Multi-Mode Cooker Lid and Airflow Design for Versatile Heating
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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 due to the accumulation of separate appliances.
Innovation Solution
A multifunctional cooking system with a housing, movable lid, and integrated heating elements that operates in multiple modes, including conductive and convective cooking, utilizing a rotational air movement device and thermal cutoffs for safety, allowing for various cooking functions in a single device.
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 cooking mode, but the cost and storage space required increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates multiple cooking functions (pressure cooking, steaming, air frying, roasting, baking, dehydrating) into a single cooking device. The system uses a controller that can operate the heating element and air mover in different combinations and modes to achieve various cooking operations, eliminating the need for multiple separate appliances while maintaining optimized performance for each cooking type
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines a heating element and an air mover into a single integrated system. By merging these two core components and controlling them together through a unified controller, the device achieves multiple cooking functions that would otherwise require separate appliances, thereby reducing the total number of devices needed
2Device complexity
If a single device performs multiple cooking functions, then cost and storage space are reduced, but the device complexity and control mechanisms increase
Solution Approach 1:
The controller is designed to manage multiple cooking modes (pressure cooking, steaming, air frying, roasting, baking, dehydrating) by adjusting the operation of the heating element and air mover. This universal control mechanism allows one device to replace multiple specialized appliances without sacrificing cooking performance
Solution Approach 2:
The air mover is designed to operate at variable speeds, allowing the system to dynamically adjust air circulation for different cooking modes. This dynamic control enables the same hardware to adapt to various cooking requirements, from high-speed air frying to low-speed dehydrating, maintaining versatility while using a single device
3Ease of manufacture
If the lid is permanently affixed to the housing, then manufacturing simplicity and assembly ease are improved, but cleaning accessibility and maintenance difficulty worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The lid assembly is segmented into separable components including the lid body, handle, and gasket. This segmentation allows the lid to be easily detached from the housing for cleaning and maintenance while still providing a secure sealed connection during operation, balancing manufacturing simplicity with cleaning accessibility
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 effectively combines multiple cooking functions into one device, reducing costs and storage needs while providing versatile cooking options through its multiple operational modes.
Implementation Method 1
at least one heating element associated with one of the housing and the lid
Implementation Method 2
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
Implementation Method 3
an air diffuser configured to impart rotation to the air circulating through the hollow interior
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed herein is a cooking system for cooking food, the system including a housing having a hollow interior, a lid movable relative to the housing, at least one heating element associated with one of the housing and the lid, wherein the cooking system is operable in a plurality of modes including a conductive cooking mode and a convective cooking mode, wherein in the conductive cooking mode the cooking system is operable as a conductive cooker and in the convective cooking mode the cooking system is operable as a convection cooker.