Social grill system
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional grilling appliances with hinged lids obstruct access and create clutter, while removable lids are cumbersome to store and can become dirty, lacking effective solutions for these issues.
Innovation Solution
A social grill system with a retractable lid that provides 360-degree access, featuring a social surface with side extensions and a chassis-mounted lid pivot mechanism, allowing the lid to rotate and retract under the surface, eliminating storage clutter and maintaining cleanliness.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a hinged lid is used on a grilling appliance, then the lid can be opened and closed to cover the grilling section, but the hinged lid blocks a large area behind it and prevents access to that area
Solution Approach 1:
The lid is extracted from the traditional hinged position and repositioned to pivot from the front center of the grill. This allows the lid to be completely removed from the rear area, eliminating the blockage and enabling full access to the space behind the grill while the lid is open.
Solution Approach 2:
The lid pivoting mechanism changes the dimensional space required for lid storage. Instead of requiring horizontal space behind the grill, the lid now pivots forward and can be positioned vertically or stored in front of the grill, effectively utilizing a different spatial dimension and clearing the rear area for access.
2Ease of operation
If a removable lid is used on a grilling appliance, then access around the grill is improved, but the lid must be stored somewhere and can get dirty or create impediments to movements
Solution Approach 1:
The lid is merged with the grill structure through a pivot connection that allows the lid to remain attached to the grill body. This eliminates the need for separate storage of a removable lid while maintaining the ability to fully open the lid for access, combining the benefits of both hinged and removable lid designs.
Solution Approach 2:
The lid transitions from a static fixed position to a dynamic pivoting position, allowing it to move between closed, partially open, and fully open states. This dynamic capability enables the lid to clear the rear area completely when open while remaining attached to the grill, eliminating storage issues associated with removable lids.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If a hinged lid is used on a grilling appliance, then the grilling section can be covered, but the lid blocks access to the area behind it and creates clutter
Solution Approach 1:
The lid is extracted from the rear area by pivoting it forward from the front center of the grill. This allows the lid to maintain its protective function when closed while being completely removed from the rear space when open, enabling unobstructed access to the area behind the grill.
4Ease of operation
If a removable lid is used on a grilling appliance, then access around the grill is improved, but the lid can become dirty and create unsanitary conditions when stored
Solution Approach 1:
The lid is merged with the grill structure through a pivot connection, ensuring it remains attached and in a controlled position at all times. This prevents the lid from becoming detached and stored in unsanitary conditions, while still allowing full access when open.
Solution Approach 2:
The dynamic pivoting mechanism allows the lid to be positioned exactly where needed - closed to protect the grilling section, or fully open to clear the rear area. This eliminates the need for removable storage that could lead to unsanitary conditions, maintaining hygiene while providing access.
Data Source
AI summary
A social grill method and system can include: a social surface including a top surface, a side extension, and a rounded edge between the top surface and the side extension, the side extension extended down away from the top surface; a chassis mounted below the social surface, the chassis including a fixed connection and a lid pivot; a mounting bracket coupled to the lid pivot; a lid coupled to the mounting bracket, the mounting bracket configured to rotate about the lid pivot and enable an open configuration with the lid retracted under the social surface and a closed configuration with the lid extending up over the social surface.