Wand-Interlocked Ignition Device for Safe Flame Assembly Actuation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing ignition devices for flame producing assemblies with wands can be hazardous when used with assemblies lacking wands, and may be difficult for some users to actuate, posing safety and usability issues.

Innovation Solution

An ignition device with a receiving portion that adapts between positions, featuring a movable pin that blocks or allows actuation of the trigger mechanism based on the presence of a wand, ensuring safe and efficient ignition only when a wand is present.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If the ignition device is designed to work with flame producing assemblies without wands, then it can be used more universally, but it becomes hazardous when the flame burns or heats the ignition device

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecompatibility with different flame producing assembliesVSAvoidburning or heating of ignition device
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The receiving portion is pre-configured with a wand-receiving cavity and positioning structures that guide the wand into place before ignition occurs. This preliminary arrangement ensures the flame is directed away from the ignition device body, preventing burning or heating of the device while maintaining universal compatibility with different flame producing assemblies

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Reliability

If the threshold force for actuation is increased to prevent accidental ignition, then safety is improved, but it becomes difficult for some users to actuate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprevention of accidental ignitionVSAvoidactuation difficulty
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

A lever mechanism serves as an intermediary between the user's finger and the ignition trigger. The lever provides mechanical advantage, allowing users to actuate the ignition with minimal force while still ensuring intentional activation. The lever's pivot point and length are designed to amplify the user's input force, resolving the contradiction between safety and ease of operation

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Device complexity

If the receiving portion is fixed in position, then the structure is simpler, but it cannot adapt to different ignition positions and angles

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestructure simplicityVSAvoidignition position and angle adaptability
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The receiving portion is designed with rotational and translational freedom, allowing it to dynamically adjust to different ignition positions and angles. The receiving portion can rotate around the flame producing assembly and adjust its orientation to accommodate various burning directions (upward, sideways, downward). This dynamic capability enables universal compatibility with different flame producing assemblies while maintaining relatively simple structural design

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentEP4198394B1Ignition device
Publication Date: 2025.08.13 SOCIETE BIC SA
  • EP4198394B1 patent drawingFigure 1A
  • EP4198394B1 patent drawingFigure 1B
  • EP4198394B1 patent drawingFigure 1C

AI summary

In a first aspect, the present disclosure relates to an ignition device configured to ignite a flame producing assembly. The ignition device comprises a receiving portion configured to receive a flame producing assembly, wherein the receiving portion is configured to adapt between a receiving position and an ignition position. Further, the ignition device comprises a trigger mechanism configured to ignite the flame producing assembly (100) when actuated. The ignition device further comprises a movable pin, wherein the movable pin is configured to move from a first position to a second position when a flame producing assembly comprising a wand is inserted into the receiving portion and the receiving portion is moved to the ignition position. The movable pin is further configured to block actuation of the trigger mechanism when in the first position, and configured to allow actuation of the trigger mechanism when in the second position.