Campfire roaster
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing campfire roasters are difficult to use for efficiently dispensing food items due to conventional handle designs that do not facilitate easy removal of clingy food from prongs.
Innovation Solution
A campfire roaster design featuring a rod with a spring mechanism and rotating handles that allows for forward movement of the dispensing plate along the prongs, enabling easy food removal and rotation of the food item over the fire, while maintaining user comfort with insulated handles.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a conventional handle design is used, then the structure is simple, but the food removal from prongs is difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The handle incorporates a rotatable component that allows the user to rotate the prongs and food item, transforming the static holding function into a dynamic system that enables easy food removal through rotational motion
Solution Approach 2:
The rod is nested within the handle structure, with the handle surrounding the rod and both the rod and handle passing through channels. This nested configuration allows the rod to rotate within the handle while maintaining structural integrity
2Productivity
If a spring mechanism is added to move the dispensing plate, then the food dispensing efficiency is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The spring mechanism automatically pushes the dispensing plate forward along the rod when the rotatable component is rotated, eliminating the need for manual intervention to advance the plate and enabling efficient food dispensing through automatic mechanical action
Solution Approach 2:
The spring acts as an intermediary element between the rotational motion of the handle and the linear motion of the dispensing plate, converting rotational input into automated linear advancement of the plate
3Ease of operation
If insulated handles are used, then user comfort is improved, but the material options and manufacturing complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The handle is constructed from insulated material that combines thermal insulation properties with mechanical strength, creating a composite structure that provides user comfort while maintaining structural integrity for handling hot food items
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 an easy-to-use campfire roaster that allows for efficient food dispensing and rotation over the fire, enhancing user experience by simplifying the removal process and maintaining comfort during use.
Implementation Method 1
a spring located between the rear handle and the knob, the spring surrounding the rod and having a relaxed length and a compressed length
Implementation Method 2
the spring surrounding the rod and having a relaxed length and a compressed length, the relaxed length greater than the compressed length
Implementation Method 3
the rear and forward handle are comprised of an insulated material
Data Source
AI summary
A roaster for roasting food over a campfire is disclosed. The roaster may include one or more prongs located at the roaster forward end, a knob located at the roaster rear end, a rod attached to the knob, a dispensing plate slideably mounted on the prong(s) and attached to the rod, a longitudinal tube attached to the prong(s), a forward handle, a rear handle, and a spring between the knob and the rear handle and surrounding the rod. The rod may pass fully through the forward and rear handles and the longitudinal tube. The longitudinal tube may pass fully through the forward handle and only partially through the rear handle. Moving the knob and attached rod forwardly may cause the dispensing plate to move along the prong(s). The rear handle, the longitudinal tube, the prong(s), and the dispensing plate rotate relative to the forward handle.