Lighter Case With Sliding Wind Guard for Outdoor Ignition

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Solution Overview

Problem

Lighters are difficult to operate outdoors in windy conditions, as wind interference prevents or hinders the production of a flame.

Innovation Solution

A lighter case with a wind guard that slides between retracted and extended positions, blocking wind from reaching the flame-producing portion of the lighter, allowing ignition in adverse weather.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a lighter is used outdoors in windy conditions, then the lighter can be used for ignition purposes, but wind interference prevents or hinders flame production

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveusability in windy conditionsVSAvoidwind interference

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

A wind guard is introduced as an intermediary component between the external environment and the lighter. The wind guard includes a shield that blocks wind from reaching the flame-producing portion of the lighter, allowing the lighter to function in windy conditions without modifying the lighter itself.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The lighter case is divided into separate functional components: a case body for holding the lighter and a detachable wind guard with a shield. This segmentation allows the wind guard to be attached only when needed for windy conditions, maintaining versatility while protecting against wind interference.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Reliability

If a wind guard is added to protect the lighter from wind, then flame production in windy conditions is enabled, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveflame production reliabilityVSAvoidlighter case structure

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The wind guard is merged with the case body through a sliding coupling mechanism. The wind guard slides within the case body along a longitudinal axis, allowing it to move between retracted and extended positions. This merging reduces overall device complexity compared to separate attached components while maintaining protection functionality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The wind guard is designed to be movable rather than fixed, sliding between retracted and extended positions along the longitudinal axis of the case body. This dynamic design allows the wind guard to be positioned as needed, reducing complexity by eliminating the need for multiple fixed structural configurations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentUS12416406B2Lighter case

Publication Date: 2025.09.16 HAMIDIAN DANESH

AI summary

A lighter case for holding a lighter is disclosed. The lighter case includes: a case body having a first end and a second end opposite the first end, the case body defining a first opening at the first end and a cavity for receiving and retaining the lighter therein, the cavity extending from the first opening toward the second end; and a wind guard slidably coupled to the case body, the wind guard being slidable axially relative to a length of the case body between a retracted position and an extended position, wherein the wind guard comprises a partial cylindrical guard wall defining a central interior space and wherein the guard wall defines an access opening for accessing the central interior space.