Self-extinguishing Candle Lid with Iris Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Candles pose a fire hazard due to unattended flames, and existing self-extinguishing solutions like chemically-treated wicks or auxiliary apparatuses are either difficult to manufacture or aesthetically unappealing and ineffective.
Innovation Solution
A self-extinguishing container with a lid that automatically closes and extinguishes candle flames using a series of blades, an iris mechanism, and electronic components to control oxygen supply, allowing for manual or timed operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If chemically-treated or mechanically-engineered wicks are used to stop the candle from burning beyond a certain point, then the candle can be made self-extinguishing, but the manufacturing becomes difficult and the burning performance including fragrance release is negatively impacted
Solution Approach 1:
The invention divides the candle system into separate functional components: a standard wick for burning, a sensor system for detection, and a lid mechanism for extinguishing. This segmentation allows each component to perform its function optimally without compromising manufacturing ease or burning performance, while achieving reliable self-extinguishing capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention introduces an intermediary control system (sensor and lid mechanism) that mediates between the candle flame and the extinguishing action. This intermediary approach allows the candle to burn normally with standard wicks while the control system provides the self-extinguishing function, avoiding direct modification of the wick itself.
2Reliability
If auxiliary apparatuses such as a fan are used to blow out the candle flame, then the candle can be made self-extinguishing, but the aesthetic appeal is negatively impacted and the method is somewhat ineffective
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the blowing mechanism from the system and replaces it with a lid-based extinguishing mechanism. This removes the aesthetically unpleasant fan component while maintaining the self-extinguishing function through a more visually acceptable lid closure system.
Solution Approach 2:
The lid serves as an intermediary that physically blocks oxygen supply to extinguish the flame, replacing the fan's air blowing function with a more aesthetically pleasing mechanical closure that achieves the same extinguishing result.
3Reliability
If auxiliary apparatuses such as a snuffer are used to cut off the air supply and extinguish the candle flame, then the candle can be made self-extinguishing, but the aesthetic appeal is negatively impacted
Solution Approach 1:
The invention merges the lid (a necessary component for containing the candle) with the extinguishing function. By combining these functions into a single component, the invention eliminates the need for separate snuffer apparatuses that would compromise aesthetics, while maintaining reliable self-extinguishing capability through the lid's oxygen-blocking action.
4Reliability
If a lid is added to enable automatic closing and extinguishing, then the safety is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The lid is designed to serve multiple functions: containing the candle during normal use and automatically closing to extinguish the flame when needed. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional separate components, thereby limiting the increase in device complexity while achieving improved safety through automatic extinguishing.
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 container effectively prevents accidental fires by ensuring the candle flame is extinguished automatically, enhancing safety without compromising the aesthetic appeal or fragrance release of candles.
Implementation Method 1
a sensor positioned inside the lid and configured to detect the presence of a flame
Implementation Method 2
the closing mechanism to close the container and cut off the air supply to the candle to extinguish the candle flame
Data Source
AI summary
A lid for a candle is provided. The lid comprises an inner housing which includes an inner housing aperture, as well as an iris including an iris guide section and at least two blades. The iris guide section has a respective blade guide slot for each of the at least two blades. Each of the at least two blades has opposing ends, and at least one bolt aperture at each of the opposing ends. A respective bolt extends through each at least one blade guide slot and each bolt aperture thereby engaging the at least two blades with the iris guide section. The iris has an open position and a closed position. In the open position, the inner housing aperture of the lid is open, and in the closed position, the blades of the iris extend over the inner housing aperture, thereby closing the inner housing aperture.