Furnace

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Solution Overview

Problem

Fireplaces with transparent combustion chamber doors are difficult to clean due to soot accumulation on inner surfaces, and the heat generated by combustion escapes uncontrolled, impairing both cleaning accessibility and heating efficiency.

Innovation Solution

A channel-like recess in the fireplace body allows the transparent pane and its frame to pivot into a maintenance position, with a cover closing the recess in the closed state, enabling easier access and cleaning while maintaining a clear view into the combustion chamber.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Illumination intensity

If the transparent pane is made large to improve visibility of the fire, then the viewing area is improved, but the pane becomes difficult to access for cleaning

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveviewing areaVSAvoidaccessibility for cleaning
Core Design Contradiction:
Illumination intensityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The transparent pane is made movable rather than fixed, allowing it to pivot between a closed position during operation and a maintenance position for cleaning. This dynamic configuration enables the pane to adapt between providing optimal viewing during fire operation and providing accessibility for maintenance, resolving the contradiction between large viewing area and cleaning accessibility.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Ease of operation

If the combustion chamber door is moved upward to allow access, then cleaning accessibility is improved, but heat escapes uncontrolled into the room

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveaccessibility for cleaningVSAvoidheat loss
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The combustion chamber door is segmented into the frame and the transparent pane as separate components. The frame remains fixed in the upward position to provide accessibility for cleaning, while only the transparent pane is moved to a maintenance position. This segmentation allows the frame to maintain the sealed position that prevents heat loss, while the separate pane can be accessed for cleaning without compromising the thermal seal.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

3Ease of repair

If the transparent pane is made accessible for cleaning, then maintenance effort is reduced, but the viewing area is impaired

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecleaning effortVSAvoidviewing area
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of repairVSIllumination intensity

Solution Approach 1:

The transparent pane pivots on a horizontal axis allowing it to be moved to a maintenance position where it is easily accessible for cleaning, then returned to its closed position to restore the full viewing area. This dynamic movement enables the pane to temporarily change position for maintenance without permanently reducing the viewing area, resolving the contradiction between cleaning accessibility and viewing area.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentEP3376114B1Furnace
Publication Date: 2022.05.18 SPARTHERM FEUERUNGSTECHN
  • EP3376114B1 patent drawingFigure 1~4
  • EP3376114B1 patent drawingFigure 5

AI summary

The invention relates to a fireplace, in particular a fireplace or tiled stove, fireplace insert or similar device for burning solid fuels such as split logs, wood pellets such as brickets or pellets or mineral fuels such as coal or anthracite, with a fireplace body in which one of side walls, a rear wall and a combustion chamber with a floor is provided, which has a combustion chamber opening which can be closed by a combustion chamber door which has at least one transparent pane and which can be moved up and down in vertical guides attached to the fireplace body and via the vertical guides into an open position and into a closed position is movable, wherein the at least one transparent pane of the combustion chamber door can be pivotally transferred from its closed position located in the vertical guides into a maintenance position pivoted away from the combustion chamber (Fig. 1).