Lever-Actuated Grill Rack Height Adjustment with Ratchet Lock

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing barbecue grill systems face challenges in adjusting the height of large or heavy grill racks relative to the fire, especially when using charcoal or wood, as existing mechanisms are either cumbersome or difficult to clean.

Innovation Solution

A grill top system with a lever mechanism that adjusts the height of the grill rack using a ratchet and parallelogram bar arrangement, allowing for easy height adjustment with minimal effort and maintaining the rack in a horizontal orientation, while being removably attached to various grills.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If a threaded crank mechanism is used to raise and lower the grill rack, then the mechanism can handle larger weight, but it becomes hard to operate and difficult to clean when contaminated by ash and dirt

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveweight handling capacityVSAvoidoperability and cleanability

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The mechanism is divided into separate components: a lever for operation, a ratchet bar for locking, and parallelogram bars for structural support. This segmentation allows the lever and ratchet to be simple and easy to clean, while still handling large weights through the distributed structure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The ratchet bar automatically engages with the parallelogram bars under its own weight to lock the grill rack at the desired height, eliminating the need for complex threading or manual locking mechanisms that would be difficult to operate and clean.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

2Ease of operation

If grill rack-supporting vertical bars with notches are used to hold the grill rack, then the grill rack can be raised and lowered, but the grill racks must be small so that a user can handle the entire weight

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveheight adjustabilityVSAvoidweight handling capacity

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of having the user lift the entire grill rack to adjust height, the lever applies downward force near the fulcrum to lift the rack. The parallelogram bars transfer this force, allowing the user to handle a small portion of the weight while the mechanism supports the full load.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Solution Approach 2:

The lever with fulcrum creates a mechanical advantage where a small downward force from the user counterbalances the heavy weight of the grill rack and food, enabling easy height adjustment regardless of the rack's size or weight.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #8Anti-weight (Counterweight)

3Ease of operation

If the lever fulcrum is positioned near the edge of the fire basin, then a small downward pressure on the handle can support the weight of the grill rack and food, but the mechanism requires precise positioning

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveforce required for adjustmentVSAvoidfulcrum positioning accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The lever is designed to pivot freely on the fulcrum, allowing dynamic adjustment to the optimal position. The fulcrum is positioned near the fire basin edge to maximize mechanical advantage, and the system naturally finds its equilibrium point during operation, reducing the need for precise pre-positioning.

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 easy and precise adjustment of the grill rack height with reduced effort, maintaining horizontal orientation and ease of cleaning, suitable for both small and large grill racks, and can be fixed or removably attached to different grills.

Implementation Method 1

The lever has a fulcrum that is near the edge of the fire basin. Downward pressure on the lever handle supports the weight of the grill rack and the food.

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectLever: Lever

Implementation Method 2

The length of the handle allows the user to adjust the grill rack height with a small amount of downward pressure.

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMechanical advantage: Mechanical Advantage

Implementation Method 3

A ratchet mechanism holds the grill rack at a selected height. The ratchet bar or bars self-engage the parallelogram bars under their own weight.

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectRatchet: Ratchet

Implementation Method 4

An arrangement of parallelogram bars maintains the grill rack in a horizontal orientation.

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectParallelogram linkage: Geometry

Data Source

PatentUS11344154B1Adjustable height grill top

Publication Date: 2022.05.31 SCHOETTLE STEVEN J

AI summary

A grill top that can be removably attached to a barbecue grill fire basin has a lever that adjusts the height of the rack above the fire basin. The lever handle is located well away from the fire. A ratchet mechanism holds the rack at a selected height, and parallelogram bars maintain the rack in a horizontal orientation.