Small fireplace
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current small fireplaces face challenges in meeting upcoming stricter emission regulations due to insufficient ventilation in the combustion chamber, leading to high levels of fine dust, toxic carbon monoxide, and soot formation, which can result in chimney fires.
Innovation Solution
The design features cuboid building blocks with projections on two adjacent side faces that create horizontal slots for improved combustion air supply, allowing for even air distribution and reduced emissions by adjusting the distance between the blocks and the outer shell, ensuring excess combustion air can be supplied effectively.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-generated harmful factors
If traditional building blocks with holes or channels are used, then the structure is simple, but the combustion air supply is insufficient leading to high emissions
Solution Approach 1:
The building block is segmented into multiple functional surfaces: two opposite side surfaces with projections for outward spacing, and two adjacent side surfaces with projections for upward/downward spacing. This segmentation allows each surface to contribute to different aspects of combustion air supply, creating continuous horizontal slots that ensure sufficient ventilation and reduce emissions.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention transitions from traditional single-dimension hole or channel structures to multi-dimensional slot formations. By positioning projections on four different surfaces (two opposite and two adjacent), the design creates three-dimensional spacing that forms continuous horizontal slots, enabling combustion air to enter from multiple directions and significantly improving ventilation efficiency.
2Ease of operation
If building blocks are placed close together, then the structure is compact, but combustion air cannot be supplied evenly from all sides
Solution Approach 1:
Different surfaces of the building block have different projection configurations tailored to their specific functions. The two opposite side surfaces have projections optimized for outward spacing to create horizontal slots, while the two adjacent side surfaces have projections optimized for upward/downward spacing. This local differentiation ensures even combustion air distribution from all sides while maintaining compact overall dimensions.
3Productivity
If projections are provided on all four side surfaces, then combustion air supply is maximized, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The projection design serves multiple functions simultaneously: (1) creates spacing from adjacent building blocks, (2) forms horizontal slots for combustion air supply, (3) maintains structural integrity of the building block, and (4) enables even air distribution from all sides. This multi-functionality maximizes combustion efficiency while avoiding the need for additional complex components.
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
This solution achieves a significant reduction in emissions by up to 70%, meeting future legal standards while maintaining good thermal conductivity and allowing for installation in existing systems without modification, and providing an aesthetically appealing shape.
Implementation Method 1
the inlet openings for the combustion air being formed by horizontal slots between building blocks of the side walls of the combustion chamber
Implementation Method 2
Good thermal conductivity properties thanks to the thick-walled design of the component
Implementation Method 3
Heat generation with the renewable energy source wood
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~4
Figure 5~6
AI summary
The fire place has a sheath (1) and fireproof building blocks (5) that are surrounded by combustion chamber (2). A combustion air supply (7) is passed through inlet opening formed in side wall (3) of combustion chamber to exhaust flue gas. The inlet openings for combustion air are formed on horizontal slots (6) provided between building blocks of the side walls of combustion chamber.