Grill system
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional grills face challenges with even cooking of large food items, require manual handling for indirect and direct heating, have a large footprint, are not collapsible, and are not suitable for portable or remote use.
Innovation Solution
A motorized grill system with a spindle and clutch assembly that rotates a platform about a vertical axis, allowing for automated cooking with adjustable speed and manual static positioning, featuring a greaseless bearing assembly and collapsible design for compact transport.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If conventional grills use a static cooking surface above a heat source, then the structure is simple, but large food products cannot be cooked evenly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by transitioning from a static cooking surface to a rotating platform that can rotate about a vertical axis. This dynamic movement allows different portions of the food to be exposed to varying heat zones (direct and indirect heat), enabling even cooking of large food products without requiring a complex multi-burner configuration.
Solution Approach 2:
The cooking surface is segmented into multiple zones with different heat intensities (direct heat zone and indirect heat zone). The rotating platform allows the food to move between these segmented heat zones, providing varied cooking conditions that promote even cooking across the entire food product.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the grill provides division into heated and non-heated sides for direct and indirect heating, then cooking flexibility improves, but the footprint increases
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of providing separate heated and non-heated zones that require large horizontal space, the patent uses a single heat source with a rotating platform that dynamically moves food between direct and indirect heat exposure. This dynamic approach achieves cooking flexibility without increasing the grill's footprint.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from a two-dimensional horizontal arrangement of multiple burners to a three-dimensional solution where a single heat source combines with vertical rotation of the platform. This dimensional change allows the food to access different heat zones through rotation rather than requiring separate spatial zones.
3Ease of operation
If the grill is designed for portability and collapsibility, then transport ease improves, but structural complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The grill is divided into separable components including a frame assembly, motor assembly, platform, and heat source that can be independently assembled and disassembled. This segmentation enables portability and collapsibility while maintaining structural integrity during use.
Solution Approach 2:
The grill incorporates a motor assembly that provides automated rotation, replacing manual operation. This dynamic automated component adds functionality while the overall structure remains designed for easy assembly and disassembly for transport.
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 efficient, automated, and adjustable cooking with direct and indirect heat, reducing the grill's footprint and making it user-friendly for remote use, such as camping, while simplifying food adjustment and assembly/disassembly.
Implementation Method 1
The motor assembly is configured to rotate the spindle so that when the spindle rotates, the platform also rotates about the same vertical axis that extends through the spindle
Implementation Method 2
The clutch assembly is configured to rotate with the spindle as well, but can be held in a static position with manual intervention without preventing the spindle from continuing to rotate
Implementation Method 3
a grill system that features a greaseless bearing assembly
Implementation Method 4
A motorized grill system with a spindle and clutch assembly that rotates a platform about a vertical axis, allowing for automated cooking with adjustable speed and manual static positioning
Implementation Method 5
provides for automated cooking for both direct and indirect heating through rotation about a vertical axis
Data Source
AI summary
Various aspects of a grill system are discussed herein, including a motor assembly that is configured to rotate a spindle, which is connected to a clutch assembly configured to allow for stopping rotation of a grill without inhibiting the motor assembly. The clutch assembly may be connected to a harness assembly and/or an elevation assembly that connects to the grill. The harness assembly may have a separator that is connected between a suspension line that connects to the clutch assembly and a separator line that connects about a grate that holds a grill. When the motor rotates the spindle, the grate is also rotated about the same vertical axis extending through the spindle. The grill system may also comprise a frame assembly that is configured to elevate the motor about the grate and a source of heat, such as a fire.