Dual-Mode Lighter Actuation Mechanism for Child Safety
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing lighters fail to effectively resist inadvertent operation by unintended users while maintaining consumer-friendly operation for intended users, often relying on unreliable on/off switches or spring-biased mechanisms that can be forgotten or worn out.
Innovation Solution
A lighter with two modes of operation, utilizing a plunger member and biasing members to require different actuation forces based on user strength and cognitive abilities, with the high-actuation-force mode relying on physical strength and the low-actuation-force mode on dexterity and sequence of operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If spring-biased blocking latch mechanisms are used to prevent inadvertent operation, then resistance to undesired activation is improved, but reliability deteriorates due to wear and forgetting
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a dynamic actuation system where the required force changes based on the state of a movable plunger member. The plunger can be positioned to engage with a cam surface that increases actuation force requirement, or disengaged to allow normal operation. This dynamic adjustment allows the system to adapt between secure default state and easy operation state without relying on wear-prone latches or user memory.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the physical parameter of actuation force by utilizing the plunger's position-dependent cam engagement. When the plunger is in the engaged position, the cam surface creates a mechanical advantage that significantly increases the force required to actuate the lighter. This parameter change provides inherent security without additional components that could fail.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If high actuation force is required to prevent child access, then safety against unintended users is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates for intended users
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts the actuation force requirement based on the plunger position. For intended users who can manipulate the plunger to the disengaged position, operation becomes easy with normal finger pressure. For unintended users who cannot manipulate the plunger, the default engaged position maintains high force requirement. This resolves the contradiction by making the system adaptive to user capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the actuation process into two distinct phases: plunger manipulation followed by trigger actuation. This segmentation allows the system to differentiate between users who can perform the additional plunger manipulation step (intended users) and those who cannot (unintended users), while maintaining ease of operation for those who can complete both steps.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If on/off switches are used to control fuel supply, then resistance to inadvertent operation is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates due to user error
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a self-service safety mechanism where the plunger automatically returns to its default engaged position through spring biasing after being manipulated. This eliminates the need for users to remember to switch the system off, as the mechanical design itself ensures the safe state is restored automatically. The system serves its own safety function without relying on user cognitive processes.
Solution Approach 2:
The spring-biased plunger creates a preliminary anti-action by automatically returning to the force-blocking position after actuation. This preemptive restoration of the safe state prevents inadvertent operation that might occur if the user forgets to manually switch off the lighter, thereby counteracting potential user error before it can cause harm.
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 dual-mode operation ensures that the lighter is resistant to undesired activation by unintended users while allowing intended users to easily operate it, maintaining consistent actuation forces over multiple uses and requiring specific physical and cognitive inputs for each mode.
Implementation Method 1
a first biasing member, associated with the actuating assembly, provides a first opposing force which opposes actuation of the lighter, and a second biasing member provides a second opposing force which opposes actuation of the lighter
Implementation Method 2
an igniting assembly for igniting released fuel
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 1A
Figure 1B
AI summary
The present invention relates to a lighter which a user actuates by at least two different modes of operation. Li the first mode, a plunger member is positioned to allow a biasing member to oppose movement of an actuating assembly so that a user releases fuel and ignites the lighter only if a high-actuation-force is applied to the actuator. In this first mode, the lighter resists operation by unintended users by requiring a user to have a predetermined level of strength to actuate the lighter. In the second mode, the plunger member is moved to a different position so that the biasing member does not oppose movement of the actuating assembly to the same extent as the first mode so that a user may release fuel and ignite the lighter if a low-actuation-force is applied to the actuator. Moving the plunger member from the first position to the second position preferably requires the user to have a predetermined level of cognitive abilities and/or physical characteristics in order to resist use by unintended users.