Tripodal cooking assembly
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing cooking assemblies for grilling over open fires lack stability and adjustability, making it difficult to position food items effectively over the flame.
Innovation Solution
A tripodal cooking assembly comprising a frame with interconnected legs, braces, and a removable grate, allowing for adjustable positioning over an open flame, with couplers and fasteners enabling perpendicular alignment of the shaft and grate for optimal heat distribution.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a simple frame structure is used for grilling over open fire, then the device complexity is reduced, but the stability of the cooking assembly deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The frame is divided into multiple segments including three legs, first and second braces, and a grate, which are interconnected through couplers. This segmentation allows each component to be simple in design while collectively providing structural stability when assembled.
Solution Approach 2:
The couplers are designed to nest within the frame structure, with the shaft passing through couplers that are integrated into the brace system. This nesting approach reduces overall device complexity while maintaining structural integrity and stability.
2Device complexity
If a fixed grate position is used, then the device complexity is reduced, but the adaptability of the cooking assembly deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The grate is designed with adjustable positioning capability through the shaft and coupler system, allowing it to move between fixed positions. This dynamic adjustment feature enables adaptability for different cooking requirements while maintaining a relatively simple mechanical structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The shaft and coupler assembly serves multiple functions: it supports the grate, enables position adjustment, and provides perpendicular alignment. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate positioning mechanisms, thereby reducing overall device complexity while enhancing adaptability.
3Ease of manufacture
If the grate is not perpendicular to the flame, then the ease of manufacture is improved, but the cooking efficiency deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The couplers are pre-configured with guides or features that ensure the shaft and grate are automatically positioned perpendicular to the flame during assembly. This preliminary alignment feature eliminates the need for complex post-assembly adjustments and ensures optimal cooking efficiency without increasing manufacturing complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The perpendicular alignment of the grate to the flame is achieved through the self-aligning design of the couplers and shaft, which inherently guide the components into the correct orientation during assembly. This self-aligning mechanism ensures proper cooking efficiency while keeping the manufacturing process simple.
Data Source
AI summary
A tripodal cooking assembly for grilling over an open fire includes a frame, a shaft, and a grate. The frame comprises a set of three legs, a first brace, and a second brace. The first brace is coupled to each leg proximate to a first end of the leg. The second brace is coupled to each leg between the first end and a midpoint of the leg. The second brace is circumferentially larger than the first brace. A pair of couplers is coupled singly to the first brace and the second brace. The couplers are configured to removably couple to the shaft so that the shaft is perpendicular to the first brace and the second brace. The grate is removably couplable to a lower end of the shaft. The grate is configured to position a food item to be heated by an open flame over which the frame is positioned.