Clamshell Grill Backsplash Structure for Grease-Protected Joints
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional clamshell grills face limitations in compression force for cooking and are prone to malfunction due to grease and debris accumulation at the joint between the upper and lower platen assemblies.
Innovation Solution
A grill design featuring a backsplash at the joint between the upper and lower platen assemblies to capture grease and debris, along with an extended back end on the upper grill plate to direct grease away from the cooking surface, enhancing maintenance and reliability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a conventional clamshell grill design is used, then the grill can simultaneously cook two sides of food items, but grease and debris accumulate at the joint between upper and lower platen assemblies causing malfunction and failure
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and removes the accumulated grease and debris from the joint area by designing a removable backsplash that can be detached and cleaned separately. This allows the grease-trapping function to be maintained while enabling easy maintenance without disassembling the entire grill structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a backsplash as an intermediary component between the upper and lower platen assemblies. This backsplash acts as a mediator that intercepts grease and debris before they can reach and damage the joint mechanisms, thereby protecting the grill's reliability while maintaining cooking functionality.
2Ease of operation
If the upper platen assembly is positioned in a raised position, then the operator can access and clean the cooking surfaces, but grease and debris are exposed to the joint area causing carbonization and malfunction
Solution Approach 1:
The backsplash serves as a protective intermediary that remains in place during the raised position, continuing to intercept grease and debris even when the cooking surface is exposed for cleaning. This prevents harmful substances from reaching the joint area while maintaining operator access.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent adds a vertical dimension to the grease protection by extending the backsplash upward beyond the traditional horizontal cooking surface level. This creates a protective barrier in the vertical space where grease would otherwise travel to the joint area during the raised position.
3Device complexity
If the joint between upper and lower platen assemblies is exposed to grease, then the grill structure remains simple, but the grease causes carbonization leading to malfunction and complete failure
Solution Approach 1:
The backsplash is introduced as a simple intermediary component that creates a physical barrier between grease and the joint area. This additive approach protects joint reliability without fundamentally redesigning the grill structure, maintaining simplicity while preventing carbonization.
Solution Approach 2:
The backsplash provides beforehand protection by intercepting grease and debris before they can reach and damage the joint mechanisms. This preventive measure cushions the joint area against harmful substances, preventing carbonization and potential failure before they occur.
Data Source
AI summary
A grill is provided including a base structure. A lower platen assembly is connected to the base structure and includes a lower grill plate having a first cooking surface. An upper platen assembly is connected to the base structure and includes an upper grill plate having a second cooking surface movable between a raised position and a lowered position. A backsplash is arranged at a joint between the upper platen assembly and the lower platen assembly. The backsplash includes a partially open compartment within which a back end of the upper grill plate is arranged when in the raised position. The upper platen assembly includes an extended back end configured to direct grease away from the cooking surface. When the upper platen assembly is in the lowered position, the extended back end if offset from the first cooking surface.