Foldable Oven Casing with Pivoting Plates for Compact Storage
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional ovens have a fixed casing shape that occupies significant space, making them inconvenient to move and store, which limits their portability and usage, especially for outdoor camping.
Innovation Solution
A modular oven casing design featuring a base with pivotable plates that can be folded and stacked, reducing the overall size, allowing for easy assembly and disassembly to form a baking space.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If the casing is constituted of fixed plates, then the structural strength is improved, but the portability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The casing is divided into multiple detachable plates (first plates and second plates) that can be separated into stacked groups. Each plate maintains its structural integrity while the overall casing can be disassembled for portability. The plates are connected through pivot portions and pivot ears that allow both secure assembly and controlled disassembly.
Solution Approach 2:
The casing transitions from a static fixed structure to a dynamic reconfigurable structure. The plates can pivot between assembled and folded positions, allowing the casing to adapt between a stable cooking configuration and a compact transport configuration. The pivot mechanisms enable controlled movement while maintaining structural strength during assembly.
2Stability of the object's composition
If the casing is constituted of fixed plates, then the structural stability is improved, but the storage space requirement increases
Solution Approach 1:
The plates are designed to nest within each other when folded. The first plates stack on top of each other, and the second plates stack similarly, creating a compact nested configuration for storage. This nesting arrangement significantly reduces the volume required for storage while maintaining structural stability when assembled.
Solution Approach 2:
The plates are arranged to fold in different dimensional orientations. The first plates fold along one axis while the second plates fold along another axis, creating a multi-dimensional compact configuration. This dimensional arrangement allows the casing to collapse into a small footprint for storage while maintaining full structural integrity when assembled.
3Ease of operation
If the plates are made pivotable, then the portability is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The pivot mechanism is segmented into discrete connection points (pivot portions on the base and pivot ears on the plates). Each pivot connection is an independent, simple hinge joint rather than a complex continuous mechanism. This segmentation allows the plates to pivot independently while keeping each individual connection simple and easy to manufacture.
Data Source
AI summary
A casing of an oven includes a base, two first plates and two second plates. The base has two first pivot portions and two second pivot portions. Two first axes and two second axes are defined. Each of the two first axes passes through one of the two first pivot portions. Each of the two second axes passes through one of the two second pivot portions. Each of the two first axes and the two second axes re spaced apart from one another in a height direction of the base. Each of the two first plates is pivotally connected to one of the two first pivot portions. Each of the two second plates is pivotally connected to one of the two second pivot portions. As the four axes are respectively located at different positions in the height direction of the base, the two first plates could be stacked and the two second plates could be stacked upon folding the casing.