Heating Plate Cleaning Blade for Safe Hot-Surface Scraping
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional grilling apparatuses require manual lifting and cleaning of heating plates, posing safety risks due to the need to wait for the plates to cool before cleaning, and lack an automated solution for efficient surface cleaning.
Innovation Solution
A cooking apparatus with a cleaning structure that includes a moving blade assembly with a scraper and squeegee, controlled by a circuit to automatically clean the upper and lower heating plates, allowing for safe and efficient removal of food remnants and by-products without manual intervention.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If manual cleaning of heating plates is performed, then cleaning can be done, but user safety is compromised due to risk of injury from hot surfaces
Solution Approach 1:
The heating plates clean themselves through an automated cleaning mechanism that operates without user intervention. The system includes a cleaning blade that automatically contacts and scrapes the heating plate surface, eliminating the need for manual cleaning and the associated safety risks.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces manual mechanical cleaning with an automated mechanical cleaning system. A motor-driven mechanism moves a cleaning blade across the heating plate surface, substituting human hand operations with an automated mechanical system that reduces safety risks.
2Productivity
If manual cleaning is performed immediately after cooking, then cleaning efficiency is improved, but safety risks increase due to hot surfaces
Solution Approach 1:
The automated cleaning system operates independently of user presence or timing decisions. It can be programmed to clean at optimal times, potentially immediately after cooking when efficiency is maximized, without exposing users to thermal hazards.
Solution Approach 2:
The automated cleaning blade acts as an intermediary between the hot heating plate and the user. It performs the cleaning function that would otherwise require direct user contact with the hot surface, eliminating the thermal injury pathway while maintaining cleaning efficiency.
3Reliability
If automated cleaning is implemented, then safety and efficiency are improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The cleaning system is divided into separate functional modules: a motor component, a blade assembly, a support structure, and a control system. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently and simplifies maintenance and replacement.
Solution Approach 2:
The automated cleaning mechanism is designed to work with the existing heating plate structure and cooking cycle control. The same control system that manages cooking operations also triggers and monitors the cleaning process, reducing the need for entirely separate control infrastructure.
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 safe and efficient automated cleaning of heating plates, reducing the risk of injury and improving cleaning efficiency by allowing for cleaning during or after cooking without waiting for the plates to cool.
Implementation Method 1
a cleaning structure configured to move a cleaning blade along at least one of the lower heating plate and the upper heating plate
Data Source
AI summary
A cooking apparatus includes a base including a lower heating plate an upper heating unit including an upper heating plate and a cleaning structure configured to move a cleaning blade along at least one of the lower heating plate and the upper heating plate. The apparatus also includes a control circuit configured to control movement of the cleaning blade across the one of the lower heating plate and the upper heating plate.