Electric Grill Zone Switchover for Concentrated Heating Power

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Solution Overview

Problem

Electric grills with multiple heating zones face challenges in optimizing energy input while maintaining a simple and inexpensive design, as they often struggle to operate heating elements at maximum power without exceeding the permitted power input, leading to inefficient heating distribution and temperature control.

Innovation Solution

The electric grill employs a heating element switchover feature, where a second heating element with higher power input can be activated in specific zones, while simultaneously deactivating first heating elements in other zones, allowing for concentrated power usage in one zone for enhanced heating, and features tubular heating elements with non-parallel legs for improved heat distribution.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Power

If a second heating element with higher power input is activated in specific zones, then heating output in selected zones is increased, but power input may exceed permitted maximum power input

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveheating outputVSAvoidpower input

Core Design Contradiction:

PowerVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The system dynamically switches between different heating element configurations based on operational requirements. The control unit activates or deactivates specific heating elements (first or second) in each heating zone to optimize power distribution, allowing the grill to adapt its power consumption and heating output dynamically rather than operating in a fixed state

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

Different heating zones are equipped with different heating element configurations (some zones have only first heating elements, others have both first and second heating elements). This local differentiation allows specific zones to provide higher heating output when needed while keeping other zones at standard power levels, thereby managing overall power consumption within permitted limits

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

2Power

If multiple heating elements are operated simultaneously in all heating zones, then maximum power input is distributed across all zones, but heating distribution efficiency decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepower input distributionVSAvoidheating distribution efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

PowerVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The control unit dynamically manages the activation state of heating elements based on operational mode. In barbecue mode, only first heating elements are activated for even distribution across all zones. In searing mode, second heating elements are activated in specific zones to concentrate power where needed, optimizing heating efficiency for the specific cooking task

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

3Adaptability or versatility

If the grill design includes second heating elements in all heating zones, then heating flexibility is improved, but device complexity and manufacturing cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveheating flexibilityVSAvoidstructure

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Second heating elements are not installed in all heating zones but only in specific zones where enhanced heating capability is required (e.g., zones designated for searing). This selective placement provides the necessary heating flexibility for different cooking modes while avoiding the complexity and cost of equipping every zone with dual heating elements

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

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

This configuration enables the grill to operate at maximum power within specified limits, allowing for higher heating output in selected zones while maintaining efficient heat distribution across the cooking surface, providing users with flexible temperature control options.

Implementation Method 1

each heating zone is assigned a first electrical heating element (8) for heating the cooking surface (3, 11) in this heating zone (H1, H2)

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectJoule heating: Joule Heating

Data Source

PatentUS20230059706A1Electric grill appliance and heating element therefor

Publication Date: 2023.02.23 ENDERS COLSMAN

AI summary

An electric grill with a cooking surface for cooking food, which cooking surface has at least two adjacent heating zones is disclosed. Each heating zone of the grill is assigned a first electrical heating element 8 for heating the cooking surface in this heating zone, H1, H2. A second heating element 9 is arranged in a subset of the heating zones (H1) for increasing the heating power in this heating zone (H1) with a power input that at least matches that of a first heating element 8 of another heating zone (H2). The grill 1 has a heating element switchover feature, such that, when a second heating element 9 is switched on in a heating zone H1 with two heating elements 8, 9, a power corresponding to the power input of the second heating element 9 that is switched on or to be switched on is switched off on first heating elements 8 in one or more other heating zones H1, or switching on such power is blocked.