Dual-Door Grill Lid Flue for Rearward Smoke Redirection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional grills do not effectively direct smoke away from the user when the lid is open, posing safety and convenience issues due to the lack of a strong flue effect, with previous solutions failing to create a directional smoke path rearward.
Innovation Solution
A grill design featuring a first grill door and a secondary grill door that form a hinged opening, where the secondary door is positioned at the rear of the opening and pivots to create a flue when both doors are open, directing smoke away from the front towards the rear of the grill.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the conventional grill lid is opened to access food, then the user can add or remove food and check cooking progress, but the user is exposed to a blast of hot smoke that is dangerous and inconvenient
Solution Approach 1:
The grill lid is segmented into two functional parts: a fixed outer lid structure and a movable inner flue door. This segmentation allows the inner door to independently control smoke flow while the outer lid remains stationary, enabling smoke redirection without requiring the user to open the entire lid.
Solution Approach 2:
The inner flue door acts as an intermediary element between the cooking chamber and the user. When opened, it creates a controlled passage that redirects smoke away from the user's face toward the rear of the grill, mediating the harmful smoke exposure while maintaining safe food access.
2Object-generated harmful factors
If a transparent vent window is used to create an opening for smoke escape, then smoke can exit the grill, but the device lacks the ability to create a flue effect to direct smoke away from the user towards the rear
Solution Approach 1:
The inner flue door is designed to be movable rather than fixed, capable of rotating between a closed position (sealing the opening) and an open position (creating the flue effect). This dynamic capability allows the system to adapt between different operational modes: smoke containment during cooking and smoke redirection during access.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention adds a rotational dimension to the smoke control mechanism. By rotating the inner door about a hinge axis, the system creates a three-dimensional smoke flow path that redirects smoke laterally and rearward, rather than simply allowing it to escape in a fixed direction.
3Ease of operation
If a glass panel is made slidable to cover or expose the opening, then the opening can be covered when not in use, but the glass panel cannot be removed during cooking and lacks the ability to create a flue that moves smoke to the rear
Solution Approach 1:
The opening control is segmented into two independent components: the outer lid structure that provides the opening boundary, and the inner flue door that controls smoke flow. This segmentation allows the inner door to perform the specialized function of smoke redirection while the outer structure maintains the opening.
Solution Approach 2:
The inner flue door serves as an intermediary mechanism between the opening and the cooking chamber. It creates a controlled transition zone that manages smoke flow dynamics, redirecting smoke away from the user while maintaining the opening for food access.
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
Effectively directs smoke away from the user's face, enhancing safety and convenience by creating a controlled flue effect that prevents smoke inhalation and allows for different angle adjustments.
Implementation Method 1
When the first and second grill doors are in an open disposition, they form a flue that directs smoke away from the front of the grill and toward the rear of the grill
Data Source
AI summary
A grill comprising a front, a rear, a grill base, a first grill door and a second grill door. The first grill door comprises an opening and is in hinged communication with the grill base. The second grill door is in communication with the first grill door via a hinge, which is disposed at a rear portion of the opening. When the second grill door is in a closed position, the second grill door seals the opening in the first grill door. A method of grilling comprising the steps of opening the first grill door, placing food on the grill base and closing the first grill door to cook food. The method further comprises the steps of opening the first and the second grill door during the cooking process, thereby creating a flue that urges smoke away from the front of the grill and towards the rear of the grill.