Apparatus for automatically extinguishing heater
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing heater extinguishing apparatuses with mechanical timer drivers are prone to errors exceeding 20% in time setting, are complex and costly, and have a high rate of defective products due to numerous parts.
Innovation Solution
A compact, electrically driven apparatus with a sensing device including carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide, and temperature sensors, a vibration motor, and a ratchet mechanism that automatically lowers the wick when preset conditions are met, reducing errors and manufacturing costs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Extent of automation
If a mechanical timer driver with rotary gear device and elastic rotation device is used, then automatic extinguishing function is achieved, but device complexity increases and manufacturing costs rise
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the complex mechanical timer driver (rotary gear device + elastic rotation device) with a simplified electrically driven timer. The electric timer uses an electric motor to drive the gear mechanism, eliminating the need for manual winding and elastic energy storage. This substitution reduces mechanical complexity while maintaining the automatic extinguishing function.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts and removes the elastic rotation device (spring mechanism) from the timer driver system. By using an electric motor directly to drive the timer mechanism, the complex elastic energy storage and release system is eliminated, reducing the number of parts and simplifying the overall structure.
2Extent of automation
If a mechanical timer driver with multiple gear boxes is used, then automatic extinguishing function is achieved, but time measurement precision deteriorates with error exceeding 20%
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the manual-wind mechanical timer with an electrically driven timer that uses an electric motor. This provides more precise and stable time measurement compared to the elastic-driven mechanical system, reducing the time measurement error from over 20% to a much lower level while maintaining automatic operation.
3Extent of automation
If a rotary gear device with elastic rotation device is used, then automatic extinguishing function is achieved, but the apparatus becomes difficult to design compact
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the elastic rotation device (spring mechanism) from the timer driver, significantly reducing the space required for energy storage and transmission mechanisms. The electric motor-based system requires less space than the manual-wind elastic system, enabling a more compact overall design.
Solution Approach 2:
By substituting the elastic-driven mechanical timer with an electrically driven timer, the patent reduces the volume occupied by the timer mechanism. Electric motors and their associated gear mechanisms are more space-efficient than manual-wind elastic systems, contributing to a compact apparatus design.
4Extent of automation
If the number of parts in timer driver is increased, then automatic extinguishing function is achieved, but manufacturing costs increase and defective product rate rises
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and eliminates the elastic rotation device and its associated components from the timer driver. This reduction in part count directly lowers manufacturing costs and reduces the probability of defects, as fewer components mean fewer potential failure points and simpler assembly processes.
Solution Approach 2:
By replacing the complex mechanical elastic-driven timer with a simpler electrically driven system, the patent reduces the number of parts that need to be manufactured and assembled. This substitution lowers manufacturing complexity, reduces costs, and decreases the defective product rate while maintaining the automatic extinguishing function.
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 solution provides accurate and reliable automatic extinguishing of heaters, reducing defective products and manufacturing costs while maintaining a compact design.
Implementation Method 1
a vibration motor, and a ratchet mechanism that automatically lowers the wick
Data Source
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AI summary
An apparatus for automatically turning off a heater is disclosed. A sensor for carbon dioxide and carbon oxide (30), temperature sensor (40), or a timer (13) for the heater is set. When measured data are out of the setting condition, the burner wick (2) is automatically lowered down so that a heater is automatically extinguished. By doing so, lack of oxygen due to carbon dioxide, gas suffocation and possible fire may be prevented.