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, leading to cost and storage inefficiencies for consumers who want to cook food in different ways.

Innovation Solution

A multifunctional cooking system with a housing, movable lid, and multiple heating elements that can operate in conductive and convective modes, utilizing a rotational air movement device and air diffuser to facilitate various cooking modes such as pressure cooking, air frying, and dehydrating within a single device.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering 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

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecooking operation versatilityVSAvoidnumber of cooking devices
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent integrates multiple cooking functions (conductive cooking and convective cooking) into a single cooking device. The device includes a housing with a cooking chamber, a lid with a window, and multiple heating elements that can operate in different modes to achieve various cooking operations, thereby eliminating the need for multiple separate devices while maintaining functional versatility

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

Solution Approach 2:

The patent combines separate cooking functions that were traditionally performed by distinct devices into one unified system. The conductive heating element and convective heating element are merged within the same housing and cooking chamber, allowing the device to perform both pressure cooking/simmering and air frying/roasting functions in a single unit

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Quantity of substance

If a single device is designed to perform multiple cooking operations, then cost and storage space are reduced, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenumber of cooking devicesVSAvoiddevice structural complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the heating system into distinct segments - a conductive heating element at the bottom of the cooking chamber and a convective heating element in the lid - allowing each to perform its specific function independently. This segmentation enables multiple cooking modes without requiring a completely separate device for each function, managing complexity through modular functional division

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The single cooking device achieves multiple functions through universal design elements - the same cooking chamber and lid structure support both conductive and convective cooking modes, reducing the need for duplicate structural components while maintaining the ability to perform diverse cooking operations

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

3Adaptability or versatility

If conventional single-function cooking devices are used, then the device structure remains simple, but consumers cannot perform various cooking operations without accumulating multiple devices

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecooking mode varietyVSAvoidoperational simplicity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent incorporates a movable lid with a window that can be positioned in different locations, allowing dynamic adjustment of the cooking chamber configuration. This dynamic element enables the device to adapt between different cooking modes (conductive and convective) while maintaining a relatively simple overall structure, as the same physical components serve multiple functional purposes

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

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 allows for versatile cooking operations within a single device, reducing the need for multiple appliances and optimizing space and cost, while ensuring safe and efficient food preparation across different modes.

Implementation Method 1

a first heating element... configured to heat the food item during the first cooking mode

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectThermal conduction: Conduction (thermal)

Implementation Method 2

a second heating element... configured to heat air during the second cooking mode

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectThermal radiation: Thermal Radiation

Implementation Method 3

a fan... configured to circulate the heated air through the cooking chamber during the second cooking mode

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectConvection: Convection

Implementation Method 4

a fan... configured to circulate the heated air through the cooking chamber during the second cooking mode

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectForced convection: Forced Convection

Data Source

PatentEP3689201B1Cooking device and components thereof
Publication Date: 2022.12.07 SHARKNINJA OPERATING LLC
  • EP3689201B1 patent drawingFigure 1A
  • EP3689201B1 patent drawingFigure 1B
  • EP3689201B1 patent drawingFigure 1C

AI summary

Disclosed herein is a cooking system for cooking food, the cooking system comprising: a housing defining a hollow chamber configured to receive a food container, said housing having an upper portion defining an opening to said hollow chamber; a food container having a hollow container interior and being positionable within said hollow chamber, wherein a lower surface of said container is a domed surface; a first lid attachable to said housing and moveable between a first position that covers said upper portion of said housing and said opening to said hollow chamber when said food container is installed within said hollow chamber and a second position where said first lid does not cover said opening to said hollow chamber, a second lid attachable to said housing to covers said upper portion of said housing and said opening to said hollow chamber; and at least one heating element disposed in said first lid.