System and method for regulating the flow of smoke in an indoor smoker
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional smokers lack effective smoke regulation features, making it difficult to pause, terminate, or introduce cold smoke during the smoking process without releasing smoke into the environment, which limits user control and flexibility in cooking and flavoring food.
Innovation Solution
A smoke regulating assembly with a rotating control cylinder and fan system that allows for four operational modes: smoking, evacuation and termination, evacuation and pausing, and cold smoke generation, enabling precise control over smoke and air flow within the indoor smoker.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If conventional smokers are used without smoke regulation features, then the smoking process is simple to operate, but the user cannot pause, terminate, or introduce cold smoke without releasing smoke into the environment
Solution Approach 1:
The smoke regulating assembly is segmented into distinct functional components: a control cylinder with multiple positions, flow regulating apertures for separate smoke and air control, and a firebox with独立的 combustion control. This segmentation allows independent regulation of smoke generation and smoke flow without requiring complex integrated systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The control cylinder acts as an intermediary mechanism between the user and the smoke flow system. By rotating the control cylinder to different positions, the user indirectly controls smoke flow, air intake, and firebox ventilation without directly manipulating multiple valves or switches, simplifying the user interface while maintaining versatility.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If the smoking chamber is evacuated to permit access without releasing smoke, then user safety and environmental control improve, but the smoldering combustible material may be asphyxiated
Solution Approach 1:
The system provides different airflow conditions to different locations simultaneously: the firebox receives continuous fresh air supply through dedicated air inlets to maintain smoldering, while the smoking chamber can be evacuated or sealed independently. This localized quality control allows smoke containment without affecting combustion continuity.
Solution Approach 2:
The control cylinder dynamically adjusts airflow paths based on operational mode. When pausing or evacuating the smoking chamber, the system dynamically maintains air supply to the firebox while controlling smoke flow to the chamber, allowing flexible response to different operational requirements without compromising combustion reliability.
3Adaptability or versatility
If cold smoke is introduced for cold smoking process, then food flavoring capability improves, but the temperature control complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system merges smoke generation and cooling functions into a single integrated flow path. Fresh air is introduced directly into the smoke stream from the firebox, creating a mixed flow that naturally cools the smoke without requiring separate cooling chambers or complex temperature control systems. This merging enables cold smoking capability while maintaining simple temperature management.
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
Enables users to manage smoke flow effectively, allowing for precise temperature control, cold smoking, and safe access to food during cooking, while maintaining the smoldering process, thereby enhancing cooking flexibility and food flavoring capabilities.
Implementation Method 1
a control cylinder rotatably mounted within the outer housing and around the firebox, the control cylinder defining a plurality of flow regulating apertures and being rotatable to selectively align the flow regulating apertures with the inlet aperture and the outlet aperture
Implementation Method 2
a firebox positioned within the outer housing, the firebox defining a smoldering chamber for receiving combustible material and a flow of fresh air to generate a flow of smoke
Implementation Method 3
A smoke regulating assembly with a rotating control cylinder and fan system that allows for four operational modes
Data Source
AI summary
An indoor smoker includes a smoking chamber fluidly coupled with an exhaust duct comprising a catalytic converter. A smoke regulating assembly selectively directs a flow of smoke through the smoking chamber and/or the exhaust duct. The smoke regulating assembly includes an outer housing defining an inlet aperture and an outlet aperture and a firebox positioned within the outer housing and defining a smoldering chamber. A control cylinder is rotatably mounted within the outer housing and around the firebox, the control cylinder defining a plurality of flow regulating apertures and being rotatable to selectively align the flow regulating apertures with the inlet aperture and the outlet aperture to regulate a flow of fresh air and the flow of smoke.