Hinged Multifunctional Cooking Assembly with Shared Griddle Passage
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing waffle makers are limited in function and efficiency due to separate, non-connected griddle plates, which restrict their ability to perform multiple cooking tasks like pastry baking, meat broiling, and other culinary functions.
Innovation Solution
A multifunctional cooking and baking assembly with hinged upper and lower housings, a connecting passage for an overall griddle plate, and fasteners for easy plate switching, allowing for closed baking and open broiling modes, as well as additional cooking functions like pan baking, frying, and heating.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If separate griddle plates are used in two independent housings, then the structure is simple and easy to manufacture, but the function is monotonous and cooking efficiency is low
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges two separate housings into a integrated multifunctional assembly where the first housing (for pastry baking) and second housing (for broiling) are connected through a sharing passage. The griddle plate can be shared between both housings, combining multiple cooking functions (pastry baking, broiling, pan baking, frying) into a single unified device, thereby improving adaptability while maintaining reasonable structural complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The griddle plate is designed as a universal component that can serve multiple functions: it can be placed in the first housing for pastry baking, in the second housing for broiling, or span both housings through the sharing passage for pan baking and frying. This multi-functionality directly addresses the monotony of single-function devices while the modular housing design keeps the structure manageable
2Productivity
If small space for food accommodation is provided in separate griddle plates, then the device size is compact, but cooking efficiency is low
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a nested spatial arrangement where the griddle plate can extend through the sharing passage from the first housing into the second housing. This nesting-like configuration allows the griddle plate to utilize the space of both housings simultaneously, significantly increasing the food accommodation space and cooking capacity without proportionally increasing the overall device footprint
Solution Approach 2:
The sharing passage provides an additional spatial dimension for the griddle plate to extend across both housings. Instead of being confined to a single housing plane, the griddle plate utilizes the third dimension through the sharing passage, creating larger continuous cooking surfaces for pan baking, frying, and other functions requiring extended space
3Adaptability or versatility
If two housings are separate and not connected, then the structure is simple, but the griddle plate cannot be shared and functionality is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The sharing passage acts as an intermediary element connecting the first and second housings. It enables the griddle plate to be shared between both housings while maintaining their individual functional characteristics. The sharing passage mediates the interaction between the two housings, allowing flexibility in griddle plate configuration without requiring complete structural integration that would overly complicate the device
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
Enhances cooking efficiency by utilizing the full food holding space and enabling the assembly to be portable and versatile for various cooking tasks, integrating functions such as waffle baking, broiling, pan baking, and deep frying.
Implementation Method 1
the upper housing and the lower housing are respectively provided with a tension spring for pulling the bulges into the recesses
Implementation Method 2
a heating element is arranged under the griddle plate inside the chamber
Data Source
AI summary
A multifunctional cooking and baking assembly, which comprises an upper housing and a lower housing hinged mutually, wherein the upper housing and the lower housing are respectively provided with a chamber, a griddle plate is arranged inside the chamber, the chambers of the upper housing and the lower housing are connected through a connecting passage in which the griddle plate can be placed. The multifunctional cooking and baking assembly of the invention can integrate the functions of closed baking and open broiling by rotating the upper housing and the lower housing to a preset angle to match with the type switch of the griddle plates, and also has the functions of pan baking, frying, deep frying, stir frying, heating, and unfreezing when an overall griddle plate is used.