Top-Down Fire Starter Stack for Low-Smoke Ignition
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional methods for starting a fire, such as in wood burning stoves or campfires, often result in inefficient burning, excessive smoke, and creosote buildup, leading to energy waste and air pollution, as many individuals struggle to light fires consistently and safely.
Innovation Solution
A stack of combustible fuel elements and a flammable ignition element are arranged within a combustible container with strategically located apertures to facilitate efficient ignition and combustion, using a 'top-down' method that ensures air flow and rapid ignition, with retaining elements to maintain the stack's structure during transit and use.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If conventional fire lighting methods are used, then fire can be lit, but burning efficiency is poor and excessive smoke is produced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent pre-arranges fuel elements in a specific stacked configuration within the container before use. The fuel elements are positioned in layers with air gaps, and ignition elements are pre-placed at the top layer, eliminating the need for users to manually arrange fuel during fire lighting and ensuring optimal combustion from the start.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates localized air flow channels between stacked fuel elements, providing concentrated oxygen supply at specific locations where combustion occurs. The apertures in the container wall are strategically positioned to direct air flow through the fuel stack, ensuring efficient combustion at the ignition point and preventing incomplete burning that produces smoke.
2Reliability
If conventional fire lighting methods are used, then fire can be lit, but creosote buildup occurs in the flue
Solution Approach 1:
The patent pre-arranges fuel elements in a specific stacked configuration within the container before use. The fuel elements are positioned in layers with air gaps, and ignition elements are pre-placed at the top layer, eliminating the need for users to manually arrange fuel during fire lighting and ensuring optimal combustion from the start.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent incorporates apertures in the container wall and designs air flow channels between fuel elements to provide abundant oxygen supply to the combustion zone. This accelerated oxidation ensures complete combustion of fuel, preventing the formation of creosote and other harmful byproducts that accumulate in flues when burning is inefficient.
3Ease of operation
If users manually arrange fuel for fire lighting, then fire can be lit, but the process is difficult and inconsistent
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple fuel elements, ignition elements, and air flow channels into a single pre-assembled unit (the container). Users simply place the entire container on the firebed and ignite it through the aperture, eliminating the complex manual arrangement process and ensuring consistent results every time.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent pre-arranges fuel elements in a specific stacked configuration within the container before use. The fuel elements are positioned in layers with air gaps, and ignition elements are pre-placed at the top layer, eliminating the need for users to manually arrange fuel during fire lighting and ensuring optimal combustion from the start.
4Stability of the object's composition
If a contained structure is used to hold fuel elements, then fuel position is maintained, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a relatively simple container structure with minimal walls and strategic apertures rather than a complex rigid framework. The container provides just enough structure to hold the fuel stack in place while maintaining simplicity in design and manufacture, balancing stability requirements with device complexity.
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
This approach enables quick, safe, and efficient fire starting with minimal smoke and soot, maximizing combustion efficiency and reducing the need for non-combustible materials like newspaper, while maintaining the fuel elements' position and orientation for consistent performance.
Implementation Method 1
a stack of combustible fuel elements and a flammable ignition element located in a combustible container configured to provide at least one aperture for igniting the flammable ignition element located therein
Implementation Method 2
strategically located apertures to facilitate efficient ignition and combustion, using a 'top-down' method that ensures air flow and rapid ignition
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention provides apparatus for starting a fire, comprising a stack of combustible fuel elements (340, 350, 460, 462, 464) and a flammable ignition element (450) located in a combustible container (200) configured to provide at least one aperture (202) for igniting the flammable ignition element located therein. A kit of parts and a method of assembling the kit are also provided.