Reversible Air Heating Basket for Uniform Low-Noise Warming
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional air heating devices for kitchen use are often bulky, noisy, and environmentally unfriendly, limiting their acceptance and adoption in both professional and home kitchens due to space constraints and environmental impact.
Innovation Solution
A compact air heating device with a cylindrical product holder featuring heating elements on its exterior, a reversible air circulation system, and integrated air humidity sensors, allowing for efficient and uniform heating with minimal space and noise, and incorporating a removable product holder and aerodynamic elements for optimized airflow.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If the device uses a compact structure with heating elements on the product holder, then space utilization is improved, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The device is divided into separate functional modules: a removable product holder (cylindrical basket) separate from the main heating chamber, a standalone air circulation system with reversible fan, and integrated heating elements on the product holder. This segmentation allows each component to be manufactured independently using standard processes, reducing overall manufacturing complexity while maintaining compact device volume.
Solution Approach 2:
The product holder serves multiple functions: it acts as a container for products, a support structure for heating elements, and an integral part of the air circulation path. The cylindrical basket design with integrated heating elements can handle various product types (bags, boxes, loose items), making the compact device universally applicable while avoiding the need for multiple specialized components.
2Manufacturing precision
If the air circulation system uses high power to achieve uniform heating, then heating uniformity is improved, but noise pollution increases
Solution Approach 1:
The air circulation system employs a reversible fan that can dynamically change airflow direction through control elements (check valves or electronic controller). The system alternates between upward and downward airflow patterns, creating dynamic circulation that ensures uniform heat distribution across all product surfaces without requiring excessive fan power, thus reducing noise levels.
Solution Approach 2:
The heating process uses periodic reversal of air flow direction in cycles. The fan operates in alternating phases (upward flow, downward flow) with each phase lasting a predetermined time. This periodic action ensures all product surfaces receive equivalent heat exposure over time, achieving uniform heating with moderate power input and acceptable noise levels.
3Device complexity
If the product holder is fixed in position, then structural simplicity is improved, but adaptability decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The product holder is designed as a removable cylindrical basket that can be easily taken out and reinserted. This segmented design separates the product holder from the main device body, allowing users to remove the holder for cleaning, storage, or to accommodate different product sizes and shapes, thereby increasing adaptability without significantly complicating the overall structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The system incorporates dynamic control elements (check valves or electronic controllers) that enable reversible airflow direction. This dynamic capability allows the same fixed structural configuration to adapt to different heating requirements (heating from above, below, or both sides), providing operational versatility while maintaining structural simplicity.
4Productivity
If aerodynamic elements are added to optimize airflow, then heating efficiency is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The product holder uses a cylindrical (curved) geometry instead of flat surfaces. This curved shape naturally guides airflow along its surface, creating efficient circulation patterns without requiring additional aerodynamic components. The cylindrical form promotes uniform air distribution and heat transfer while maintaining simple device structure.
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 device achieves uniform product heating with reduced space and noise, mimicking the form and function of common kitchen appliances like electric water boilers and coffee makers, while minimizing environmental impact and providing user-friendly operation.
Implementation Method 1
The device 1 comprises heating elements 6 which are incorporated in the air circulation system 3 and which heat the air flowing through them
Implementation Method 2
an air circulation system 3 which causes air to circulate via the upper side 4-1 and the lower side 4-2 of the product holder 2
Implementation Method 3
the device 1 will in practice comprise at least one fan 8, which is positioned in the air circulation system 3
Data Source
Figure 1a~1b
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
A description is given of an air heating device for products, comprising: a product holder comprising an air permeable structure at least on the upper and lower side, an air circulation system connected to said upper and lower side, and heating elements incorporated in said air circulation system. The air circulation system is arranged to guide the air passed through the product holder from one of the upper and lower side via the heating elements to the other one of the upper and lower side.