Griddle

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing griddles with a vent along a single edge lead to uneven heating and reduced cooking surface area due to the restricted exhaust of heated air.

Innovation Solution

A griddle design featuring a heating element mounted to a frame with nuts that create an air gap around the perimeter of the griddle plate, allowing heated air to exhaust evenly from all sides, thus eliminating the need for a vent along a single edge and increasing the cooking surface area.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Temperature

If a vent is placed along a single edge of the griddle plate, then the exhaust of heated air is achieved, but the heating becomes uneven and the cooking surface area is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveheating uniformityVSAvoidcooking surface area

Core Design Contradiction:

TemperatureVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The single exhaust vent is segmented into multiple exhaust openings distributed along the perimeter of the griddle plate. This segmentation allows heated air to escape from multiple locations simultaneously, creating more uniform heating across the cooking surface while preserving the full cooking area without the need for sealed insulation edges.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The exhaust function is merged with the perimeter structure of the griddle plate itself. The exhaust openings are integrated into the peripheral edges of the plate, allowing the plate's own structure to serve the exhaust function without requiring separate vent components or reducing the cooking surface.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Productivity

If a vent is placed along a single edge of the griddle plate, then the exhaust of heated air is achieved, but the cooking surface area is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveheating efficiencyVSAvoidcooking surface area

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The exhaust function is segmented across multiple perimeter locations rather than concentrated at a single edge. This distribution of exhaust openings improves heating efficiency by allowing more uniform heat distribution across the entire cooking surface, while the full plate area remains available for cooking.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The griddle plate structure serves multiple functions: it provides the cooking surface and simultaneously incorporates the exhaust function through perimeter openings. This multi-functionality eliminates the need to sacrifice cooking area for venting, as the plate's perimeter naturally serves both structural and exhaust purposes.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Device complexity

If the remaining sides are sealed possibly with insulation, then the single edge venting is maintained, but the heating uniformity deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveventing structureVSAvoidheating uniformity

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSTemperature

Solution Approach 1:

The insulation material is extracted or removed from the griddle plate construction. By eliminating the insulating layer, the plate allows heated air to pass through more uniformly across the entire surface, improving heating uniformity while maintaining a simple venting structure with perimeter openings.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of sealing the sides with insulation and providing a single exhaust path, the design inverts the approach by leaving the perimeter open with exhaust openings. This reversal of the sealing concept allows natural heat distribution and uniform heating without requiring complex insulation arrangements.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

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

This design provides more even heating and a larger cooking surface by allowing heated air to exhaust from the entire perimeter, improving both heating efficiency and aesthetic by covering the entire top surface.

Implementation Method 1

a heating element configured to provide heat to the griddle plate when the griddle is used

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThermal conduction: Conduction (thermal)

Implementation Method 2

define an air gap around a perimeter of the griddle plate between the flange and the bottom surface of the griddle plate... allowing heated air to exhaust evenly from all sides

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectConvection: Convection

Data Source

PatentUS11583136B1Griddle

Publication Date: 2023.02.21 SUB ZERO GROUP INC

AI summary

A griddle includes a griddle plate, a heating element, a frame, and a plurality of nuts. The heating element provides heat to the griddle plate when the griddle is used. The frame includes a plurality of walls, a flange that extends from top edges of the plurality of walls, a plurality of studs mounted to extend upward from the flange, and a bottom wall that extends from bottom edges of the plurality of walls toward an interior of the plurality of walls. The heating element is mounted to the bottom wall. A nut of the plurality of nuts is mounted on each stud of the plurality of studs. A bottom surface of the griddle plate is mounted to abut each nut of the plurality of nuts to define an air gap around a perimeter of the griddle plate between the flange and the bottom surface of the griddle plate.