Variable Height Crepe Maker with Modular Stacked Heating Plates
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing crepe makers cannot simultaneously produce multiple crepes or pancakes of normal size efficiently, are difficult to disassemble, transport, and lack safety features like grounding, leading to energy waste and safety concerns.
Innovation Solution
A crepe maker with variable height featuring a base with electrical extension contacts and removably mounted modules, allowing for modular design, adjustable height, and grounded heating surfaces, enabling simultaneous cooking of multiple crepes or pancakes and easy assembly/disassembly.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If multiple heating plates are arranged side by side on the same horizontal plane, then multiple crepes can be made simultaneously, but the device occupies excessive space and cannot be easily disassembled or transported
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from horizontal arrangement of heating plates to vertical stacking arrangement. Multiple heating plates are stacked vertically one above another, allowing simultaneous crepe production while minimizing the device's horizontal footprint. The vertical configuration enables the device to occupy less space while maintaining the capability to cook multiple crepes at the same time.
Solution Approach 2:
The heating plates are nested vertically within the device structure, with each plate positioned above the other in a compact stack. This nesting arrangement allows multiple functional elements to be contained within a smaller overall volume, enabling simultaneous multi-plate operation without requiring excessive horizontal space.
2Adaptability or versatility
If heating plates are individually connected to power sources, then each plate can be controlled independently, but electrical energy is wasted when not all plates are used
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple heating plates into a single integrated electrical circuit where all plates share a common power connection. This merging allows the entire stack of plates to be controlled as one unit, eliminating the need for individual power connections and enabling users to activate only the number of plates needed, thereby avoiding energy waste from unnecessarily heated plates.
Solution Approach 2:
The common electrical connection system provides universal power distribution to all heating plates, allowing the system to function flexibly with any combination of plates activated. Users can adapt the system to different cooking needs by using one, two, or all plates simultaneously, with a single power control mechanism that prevents energy waste.
3Extent of automation
If automated pancake makers are designed, then cooking process is streamlined, but the devices cannot be easily disassembled and users cannot remove pancakes at will
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs simple removable heating plates that can be easily taken off and reattached by users without requiring complex disassembly procedures. This dynamic, user-friendly design allows individuals to remove pancakes at any time while maintaining an otherwise simple and efficient cooking process, balancing automation with user control flexibility.
4Device complexity
If heating plates are arranged in fixed configurations, then device structure is simple, but the device cannot be adapted to different numbers of guests or cooking needs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the heating system into separate, identical modular plates that can be independently removed and reattached. Each plate is a self-contained unit with standardized connection points, allowing users to easily reconfigure the number of active plates according to the number of guests or cooking requirements, while maintaining simple individual plate structures.
Solution Approach 2:
The standardized modular plate design with universal connection interfaces enables the same plate structure to serve multiple functions - whether one plate is used for a single person or multiple plates are stacked for group cooking. The identical modular units provide adaptability without requiring complex structural variations.
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
The crepe maker allows for flexible and efficient cooking of multiple crepes or pancakes, reduces energy waste, and ensures safety with grounded heating surfaces, making it easy to use and transport.
Implementation Method 1
an electrical resistance located under the heating surface and connected to two of the electrical conductors
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a crepe maker with variable height for making at least two normal-sized crepes and/or galettes simultaneously. This crepe maker comprises: a base (1) having at least three electrical extension contacts (5, 6, 7) and at least one module (10) that can be removably and pivotally mounted on this base (1) and comprising: at least three electrical conductors (11, 12, 13) that can be removably connected to the electrical extension contacts (5, 6, 7) of the base (1) and are capable of remaining connected to them when the module (10) is pivoted relative to the base (1), a heating surface (45) and an electrical resistance located under the heating surface (45) and connected to two (11, 12) of the electrical conductors (11, 12, 13).This crepe maker is distinguished in that the heating surface (45) is connected to the third (13) of the electrical conductors, and in that the extension electrical contacts (5, 6, 7) of the base (1) are located on its upper face. The electrical conductors (11, 12, 13) of the module have a lower end located on the lower face (14) of the module (10) and designed to cooperate with the extension electrical contacts (5, 6, 7) of the base (1), and an upper end located on the upper face (15) of the module (10). The invention also relates to a module and a method for preparing crepes and/or galettes.