Multi-Mode Cooker Lid and Airflow Design for Combined Cooking

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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 inefficiencies for consumers who want to cook food in different ways.

Innovation Solution

A multifunctional cooking system with a housing and a movable lid, featuring multiple heating elements and a rotational air movement device, capable of operating in conductive and convective modes, allowing for various cooking functions 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 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, and dehydrating by integrating different heating elements and an air movement device within one housing, allowing the same device to serve multiple culinary purposes without requiring separate appliances for each function

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

Solution Approach 2:

The patent combines multiple cooking functions into one unified device by merging pressure cooking, air frying, and dehydrating capabilities into a single housing structure with shared components such as the heating element and air movement device, thereby reducing the total number of devices needed in a kitchen

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Adaptability or versatility

If multiple separate cooking devices are purchased to enable different cooking modes, then each device can be dedicated to its specific purpose, but the accumulation of devices becomes prohibitive from cost and storage standpoint

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecooking mode varietyVSAvoidstorage space
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSVolume of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent creates a universal cooking device that accommodates multiple cooking modes (pressure cooking, air frying, dehydrating) within a single housing, eliminating the need for multiple separate devices and thereby reducing the total storage space required in the kitchen

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

3Device complexity

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

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenumber of devicesVSAvoidmanufacturing complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the multifunctional cooking device into distinct functional modules including a housing, a lid, a heating element, and an air movement device, where each component can be manufactured separately and then assembled, thereby reducing manufacturing complexity while maintaining the ability to perform multiple cooking operations

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

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 one device, reducing the need for multiple appliances, enhancing user convenience and efficiency while optimizing storage and cost by providing versatile cooking options.

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

in the convective cooking mode the cooking system is operable as a convection cooker

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectConvection: Convection

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

Data Source

PatentEP3689198B1Cooking device and components thereof
Publication Date: 2023.01.04 SHARKNINJA OPERATING LLC
  • EP3689198B1 patent drawingFigure 1A
  • EP3689198B1 patent drawingFigure 1B
  • EP3689198B1 patent drawingFigure 1C

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 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 first lid adapted to cover said opening to said hollow chamber; and at least one heating element associated with at least one of said housing and said lid; wherein the cooking system is operable in an air frying mode and a conductive cooking mode, and wherein said upper portion of said housing includes a feature of a locking system for locking a second lid to the housing.