Patent ID: 12193603

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

The following description is disclosed to enable any person skilled in the art to make and use the present invention. Preferred embodiments are provided in the following description only as examples and modifications will be apparent to those skilled in the art. The general principles defined in the following description would be applied to other embodiments, alternatives, modifications, equivalents, and applications without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention.

It is appreciated that the terms “longitudinal”, “transverse”, “upper”, “lower”, “front”, “rear”, “left”, “right”, vertical”, “horizontal”, “top”, “bottom”, “interior” and “exterior” in the following description refer to the orientation or positioning relationship in the accompanying drawings for easy understanding of the present invention without limiting the actual location or orientation of the present invention. Therefore, the above terms should not be an actual location limitation of the elements of the present invention.

It is appreciated that the terms “one” in the following description refer to “at least one” or “one or more” in the embodiment. In particular, the term “a” in one embodiment may refer to “one” while in another embodiment may refer to “more than one”. Therefore, the above terms should not be an actual numerical limitation of the elements of the present invention.

Accordingly, the existing air fryer is constructed by connecting the heating coil to a circuit board via a wire and affixing the heating coil at the heating coil cover in a non-detachable manner. During the operation of the existing air fryer to generate the hot air for cooking the food, smoke and grease will be generated by the food. The smoke and grease will be discharged from the existing air fryer along an air duct of the heating coil cover via the operation of the fan. However, the grease will inevitably adhere to the heating coil cover and the surface of the heating coil during the discharging process. As more often the operation of the air fryer to cook the foods, increasing amount of grease will be attached on the heating coil cover and the surface of the heating coil. Since the heating coil is mounted at the heating coil cover in a non-detachable manner, it is difficult to clean the grease on the heating coil cover and the heating coil. This is the common drawback of the existing air fryers.

In order to solve the above problem, the present invention provides an air fryer and its production method thereof to easily clean the grease stain through a detachable structure or a non-stick coating, so as to ensure the safety and health of the air fryer during the cooking operation. It is understood that the food to be fried mentioned in the present invention can be foods such as French fries, vegetables, meats, fishes, or etc. It is appreciated that inedible industrial products can be placed in the air fryer of the present invention for surface heating, and it should not be limited in the present invention.

Referring toFIGS.1to8of the drawings, an air fryer according to a first preferred embodiment of the present invention is illustrated, wherein the air fryer is able to air fry the food via hot air. Particularly, the air fryer1comprises a main body10, an air circulation device20, and an air heater30. The main body10has an air frying chamber101for the food placing therein. The air circulation device20is supported in the main body10for driving an air flow into the air frying chamber101of the main body10. The air heater30comprises a heating element31detachably coupled in the main body10at a position in the air frying chamber101thereof, wherein the heating element31is configured for heating up the air flow to form hot air so as to air-fry the food in the air frying chamber101.

It is worth mentioning that since the heating element31is detachably coupled in the main body10and is located in the air frying chamber101, the heating element31can be easily detached from the main body10in order to clean the air frying chamber101of the main body10. Since an inner wall of the air frying chamber101will not be blocked by the heating element31, grease stains on the inner wall of the air frying chamber101can be easily cleaned. Meanwhile, grease stains on the heating element31can be easily cleaned when the heating element31is detached from the main body10. Therefore, the user is able to easily clean the air fryer1to ensure the safety and health of the air fryer during the cooking operation.

Particularly, as shown inFIG.3, the main body10comprises a housing11defining an interior cavity100, a cover assembly12, and an air frying assembly13. The cover assembly12is disposed in the interior cavity100of the housing11to divide the interior cavity100into the air frying chamber101and a component chamber102thereabove. The air frying assembly13is disposed in the housing11for holding the food in the air frying chamber101, such that when the air is heated by the air heat30, the hot air is blown by the air circulation device20to circulate the hot air in the air frying chamber101so as to air-fry the food therein.

It is worth mentioning that the air frying chamber101and the component chamber102of the main body10are independent and sealed from each other, wherein when the air temperature in the air frying chamber101is increased by the air heater30, i.e. the hot air, moisture of the food will be removed by the hot air, such that a high temperature and humid environment will be created in the air frying chamber101. On the other hand, since the component chamber102is independent and sealed from the air frying chamber10, the hot air will not enter into the component chamber102. Therefore, the component chamber102will maintain its low air temperature environment to prevent any components in the component chamber102being damaged by high heat so as to prolong the service life span of the air fryer1and to ensure the safety thereof.

Preferably, the air frying assembly13is detachably coupled to the housing11for easily reaching the food in the air frying assembly13. In one example, the air frying assembly13is detachably coupled to the housing11by means of, but not limited to, snap fit or lock structure.

Preferably, as shown inFIG.4, the air frying assembly13comprises a basket131having at least one basket opening1310, wherein the basket131is arranged for holding the food therein to be placed in the air frying chamber101when the basket131is coupled to the housing11. The basket opening1310is arranged to communicate with the air frying chamber101, wherein the hot air heated by the air heater30can be circulated in the basket131via the air circulation device20to contact with the food so as to air-fry the food. It is appreciated that the basket131can be a net-shaped basket such as a frying basket with a meshing structure.

Preferably, the air frying assembly13further comprises a handle132extended from the basket131, wherein the housing11further has an accessing opening110communicating with the air frying chamber101, such that when the basket131is placed in the air frying chamber101through the accessing opening110, the accessing opening110of the housing11is sealed by the basket131and the handle132is located out of the housing11for the user to carry the basket131.

It is worth mentioning that even though the air fryer1of the present invention is constructed to have an inner container structure as an example to show the distinctive features, the structural configuration of the air frying assembly13should not be limited in the present invention, such as the temperature control of the present invention. For example, the air frying assembly13can incorporate with different components such as rotating grill, skewers and other cooking components, as long as the food can be air-fried in the air frying chamber101.

As shown inFIGS.3to7, according to the preferred embodiment, the heating element31of the air heater30comprises a heating coil310arranged in such manner that when the heating coil310is electrically powered on, the heating coil310is arranged to convert electric energy to heat energy to heat up the surrounding air to enter into the air frying chamber101. Particularly, the air heater30further comprises a power supply32supported in the main body10within the component chamber102thereof for electrically connecting to a power outlet. The heating coil310is detachably coupled at the cover assembly12and is disposed in the air frying chamber101of the main body10. When the heating coil310is detachably mounted at the cover assembly12, the heating coil310is electrically connected to the power supply32, such that when the heating coil301is electrically powered by the power supply32, the heating coil310is able to convert electric energy to heat energy to heat up the surrounding air to circulate in the air frying chamber101.

As an example shown inFIG.5, the power supply32comprises a power port321provided at the cover assembly12. The heating coil310comprises a coil body311and a power connector312integrally coupled to the coil body311, wherein the power connector312is detachably connected to the power port321in order to electrically connect the coil body311to the power supply32. Such plug-in connection of the power connector312and the power port321allows the heating coil310to be electrically connected to the power supply32when the heating coil310is mounted at the cover assembly12. It is appreciated that in another embodiment, the locations of the power connector312and the power port321are interchangeable that the power connector312can form at the power supply32and the power port321can form at the heating element310in order to provide such plug-in connection. The purpose of the plug-in connection is to detachably connect the heating element310to the power supply32. In addition, the power supply32can be, but not limited to, a power plug or a power socket for electrically connecting to the external power outlet. The power supply32can also be a built-in battery adapted for being charged.

It is worth mentioning that the coil body311of the heating coil310has a spiral shape, wherein the power connector312is connected at one end of the coil body311. As a result, the heating coil310cannot be stably supported at the cover assembly12by only inserting the power connector312into the power port321. For example, the heating coil310will be vibrated or even fallen off during the operation of the air fryer1. In order to solve this problem, as shown inFIGS.3and6, the main body10of the air fryer1further comprises one or more detachable holders14provided at the cover assembly12to detachably couple the heating coil310at the cover assembly12so as to stably retain the heating coil310in the air frying chamber101.

Particularly, as shown inFIGS.6and8, each of the detachable holders14comprises a supporting element141movably coupled at the cover assembly12to move between a supporting position and a releasing portion. When the supporting element141is moved at the supporting position, the coil body311is supported by the supporting element141to stably retain the heating coil310in the air frying chamber101. When the supporting element141is moved at the releasing position, the coil body311can be detached from the supporting element141, such that the heating coil310can be detached from the air frying chamber101for cleaning purpose.

Preferably, the detachable holder14further comprises a restoring element142coupled between the supporting element141and the cover assembly12for applying a restoring force to the supporting element141so as to move the supporting element141from the releasing position back to the supporting position. In other words, the restoring element142is configured to retain the supporting element141at the supporting position. Therefore, the assembly and disassembly operation of heating coil310will be substantially simplified.

For example as shown inFIG.8, the restoring element142is embodied as a spring1421, wherein the supporting element141has a sliding end1411and a hooking end1412extended from the sliding end1411. The sliding end1411of the supporting element141is slidably coupled at the cover assembly12while the hooking end1412of the supporting element141is extended toward the air frying chamber101to detachably engage with the coil body311of the heating coil310. The spring1421has one end biasing against the sliding end1411of the supporting element141and an opposed end biasing against the cover assembly12for applying a spring force as the restoring force to push the hooking end1412of the supporting element141toward the cover assembly12, such that the coil body311of the heating coil310is stably held at the hooking end1412of the supporting element141for preventing any vibration or falling off of the heating coil310.

Accordingly, in order to disassemble the heating coil310, the user is able to pull down and rotate the hooking end1412of the supporting element141, such that the hooking end1412of the supporting element141will be disengaged with the coil body311of the heating coil310. Then, the power connector312can be detached from the power port321of the power supply32, such that the heating coil310is entirely detached from the air frying chamber101. In order to assemble the heating coil310, the power connector312of the heating coil310can be firstly connected to the power port321of the power supply32. Then, by pulling down and rotating the hooking end1412of the supporting element141, the coil body311of the heating coil310can be coupled at the hooking end1412of the supporting element141. It is worth mentioning that the restoring element142is arranged to move the supporting element141from the releasing position back to the supporting position to prevent the coil body311being detached from the hooking end1412of the supporting element141accidentally or unintentionally. Therefore, the assembling and disassembling operations of the heating coil310are simple and easy.

It is worth mentioning that in the above example of the present invention, the spring1421is preferably located in the component chamber102of the main body10, wherein the spring1421is embodied as a compression spring for applying outward pushing spring forces at the two ends. In another example, the spring1421can be disposed in the air frying chamber101of the main body10, wherein the spring1421can be a tension spring for applying inward pulling forces at the two ends.

Furthermore, since the power port321of the power supply32is extended facing toward the air frying chamber101, the power connector312of the heating coil310can be easily connected to the power port321. However, even though the power port321is engaged with the power connector312, the hot air in the air frying chamber101may still able to enter into the power port321to cause serious safety problem. In order to solve this problem, as shown inFIGS.6and9, the main body10further comprises a blocking assembly15provided at the power connector312of the heating coil310, wherein after the power connector312of the heating coil310is connected to the power port321of the power supply32, the power port321is sealed by the blocking assembly15to prevent the hot air from the air frying chamber101entering into the power port321, so as to prevent any short-circuit or other electrical accidents.

For example as shown inFIG.9, the blocking assembly15comprises a sealing gasket151and a hand screw152, wherein the sealing gasket151is provided at the power connector312of the heating coil310. After the power connector312of the heating coil310is inserted into the power port321of the power supply32, the sealing gasket151is tightly mounted at the power port321by the hand screw152. Therefore, the blocking assembly15can securely seal the power port321and, at the same time, the power connector312of the heating coil310can be securely engaged with the power port321of the power supply32, so as to ensure the electrical connection between the heating coil310and the power supply32. It is worth mentioning that for disassembling the heating coil32, the user is able to manually actuate the hand screw152to remove the hand screw152for detachably unplugging the power connector312of the heating coil310from the power port321of the power supply32. Therefore, the assembling and disassembling operations of the heating coil310do not require any tool to assemble and disassemble operations of the heating coil310.

According to the first preferred embodiment, as shown inFIG.3, the air circulation device20of the air fryer1comprises an electric motor21and a fan blade assembly21being driven to rotate by the electric motor21, wherein the electric motor21is supported at the component chamber102of the main body10. The fan blade assembly22comprises a first fan blade221supported at the air frying chamber101and driven to rotate by the electric motor21for circulating the air within the air frying chamber101. It is appreciated that the air circulation device20can be embodied as a fan provided outside the main body10, wherein the fan is connected to the air frying chamber101through an air circulation duct, such that the air in the air frying chamber101can be circulated via the fan.

Preferably, the first fan blade221of the fan blade assembly22is located between the cover assembly12and the heating coil310to prevent the heating coil310from interfering with the rotational movement of the first fan blade221and to ensure the air blown by the first fan blade221and being heat by the heating coil310before entering into the air frying chamber101.

It is worth mentioning that since the electric motor21of the air circulation device20is supported at the component chamber102while the first fan blade221is supported at the air frying chamber101, when the first fan blade221is driven by the electric motor21to circulate the hot and humid air in the air frying chamber101, the electric motor21is kept in a relatively dry and cool environment in the component chamber102, so as to prolong the service life span of the air circulation device20and to ensure safety operation of the air circulation device20.

Preferably, as shown inFIGS.3to7, the cover assembly12comprises an inner cover121and an outer cover122, wherein the inner and outer covers121,122are spaced apart from each other and are disposed in the interior cavity100of the housing11to form an intermediate chamber103between the air frying chamber101and the component chamber102. In other words, the interior cavity100are sequentially divided by the inner and outer covers121,122into the air frying chamber101, the intermediate chamber103, and the component chamber102, such that the intermediate chamber103serves as a heat isolation chamber to block the heat from the air frying chamber101to the component chamber102, so as to avoid the electric motor21of the air circulation device20being operated in a high temperature environment. In other words, the cover assembly12has a hollow structure that the intermediate chamber103is formed between the inner and outer covers121,122as a heat-insulation and moisture-proof space between the air frying chamber101and the component chamber102, so as to ensure the component chamber102providing a dry and low temperature environment.

Preferably, the fan blade assembly22comprises a second fan blade222disposed in the intermediate chamber103, wherein the second fan blade222is drive to rotate by the electric motor21, the second fan blade222is configured to generate an air flow in the intermediate chamber103so as to enhance the heat insulation and moisture proof of the intermediate chamber103. It is appreciated that the first and second fan blades221,222are coupled at the same output shaft of the electric motor21, wherein the second fan blade222is located between the first fan blade221and the electric motor21. In other words, the first fan blade221is located out of the intermediate chamber103, wherein the first fan blade221serves as an outer fan blade while the second fan blade222serves as an inner fan blade.

Preferably, the intermediate chamber103of the main body10is communicated with the component chamber102thereof, wherein the main body10further has at least one air inlet1101provided at the housing11to communicate with the component chamber102, and at least one first air outlet1102provided at the housing11to communicate with the intermediate chamber103. Therefore, when the second fan blade222of the fan blade assembly22is operated, exterior cold air will be sucked into the component chamber102through the air inlet1101of the housing11, and will then enter into intermediate chamber, and will be discharged from the first air outlet1102. As a result, the heat, such as generated by the electric motor21, in the component chamber102will be discharged to maintain the dry and low temperature environment of the component chamber102.

It is worth mentioning that during the operation of the air fryer1for air-frying the food, moisture and grease will be generated and released as a side product in the air frying chamber101, such that the circulating air will carry moisture and grease in the air frying chamber101. Once the amount of moisture and grease is gradually accumulated in the air frying chamber101, the moisture and grease will affect the air-frying effect of the air fryer1. In order to reduce the moisture and grease carried by the air flowing in the air frying chamber101, the main body10of the air fryer1further has second air outlet1103provided at the housing11to communicate with the air frying chamber101, wherein the first fan blade221is operated for blowing out the hot air carrying the moisture and grease out of the air frying chamber101through the second air outlet1103. It is appreciated that the air frying chamber101of the main body10can communicate with the air inlet1101of the housing11, such that when the first fan blade221is operated, fresh air can be supplied to the air frying chamber101through the air inlet1101.

Preferably, as shown inFIG.3, the inner cover121has an air outlet passage1210, wherein the air frying chamber101is communicated with the second air outlet1103through the air outlet passage1210, such that when the first fan blade221of the fan blade assembly22is operated, a portion of the hot air in the air frying chamber101will circulate therein while another portion of the hot air will be discharged out of the air frying chamber101through the air outlet passage1210.

Preferably, a size of the air outlet passage1210of the inner cover121is gradually reduced from the air frying chamber101to the second air outlet1103, in order to increase a connection area between the air outlet passage1210and the air frying chamber101while keeping the second air outlet1103unchanged. Therefore, more amount of hot air carrying the moisture and grease can be discharged out of the air frying chamber101when the first fan blade221is operated. At the same time, the connection area between the air outlet channel1210and the air frying chamber101becomes larger, to easily clean up the grease stains in the air outlet passage1210.

For example as shown inFIGS.3to7, the inner cover121is coupled in the outer cover122to form the intermediate chamber103between an inner surface of the outer cover122and an outer surface of the inner cover121. The inner cover121further has a dome shaped covering portion1211and a communicating portion1212, wherein the covering portion1211of the inner cover121forms a ceiling of the air frying chamber101while the communicating portion1212is integrally extended from the covering portion1211to the second air outlet1103of the housing11to form the air outlet passage1210.

Preferably, as shown inFIGS.7and10, a side wall of the communicating portion1212of the inner cover121is tangent to a peripheral wall of the covering portion1211thereof to form a streamline structure between the covering portion1211and the communicating portion1212so as to guide the hot air in the air frying chamber101being charged through the air outlet passage1210. It is appreciated that the connection between the covering portion1211and the communicating portion1212is smooth to prevent any grease stain being accumulated and to enhance the cleaning operation.

Preferably, the second air outlet1103of the housing11is located adjacent to the first air outlet1102, such that the hot air discharged through the second air outlet1103will be mixed with the cold air discharged through the first air outlet1102to reduce an overall temperature of the air discharged from the main body10. Such configuration will prevent the hot air from being discharged separately through the second air outlet1103, which may cause safety concern.

Preferably, the covering portion1211of the inner cover121of the cover assembly12has a stepping structure to define a first receiving cavity12101for receiving the first fan blade221and a second receiving cavity12102for receiving the heating coil310, wherein the first receiving cavity12101is located above and communicated with the second receiving cavity12102. A diameter of the second receiving cavity12102is larger than a diameter of the first receiving cavity12101, wherein when the heating coil310is detachably coupled at the inner cover121, the heating coil310will not block the rotational movement of the first fan blade221. Meanwhile, the air outlet passage1210of the inner cover121is communicatively extended from the side wall of the first receiving cavity12101to the second air outlet1103to discharge the hot air in the air frying chamber101through the second air outlet1103under the centrifugal action of the first fan blade221.

As shown inFIG.1, the air fryer1according to the first preferred embodiment further comprises a control system40and a temperature sensor50operatively connected to the control system40. The temperature sensor50is disposed in the air frying chamber101of the main body10to detect the air temperature in the air frying chamber101in a real time manner and to transmit the detected temperature data to the control system40. Accordingly, in response to the detected temperature data, the control system40is configured to control the operation of the air circulation device20and the air heater30. It is appreciated that the temperature sensor50can be, but not limited to, a NTC temperature sensor.

Preferably, the temperature sensor50is located adjacent to the heating coil310of the air heater30so as to accurately detect the temperature of the air circulating in the air frying chamber101in a real time manner.

It is worth mentioning that the control system40of the air fryer1of the present invention can be embodied as, but not limited to, a single-chip microcomputer or a control chip, wherein the single-chip microcomputer or control chip is disposed the component chamber102of the main body10, such that the air fryer1forms an integrated device. It is appreciated that, in another example, the control system40can also be embodied as a control terminal as an external component of the air fryer1, such that the air fryer1serves as a split device.

FIG.11illustrates an alternative mode of the air fryer1of the first preferred embodiment as a modification thereof, wherein, comparing to the first preferred embodiment, the detachable holder14in the alternative mode is modified as a magnetic element143provided at the coil body311of the heating coil31, such that the heating coil310is detachably mounted at the cover assembly12by means of magnetic attraction.

In one example the inner cover121of the cover assembly12is made of a magnetic attracting material to detachably and magnetically couple the heating coil310to the inner cover121. It is worth mentioning that, in the above example, the inner cover121can be made of magnetic attracting material such as carbon steel. In another example, the inner cover121can also be made of non-magnetic material such as aluminum, stainless steel, etc. Accordingly, one or more magnetic attraction elements can be placed at the desired position of the inner cover121to magnetically couple with the heating coil310when the inner cover121is made of non-magnetic material. Alternatively, the magnetic element143can be directly mounted to the inner cover121at a predetermined location to magnetically couple with the heating coil310.

It is worth mentioning that the heating coil310of the air fryer1according to the above first embodiment of the present application and its alternative mode is detachably coupled to the cover assembly12, wherein the inner surface of the inner cover121will not be blocked after the heating coil310is detached, such that the user is able to easily clean the inner surface of the inner cover121. However, since the grease stains are difficult to clean, cleaning detergents may need to apply for removing the grease stains.

As shown inFIG.12, the air fryer according to a second preferred embodiment is illustrated as another modification of the first preferred embodiment. Particularly, comparing the first embodiment with the second embodiment, the difference between the first and second embodiments is that the air fryer1further comprises a non-stick coating60partially or entirely provided at the inner wall surface of the air frying chamber101of the main body10. The non-stick coating60not only reduces the grease stains being adhered to the inner wall surface of the air frying chamber101but also allows the grease stains being easily removed from the inner wall surface of the air frying chamber101, so as to ensure the sanitation of the air fryer. It is appreciated that the non-stick coating60can be embodied as, but not limited to, a Teflon coating or a ceramic coating.

Preferably, the inner surface of the inner cover121of the cover assembly12is also coated with the non-stick coating60to reduce the grease stains adhered to the inner surface of the inner cover121.

Preferably, the outer surface of the coil body311of the heating coil310is further coated with the non-stick coating60to reduce the grease stains adhered on the outer surface of the heating tube body311.

Preferably, the outer surface of the first fan blade221of the fan blade assembly22can further be coated with the non-stick coating60to reduce the grease stains on the outer surface of the first fan blade221.

It is worth mentioning that, in another example, the non-stick coating60can also be coated on the main body10at the location where the hot air in the air frying chamber101will reach and contact.

As shown inFIG.13, the present invention further provides a cleaning method of the air fryer, which comprises the following steps.

S100: Detach the heating coil310of the air heater30of the air fryer1from the air frying chamber101of the main body10of the air fryer1.

S200: Remove grease stains on the inner wall surface of the air frying chamber101and the outer surface of the heating coil310after the heating coil310is detached.

S300: Couple the heating coil310back into the air frying chamber101after the heating coil310and the air frying chamber101are cleaned.

It is worth mentioning that the non-stick coating60can be partially or completely coated on the inner wall surface of the air frying chamber101to enhance the cleaning process of the air fryer1. It is appreciated that the outer surface of the heating coil310can also be coated with the non-stick coating60.

It is appreciated that the terms “devices”, “equipments”, “systems”, “module” and “unit” in the description and block diagram of the present invention are merely illustrative examples and are not intended to be connected, arranged, and configured in the manner shown in the block diagrams. A person who skilled in the art should will recognize, these devices, equipments, systems, modules and unit can be connected, arranged, and configured in any manner. The terms “include”, “include”, “have”, etc. are open end and mean “including but not limited to” and can be used interchangeably. The terms “or” and “and” as used herein refer to the terms “and/or” and can be used interchangeably, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. The term “such as” used herein refers to the phrase “such as but not limited to” and can be used interchangeably.

One skilled in the art will understand that the embodiment of the present invention as shown in the drawings and described above is exemplary only and not intended to be limiting.

It will thus be seen that the objects of the present invention have been fully and effectively accomplished. The embodiments have been shown and described for the purposes of illustrating the functional and structural principles of the present invention and is subject to change without departure from such principles. Therefore, this invention includes all modifications encompassed within the spirit and scope of the following claims.