Extendable Raclette Table Design to Reduce Assembly Time and Space
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing dining tables with integrated cooking facilities fail to provide a space-saving, ergonomic, and reliable solution for preparing warm raclette dishes, particularly in the catering and hotel industry, where assembly and disassembly of raclette devices are cumbersome and require significant effort.
Innovation Solution
A dining table with an extendable section that houses a pocket-shaped opening with heating elements, allowing for the heating of multiple raclette scoops or pans, which can be raised or lowered for different usage modes, eliminating the need for separate cooking equipment and reducing assembly/disassembly efforts.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a raclette grill is integrated into a dining table, then food heating functionality is provided, but the table structure becomes more complex and requires additional storage space
Solution Approach 1:
The cooking unit is nested within a recess in the tabletop, allowing the heating elements and controls to be stored inside the table structure when not in use. This integrates the raclette grill functionality while maintaining a clean, simple table appearance and eliminating the need for separate storage space.
Solution Approach 2:
The tabletop surface serves multiple functions: it acts as both the dining surface and the storage location for the cooking unit. The recess in the tabletop accommodates the cooking unit, allowing the same surface area to fulfill both dining and cooking preparation roles.
2Adaptability or versatility
If a raclette grill is set up on a table, then food heating is enabled, but assembly and disassembly require considerable time and effort
Solution Approach 1:
The cooking unit is permanently integrated into the dining table structure, merging the table and cooking device into a single unified piece of furniture. This eliminates the need for separate assembly and disassembly operations, as the cooking unit is already in place and ready for use.
Solution Approach 2:
The cooking unit is pre-installed and positioned within the tabletop recess during manufacturing, so that when the table is delivered to the user, the cooking functionality is already prepared and requires no additional setup or assembly steps.
3Quantity of substance
If multiple raclette grills are set up for larger groups, then more food portions can be heated, but the complexity and effort of setup increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The cooking unit is divided into multiple independent heating zones or stations within the same tabletop recess, allowing simultaneous preparation of multiple food portions. Each heating element can be controlled independently, enabling service for larger groups without requiring multiple separate grill units.
4Area of stationary object
If a cooking unit is built into the table, then no additional storage space is needed, but the tabletop design becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The cooking unit is nested within a recess that is integrated into the tabletop structure. This allows the cooking components to be housed within the table itself, eliminating the need for separate storage space while maintaining a streamlined design. The recess is strategically positioned to minimize impact on the overall tabletop aesthetics.
5Ease of operation
If the pocket-shaped opening protrudes from the tabletop, then food heating is accessible, but it may cause burn marks on the tabletop
Solution Approach 1:
The cooking unit is extracted from the tabletop surface and positioned within a recess, creating a separation between the heating elements and the tabletop surface. This allows the cooking function to be accessible while preventing direct contact between hot containers and the tabletop, eliminating the risk of burn marks.
Solution Approach 2:
The recess structure acts as an intermediary between the cooking unit and the tabletop surface. It provides a protective barrier that prevents direct thermal contact between the heated containers and the tabletop material, while still allowing adequate clearance for heat transfer to the food.
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 solution enables efficient and safe preparation of raclette dishes and other food types, saving time and space, while ensuring user safety and ease of cleaning, with adjustable heating elements and a design that accommodates various user groups.
Implementation Method 1
one or more heating elements (311) for heating a portion of food
Data Source
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AI summary
The present application relates to a dining table for heating a portion of food, in particular a raclette table. The dining table has a support frame, a tabletop mounted on the support frame, and an extendable section, wherein the extendable section is received in a recess in the tabletop and has a pocket-shaped opening with one or more heating elements for heating a portion of food.