Convex Fireplace Draft Blocker for Irregular Opening Sealing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Wood burning fireplaces are inefficient in heating homes and allow heated air to escape, with drafts entering from the chimney, due to the lack of airtight seals in the damper and glass doors, leading to energy loss and discomfort.
Innovation Solution
A portable, removable draft blocker with a convex-shaped cover and faux fur or bristle sealing elements that fits over the fireplace opening without permanent installation, using flexible rods and a low-melting point plastic sheet to control air intake if the temperature exceeds a certain level, ensuring a secure seal on irregular surfaces.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If a damper is installed between the fire box and flue, then air flow from the fire box into the flue can be blocked, but the damper does not provide a good seal and heated air still escapes
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a flexible fabric cover with a convex shape that can conform to irregular fireplace openings. The flexible material allows the cover to seal effectively against non-planar surfaces like brick with depressed mortar joints, preventing heated air escape while accommodating variations in opening geometry.
Solution Approach 2:
The cover is designed with a convex curvature rather than being flat. This convex shape allows the cover to bridge gaps and conform to irregular surfaces, improving the seal effectiveness. The curved design helps the cover maintain contact with the fireplace opening surface, preventing air leakage around the edges.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If glass doors are used to enclose the fireplace, then the fireplace structure is complete, but the doors do not provide an airtight seal and drafts still enter from the chimney
Solution Approach 1:
The flexible fabric cover with sealing elements can conform to irregular fireplace openings and glass door frames. The flexibility allows the cover to adapt to non-planar surfaces and maintain an effective seal, blocking drafts from entering while accommodating variations in the opening geometry.
Solution Approach 2:
The convex curvature of the cover enables it to bridge gaps and maintain contact with irregular surfaces including glass door frames. This curved design helps the cover seal effectively against drafts by conforming to the actual geometry of the fireplace opening.
3Ease of operation
If a portable draft blocker is used without permanent mounting, then installation is easy and reversible, but securing the blocker firmly against irregular surfaces is difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The flexible fabric cover can be easily installed and removed without permanent mounting. The flexibility allows it to conform to irregular surfaces while maintaining contact, providing both ease of installation and reliable sealing against non-planar fireplace openings.
Solution Approach 2:
The convex shape of the cover allows it to be held firmly against irregular surfaces without permanent mounting. The curved design helps the cover maintain contact with the fireplace opening, bridging gaps and maintaining seal stability while remaining easily installable and removable.
4Stability of the object's composition
If the fireplace opening cover is made rigid, then structural stability is improved, but it cannot conform to non-planar surfaces like brick with depressed mortar joints
Solution Approach 1:
The flexible fabric cover maintains structural stability through its tensioned design and support system while simultaneously conforming to non-planar surfaces. The flexibility allows the cover to adapt to brick surfaces with depressed mortar joints, achieving both stability and surface conformity.
Solution Approach 2:
The convex curvature of the cover enables it to conform to non-planar surfaces while maintaining structural integrity. The curved design allows the cover to bridge gaps and adapt to irregular brick surfaces, providing both stability and versatility in fitting different fireplace openings.
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 prevents air leakage from the fireplace, maintaining warmth within the home and alerting users to potential fires by controlled air introduction, while being easy to assemble, disassemble, and store without tools.
Implementation Method 1
a sheet of low melting point plastic adapted to rupture at a selected temperature whereby air will be introduced into the fire box in a controlled manner if the temperature in the fireplace exceeds that selected temperature
Implementation Method 2
A portable, removable draft blocker with a convex-shaped cover and faux fur or bristle sealing elements that fits over the fireplace opening without permanent installation, ensuring a secure seal on irregular surfaces
Data Source
AI summary
A fireplace draft blocker which is easily assembled and disassembled is provided with a seal around its periphery of faux fur, bristles, or soft fabric and is supported by crossed rods which hold the four corners of the fireplace draft blocker in position and away from the fireplace itself.