Fire Pit Double-Wall Air Inlet and Locking Post Design to Reduce Smoke
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Solution Overview
Problem
Backyard campfires, especially those using soft wood or wood with water, produce excessive smoke, which can infiltrate homes and neighboring properties, leading to bans in some areas, and pose challenges in positioning grills correctly for cooking. Existing fire pits with airflow chambers reduce smoke but have room for improvement.
Innovation Solution
A fire pit design with a double outer wall defining an air inlet, an accessory support post locking mechanism, and a post holder for securing the accessory post in the ground, allowing for controlled airflow and grill positioning without carrying the entire fire pit device.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If a fire pit uses soft wood or wood containing water, then the fire is easier to ignite and sustain, but excessive smoke is generated that infiltrates homes and neighbors' properties
Solution Approach 1:
The fire pit is divided into separate functional chambers: a burn box for combustion, an air inlet chamber for controlled air supply, and a ash collection area. This segmentation allows independent optimization of each function, enabling better control over combustion efficiency and smoke reduction while maintaining ease of ignition.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent modifies the combustion parameters by controlling air intake through specific inlet configurations and positioning. By changing the air supply parameters and combustion environment, the system achieves cleaner burning that reduces smoke production while maintaining fire sustainability.
2Object-generated harmful factors
If a fire pit with airflow chamber is used to reduce smoke, then smoke production is reduced, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The air inlet chamber and burn box are merged into an integrated structure where the air inlet chamber serves dual purposes: preheating air and supplying controlled oxygen to the combustion zone. This merging reduces the number of separate components while achieving smoke reduction through controlled airflow.
Solution Approach 2:
The air inlet chamber performs multiple functions simultaneously: it preheats incoming air, controls oxygen supply to the fire, and helps direct airflow patterns. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional separate components, simplifying the overall structure while maintaining smoke reduction capabilities.
3Productivity
If a grill is positioned directly over the fire for cooking, then cooking efficiency is improved, but the grill and fire pit must be moved together reducing versatility
Solution Approach 1:
The system is segmented into separate components: the fire pit and the grill support post. The support post can be independently positioned and adjusted, allowing the grill to be placed at the optimal location over the fire while the fire pit remains stationary. This segmentation enables both cooking efficiency and location flexibility.
Solution Approach 2:
The grill support post is designed to be adjustable and repositionable, allowing dynamic adjustment of grill height and position over the fire. This dynamic capability enables optimal cooking positioning while maintaining the ability to adapt to different fire locations and cooking requirements.
4Stability of the object's composition
If the accessory post is securely locked to the fire pit, then grill positioning stability is improved, but the post cannot be removed for separate use
Solution Approach 1:
The locking mechanism is designed to be dynamically adjustable, allowing the post to be securely locked during use for stability, and easily unlocked for removal and separate use. This dynamic locking capability provides both position stability when needed and reusability when desired.
Solution Approach 2:
A removable locking component serves as an intermediary between the post and fire pit. This intermediary element provides the locking function when engaged for stability, but can be removed to allow post separation for separate use, thus mediating between stability and reusability requirements.
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 fire pit design significantly reduces smoke production by providing efficient airflow and allows for secure, versatile grill placement over campfires, enhancing cooking experiences while complying with community regulations.
Implementation Method 1
an airflow chamber between the exterior walls of the main body wherein air is heated before being introduced at the top of the burn box
Data Source
AI summary
A fire pit includes a main body having a double outer wall that defines an air inlet. An accessory support post is received by the main body within the double outer wall. A locking projection and locking flange cooperate to lock the vertical and rotational position of the support post with respect to the main body of the fire pit. A floating fire box is supported from above by a grilling flange that allows the fire box to move down when heated. The accessory post can be used with a post holder next to a camp fire. The post holder and accessory post use of the locking projection and locking flange to secure the accessory post with respect to the holder. A grill having an outer body member protects the user's finger from engaging sharp edges of an expanded metal grill.