Dual-Mode Cooking Plate Positioning for Direct and Indirect Heating
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional cooking devices lack flexibility in cooking methods, as they primarily use direct heating and are not suitable for cooking food that requires indirect heating, such as baking.
Innovation Solution
A cooking device with a lower heating plate unit and an upper housing member that is movable between covering, opening, and baking positions, utilizing a positioning mechanism with a resilient member to allow for both direct and indirect heating by adjusting the position of the upper heating plate relative to the lower heating plate.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the upper housing member is fixed to cover the lower heating plate unit, then direct heating is achieved, but the device cannot perform indirect heating (baking)
Solution Approach 1:
The upper housing member is designed to be movable relative to the lower heating plate unit, transitioning between a covering position for direct heating and an opening position for indirect heating. This dynamic structure allows the device to adapt between different cooking methods without requiring multiple separate devices.
Solution Approach 2:
The cooking device integrates both direct heating (grilling) and indirect heating (baking) capabilities into a single device through the movable upper housing member and positioning mechanism, eliminating the need for separate grilling and baking devices.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the upper housing member is made movable to enable both direct and indirect heating, then cooking versatility is improved, but the positioning precision and stability deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The resilient member automatically engages the positioning portion with the guiding hole when the upper heating plate is removed, causing the upper housing member to self-position at the predetermined baking position without requiring manual adjustment or complex control systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The positioning mechanism acts as an intermediary between the movable upper housing member and the fixed lower heating plate unit, ensuring accurate and stable positioning at predetermined locations for both direct and indirect heating modes.
3Adaptability or versatility
If a positioning mechanism with resilient member is added to maintain disengagement during movement, then cooking versatility is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The resilient member automatically engages the positioning portion with the guiding hole when the upper heating plate is removed, causing the upper housing member to self-position at the predetermined baking position without requiring manual adjustment or complex control systems.
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 versatile cooking by allowing direct heating when the upper housing member covers the lower heating plate and indirect heating when positioned apart, accommodating various cooking techniques in a single device.
Implementation Method 1
The resilient member interconnects the upper coupling member and the actuating member, and biases the actuating member toward the first engaging unit of the upper coupling member
Implementation Method 2
a lower heating mechanism, an upper heating mechanism disposed in the upper housing member
Data Source
AI summary
A cooking device includes a lower heating plate unit, an upper housing member, and at least one positioning mechanism that includes a lower coupling unit fixed to the lower heating plate unit, an upper coupling member fixed to the upper housing member, an actuating member disposed on the upper coupling member, and a pin connected to the upper coupling member. The cooking device further includes an upper heating plate coupled to the upper housing member. Removal of the upper heating plate results in the actuating member being pushed resiliently to have a positioning portion thereof engaging a guiding hole of the lower coupling unit, so that the upper housing member is limited to move to be parallel to and spaced apart from the lower heating plate unit.