Heat reflective apparatus

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Solution Overview

Problem

Outdoor activities like camping face challenges in maintaining campfires due to wind, which disperses smoke and heat inefficiently, making it difficult to contain the fire and direct heat towards the camper.

Innovation Solution

A portable heat reflective apparatus comprising multiple vertically oriented panels connected by hinges and ground spikes, forming a parabolic shape when open, to secure and position panels for effective heat reflection and smoke containment.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Temperature

If a typical campfire is used without any structure, then the fire can burn freely in all directions, but the heat radiates in all directions making it difficult for the camper to absorb the heat, and smoke and ash are blown by wind into the direction of observers

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveheat absorption by camperVSAvoidwind blowing smoke and ash toward observers

Core Design Contradiction:

TemperatureVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The windscreen is divided into multiple separate panels (typically four or six panels) that can be assembled to form a complete structure. This segmentation allows for portable, easy-to-transport components that can be quickly set up around the campfire to create the protective enclosure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The panels are configured to form a curved or parabolic shape when assembled, creating an arc-shaped windscreen structure. This curvature is designed to reflect heat toward the camper while directing smoke and ash away from observers, optimizing both heat absorption and smoke containment.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

2Temperature

If a windscreen structure is introduced to contain smoke and direct heat, then heat absorption and smoke containment improve, but the device complexity and portability are reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveheat reflection toward camperVSAvoidportability and setup complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

TemperatureVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

By dividing the windscreen into separate panels connected by hinges, the structure becomes portable and easy to transport. The segmented design allows the windscreen to be collapsed for storage and quickly assembled when needed, maintaining simplicity despite the functional complexity of heat reflection and smoke containment.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The use of hinges connects the panels, allowing the windscreen to transition between a collapsed portable state and an assembled operational state. This dynamic design enables easy setup and takedown, reducing the practical complexity for the user while maintaining the structural integrity needed for effective heat reflection and smoke containment.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

3Stability of the object's composition

If ground spikes are added to secure the panels to the ground, then the stability and effectiveness of the windscreen improve, but the ease of assembly and disassembly is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepanel stability on groundVSAvoidassembly and disassembly convenience

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

Ground spikes are attached to individual panels rather than the entire structure, allowing for modular assembly. Users can attach spikes to each panel during setup and remove them during takedown, providing stable ground anchoring while maintaining ease of assembly and disassembly through the segmented approach.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The ground spikes are designed to be temporarily inserted into the ground during operation and easily removed when the windscreen is taken down. This dynamic attachment provides stable anchoring during use while allowing quick assembly and disassembly, balancing stability with operational convenience.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

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 apparatus effectively contains smoke and directs heat towards the camper, improving the campfire experience by minimizing wind interference and enhancing heat absorption.

Implementation Method 1

directs heat towards the camper

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThermal Radiation: Thermal Radiation

Data Source

PatentUS11506392B2Heat reflective apparatus

Publication Date: 2022.11.22 OFFERHAUS MIKE

AI summary

A heat reflective apparatus for use on the ground adjacent to campfires. The apparatus include a plurality of separate panels. Each of the plurality of panels are configured for vertical orientation and have a top edge and an opposing bottom edge defining a height and opposing side edges defining a width. A plurality of vertically oriented hinges, with each being connected to a side edge of two adjacent panels of the plurality of panels. This allows each of the connected adjacent panels to move between a collapsed position facing the other adjacent panel and an open position in relation with the other adjacent panel. At least two of the plurality of panels have at least one ground spike secured to the bottom edges thereof. The ground spikes are configured to secure the plurality of panels to the ground.