Adjustable Grill Hinge Mechanism for Aligned Cooking Space

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional grills with adjustable grilling spaces often sacrifice vertical alignment between the upper and lower grill pans when accommodating thicker foods, leading to uneven cooking, and existing adjustment mechanisms are costly and prone to failure.

Innovation Solution

A grill design featuring hinge mechanisms with oscillating rods and shaft seats that allow for adjustable distance between the upper and lower grill pans while maintaining vertical alignment, using interference and clearance fits, and pre-tension mechanisms to ensure secure and cost-effective operation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Volume of moving object

If the distance between the upper grill pan and the lower grill pan is increased to accommodate thicker food, then the grilling space is improved, but the vertical alignment between the upper and lower grill pans is lost causing uneven cooking

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvegrilling spaceVSAvoidvertical alignment

Core Design Contradiction:

Volume of moving objectVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs dynamic hinge mechanisms with oscillating rods that enable the grill structure to adapt its configuration. The oscillating rods allow the upper and lower grill pans to move independently while maintaining vertical alignment through controlled oscillation, resolving the contradiction between increased grilling space and maintained alignment precision.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The invention changes the geometric parameters of the hinge mechanism, specifically using oscillating rods with specific lengths and pivot points that allow the distance between grill pans to be adjusted while maintaining vertical alignment. This parameter optimization enables both larger grilling space and precise alignment to coexist.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Volume of moving object

If conventional adjustment mechanisms are used to increase grilling space, then the grilling capacity is improved, but the device complexity and production cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvegrilling spaceVSAvoidadjustment mechanism

Core Design Contradiction:

Volume of moving objectVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The hinge mechanism is segmented into multiple independent oscillating rods rather than using a single complex adjustment mechanism. Each rod performs a specific function, simplifying the overall structure while achieving the desired grilling space adjustment capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of using a complex mechanism to actively adjust the grill pan distance, the invention uses passive oscillating rods that naturally maintain alignment through their geometric configuration. This inverted approach simplifies the mechanism by eliminating active adjustment components.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

3Volume of moving object

If conventional adjustment mechanisms are used to increase grilling space, then the grilling capacity is improved, but the reliability decreases due to frequent breakdown

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvegrilling spaceVSAvoidmechanical stability

Core Design Contradiction:

Volume of moving objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The oscillating rods are designed with pre-calculated geometric parameters that inherently prevent excessive movement and potential breakdown. The pivot points and rod lengths are optimized to cushion against extreme positions, ensuring reliable operation throughout the adjustment range.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

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 flexible adjustment of grilling space to fit different food depths without compromising vertical alignment, providing even cooking and reducing the risk of mechanical failure, while maintaining a simple and cost-effective structure.

Implementation Method 1

The upper shell is connected to the lower shell by hinge mechanisms. The hinge mechanism comprises an upper oscillating rod and a lower oscillating rod. The adjacent ends of the upper oscillating rod and the lower oscillating rod are pivoted to each other, and the removed ends of the upper oscillating rod and the lower oscillating rod are pivoted to the upper shell and lower shell respectively.

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectHinge mechanism: Hinge

Implementation Method 2

using interference and clearance fits

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectInterference fit:

Implementation Method 3

using interference and clearance fits

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectClearance fit:

Implementation Method 4

pre-tension mechanisms to ensure secure and cost-effective operation

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPre-tension: Tension

Data Source

PatentUS8122816B2Grill with adjustable grilling space

Publication Date: 2012.02.28 TSANN KUEN CHINA ENTERPRISE

AI summary

A grill comprises an upper shell, a lower shell, an upper grill pan disposed on the bottom surface of the upper shell and a lower grill pan disposed on the top surface of the lower shell, wherein the upper shell connects to the lower shell by hinge mechanisms such that the distance between the two grilling pans is adjustable to accommodate to-be-grilled food items of varying thickness.