Flame Producing Assembly with Multifunctional Helical Spring
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing utility lighters with downward-directed flames face challenges in safely igniting objects like candles or barbecue grills, as they require the user's fingers to be close to the flame, necessitating complex designs with extended wands and multiple components.
Innovation Solution
A flame producing assembly with a helical spring that serves as a gas duct, electrical conductor, and diffuser, integrated into a snap-fit sub-unit assembly with a rigid support and extended wand, reducing components and ensuring safe, efficient ignition without electrical wiring.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If an extended wand is used to direct the flame away from the activation button, then user safety is improved, but device complexity increases due to additional components
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple functions into the helical spring component: it serves as the gas duct (replacing traditional tubing), electrical conductor (replacing wiring), and diffuser (replacing separate nozzles). This merging of functions reduces the number of separate components in the extended wand assembly while maintaining safety benefits.
Solution Approach 2:
The helical spring is designed as a multi-functional element that simultaneously performs gas transport, electrical conduction, and flame diffusion. This universal component approach simplifies the overall device structure by eliminating the need for separate gas ducts, wiring, and diffusers that would otherwise be required in traditional extended wand designs.
2Reliability
If multiple separate components (gas duct, wiring, diffuser) are used, then functional reliability is improved, but ease of manufacture deteriorates due to assembly complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The helical spring integrates gas duct, electrical conductor, and diffuser functions into a single manufactured component. This eliminates the need for separate assembly steps to connect gas tubing, wiring, and diffuser elements, significantly simplifying the manufacturing process while maintaining the functional reliability of each subsystem.
Solution Approach 2:
The helical spring is designed with distinct functional zones: the body portion serves as the gas duct and electrical conductor, while the end portion is shaped as a diffuser. This segmentation of functions within a single component allows for simplified manufacturing compared to assembling multiple separate parts, while still ensuring reliable performance of each function.
3Loss of information
If traditional electrical wiring and separate gas ducts are used, then functional clarity is improved, but loss of substance increases due to more material usage
Solution Approach 1:
The helical spring consolidates multiple material components (gas duct tubing, electrical wiring, diffuser elements) into a single spring component. This dramatically reduces the total material consumption while maintaining clear functional differentiation through the spring's structural design and material properties.
Solution Approach 2:
The helical spring serves as a universal component that replaces multiple separate material elements. By performing gas transport, electrical conduction, and flame diffusion in one component, it reduces the total material required while maintaining functional clarity through its multi-functional design.
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 assembly facilitates safe and efficient ignition by directing the flame downwards while minimizing component count and user risk, allowing for easy assembly and insulation against electrical shocks.
Implementation Method 1
a piezoelectric ignition device, the connection between the pusher and the piezoelectric ignition device being such that actuation of the pusher generates an electric charge between two poles of the piezoelectric ignition device
Implementation Method 2
the helical spring comprises a material having electrical properties allowing the conveyance of the electric charge produced by the piezoelectric ignition device
Implementation Method 3
The jet is in fluid communication with the reservoir and with the helical spring. The gas released from the reservoir can thus pass through the helical spring
Data Source
Figure 1~2
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AI summary
A flame producing assembly comprising a pocket lighter (12) and a sub-unit assembly (14) comprising an extended wand (42), a rigid support (44) and an helical spring (46), the pocket lighter (12) being connected to the sub-unit assembly (14), the pocket lighter (12) comprising a piezoelectric ignition device (18), the rigid support (44) being located inside the extended wand (42), the rigid support (44) having an longitudinal inner opening (64), the extended wand (42) being electrically coupled to the piezoelectric ignition device (18), wherein the pocket lighter (12) is connected directly to the sub-unit assembly (14) and wherein the helical spring (46) extends along the longitudinal inner opening (64).