Grill cooking device for digitizing coal with pixelation control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Charcoal grills experience inefficiencies due to ash coating, leading to inconsistent heat distribution and uneven cooking, as existing methods for ash removal are inconvenient, unsafe, and lack precise control over heat localization.
Innovation Solution
A grill cooking device with a motor and control circuit that vibrates the charcoal pan at variable frequencies to selectively remove ash, allowing for localized heat control, temperature regulation, and efficient ash removal, integrated with a smartphone app for personalized cooking settings.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If charcoal is used as heat source, then cooking capability is provided, but ash coating develops that insulates and reduces heat dissipation efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a vibrating device that generates mechanical vibrations to agitate charcoal briquettes and remove ash coatings. The vibrations cause the charcoal to vibrate at frequencies that dislodge ash particles from the surface, thereby restoring heat transfer efficiency and eliminating the insulating effect of ash accumulation.
Solution Approach 2:
The system enables the charcoal to self-clean by vibrating the briquettes themselves to remove ash. The vibration is applied directly to the charcoal, allowing it to actively participate in its own maintenance by shaking off accumulated ash without requiring external manual intervention.
2Object-generated harmful factors
If manual ash removal methods are used (hitting, shaking, stirring), then ash can be removed, but charcoal may be dislodged causing burns or ash may become airborne
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of manual hitting or stirring, the system uses controlled mechanical vibrations applied through the grill structure. These vibrations gently agitate the charcoal and dislodge ash particles in a controlled manner that does not cause charcoal to shift position or create airborne ash clouds, thereby eliminating safety hazards associated with manual removal methods.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces manual mechanical actions (hand stirring, hitting with tools) with an automated vibrating mechanism. This substitution eliminates the need for user intervention that could inadvertently dislodge hot charcoal or create ash clouds, providing a safer automated alternative to manual ash removal.
3Object-generated harmful factors
If vibrating device is activated to vibrate the plate on which charcoal briquettes are supported, then ash is removed, but all briquettes are vibrated in the same manner with no selective control
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the grill surface into multiple independently controllable zones or regions. Each zone can be vibrated independently or with different vibration parameters, allowing selective ash removal from specific areas. This segmentation enables different parts of the grill to have different heat characteristics, providing localized heat control for diverse cooking requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The system enables different regions of the grill to have different vibration characteristics and heat output properties. By applying vibrations selectively to specific zones, the patent creates local variations in heat intensity and distribution, allowing users to optimize cooking conditions for different foods placed in different areas of the grill.
4Object-generated harmful factors
If constant frequency vibration is applied to all briquettes, then ash removal is achieved, but heat distribution cannot be localized or focused over specific grill areas
Solution Approach 1:
The grill surface is divided into multiple independently controllable zones that can be vibrated with different frequencies and intensities. This segmentation allows certain areas to maintain higher heat levels by removing more ash, while other areas maintain lower heat levels, enabling localized heat focusing and distributed heat control simultaneously.
Solution Approach 2:
The system transitions from static, uniform heat distribution to dynamic, adjustable heat zones. By allowing vibration frequency and intensity to vary across different regions and over time, the patent creates a dynamic heat distribution system that can adapt to different cooking requirements, enabling both ash removal and localized heat control.
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 device provides consistent and efficient heat distribution, allowing for precise temperature control and safe ash removal, enhancing cooking quality and user convenience.
Implementation Method 1
A grill cooking device with a motor and control circuit that vibrates the charcoal pan at variable frequencies to selectively remove ash
Implementation Method 2
the vibrating device is activated to vibrate the plate on which the charcoal briquettes are supported, the briquettes over the entire plate are vibrated
Data Source
AI summary
The disclosure provides for a device for selectively agitating briquettes on a grill supporting plate. The device includes a variable frequency vibrational device, a power source, and a control circuit that controls the vibrational device at selected frequencies to create various Chladni patterns in the plate and, therefore, heating patterns over the surface of a briquette-supporting pan. The plate supports one or more pieces of charcoal and the device is integrated into the pan. When turned on, the vibrational device vibrates at a selected frequency. This vibration is translated to the briquette-supporting plate and causes different charcoal briquettes to selectively vibrate. The device is capable of selectively activating or pixilating briquettes to generate higher temperatures over different surface areas of the plate when the grill is cooking one or more pieces of food requiring different degrees of grilling or cooking.