Reusable Candle Igniter Monitoring with Mass and Location Alerts
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Solution Overview
Problem
Scented candles pose fire hazards and air quality risks when left unattended, particularly affecting women and causing significant property damage and injuries.
Innovation Solution
A system comprising a reusable igniter with a processor and short-range wireless communication, coupled to a mobile device, that alerts users when they leave the vicinity of lit candles, and a disc with a pressure sensor to monitor candle mass changes, ensuring timely extinguishing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If users manually monitor candles, then fire safety awareness is maintained, but user attention and time are consumed continuously
Solution Approach 1:
The candle monitoring system performs self-surveillance by automatically detecting candle presence, monitoring burn status, and sending notifications to users without requiring continuous manual attention. The system serves itself by autonomously tracking candle mass changes and geolocation breaches.
Solution Approach 2:
The system establishes a feedback loop where the monitoring device continuously detects candle status and user location, then provides real-time notifications to users when candles are lit and unmonitored or when geolocation restrictions are breached, enabling timely response to potential hazards.
2Reliability
If automated monitoring systems are implemented, then fire safety is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The monitoring device integrates multiple functions into a single unit: it detects candle presence through mass measurement, tracks user geolocation, communicates wirelessly with mobile devices, and provides alert notifications. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate devices while maintaining comprehensive fire safety monitoring.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses a mobile device as an intermediary between the monitoring apparatus and the user. The monitoring device sends notifications to the mobile device, which then presents alerts to the user through familiar interfaces (text messages, push notifications), simplifying the user interaction model while maintaining automated monitoring capabilities.
3Reliability
If geolocation monitoring is used, then user notification reliability is improved, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The geolocation monitoring operates periodically rather than continuously, checking user location at intervals and triggering notifications only when geolocation restrictions are breached. This periodic operation reduces energy consumption compared to continuous real-time tracking while maintaining reliable notification delivery when needed.
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
Prevents fires by notifying users to extinguish candles when they leave the room or when the candle's mass changes, enhancing safety and reducing potential damage.
Implementation Method 1
a disc with a pressure sensor to monitor candle mass changes
Data Source
AI summary
A reusable igniter having an igniter processor, a memory storage device coupled to the igniter processor, and a first short-range wireless device coupled to the igniter processor. A mobile device may be communicably coupled to the reusable igniter. The mobile device has a second short-range wireless device couplable to the first short-range wireless device and a downloadable software application having a notification system.