Self-Contained Fire Starter Combustible Casing Igniter
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional methods for starting a fire in outdoor environments are time-consuming, unreliable, and require external flame sources, posing challenges in windy conditions and skill dependency.
Innovation Solution
A self-contained fire starter with a combustible casing, igniter, and combustible material, where a manual actuator generates a thermal event to ignite the combustible material, which then ignites the casing, producing an enduring flame without external thermal energy.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional fire starting methods using paper and kindling are used, then fire can be started, but the process is time-consuming and unreliable
Solution Approach 1:
The fire starter contains pre-configured combustible materials and an igniter assembled in advance within the device. The user simply activates the igniter to start the combustion sequence, eliminating the need to gather and arrange kindling and paper at the moment of ignition, thus reducing time while improving reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The fire starter is a self-contained device that includes its own fuel source and ignition mechanism. The combustible materials are pre-loaded within the device structure, allowing the user to simply activate the igniter without needing external assistance or pre-prepared materials, making the process faster and more reliable.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If solid-fuel fire starters are used, then safety is improved compared to liquid-fuel, but user skill and hand proximity to fire area are required
Solution Approach 1:
The igniter acts as an intermediary component that generates the initial thermal event to start combustion. It is positioned to ignite the combustible materials within the device without requiring the user's hand to be near the fire area, maintaining safety while simplifying operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The manual operation of holding a match or lighter is replaced by a mechanical actuator that triggers the igniter. This substitution eliminates the need for manual dexterity and hand proximity to the fire area, improving ease of operation while maintaining the safety benefits of solid-fuel construction.
3Productivity
If manually-held flame sources are used to ignite solid-fuel fire starters, then fire can be started, but the user must hold the match or lighter up to the fire starter long enough to allow combustion
Solution Approach 1:
The igniter is pre-positioned within the fire starter device adjacent to the combustible materials. When activated, it immediately ignites the fuel without requiring the user to hold a flame source near the fire area for extended periods, thus reducing exposure to wind while speeding up the fire starting process.
Solution Approach 2:
The igniter serves as an intermediary that transfers the thermal event from the actuator to the combustible materials quickly and efficiently. This intermediate component enables rapid ignition without requiring prolonged exposure of the flame to external environmental factors like wind.
4Ease of operation
If liquid-fuel fire starters are used, then fire starting is simplified, but they are highly flammable and subject to flashbacks
Solution Approach 1:
The fire starter uses solid-fuel combustible materials instead of liquid-fuel, fundamentally changing the physical state parameter of the fuel. This change eliminates the flashback hazard associated with liquid fuels while maintaining ease of operation through the self-contained igniter system.
Solution Approach 2:
The fire starter employs solid-fuel combustible materials that are inherently safer and more stable than liquid fuels. The solid fuel format provides a reliable, non-flashing combustion source that is safer to store and use, while still achieving easy operation through the integrated igniter mechanism.
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 fire starter is safe, reliable, and effective in windy outdoor environments, requiring no external flame and minimizing accidental ignition, ensuring consistent fire starting with a simple mechanical activation.
Implementation Method 1
An igniter, disposed in the casing and adjacent to the second material, generates a first thermal event to ignite the second material wherein the second material combusts to define a second thermal event that ignites the first material
Data Source
AI summary
A fire starter includes a casing made from a first material a first material having a first time associated therewith that defines a length of time that the casing burns after being ignited. A second material disposed in the casing has a second time associated therewith that defines a length of time that the second material burns after being ignited. An igniter, disposed in the casing and adjacent to the second material, generates a first thermal event to ignite the second material wherein the second material combusts to define a second thermal event that ignites the first material. An actuator is coupled to the igniter and is positioned outside of the casing for activating the igniter to generate the first thermal event.