Flame Dish Reflector Design for Multi-Directional Ambience

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional flame bowls with built-in reflectors can only be viewed from one direction, limiting the visibility of an enlarged flame image, which restricts the cozy ambience experience.

Innovation Solution

A flame tray design featuring a burner connected to a fuel supply with a laterally arranged reflector, having a recessed surface to enhance the flame's appearance by reflecting and duplicating the flame image, allowing it to be perceived from multiple directions, and optionally incorporating a translucent flame surround and illumination device to further enhance the visual effect.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Illumination intensity

If a larger flame pattern is generated to enhance the cozy ambiance, then the visual warmth and ambiance are improved, but the fuel consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvevisual warmthVSAvoidfuel consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
Illumination intensityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The reflector creates a copied image of the flame by reflecting its light, producing a virtual flame image that appears larger and more widespread without requiring additional fuel. The reflective surface captures and redirects flame light to generate multiple flame images, effectively multiplying the visual impact while maintaining the same energy input.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #26Copying

2Length of moving object

If the flame pattern height is increased to improve ambiance, then the visual effect is enhanced, but the fuel consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveflame pattern heightVSAvoidfuel consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
Length of moving objectVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The reflector positioned behind and above the flame creates a virtual copy of the flame that appears elevated and extended. This optical copying effect produces the perception of increased flame height without physically increasing the flame size, thereby avoiding additional fuel consumption while achieving the desired visual effect.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #26Copying

3Illumination intensity

If a reflector is positioned behind the flame to enlarge the flame image, then the flame appearance is enhanced, but the flame can only be viewed from one direction

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveflame image sizeVSAvoidviewing direction
Core Design Contradiction:
Illumination intensityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The reflector is divided into multiple segmented reflective surfaces arranged at different angles and positions around the flame. Each segment reflects flame light toward different viewing directions, allowing the enlarged flame image to be visible from multiple angles simultaneously. This segmentation transforms the single-direction viewing limitation into multi-directional visibility.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The reflector structure extends into the third dimension by positioning reflective surfaces at various heights and angles behind and around the flame. This three-dimensional arrangement creates multiple reflection paths that reach different viewing positions, transforming a two-dimensional single-view solution into a three-dimensional multi-view system.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

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 flame tray provides an enlarged and visually appealing flame image that can be viewed from various angles, enhancing the ambience without increasing fuel consumption or burner size, and allows for adjustable color temperature and movement effects through the reflector's surface finish and lighting.

Implementation Method 1

it has a surface finish for reflecting the flame to enlarge the appearance of the flame, i.e., to enlarge the flame image appearing to an observer

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectReflection: Reflection

Data Source

PatentEP3800398B1Flame dish
Publication Date: 2023.06.07 ENDERS COLSMAN
  • EP3800398B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3800398B1 patent drawingFigure 2

AI summary

A flame bowl for providing a cozy ambience is described, comprising a burner 4 connectable to a fuel supply and at least one reflector 5 arranged laterally with respect to the flame 12 produced by this during operation, with a surface condition for reflecting the flame 12 to enlarge the appearance of the flame as the flame image appearing to an observer.