Timer-Controlled Fan for Automatic Candle Flame Extinguishing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Candle fires pose a significant hazard due to the risk of unattended burning candles, with a third of home candle fires starting in the bedroom and resulting in deaths or injuries, highlighting the need for an automatic extinguishing system.
Innovation Solution
An automatic candle extinguisher system that includes a fan or compressed air source, controlled by a timer to direct air onto the flame, ensuring the flame is extinguished and the wick cooled, with options for mounting on the candle or external support, and potential remote activation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a candle burns continuously for aesthetic and spiritual purposes, then the candle provides desired functionality, but the risk of fire hazard increases when left unattended
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary action by automatically extinguishing the candle flame after a predetermined time interval or when no motion is detected, preventing fire hazards before they can occur. The controller is pre-programmed with timing mechanisms and motion detection thresholds to activate the fan and blow out the flame proactively.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses feedback through motion sensors that continuously monitor the environment around the candle. When the sensor detects no motion for a predetermined period, it triggers the extinguishing mechanism. This closed-loop feedback system allows the candle to burn safely until conditions indicate unattended burning.
2Reliability
If motion sensors and timers are added to automatically extinguish the candle, then fire safety is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The controller serves multiple functions: it manages the fan operation, processes timer signals, and controls the solenoid valve for compressed air delivery. By consolidating these functions into a single multi-functional controller, the system achieves high reliability without proportionally increasing complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses compressed air delivered through a solenoid-controlled valve to extinguish the flame, replacing what would otherwise require complex electrical heating elements or mechanical wick-cutting mechanisms. This pneumatic approach simplifies the extinguishing mechanism while maintaining high safety reliability.
3Reliability
If the fan runs continuously to extinguish the flame, then the extinguishing effect is ensured, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The fan operates periodically rather than continuously - it runs only during the predetermined time interval after motion cessation is detected or after the timer expires. This periodic operation maintains reliable extinguishing effectiveness while dramatically reducing overall energy consumption compared to continuous operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary action by activating the fan only when and for as long as needed to extinguish the flame, rather than running continuously. The predetermined time interval is calibrated to provide sufficient air flow to extinguish the flame while minimizing unnecessary energy consumption after the flame is already out.
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 system effectively reduces the risk of accidental fires by automatically extinguishing candle flames after a predetermined interval, ensuring safety even when the candle is left unattended, thereby mitigating the risk of fire hazards.
Implementation Method 1
a fan sized and configured to be supported by a candle... to direct air from the fan to the flame of the candle
Implementation Method 2
a source of compressed air, a controllable valve having an inlet fluidly connected to the source of compressed air and an outlet, and tubing fluidly connected to the outlet of the controllable valve
Data Source
AI summary
An automatic extinguisher for the flame of a candle includes a fan sized and configured to be supported by a candle, and a controller connected to the electrical fan and operable to activate and de-activate the fan. The controller includes a timer for activating the fan after a pre-determined first time interval to direct air from the fan to the flame of the candle, and operable to de-activate the fan after a pre-determined second time interval shorter than the first time interval.