Hand-Operated Solar Lighter with Nested Gas Reservoir
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Solution Overview
Problem
The combination of a manual gas lighter and a manual solar mirror lighter into a single, ergonomically suitable one-handed device is challenging due to their comparable sizes, making it difficult to design a lighter that preserves the advantages of both while maintaining easy gripping and usability in various weather conditions.
Innovation Solution
A device comprising a gas lighter positioned within the concavity of a solar lighter, with a concave mirror that folds and unfolds to accommodate both the reservoir and ignition head, allowing the solar lighter to be used as a standalone solar igniter and the gas lighter to be used conventionally, utilizing a case adapted to the dimensions of the gas lighter's tank for ergonomic compatibility.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a manual gas lighter and a manual solar mirror lighter are combined into a single device, then the device can function in all weather conditions (reliability improvement), but the device size becomes too large for comfortable one-handed gripping (ergonomic deterioration)
Solution Approach 1:
The gas lighter is nested within the concavity of the parabolic mirror, with the reservoir positioned inside the mirror's hollow space. This nesting arrangement allows both lighters to occupy the same spatial envelope, reducing the overall device size while maintaining both functions.
Solution Approach 2:
The solution transitions from a horizontal arrangement (placing lighters side by side) to a vertical/three-dimensional arrangement (nesting one lighter within the concavity of the other). This dimensional change allows efficient space utilization while maintaining ergonomic dimensions for one-handed operation.
2Power
If the parabolic mirror surface is increased to maximize heating efficiency, then the solar lighter performance improves, but the overall device size increases and becomes less ergonomic
Solution Approach 1:
The gas lighter reservoir is positioned within the concavity of the parabolic mirror, utilizing the mirror's hollow space. This nesting allows the mirror to maintain its optimal surface area for solar heating while the overall device footprint remains compact and ergonomic for one-handed operation.
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
Enables the creation of a single, one-handed lighter that can function as both a gas lighter and a solar lighter, usable in all climatic conditions without sacrificing the ergonomic design of each individual lighter, allowing for alternative energy sources without compromising ergonomics.
Implementation Method 1
A solar lighter works by optical concentration or focusing of sunlight at a particular point or focus of the lighter
Implementation Method 2
the surface of the sheet lying in the concavity of the paraboloid can be reflective for sunlight
Implementation Method 3
a butane tank, maintained in liquid form by the pressure in the tank
Implementation Method 4
operate the ignition head to produce sparks then to press the trigger pipe to release liquid gas
Data Source
Figure 1a~1b
AI summary
The invention relates to a device comprising a first hand-operated solar lighter, a second hand-operated solar lighter and a means for positioning the first lighter in relation to the second lighter, in which the first lighter uses non-renewable energy and the second lighter uses solar energy. The first lighter comprises a reservoir (1) and an igniter head (2) connected to the reservoir. The second lighter comprises a concave mirror (4) including hinge means (5) allowing the mirror to be folded in on itself and back out into the concave form thereof. The lighter of the invention is characterised in that the igniter head (2) is positioned in the convex portion of the mirror (4) by the positioning means (3) and in that the reservoir (1) is essentially positioned in the concave portion of the mirror (4) by the positioning means.