Rotatable Griddle Cover With Nested Splatter Shield
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Solution Overview
Problem
Griddles for cooktop appliances face issues with grease splatter and storage of decorative covers, which are large and unwieldy, making them difficult to clean and manage.
Innovation Solution
A griddle design featuring a rotatable cover and integrated splatter shield that can be positioned over the cooking plate, allowing for easy storage of the cover and reducing grease splatter through a mesh or perforated metal panel.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Shape
If a decorative cover is added to the griddle, then the griddle appearance is improved and cooking is enabled, but the cover becomes difficult to store when removed
Solution Approach 1:
The splatter shield is nested within the cover when not in use, allowing both components to be stored in a compact configuration. The splatter shield fits inside the cover's interior space, eliminating the need for separate storage locations for both items.
Solution Approach 2:
The cover and splatter shield utilize vertical space by rotating between horizontal and vertical orientations. When not needed, the splatter shield rotates to a vertical position and nests within the cover, effectively using the third dimension for storage.
2Ease of manufacture
If grease splatter protection is added, then cleaning ease is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The splatter shield function is integrated with the existing cover component. Instead of adding a completely separate protection system, the shield is combined with the cover structure, allowing it to be stored within the cover when not in use.
Solution Approach 2:
The splatter shield is designed to be rotatable between a horizontal position (when in use) and a vertical nested position (when stored). This dynamic configuration allows the system to adapt between providing protection and maintaining a compact form.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If a rotatable splatter shield is added to the cover, then grease containment is improved, but the mechanism complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The griddle protection system is divided into two separate functional components: the cover for general protection and the splatter shield for grease containment. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized for its specific function while maintaining simplicity.
Solution Approach 2:
The splatter shield nests within the cover when not in use, utilizing the cover's interior space. This nesting arrangement eliminates the need for external mounting structures or complex storage mechanisms, reducing overall system complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
A cooktop appliance includes a top panel. A griddle is positioned on the top panel. The griddle includes a cooking plate. A cover is rotatable relative to the cooking plate between a closed configuration and an open configuration. The cover is positioned over a top surface of the cooking plate in the closed configuration of the cover. A splatter shield is rotatable relative to the cover between a closed configuration and an open configuration. The splatter shield is positioned over the top surface of the cooking plate in the open configuration of the splatter shield.