Swing-Away Tailgate Grill With Adjustable Legs for Uneven Terrain
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing cooking apparatuses for vehicles and RVs lack the capacity and versatility to provide multiple cooking options while being compact, easy to transport, and capable of operating as both a mobile and stand-alone unit, with limitations in size, ease of detachment, and adaptability to uneven terrain.
Innovation Solution
A mobile cooking system with a base frame comprising support members, rotational capabilities, and adjustable legs that allows for multiple orientations, easy detachment from a vehicle, and telescoping features for extended use, enabling larger cooking capacity and flexibility in positioning on different terrains.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the cooking apparatus is made larger to provide multiple cooking options and feed a crowd, then the cooking capacity and versatility are improved, but the ease of transport and manual handling deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The cooking apparatus is divided into separable components: a cooking unit and a support frame assembly. The cooking unit can be detached from the support frame, allowing the heavy cooking surface with multiple burners and grilling options to be transported separately from the support structure. This segmentation enables a large cooking capacity while maintaining ease of transport by allowing components to be moved independently.
2Reliability
If the cooking apparatus is permanently attached to the vehicle to ensure stability, then the stability is improved, but the ease of detachment and mobility deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The connection system transitions from a static permanent attachment to a dynamic adjustable connection. The support frame assembly includes adjustable legs that can be extended or retracted, and the connection to the vehicle hitch receiver allows for easy attachment and detachment. This dynamic design provides stability when attached through adjustable positioning while maintaining ease of detachment when mobility is needed.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the cooking apparatus is designed to swing away from the vehicle to provide access and positioning flexibility, then the positioning flexibility is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The swing-away functionality is achieved by segmenting the apparatus into a cooking unit and a support frame assembly connected by a hinge or pivot point. This segmentation allows the cooking unit to swing away from the vehicle for access and positioning while keeping the support frame relatively simple in structure. The separation of functions reduces the complexity that would result from integrating swing mechanisms into a monolithic design.
Data Source
AI summary
The swing away tailgate barbeque cooking system allows for a cooking apparatus to be mounted on a vehicle or RV. The unit can swing away from the vehicle on a plane up to approximately 180 degrees. The cooking apparatus can be pivoted into a position that is favorable for cooking. Adjustable leg(s) can be utilized which enable the unit to be much heavier than other swing away units. The adjustable legs also allow the unit to be in a level orientation when on uneven ground. The unit can be disconnected and rolled away from the carry vehicle. The swing away tailgate barbeque cooking system has the dual functionality to be an everyday home cooking device and a mobile cooking unit for camping or tailgating.