Fire pit control and access panel

Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional fire pits often render the valve assembly on the fuel tank inaccessible or difficult to access, making it hard for users to control the fuel delivery and ignitor operation.

Innovation Solution

An ergonomically designed control and access panel that provides easy access to both the valve assembly of the fuel tank and the control assembly of the burner, featuring a door system with apertures and mechanisms allowing for open and closed positions, enabling users to adjust fuel delivery and ignite the burner efficiently.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Shape

If the fuel tank is fully concealed in the enclosure, then the aesthetic appearance is improved, but the valve assembly becomes inaccessible or difficult to access

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaesthetic appearanceVSAvoidaccessibility of valve assembly

Core Design Contradiction:

ShapeVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The door is divided into two separate sections: a first door section providing access to the control assembly, and a second door section providing access to the valve assembly. This segmentation allows each section to be independently opened, enabling users to access either the control assembly or the valve assembly without exposing the entire fuel tank, thus maintaining aesthetic appearance while improving accessibility.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The first door section and second door section are positioned at different locations on the enclosure, with the first door section providing local access to the control assembly and the second door section providing local access to the valve assembly. This local quality approach allows users to access only the specific component they need without exposing other parts of the concealed fuel tank system.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

2Ease of operation

If the control assembly and valve assembly are both accessible through a single large opening, then ease of access is improved, but the concealment of the fuel tank is compromised

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaccessibility of control and valve assembliesVSAvoidconcealment of fuel tank

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSShape

Solution Approach 1:

The door is divided into two separate sections: a first door section providing access to the control assembly, and a second door section providing access to the valve assembly. This segmentation allows each section to be independently opened, enabling users to access either the control assembly or the valve assembly without exposing the entire fuel tank, thus maintaining aesthetic appearance while improving accessibility.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

3Shape

If the valve assembly is positioned deep within the enclosure for full concealment, then aesthetic appearance is improved, but the time and effort required to access it increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaesthetic appearanceVSAvoidtime to access valve assembly

Core Design Contradiction:

ShapeVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The first door section and second door section are positioned at different locations on the enclosure, with the first door section providing local access to the control assembly and the second door section providing local access to the valve assembly. This local quality approach allows users to access only the specific component they need without exposing other parts of the concealed fuel tank system.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Data Source

PatentUS10359196B2Fire pit control and access panel

Publication Date: 2019.07.23 MR BAR B Q PRODUCTS LLC

AI summary

A fire pit apparatus is provided. The fire pit apparatus includes an enclosure; a burner assembly comprising a burner, wherein the burner is positioned on or at least partially within the surface of the enclosure; at least one control assembly; an elongate hollow member extending from the burner assembly to a distal end, the elongate hollow member being operatively and fluidly connected to the burner assembly and control assembly; and wherein, the enclosure defines a first aperture and a first compartment and a second aperture and a second compartment, wherein the first aperture provides access to the first compartment and the second aperture provides access to the second compartment and wherein the second compartment defines a third aperture that provides access to the first compartment.