Cooking appliance with rotatable grip handle
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electric cooking devices with grill and barbecue modes suffer from poor ergonomics due to restricted access and limited visibility of the user interface, and they do not allow for efficient collection of cooking juices.
Innovation Solution
A cooking device with a first structure containing a hob and a second structure with a baking sheet, a grip handle, and a pivot bond allowing the second structure to pivot between a closing and maximum opening position. The user interface is placed on the grip handle and is accessible in both grill and barbecue modes, with the ability to collect cooking juices from the front.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If the user interface is integrated on the first structure (lower part), then the device structure is simplified, but the ergonomics deteriorates due to restricted physical access and limited visibility
Solution Approach 1:
The handle is made rotatable relative to the second structure, allowing it to dynamically change orientation between a first position (accessible from front) and a second position (accessible from side/rear). This dynamic adjustment resolves the contradiction by adapting the user interface location to different operational contexts and user positions.
Solution Approach 2:
The solution adds rotational freedom in a new dimension (angular orientation around the pivot axis) to the handle assembly. This transforms the static, fixed-position interface into a multi-position interface accessible from different spatial directions, thereby improving ergonomics without complicating the overall device structure.
2Device complexity
If the user interface is integrated on the first structure, then the device structure is simplified, but the visibility of the user interface is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The rotatable handle allows the user interface to be dynamically repositioned to optimal viewing angles. In the first position, the interface is visible from the front; in the second position, it becomes accessible and visible from the side or rear, thereby resolving the visibility limitation.
3Ease of operation
If the user interface is moved to the second structure, then the ergonomics is improved, but the device complexity increases due to the need to accommodate two modes of use with 180° orientation offset
Solution Approach 1:
The handle assembly serves multiple functions: it acts as both a structural support for the second cooking plate and as a movable carrier for the user interface. This multi-functionality allows the interface to be positioned optimally for both grill mode and barbecue mode without requiring separate interface units or complex additional mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The rotatable handle provides a simple mechanical solution to accommodate the 180° orientation offset between the two cooking modes. By rotating between two discrete positions, the handle adapts to both modes without requiring complex actuation systems, sensors, or programmable controls.
4Device complexity
If the user interface is integrated on the first structure, then the device structure is simplified, but the collection of cooking juices from the front face is prevented
Solution Approach 1:
The device is segmented into functionally independent components: the handle with user interface is separated from the cooking plate support function. This segmentation allows the front face of the first structure to be optimized for juice collection without being compromised by interface integration, while the handle provides the necessary control functions.
Data Source
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AI summary
A cooking appliance (1) for cooking food products, the cooking appliance (1) comprising a first structure (2) having a first cooking plate (4); a second structure (5) having a second cooking plate (7) and a handle (8) which includes a handling portion (9); a pivot joint (11) connecting the second structure (5) to the first structure (2) and configured to allow the second structure (5) to pivot relative to the first structure (2) about a pivot axis (A); a user interface (18) disposed on the handling portion (9); and a control unit configured to control the operation of the cooking appliance (1). The handling portion (9), which carries the user interface (18), is movable relative to the second cooking module (6) between at least a first operating position and a second operating position.