Rotating Air Diffuser in a Multifunction Cooking Chamber

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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 increased costs 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, allowing for various cooking functions such as pressure cooking, slow cooking, air frying, and dehydrating, using 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 applies multi-functionality by designing a single cooking device that can perform multiple distinct cooking operations including pressure cooking, air frying, slow cooking, and steaming. The device achieves this through configurable heating elements, adjustable air flow paths, and removable inserts that enable one appliance to replace multiple separate cooking devices, directly resolving the contradiction between versatility and device complexity

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

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs segmentation by dividing the cooking chamber into multiple zones with independent heating elements and air flow control. This allows different regions of the same device to perform different cooking functions simultaneously or sequentially, enabling versatile cooking capabilities while maintaining a single integrated device structure

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Adaptability or versatility

If multiple separate cooking devices are purchased to enable different cooking modes, then each device can be optimized for its specific operation, but the accumulated cost becomes prohibitive

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecooking mode varietyVSAvoidnumber of devices
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements universality by creating a single multi-functional cooking device that consolidates the capabilities of multiple separate appliances. The device includes configurable heating zones, adjustable air circulation systems, and removable inserts that enable pressure cooking, air frying, slow cooking, and steaming functions all within one device, eliminating the need to purchase and accumulate multiple separate cooking devices

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

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, saving space and cost while providing versatility in cooking modes.

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

an air movement device coupled to at least one of the housing and the lid to circulate air through the hollow interior

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectConvection: Convection

Implementation Method 3

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

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectRotational motion:

Data Source

PatentEP3653092A1Cooking device and components thereof
Publication Date: 2020.05.20 SHARKNINJA OPERATING LLC
  • EP3653092A1 patent drawingFigure 1A
  • EP3653092A1 patent drawingFigure 1B
  • EP3653092A1 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 and including an upper portion defining an opening to said hollow chamber; a lid positionable relative to said housing to cover said opening to said hollow chamber; at least one heating element associated with one of said housing and said lid; an air movement device in at least one of said housing and said lid to circulate air through said hollow chamber; and an air diffuser positionable in said hollow chamber and configured to impart rotation to air circulating through said hollow chamber when said air diffuser is positioned in said hollow chamber during at least one of the plurality of cooking modes.