Modular Portable Grill with Nested Storage and Integrated Seating
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Solution Overview
Problem
Portable grills and smokers face issues with awkward size and shape, difficulty in transport and storage of accessory items, spread of dirt and debris, and lack of operator comfort due to inadequate seating.
Innovation Solution
A modular portable grilling apparatus with a support base and grill body that can be easily disassembled and nested for storage, incorporating a seating device that allows for seated operation and integrated storage of the apparatus, preventing debris spread and enabling single-trip portability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the grill is made portable and disassemblable, then transportability is improved, but structural stability and ease of operation deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The grill is divided into separate modular components including a base unit, cooking chamber, and accessory storage sections that can be easily assembled and disassembled. This segmentation enables portable transport while maintaining structural integrity when assembled, directly resolving the contradiction between transportability and structural stability.
Solution Approach 2:
Smaller grill components are designed to nest within larger ones during storage and transport, with the cooking chamber fitting into the base unit and accessories nesting within dedicated compartments. This nesting arrangement improves portability while preserving structural stability through precise geometric fitment.
2Ease of operation
If accessory items are stored separately, then organization is improved, but device complexity and transport difficulty worsen
Solution Approach 1:
Accessory storage compartments are integrated directly into the grill structure, combining the cooking function with storage functionality. Utensils, fuel, and other accessories are stored within dedicated compartments on the base unit, eliminating the need for separate containers and reducing overall transport complexity while maintaining organization.
Solution Approach 2:
The base unit serves multiple functions: it provides structural support for the cooking chamber, contains integrated storage compartments for accessories, and acts as the transport container when the grill is disassembled. This multi-functionality resolves the contradiction by organizing accessories within the existing structure rather than requiring additional separate storage systems.
3Productivity
If the grill operates in a fixed location, then operational stability is improved, but portability and storage efficiency worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The grill transitions between static operational mode and dynamic transport mode. During operation, components are assembled into a stable fixed configuration. For transport, the same components are easily disassembled and nested within the base unit. This dynamic adaptability between operational and transport states resolves the contradiction between operational stability and portability.
4Ease of operation
If seating is added for operator comfort, then ease of operation is improved, but device complexity and storage space requirements worsen
Solution Approach 1:
Seating functionality is integrated into the base unit structure, combining the support function with the storage function. The base unit is designed with a recessed area or attached bench that provides seating for the operator while simultaneously serving as the container for storing the cooking chamber and accessories during transport, eliminating the need for separate seating and storage components.
Data Source
AI summary
A portable grilling apparatus includes a support base having a ring defining an opening and legs each having a first end depending from said ring and a second free end. The legs are angled outwardly from the ring such that said second ends define an open space. The apparatus includes a grill body having a bottom wall and a continuous sidewall extending upwardly therefrom and defining an interior area and an open top. In a grilling configuration, the bottom wall of the grill body is nested in the opening of the ring of the support base whereas in a storage configuration, the support base is inverted and the bottom wall of the grill body is nested in the interior space defined by the legs. The grilling apparatus includes a seating device enabling a user to be seated at the use configuration and for receiving/transporting the apparatus at the storage configuration.