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 issues 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, featuring a rotational air movement device and interchangeable lids for various cooking functions, allowing for pressure cooking, air frying, and other modes without the need for multiple appliances.

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 required increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecooking function versatilityVSAvoidnumber of devices
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a single cooking device that can perform multiple cooking operations including pressure cooking, air frying, baking, and steaming by integrating different heating elements and modes of operation. The device uses a first heating element for conductive heating and a second heating element for radiant heating, allowing it to function as both a pressure cooker and an air fryer, thereby eliminating the need for multiple separate appliances

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

Solution Approach 2:

The patent combines multiple heating systems (conductive and radiant heating elements) and multiple cooking modes within a single device housing. By merging the functionality of a pressure cooker and air fryer into one unit with shared components like the housing, control system, and heating elements, the device reduces the total number of appliances needed while maintaining specialized cooking capabilities

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Device complexity

If a single device is designed to perform multiple cooking operations, then cost and storage space are reduced, but the device structure and control system become more complex

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenumber of devicesVSAvoidcooking function versatility
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the heating system into distinct segments - a first heating element for conductive heating and a second heating element for radiant heating - allowing each to be controlled independently for different cooking modes. This segmentation enables the device to perform multiple functions while maintaining manageable complexity through modular component design

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The device employs dynamic control of heating elements and cooking modes based on the selected operation. The system can switch between conductive and radiant heating, adjust temperature profiles, and modify air circulation patterns depending on whether pressure cooking, air frying, or baking is selected, allowing versatility without requiring permanently fixed complex structures

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Reliability

If different heating methods are used for different cooking modes, then cooking performance is optimized, but the device requires multiple heating elements increasing complexity

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecooking performanceVSAvoidheating element configuration
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies different heating methods to different locations and cooking needs within the device. The first heating element provides conductive heating at the bottom for pressure cooking and steaming, while the second heating element provides radiant heating from above for air frying and baking. Each heating element is positioned and controlled to optimize performance for its specific cooking mode without requiring all heating elements to be present or active simultaneously

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

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 integrates multiple cooking functions into a single device, reducing costs and storage space while providing versatility in cooking methods, allowing for efficient and convenient preparation of various food types.

Implementation Method 1

at least one heating element associated with one of the housing and the lid

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectThermal conduction: Conduction (thermal)

Implementation Method 2

at least one heating element associated with one of the housing and the lid

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectThermal radiation: Thermal Radiation

Implementation Method 3

a rotational air movement device coupled to at least one of the housing and the lid, wherein during operation of the rotational air movement device, the rotational air movement device is operable to rotate at a plurality of speeds

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectForced convection: Forced Convection

Implementation Method 4

an air diffuser configured to impart rotation to the air circulating through the hollow interior

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectConvection: Convection

Data Source

PatentEP3689199A1Cooking device and components thereof
Publication Date: 2020.08.05 SHARKNINJA OPERATING LLC
  • EP3689199A1 patent drawingFigure 1A
  • EP3689199A1 patent drawingFigure 1B
  • EP3689199A1 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 an end of said food container extends above said upper portion of said housing when said container is installed within said hollow chamber; a lid moveably attached 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 lid does not cover said opening to said hollow chamber, and at least one heating element is associated with at least one of said lid and said housing