Foldable Grill with Nested Storage and Chimney-Effect Ignition
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional barbeque grills occupy space when not in use, are aesthetically unpleasing, and require time and effort to prepare charcoal for grilling, often resulting in uneven heating due to lack of airflow.
Innovation Solution
A foldable grill design with a butterfly-leaf opening mechanism, improved airflow through ventilation ports and channels, and a chimney effect using a drawer for ignition, allowing for quick setup and efficient heating in a compact, vertical storage configuration.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If the grill is designed to be foldable and compact for storage, then storage space and aesthetics are improved, but the complexity of the mechanism increases
Solution Approach 1:
The first and second grill portions are disposed within the empty internal volume of the body when in closed configuration, with the grill portions nested inside the body structure. This nesting arrangement allows the grill to fold into a compact vertical pillar that occupies minimal storage space while maintaining a simple overall structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The grill is divided into separable components including the body, first grill portion, and second grill portion that can be independently positioned and folded. The hinged coupling and slidable communication allow these segments to move relative to each other, enabling compact folding while keeping each component structurally simple.
2Manufacturing precision
If charcoal is used for grilling, then flavor is improved, but the preparation time and effort increase
Solution Approach 1:
The drawer is configured to receive charcoal and positioned at the bottom of the body, allowing charcoal to be pre-loaded and ignited before the grill portions are deployed. The chimney effect created by the vertical arrangement pre-heats the charcoal, reducing the time needed to prepare for grilling when the grill is set up.
Solution Approach 2:
The design maintains continuous heating through the chimney effect, where hot air and flames continuously rise through the vertical structure, keeping the charcoal hot and ready for grilling. This continuous thermal action eliminates the need for repeated lighting attempts and maintains consistent cooking temperature.
3Productivity
If airflow is increased for efficient heating, then heating efficiency is improved, but temperature uniformity may worsen due to hot spots
Solution Approach 1:
The body is configured with an elongated shape and specific internal volume arrangement that creates localized airflow patterns. The empty internal volume is positioned to channel air flow in specific regions, providing efficient oxygen supply to the charcoal while distributing heat more evenly across the grilling surface through strategic air intake and exhaust pathways.
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 foldable grill allows for easy storage, quick charcoal preparation, and consistent heating by utilizing a chimney effect to reduce start-up time and prevent hot spots, enhancing the grilling experience.
Implementation Method 1
a drawer adapted to receive ash falling from openings in foot ends of the grill portions, when in the closed configuration
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 1A~1B
Figure 1C~1D
AI summary
A foldable grill for housing a charcoal fire, the foldable grill including: (a) a body, the body having at least partially an empty internal volume; (b) a first grill portion and a second grill portion, the first and second grill portions being hingedly coupled together and in slidable communication with the body, the foldable grill adapted to be movable between an open configuration and a closed configuration, wherein in the closed configuration, the first and second grill portions are disposed within the empty internal volume.