Electric fire-lighter
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electric fire starters for barbecues and fireplaces have limited lifespan due to direct exposure to high temperatures and inefficient heat distribution, leading to slow ignition and reduced performance.
Innovation Solution
An electric fire starter with a rigid refractory support plate and a tubular heating body arranged in a double loop configuration, maintaining a constant distance from the hearth and fuel, ensuring air circulation and preventing direct contact, which includes a handle and a housing for the electrical connection and optional timer.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the heating body is placed in direct contact with the fuel, then heat transfer efficiency is improved, but the heating body is subjected to excessive thermal stress and mechanical pressure causing premature failure
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a rigid support structure as an intermediary between the heating body and the fuel. This support maintains a precise spacing that prevents direct contact while allowing efficient radiant heat transfer to the fuel, thereby preserving both ignition speed and heating body lifespan.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention transitions from direct one-dimensional contact to a three-dimensional spaced arrangement. The heating body is positioned above the fuel on a rigid support, creating vertical separation that maintains thermal efficiency while eliminating mechanical stress and thermal overload.
2Reliability
If the heating body is enclosed in a protective casing, then the heating body is protected from thermal damage, but fuel contact is prevented and ignition becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the protective function from a enclosing casing and replaces it with a rigid support structure positioned below the heating body. This support protects the heating body from thermal damage and mechanical stress while maintaining an open configuration that allows unobstructed radiant heat transfer to the fuel.
3Stability of the object's composition
If the heating body is allowed to contact the hearth surface, then structural stability is improved, but heat is dissipated downward reducing ignition efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The invention elevates the heating body above the hearth surface using a rigid support structure, creating vertical separation. This prevents downward heat dissipation to the hearth while the support itself provides structural stability, concentrating thermal energy upward toward the fuel.
4Productivity
If the heating body is positioned close to the fuel for rapid ignition, then ignition speed is improved, but the heating body is exposed to high temperatures reducing its lifespan
Solution Approach 1:
The rigid support acts as a mediator that maintains an optimized spacing between the heating body and fuel. This distance is sufficient to protect the heating body from excessive thermal stress and flame contact, yet close enough to maintain rapid ignition through efficient radiant heat transfer.
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 solution enables rapid and efficient ignition of solid fuels with increased device lifespan by maintaining heat away from thermal constraints and optimizing air circulation, resulting in faster ignition times and improved performance compared to prior art devices.
Implementation Method 1
comprising a structure on which is mounted at least one tubular heating body with electrical resistance having an upper face intended to irradiate the fuel without direct contact for a time sufficient to cause it to incandescent
Data Source
Figure 1~3
AI summary
The present invention relates to an electric fire starter for barbecues, open fireplaces, solid fuel stoves, or similar appliances, comprising a structure on which is mounted at least one tubular heating element with an electrical resistance, the upper surface of which is designed to irradiate the fuel without direct contact for a sufficient time to cause it to ignite. The structure includes, below the heating element 11, a rigid support plate 12 intended to rest on the surface of a firebox, comprising means designed, on the one hand, to prevent the fuel to be ignited from coming into contact with the heating element, and on the other hand, to ensure air circulation between the heating element and the surface of the firebox., the two longest parallel edges of the support plate 12 being each extended, on the one hand by an upper lateral return 15, and on the other hand by a lower lateral return 15', forming said means from a single piece welded on each of said parallel edges.