Self-Contained Fire Starter With Safety Tab for Windy Ignition
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing fire starting methods are time-consuming, unreliable, and pose safety risks due to the need for external thermal energy sources and the potential for accidental combustion, especially in windy conditions.
Innovation Solution
A self-contained fire starter with a casing made of combustible material, an igniter, a safety tab, and an actuator, which allows for a controlled thermal event sequence to ignite the fire without external energy, featuring a safety tab that prevents accidental ignition when engaged.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a self-contained fire starter with igniter and combustible material is used, then reliability of fire starting is improved, but risk of accidental combustion increases
Solution Approach 1:
The safety tab is positioned to preemptively block the igniter from contacting the combustible material before accidental ignition can occur. This preliminary protective action prevents harmful thermal events while allowing intentional activation when the tab is removed.
Solution Approach 2:
The safety tab serves as an intermediary element between the igniter and combustible material. When engaged, it physically separates these components, preventing direct thermal coupling and thus preventing accidental combustion while maintaining the integrity of the fire starting system.
2Ease of operation
If manual fire starting methods using paper and kindling are used, then ease of operation is improved, but time consumption and reliability deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The fire starter system is self-contained with an integrated igniter and combustible material. The system serves itself by generating the thermal event internally through the igniter without requiring external matches, lighters, or kindling, thereby eliminating time consumption associated with traditional methods.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines the igniter, combustible material, and safety tab into a single integrated fire starter unit. This merging of components eliminates the need for separate paper, kindling, and ignition sources, significantly reducing the time and complexity of fire starting operations.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If solid-fuel fire starters are used, then safety is improved compared to liquid-fuel, but ease of operation deteriorates in windy conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The fire starter generates its own thermal event through the igniter without requiring external manual ignition attempts. The system is self-sufficient and does not depend on user ability to hold matches or lighters near the fuel, making it operationally simple even in windy conditions where external ignition would be difficult.
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 provides a safe and reliable means to start fires in various environments, including windy conditions, without the need for external thermal sources, ensuring controlled ignition and reduced risk of accidental combustion.
Implementation Method 1
The igniter is configured to generate a first thermal event to ignite the second burnable material that, during combustion, causes a second thermal event that ignites the first burnable material
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus according to an embodiment includes a casing that has a first side portion, a second side portion opposite the first side portion, and an interior chamber therebetween. The casing is made from a first burnable material. A second burnable material is disposed in the interior chamber. An igniter is disposed in the interior chamber and is configured to generate a first thermal event to ignite the second burnable material that, during combustion, causes a second thermal event that ignites the first burnable material. A safety tab is removably coupled to the igniter. The safety tab is configured to prevent generation of the first thermal event when the safety tab is coupled to the igniter, and to allow generation of the first thermal event when the safety tab is removed from the igniter. An actuator coupled to the igniter is configured to activate the igniter to generate the first thermal event.