Fire basin
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing fire bowls made of sheet metal segments are cumbersome to assemble and disassemble, lack stability, and are heavy due to the need for thick sheets to prevent warpage, making them difficult to transport and use as a mobile campfire or grill.
Innovation Solution
A fire bowl design using thin-walled sheet steel segments with integral triangular folds and concave depressions for increased stability, allowing for easy assembly and disassembly, and featuring quick-release fasteners outside the firing area for efficient handling and grilling accessories.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If thick sheet metal segments are used to prevent warpage and increase stability, then the structural stability and resistance to warpage are improved, but the weight increases and ease of transport deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies this principle by using thin-walled sheet metal segments instead of thick sheet metal, achieving the required stability through geometric reinforcement (folds and ridges) rather than increased material thickness. The thin-walled construction reduces weight while maintaining structural integrity through the folded geometry that resists warpage and bulging.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies this principle by transforming the flat sheet metal segments into three-dimensional structures with folds and ridges. The intersecting folds create a torispherical head configuration that adds dimensional stability without increasing material thickness, effectively using geometric dimensionality to prevent warpage while keeping the segments lightweight for easy transport.
2Stability of the object's composition
If the number of segments is increased to reduce surface area per segment and prevent warpage, then the resistance to warpage is improved, but the assembly complexity and installation effort increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies this principle by concentrating structural reinforcement at specific locations on each segment - the intersecting folds and ridges are positioned strategically to provide maximum resistance to warpage where needed. This localized geometric reinforcement allows each segment to be larger with less surface area, reducing the number of segments required while maintaining stability and simplifying assembly.
3Stability of the object's composition
If screw connections are used to assemble the segments, then the structural stability is improved, but the assembly and disassembly time increases and ease of operation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies this principle by using quick-release fasteners instead of permanent screw connections, allowing the fire bowl structure to dynamically transition between assembled and disassembled states. The fasteners provide secure structural stability when assembled but enable rapid disassembly for transport by simply releasing the quick-release mechanism, dramatically reducing assembly and disassembly time.
4Manufacturing precision
If thick sheet metal is used to counteract warpage, then the dimensional stability is improved, but the manufacturing cost and energy consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies this principle by using thin-walled sheet metal segments with geometric reinforcement through folds and ridges, achieving the required dimensional stability without the need for thick material. This approach reduces material costs and manufacturing energy consumption while maintaining resistance to warpage and bulging.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies this principle by transforming flat sheet metal into three-dimensional folded structures with torispherical heads. The folding process creates geometric stability and dimensional precision without requiring thick material, reducing both manufacturing costs and energy consumption compared to producing thick-walled segments.
Data Source
AI summary
For a stable, easy-to-handle fire basin for burning wood and similar fuels, consisting of a plurality of segments (1a) which are supported on the ground with feet (2) and towards the top have a plurality of segment surfaces (1b) to form the tub-shaped fire basin (1), the invention proposes that the segment surfaces (1b) of the fire basin (1) also have or form concave depressions or recesses.