Thermoresponsive Coating for Flame Producing Assemblies
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Flame producing assemblies, such as lighters, pose a risk of user discomfort or harm due to the hood reaching high temperatures from thermal energy absorption, and potential damage to clothing from accidental contact.
Innovation Solution
A flame producing assembly with a thermoresponsive coating on the hood that undergoes a reversible endothermic reaction or phase change above 35°C, absorbing thermal energy and releasing it when cooled, thereby reducing hood temperature and protecting the user.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If the hood is used to shield the flame from wind and protect the user from heat, then the protective function is improved, but the hood absorbs thermal energy and reaches high temperatures causing user discomfort or harm
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies a thermoresponsive coating containing phase change materials (such as paraffin wax, fatty acids, or salt hydrates) that undergo phase transitions at temperatures between 20-50°C. When the hood temperature reaches the phase change temperature, the material transitions from solid to liquid, absorbing latent heat in the process. This phase transition effectively limits the maximum temperature of the hood surface, preventing it from reaching harmful levels while maintaining the protective shielding function.
Solution Approach 2:
The thermoresponsive coating changes its physical and chemical parameters in response to temperature variations. The coating materials exhibit temperature-dependent properties such as viscosity, solubility, or molecular conformation changes that trigger heat absorption mechanisms. This parameter change allows the coating to dynamically respond to thermal conditions, absorbing excess heat when temperatures rise and releasing it when temperatures drop, thereby stabilizing the hood temperature.
2Loss of energy
If the hood absorbs thermal energy to provide protection, then the protective function is improved, but the hood becomes hot enough to cause discomfort or damage to user's clothes upon contact
Solution Approach 1:
The thermoresponsive coating utilizes phase transitions of embedded materials (paraffin wax, fatty acids, salt hydrates) that occur at or near body temperature. When the hood surface temperature approaches 40-50°C, these materials melt, absorbing large amounts of latent heat. This process effectively caps the maximum temperature at a safe level, preventing the hood from reaching temperatures that would cause skin burns or damage clothing fabrics upon contact.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs composite material structures combining the base hood material (metal or plastic) with a thermoresponsive coating layer containing phase change materials, hydrogels, or polymer networks. This composite structure allows the hood to maintain its structural integrity and protective shielding function while the coating layer provides dynamic thermal regulation, absorbing and releasing heat to keep the outer surface temperature within safe ranges for user contact.
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 thermoresponsive coating effectively shields the user from high temperatures and prevents damage by absorbing and releasing thermal energy, ensuring safer operation and reducing hood temperature to a non-hazardous level.
Implementation Method 1
The thermoresponsive coating is configured to undergo a reversible endothermic reaction or a reversible endothermic phase change when heated above about 35° C.
Implementation Method 2
The thermoresponsive coating is configured to undergo a reversible endothermic reaction or a reversible endothermic phase change when heated above about 35° C.
Implementation Method 3
the thermoresponsive coating may be configured to absorb water below a lower critical solution temperature and to release water above the lower critical solution temperature
Data Source
AI summary
An assembly including a hood configured to shield a flame produced by the flame production assembly from wind and/or protect a user from the heat generated by the flame. Further, the assembly includes a thermoresponsive coating provided on the hood. The thermoresponsive coating is configured to undergo a reversible endothermic reaction or a reversible endothermic phase change when heated above about 35° C., more specifically above about 40° C., and in particular above about 50° C.