Portable charcoal starting grill

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing charcoal grill ignition methods, such as using lighter fluid, are inefficient and pose safety risks due to the need for external power sources and handling of hot elements, leading to uneven burning and potential accidents.

Innovation Solution

A Portable Charcoal Starting Grill with a built-in, rechargeable battery and electric heating element integrated into the grate, allowing for efficient and uniform charcoal ignition without lighter fluid, with a removable heating element and no external power source required, using interchangeable heating coils or rods in various configurations.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If lighter fluid is used to start charcoal briquettes, then ignition is achieved, but uneven burning occurs and food absorbs lighter fluid taste

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveignition reliabilityVSAvoidlighter fluid taste and uneven burning

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent removes the lighter fluid component from the ignition system entirely, replacing it with an electric heating element that directly heats the charcoal briquettes. This extraction eliminates the harmful effects of lighter fluid taste and the uneven burning it causes, while maintaining reliable ignition through controlled electrical heating.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the chemical ignition system (lighter fluid) with an electrical heating system. The electric heating element converts electrical energy to thermal energy, providing controlled and uniform heat distribution to the charcoal briquettes, thereby eliminating the harmful effects of lighter fluid while ensuring reliable ignition.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Reliability

If electric igniting device is used, then charcoal ignition is improved, but safety risks increase due to external power cord and hot element handling

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecharcoal ignitionVSAvoidsafety risks from power cord and hot elements

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent integrates the electric heating element directly into the grill structure, combining the ignition function with the existing grill components. The heating element is positioned within the grill body, eliminating the need for external power cords that extend outside the grill, thereby reducing trip hazards and improving safety while maintaining effective charcoal ignition.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs a disposable or replaceable heating element that can be easily removed and discarded after use. This approach eliminates the need for complex safety mechanisms to protect long-lasting heating elements, as the short-living element is designed to be replaced rather than maintained, reducing overall safety risks associated with hot element handling.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

3Ease of operation

If heating element is repeatedly heated and cooled, then ignition function is maintained, but element breakage increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveignition functionVSAvoidheating element durability

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the material parameters of the heating element by using a flexible or resilient material that can withstand repeated thermal cycling without breaking. This parameter change allows the heating element to maintain its ignition function while resisting the fatigue and breakage that would normally occur from repeated heating and cooling cycles.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent incorporates a protective cushioning layer or design feature that absorbs and distributes the thermal stress before it reaches the heating element's critical points. This beforehand cushioning prevents the accumulation of stress that leads to breakage, allowing the heating element to withstand repeated heating and cooling cycles while maintaining its ignition function.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

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

The solution provides a safer, more convenient, and efficient charcoal ignition process, eliminating lighter fluid taste and reducing the risk of accidents, with a longer-lasting heating element and improved portability for outdoor use.

Implementation Method 1

The electric heating element can be replaced by removing the removable top portion of the grate. The electric heating element allows the charcoal briquettes and wood to start a fire

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectJoule heating: Joule Heating

Data Source

PatentUS9709273B2Portable charcoal starting grill

Publication Date: 2017.07.18 NEUMAN CHARLES ANTHONY

AI summary

Portable Charcoal Starting Grill (FIG. 4) has a built in replaceable/interchangeable heating element in the grate (FIG. 3) that is used to start the charcoal briquettes. Electric current to power the electric heating element (FIG. 2) comes from an interchangeable/rechargeable battery (FIG. 5) that is built on the side railing 12 of the grill (FIG. 4). Predetermined configuration of the heating element will start the charcoal briquettes on fire in a more uniform evenly manner.