Combination griddle and teppanyaki cooking unit for a household cooking appliance

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Solution Overview

Problem

Household cooking appliances often require multiple separate cooking units for griddles and teppanyaki grills, consuming space and increasing costs, as users typically need to choose between these options without the flexibility to switch between them.

Innovation Solution

A combination griddle and teppanyaki cooking unit with a cooking surface that can be selectively operated in either griddle or teppanyaki mode, featuring a first and second heating unit to provide uniform heat across the surface in griddle mode and concentrated heat in teppanyaki mode, along with a durable surface and optional grease/waste collection.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If multiple separate cooking units are installed to provide both griddle and teppanyaki functions, then cooking versatility is improved, but device complexity and space consumption increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecooking versatilityVSAvoidappliance complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a single cooking unit that can perform both griddle and teppanyaki functions by incorporating multiple heating units that can be selectively activated. The first and second heating units can work together to provide uniform heat distribution for griddle mode, or individually to create concentrated heat zones for teppanyaki mode, allowing one device to replace multiple separate cooking units

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs dynamic control of heating elements to transform the cooking surface characteristics. By selectively activating different heating units (first heating unit, second heating unit, third heating unit), the system can dynamically change from uniform heat distribution (griddle mode) to concentrated heat zones (teppanyaki mode), enabling functional transformation within a single static physical structure

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Adaptability or versatility

If multiple separate cooking units are installed to provide both griddle and teppanyaki functions, then cooking versatility is improved, but space consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecooking versatilityVSAvoidspace consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the functionality of separate griddle and teppanyaki cooking units into a single integrated cooking surface. The first heating unit, second heating unit, and third heating unit are all positioned within one cooking unit, allowing both griddle and teppanyaki functions to be performed in a single location rather than requiring multiple separate units across the appliance surface

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Area of stationary object

If a single cooking unit is used for both griddle and teppanyaki functions, then space is saved, but heating uniformity and heat concentration requirements conflict

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvespace savingsVSAvoidheating pattern control

Core Design Contradiction:

Area of stationary objectVSTemperature

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the heating system into multiple independent heating units (first heating unit, second heating unit, third heating unit) that can be controlled separately. This segmentation allows different portions of the cooking surface to be heated independently, enabling uniform heating when all units operate together for griddle mode, and concentrated heating when specific units are activated for teppanyaki mode

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

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

Increases cooking flexibility, saves space by eliminating the need for separate units, offers a durable surface for both cooking modes, and enhances usability with a grease collection feature, reducing appliance complexity and costs.

Implementation Method 1

a first heating unit for heating a first portion of the cooking surface

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectHeating: Heating

Implementation Method 2

a second heating unit for heating a second portion of the cooking surface

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectHeating: Heating

Data Source

PatentUS9723954B2Combination griddle and teppanyaki cooking unit for a household cooking appliance

Publication Date: 2017.08.08 BSH HOME APPLIANCES CORP

AI summary

A combination griddle and teppanyaki cooking unit for a household cooking appliance or stand-alone cooking appliance is provided in which the combination griddle and teppanyaki cooking unit includes a cooking surface, a first heating unit for heating a first portion of the cooking surface, and a second heating unit for heating a second portion of the cooking surface, wherein the first heating unit and the second heating unit are selectively operable to uniformly heat an entire area of the cooking surface in a griddle mode of operation and to concentrate a greater amount of heat in a first area of the cooking surface than in a second area of the cooking surface in a teppanyaki mode of operation.