Heat-Accumulating Fireplace Temperature Feedback to Prevent Overheating

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing fireplace control systems risk overheating due to manual adjustment of air supply when additional fuel is added, potentially leading to carbon monoxide poisoning and reduced durability, as they lack automated feedback on heat accumulation status.

Innovation Solution

A heat-accumulating fireplace with a temperature-reactive measuring device and an electric calculation unit coupled to a display unit, which monitors temperature changes in the outer shell structure to prevent overheating by providing user alerts and recommending re-heating times, ensuring maximum heat accumulation without damaging the fireplace.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If automated temperature monitoring is implemented in the fireplace, then safety and energy efficiency are improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefireplace safetyVSAvoidcontrol system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a feedback mechanism where a measuring device continuously monitors temperature in the heat-accumulating structure and provides signals to a calculation unit. The calculation unit compares measured temperatures with stored reference values and provides feedback control signals to the air supply system, enabling automated temperature regulation and preventing overheating without requiring complex manual intervention systems.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The fireplace control system performs self-service by automatically monitoring its own temperature status and regulating air supply without external intervention. The measuring device, calculation unit, and air supply controller work together as an autonomous system that self-regulates the fireplace operation based on real-time temperature measurements, reducing the need for user expertise and manual adjustment.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

2Ease of manufacture

If the measuring device is mounted in the outer shell structure, then ease of installation is improved, but measurement precision decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemeasuring device installationVSAvoidtemperature measurement accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses the outer shell structure as an intermediary element that transmits thermal information from the inner heat-accumulating structure to the measuring device. The measuring device mounted in the accessible outer shell indirectly measures the temperature of the inner structure through thermal coupling, enabling easy installation while maintaining measurement capability through the intermediary thermal transmission path.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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

Facilitates efficient and safe use of the fireplace by preventing overheating, extending its durability through automated monitoring and alert systems, allowing users to achieve optimal heat accumulation without manual intervention.

Implementation Method 1

a measuring device (1) that is arranged to react to temperature changes and that is arranged into the heat-accumulating wall structure of the fireplace

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectTemperature sensing: Thermocouple

Implementation Method 2

a heat-accumulating fireplace comprising an arrangement intended to control the use of the fireplace

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectThermal energy storage: Thermal Energy Storage

Data Source

PatentEP2345848B1Arrangement in heat-accumulating fireplace
Publication Date: 2016.04.06 TULIKIVI
  • EP2345848B1 patent drawingFigure 1~4
  • EP2345848B1 patent drawingFigure 5
  • EP2345848B1 patent drawingFigure 6

AI summary

The invention relates to an arrangement in a heat-accumulating fireplace, the arrangement comprising a measuring device (1) adapted to react to temperature changes, arranged into the heat-accumulating structure of the fireplace, and intended to control the use of the fireplace. For the purpose of facilitating an efficient use of the fireplace, the arrangement comprises an electric calculation unit (2) coupled to a display unit (3) arranged to provide data showing the heat accumulation status of the fireplace in response to temperature changes detected by the measuring device (1) and to inform the user of the fireplace that the fireplace has reached maximum and correct heat accumulation and that there is a risk of overheating the fireplace if fuel is added.