Battery-Powered Igniter With Adjustable Wick Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional lighters that rely on petroleum-based fuels produce undesirable combustion byproducts such as heat, fumes, and smells, necessitating an improved igniter that can selectively ignite materials without these drawbacks.
Innovation Solution
An igniter with an integrated power source, such as dry-cell batteries, and an adjustable ignition assembly that uses electrical components to heat an igniter tip, allowing for the ignition of wicks or combustible materials without combustible fuels, constructed from biodegradable or recyclable materials.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-generated harmful factors
If traditional petroleum-based fuel lighters are used, then ignition function is achieved, but combustion byproducts (heat, fumes, smells) are produced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the chemical combustion system (petroleum fuel burning) with an electrical heating system. The igniter uses an electrical heating element that converts electrical energy directly to thermal energy to ignite the wick, eliminating the need for combustible fuel and thus eliminating combustion byproducts while maintaining reliable ignition function.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the energy source parameter from chemical energy (petroleum fuel) to electrical energy. This fundamental parameter change allows the system to achieve the same ignition function without producing harmful combustion byproducts, as electrical heating does not involve chemical combustion.
2Object-generated harmful factors
If an electrical heating system is used instead of petroleum fuel, then combustion byproducts are eliminated, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the electrical heating element, power source, and control components into a single integrated igniter unit. The heating element is embedded within the igniter body, and the battery-powered electrical system is compactly designed, simplifying the overall structure despite using electrical components instead of simple fuel reservoirs.
Solution Approach 2:
The igniter is designed with multi-functionality: it can ignite different types of wicks (cotton, hemp, synthetic), can be used with or without a wick-feeding mechanism, and can serve various purposes (lighting candles, campfires, cooking). This universal design approach allows the same basic electrical heating system to handle diverse ignition needs without requiring separate specialized devices.
3Adaptability or versatility
If a wick-feeding mechanism is added, then wick extension and retraction are enabled, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates a dynamic wick-feeding mechanism that allows the wick length to be adjusted during operation. The mechanism includes a spool or reel system that can extend the wick when needed and retract it when not needed, providing dynamic adaptability. This mechanical addition is relatively simple, using basic components like a spool, guide channels, and perhaps a spring or manual crank, without requiring complex electronic controls.
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
Enables efficient ignition with minimal byproducts, eliminating the need for combustible gases or liquids, thus reducing heat, fumes, and smells, and allowing for flexible operation including wick extension and extinguishing.
Implementation Method 1
The igniter tip, heated by the electrical current, can then be used to ignite a material
Data Source
AI summary
Igniters, igniters with adjustable wicks, and methods of manufacturing and operating the same are disclosed. The igniters may include a housing, at least one battery, an ignition assembly, and a wick. The ignition assembly may include a pivot-mechanism having a first pivoting-element, a second pivoting-element, and a pivot-hinge assembly through which the first pivoting-element and the second pivoting-element are rotatably coupled. The ignition assembly can be operated to pivot the first pivoting-element and the second pivoting-element in opposite directions. The ignition assembly may include electrical contacts that can be shifted into contact to complete a circuit, thereby sending an electrical current through an igniter tip used to ignite the wick. In additional aspects, the wick is a hemp wick, and the housing may be formed of biodegradable or recyclable materials.