Removable electric grill controller with mount
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electric grill controllers fail to withstand high heat and harsh outdoor environments, and they often require expensive and degrading insulation to protect electronics, which can impede their ability to act as an electrical ground.
Innovation Solution
A removable electronic controller with a thermal barrier mounting bracket made of conductive metal, such as steel, that forms an electrical connection with the grill housing, allowing the controller to act as a ground and eliminating the need for traditional insulation by creating a thermal barrier between the controller and the housing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If traditional heat insulation (fiberglass) is used to protect the controller from heat, then the controller is protected from thermal damage, but the insulation impedes the controller's ability to act as an electrical ground and increases manufacturing cost
Solution Approach 1:
The mounting bracket is divided into two distinct functional zones: an outer shell made of insulating material (fiberglass-reinforced plastic) and an inner conductive ground path made of metal. This segmentation allows the bracket to simultaneously provide thermal insulation and maintain electrical conductivity for grounding, resolving the contradiction between thermal protection and electrical ground capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The mounting bracket uses composite construction with fiberglass-reinforced plastic for the outer shell providing thermal insulation, and metal components (metal reinforcement, metal ground path) embedded within to provide electrical conductivity. This composite approach allows both thermal protection and electrical grounding functions to coexist in a single integrated component.
2Reliability
If high-temperature plastic and high-temperature rated electronics are used to manufacture the controller, then the controller can withstand high temperatures, but the manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The thermal protection function is extracted from the controller itself and relocated to the mounting bracket. Instead of making the controller heat-resistant through expensive high-temperature materials, the bracket provides the thermal barrier, allowing the use of standard, lower-cost controller components while maintaining heat resistance.
Solution Approach 2:
The mounting bracket acts as an intermediary between the heat source (grill housing) and the controller. It provides thermal insulation and physical separation, protecting the controller from direct heat exposure without requiring the controller to be made of high-temperature materials.
3Reliability
If the controller is made permanently integrated with the grill housing, then the electrical ground connection is maintained, but the controller cannot be removed for indoor storage
Solution Approach 1:
The mounting bracket provides a dynamic mounting system that allows the controller to be either permanently fixed or easily removed. The bracket includes mounting holes and attachment mechanisms that enable flexible installation options, allowing users to choose permanent mounting for continuous ground connection or removable mounting for portability and indoor storage.
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 effectively protects the controller's internal circuitry from heat, provides a safe electrical ground, and reduces manufacturing costs by using lower-temperature rated components and eliminating the need for fiberglass insulation, while maintaining the ability to withstand harsh outdoor conditions.
Implementation Method 1
The mounting bracket may provide thermal insulation to protect the controller's internal circuitry from heat
Implementation Method 2
the mounting bracket may establish electrical conduction so that the controller may act as an electrical ground with respect to the electric grill's housing
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure related to an electric grill's housing, controller, and a mounting bracket which mounts the controller to the housing. The mounting bracket is generally hollow and forms a thermal barrier between the controller and the housing, wherein the thermal barrier protects the controller from heat generated in the housing. As a result, the controller does not require insulation and may include lower temperature rated components. Moreover, the mounting bracket may have metallic tabs which interface with spring elements on the controller, thereby fastening the controller to the bracket. These spring elements and metallic tabs may be in electric communication with the housing, thereby allowing the controller to act as an electric ground with respect to the housing.