Lighter Core Assembly Fixing Structure for Leak-Resistant Sealing

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing fuel oil lighters, such as Zippo lighters, experience core assembly loosening and leakage due to frequent plugging and unplugging, leading to poor sealing and rapid kerosene evaporation, which shortens the lighter's service life and pollutes the environment.

Innovation Solution

A structure for connecting and fixing the core assembly using a specially designed connecting piece that props against the hinge, with various configurations including L-shaped, U-shaped, and I-shaped designs, and magnetic or elastic enhancements to secure the core assembly within the casing, ensuring it remains fixed during lid opening and closing.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If the core assembly is frequently plugged and unplugged for refilling, then the ease of operation is improved, but the core assembly loosens and sealing deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of refillingVSAvoidsealing reliability

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The lighter is divided into separable core assembly and casing components. The core assembly can be independently removed from the casing for refilling, then reconnected through the hinge coupling structure. This segmentation enables easy refilling while the hinge structure ensures reliable reconnection and sealing.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The hinge structure is pre-configured with positioning features and sealing elements that automatically engage when the core assembly is reinserted into the casing. This preliminary arrangement of connection and sealing mechanisms ensures that proper sealing is established before use begins, preventing loosening during subsequent operations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Ease of operation

If the core assembly is frequently plugged and unplugged, then the ease of operation is improved, but the core assembly position stability deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of core assembly removalVSAvoidcore assembly position stability

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The hinge acts as a separable coupling that allows the core assembly to be divided from the casing for removal and reinsertion. The segmented design enables easy operation while the hinge's structural features maintain stable positioning when connected.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The hinge serves as an intermediary coupling mechanism between the core assembly and casing. It provides a controlled interface that allows easy separation for refilling while ensuring stable, repeatable positioning when reconnected, preventing random shifting or loosening.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Reliability

If an elastic piece is added to increase friction, then the core assembly fixation is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecore assembly fixationVSAvoidstructure complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The elastic piece is extracted as a separate, independent component from the main hinge structure. This allows the fixation function to be provided by a simple, dedicated element rather than complicating the overall hinge design, minimizing the increase in device complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The elastic piece is placed at a specific local position within the hinge assembly where it can provide concentrated friction-based fixation. This localized approach achieves reliable core assembly fixation without requiring the entire hinge structure to be complex or oversized.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

4Ease of operation

If the core assembly is allowed to move freely for refilling, then the ease of operation is improved, but harmful factors increase due to kerosene evaporation

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of refillingVSAvoidkerosene evaporation

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The separable core assembly design allows the fuel reservoir to be isolated from the environment during refilling operations. When connected, the sealed hinge interface prevents kerosene evaporation. This segmentation enables easy refilling while containing harmful emissions during normal operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The hinge sealing structure, designed to enable easy connection and disconnection for refilling, simultaneously prevents kerosene evaporation by creating a sealed interface. The same mechanical feature that facilitates refilling also eliminates the harmful effect of fuel vapor release during operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

Data Source

PatentUS20250389419A1Structure for connecting and fixing lighter's core assembly

Publication Date: 2025.12.25 YANG WEIGUO

AI summary

This is a structure for connecting and fixing a lighter's core assembly, which includes a casing, and a connecting piece disposed inside the casing, wherein the connecting piece props against a hinge that connects the casing with a top lid, and the connecting piece is fixed to the bottom of a core assembly. The special-shaped connecting piece inside the casing is fixed to the side portion of the bottom lid, so that the core assembly can be fixed in the casing while opening and closing the top lid, so as to prevent the core assembly from leaping up, as well as seal the space at the bottom of the core assembly, enhancing a sealing effect at the bottom, reducing volatilization of kerosene, and prolonging a service time of the lighter after filling with fuel oil one time.