Ducted Air Fire Lighter With Fuel Isolation and Airflow Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional fire starters for solid fuel fires are not portable, efficient, or safe, as they often require external power sources and do not effectively isolate gaseous fuels during operation.
Innovation Solution
A battery-operated, compact air fire lighter with a swiveling handle and ducted fan that ignites solid fuels using a piezo igniter and then blows air to spread the fire, isolating gaseous fuels once the solid fuel is glowing, allowing for efficient and safe ignition and combustion.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Weight of moving object
If conventional fire starters are used for solid fuel fires, then they can ignite the fuel, but they require external power sources and are not portable
Solution Approach 1:
The fire lighter uses a piezoelectric igniter that generates sparks through mechanical compression when the trigger is pressed, eliminating the need for external power sources like batteries or electrical outlets. The device is self-contained and portable, weighing only a fraction of conventional electric fire starters.
2Productivity
If gaseous fuel is used for ignition, then rapid combustion is achieved, but the fuel is not isolated from the operating fan creating safety hazards
Solution Approach 1:
The fire lighter separates the fuel delivery system into distinct segments: a fuel reservoir, a delivery conduit with valve, and a nozzle positioned away from the fan. The valve mechanism controls fuel flow independently, allowing rapid ignition when needed while preventing fuel leakage into the fan area during operation.
Solution Approach 2:
A controlled valve system acts as an intermediary between the fuel reservoir and the ignition zone. This valve opens only during the ignition phase to deliver fuel to the nozzle, then closes to isolate the fuel supply from the operating fan, eliminating safety hazards while maintaining rapid ignition capability.
3Productivity
If air flow is increased to spread the fire, then combustion efficiency improves, but gaseous fuel may escape and create safety issues
Solution Approach 1:
The ignition sequence is carefully timed: the piezoelectric igniter activates first to create sparks, followed immediately by brief fuel delivery through the controlled valve, then the fan is activated to spread the fire. This preliminary ignition action ensures the fuel is already burning before high air flow begins, preventing fuel escape and safety issues.
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 device provides a portable, efficient, and safe means to start and maintain solid fuel fires without external power, ensuring safe operation by isolating gaseous fuels and optimizing airflow for consistent combustion.
Implementation Method 1
ignited by the igniter
Implementation Method 2
The fan blows air through a chamber onto the fire
Implementation Method 3
the flame applied to the solid fuel
Data Source
AI summary
An air fire lighter having fuel, an igniter and a ducted fan for igniting a solid fuel fire. The fuel travels through the fire lighter to a collar at a distal end of the fire lighter, transforming into a vapor that is ignited by an igniter. As the solid fuel begins to glow at the initiation of the fire, the fan is activated, shutting off the vapors from the fuel. The fan blows air through a chamber onto the fire, causing the fire to spread throughout the solid fuel, establishing and spreading the fire through an ignition period. The chamber has a volume and ducting for providing optimal airflow to the fire. The fan is battery-operated. The lighter is lightweight and compact with a swiveling handle that adjusts for optimal placement of the lighter for addressing the solid fuel, folding for portability and storage.