Continuous Grill Cooking Surface With Isolated Heating Zones

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing grills with continuous cooking surfaces struggle to maintain different temperature zones effectively due to heat conduction between regions, making it difficult to cook foods at varying temperatures simultaneously.

Innovation Solution

A grill with individually controllable heating zones separated by isolation zones that incorporate cooling features, such as cooling channels in isolation bars, to reduce heat transfer between zones, allowing for independent temperature control of each zone.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Area of stationary object

If a continuous cooking surface is used with heating elements positioned beneath, then the cooking surface provides a large uninterrupted area for cooking, but heat conduction between regions causes temperature zones to merge, making it difficult to maintain different temperatures simultaneously

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecooking surface areaVSAvoidtemperature zone control

Core Design Contradiction:

Area of stationary objectVSTemperature

Solution Approach 1:

The continuous cooking surface is segmented into multiple independent heating zones by inserting thermal isolation bars between adjacent heating elements. Each heating zone can be controlled independently with its own temperature control system, allowing different temperatures to be maintained simultaneously across the large cooking surface area.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Thermal isolation bars are introduced as intermediary elements between adjacent heating zones. These bars act as thermal barriers that reduce heat conduction between zones, allowing each zone to maintain its desired temperature independently while still providing a continuous cooking surface.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Temperature

If thermal isolation bars are added to separate heating zones, then temperature control between zones is improved, but the structural complexity and number of components increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetemperature zone controlVSAvoidnumber of isolation components

Core Design Contradiction:

TemperatureVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The thermal isolation bars are designed as thin, flat elements that can be easily inserted between heating zones. These thin film-like isolation bars provide effective thermal barrier functionality while minimizing structural complexity and maintaining a sleek, continuous cooking surface appearance.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

Solution Approach 2:

The thermal isolation bars are designed with specific thermal conductivity parameters that optimize their heat blocking capability. By carefully selecting materials and dimensions with appropriate thermal parameters, effective zone separation is achieved with minimal component complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Adaptability or versatility

If multiple independent heating zones with individual control are implemented, then cooking flexibility and efficiency are enhanced, but the cost and complexity of the control system increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecooking flexibilityVSAvoidcontrol system complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The control system is designed with universal components that can manage multiple heating zones. A single control unit with multiple output channels or a modular control architecture allows independent temperature control of each heating zone while avoiding the need for completely separate control systems for each zone, thus reducing overall complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

Adjacent heating zones that require the same temperature can be merged into a single controlled region, reducing the number of independent control systems needed. The control system can dynamically group zones based on cooking requirements, providing cooking flexibility while simplifying the control architecture.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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 precise temperature control across different heating zones, facilitating the simultaneous cooking of foods at various temperatures without significant heat transfer issues, enhancing cooking flexibility and efficiency.

Implementation Method 1

heat transfer between zones

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThermal conduction: Conduction (thermal)

Implementation Method 2

cooling channel extending at least partially along a length of the isolation bar

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectConvection: Convection

Data Source

PatentUS11534026B2Continuous cooking surface with individually controllable heating zones

Publication Date: 2022.12.27 EVO AMERICA LLC

AI summary

Examples are disclosed herein that relate to a grill with a continuous cooking surface having individually controllable heating zones separated by one or more isolation zones. One example provides a grill, comprising a continuous cooking surface comprising a plurality of individually controllable heating zones separated by one or more isolation zones, each heating zone comprising a heating zone plate with one or more heating elements disposed beneath the heating zone plate, and each isolation zone comprising an isolation bar joined to adjacent conductive plates of adjacent heating zones, each isolation bar comprising a cooling channel extending at least partially along a length of the isolation bar.