Stowable fire pit screen
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing outdoor fire pits with open top designs face issues of ash and solid particles becoming airborne, reducing visibility and safety, while higher walls obstruct the view of flames and light, and existing screens are cumbersome or unattractive, altering the fire pit's appearance and functionality.
Innovation Solution
A stowable fire pit screen with a lower portion and an upper portion that fits together, featuring a frustoconical shape, a base with a lip for secure placement, and a hook for easy removal, allowing for clear viewing of flames while preventing ash escape and maintaining the fire pit's appearance and functionality.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If higher walls are constructed to contain ash and particles, then ash containment is improved, but flame visibility deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The fire pit structure is divided into multiple sections: a lower portion with higher walls for ash containment, and an upper portion with a top opening for flame viewing. This segmentation allows each section to optimize its function - the lower portion contains particles while the upper portion provides visibility
Solution Approach 2:
The solution transitions from a single vertical height dimension to a two-dimensional approach by adding a top opening dimension. Instead of simply increasing wall height, the design creates a multi-level structure with side walls and a top opening, allowing ash containment and flame viewing to occur in different spatial dimensions simultaneously
2Object-affected harmful factors
If a fire screen is added to contain particles, then ash containment is improved, but device complexity and appearance are worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The fire screen is merged with the fire pit structure itself, forming an integrated unit where the screen becomes part of the fire pit's wall system. This eliminates the need for separate screen components and reduces overall device complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The fire pit structure serves multiple functions simultaneously: it contains ash through its wall design, provides flame visibility through the top opening, and acts as its own screen. The single structure performs containment, viewing, and screening functions without requiring additional dedicated components
3Object-affected harmful factors
If a fire screen is added to contain particles, then ash containment is improved, but ease of operation is worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The fire pit is segmented into removable upper and lower portions, allowing the top opening to be accessed independently. This segmentation enables easy fuel loading and ash removal through the top opening without requiring removal of entire screen structures
Solution Approach 2:
The fire pit structure incorporates dynamic, removable components where the top opening can be opened or closed as needed. This allows the structure to adapt between containing mode (closed) and access mode (open), providing ease of operation while maintaining ash containment when required
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 fire pit screen enhances visibility and safety by containing ash and allowing gas passage while maintaining the fire pit's aesthetic and functional integrity, allowing for easy access and storage without obstructing accessories or increasing size.
Implementation Method 1
a frustoconical wall defining an upper opening and a lower opening that is larger than the upper opening... containing ash and allowing gas passage
Data Source
AI summary
A fire pit screen has a fire pit screen lower portion including an upright screen wall defining a top opening and a bottom opening, and a fire pit screen upper portion comprising a screen top panel sized to fit on top of the screen wall covering the top opening thereof.