Modular Portable Grill With Stackable Trays and Dual-Temperature Storage

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current portable cooking units lack the ability to provide multiple individually regulated cooking surfaces, storage in cold or warm/hot environments, and facilitate both portability and storage of cooking surfaces in a single unit.

Innovation Solution

A portable combination cooking, grilling, warming, cooling, and storage unit with stackable removable grilling trays, a removable storage tray, burner control, temperature gauge, moisture gauge, timer, and rotisserie attachment, made from high-temperature materials like stainless steel and aluminum, with telescopic handles and wheels for easy transport.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If multiple cooking surfaces are provided in a single unit, then cooking versatility is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecooking versatilityVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The cooking unit is divided into multiple independent grilling trays, each with its own burner and control system. This segmentation allows each tray to be individually regulated while maintaining overall system manageability through modular design

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Each grilling tray is designed to perform multiple cooking functions (grilling, warming, cooling, storage) and can be configured in different arrangements within the housing, providing universal cooking capabilities across all trays while using standardized components

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Adaptability or versatility

If storage for cold and warm/hot environments is integrated, then functionality is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestorage functionalityVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The storage tray combines both cold storage and warm/hot storage capabilities in a single unit that can be positioned at different heights within the housing. When placed above active burners, it provides warming/storage; when positioned away from heat sources, it provides cooling/storage, eliminating the need for separate storage units

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Ease of operation

If numerous cooking surfaces are housed in a single unit, then portability is improved, but manufacturing complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveportabilityVSAvoidmanufacturing complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The cooking surfaces are designed as separate, removable grilling trays that can be manufactured independently using standardized processes. This modular approach simplifies manufacturing by allowing each component to be produced separately and then assembled into the complete portable unit

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Multiple grilling trays and storage trays are designed to nest within the housing structure when not in use, maximizing space utilization and maintaining a compact form factor for portability while accommodating numerous cooking surfaces

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

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 versatile cooking, warming, cooling, and storage functions in a compact, portable unit, allowing for multiple cooking surfaces, temperature control, and easy mobility, while maintaining structural integrity and safety.

Implementation Method 1

at least one burner, a cooking grid proximate said at least one burner

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCombustion: Combustion

Implementation Method 2

said at least one burner being proximate the bottom of said cooking grid

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectThermal conduction: Conduction (thermal)

Implementation Method 3

at least one temperature gauge with a temperature indicator visible outside said unit for measuring internal temperature of said unit

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectThermal sensing: Thermocouple

Data Source

PatentUS9993111B2Portable combination cooking, grilling, cooling, warming and storage unit
Publication Date: 2018.06.12 THORNDIKE ROBERT JOHN

AI summary

A portable combination cooking and storage unit having:a housing having at top, a bottom, a front, a back and two sides, and at least one access door at the front;at least two stackable removable grilling trays containable within the housing;at least one removable storage tray containable within the housing;wherein each of the at least two removable grilling trays have at least one burner, a cooking grid proximate the at least one burner, and at least one burner control for controlling fuel to the at least one burner.