Shape-Shifting Hood Layer for Thermal Warning in Lighters
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Solution Overview
Problem
Flame producing assemblies, such as lighters, often have hoods that absorb thermal energy from the flame, leading to temperatures above 60 °C, causing user discomfort or injury upon touch, especially when handheld or placed in clothing pockets.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a shape-shifting layer made of nematic liquid crystal elastomer on the hood that changes shape above 40 °C, protruding outward when heated to alert users of unsafe temperatures, thereby reducing the risk of injury and protecting clothing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the hood is used to shield the flame and protect the user, then the protective function is improved, but the hood temperature rises above 60°C causing user discomfort or injury
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a shape-shifting layer that undergoes visible shape changes in response to temperature variations. When the hood temperature exceeds the safe threshold (above 40°C), the shape-shifting layer transforms from a first shape to a second shape, providing visual and tactile indication to users that the surface is too hot to touch. This resolves the contradiction by maintaining the protective shielding function while adding a passive thermal warning system that prevents user injury without requiring active control mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The shape-shifting layer acts as an intermediary between the hot hood surface and the user. It absorbs thermal energy and translates it into a shape transformation that serves as a warning signal. This intermediary layer allows the hood to maintain its protective function while preventing direct thermal contact between the user and the overheated surface, thus resolving the contradiction between protection and thermal safety.
2Ease of operation
If the flame producing assembly is designed as a handheld device, then the ease of operation is improved, but the risk of accidental contact with hot surfaces increases
Solution Approach 1:
The shape-shifting layer provides visual and tactile feedback that changes with temperature. When the handheld device is in use and the hood becomes hot, the layer transforms shape to alert users not to touch the surface. This resolves the contradiction by enabling portable handheld operation while incorporating a passive safety mechanism that prevents accidental thermal injury through intuitive shape-based warning signals.
3Reliability
If the hood absorbs thermal energy to protect from flame, then the protective function is improved, but the hood reaches temperatures that can damage clothing
Solution Approach 1:
The shape-shifting layer transforms shape when the hood temperature exceeds safe thresholds (above 40°C), providing visual and tactile indication that the surface temperature is high enough to potentially damage clothing. This allows the hood to maintain its heat protection function while warning users of temperatures that could harm surrounding materials like clothing pockets.
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 shape-shifting layer effectively indicates safe and unsafe temperatures through visible and tactile changes, preventing user contact with hot surfaces and protecting clothing from damage.
Implementation Method 1
a shape-shifting layer provided on the hood. The shape-shifting layer is configured to shape-shift from a first shape to a second shape when heated above a first threshold temperature
Implementation Method 2
the shape-shifting layer is configured to shape-shift from a first shape to a second shape when heated above a first threshold temperature, wherein the first threshold temperature is at least about 40°C
Implementation Method 3
the liquid crystal elastomer is in a liquid crystalline phase at a temperature below the second threshold temperature and in a random coil conformation above the first threshold temperature
Data Source
Figure 1A~1B
Figure 2A~2B
AI summary
The present disclosure relates to a flame producing assembly (10) comprising a hood (12) configured to shield a flame produced by the flame producing assembly (10) from wind and/or protect a user from heat generated by the flame; and a shape-shifting layer (14) provided on the hood (12). The shape-shifting layer (14) is configured to shape-shift from a first shape to a second shape when heated above a first threshold temperature, wherein the first threshold temperature is at least about 40°C.