Cooking vessel support grate
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional cooking vessel support grates are prone to causing damage to cooking ranges due to their inability to securely hold and protect the surface during removal and cleaning, with existing rubber or elastic bumpers often being insufficient in preventing scratches and accidental dislodgement.
Innovation Solution
A cooking vessel support grate design featuring upward extending cavities on its legs with elastic members that cover the entire surface area, securely bonded to prevent lateral rotation and accidental dislodgement, providing a cushion to absorb shocks and protect the cooking range from damage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If traditional grates are used, then the cooking range surface can be cleaned by removing the grate, but the grate may cause damage to the cooking range during removal and replacement
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies beforehand cushioning by incorporating elastic members within the legs of the grate that extend beyond the bottom surface. These elastic members protrude downward to provide a cushioning effect between the grate and the cooking range surface, preventing direct contact and potential damage during removal and replacement operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes flexible elements by incorporating elastic members made of resilient material within the grate legs. These flexible elastic members can deform and absorb impact forces during grate movement, protecting the rigid cooking range surface from scratches and damage while allowing the grate to be easily removed and repositioned.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If elastic members are added to protect the cooking range, then damage prevention is improved, but the elastic members may be accidentally dislodged or rotated laterally
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the nesting principle by placing the elastic members inside cavities formed within the legs of the grate. The elastic members are received within these internal cavities, which provide containment and prevent lateral rotation or accidental dislodgement. The cavities are specifically designed to accommodate the elastic members while maintaining their protective function.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs asymmetry by designing the cavities with non-circular cross-sections that match the asymmetric shape of the elastic members. This asymmetric geometry prevents lateral rotation of the elastic members within the cavities, as the shapes are complementary and do not allow rotational movement, thereby securing the elastic members in place.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If elastic members extend beyond the bottom surface to provide cushioning, then protection is improved, but the elastic members may rotate laterally within the leg
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs asymmetry by designing the cavities with non-circular cross-sections that match the asymmetric shape of the elastic members. This asymmetric geometry prevents lateral rotation of the elastic members within the cavities, as the shapes are complementary and do not allow rotational movement, thereby securing the elastic members in place.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies local quality by creating specific cavity regions within the legs that have different geometric properties. The cavities feature non-circular cross-sections in certain regions that provide rotational constraint, while other portions allow the elastic members to extend beyond the bottom surface for cushioning. This localized geometric variation achieves both protection and stability.
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
The design effectively prevents damage to the cooking range by securely holding and protecting the surface during movement and cleaning, allowing for easy removal and replacement without risk of scratching or marring, while maintaining stability under heavy loads.
Implementation Method 1
an elastic member attached to each of the legs, the elastic member having an upper portion that at least partially fills the cavity of the respective leg... providing a cushion to absorb shocks and protect the cooking range from damage
Implementation Method 2
the upper portion of the elastic member having a non-circular elastic member region that extends upward from the lower portion of the elastic member, the non-circular elastic member region being shaped to substantially fill the non-circular cavity region of the respective leg to preclude lateral rotation of the elastic member within the cavity
Implementation Method 3
an adhesive that bonds the upper portion of the elastic member to the cavity of the respective leg
Data Source
AI summary
According to one example, a cooking vessel support grate includes a grate with at least two downward extending legs, with each leg having a lower surface. The cooking vessel support grate further includes an upward extending cavity disposed on the lower surface of each of the legs, and an elastic member attached to each of the legs. The elastic member has an upper portion that at least partially fills the cavity of the respective leg. The elastic member further has a lower portion that projects downward from the lower surface of the respective leg and that covers the surface area of the lower surface of the respective leg.