Table having a heating appliance

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Solution Overview

Problem

Outdoor heating solutions like gas heaters and fire pits are environmentally destructive, inefficient, and lack control over heat and emissions, while electric heaters have unsightly power cords and limited aesthetic appeal.

Innovation Solution

A table with a built-in heating appliance featuring a sealed combustible fuel chamber, air inlet control, flue exhaust, and heat reflective glass windows, allowing efficient heat production and visual appeal of flames while directing emissions away from users.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Temperature

If outdoor gas heaters are used, then heating capability is provided, but carbon emissions are high and environmental damage occurs

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveheating capabilityVSAvoidcarbon emissions

Core Design Contradiction:

TemperatureVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the fuel type parameter from gas (high carbon emissions) to solid fuel with catalytic conversion (low emissions), transforming the combustion process to achieve clean burning while maintaining heating capability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent converts harmful emissions into beneficial effects by using a catalytic converter that transforms toxic combustion gases into harmless substances, turning the harmful combustion process into an environmentally friendly heating solution

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

2Illumination intensity

If fire pits and chemineas are used, then visual appeal and heating are provided, but harmful particulate emissions are produced and fuel efficiency is poor

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvevisual appeal of flamesVSAvoidparticulate emissions

Core Design Contradiction:

Illumination intensityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies catalytic conversion to transform harmful particulate emissions into beneficial clean combustion, allowing the visual appeal of flames to be maintained while eliminating harmful particulates through the catalyst's chemical transformation of combustion byproducts

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the combustion parameters by introducing catalytic material that alters the burning process, enabling complete combustion that produces minimal particulates while maintaining the aesthetic flame characteristics

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Temperature

If fire pits and chemineas are used, then heating is provided, but heat output cannot be easily controlled

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveheat outputVSAvoidcontrol of heat output

Core Design Contradiction:

TemperatureVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces adjustable air inlet vents that allow dynamic control of oxygen supply to the combustion chamber, enabling users to regulate heat output by adjusting airflow in real-time, transforming a static heating device into a dynamically controllable system

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

4Temperature

If electric heaters are used in tables, then heating is provided, but power cords are unsightly and pose tripping hazards

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveheating functionVSAvoidpower cord requirements

Core Design Contradiction:

TemperatureVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the electric heating system (requiring power cords and electrical infrastructure) with a mechanical combustion-based heating system using solid fuel, eliminating the need for power cords and electrical connections while providing equivalent heating functionality

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

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 solution provides a warm and visually appealing outdoor heating experience with efficient fuel use, reduced emissions, and controlled heat output, addressing the environmental and aesthetic issues of existing heating methods.

Implementation Method 1

The heating appliance may have a catalytic converter for reducing emissions, such as carbon emissions, from the chamber

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCatalysis: Catalysis

Implementation Method 2

A table for use outside has an electric heater for warming people around it but the heater in the table requires an external power supply

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCombustion: Combustion

Implementation Method 3

The glass may be heat reflective

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThermal radiation reflection: Reflection

Implementation Method 4

The heating appliance may include an air inlet for supplying air to an inside of said chamber for combusting said combustible fuel

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCombustion support: Combustion

Data Source

PatentUS12059096B2Table having a heating appliance

Publication Date: 2024.08.13 THE CASHMERE CAVEMAN CO WILD KITCHENS LTD

AI summary

A table (1) has a table top (2) containing an opening (3). A heating appliance (10) is in the opening (3) wherein the heating appliance (10) extends at least beneath the table top (2). The table top opening (3) comprises a recess (5) in which the heating appliance (10) is received, and the recess (5) has at least one wall (7) below the table top (2). The heating appliance (10) has a substantially sealed chamber (13) for receiving combustible fuel (47) with which the heating appliance (10) is used, and the chamber (13) has at least one window (35, 45).