Plastic Furnace Riser Block Vibration Damping
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing furnace supports made of metal are heavy, prone to rust and corrosion, and do not provide vibration dampening, making them difficult to install and maintain, while also posing safety risks due to sharp edges and corners.
Innovation Solution
A furnace riser block made from durable, lightweight plastic with a molded construction, featuring a wide flange for stability, non-sharp edges, and integrated vibration isolators to absorb noise and vibrations, allowing for easy installation and adaptability to different furnace sizes and clearance requirements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If metal furnace supports are used, then strength and durability are provided, but weight increases and rust/corrosion susceptibility occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the material parameter from metal to plastic, fundamentally altering the density and weight characteristics while maintaining structural integrity through molded design features such as ribbing and flange configurations
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses plastic as a composite material alternative to metal, achieving both weight reduction and corrosion resistance while maintaining sufficient strength through proper material selection and structural design
2Strength
If metal furnace supports are used, then structural strength is provided, but installation time increases due to handling difficulty
Solution Approach 1:
Changing from metal to plastic material reduces weight and improves handling characteristics, allowing installers to more easily position and install the supports without specialized equipment or additional time
3Force
If metal furnace supports are used, then load-bearing capacity is provided, but vibration dampening is not achieved
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the material damping characteristics by using plastic instead of metal, which inherently provides vibration dampening and noise reduction while maintaining load-bearing capacity through structural design
Solution Approach 2:
The patent converts the potential weakness of plastic (perceived as less strong than metal) into a benefit by utilizing its vibration-dampening properties to reduce noise and harmful vibrations from the furnace
4Weight of moving object
If molded plastic construction is used, then weight is reduced and corrosion resistance is improved, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple functions into a single molded plastic component, including structural support, vibration dampening, and corrosion resistance, which simplifies the overall system despite the complexity of the molding process
5Stability of the object's composition
If flange width is increased for stability, then width-to-height ratio improves, but material usage increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by concentrating material where needed for stability (in the flange and rib structures) while using less material in other areas, optimizing the balance between stability and material usage
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 plastic riser block provides ten times the strength of metal supports, reduces installation time and costs, minimizes maintenance, and ensures stable, long-term use without rust or corrosion, while preventing damage and injury during handling.
Implementation Method 1
they absorb vibration and noise to quiet noisy furnace units
Data Source
AI summary
A furnace riser block configured for placement under residential or commercial furnaces and having a generally isosceles trapezoid configuration when viewed from any of its four sides. It is made from strong and lightweight plastic materials that absorb vibration. At least two riser blocks are used together to support a furnace, each having a bottom flange, four corner protrusions, two side protrusions offset from a central location, a deep draft on all four of its sides, a high width-to-height ratio, vertical ribbing that creates a scalloped configuration and increases its vertical loading capability, and multiple indentations in its top surface each configured for receiving a metal jacket riser member that gives an additional inch of clearance when needed in an installation and/or receipt of a vibration isolator. The furnace riser block is stronger, lighter in weight, and safer to handle and ship, than known furnace supports made from metal material.