Flint Fire Starter with Waterproof Capsule and Single-Axle Wheel
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional one-handed flint fire starters lack storage for tinder and replacement flints, and their design makes it difficult to position the spark close to the tinder for efficient ignition.
Innovation Solution
A flint fire starter with a housing and a waterproof capsule that includes a storage compartment, a friction wheel, an axle, a flint, and a spring, allowing for easy access and placement of tinder near the ignition source, and featuring a single support for the friction wheel to facilitate consistent sparking.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a pin passes through both sides of the slot and through the flint wheel to support the friction wheel, then the friction wheel can freely rotate with easy and secure attachment, but it becomes hard to get the spark as close to the tinder as possible
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the support structure into two separate supports instead of using a single pin through the entire slot. This segmentation allows the friction wheel to be supported on both sides while enabling the slot to be positioned closer to the tinder, resolving the contradiction between secure attachment and spark proximity.
2Device complexity
If a basic flint fire starter design is used with spring pressing flint against friction wheel, then the device is simple and easy to operate, but it does not allow for storage that might hold tinder or replacement flints
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the storage function with the fire starter body by incorporating a storage compartment into the housing structure. This allows the device to maintain its simplicity while gaining the ability to store tinder and replacement flints, resolving the contradiction between device simplicity and storage capability.
3Reliability
If the friction wheel is supported on both sides for secure attachment, then the wheel can freely rotate, but the construction makes it hard to position the ignition source close to the tinder
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting the support into two separate supports rather than a single through-pin, the patent maintains reliable attachment of the friction wheel while allowing the slot to be positioned closer to the tinder, improving spark placement capability.
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 design enhances the ability to ignite tinder consistently and efficiently, while allowing for storage of replacement flints and tinder, and provides a secure, one-handed operation with a higher success rate and improved user interface.
Implementation Method 1
Ignition is created by the spring pressing the flint into the friction wheel with the set screw holding the spring and flint in place such that when the friction wheel is spun, a spark is generated
Data Source
AI summary
A fire starter may include a fire starting mechanism comprising a friction wheel, an axle, a flint, a spring, and a screw. The fire starter also may include a housing and a capsule with a storage compartment therein. The capsule may be attachable to the main housing. The axle may pass through the friction wheel and be screwed or pressed into the housing. Ignition may be created by the spring pressing the flint into the friction wheel, with the screw holding the spring and flint in place such that when the friction wheel is rotated, a spark is generated. The friction wheel may be attached to the housing by the axle at to a single connection point, and the housing may be attached to a tinder removal device, which may be positionable within the storage compartment of the capsule when the housing and the capsule are attached together.