A barbecue with spit functionality
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing barbecue spits are bulky, require manual assembly, and are impractical to maintain in a 'ready to use' state due to their size and numerous components, making assembly and storage time-consuming and labor-intensive.
Innovation Solution
A compact barbecue design with retractable spit support members and a storage compartment, featuring latch springs and adjustable spit roasting heights, allowing for easy assembly, use, and storage, with integrated wheels for mobility.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If known barbecue spits are designed with multiple components for spit functionality, then the spit functionality is achieved, but the device becomes bulky and requires manual assembly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the spit support members with the barbecue body by providing retractable support members that can be stored within the barbecue body when not in use. This merging of functions eliminates the need for separate, bulky spit components that require manual assembly, while still providing full spit functionality when needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The spit support members are designed to be nested within the barbecue body during storage. The first and second spit support members can be retracted into the barbecue body, with each support member containing functional elements (such as motors and gears) within its structure, creating a compact nested configuration that reduces overall device complexity.
2Ease of operation
If known barbecue spits are kept assembled in ready to use state, then immediate usability is achieved, but storage becomes impractical due to bulky size
Solution Approach 1:
The spit support members are designed with dynamic retractability, allowing them to be extended when needed for immediate usability and retracted for compact storage. The latch springs enable quick transition between extended and retracted states, providing both immediate usability and space-efficient storage without requiring permanent assembly.
Solution Approach 2:
The spit support members are pre-positioned within the barbecue body in a ready state, with latch springs pre-loaded to enable quick deployment. This preliminary positioning allows the spit functionality to be activated immediately by simply extending the support members, eliminating the need for manual assembly while maintaining compact storage.
3Adaptability or versatility
If known barbecue spits have disparate sized components, then functional requirements are met, but assembly becomes difficult and time consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The spit support system is segmented into modular first and second spit support members that are integrated into the barbecue body. Each support member is a self-contained module with standardized interfaces, allowing for easy attachment and detachment of the spit rod while reducing assembly complexity compared to disparate components of varying sizes.
4Area of stationary object
If known barbecue spits are dismantled for storage, then storage space is optimized, but the process requires substantial time and effort
Solution Approach 1:
The dynamic retractable design with latch springs allows the spit support members to be quickly extended or retracted without requiring dismantling. The latch mechanism enables one-handed operation for quick deployment and retraction, optimizing storage compactness while minimizing the time and effort required compared to traditional dismantling processes.
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 a compact, visually appealing, and easily assembled barbecue that maintains components in a 'ready to use' state, reducing setup time and effort, while allowing for adjustable cooking heights and easy transportation.
Implementation Method 1
a first latch spring located within the first opening, and a second latch spring located within the second opening, the first and second latch springs adapted to facilitate movement of the first and second spit support members between their respective storage and use positions
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3A~3C
AI summary
A barbecue (20) with spit functionality, the barbecue (20) including: a barbecue body (22) having a first opening (28) and a second opening (30); a first spit support member (24) mounted in the first opening (28) and settable at a storage position, in which the first spit support member (24) is substantially contained within the barbecue body (22), or one or more use positions, in which the first spit support member (24) at least partially protrudes from the barbecue body (22); a second spit support member (26) mounted in the second opening (30) and settable at a storage position, in which the second spit support member (26) is substantially contained within the barbecue body (22), or one or more use positions, in which the second spit support member (26) at least partially protrudes from the barbecue body (22); and a spit rod (34) releasably engageable with the first and second spit support members (24 and 26) when the first and second spit support members (24 and 26) are in their respective use positions.