Modular Pyrophoric Lighter Renewal Module
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional pyrophoric lighters require complex and skillful maintenance, including refueling and replacing components, which can be hazardous due to the handling of lighter fluid and the need for precise assembly.
Innovation Solution
A modular lighter design featuring a renewal module that quickly replaces the fuel, wick, and flint, and a fuel module that provides a new fuel supply, both of which can be easily installed and removed, reducing the complexity and risk of maintenance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional refueling and renewal procedures are used, then the lighter can be refueled and renewed, but the process requires significant knowledge, effort, and skill while posing safety hazards
Solution Approach 1:
The lighter is divided into separate functional modules: a removable insert containing the fuel reservoir, wick, and felt pad, and a separate renewal kit containing replacement components. This segmentation allows users to safely replace only the necessary components without handling the entire lighter assembly, reducing complexity and safety risks while maintaining full functionality.
2Ease of manufacture
If the insert is removed for refueling or renewal, then access to internal components is gained, but the process becomes complex and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The renewal kit is pre-assembled with all necessary replacement components (felt pad, wick, packing material, flint, and screw) organized and ready for installation. Users simply need to remove the insert, replace the worn components with the pre-prepared kit, and reassemble, eliminating the need to source and prepare individual parts, thus significantly reducing maintenance time and complexity.
3Quantity of substance
If lighter fluid is handled during refueling, then the fuel supply is replenished, but skin irritation may occur
Solution Approach 1:
The felt pad and packing material are designed as disposable components that are pre-saturated with lighter fluid during manufacturing. Users replace these pre-fueled components rather than manually applying lighter fluid, eliminating direct skin contact with the chemical and preventing irritation while ensuring adequate fuel supply for extended use.
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
Simplifies the renewal and refueling process, minimizing the effort and skill required, while reducing the risk of skin irritation from lighter fluid exposure and ensuring continuous operation of the lighter.
Implementation Method 1
The flint is frictionally engaged by the friction wheel when a user rotates the wheel, thereby generating a spark to ignite fuel contained in the exposed portion of the wick
Implementation Method 2
A bottom portion of the wick extends into the packing material such that the wick absorbs lighter fuel and conveys the lighter fuel to an exposed top portion of the wick
Data Source
AI summary
A modular pyrophoric lighter includes an outer case, an insert removably received by the outer case, and a renewal module removably received by the insert. The renewal module quickly slides into the insert to provide a new fuel supply, wick, and flint. The renewal module quickly slides out of the insert when the fuel, wick, and/or flint is spent so that a new renewal module may be installed. In an alternative embodiment, a modular lighter includes an outer case, an insert removably received by the outer case, and a fuel module removably received by the insert. The fuel module quickly slides into the insert to provide a new fuel supply. The fuel module quickly slides out of the insert when the fuel is spent so that a new fuel module may be installed.