DC Solid-Fuel Grill with Reversible Motor for Cordless Portability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional pellet grills face limitations in portability due to power cords, are restricted to dry conditions, and suffer from clogged fuel feeder systems and soot accumulation, which affect their efficiency and usability.
Innovation Solution
A direct-current (DC) solid-fuel grill system powered by a DC power source and DC motors, allowing for reversible operation of components like the auger and blower, a ceramic hot-rod for quick heating and temperature control, and a battery-based power solution that eliminates the need for cords, enabling use in wet conditions and efficient low-power modes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a power cord is used to power the grill using alternating current (AC), then the grill can be powered reliably, but the portability of the grill is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the power cord and AC power dependency from the grill system, extracting the constraint that limits portability. The grill is redesigned to operate independently using an internal power source, eliminating the need for external power connections and enabling free movement and placement in various locations including outdoor and wet environments.
2Duration of action of stationary object
If a power cord is used to power the grill, then the grill can operate continuously, but the grill is limited to dry conditions due to safety concerns over exposing the power cord to moisture
Solution Approach 1:
The power cord and its associated moisture safety constraints are removed from the system. The grill adopts an internal sealed power source that is not exposed to external environmental conditions, eliminating the restriction that prevents operation in wet or outdoor conditions while maintaining continuous operation capability.
3Power
If fuel pellets are used in the grill, then the grill can provide heat and smoke flavor, but the fuel feeder system clogs and jams requiring difficult cleaning and maintenance
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical fuel feeder system with a direct manual loading approach or alternative fuel delivery mechanism that eliminates the complex moving parts, augers, and motors prone to clogging. This substitution removes the maintenance burden of unclogging and cleaning while preserving the heating and smoke flavor functions through direct pellet placement in the combustion chamber.
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 DC solid-fuel grill enhances portability, allows safe use in wet conditions, simplifies clog clearance, and provides precise temperature control and efficiency gains through reversible motor operations and efficient power management.
Implementation Method 1
A DC-powered solid-fuel grill includes a DC power source and one or more DC motors. The one or more DC motors actuates one or more solid-fuel grill components, such as a blower and/or a pellet auger.
Implementation Method 2
a ceramic hot-rod for quick heating and temperature control
Implementation Method 3
The one or more DC motors may also be capable of selectively actuating the blower and/or the pellet auger at multiple different velocities.
Implementation Method 4
The one or more DC motors actuates one or more solid-fuel grill components, such as a blower and/or a pellet auger.
Data Source
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AI summary
A direct-current (DC) solid-fuel grill comprises a direct-current power source (130) and a direct-current motor (225) receiving power from the direct-current power source (130). The DC solid-fuel grill may also comprise a solid-fuel grill component (205) configured to be driven by the direct-current motor (225). A direct-current controller (300) is in communication with the direct-current motor (225). The direct-current controller (300) is configured to provide at least a first signal to the direct-current motor (225) causing the solid-fuel grill component (205) to actuate at a first velocity, and a second signal to the direct-current motor (225) causing the solid-fuel grill component (205) to actuate at a second velocity.