Arc Lighter Safety Lock Mechanism Prevents Accidental Ignition
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional lighters pose a safety risk due to the likelihood of accidental operation by children, leading to potential fire accidents, as they lack effective safety lock mechanisms.
Innovation Solution
An arc lighter with a safety lock device comprising a locking lever, restoring torsion spring, and a control rod seat with a safety push button, which requires intentional action to unlock and enable ignition, preventing accidental activation by engaging a locking projection with a lighter switch and circuit board switch.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a conventional lighter design is used, then the lighter can be easily operated, but it poses a high safety risk due to accidental operation by children
Solution Approach 1:
The safety lock mechanism is engaged in advance before the lighter can be operated. The locking projection of the locking lever pre-engages with the lighter switch, preventing activation until the safety lock is deliberately disengaged by pushing the control rod forward. This preliminary locking action ensures that accidental operation is prevented while maintaining ease of operation through a simple push-to-unlock gesture.
2Reliability
If a safety lock mechanism is added to prevent accidental operation, then the safety coefficient is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The control rod serves multiple functions: it acts as a safety release mechanism by pushing the locking lever to disengage the locking projection, and simultaneously serves as part of the ignition system by making contact with the arc discharge electrode. The locking lever also serves dual purposes as both a safety lock component and a contact element for arc generation. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate components, thereby limiting the increase in device complexity.
3Reliability
If the locking projection is engaged with the lighter switch to prevent accidental ignition, then safety is improved, but the ease of operation is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The locking projection is positioned to pre-counteract the lighter switch operation by physically blocking it. The locking lever is hinged such that the locking projection automatically engages with the lighter switch in the default state, creating a preliminary counter-action that prevents accidental ignition. This anti-action is easily overcome by the intended user through deliberate pushing of the control rod, maintaining ease of operation while ensuring safety against unintended activation.
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 safety lock mechanism effectively prevents accidental ignition, enhancing the safety coefficient of lighters by requiring deliberate action to unlock and operate the device, thus reducing the risk of unintended fire starting.
Implementation Method 1
a safety lock installed in the housing. The safety lock may comprise a locking lever and a restoring torsion spring installed to the locking lever
Implementation Method 2
Arc lighter... create fire for numerous applications... arc pulse lighters
Data Source
AI summary
According to some aspects a safety lock may be provided for locking a lighter switch, rendering it necessary to push a safety push button forward to separate the locking projection of the locking lever from the engaging groove of the lighter switch, and then press the lighter switch to touch the circuit board switch to operate the lighter (e.g., ignite the lighter's flame). Normally, the arc emission end is disposed in the protective cover which may protect the arc emission end and avoid dangerous situations. When the safety push button is pushed forward, the arc emission end may be pushed out from the protective cover, ready to ignite. Aspects of this disclosure may provide advantages such as simple overall structure, high levels of safety, and safe and reliable use of lighters.