Foldable Electric Space Heater Panel Design for Fire Hazard Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Portable electric space heaters often pose fire hazards and are noisy, making them unsafe and inconvenient for use in various settings.
Innovation Solution
A foldable heating panel composed of multiple small, rectangular plate-like members connected by flexible non-conductive material, allowing for easy folding and unfolding, and incorporating a control system with an accelerometer to prevent overheating when tilted, reducing the risk of fire hazards.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If portable electric space heaters are used to provide heating, then heating function is achieved, but fire hazard and noise are generated
Solution Approach 1:
The heating panel is divided into multiple small plate-like members (first, second, third plate-like members) that can be folded relative to each other. This segmentation allows the heating surface to be maintained for effective heating while enabling compact folding for safe storage and transport, reducing fire hazard risk during handling
Solution Approach 2:
The panel transitions from a rigid structure to a flexible, foldable structure through the use of flexible non-conductive material connections. This dynamic flexibility allows the panel to be folded into a compact configuration for safe storage and transport, eliminating fire hazards associated with rigid heaters during handling while maintaining heating functionality when deployed
2Stability of the object's composition
If the heating panel is made rigid for stable heating, then heating stability is improved, but handling and storage become difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The panel employs flexible non-conductive material to connect the plate-like members, enabling the structure to dynamically transition between rigid (when deployed for heating) and flexible (when folded for storage). This dynamic property allows the panel to maintain stability during operation while being easily folded for convenient handling and storage
Solution Approach 2:
The foldable design allows the heating panel to be nested into a compact folded configuration when not in use. The first, second, and third plate-like members can be folded relative to each other, creating a compact nested structure that is easy to store and transport while maintaining the full heating surface area when deployed
3Ease of operation
If the panel is folded compactly for storage and transport, then ease of handling is improved, but the panel structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The panel is segmented into multiple independent plate-like members connected by flexible non-conductive material. This segmentation enables compact folding for easy handling and storage while keeping each individual component simple in structure, avoiding the need for complex mechanical folding mechanisms
Solution Approach 2:
The flexible non-conductive material serves as a simple yet effective connection element between plate-like members, enabling foldability without requiring complex hinges, joints, or mechanical structures. This flexible film approach simplifies the overall device structure while achieving the desired ease of handling and compact storage
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 foldable design enhances safety and convenience by minimizing noise and fire risks through controlled heating and easy handling during packaging, transportation, and storage, while the accelerometer ensures automatic shutdown when the panel is tilted, preventing potential fires.
Implementation Method 1
a heating element having a first radiation emitting surface
Implementation Method 2
a heating element having a first radiation emitting surface
Implementation Method 3
a flexible non-conductive material attached to a surface of each of said plural plate-like members
Data Source
AI summary
An electric space heater having foldable panels is disclosed. A foldable panel may comprise a plural plate-like members and a flexible non-conductive material. The plural plate-like members including (i) a first plate-like member, a second plate-like member, a third plate-like member. The first plate-like member may have a heating element having a first radiation emitting surface and a second interior surface, and (b) a board adhesively bonded to said second interior surface; the second plate-like member may have (a) a heating element having a first radiation emitting surface and a second interior surface, and (b) a board adhesively bonded to said second interior surface; the third plate-like member may have (a) a heating element having a first radiation emitting surface and a second interior surface, and (b) a board adhesively bonded to said second interior surface.