Cooking device and components thereof
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Solution Overview
Problem
Countertop air fryers have limited capacity for cooking multiple items simultaneously due to their small size, and existing cooking systems do not allow for synchronized or matched cooking operations across multiple zones.
Innovation Solution
A cooking system with multiple zones, each equipped with a heating element and air movement mechanism, that can operate in synchronized, match, or power synchronization modes, enabling simultaneous or coordinated cooking operations across zones with adjustable parameters and power distribution.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If a single cooking zone is used in a countertop air fryer, then the device remains compact and simple, but the cooking capacity is limited and cannot accommodate multiple items simultaneously
Solution Approach 1:
The cooking chamber is divided into multiple independent cooking zones (first cooking zone and second cooking zone), each capable of simultaneous operation with independent temperature and time control. This segmentation allows multiple items to be cooked at the same time without significantly increasing the overall device footprint, resolving the contradiction between cooking capacity and device size.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple cooking zones operate independently with different cooking times, then cooking flexibility is improved, but the total cooking time increases and efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements dynamic coordination between multiple cooking zones through synchronized mode and match mode. In synchronized mode, the controller coordinates cooking operations across zones to complete simultaneously. In match mode, parameters from one zone are automatically copied to another. This dynamic control maintains cooking flexibility while optimizing efficiency by reducing total cooking time.
Solution Approach 2:
The controller continuously monitors cooking parameters in each zone and provides feedback control to maintain synchronization or match conditions. This feedback mechanism ensures that cooking flexibility is preserved while efficiency is optimized through coordinated operation.
3Speed
If multiple heating elements operate simultaneously at full power, then cooking speed increases, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts heating power parameters based on the selected operation mode. In synchronized mode, power distribution is optimized to achieve simultaneous completion. In match mode, power settings are automatically copied and adjusted. This parameter optimization maintains fast cooking speeds while reducing unnecessary energy consumption compared to running all heating elements at full power independently.
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 flexible cooking of multiple items at different temperatures and times, increasing capacity and reducing cooking time by synchronizing or matching cooking operations across zones, while maintaining temperature control and power efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
at least one heating element associated with said first cooking zone and said second cooking zone
Implementation Method 2
at least one air movement mechanism disposed in said housing
Data Source
AI summary
A cooking system includes a housing having a first cooking zone and a second cooking zone and at least one heating element associated with said first cooking zone and said second cooking zone. The cooking system is operable in a synchronized mode, and in said synchronized mode a first cooking operation performed in said first cooking zone and a second cooking operation performed in said second cooking zone are synchronized to be completed simultaneously.