Wind Guard Hook Design for Outdoor Griddle Temperature Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Outdoor griddle cooking stations face challenges in temperature control due to windy conditions, as existing solutions fail to effectively block cross-winds, leading to inefficient heating.
Innovation Solution
A wind guard system comprising multiple wind guard members with hook portions that can be positioned over the edges of a griddle member to cover the gap between the griddle and the cooking station, preventing wind from passing through and enhancing heat retention.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the griddle is placed directly on the cooking station or over flame burners, then the heating efficiency is improved, but the temperature control deteriorates in windy outdoor conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The wind guard system is divided into multiple separate and discrete wind guard members that can be independently positioned around the griddle perimeter, allowing segmented protection against wind while maintaining heating efficiency
Solution Approach 2:
The wind guard members act as an intermediary barrier between the wind and the gap between the griddle and cooking station, blocking harmful wind flow without interfering with the heating process
2Object-affected harmful factors
If the wind guard members are made to completely seal the gap, then the wind blocking capability is improved, but the heat dissipation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The wind guard members incorporate openings that allow controlled air flow, blocking harmful cross-winds while permitting heat dissipation and preventing overheating of the griddle
Solution Approach 2:
The wind guard members have different properties in different areas - solid portions block wind effectively while opening portions allow heat dissipation, creating local quality variations to address both requirements
3Object-affected harmful factors
If the wind guard system is made complex to achieve better wind blocking, then the wind protection is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses multiple simple, discrete wind guard members that can be independently positioned and removed, avoiding complex integrated designs while achieving effective wind protection
Solution Approach 2:
The wind guard members are designed to be removable and repositionable, allowing the system to adapt to different cooking configurations and wind conditions without requiring complex mechanical mechanisms
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 wind guard system effectively blocks cross-winds, improving temperature control and heating efficiency on outdoor griddle cooking stations, even in windy conditions.
Implementation Method 1
each of the multiple wind guard members extends downward to cover the gap defined between the underside of the griddle member and the upper side of the cooking station to at least partially prevent wind from moving through the gap
Implementation Method 2
preventing wind from passing through and enhancing heat retention
Data Source
AI summary
Embodiments of a wind guard system for blocking a cross-wind from flowing through a gap defined between a griddle and a cooking station. The wind guard system includes multiple wind guard members each having a shield portion and a hook portion, the hook portion extending from an upper end portion of the shield portion. The hook portion is sized and configured to be positioned to removably hang over a top edge of upstanding walls of the griddle member so that a height of the shield portion extends downward to cover the gap defined between an underside of the griddle member and the upper side of the cooking station to at least partially prevent wind from moving through the gap.