Folded burner
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Classical portable outdoor stoves are prone to damaging backpacks due to protruding sharp or thin metal parts, which can cause scratches or cuts when stored or retrieved, necessitating a compact and protective design.
Innovation Solution
A portable outdoor stove with foldable supports that transition between a secure footing position for use and a covering position for storage, encapsulating the burner unit to prevent protrusion and protect surrounding items and the user.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the burner unit is designed with exposed metal parts for functionality, then the stove can be used for cooking, but the sharp or thin metal parts may damage backpacks or other stored items
Solution Approach 1:
The supports are designed to fold around the burner unit, nesting the potentially harmful metal parts within the protective enclosure formed by the supports in their folded position, similar to how nested dolls contain smaller objects within larger ones
Solution Approach 2:
The supports act as an intermediary protective layer between the sharp metal parts of the burner unit and the backpack, preventing direct contact and potential damage while allowing the burner to remain functional when needed
2Stability of the object's composition
If the supports are extended to provide stable footing for cooking, then the stove can be used securely, but the supports protrude outside the compact form factor
Solution Approach 1:
The supports are designed to be dynamic rather than static, allowing them to extend outward when needed for stable footing during cooking and fold inward when not in use to achieve a compact form factor, adapting their configuration to the operational requirements
Solution Approach 2:
The support structure is segmented into multiple foldable sections that can be independently positioned, allowing the supports to extend for stability during use and collapse into a compact configuration for storage, with each segment contributing to both the extended and folded states
3Weight of moving object
If the stove is designed to be lightweight for portability, then it is easy to carry in backpacks, but the thin metal parts may still protrude and cause damage
Solution Approach 1:
The thin metal support arms are designed to nest around the burner unit when folded, containing the potentially harmful thin metal parts within the enclosed space formed by the supports, preventing them from protruding and damaging other items in the backpack
Solution Approach 2:
The support structure serves as an intermediary protective element that, when folded, creates a protective barrier between the thin metal parts of the lightweight stove and other items in the backpack, preventing damage while maintaining the lightweight design
Data Source
AI summary
A portable outdoor stove comprises a gas control valve, the gas control valve being dockable by a fuel supply means; a burner unit provided on the gas control valve; a plurality of supports attached to the portable outdoor stove, the supports being foldable at least between a first position and a second position; wherein in the first position, the supports are adapted to provide a hold for a receptacle such as a pot to be heated by the burner unit; wherein in the second position, the supports are adapted to form a cover around the burner unit such that the burner unit does not project outside the cover.