Electric Arc Lighter With Feedable Combustible Material
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional lighters produce physical waste and greenhouse gases due to fuel combustion and evaporation, and their flints often require replacement, leading to waste disposal issues.
Innovation Solution
An electric arc lighter with a rechargeable battery and electrodes that generate electrical arcs for ignition, combined with a receptacle for combustible material to form a flame, using a feeding mechanism to dispense the material into the arc path for ignition.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional lighters use fuel supply (butane) and flint for ignition, then ignition function is achieved, but physical waste and greenhouse gas emissions are generated
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the harmful fuel combustion function from the ignition system, replacing it with an electric arc mechanism. The electric arc lighter removes the need for butane fuel and flint, using instead an electrically-powered arc discharge between electrodes to ignite combustible material, thereby eliminating greenhouse gas emissions from fuel combustion and physical waste from depleted fuel reservoirs and flints.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical flint-based ignition system with an electrical system. The electric arc is generated through electrical discharge between electrodes controlled by a voltage source, substituting the mechanical friction and combustion process of conventional lighters with an electrical phenomenon, which reduces harmful emissions and waste.
2Adaptability or versatility
If refillable reservoirs are used for fuel supply, then refueling flexibility is improved, but fuel spillage and evaporation occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the fuel reservoir and liquid fuel system entirely, replacing it with an electric arc ignition mechanism and a separate combustible material supply (such as a wick or cord). This extraction eliminates the problems of fuel spillage and evaporation associated with refillable reservoirs while maintaining the ability to replenish combustible material without the harmful side effects.
3Loss of substance
If disposable lighters are used to avoid fuel spillage, then fuel containment is improved, but waste disposal issues increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the ignition system from the combustible material supply. The electric arc lighter uses a reusable body containing the electric arc mechanism, while the combustible material (wick or cord) can be separately replaced. This segmentation allows the expensive and complex ignition system to be reused indefinitely, while only the simple combustible material needs periodic replacement, significantly reducing waste compared to disposable lighters.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent enables recovery and reuse of the main lighter body containing the electric arc mechanism. Instead of discarding the entire lighter after fuel depletion, users can replenish only the combustible material (wick or cord), thereby recovering and reusing the valuable electronic components and body structure, which reduces waste disposal issues.
4Reliability
If flint is used for ignition, then ignition function is achieved, but flint wears out requiring replacement
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical flint ignition system with an electrical arc system. The electric arc is generated through controlled electrical discharge between electrodes powered by a rechargeable battery and voltage source. This electrical system has significantly longer service life compared to flint, as the electrodes and power source can be reused many more times before requiring replacement, thereby extending the duration of action of the ignition 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
Reduces waste and greenhouse gas emissions by using a rechargeable electric arc and a replaceable combustible material, providing dual operation for ignition in various conditions.
Implementation Method 1
the one or more pairs of the electrodes are configured to carry electrical current through a gas between respective ones of the one or more pairs of the electrodes in the form of one or more electrical arcs
Implementation Method 2
the voltage source is configured to form voltage between respective ones of the one or more pairs of the electrodes to ionize the gas to form the one or more electrical arcs
Implementation Method 3
the outlet is arranged in proximity to the one or more pairs of the electrodes to dispense the combustible material into a path of at least one of the one or more electrical arcs
Implementation Method 4
the feeding mechanism is configured to feed the combustible material from the supply and through the passageway to the exterior of the body for ignition by said at least one of the one or more electrical arcs to form a flame
Data Source
AI summary
An electric arc lighter having a handheld body with a pair of spaced-apart electrodes supported on an exterior of the body. The electrodes carrying electrical current through a gas between the physically separated electrodes and forming an electrical arc. A voltage source in the body and electrically connected to the electrodes to form a voltage therebetween form the electrical arc. The electric arc lighter features a receptacle receiving a supply of combustible material. A passageway through the body of the lighter receives the combustible material from the supply and guides the combustible material for delivery to the electrodes and into a path of the electrical arc. A feeding mechanism feeds the combustible material from the supply and through the passageway for ignition by the electrical arc to form a flame.