Fidget Lighter Flame Adjuster Prevents Fuel Waste
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional cigarette lighters often waste fuel due to repetitive fidgeting, as users habitually strike them without intending to light a flame, leading to faster fuel depletion.
Innovation Solution
A fidget lighter device that incorporates a flame-height adjuster and free-rotating discs, allowing users to engage in fidget activities like spinning without releasing fuel, featuring a spark wheel that can be rotated repeatedly without igniting a flame by positioning the flame-height adjuster to the 'OFF' setting.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If users repeatedly strike the lighter for fidgeting, then hand stimulation and stress relief are provided, but fuel is depleted faster than intended
Solution Approach 1:
The flame height adjuster is positioned to the 'OFF' setting before fidgeting begins, preliminarily blocking the fuel flow path. This preliminary action ensures that when the user repeatedly strikes the lighter for fidgeting, no fuel is released even though the striking motion continues, thus providing hand stimulation without fuel depletion
Solution Approach 2:
The patent separates the fidgeting function from the flame ignition function. By using the flame height adjuster to block fuel flow during fidgeting, the harmful effect (fuel waste) is extracted and eliminated while preserving the useful effect (hand stimulation through striking motion)
2Ease of manufacture
If the lighter is designed for simple structure, then manufacturing cost is reduced, but additional fidget features require more components
Solution Approach 1:
The flame height adjuster is given a dual function: it controls flame height during normal lighter operation and serves as a fuel flow blocker during fidgeting mode. This multi-functionality allows the device to provide both lighter functionality and fidgeting capability without adding separate components, thus maintaining simple structure while enabling additional features
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the fidgeting control mechanism with the existing flame height adjustment mechanism. By combining these two functions into a single component system, the overall device complexity is minimized while still providing the desired fidgeting feature that prevents fuel waste
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 significantly reduces fuel wastage by allowing fidgeting without fuel release, providing a dual function as both a lighter and a fidget device for stress relief, balancing entertainment and fuel efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
butane or other gaseous fluid is employed... this type of fuel lends itself to storage for considerably long periods as a liquid under pressure and may readily vaporize when released to the atmosphere, commonly producing a smokeless flame
Implementation Method 2
The ball bearing assembly (205) may be secured within a circular indentation (305) of a lighter body (130)... A cap implement (210) may be disposed over the ball bearing assembly (205)
Data Source
AI summary
A device including a device body for storing fuel; a spark wheel that may be used as a first fidget device is configured to rotate against a flint to produce igniting sparks; a flame setting indicator for indicating low flame (LO), high flame (HI), and flame off (OFF); a tab portion for pointing to at least one of the flame setting settings; a flame-height adjuster for decreasing or increasing a flame ignited by said sparks, or turning off a supply of fuel; a rotating disc implement that may be used as a second fidget device, wherein the rotating disc implement is configured to significantly flush-mount against the device body and to customarily rotate freely against the device body; a circular indentation implement disposed on a proximate center portion of said lighter body section is configured to generally secure said rotating disc implement.