Clamshell Grill Lower Platen Leveling for Parallel Cooking Surfaces

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional clamshell grills face limitations in compression force and reliability due to the weight of the upper platen assembly and positioning of leveling components in high-temperature areas, affecting the even cooking and operation of the grill.

Innovation Solution

A grill design featuring a base structure with independently movable leveling mechanisms that automatically level the lower grilling surface relative to the upper grilling surface, allowing for precise adjustment and maintenance of a desired gap, and positioning the leveling mechanisms outside the high-temperature area for improved reliability.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Force

If the upper platen assembly is used to apply compression force to the food, then the compression force is limited to the weight of the platen, but increasing the platen weight would increase the compression force

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecompression forceVSAvoidplaten weight

Core Design Contradiction:

ForceVSWeight of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

A separate compression mechanism acts as an intermediary between the platen and the food, providing additional compression force beyond the platen's weight. This mediator component transfers mechanical force to the food independently of the platen assembly's mass.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The passive gravitational force system (relying on platen weight) is replaced with an active mechanical actuation system that can generate and control compression force independently, allowing force application without proportionally increasing platen weight.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Reliability

If the leveling components are positioned above the upper platen assembly, then the leveling mechanism can function, but the excessive heat in the high temperature area affects the reliability and operation of the leveling component

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveleveling component reliabilityVSAvoidtemperature of leveling component

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSTemperature

Solution Approach 1:

The leveling components are extracted from the high-temperature zone above the upper platen and repositioned to a cooler location, separating the thermal environments to protect sensitive components from excessive heat while maintaining their leveling function.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The leveling mechanism is repositioned to a different spatial dimension or location that is thermally isolated from the high-temperature cooking zone, allowing the same functional component to operate in a cooler environment without compromising reliability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

3Productivity

If manual flipping is used to cook both sides of food, then the cooking process is simple, but the overall cooking time is longer and requires more operator attention

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecooking speedVSAvoidoperator attention required

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The cooking surfaces are merged into a clamshell configuration where both the upper and lower platens provide heating, allowing simultaneous cooking of both sides of food items. This combines the cooking function into a single enclosed space, eliminating the need for manual flipping while maintaining ease of operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The clamshell structure is pre-configured with both heating surfaces in position, allowing the food to be placed and both sides to cook simultaneously without requiring intermediate manual intervention to flip the food during the cooking process.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

4Adaptability or versatility

If the gap size is manually adjusted according to food thickness, then the gap can be customized for different food items, but the adjustment process requires operator intervention and time

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvegap size customizationVSAvoidadjustment time

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system includes sensors that automatically detect food thickness and the control system automatically adjusts the gap size accordingly, eliminating the need for manual measurement and adjustment by the operator. The system serves itself by making the adaptation decision and executing the adjustment autonomously.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

Sensors provide feedback about food thickness to the control system, which then automatically adjusts the gap size based on this feedback. This closed-loop control system continuously monitors and adjusts the gap to maintain optimal cooking conditions without operator intervention.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentUS10098499B2Grilling appliance with lower platen position control

Publication Date: 2018.10.16 TAYLOR COMMERCIAL FOODSERVICE LLC

AI summary

A grill is provided including a base structure. An upper platen assembly is connected to the base structure and includes an upper grilling surface. A lower platen assembly is connected to the base structure and includes a lower grilling surface. A plurality of leveling mechanisms is mounted to the base structure with a mounting bracket. A portion of each leveling mechanism is arranged in contact with the lower platen assembly. The leveling mechanisms are configured to automatically level the lower grilling surface relative to the upper grilling surface. Each of the plurality of leveling mechanisms is configured to independently move a portion of the lower grilling surface about a different axis.