Foldable Canopy Screen with Separated Actuation for Hot Chimney Safety

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing canopy systems for outdoor fireplaces are inconvenient to collapse or set up around a hot chimney due to components coming into contact with smoke, posing safety and usability issues.

Innovation Solution

A canopy device with a hollow column acting as a chimney, featuring a support system with movable ribs and an actuation system separate from the gas passage, allowing for safe and convenient folding and extension of a foldable screen using a winch and pulley system, with spacers and sleeves to maintain distance from the hot column.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If the support system is arranged around the hot chimney to support the screen, then the screen can be positioned around the chimney, but the components of the support system come into contact with the hot chimney making it unsafe and inconvenient to operate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveconvenience of collapsing or setting up the screenVSAvoidcontact with hot chimney

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The actuation system (winch and pulley) is extracted from the immediate vicinity of the hot chimney and positioned at a distance, connected via a cable that passes through the hollow chimney. This allows the screen support system to be operated from a safe distance without components directly contacting the hot surface.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

A cable acts as an intermediary element, transmitting the mechanical force from the winch through the hollow chimney to the support system. This intermediary allows force transmission without direct contact between the actuation mechanism and the hot chimney surface.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Device complexity

If the actuation system is integrated with the chimney structure, then the device complexity is reduced, but the actuation system components are exposed to heat from the smoke passage

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveintegration of actuation system with chimneyVSAvoidexposure to heat

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSTemperature

Solution Approach 1:

The system is segmented into distinct functional zones: the hollow chimney handles smoke conveyance, the support system handles screen positioning, and the actuation system handles operation. Each component is positioned to perform its function without unnecessary exposure to heat, with the actuation system located away from the hot gas passage.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The cable serves as a mediator that connects the actuation system to the support mechanism while passing through the hollow chimney. This allows the actuation system to be positioned away from heat sources while still controlling the support system that operates near the chimney.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Adaptability or versatility

If the screen is extended around the chimney, then cover from precipitation is provided, but the support system components are exposed to heat and smoke

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprotection from precipitationVSAvoidexposure to smoke and heat

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The actuation mechanism is extracted from the area around the hot chimney and positioned at a distance, allowing the screen to provide full coverage around the chimney while the operational components remain away from harmful heat and smoke exposure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

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 safe and efficient operation by allowing the screen to be easily collapsed or extended without direct contact with the hot chimney, enhancing usability and safety.

Implementation Method 1

a hollow column, provided with a top opening, a bottom opening and a gas passage extending from the bottom opening to the top opening for conveying smoke through the hollow column

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectBuoyancy: Archimedes' Principle (Buoyancy)

Implementation Method 2

a gas passage extending from the bottom opening to the top opening for conveying smoke through the hollow column

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectHot gas convection: Convection

Implementation Method 3

an actuation system, arranged for moving the support system between the extended position and the collapsed position, wherein the actuation system is separated from the gas passage

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMechanical advantage: Mechanical Advantage

Data Source

PatentEP4427626B1Canopy device for supporting a foldable screen

Publication Date: 2025.11.19 DUTCH MOUNTAIN LODGE BV

Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3~4

AI summary

Canopy device for supporting a foldable screen, wherein the canopy device comprises: a hollow column, provided with a top opening, a bottom opening and a gas passage extending from the bottom opening to the top opening for conveying smoke through the hollow column; a support system for supporting the foldable screen around the column, wherein the support system is arranged around the column between the top opening and the bottom opening, and wherein the support system is movable between an extended position, in which the support system is arranged to support the screen extended around the column, and a collapsed position, in which the support system is arranged to hold the screen in a folded state to drape along the column; and an actuation system, arranged for moving the support system between the extended position and the collapsed position, wherein the actuation system is separated from the gas passage.