Cooking device and components thereof

Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional cooking devices are limited to single cooking operations, requiring multiple devices for various cooking modes, leading to cost and storage issues for consumers who want to cook food in different ways.

Innovation Solution

A multifunctional cooking system that integrates conductive and convective cooking modes into a single device, allowing for operations such as pressure cooking, slow cooking, air frying, and dehydrating without removing the food container, using multiple heating elements and a fan system for air circulation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If multiple separate cooking devices are used to perform different cooking operations, then cooking versatility is improved, but device complexity and storage space requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecooking versatilityVSAvoidnumber of devices

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The cooking device integrates multiple cooking functions including pressure cooking, air frying, baking, and dehydrating into a single appliance. The system uses a removable food container that can be used across different cooking modes, with a control system that automatically adjusts parameters based on the selected function, eliminating the need for multiple separate devices while maintaining cooking versatility

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent combines multiple heating elements (bottom heater, side heater, and lid heater), a fan system for air circulation, and pressure cooking capabilities into one unified device. The housing integrates all these components working together, allowing the same food container to serve multiple cooking purposes without requiring separate appliances for each function

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Adaptability or versatility

If multiple separate cooking devices are used to perform different cooking operations, then cooking versatility is improved, but cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecooking versatilityVSAvoidtotal device cost

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The cooking device integrates multiple cooking functions including pressure cooking, air frying, baking, and dehydrating into a single appliance. The system uses a removable food container that can be used across different cooking modes, with a control system that automatically adjusts parameters based on the selected function, eliminating the need for multiple separate devices while maintaining cooking versatility

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent combines multiple heating elements (bottom heater, side heater, and lid heater), a fan system for air circulation, and pressure cooking capabilities into one unified device. The housing integrates all these components working together, allowing the same food container to serve multiple cooking purposes without requiring separate appliances for each function

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Adaptability or versatility

If multiple separate cooking devices are used to perform different cooking operations, then cooking versatility is improved, but storage space requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecooking versatilityVSAvoidstorage space

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSVolume of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The cooking device integrates multiple cooking functions including pressure cooking, air frying, baking, and dehydrating into a single appliance. The system uses a removable food container that can be used across different cooking modes, with a control system that automatically adjusts parameters based on the selected function, eliminating the need for multiple separate devices while maintaining cooking versatility

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent combines multiple heating elements (bottom heater, side heater, and lid heater), a fan system for air circulation, and pressure cooking capabilities into one unified device. The housing integrates all these components working together, allowing the same food container to serve multiple cooking purposes without requiring separate appliances for each function

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

4Adaptability or versatility

If the food container is removed between cooking modes, then cooking mode transition flexibility is improved, but operation complexity and time increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecooking mode transition flexibilityVSAvoidoperation complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The cooking device integrates multiple cooking functions including pressure cooking, air frying, baking, and dehydrating into a single appliance. The system uses a removable food container that can be used across different cooking modes, with a control system that automatically adjusts parameters based on the selected function, eliminating the need for multiple separate devices while maintaining cooking versatility

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The control system is pre-programmed with multiple cooking modes and parameters. When a user selects a cooking mode, the system automatically configures the appropriate heating elements, fan speed, and temperature settings without requiring the user to manually adjust components or remove the food container, thereby simplifying operation and reducing transition time

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

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 provides a cost-effective and space-efficient solution by enabling multiple cooking functions in one device, allowing for versatile cooking methods without the need for multiple appliances, enhancing user convenience and cooking flexibility.

Implementation Method 1

At least one heating element is associated with at least one of said housing and said lid

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThermal conduction: Conduction (thermal)

Implementation Method 2

At least one heating element is associated with at least one of said housing and said lid

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThermal radiation: Thermal Radiation

Implementation Method 3

In the convective cooking mode, the cooking system is operable as a convection cooker

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectConvection: Convection

Data Source

PatentUS10653270B2Cooking device and components thereof

Publication Date: 2020.05.19 SHARKNINJA OPERATING LLC

AI summary

Disclosed herein is a cooking system including a housing defining a hollow chamber. The housing has an upper portion defining an opening to the hollow chamber. A food container is receivable within said hollow chamber. A lid, movable relative to said housing, contacts the upper portion of the housing in a closed position to close the opening to the hollow chamber. At least one heating element is associated with at least one of said housing and said lid. The cooking system is operable in a conductive cooking mode and a convective cooking mode. In the conductive cooking mode, the cooking system is operable as a conductive cooker and in said convective cooking mode, the cooking system is operable as a convection cooker. The cooking system is operable in the conductive cooking mode and then is operable in said convective cooking mode without removing said food container from said hollow chamber.