Automatic Candle Flame Extinguisher with Timer-Actuated Pivot Lid
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Solution Overview
Problem
There is a lack of reliable mechanisms to automatically extinguish burning candles that are left unattended, posing a fire hazard and waste, as existing automatic flame extinguishers require direct user involvement.
Innovation Solution
An automatic flame extinguisher with a pivotable lid and a timer that automatically repositions the lid from an open to a closed position after a predetermined duration, using a revolute joint or helical gear, to starve the candle flame of oxygen, compatible with various candle sizes and shapes, and optionally featuring a lock and solar-powered operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Extent of automation
If a manual candle extinguisher is used, then the flame can be extinguished safely with user contact protected, but the system requires direct user involvement and cannot automatically extinguish forgotten candles
Solution Approach 1:
The lid is pre-positioned in an open state and the timer is set before operation begins. When the predetermined time elapses, the lid automatically closes to extinguish the flame. This preliminary setup eliminates the need for real-time user intervention while maintaining a relatively simple mechanical structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The extinguisher device serves itself by using an internal timer mechanism to automatically close the lid after the predetermined time period. The system monitors its own operation state and executes the extinguishing function without external user input, achieving automatic operation with minimal complexity.
2Reliability
If the lid is made to pivot automatically after a predetermined time, then automatic flame extinguishing is achieved, but the mechanism requires additional components like timers and pivot joints
Solution Approach 1:
The timer is pre-set to a predetermined duration before the extinguishing operation begins. When this predetermined time elapses, the lid automatically pivots to the closed position. This preliminary timing setup ensures reliable automatic operation while keeping the mechanism relatively simple by using a straightforward timer-component configuration.
3Reliability
If the lid seals the candle completely, then the flame is reliably extinguished by oxygen deprivation, but the structure requires precise sealing and pivot mechanisms
Solution Approach 1:
The lid is designed to completely cover and seal the candle container opening, effectively extracting or removing the oxygen supply from the combustion process. By creating a complete seal over the container, the system reliably extinguishes the flame through oxygen deprivation without requiring complex sealing mechanisms beyond a simple fitted lid.
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 solution effectively extinguishes candle flames automatically, preventing unattended burning and ensuring safety by ensuring the lid remains closed, compatible with different candle sizes and shapes, and providing user convenience through remote control and visual verification of flame extinction.
Implementation Method 1
a lid coupled to the base about a pivot and being selectively positionable between a first open position and a second closed position
Implementation Method 2
The pivot may include a revolute joint or a helical gear actuable by the timer
Implementation Method 3
the container and the lid may cooperate with one another to substantially close an interior of the container off from the atmosphere to starve the burning wick of oxygen
Implementation Method 4
The base may also include a spring-loaded clip selectively attachable to the candle
Data Source
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AI summary
The automatic flame extinguisher may include a base for selectively positioning the automatic flame extinguisher in relation to a candle. A lid coupled to the base may selectively rotate about a pivot between a first open position that allows a burning wick of the candle to receive sufficient ambient oxygen to continue burning and a second closed position to extinguish the burning wick of the candle. In this respect, a timer may include a clock for selectively activating the pivot to reposition the lid from the first open position to the second closed position after the clock reaches a threshold operation time.