Rotatable Grill Module Design to Prevent Food Leakage Without Clamping
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional grill devices for making waffles face issues with food material leakage due to improper operation of the clamping module and increased manufacturing costs, as well as sanitary concerns from excess batter drippage.
Innovation Solution
A grill device with a rotatable grill module that transitions between a natural inclined position for secure cooking and a hand-held position for easy access, eliminating the need for a clamping mechanism by utilizing a gravity-centered design where the upper grill plate is locked by the support rack at the inclined position and unlocked at the hand-held position.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a clamping module is used to secure the upper and lower grill plates, then food material leakage is prevented, but device complexity and manufacturing cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the clamping module from the system entirely. Instead of adding a securing mechanism, the design uses the inherent gravity and positioning of the grill module to maintain plate contact during cooking and allow easy separation during serving, eliminating the need for complex clamping structures.
Solution Approach 2:
The grill module's own weight and gravitational force serve to keep the upper and lower grill plates securely contact during the cooking phase. The system uses its intrinsic properties rather than external mechanisms to achieve plate securing.
2Reliability
If a clamping module is added to secure grill plates, then food material leakage is prevented, but manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent eliminates the clamping module from the design, thereby removing its associated manufacturing costs. The solution relies on simple gravitational forces and basic structural design rather than expensive mechanical securing components.
3Ease of operation
If the grill module is designed to be rotatable between inclined and hand-held positions, then ease of operation is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The grill module is designed to be rotatable between a cooking position and a serving position. This dynamic capability allows the upper grill plate to be easily accessed by rotating the entire module, improving operability without requiring complex internal mechanisms within the plates themselves.
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
Prevents food material leakage during cooking without the need for a clamping device, simplifies operation, and reduces manufacturing costs while maintaining sanitary standards by ensuring the food remains contained within the cooking space.
Implementation Method 1
the gravity center is lower than the rotating axis in height, and the upper grill plate is locked on the lower grill plate by the support rack
Data Source
AI summary
A grill device includes a support rack and a grill module. The grill module is formed with a feed inlet, includes upper and lower grill plates, is rotatably mounted on the support rack about an axis, and is rotatable between an inclined position, where the feed inlet and a gravity center of the grill module are respectively located at two sides of the axis, where the gravity center is lower than the axis, and where the upper grill plate covers and is locked on the lower grill plate by the support rack, and a hand-held position, where the upper grill plate is unlocked from the support rack and is rotatable relative to the lower grill plate so as to uncover the lower grill plate.