Barbecue Ventilation and Ash Scraper Assembly for Clean Firebowls
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional barbecue grills face challenges in effectively scraping and collecting ashes while providing adequate ventilation, with existing ash catcher assemblies being either inefficient or aesthetically unappealing.
Innovation Solution
A martini-shaped barbecue design featuring a funnel-shaped firebowl with a central and peripheral aperture system, an ash scraper assembly with a pivotally attached scraper handle and axle rod, and a dual-function ash scraper/vent cover that allows for easy ash removal and ventilation control.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If traditional ash catcher assemblies are used to collect ashes, then ash collection function is provided, but the device becomes aesthetically unappealing and operationally inefficient
Solution Approach 1:
The vent cover is designed to serve dual functions: it acts as both a ventilation cover and an ash scraper. The scraper assembly integrated into the vent cover allows users to scrape ashes from the firebowl bottom through the peripheral aperture while the vent cover remains in place, eliminating the need for separate ash catcher assemblies and maintaining aesthetic appearance.
Solution Approach 2:
The scraping function is extracted from separate ash catcher assemblies and integrated directly into the vent cover structure. The scraper assembly can be selectively deployed through the peripheral aperture to perform ash removal, then retracted back into the vent cover, separating the cleaning function from the collection function.
2Use of energy by moving object
If peripheral apertures are used for ventilation, then oxygen supply for combustion is improved, but ash accumulation at the bottom of the firebowl increases
Solution Approach 1:
The scraper assembly is designed to be manually operated by the user through the peripheral aperture. The user can easily deploy the scraper to remove accumulated ashes from the firebowl bottom through the same peripheral aperture used for ventilation, allowing self-service ash removal without additional components or complex mechanisms.
3Ease of operation
If a dual-function ash scraper/vent cover is used, then operational efficiency is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The vent cover and scraper assembly are merged into a single integrated component. The scraper assembly includes a handle, shaft, and scraping surface that can be manually operated through the peripheral aperture, combining ventilation and ash removal functions in one device without requiring separate ash catchers or complex automated mechanisms.
Data Source
AI summary
A barbecue apparatus is provided, the apparatus comprises: a firebowl having an open topside and a bottomside, the bottomside comprising at least one aperture; a column has a top and a bottom, the top of the column is attached to the bottomside of the firebowl, the column comprises an internal cavity, the aperture of the bottomside of the firebowl leads to the internal cavity of the column, the column has at least one opening for ventilation; a base connected to the bottom of the column; a lid situated atop the open topside of the firebowl, the lid has at least one opening for ventilation, the lid further comprises a device for opening and closing the opening; and at least one ash scraper assembly, the assembly comprises at least one scraper and at least one scraper handle, the scraper comprises an axle rod and at least one arm extending from the axle rod, the scraper handle designed to be connected to the scraper to thereby rotate the arm to allow the arm to cover and uncover the aperture for venting purposes.