Candle Fuel Supply via Capillary Wick and Metal Heat Conduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing candles face issues with continuous fuel supply, aesthetics, and scent production, particularly in reusable paraffin candles where the floating body moves and requires wick replacement, and there is a need for improved design and functionality.
Innovation Solution
A candle configuration with separate spaces for fuel burning and supply, using metal components with high thermal conductivity for continuous fuel flow, enhanced aesthetics through design flexibility, and integrated scent production capabilities.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a floating body with wick is used in conventional paraffin candles, then the candle can be reusable and keep surroundings clean, but the floating body moves downward as fuel level decreases and requires wick replacement or straightening
Solution Approach 1:
The candle is divided into separate functional modules: a fixed base containing the fuel reservoir and a separate floating burner assembly. This segmentation allows the burner to remain stationary while fuel is replenished, eliminating the need for wick maintenance and improving ease of operation while maintaining reusability.
Solution Approach 2:
A capillary wick system acts as an intermediary between the fuel reservoir and the combustion chamber. The wick automatically transports fuel through capillary action without requiring mechanical intervention, solving the problem of wick maintenance while preserving the reusable nature of the candle.
2Duration of action of stationary object
If separate fuel storage and combustion spaces are implemented, then continuous fuel supply is enabled, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The fuel reservoir is nested within the base structure, and the combustion chamber is nested within the fuel reservoir space. This nested arrangement allows separate fuel storage and combustion spaces while minimizing overall device complexity and maintaining a compact form factor.
Solution Approach 2:
The capillary wick system provides self-service fuel transport from the reservoir to the combustion chamber without requiring external pumps or complex mechanical systems. This automatic fuel supply mechanism extends the duration of action while keeping the device structure simple.
3Productivity
If metal components with high thermal conductivity are used, then continuous fuel flow is achieved by preventing solidification, but heat loss increases
Solution Approach 1:
Metal components with high thermal conductivity are used only in specific locations where heat transfer is beneficial - namely in the fuel reservoir walls to prevent fuel solidification. The combustion chamber and wick area use materials with lower thermal conductivity to minimize heat loss, thus achieving continuous fuel flow while controlling energy loss.
Solution Approach 2:
The thermal conductivity parameter of materials is strategically varied throughout the device: high thermal conductivity metal is used in the fuel reservoir to maintain fuel in liquid state, while lower thermal conductivity materials are used in the combustion area to retain heat for efficient burning. This parameter optimization balances continuous fuel flow with energy conservation.
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
Ensures continuous fuel supply, prevents fuel solidification, allows adjustable wick positioning, and enhances aesthetics and scent production, providing a stable and customizable candle experience.
Implementation Method 1
having a flow tube, in which a fuel fed through the through-hole is able to flow upward due to capillary action, formed therein at a center of an inner portion
Implementation Method 2
the combustion part, the wick support, the storage part, and the fuel supply communication part may be made of a metal material that absorbs heat generated due to a flame burning the fuel while fixed due to the wick support and transfers the heat to the combustion part, the fuel supply communication part, and the fuel stored in the storage part
Data Source
Figure 1(A)~1(B)
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
Disclosed is a candle including a fuel supply part. A candle according to an embodiment of the present invention includes: a combustion part having a fuel accommodation through-hole formed in one side surface of a lower portion; a wick support that is mounted to be attachable to and detachable from a bottom surface of a center of a storage space of the combustion part, has a flow tube, in which a fuel fed through a through-hole is able to flow upward due to capillary action, formed therein at a center of an inner portion to allow an upper surface and a lower surface to communicate with each other, and has a wick insertion hole formed at a center of the upper surface to allow a candle wick to be mounted and communicate with the flow tube; a storage part having a fuel supply through-hole formed in one side surface of a lower portion; and a fuel supply communication part mounted to allow communication between the fuel accommodation through-hole of the combustion part and the fuel supply through-hole of the storage part.