Transparent Fireplace Sealing Edge for Frameless Glass Mounting
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Decorative gas fireplaces with sealed combustion chambers face aesthetic challenges due to visible frames or edges, which are necessary for sealing but detract from the minimalist design, and require maintenance access that complicates frameless solutions.
Innovation Solution
A decorative fireplace design featuring transparent, heat-resistant glass supporting edges on the housing's peripheral edges for the sealing element, which are inconspicuous and allow for easy removal, using mechanical connections and resilient clamping means to ensure airtight sealing without visible frames.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a metal frame is used to support the sealing element, then the sealing element can be securely attached and sealed, but the frame becomes visible and detracts from the aesthetic appearance
Solution Approach 1:
A transparent supporting edge made of heat-resistant glass is introduced as an intermediary element between the metal frame and the sealing element. This transparent edge is attached to the metal frame's peripheral edges and provides support for the sealing element while remaining visually invisible, thus maintaining both structural reliability and aesthetic appearance.
Solution Approach 2:
The supporting edge is made transparent (optically invisible) rather than using opaque metal, effectively changing the visual property from visible to invisible while maintaining the structural support function. This allows the frame to exist structurally without being visually apparent.
2Reliability
If the sealing element is pressed against the housing edges for sealing, then effective sealing is achieved, but the peripheral edges or seal become visible through the glass
Solution Approach 1:
The transparent supporting edge acts as an intermediary that distributes the pressing force across a wider area and provides a uniform contact surface. This prevents localized visible deformations or dark strips from forming on the sealing element, while still achieving effective sealing against the housing.
Solution Approach 2:
The supporting edge provides localized support and force distribution at the peripheral regions where sealing is needed, while the central area of the sealing element remains undisturbed and visually clean. This local quality approach ensures sealing effectiveness without compromising overall aesthetic appearance.
3Ease of manufacture
If a frame is provided to support the sealing element, then the sealing element can be securely mounted and sealed, but the frame complicates the design and reduces the minimalist aesthetic
Solution Approach 1:
The transparent supporting edge serves as a minimal intermediary component that provides the necessary mounting interface between the metal frame and sealing element. It adds only the essential structural function needed for secure mounting while maintaining the overall minimalist design philosophy by being visually invisible.
Solution Approach 2:
The visible metal frame structure is effectively extracted or removed from the final appearance by covering it with the transparent supporting edge. The metal frame remains for structural purposes, but its visual presence is extracted, leaving only the essential functional element visible.
4Reliability
If the sealing element is made from heat-resistant glass for hermetic sealing, then effective sealing and safety are achieved, but the glass edges or mounting structure become visible
Solution Approach 1:
The transparent supporting edge is positioned between the housing structure and the heat-resistant glass sealing element, providing support and sealing pressure while remaining visually invisible. This allows the glass edges and mounting structure to be effectively hidden, maintaining hermetic sealing without visual compromise.
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 design achieves a sleek, minimalist appearance by hiding frames and edges while maintaining effective sealing and allowing for easy maintenance, with negligible leakage rates and aesthetically pleasing visibility of flames only.
Implementation Method 1
The decorative fireplace furthermore comprises a resilient clamping means for pressing the sealing element against the transparent supporting edge
Implementation Method 2
The supporting edge is made from a transparent material, preferably heat-resistant glass or a similar material
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
Figure 5.1~5
AI summary
The present invention relates to a decorative fireplace (1), comprising a combustion chamber (3) which is formed in a housing (2) and which can be sealed off by a removable sealing element (4) in which at least one of the upright peripheral edges of said housing (2) comprises a transparent supporting edge (5) against which the sealing element (4) is pressed. As the supporting edge (5), against which the sealing element (4) is pressed (bears) is made from a transparent material, this supporting edge (5) is completely inconspicuous which makes it possible to install a decorative fireplace (1) in a very `minimalistic' or sleek' manner.