Adjustable-Height Grill With Friction Rod Heat Control

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Outdoor heating solutions like gas heaters, fire pits, and chimineas are inefficient and environmentally harmful, and existing heating tables with sealed combustion chambers face challenges in adjusting cooking surface height and accessibility.

Innovation Solution

A friction rod mechanism that allows the cooking surface to be raised and lowered within a recessed combustion chamber, using friction between the rod and opposing friction members to support the surface at various positions, enabling easy access and maximizing cooking surface area without complex mechanisms.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of energy

If a sealed combustion chamber with recessed cooking surface is used, then heating efficiency and smoke control are improved, but accessibility to the cooking surface deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveheating efficiencyVSAvoidaccessibility to cooking surface

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of energyVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The cooking surface is made dynamically adjustable in height through a rod mechanism that allows it to move between a recessed position (for efficient heating and smoke control) and a raised position (for improved accessibility). This dynamic adjustment resolves the contradiction by enabling the system to switch between optimized states for different operational requirements.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Ease of operation

If complex lifting mechanisms are used to raise and lower the cooking surface, then accessibility is improved, but device complexity and reliability in high-temperature environment worsen

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaccessibility to cooking surfaceVSAvoidmechanism complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The complex lifting mechanisms are extracted and replaced with a simple rod-based system that relies on basic mechanical principles. The rod passes through the cooking surface and can be manually adjusted without requiring complex motors, gears, or hydraulic systems, thereby reducing device complexity while maintaining accessibility improvements.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The mechanism uses simple, replaceable components like rods and friction members that are inexpensive and easy to replace if worn. This approach trades long-term durability for immediate simplicity and ease of maintenance, reducing device complexity while allowing for straightforward replacement of wear-prone parts.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

3Device complexity

If fixed cooking surfaces are used, then device complexity is reduced, but adaptability to different cooking methods and heat exposure needs worsens

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemechanism simplicityVSAvoidcooking surface position adjustment

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The cooking surface transitions from a fixed state to a dynamically adjustable state along a vertical axis. The rod mechanism enables the cooking surface to be positioned at different heights, allowing adaptation to various cooking methods (grilling, smoking, baking) and heat exposure requirements while maintaining relatively simple device architecture.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The adjustable cooking surface system provides multi-functionality by enabling a single device to perform multiple cooking operations at different height positions. The same basic mechanism supports various cooking methods and surface types, increasing versatility without proportionally increasing device complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

4Loss of energy

If the cooking surface is recessed deep in the chamber, then smoke control and heating efficiency are improved, but accessibility and ease of cleaning worsen

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveheating efficiencyVSAvoidease of cleaning

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of energyVSEase of repair

Solution Approach 1:

The cooking surface is made movable along the rod, allowing it to be raised from its recessed position for easy cleaning and access. When cleaning or maintenance is needed, the surface can be pulled upward along the rod to an accessible position, then returned to the recessed position for operation, thus resolving the contradiction between deep recessing for efficiency and accessibility for cleaning.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

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 solution provides durable, space-efficient, and easily cleanable cooking systems that can accommodate different cooking surfaces, allowing for precise heat control and improved accessibility within the confines of a recessed chamber.

Implementation Method 1

using friction between the rod and opposing friction members to support the surface at various positions

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFriction: Friction

Implementation Method 2

combustible fuel to generate heat within a substantially sealed chamber

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCombustion: Combustion

Data Source

PatentUS11937738B2Heating table with adjustable-height grill

Publication Date: 2024.03.26 THE CASHMERE CAVEMAN CO WILD KITCHENS LTD

AI summary

A mechanism for raising and lowering a cooking surface within a recessed combustion chamber is provided.