Cooking device and components thereof
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional cooking devices are limited to single cooking operations, requiring multiple devices for various cooking modes, which leads to cost and storage issues for consumers who want to cook food in different ways.
Innovation Solution
A multifunctional cooking system that integrates multiple cooking modes into a single device, featuring a housing with a heating element, an air movement device, and an air diffuser with vanes to circulate air and create a vortex for efficient cooking, allowing for various cooking modes such as pressure cooking, slow cooking, air frying, and dehydrating.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple separate cooking devices are used to perform different cooking operations, then each device can be optimized for its specific function, but the cost and storage space requirements increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a single cooking device that can perform multiple cooking operations including pressure cooking, air frying, and dehydrating by integrating different cooking chambers and adjustable components. The device uses a common heating element and control system that can be configured for different cooking modes, eliminating the need for separate appliances for each cooking function.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs a nested chamber structure where an inner cooking chamber can be placed within an outer cooking chamber. The inner chamber is removable and can be used independently for certain cooking modes, while the outer chamber provides additional cooking space for other modes. This nested arrangement allows multiple cooking functions to coexist in a compact configuration, reducing the overall number of devices needed.
2Device complexity
If a single device integrates multiple cooking functions, then cost and storage space are reduced, but the device structure and operation become more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates adjustable and reconfigurable components that can be dynamically positioned or removed based on the desired cooking mode. The inner chamber can be inserted or removed, and the heating element position can be adjusted, allowing the device to adapt its structure for different cooking functions. This dynamic reconfiguration simplifies operation by providing clear setup instructions for each mode rather than requiring complex manual adjustments.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent divides the cooking device into distinct functional modules including a removable inner chamber, outer chamber, heating element, and control system. Each module can be independently configured or cleaned, and the segmentation allows users to select only the necessary components for each cooking task, reducing operational complexity despite the multi-functional capability.
3Reliability
If different components are used for each cooking operation, then each cooking mode can be optimized, but the device requires more parts and becomes harder to maintain
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a universal heating element and control system that serve multiple cooking functions. The heating element can operate at different power levels and temperatures suitable for pressure cooking, air frying, and dehydrating. The control system provides pre-programmed settings for different cooking modes, ensuring optimized performance without requiring separate specialized components for each function.
Solution Approach 2:
The nested chamber design allows the inner chamber to be used for cooking modes requiring direct contact with food (pressure cooking), while the outer chamber handles modes requiring air circulation (air frying, dehydrating). This shared component structure reduces the total number of parts compared to having completely separate devices, while maintaining optimized performance for each cooking mode through appropriate chamber selection.
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 system enables efficient and versatile cooking by combining multiple functions in one device, reducing the need for multiple appliances and optimizing space and cost, while ensuring effective cooking through controlled temperature and air circulation.
Implementation Method 1
At least one heating element is associated with one of the housing and lid
Implementation Method 2
An air movement device is located in at least one of the housing and the lid to circulate air through the hollow chamber
Implementation Method 3
An air diffuser positionable in the hollow chamber and is configured to impart rotation to air circulating through the hollow chamber
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed herein is a cooking system for cooking food, the cooking system being functional in a plurality of cooking modes. The cooking system including a housing defining a hollow chamber and including an upper portion defining an opening to the hollow chamber. A lid is positionable relative to the housing to cover the opening to the hollow chamber. At least one heating element is associated with one of the housing and said lid. An air movement device is located in at least one of the housing and the lid to circulate air through the hollow chamber. An air diffuser positionable in the hollow chamber and is configured to impart rotation to air circulating through the hollow chamber when the air diffuser is positioned in the hollow chamber during at least one of the plurality of cooking modes.