Fire Pit with Removable Grate and Ash Pan for Easy Cleaning
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing portable fire pits face challenges in cleaning and ash removal, as they require strenuous operations like rolling or inverting the structure, making it inconvenient for users to remove ash and clean the fire grate and pit.
Innovation Solution
A combustible fuel burning fire pit design featuring a removable fire grate and ash pan, allowing vertical lifting for easy removal and cleaning, with features like grippable surfaces, ventilation holes, and air gaps for efficient ash collection and airflow, facilitating thorough combustion and heat generation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If the fire pit structure is made robust and stationary, then it can support heavy fuel loads at high temperatures, but it becomes difficult and strenuous to remove ash and clean the fire grate
Solution Approach 1:
The fire pit is divided into separable components: a stationary outer structure and removable inner components (fire grate and ash pan). This segmentation allows the strong outer structure to remain fixed while the inner components can be easily removed for cleaning, resolving the contradiction between structural strength and ease of maintenance.
Solution Approach 2:
The fire grate and ash pan are extracted as removable components from the fire pit structure. The fire grate can be lifted out vertically through the burn chamber, and the ash pan can be removed separately, enabling easy ash removal without moving the entire fire pit structure.
2Ease of operation
If the fire pit is designed for portability, then it is easier to move and set up, but it may compromise the ability to support heavy fuel loads
Solution Approach 1:
The fire pit is segmented into a heavy-duty stationary outer structure that provides strength for fuel support, and lighter removable inner components. This allows the main structure to be designed for strength while individual components can be managed for portability.
Solution Approach 2:
The design transitions from a completely stationary structure to a dynamic system where the fire grate and ash pan can be removed and reinstalled. This dynamic capability allows the fire pit to function as a permanent installation when needed while enabling easy cleaning and maintenance operations.
3Stability of the object's composition
If the fire grate is fixed in place, then it provides stable support for fuel, but cleaning the fire grate and ash pan becomes challenging
Solution Approach 1:
The fire grate is separated from the permanent structure as a removable component. It can be freely installed and removed, providing stable support during operation while enabling easy access for cleaning both the grate itself and the ash pan beneath it.
Solution Approach 2:
The fire grate is designed to be completely removable rather than partially adjustable, allowing full access to the ash pan for thorough cleaning. This excessive removability ensures complete cleaning capability while maintaining stable fuel support when installed.
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 design simplifies ash removal and cleaning, supports heavy fuel loads at high temperatures, reduces smoke generation, and maintains structural integrity while being lightweight, ensuring easy maintenance and efficient combustion.
Implementation Method 1
a removable fire grate disposed within the burn chamber and disposed to support combustible fuel for burning
Implementation Method 2
a plurality of holes sized to permit passage of ash from the combustible fuel
Implementation Method 3
the removable pan includes at least two downward-projecting feet, where the at least two downward-projecting feet form an air gap beneath the bottom of the removable pan
Implementation Method 4
combustible fuel for burning
Data Source
AI summary
A fire pit is disclosed that includes a burn chamber, a removable fire grate, and a removable ash pan. The burn chamber is defined by an inwardly facing surface and a bottom. The removable fire grate is positioned within the burn chamber and supports combustible fuel for burning. The removable fire includes a plurality of holes sized to permit passage of ash from the combustible fuel, and at least one grip feature sized and shaped to permit a user to remove the removable fire grate from the fire pit by lifting the removable fire grate vertically through the burn chamber. The removable ash pan is positioned within the burn chamber beneath the removable fire grate, and includes, a side wall, a bottom, and at least one grippable surface configured to permit the user to remove the removable ash pan from the fire pit by lifting the removable ash pan vertically through the burn chamber.