Cooktop with hinged grates
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing cooktop designs lack flexibility in grate positioning and functionality, as grates are typically fixed or have limited adjustability, which can restrict user convenience and aesthetic appeal.
Innovation Solution
A cooktop assembly with hinged grates and coupling members that allow grates to be selectively positioned between raised and lowered states, enabling interchangeability and improved user interaction, with pivot members and retaining protrusions for secure engagement and easy rotation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If grates are made fixed or with limited adjustability, then structural simplicity is maintained, but user convenience and functionality are restricted
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the dynamics principle by transforming fixed grates into movable, hinged grates that can rotate between a lowered cooking position and a raised storage position. The coupling member with pivot member enables this dynamic movement, allowing the grate to transition between different functional states (cooking, storage, aesthetic) while maintaining structural integration. This resolves the contradiction by providing user convenience through movement while keeping the overall structure relatively simple through integrated hinge design.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies segmentation by dividing the grate assembly into separable components: the grate body, the coupling member, and the pivot member. This segmentation allows the grate to be selectively coupled and decoupled from the cooktop, enabling easy repositioning and interchangeability. The segmented design provides user convenience through flexible positioning while maintaining ease of manufacture through modular assembly.
2Adaptability or versatility
If grates are made interchangeable and highly adjustable, then versatility and user convenience are improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies universality by designing the coupling member to serve multiple functions: it acts as a mounting structure, a hinge mechanism, and a retention system. The same coupling member enables the grate to be positioned in multiple configurations (lowered for cooking, raised for storage, angled for aesthetics) and allows for easy interchangeability. This multi-functionality provides high adaptability without proportionally increasing device complexity, as one component accomplishes what would otherwise require multiple separate mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies merging by combining the hinge mechanism and retention mechanism into a single integrated coupling member. The pivot member and retaining protrusion are incorporated into the same component that attaches the grate to the cooktop. This merging reduces the number of separate parts and assembly steps, providing versatile grate positioning functionality while keeping the overall device complexity manageable through integration.
3Shape
If coupling members are exposed when grates are lowered, then structural integrity is maintained, but aesthetic appeal is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by designing the grate to rotate between positions, dynamically changing the visibility of the coupling member. When the grate is in the lowered cooking position, the coupling member becomes obscured by the grate body itself, providing aesthetic appeal. When raised for storage or access, the coupling member is visible but serves its structural function. This dynamic positioning resolves the contradiction by providing aesthetic appeal during normal use while maintaining structural integrity when needed.
Data Source
AI summary
A cooking appliance includes a cooktop and a burner mounted on the cooktop. At least one coupling member is coupled to the cooktop. A grate, a griddle, or a reversible griddle is selectively coupled to the at least one coupling member and is operable between a raised position and a lowered position when the grate, the griddle, or the reversible griddle, is engaged with the coupling member.