Grill
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Solution Overview
Problem
Electric grills struggle to maintain high operational temperatures for extended periods and durability, limiting their use in commercial food preparation settings, as they lack the heat capacity and longevity of combustion grills.
Innovation Solution
An electric grill design that utilizes IR energy from serpentine-shaped tubular electric heating elements, combined with radiant bodies and convective heat transfer through cooling ducts and air circulation, to achieve high temperatures and efficient heat distribution, while minimizing the impact of grease and debris on the heating elements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If electric heating elements are used in an electric grill, then the device can operate without combustion, but the grill cannot maintain high operational temperatures for extended periods
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces radiant bodies (lava rocks, ceramic bricks, or stainless steel spheres) as intermediary heat storage media between the electric heating elements and the food. These radiant bodies absorb heat from the heating elements during low-demand periods and radiate stored heat during high-demand periods, enabling the grill to maintain high temperatures for extended durations without direct combustion.
2Power
If electric heating elements are positioned to generate intense heat, then cooking performance improves, but the elements are more susceptible to damage from grease and debris
Solution Approach 1:
The radiant bodies serve as a protective intermediary layer between the electric heating elements and the cooking environment. They absorb the intense heat required for cooking while shielding the heating elements from direct exposure to grease, debris, and food particles, thereby reducing damage and extending element lifespan.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the heat storage and radiation function from the heating elements themselves and places it in separate radiant bodies. This separation allows the heating elements to operate at lower, more reliable temperatures for extended periods, while the radiant bodies handle the high-temperature radiation needed for cooking.
3Duration of action of stationary object
If cooling ducts are added to protect heating elements, then element longevity improves, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The cooling ducts serve multiple functions: they provide airflow to cool heating elements during operation, facilitate easier cleaning by allowing access to element surfaces, and can be integrated with the existing housing structure. This multi-functionality justifies the added structural complexity by delivering multiple benefits from a single system addition.
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 electric grill effectively achieves temperatures of 400-500°C at the cooking aperture, maintaining thermal capacity for extended use and durable operation, with both radiative and convective heat transfer ensuring consistent cooking performance.
Implementation Method 1
The electric heating elements generate IR energy that is directed towards a middle of the open interior below the aperture
Implementation Method 2
Heat energy exits the housing through the aperture by radiative heat transfer
Implementation Method 3
Such convective heat transfer includes air currents circulating within the open interior past the electric heating elements and out of the aperture
Data Source
AI summary
An electric grill configured for cooking food and a method of cooking food using the electric grill includes a housing that defines an open interior and an aperture. Element frames are positioned at the sides of the open interior. Electric heating elements are positioned within the element frames and are positioned within the open interior exterior of the aperture in a direction towards the housing. The electric heating elements generate IR energy that is directed towards a middle of the open interior below the aperture. Heat energy exits the housing through the aperture by radiative heat transfer and convective heat transfer. Such convective heat transfer includes air currents circulating within the open interior past the electric heating elements and out of the aperture.