Grill device

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing grilling devices with a second heat source below the grilling surface have limited adjustability, restricting the ability to heat food from various directions, particularly when using a rotisserie, as the incandescent body must be exposed to flames or hot exhaust gases, limiting its directional heat radiation.

Innovation Solution

A grill device with a second heat source that can be adjusted to heat food from the side, above, or diagonally, featuring height adjustability and pivotability, allowing for versatile heat application without the need for extensive adjustment mechanisms, and can be used as a high-temperature 'beefer' when necessary.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If the second heat source is designed as a stationary burner tube exposed to flames, then the heat source can be operated, but the adjustability of heat radiation direction is limited

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveadjustability of heat radiation directionVSAvoidadjustment mechanisms
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The second heat source is made dynamically adjustable through a pivot mechanism that allows it to rotate between a horizontal position (for side heating) and a vertical position (for top heating). This dynamic repositioning capability resolves the contradiction by enabling multiple heating directions without requiring multiple separate heat sources, while the pivot mechanism remains relatively simple in structure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The second heat source is designed as a multi-functional component that can serve different purposes (side heating, top heating, diagonal heating) by changing its orientation. This universal design allows a single heat source to replace what would otherwise require multiple fixed heat sources positioned at different locations, thereby improving versatility without proportionally increasing device complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Productivity

If the second heat source is positioned close to the food for high-temperature heating, then heating efficiency is improved, but the risk of burner contamination by dripping liquids increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveheating efficiencyVSAvoidburner contamination
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The pivotable second heat source allows dynamic positioning to optimize the distance between the heat source and food surface. When high-temperature heating is required, the heat source can be positioned closer to achieve better heating efficiency, while when contamination risk is high, it can be repositioned to a safer distance or angle, thus resolving the contradiction between productivity and harmful factors.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system allows preliminary positioning of the second heat source in a safe position away from dripping liquids before high-temperature heating begins. The heat source can be pre-adjusted to an optimal angle and distance that balances heating efficiency with contamination prevention, and this position can be maintained throughout the cooking process.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Adaptability or versatility

If the second heat source is fixed in position, then device complexity is reduced, but the ability to heat food from various directions is limited

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveheating direction flexibilityVSAvoidadjustment mechanisms
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

A simple pivot mechanism is introduced that allows the second heat source to rotate between horizontal and vertical positions. This minimal dynamic adjustment mechanism provides significant versatility in heating directions (side heating, top heating, diagonal heating) without substantially increasing device complexity, as the pivot mechanism can be integrated into the existing heat source mounting structure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

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

Enables more variable and efficient heat application to food, allowing simultaneous heating from below and the side or above, maintaining a stable distance from the rear wall for horizontal heat emission, and reducing the risk of burner contamination by liquids during rotisserie cooking.

Implementation Method 1

the second heat source (8, 8.1) can be pivoted about a pivot axis S in order to change the direction of the desired heat radiation between a position for dissipating heat in a horizontal direction and a position for releasing heat in a vertical downward direction

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectThermal radiation: Thermal Radiation

Implementation Method 2

a heat source located below the grilling surface 7 for heating a foodstuff located on the grilling surface 7

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectThermal radiation: Thermal Radiation

Implementation Method 3

at least flown by the rising hot exhaust gases

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectConvection: Convection

Data Source

PatentEP4218511A1Grill device
Publication Date: 2023.08.02 ENDERS COLSMAN
  • EP4218511A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4218511A1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP4218511A1 patent drawingFigure 4~5

AI summary

A grill 1 comprises a grill surface 7 for placing food to be cooked, a heat source located below the grill surface 7 for heating food placed on the grill surface 7, and a second heat source 8 located above the grill surface 7. The second heat source 8 is adjustable such that, depending on the position of the second heat source 8, food placed on the grill surface 7 can be heated from the side and/or from above. The second heat source 8 is mounted on a rear wall 6 of the grill 1, extending beyond the top of the grill surface 7, and is height-adjustable by translation. The second heat source 8 can be pivoted about a pivot axis S to adjust the direction of the desired heat radiation between a position for emitting heat in a horizontal direction and a position for emitting heat in a vertical downward direction.