HIGH SAFETY COMBUSTION DEVICE

Abstract

 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.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present invention discloses a combustion device and, more particularly, to a high safety combustion device.

[0002] TW Patent No. 1704317 discloses a burner comprising a container, a fixing device, and a wick. The interior space of the container defines a holding portion with an opening. The fixing device is disposed inside the holding portion and has a fixing member with an insertion hole. The insertion hole has an expansion slot along its radial side, connecting the inner wall of the slot with the outer edge of the fixing member. The fixing member can undergo elastic deformation between an expanded position and a compressed position. In the expanded position, the width of the fixing member along the radial direction of the slot is greater than the width of the opening, while in the compressed position, it is smaller. The wick is connected to the fixing device. However, tipping the burner raises safety concerns. 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.

[0003] The present invention is, therefore, intended to obviate or at least alleviate the problems encountered in the prior art.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0004] In accordance with the present invention, a combustion device is disclosed comprising a container and a wick module. The container defines a fuel reservoir. The fuel reservoir has a bottom surface and an opening opposing to each other in a vertical direction. The distance from the opening to the bottom surface, measured in the vertical direction, defines a first height. The wick module comprises a support and a wick. The support is placed inside the container. The support includes a connecting portion and a base portion, and the base portion is connected to the connecting portion and placed in contact with the bottom surface. The wick is connected to and extends along the connecting portion and extends in the vertical direction. The distance from the upper edge of the wick to the lower edge of the base portion in the vertical direction, measured in the vertical direction, defines a second height. The second height is smaller than the first height. The wick module has a center of gravity, and the distance from the center of gravity to the lower edge of the base portion in the vertical direction, measured in the vertical direction, defines a third height. The ratio of the third height to the second height is greater than 0.4.

[0005] Other objectives, advantages, and new features of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description of the invention when considered in conjunction with the accompanied drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0006] 

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a of a high safety combustion device of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the high safety combustion device of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the high safety combustion device of FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 shows the high safety combustion device of FIG. 1 in a functional state, with a wick producing a flame.

FIG. 5 demonstrates the tipping over of the high safety combustion device of FIG. 1, resulting in the extinguishing of the wick by fuel.

FIG. 6 shows the high safety combustion device of FIG. 1 in a tipped-over position.

FIG. 7 is another view showing the high safety combustion device of FIG. 1 in the tipped-over position.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0007] FIGS 1 to 7 illustrate a combustion device 10 in accordance with the present invention. The combustion device 10 comprises a container 20 and a wick module 30.

[0008] The container 20 defines a fuel reservoir 21, and the fuel reservoir 21 is provided with a bottom surface 22 and an opening 23 positioned opposite to each other in a vertical direction. The distance from the opening 23 to the bottom surface 22, measured in the vertical direction, defines a first height H1, and the fuel reservoir 21 is filled with a fuel 24, which contains propylene glycol, with the weight percentage of propylene glycol being at least 60%.

[0009] The wick module 30 comprises a support 31 and a wick 32. The support 31 is disposed in the container 20 and comprises a connecting portion 311 and a base portion 312. The base portion 312 is connected to the connecting portion 311 and placed to make contact the bottom surface 22. The wick 32 is connected to and extends along the connecting portion 311, extending in the vertical direction. The connecting portion 311 is surrounded by the wick 32. The distance from the upper edge of the wick 32 to the lower edge of the base portion 312, measured in the vertical direction, defines a second height H2, which is smaller than the first height H1. The wick module 30 has a center of gravity G, and the distance from the center of gravity G to the lower edge of the base portion 312 in the vertical direction, measured in the vertical direction, defines a third height H3. The ratio of the third height H3 to the second height H2 is greater than 0.4.

[0010] The bottom surface 22 defines a first width W1 extending horizontally, and the base portion 312 defines a second width W2 extending horizontally. The second width W2 is greater than 0.85 times and less than the first width W1, and the second width W2 is smaller than the second height H2.

[0011] The connecting portion 311 and the base portion 312 are integrally formed as a single unit from a metal wire. The connecting portion 311 extends from a center of the support 31 in the vertical direction. The base portion 312 includes a middle section 313 and an outer ring section 314, where one end of the middle section 313 is connected to the connecting portion 311, and the outer ring section 314 is connected to the other end of the middle section 313 opposite to the connecting portion 311 and surrounds the connecting portion 311. The outer ring section 314 has a width determining the second width W2. The connecting portion 311 is located at a center of the bottom surface 22. The middle section 313 extends radially from the connecting portion 311 to the outer ring section 314.

[0012] The wick module 30 includes a sleeve 33 configured to enclose the wick 32. The wick 32 can draw the fuel 24 through capillary action. An end of the wick 32 to be immersed in the fuel 24 is enclosed by the sleeve 33 and another end of the wick 32 is exposed outside the sleeve 33. The sleeve 33 sleeves on an outer peripheral edge of the wick 32. The wick 32 and the sleeve 33 are made of metal.

[0013] The ratio of the second height H2 to the first height H1 is less than 0.75, and in this embodiment, it is greater than 0.5.

[0014] A shape of an outer peripheral edge of the bottom surface 22 corresponds to a shape of an outer peripheral edge of the outer ring section 314. In the embodiment, the outer peripheral edges of the outer ring section 314 and the bottom surface 22 are circular.

[0015] In this embodiment, the length of the wick 32 is 52 millimeters and weighs 22 grams, with its center of gravity G located at half of its length. The length of the sleeve 33 in this embodiment is 44 millimeters. Under the action of gravity, when the combustion device 10 is tilted by 44.48 degrees, the wick module 30 will tilt inside the container 20, causing the base portion 312 to detach from the bottom surface 22, and the upper edge of the wick 32 will contact the inner peripheral edge of the container 20. The fuel 24 requires at least 4 milliliters to operate the combustion device 10 normally.

[0016] Through the above structure, the combustion device 10 can enhance safety. The weight percentage of propylene glycol in the fuel 24 is more than 60%, giving it a high flash point characteristic. When the combustion device 10 is tipped, the wick module 30 also produces a tilting action inside the container 20, causing the base portion 312 to detach from the bottom surface 22. Under sufficient fuel 24 conditions, after the wick module 30 tilts, the upper edge of the wick 32 will be inserted into the fuel 24 along the vertical direction, and due to the high flash point of the fuel 24, the flame of the wick 32 cannot directly ignite it. Eventually, the flame of the wick 32 will be submerged and extinguished by the fuel 24, achieving the rapid extinguishing effect of the flame after the combustion device 10 is tipped, especially when combined with the structure of the sleeve 33, only the portion of the wick 32 not covered by the sleeve 33 can produce a flame, and the flame can be completely extinguished as long as the tip of the wick 32 is immersed in the fuel 24. Even if the fuel 24 supply is insufficient to completely submerge the wick 32, only a portion of the tip of the wick 32 immersed in the fuel 24 will limit the volatilization of the fuel 24 and reduce the flame size. It is not easy to spread and burn with only a small amount of fuel 24, effectively improving the safety of the combustion device 10.

[0017] Even if the fuel 24 supply is insufficient to completely submerge the wick 32, only a portion of the tip of the wick 32 immersed in the fuel 24 will limit the volatilization of the fuel 24 and reduce the flame size. It is not easy to spread and burn with only a small amount of fuel 24, effectively improving the safety of the combustion device 10.

[0018] In view of the foregoing, the combustion device 10 of the present invention is characterized by high safety. It comprises the container 20 and the wick module 30. The container 20 is equipped with the fuel reservoir 21, which has the bottom surface 22 along the lower edge in the vertical direction and the opening 23 along the upper edge in the vertical direction. The distance from the opening 23 to the bottom surface 22, measured in the vertical direction, defines the first height H1. The wick module 30 includes the support 31 and the wick 32. The support 31 is installed in the container 20 and comprises the connecting portion 311 and the base portion 312. The base portion 312 is connected to the connecting portion 311 and placed to contact the bottom surface 22. The wick 32 is connected to and extends along the connecting portion 311 and extends in the vertical direction. The distance from the upper edge of the wick 32 to the lower edge of the base portion 312 measured in the vertical direction, defines the second height H2, which is smaller than the first height H1. The wick module 30 has the center of gravity G, and the distance from the center of gravity G to the lower edge of the base portion 312, measured in the vertical direction, defines a third height H3. The ratio of the third height H3 to the second height H2 is greater than 0.4. The combustion device 10 enhances safety through the above structure. By designing the wick module 30 to have a lower center of gravity and ensuring a secure attachment to the container 20, the risk of spills and unintended ignition is minimized. The use of specific materials and dimensions further enhances safety and efficiency.

Claims

1. A combustion device (10) comprising:

a container (20) defining a fuel reservoir (21), wherein the fuel reservoir (21) having a bottom surface (22) and an opening (23) opposing to each other in a vertical direction, and wherein a distance from the opening (23) to the bottom surface (22) defines a first height (H1); and

a wick module (30) positioned within the container (20), wherein the wick module (30) comprises a support (31) and a wick (32), wherein the support (31) includes a connecting portion (311) and a base portion (312) connected to each other, wherein the base portion (312) contacts the bottom surface (22), wherein the wick (32) is connected to and extends along the connecting portion (311), wherein a distance from an upper end of the wick (32) to a lower end of the base portion (312) defines a second height (H2), wherein the second height (H2) is smaller than the first height (H1), wherein the wick module (30) has a center of gravity (G), and a distance from the center of gravity (G) to the lower end of the base portion (312) defines a third height (H3), and wherein the ratio of the third height (H3) to the second height (H2) is greater than 0.4.

2. The combustion device (10) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the bottom surface (22) has a first width (W1) extending horizontally, wherein the base portion (312) has a second width (W2) extending horizontally, wherein the second width (W2) is greater than 0.85 times the first width (W1) but is less than the first width (W1), and wherein the second width (W2) is smaller than the second height (H2).

3. The combustion device (10) as claimed in claim 2, wherein the connecting portion (311) and the base portion (312) are integrally formed as a single unit from a metal wire, wherein the connecting portion (311) extends in the vertical direction, wherein the base portion (312) comprises an outer ring section (314) and a middle section (313) extending between the connecting portion (311) and the outer ring section (314), wherein an end of the middle section (313) is connected to the connecting portion (311) and another end of the middle section (313) is connected to the outer ring section (314), wherein the outer ring section (314) surrounds the connecting portion (311), and wherein the outer ring section (314) has a width determining the second width (W2).

4. The combustion device (10) as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the fuel reservoir (21) contains a fuel (24) comprising propylene glycol, and the weight percentage of the propylene glycol is at least 60%.

5. The combustion device (10) as claimed in claim 4, wherein the wick module (30) comprises a sleeve (33) configured to enclose the wick (32), wherein the wick (32) is capable of drawing the fuel (24) through capillary action, wherein the sleeve (33) sleeves on an outer peripheral edge of the wick (32), and wherein the wick (32) and the sleeve (33) are made of metal.

6. The combustion device (10) as claimed in any of claims 3 to 5, wherein a shape of an outer peripheral edge of the bottom surface (22) corresponds to a shape of an outer peripheral edge of the outer ring section (314).

7. The combustion device (10) as claimed in any of claims 5 and 6, wherein an end of the wick (32) to be immersed in the fuel (24) is enclosed by the sleeve (33) and another end of the wick (32) is exposed outside the sleeve (33).

8. The combustion device (10) as claimed in any of claims 3 and 7, wherein the connecting portion (311) is located at a center of the bottom surface (22), wherein the connecting portion (311) extends from a center of the support (31), and wherein the middle section (313) extends radially from the connecting portion (311) to the outer ring section (314).

9. The combustion device (10) as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the ratio of the second height (H2) to the first height (H1) is less than 0.75.

10. The combustion device (10) as claimed in any of claims 1 to 9, wherein the wick (32) has a length of 52 millimeters and weighs 22 grams, with the center of gravity (G) located at half of its length, and wherein the length of the sleeve (33) has a length of 44 millimeters.

11. The combustion device (10) as claimed in any of claim 4, wherein the fuel (24) is at least 4 milliliters in the fuel reservoir (21).

Drawing