Central Pivot Middle Arm for Stable Contact Grill Mounting

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing contact grilling or roasting devices with eccentric pivot axes require significant space for pivoting and are unstable, making them unsuitable for positioning against boundaries and complicating the integration of additional functions like weight relief and fixation.

Innovation Solution

A center arm design with a centrally arranged pivot axis, formed by two half-shells, which increases rigidity and allows for compactness, combined with an inner housing for the pivot axis and devices for weight relief and fixation, simplifying the construction and reducing parts.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Shape

If the pivot axis is arranged eccentrically in relation to the central axis of the holding section, then the holding section can be designed with an offset shape, but the pivoting range becomes considerable and the construction becomes unstable

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveholding section shapeVSAvoidcentral arm stability
Core Design Contradiction:
ShapeVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of arranging the pivot axis eccentrically as in prior art, the invention inverts the approach by positioning the pivot axis centrally at the intersection of central axes M1 and M2. This central arrangement eliminates the lever arm effect that causes instability while still achieving the required offset through the L-shaped holding section design, thereby resolving the contradiction between shape design and stability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

2Shape

If the pivot axis is arranged eccentrically, then the holding section can be offset-shaped, but a considerable pivoting range is created requiring free space

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveholding section shapeVSAvoidspace requirement
Core Design Contradiction:
ShapeVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The invention reverses the conventional eccentric pivot axis arrangement by placing it centrally. This central positioning significantly reduces the pivoting range compared to eccentric arrangements, allowing the contact grilling or roasting device to be positioned directly against a rear boundary without requiring additional free space, while the L-shaped holding section still achieves the necessary offset configuration.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

3Adaptability or versatility

If additional functions like weight relief and fixation devices are integrated, then functionality is improved, but the design effort becomes very high

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefunction integrationVSAvoiddesign effort
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The invention integrates multiple functions including weight relief and fixation devices directly into the centrally arranged pivot axis structure. By making the pivot axis the central element that accommodates various functional components, the design achieves multi-functionality without requiring separate complex mechanisms, thereby reducing overall design effort while improving adaptability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

4Shape

If the holding section is L-shaped with eccentric pivot axis, then the pivot axis is offset, but the entire construction becomes unstable due to lever arm

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveholding section shapeVSAvoidconstruction rigidity
Core Design Contradiction:
ShapeVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The invention inverts the eccentric pivot axis arrangement by positioning it centrally at the intersection of central axes M1 and M2. This central positioning eliminates the lever arm effect that causes instability and reduces rigidity in L-shaped holding sections. The pivot axis is supported by bearing supports and bearing covers that provide additional structural reinforcement, maintaining strength while achieving the required offset through the holding section geometry.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Data Source

PatentEP2369967B9Middle arm for mounting a contact grill or roasting plate and contact grill or roasting device with such a middle arm
Publication Date: 2013.03.27 H H SCHOLZ
  • EP2369967B9 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2369967B9 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2369967B9 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The invention relates to a middle arm (10) for assembling a grill or roasting upper plate (11), wherein the middle arm (10) has an essentially vertical support section (12) and a holder section (13) arranged to pivot on the vertical support section (12), on which the grill or roasting upper plate (11) is arranged and the pivot axis (16) of the holder section (13) is designed t be and arranged roughly at the intersection S of the mid-axes M1 and M2 of the holder section (13) and the support section (12), characterised in that the support section (12) is formed from two half shells, one half shell being bearing support (24) for the pivot axis (16) nd the other half shell designed as bearing cover for fixing the pivot axis (16).