Two-Sided Grill With Movable Lower Plate for Increased Compression
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional clamshell grills have limited compression force for cooking due to the weight of the upper platen and suffer from reliability issues with leveling components exposed to high temperatures, affecting cooking efficiency and food handling.
Innovation Solution
A grill design featuring a movable lower platen assembly with leveling mechanisms and a latch mechanism, allowing for adjustable gap size and increased compression force, along with integrated grease receptacles to manage food residue, enhancing cooking efficiency and reducing operator attention.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Force
If the upper platen assembly is used to apply compression force to the food, then the food can be cooked effectively, but the compression force is limited to the weight of the platen
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a latch mechanism that acts as a counterweight system, allowing the lower platen to be pulled downward by a spring-loaded latch to apply compression force to the food. This enables the compression force to exceed the weight of the upper platen by utilizing the spring force stored in the latch mechanism, effectively resolving the limitation of compression force being restricted to platen weight only.
2Reliability
If leveling components are positioned above the upper platen assembly, then the platen can be leveled, but the excessive heat in the high temperature area affects the reliability and operation of the leveling component
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the leveling components from the high-temperature zone by positioning them on the base structure rather than on the upper platen assembly. The leveling mechanisms are mounted on the base and extend upward to contact the lower platen, removing them from the hot environment above the upper platen where temperatures would compromise their reliability and operational life.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the gap size is adjusted for different food thicknesses, then various food items can be cooked properly, but the gap size may vary during cooking affecting consistency
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a dynamic gap control system where the lower platen is movable and can be pulled downward by the latch mechanism to maintain consistent gap size during cooking. The spring-loaded latch provides continuous force to keep the platen at the correct position, dynamically adjusting and maintaining gap consistency rather than relying on static positioning, thereby ensuring uniform cooking across different food thicknesses.
Data Source
AI summary
A grill is provided including a base structure. An upper platen assembly is connected to the base structure and includes an upper grilling plate. A lower platen assembly is connected to the base structure and includes a lower grilling plate. A plurality of leveling mechanisms is mounted to the base structure and arranged in contact with the lower grilling plate. The leveling mechanisms are configured to move the lower grilling plate relative to the upper grilling plate. At least one grease receptacle has an inboard sidewall and an outboard sidewall connected by a compartment configured to receive grease from a grilling surface of the lower plate. The inboard sidewall is mounted to the lower grilling plate at or below the grilling surface.