Thermochromic Coating on Lighter Shield for Heat Warning
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Solution Overview
Problem
Handheld lighters with metallic shields often reach temperatures that can burn users due to the heat source, and existing solutions do not provide a simple and cost-effective means to warn users of this hazard.
Innovation Solution
A thermochromic coating is applied to the metallic shield, comprising an electron-donative organic compound, an electron-accepting compound, and a reaction medium that enables a reversible electron transfer reaction, changing color in response to temperature changes above 60°C, providing a visible warning when the shield is too hot to touch.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If a metallic shield is used to steady the gas flame, then the flame stability is improved, but the shield temperature increases to burnable levels
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies a thermochromic coating to the metallic shield that changes color when the shield temperature exceeds a safe threshold. This visual color change serves as a warning indicator to users, allowing the shield to maintain its flame-stabilizing function while providing safety awareness through color transformation.
Solution Approach 2:
The thermochromic coating acts as an intermediary between the hot metallic shield and the user. It translates the thermal energy into a visual signal without direct contact, mediating the safety communication without interfering with the shield's primary function of stabilizing the gas flame.
2Reliability
If a temperature warning system is added to the lighter, then user safety is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a thermochromic coating that undergoes reversible color changes in response to temperature variations. This passive optical system provides temperature warning functionality without requiring active electronic components, motors, or power sources, thereby maintaining device simplicity while enhancing safety.
Solution Approach 2:
The thermochromic coating is a self-regulating system that automatically responds to temperature changes without external control. The coating self-activates the warning function when temperature thresholds are exceeded and self-resets when cooling occurs, eliminating the need for external power sources or control mechanisms.
3Measurement precision
If a thermochromic coating with narrow hysteresis is used, then the temperature warning accuracy is improved, but the manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent formulates the thermochromic coating with specific ratios of electron-donative organic compound, electron-accepting compound, and reaction medium to achieve the desired hysteresis characteristics. By adjusting these compositional parameters, the coating exhibits narrow temperature hysteresis for accurate warning while remaining manufacturable with standard coating application processes.
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 thermochromic coating effectively warns users of excessive heat by changing color, ensuring safety without additional complexity or cost, maintaining reliability through its reversible and non-melt memory properties.
Implementation Method 1
The thermochromic coating is configured to reversibly change color in response to an increase of the temperature of the metallic shield to a first temperature of about 60 °C or above. The thermochromic coating is configured to reversibly change color in response to a decrease of the temperature of the metallic shield to a second temperature which is about 0 to about 20 °C below the first temperature.
Implementation Method 2
The thermochromic coating comprises an electron-donative organic compound (component (a)), an electron-accepting compound (component (b)), and a reaction medium which enables an electron transfer reaction between the components (a) and (b) above the melting or softening point of the reaction medium (component (c)).
Implementation Method 3
a reaction medium which enables an electron transfer reaction between the components (a) and (b) above the melting or softening point of the reaction medium (component (c))
Data Source
Figure 1~2
AI summary
The present disclosure relates to a temperature warning indicator for a handheld lighter which warns the user that parts of the lighter may be too hot to touch without burning the user.