need for separate smoking equipment.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Reliability

If a stand-alone smoker is used to impart smoke flavor to food, then the smoke flavor quality is improved, but the device complexity and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesmoke flavor qualityVSAvoidsystem complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent designs the combustible substrate module to be compatible with existing electric countertop cooking appliances, allowing these multi-functional devices to perform both cooking and smoking operations. The system uses existing components (heating element, housing, control system) for multiple purposes, reducing overall system complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The heating element in the cooking appliance automatically serves dual functions: cooking the food and providing the thermal energy needed to ignite and sustain combustion of the substrate for smoke generation, eliminating the need for separate ignition systems or additional energy sources.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

3Productivity

If a combustible substrate module is positioned close to the food support surface, then the smoke generation efficiency is improved, but the risk of direct flame contact and food charring increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesmoke generation efficiencyVSAvoidfood charring risk

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent positions the combustible substrate module in fluid communication with the cooking chamber but disposed remote of the food support surface. This spatial arrangement allows smoke to diffuse throughout the chamber and reach the food indirectly, preventing direct flame contact while maintaining smoke flavor infusion.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The system creates different thermal and smoke concentration zones within the cooking chamber. The combustible substrate module is positioned to generate smoke in specific regions, allowing smoke to circulate and contact food surfaces indirectly, while maintaining safe distances from direct food placement areas to prevent charring.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

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

Enables the attainment of desirable smoke flavors in food using an electric countertop system, offering flexibility and space efficiency by generating smoke for both short and extended periods, enhancing the culinary experience.

Implementation Method 1

a heating element operable to heat to said hollow interior

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectHeating: Heating

Implementation Method 2

a combustible substrate module removably positionable in said housing. When positioned in the housing, the combustible substrate module is arranged in fluid communication with the hollow interior

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCombustion: Combustion

Implementation Method 3

comprising an air movement mechanism associated with said hollow interior and said combustible substrate module is arranged radially outward of and downstream from an outlet of said air movement mechanism

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectConvection: Convection

Data Source

PatentUS11209169B2Smoke functionality in electric grill-type appliance

Publication Date: 2021.12.28 SHARKNINJA OPERATING LLC

AI summary

A cooking system includes a housing having a hollow interior, a heating element operable to heat to said hollow interior, a food support surface arranged within said hollow interior, and a combustible substrate module removably positionable in said housing. When positioned in the housing, the combustible substrate module is arranged in fluid communication with the hollow interior and the combustible substrate module is disposed remote of the food support surface.