Movable Heating Element for Meat Smoker Fire Protection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current meat smoking devices with electric heating elements face challenges in maintaining consistent heat and smoke over long periods, as the heat from the smoking source damages the heating element, leading to inadequate cooking and potential health hazards.
Innovation Solution
A meat smoker device with a fuel chamber and an ignition article that includes a heating element, allowing the heating element to be positioned proximate to the fuel for ignition and then moved away to prevent damage, using a configurable ignition article to maintain temperature and smoke levels.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the heating element is positioned close to the fuel for effective ignition and heat transfer, then the cooking efficiency and smoke generation are improved, but the heating element is damaged by excessive heat and fire
Solution Approach 1:
The heating element is made movable rather than fixed, allowing it to be dynamically repositioned between a first position (close to fuel for ignition) and a second position (away from fuel for protection). This dynamic adjustment resolves the contradiction by enabling the system to optimize for cooking efficiency when needed while protecting the heating element when necessary.
Solution Approach 2:
The heating element is positioned close to the fuel before ignition occurs to maximize heating efficiency during the critical ignition phase. After ignition is achieved, the heating element is then moved to a protected position. This preliminary positioning allows effective ignition and heat transfer while preventing damage once the fuel is burning.
2Stability of the object's composition
If the heating element is maintained close to the fuel throughout the smoking process, then consistent heat and smoke levels are achieved, but the heating element fails due to heat damage
Solution Approach 1:
The heating element is periodically repositioned between close proximity to the fuel and a protected position away from the fuel. This periodic action allows the system to maintain temperature consistency during critical phases (ignition and low-fuel periods) while protecting the heating element during high-heat burning phases, thus extending its lifespan.
3Reliability
If manual tending of the fire is required for 16 hours, then the fire can be maintained, but the process becomes time-consuming and difficult for most users
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables the heating element to serve itself by automatically repositioning between the first and second positions based on the smoking process requirements, eliminating the need for constant manual intervention. The heating element maintains its own optimal positioning relative to the fuel throughout the 16-hour smoking process, making the device easy to operate while ensuring reliable fire maintenance.
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 efficient and safe meat smoking with consistent heat and smoke levels, reducing the risk of heating element damage and ensuring proper cooking without the need for constant tending, making it suitable for hobbyists and professionals alike.
Implementation Method 1
an ignition article having an ignition article handle, an ignition article mounting structure and a heating element
Implementation Method 2
the heating element is located proximate the container rim
Data Source
AI summary
A meat smoker/cooker device is provided and includes a fuel chamber having a fuel chamber structure which includes a fuel chamber sidewall that defines a fuel chamber cavity, wherein the fuel chamber sidewall includes a first mounting hole, a second mounting hole and a sidewall slot communicated with the chamber cavity. Additionally, the meat smoker device also includes a fuel container having a container rim and being located within the chamber cavity proximate the slot bottom and an ignition article having an ignition article handle, an ignition article mounting structure and a heating element, wherein the ignition article handle includes a handle portion movably located within the sidewall slot and wherein the ignition article mounting structure is configured to mountingly engage with the first and second mounting hole, such that the ignition article is configurable between a first and second configuration.