Flip-Down BBQ Vent and Cleaning Plate for Grill Heat Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing outdoor stoves lack a efficient mechanism for varying cooking temperature and effectively incinerating food residue on the grill, as they do not have a latched vent system and a dedicated cleaning plate for concentrating heat.

Innovation Solution

A barbeque stove design featuring a firebox with a flip-down vent and a removable cleaning plate that can be positioned over the grill to concentrate heat, with storage receptacle and flanges for supporting the plate, allowing for adjustable temperature control and efficient residue incineration.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a flip down vent is added to the hood for temperature control, then temperature adjustment capability is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetemperature adjustment capabilityVSAvoidhood structure complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The vent is designed to flip down from a horizontal position to a downward position, allowing dynamic adjustment of the opening angle to control heat and smoke flow. This dynamic mechanism enables temperature adjustment without requiring multiple separate vents or complex control systems.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The flip down vent serves multiple functions: it controls cooking temperature during normal operation, and also provides access for inserting the cleaning plate into the hood for burning off residue. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate components.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Productivity

If a cleaning plate is inserted into the flip down vent, then heat concentration for incinerating residue is improved, but the vent's temperature control function is compromised

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveresidue incineration efficiencyVSAvoidtemperature control capability

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The cleaning plate is inserted temporarily during periodic cleaning cycles, while the vent returns to its normal temperature control function during cooking operations. This periodic usage pattern allows both functions to coexist without permanent compromise.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

Solution Approach 2:

The cleaning function is extracted as a separate, removable component (the cleaning plate) that can be inserted when needed and removed when not needed, allowing the vent to maintain its primary temperature control function while providing occasional cleaning capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

3Temperature

If the cleaning plate is positioned close to the grill, then heat concentration for cleaning is improved, but safety risks increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveheat concentration at grillVSAvoidsafety risks from excessive heat

Core Design Contradiction:

TemperatureVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The cleaning plate acts as an intermediary between the heat source (firebox) and the grill surface. It concentrates heat onto the grill for effective cleaning while maintaining a physical barrier that prevents direct contact between the firebox and grill, reducing safety risks.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The cleaning plate is designed with specific geometric characteristics (flat surface, appropriate size, and positioning) that create a localized high-heat zone directly over the grill surface where cleaning is needed, while the surrounding areas maintain lower temperatures for safety.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

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 enables precise temperature adjustment during cooking and effective incineration of food residue, reducing cleaning time and effort by concentrating heat directly on the grill.

Implementation Method 1

concentrate heat about the stove grill to incinerate food residue on the grill

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectHeat concentration: Conduction (thermal)

Implementation Method 2

trap and concentrate heat about the stove grill

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThermal radiation: Thermal Radiation

Data Source

PatentUS10085594B1BBQ incorporating flip down latched vent and grill cleaning plate

Publication Date: 2018.10.02 BRITVAN JACK J

AI summary

A barbeque stove having a firebox, a firebox hood forming smoke chamber incorporating at least one flip down vent providing means for vary the stove cooking temperature during a stove cooking session and a cleaning plate movable from a stove housing storage receptacle into the flip down vent overlaying the stove grill that will sufficiently concentrate the stove heat about the barbeque grill to incinerate food residue thereon with the firebox and/or hood providing flanges for supporting the grill cleaning sheet.