Flame-Producing Assembly With Bistable Display Customization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing flame producing assemblies, such as lighters, lack cost-effective customization options beyond pre-selected designs, and require complex adaptations to accommodate diverse consumer preferences.
Innovation Solution
A flame producing assembly with an electronic bistable display and a communication module that allows for user-configured content display, powered and updated via a personalization station, reducing the need for internal power and control systems.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If pre-selected printed designs are used on the lighter surface, then manufacturing cost is reduced and production is simplified, but design variety and customer customization options are limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the dynamics principle by replacing static printed designs with a dynamic electronic display system. The display can change its content based on user input, allowing the lighter to adapt its appearance over time. This resolves the contradiction by enabling design variety without complicating the manufacturing process, as the display hardware remains constant while the software content can be updated.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes parameter changes by allowing the display content to be modified through software updates and user configuration rather than physical redesign. The hardware parameters (display structure) remain fixed during manufacturing, while the functional parameters (displayed content) can be changed indefinitely, resolving the contradiction between manufacturing simplicity and design variety.
2Adaptability or versatility
If complex systems with thousands of different designs are created to accommodate unlimited consumer preferences, then design variety is improved, but manufacturing cost and system complexity increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the copying principle by using a single display hardware unit that can replicate multiple different designs through software control. Instead of manufacturing thousands of different physical lighters, one lighter unit can display numerous different designs by loading different content, thereby achieving high adaptability without proportional increase in system complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements universality by designing a single lighter system that can perform multiple design functions through one display unit. The display serves multiple purposes by displaying different content based on user preferences, effectively making one device capable of providing thousands of different design options without requiring separate systems for each design.
3Adaptability or versatility
If an electronic display system is integrated into the flame producing assembly for customizable designs, then design variety and user configuration options are improved, but device size and internal complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the extraction principle by separating the display control functions from the core flame producing mechanism. The display system is extracted as a separate module that can be independently controlled, allowing customization capabilities to be added without fundamentally redesigning the entire lighter system. This reduces internal complexity by maintaining modular architecture where the display is an add-on rather than an integrated core component.
4Adaptability or versatility
If continuous power supply is provided to the electronic display for maintaining customized images, then display functionality is improved, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies periodic action by implementing power consumption only during specific events (image updates, user interaction) rather than continuous operation. The display maintains its state without continuous power supply, consuming energy periodically when content needs to be changed or refreshed. This resolves the contradiction by maintaining display functionality while significantly reducing overall energy consumption compared to continuous operation.
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 customizable designs with reduced assembly size, complexity, and cost, while minimizing e-waste by allowing image updates without continuous power consumption.
Implementation Method 1
an electronic bistable display configured to display an image representing user-configured content according to image data
Implementation Method 2
a communication module in electrical communication with the electronic bistable display
Data Source
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AI summary
A flame producing assembly display device for displaying user-configured content is provided. The flame producing assembly display device comprises an electronic bistable display and a communication module. The electronic bistable display is configured to display an image representing the user-configured content according to image data. The communication module is in electrical communication with the electronic bistable display. The communication module is connectable to a personalization station for providing image data and power to the electronic bistable display. The electronic bistable display is suppliable with power and updating image data only when a connection between the communication module and the personalization station is established.