Bi-Mode Barbecue Grill With Ash Shielded Gas Burner
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Solution Overview
Problem
Users face the inconvenience of needing to maintain and store both coal-based and gas-based barbecue grill devices, as existing solutions do not offer a versatile option for switching between fuel types.
Innovation Solution
A bi-mode barbecue grill device with a bowl, gas burner, ash tray, and multiple grills, where a shield directs ash from coal combustion onto an ash tray, allowing for seamless switching between coal and gas modes while preventing ash and grease from reaching the gas burner.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If users maintain separate coal-based and gas-based barbecue grill devices, then each device can be optimized for its specific fuel type, but users face the burden of buying and storing multiple devices
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines both coal-based and gas-based barbecue grill functionalities into a single integrated device. The grill includes a gas burner system and a coal tray with ash collection system, allowing users to switch between fuel types without needing separate devices. This merging resolves the contradiction by reducing the number of devices from two to one while maintaining both fuel type capabilities.
Solution Approach 2:
The barbecue grill is designed with universal functionality to operate with multiple fuel types (gas and coal). The device includes universal components such as a adjustable grill rack, a removable ash tray, and a shield that protects the gas burner regardless of which fuel type is being used. This multi-functionality approach allows a single device to serve multiple purposes and fuel types.
2Adaptability or versatility
If a single device supports both coal and gas modes, then versatility is improved, but ash and grease may contaminate the gas burner
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the ash and grease management functions into separate, dedicated components. An removable ash tray is provided that can be easily taken out for cleaning, and a shield is positioned to deflect ash away from the gas burner. The shield creates a physical barrier that extracts the gas burner from the harmful ash environment. This extraction approach prevents contamination while maintaining versatility.
Solution Approach 2:
The shield acts as an intermediary element between the coal combustion area and the gas burner. It deflects ash and smoke away from the gas burner while allowing heat to pass through, protecting the gas burner from contamination without compromising the coal-based cooking functionality. This intermediary structure resolves the contradiction by mediating the interaction between the two fuel systems.
3Device complexity
If ash is allowed to fall freely, then the structure remains simple, but the gas burner becomes contaminated and maintenance increases
Solution Approach 1:
The ash tray is designed to be removable and self-contained, allowing users to easily remove and clean ash without disassembling the entire grill structure. The shield is positioned to automatically deflect ash into the ash tray area, creating a self-organizing ash collection system. This self-service design maintains structural simplicity while facilitating easy maintenance of the gas burner area.
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 efficient cooking in both coal and gas modes with minimal maintenance, as ash is contained and grease is prevented from reaching the gas burner, allowing for convenient use and easy food transfer between grills.
Implementation Method 1
ash produced by combustion of the coal supported on the first grill
Data Source
AI summary
A bi-mode barbecue grill device includes a bowl, a gas burner located in the bowl, an ash tray located near the gas burner, a first grill located above the gas burner, a second grill located above the first grill, and a shield located between the gas burner and the first grill. The first grill is used to support coal. The second grill is used to support food. The shield shields the gas burner from ash produced by combustion of the coal supported on the first grill and directs the ash onto the ash tray.