Portable Heater Grill Rack With Adjustable Cooking Surfaces
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing grill attachments for portable heaters are cumbersome, inconvenient to adjust, and lack a combination of a heating plate and cross members, making them unsuitable for efficient food cooking and warming.
Innovation Solution
A grill rack attachment with a support frame, rack assembly, and outwardly extending arms that securely fasten to a portable heater, featuring adjustable cross members and a heating plate for versatile food preparation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Weight of moving object
If a grill attachment is designed to be lightweight and compact for travel, then portability is improved, but structural stability and cooking efficiency deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The grill rack features nested cross members that can be inserted into vertical support tubes at multiple positions. The cross members are designed to fit within the hollow vertical tubes, creating a compact nested structure when not in use and providing structural support when deployed. This nesting mechanism allows the grill to maintain stability while remaining compact and lightweight for portability.
Solution Approach 2:
The grill attachment is divided into separate modular components including vertical support tubes, adjustable cross members, and a heating plate. These segmented parts can be independently adjusted and reconfigured, allowing the structure to maintain stability through proper component distribution while keeping overall weight manageable through selective material usage.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the grill rack includes adjustable cross members and heating plate, then cooking versatility is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The vertical support tubes serve multiple functions: they provide structural support, act as guides for positioning cross members, and serve as storage locations for the nested cross members when not in use. The cross members can be positioned at multiple heights to accommodate different cooking needs, and the heating plate can be adjusted to various angles. This multi-functionality provides cooking versatility without adding separate dedicated components for each function.
Solution Approach 2:
The grill rack incorporates adjustable and movable components rather than fixed structures. The cross members can be slid to different positions along the vertical tubes and locked in place, while the heating plate can be adjusted to various angles. These dynamic features enable versatile cooking configurations while using simple mechanical adjustment mechanisms rather than complex control systems.
3Ease of operation
If the grill attachment is designed for easy assembly and disassembly, then ease of operation is improved, but connection reliability may deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The grill attachment is divided into distinct modular segments that can be independently assembled and disassembled. The vertical support tubes, cross members, and heating plate are separate components that connect through simple insertion and nesting mechanisms. This segmentation allows users to easily assemble and disassemble the grill without complex fastening procedures, while each segment maintains its structural integrity through proper design of the connection interfaces.
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 compact, convenient, and adjustable grill rack attachment that allows for efficient cooking and warming of various foods by securely attaching to portable heaters, accommodating different food sizes and controlling cooking rates.
Implementation Method 1
The support frame provides a support surface for warming and heating food thereon
Implementation Method 2
portable radiant heaters have become very popular for outdoor camping. The heaters take the place of messy and dangerous campfires and typically comprise one or more arrays of gas operated, ceramic burners
Data Source
AI summary
A grill rack for use in combination with a portable heater is provided. The grill rack comprises a support frame having a first end and a second end. A rack assembly is disposed on the support frame. The rack assembly comprises a plurality of cross members and a plate member. A pair of legs are transversely arranged at the first end of the support frame. A pair of outwardly extending arms are connected to the legs. The outwardly extending arms of the grill rack can be fastened to an opening on the upper end of a portable heater so as to heat or warm food thereon.