Collapsible cooking ring

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing portable cooking solutions for outdoor camping do not efficiently support cooking over open flames while allowing for compact storage and easy deployment, as they often lack a stable and adjustable setup that protects cooking vessels from direct heat and smoke.

Innovation Solution

A collapsible cooking device comprising a central hub, pivotably connected arms, and legs that can be folded compactly, with rotatable connections allowing for adjustable positioning over a fire, supporting up to 60 lbs and featuring a fireproof design to keep cooking materials out of direct flames and smoke.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Volume of moving object

If a portable cooking solution is designed for compact storage, then storage efficiency is improved, but stability and adjustability over open flames deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestorage volumeVSAvoidstructural stability

Core Design Contradiction:

Volume of moving objectVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The cooking device is divided into multiple detachable components including legs, arms, and a cooking surface that can be separated for compact storage but assembled to provide stable support during cooking operations

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The device incorporates adjustable and movable components such as height-adjustable legs and positionable arms that allow the structure to adapt between a compact stored configuration and a stable operational configuration during cooking

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Ease of operation

If a portable cooking solution is designed for easy deployment, then ease of operation is improved, but protection from direct heat and smoke deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedeployment easeVSAvoidheat and smoke exposure

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The device is pre-configured with fireproof materials and protective structural elements during manufacturing, so that when deployed, the protection from heat and smoke is already in place without requiring additional setup actions by the user

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

Fireproof protective barriers and shields are incorporated as intermediary elements between the cooking vessels and the open flame, providing automatic protection from heat and smoke exposure while maintaining ease of deployment

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Adaptability or versatility

If a portable cooking solution provides adjustable positioning, then adaptability is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepositioning adaptabilityVSAvoidstructural complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The adjustable components are designed with universal features that allow the same structural elements to serve multiple functions - for example, legs that provide both support and height adjustment, and arms that provide both positioning and structural integrity, thereby reducing overall device complexity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentUS10786069B2Collapsible cooking ring

Publication Date: 2020.09.29 DICKS SPORTING GOODS INC

AI summary

A collapsible cooking device includes a central hub with a support surface positioned on one face of the central hub. A plurality of arm members are connected to the central hub. A plurality of leg members are further rotatably connected to the arm members and configured to nest within each of plurality of arm members. The entire device can fold in order to form a compact shape for travel and storage.