Heat deflector
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Solution Overview
Problem
Outdoor fire pits often reduce radiant heat due to their outer or double walls, which can diminish the enjoyable warmth experienced by users, while also potentially increasing smoke and flame obstruction.
Innovation Solution
A frustum-shaped reflector ring that fits into a fire screen on top of the fire pit, angled between 45-75 degrees, deflects heat onto users' bodies and heads while minimizing smoke production and flame obstruction, with a design that allows for easy installation and removal without direct contact.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If an outer wall or double wall is used in the fire pit, then fire containment and air flow control are improved, but radiant heat delivery to users is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The fire pit structure is segmented into multiple functional zones: an inner combustion chamber for fire containment, an outer shell for structural support and air flow control, and a reflective intermediate layer. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function optimally while collectively resolving the contradiction between containment and heat delivery.
Solution Approach 2:
A reflective layer or reflective surfaces are introduced as an intermediary between the fire and the external environment. This intermediary redirects thermal radiation toward users while maintaining the protective barrier function of the walls, thus preserving both fire containment and radiant heat delivery.
2Temperature
If the fire pit structure is simplified without walls, then radiant heat delivery is improved, but fire containment and smoke control are worsened
Solution Approach 1:
Different regions of the fire pit structure are assigned different properties: the combustion zone has controlled air flow characteristics for complete combustion and smoke reduction, while the outer structure provides selective radiation reflection. This local differentiation allows simultaneous achievement of clean combustion and effective heat delivery.
3Temperature
If a deflector is added to redirect heat, then radiant heat delivery to users is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The fire pit structure is designed with multi-functional elements: the outer wall serves both as a structural component and as a heat reflection surface; the air flow control features simultaneously manage combustion efficiency and smoke direction. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate dedicated components, thereby limiting complexity increase.
4Temperature
If the wall angle is optimized for heat deflection, then radiant heat delivery is improved, but flame obstruction and smoke ejection increase
Solution Approach 1:
The wall angle is optimized within a specific range (45-75 degrees from vertical) to achieve the optimal balance between heat deflection effectiveness and minimal flame/smoke obstruction. This parameter optimization allows the structure to deflect heat onto users while maintaining adequate flame visibility and reducing smoke production.
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
Effectively redirects radiant heat to users' bodies and heads, reduces smoke production, and minimizes flame obstruction, enhancing the outdoor fire experience by maintaining warmth and improving visibility.
Implementation Method 1
an outer surface of a wall portion of the deflector is for radiating heat onto a user's body and feet, and an inner surface of the wall portion of the deflector is for radiating heat onto a user's body and head
Data Source
AI summary
A fire pit having a deflector ring that is received in a fire screen located on the top of the fire pit. The deflector ring has wall portions that are angled from 45 to 75 degrees for deflecting heat onto the feet, body, and head of users surrounding the fire pit, reducing smoke production, and for minimizing flame obstruction. The fire pit includes a pit body having a wall section and a top surface that defines a fire pit receptacle opening. A lower screen is located above the top surface. An upper screen is located above the lower screen. A frustum-shaped deflector is received in the lower screen. An outer surface of a wall portion of the deflector is for radiating heat onto a user's body and feet, and an inner surface of the wall portion of the deflector is for radiating heat onto a user's body and head.