Clamshell Griddle Biased Linkage for Automatic Upper Plate Positioning
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing clamshell griddle systems lack an efficient and operator-friendly mechanism for moving the upper griddle plate between cooking and access positions, which hinders ease of use and flexibility.
Innovation Solution
A griddle mechanism featuring a support column with a biased linkage arrangement, including a lower and upper linkage, that provides an upward force to move the upper griddle plate from a cooking position to an access position, allowing for manual adjustment and automatic movement to a fully raised position without the need for a locking mechanism, utilizing a universal joint for the griddle plate assembly and telescoping guide members for damping.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a locking assembly and handle mechanism are used to move the upper griddle plate, then the griddle plate can be securely locked in position, but the device complexity increases and ease of operation decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the locking assembly and handle mechanism from the system entirely. Instead, it uses a biasing arrangement (spring) that automatically provides upward force to move and hold the upper griddle plate in the raised position, eliminating complex locking components while maintaining reliability through the inherent mechanical advantage of the biasing system
Solution Approach 2:
The biasing arrangement automatically performs the work of moving the upper griddle plate to the raised position and maintaining it there without requiring manual intervention for locking or unlocking. The system serves itself by using the spring force to counterbalance the weight and provide stable positioning without external control mechanisms
2Ease of operation
If a biasing arrangement provides upward force to move the upper cooking plate, then ease of operation improves, but the device complexity increases due to additional components
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the biasing arrangement with the existing support column and arm assembly structure. The spring is integrated into the mechanical linkage system, sharing structural elements with the support column rather than being a completely separate assembly, thereby reducing overall device complexity while maintaining ease of operation
Solution Approach 2:
The biasing arrangement uses a spring to provide upward counterbalancing force that offsets the weight of the upper griddle plate and arm assembly. This counterweight mechanism allows the operator to easily move the plate by overcoming only the difference between the spring force and the gravitational force, significantly improving ease of operation
3Stability of the object's composition
If a locking mechanism is used to maintain the upper plate position, then stability is improved, but ease of operation and cooking flexibility decrease
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the locking mechanism entirely and replaces it with a biasing system that provides continuous upward force. This eliminates the need for separate locking and unlocking actions, allowing operators to freely adjust and reposition the upper plate during cooking operations, thereby improving both ease of operation and cooking flexibility while maintaining positional stability through the spring force
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
Facilitates easy operator use by reducing the force required to raise the upper griddle plate and maintaining it in the raised position, allowing for efficient two-sided cooking and easy food handling, while eliminating the need for a locking mechanism and enhancing cooking flexibility.
Implementation Method 1
the lower linkage comprises a biasing member exerting a biasing force toward the intermediate pivot axis so as to cause the upper linkage to exert a rotational force about the first fixed pivot axis that urges the arm assembly to pivot about the fixed pivot axis
Data Source
AI summary
A griddle apparatus, includes a lower cooking plate and an upper cooking plate, where the upper cooking plate is mounted for movement relative to the lower cooking plate between a lower cooking position and an upper access position by a biasing arrangement that provides an upward force sufficient to move the upper cooking plate up to the upper access position once the upper cooking plate has been manually moved to a set raised location between the lower cooking position and the upper access position.