Wick Module Geometry for Tip-Over Flame Extinguishing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing combustion devices with wicks face safety concerns due to the risk of flame persistence at the tip when tipped over, even with high-flashpoint fuels, and there is a need for improved safety mechanisms to prevent unintended ignition and spillage.
Innovation Solution
A combustion device design featuring a wick module with a support and wick structure where the ratio of the center of gravity to the wick's vertical distance is greater than 0.4, ensuring secure attachment to the container, and using a fuel with a high flash point (≥60% propylene glycol) to extinguish the flame upon tipping.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the wick is positioned high in the container to ensure proper combustion, then the combustion efficiency is improved, but the safety is worsened because the flame may persist at the tip when the device is tipped
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the positional parameter of the wick by introducing a support structure with a base portion that extends beyond the container bottom. This positions the wick lower relative to the container opening, ensuring that when the device is tipped, the wick tip is submerged in fuel to extinguish the flame, thereby resolving the safety issue while maintaining combustion efficiency through proper wick positioning
2Reliability
If the wick is positioned low to prevent flame persistence when tipped, then safety is improved, but combustion efficiency deteriorates due to insufficient fuel access
Solution Approach 1:
The support structure is divided into a connecting portion and a base portion. The connecting portion attaches to the container interior while the base portion extends beyond the container bottom. This segmentation allows the wick to be positioned low enough for safety (submerged when tipped) while the connecting portion ensures proper fuel access for combustion efficiency
Solution Approach 2:
The support structure extends in the vertical dimension beyond the container bottom, creating a three-dimensional positioning system. This allows the wick to be positioned in a location that simultaneously achieves safety (low position for submersion) and combustion efficiency (proper fuel access through the connecting portion)
3Duration of action of moving object
If a long wick is used to maintain flame, then combustion duration is improved, but safety is worsened due to increased risk of flame persistence during tipping
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the effective length parameter by introducing the base portion that extends beyond the container. This allows the wick to be positioned lower, effectively reducing the exposed length above the fuel level, ensuring that when tipped, the wick tip is submerged to extinguish the flame, thereby resolving the safety issue while maintaining adequate combustion duration
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 design effectively extinguishes the flame upon tipping by submerging the wick tip in fuel, minimizing spill risk and reducing flame size with limited fuel, thereby enhancing safety and efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
The ratio of the third height to the second height is greater than 0.4, ensuring that when the combustion device is tipped, the wick tip is submerged in fuel to extinguish the flame
Implementation Method 2
Despite using high-flashpoint fuel to prevent the direct ignition of spilled liquid fuel, there is still a risk of the flame persisting at the tip of the wick if the burner is tipped
Data Source
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AI summary
A high safety combustion device (10) comprises a fuel reservoir (21). A distance from an opening (23) to a bottom surface (22) of the fuel reservoir defines a first height (H1). A wick module (30) comprises a support (31) and a wick (32). The support includes a connecting portion (311) and a base portion (312). The base portion contacts the bottom surface. The wick is the connecting portion. A distance from an upper end of the wick to a lower end of the base portion defines a second height (H2), which is smaller than the first height. The wick module has a center of gravity (G), and a distance from the center of gravity to the lower end of the base portion defines a third height (H3). The ratio of the third height to the second height is greater than 0.4.