Fire pit

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Solution Overview

Problem

Fire pit tubs and ash drawers made of sheet metal are prone to premature corrosion and heat-induced weakening, leading to instability and dangerous ash accumulation, and existing support structures are not easily removable or space-efficient for shipping and storage.

Innovation Solution

A removable support system made of heavy gauge stainless steel with an integrated ash-collecting compartment that fits within the tub, preventing ash accumulation and ensuring stability by attaching to the tub without tools and allowing for compact storage and transportation of ashes for remote disposal.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Temperature

If sheet metal legs are used to support the tub, then the fire pit can be elevated off the ground, but the legs become prone to heat-induced weakening and premature corrosion

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveelevation heightVSAvoidleg strength

Core Design Contradiction:

TemperatureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The support system is divided into two distinct parts: a permanent support base that remains with the tub and a removable support that can be taken out. This segmentation allows the permanent base to provide stable elevation while the removable support can be replaced if damaged, resolving the reliability issue with sheet metal legs.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The removable support is designed as a sacrificial component that can be replaced when it becomes damaged from heat exposure. This disposable approach prevents the need to replace the entire support system and maintains reliability by replacing weakened components.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

2Ease of operation

If sheet metal ash drawers are used to collect ashes, then ashes can be collected and removed, but the drawers are prone to premature corrosion and heat-induced weakening

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveash removal capabilityVSAvoiddrawer strength

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The ash collection function is merged with the removable support structure. The removable support includes an ash collection compartment, combining two functions into one component. This eliminates the need for separate sheet metal ash drawers that are prone to corrosion.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The removable support with ash collection is designed to be replaced when it becomes damaged or saturated with ashes. This disposable approach prevents corrosion and heat-induced weakening from compromising the ash collection system.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

3Stability of the object's composition

If legs are permanently affixed to the tub, then the tub is stable during use, but more space is required for shipping and storage

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetub stabilityVSAvoidshipping space

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The support system is segmented into a permanent base that remains attached to the tub and a removable support that can be detached. During shipping and storage, the removable support can be taken off and nested inside the tub, reducing the overall volume while maintaining stability during use.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The removable support is designed to nest inside the tub when not in use. This nesting arrangement minimizes the shipping and storage volume required while allowing the full support structure to be assembled and used for stable operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

4Reliability

If the support structure is made of heavy gauge stainless steel, then corrosion resistance and heat resistance are improved, but the weight of the support increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecorrosion resistanceVSAvoidsupport weight

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSWeight of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The support system is divided into permanent and removable components, allowing different material specifications for each. The permanent support base can use heavy gauge stainless steel for maximum durability, while the removable support can use lighter materials since it will be replaced when damaged.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The removable support uses lighter materials because it is designed to be replaced rather than permanently maintained. This reduces the weight penalty of using heavy gauge stainless steel only where absolutely necessary for permanent structural components.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

Data Source

PatentUS12078358B2Fire pit

Publication Date: 2024.09.03 CONAIR CORP

AI summary

A fire pit has a tub with a hollow interior chamber for receiving ash-producing combustibles. The chamber has a perforated bottom portion. A support is adapted to attach to the tub and be removable therefrom without the use of tools. The support has an ash-collecting compartment disposed directly below the perforated bottom portion when the support is attached to the tub. The support is adapted to support the tub when attached thereto, and to receive hot ashes into the compartment which fall through the perforated bottom portion during combustion of the combustibles, so that the ashes can collect and cool within the compartment and then be transported with the removed support for remote disposal.