Cooker and fabricated components for constructing the cooker

Solution Overview

Problem

Current outdoor cooking devices are often expensive, unreliable, and lack the ability to achieve high temperatures necessary for professional-quality cooking, limiting their versatility and effectiveness in producing consistent, high-quality food.

Innovation Solution

A portable, affordable outdoor cooker designed with a lightweight stainless steel fire bowl, carbon steel grilling surface, and a venturi-based airflow system that utilizes radiant, conductive, and convection heat types, allowing for simultaneous application of multiple heat sources to achieve high temperatures up to 1000°F.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If traditional outdoor cookers are designed to be portable and affordable, then cost and portability are improved, but the ability to achieve high temperatures necessary for professional-quality cooking deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSTemperature

Solution Approach 1:

The cooker is divided into separate functional components: a fire bowl for combustion, a cooking grate for food preparation, and a dome lid for heat retention. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized for its specific function while maintaining overall portability and affordability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The design changes key parameters including using thick carbon steel for the cooking grate (0.25-0.5 inches) to retain heat, creating a dome-shaped lid to trap heat efficiently, and designing a fire bowl with specific airflow characteristics. These parameter changes enable the system to reach and maintain high temperatures despite being portable and affordable.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Adaptability or versatility

If outdoor cookers are designed with multiple features and accessories to enhance functionality, then versatility is improved, but device complexity and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The cooker is designed as a multi-functional device that can perform various cooking operations including grilling, smoking, roasting, and baking. The dome lid can be used in different positions (fully closed, partially open, or removed entirely) to accommodate different cooking methods, providing versatility without adding complex components.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The cooker incorporates movable and adjustable elements such as the cooking grate that can be raised or lowered, and the dome lid that can be positioned at various angles. This dynamic design allows the same structure to adapt to different cooking requirements, enhancing versatility while maintaining simplicity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Temperature

If outdoor cookers use heavy-duty materials to withstand high temperatures, then temperature capability is improved, but weight and portability deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
Core Design Contradiction:
TemperatureVSWeight of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

Heavy-duty carbon steel is used specifically for components that require heat resistance (cooking grate, fire bowl), while lighter materials are used for other parts. This localized application of heavy materials minimizes overall weight while ensuring adequate heat resistance where needed.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The cooker combines different materials strategically: carbon steel for heat-resistant components, stainless steel for the fire bowl to resist corrosion, and potentially lighter materials for the dome lid and support structures. This composite approach balances heat resistance requirements with portability concerns.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

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 professional-quality cooking at various temperatures, enhancing food quality and versatility while reducing costs through simplified design and manufacturing, making it suitable for outdoor events and camping.

Implementation Method 1

a venturi-based airflow system that utilizes radiant, conductive, and convection heat types

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectVenturi effect: Venturi Effect

Implementation Method 2

a carbon steel grilling surface... providing a heat sinking mechanism

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectThermal conduction: Conduction (thermal)

Implementation Method 3

a venturi-based airflow system that utilizes radiant, conductive, and convection heat types

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectConvection: Convection

Implementation Method 4

a venturi-based airflow system that utilizes radiant, conductive, and convection heat types

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectThermal radiation: Thermal Radiation

Data Source

PatentUS11344146B2Cooker and fabricated components for constructing the cooker
Publication Date: 2022.05.31
  • US11344146B2 patent drawing
  • US11344146B2 patent drawing
  • US11344146B2 patent drawing

AI summary

A cooker that includes a base, a fire bowl with a cooking surface on top of it and, a cover/lid or dome that rests over the cooking surface. An exemplary embodiment of the cooker can be described as a naturally fired outdoor cooker constructed of a light weight, aluminum extrusions that can be reoriented to easily create the base with a minimum number of design elements.