Air fryer with multiple vertically-stacked cooking compartments
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional air fryers are time-consuming and require multiple units to cook different dishes simultaneously, which is inefficient and costly, as they often take 15-20 minutes to cook a batch of food and may result in dishes cooling before serving.
Innovation Solution
A multi-compartment air fryer design with two cooking compartments stacked vertically, each with its own heating element and fan, and a pivoting handle for easy loading and unloading, along with a splatter shield for reduced splatter and improved air flow, allowing for simultaneous cooking of multiple dishes using a single motor and heating elements that can alternate to prevent electrical overload.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a single air fryer is used to cook multiple dishes sequentially, then the device complexity is reduced, but the loss of time increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The air fryer is divided into multiple independent cooking compartments (first cooking compartment and second cooking compartment), each capable of cooking different dishes simultaneously. This segmentation allows parallel cooking operations, reducing total cooking time while maintaining a single device.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from a single horizontal cooking space to a vertical stacked configuration with multiple compartments arranged one above the other. This dimensional change enables simultaneous cooking of multiple dishes in different compartments without requiring multiple separate air fryer units.
2Loss of time
If multiple air fryers are used to cook different dishes simultaneously, then the loss of time is reduced, but the device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple cooking compartments are merged into a single integrated air fryer unit, sharing common structural components, control systems, and electrical connections. This combining achieves the functionality of multiple air fryers while reducing overall device complexity and cost compared to using separate units.
Solution Approach 2:
The air fryer is designed with multi-functional capability to cook different types of dishes simultaneously in different compartments using the same device. Each compartment can independently handle various cooking tasks, making the single device universally applicable for multiple cooking needs.
3Area of stationary object
If cooking compartments are stacked vertically to save space, then the area occupied is reduced, but the device complexity increases due to shared components
Solution Approach 1:
The shared motor and heating elements serve multiple cooking compartments simultaneously, allowing each compartment to function with common resources. This multi-functionality reduces the number of duplicate components needed, thereby reducing overall device complexity while maintaining vertical stacking for space efficiency.
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 faster and more efficient cooking of multiple dishes without the need for multiple air fryers, reducing cooking time and energy consumption while maintaining the health benefits of air frying.
Implementation Method 1
a lid that includes a heating element and a fan. The heating element heats air that is blown downwardly into the vessel
Implementation Method 2
The heating element heats air that is blown downwardly into the vessel. Typically, the vessel is slotted or includes a rack for the food that allows air to circulate on all sides of the food
Implementation Method 3
a first splatter shield removably interposed between the first cooking basket and the first heating compartment, the first splatter shield comprising a main panel, the main panel including apertures allowing air to flow from the first heating compartment to the first cooking compartment
Data Source
AI summary
An air frying cooking appliance includes: a housing; a first cooking compartment defined in the housing having an open front side, a first heating compartment located directly above the first and cooking compartment, the first heating compartment having a first heating element; a first fan positioned to provide air to the first heating compartment; a first cooking basket having a front wall and a cooking container, the cooking container configured to removably reside in the first cooking compartment; and a first handle pivotally mounted to the front wall of the first cooking basket, the first handle being movable between a retracted position, in which a grasping portion of the first handle is generally parallel with the front wall of the first cooking basket, and an extended position, in which the grasping portion of the first handle is generally normal to the front wall of the first cooking basket.