Collapsible Trivet with Pivoting Support for Upside-Down Lid Handling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional trivets are ineffective in supporting pan lids upside-down, making it difficult to handle hot lids without burning oneself and risking instability and surface damage from condensate.
Innovation Solution
A collapsible trivet with pivotally mounted support sections and a connecting member that allows for multiple positions, including an open configuration to support lids upside-down, ensuring the handle is accessible and preventing surface contact, and a compact collapsed state for storage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a conventional trivet is used to support a pan lid, then the lid can be placed on the surface, but the handle is inaccessible and the lid may fall off or damage the surface
Solution Approach 1:
The support member is designed to be movable between a first position where it supports the pan lid body and a second position where it engages with the pan lid handle. This dynamic reconfiguration allows the same structure to provide both stable support and handle accessibility, resolving the contradiction between ease of operation and reliability.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If a pan lid is placed upside-down on a conventional trivet, then the surface is protected from condensate, but the handle becomes inaccessible and the lid is difficult to retrieve
Solution Approach 1:
The movable support member can transition from supporting the lid body in an inverted position to engaging the handle, enabling the user to retrieve the lid without touching the hot surface. This dynamic capability maintains surface protection while providing handle accessibility.
Solution Approach 2:
The support member acts as an intermediary between the pan lid and the surface, first supporting the lid body to protect the surface from condensate, then engaging the handle to facilitate safe retrieval. This intermediary mechanism resolves the contradiction between surface protection and ease of operation.
3Area of stationary object
If a large or non-foldable trivet is used to support multiple items, then sufficient support area is provided, but storage space is wasted
Solution Approach 1:
The support member is designed to be movable and reconfigurable, allowing the trivet to expand to provide sufficient support area for multiple items or large items, and to collapse to a compact form for space-efficient storage. This dynamic adaptability resolves the contradiction between support area and storage volume.
Solution Approach 2:
The trivet is divided into a base and a movable support member that can be independently positioned. This segmentation allows the support area to be expanded when needed while maintaining a compact storage profile, resolving the contradiction between support area and storage space.
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 safe and stable support of both pans and lids, preventing surface damage and condensate issues while allowing easy handling and compact storage, enhancing usability and hygiene in kitchen settings.
Implementation Method 1
the first support section including two support arms and being pivotally mounted to one end of the connecting member, and the second support section being pivotally mounted to the other end of the connecting member
Data Source
AI summary
A collapsible trivet comprises a first support section, a second support section, and a connecting member, the first support section being mounted to one end of the connecting member by a first axle and the second support section being mounted to the other end of the connecting member by a second axle, the first and second support sections being pivotable relative to the connecting member and the first support section including two support arms.