Polygonal Vessel Locking for Wear-Resistant Portable Stoves

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing vessel attachment systems for portable stoves are prone to wear, leading to a risk of unintended separation between the vessel and the stove, which can result in dangerous situations such as burns and fires, especially in remote locations.

Innovation Solution

A vessel attachment system featuring a polygonal opening in the vessel's bottom and a corresponding polygonal supporting means on the vessel support, allowing for positive locking through relative rotational movement, with a mechanical stop to limit rotation and prevent separation, and a twin bottom structure for convenient handling and heat dissipation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a radial pin and L-shaped slot attaching means are used to provide positive locking between vessel and vessel support, then the vessel is securely fixed to the stove, but the attaching means is strongly subject to wear leading to malfunction over time

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesecure fixation between vessel and stoveVSAvoidservice life of attaching means
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDuration of action of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the conventional radial pin and L-shaped slot attaching means with a polygonal opening and polygonal supporting means configuration. This geometric change from linear contact (pin-slot) to angular contact (polygonal corners) distributes wear across multiple contact points, significantly reducing wear on individual components and extending the service life of the attaching means while maintaining reliable fixation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

2Device complexity

If the vessel is loosely placed on the vessel support, then the attachment system is simple, but the vessel may fall down causing injury or fire

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesimplicity of attachment systemVSAvoidrisk of vessel falling and causing injury
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs asymmetric polygonal shapes for the opening and supporting means that provide inherent directional locking. The polygonal configuration with corners and sides creates an asymmetric engagement that prevents unintended separation while maintaining a relatively simple attachment mechanism. The asymmetry ensures the vessel cannot accidentally detach while allowing intentional attachment and detachment by the user.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #4Asymmetry

Data Source

PatentEP2803303B1Vessel attachment system for a portable stove
Publication Date: 2015.07.08 FENIX OUTDOOR AB
  • EP2803303B1 patent drawingFigure 1A
  • EP2803303B1 patent drawingFigure 1B
  • EP2803303B1 patent drawingFigure 2

AI summary

The present invention is directed to a vessel attachment system (1) for a portable stove comprising a vessel (2) and a vessel support (3), wherein the vessel (2) comprises a first attaching means and the vessel support (3) comprises a second attaching means. The first attaching means and the second attaching means are configured to provide for a positive locking between the vessel (2) and the vessel support (3).The invention is characterized in that the first attaching means is a polygonal opening (4) in a bottom area of the vessel (2) and the second attaching means is a polygonal supporting means (5), wherein the polygonal supporting means (5) is insertable into the polygonal opening (4).Subsequent relative rotational movement between the vessel (2) and the vessel support (3) after insertion of the polygonal supporting means (5) in to the polygonal opening (4) provides for the positive locking between the vessel (2) and the vessel support (3).