CA1076196A - Gas fuelled electric lighter - Google Patents
Gas fuelled electric lighterInfo
- Publication number
- CA1076196A CA1076196A CA269,504A CA269504A CA1076196A CA 1076196 A CA1076196 A CA 1076196A CA 269504 A CA269504 A CA 269504A CA 1076196 A CA1076196 A CA 1076196A
- Authority
- CA
- Canada
- Prior art keywords
- casing
- switch contacts
- gas
- ignition circuit
- cap
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Expired
Links
Classifications
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F23—COMBUSTION APPARATUS; COMBUSTION PROCESSES
- F23Q—IGNITION; EXTINGUISHING-DEVICES
- F23Q2/00—Lighters containing fuel, e.g. for cigarettes
- F23Q2/28—Lighters characterised by electrical ignition of the fuel
- F23Q2/285—Lighters characterised by electrical ignition of the fuel with spark ignition
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H02—GENERATION; CONVERSION OR DISTRIBUTION OF ELECTRIC POWER
- H02M—APPARATUS FOR CONVERSION BETWEEN AC AND AC, BETWEEN AC AND DC, OR BETWEEN DC AND DC, AND FOR USE WITH MAINS OR SIMILAR POWER SUPPLY SYSTEMS; CONVERSION OF DC OR AC INPUT POWER INTO SURGE OUTPUT POWER; CONTROL OR REGULATION THEREOF
- H02M3/00—Conversion of dc power input into dc power output
- H02M3/22—Conversion of dc power input into dc power output with intermediate conversion into ac
- H02M3/24—Conversion of dc power input into dc power output with intermediate conversion into ac by static converters
- H02M3/28—Conversion of dc power input into dc power output with intermediate conversion into ac by static converters using discharge tubes with control electrode or semiconductor devices with control electrode to produce the intermediate ac
- H02M3/325—Conversion of dc power input into dc power output with intermediate conversion into ac by static converters using discharge tubes with control electrode or semiconductor devices with control electrode to produce the intermediate ac using devices of a triode or a transistor type requiring continuous application of a control signal
- H02M3/335—Conversion of dc power input into dc power output with intermediate conversion into ac by static converters using discharge tubes with control electrode or semiconductor devices with control electrode to produce the intermediate ac using devices of a triode or a transistor type requiring continuous application of a control signal using semiconductor devices only
- H02M3/338—Conversion of dc power input into dc power output with intermediate conversion into ac by static converters using discharge tubes with control electrode or semiconductor devices with control electrode to produce the intermediate ac using devices of a triode or a transistor type requiring continuous application of a control signal using semiconductor devices only in a self-oscillating arrangement
- H02M3/3381—Conversion of dc power input into dc power output with intermediate conversion into ac by static converters using discharge tubes with control electrode or semiconductor devices with control electrode to produce the intermediate ac using devices of a triode or a transistor type requiring continuous application of a control signal using semiconductor devices only in a self-oscillating arrangement using a single commutation path
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H03—ELECTRONIC CIRCUITRY
- H03K—PULSE TECHNIQUE
- H03K3/00—Circuits for generating electric pulses; Monostable, bistable or multistable circuits
- H03K3/02—Generators characterised by the type of circuit or by the means used for producing pulses
- H03K3/53—Generators characterised by the type of circuit or by the means used for producing pulses by the use of an energy-accumulating element discharged through the load by a switching device controlled by an external signal and not incorporating positive feedback
- H03K3/57—Generators characterised by the type of circuit or by the means used for producing pulses by the use of an energy-accumulating element discharged through the load by a switching device controlled by an external signal and not incorporating positive feedback the switching device being a semiconductor device
Landscapes
- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Power Engineering (AREA)
- Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
- Combustion & Propulsion (AREA)
- Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
- General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Lighters Containing Fuel (AREA)
Abstract
A GAS FUELLED ELECTRIC LIGHTER
Abstract A smoker's lighter is provided with a battery ignition circuit and an electrical switching means for closing a section of the ignition circuit and operating the same. The electrical switching means includes two fixed switch contacts which are located at an optional portion of the lighter casing and adapted to be touchable with user's finger so as to be electrically connected thereby. The lighter is ignited by putting user's finger on the two fixed switch contacts.
Abstract A smoker's lighter is provided with a battery ignition circuit and an electrical switching means for closing a section of the ignition circuit and operating the same. The electrical switching means includes two fixed switch contacts which are located at an optional portion of the lighter casing and adapted to be touchable with user's finger so as to be electrically connected thereby. The lighter is ignited by putting user's finger on the two fixed switch contacts.
Description
~076~1L96 The present invention relates to a smoker's lighter with battery ignition and particularly relates to an electrical switch in the ignition circuit for operating the lighter.
In the known type of a cigarette lighter with battery ignition, there is a manuall~ operable mechanical switch for controlling the ignition circuit which causes spark generation to ignite a gaseous fuel. The switch is constituted by precision parts, the manufacturing of which is really expensive and in which more or less severe wear cannot be avoided in long run because the switch is actuated through mechanical operation accompanied with percussion and friction of the parts.
The ignition circuit in general comprises a - charging circuit for charging a capacitor and a discharging circuit for discharging the capacitor, in which the switch is provided between charging and discharging circuits or in discharging circuit and connects the capacitor to the discharging circuit for ignition. In this case, as a surge current from the capacitor flows to the discharging circuit through the switch, the contacts of the switch - sustain contact-breaking sparks which often cause ~urther wear thereof.
Further the switch button is conventionally exposed externally of the lighter casing and so constructed that the switch button may simultaneously actuate the switch and a gas outlet valve. Therefore there is a danger of inadvertent or unexpected operation of the lighter, for example when in a user's pocket. Recently there is an increasing demand to design a lighter so as to prevent :-, , , - , . : ' , !
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--~ 1076196 .' ' . ~"
such accident and there are known several ways to do so, for example, to increase the force required to operate the switch. However it will be apparent that such increase in the operating force causes inconvenience in actual use and reduces the value of the lighter.
The present invention is directed towards providing an improved gas-fuelled electric lighter which overcomes the above-mentioned disadvantayes.
According to the present invention there is ` 10 provided a gas-fuelled electric lighter comprising a casing, a fuel tank for holding fuel gas arranged within the casing, a burner valve in communication with the fuel tank, a burner nozzle in communication with the burner valve, a spark gap arranged adjacent to the nozzle, an ignition circuit adapted to generate sparks at the spark gap, a battery for energizing the ignition circuit, a switching means electrically connected to the ignition circuit in order to control the operation of the ignition circuit and including two fixed switch contacts being electrically insulated from each other, and a mechanical switch being electrically connected to at least one of the fixed switch contacts of the switching means to define operable and inoperable states of the switching means, wherein the switching means is adapted to function only when an electrically conductive substance is placed on the fixed switch contacts in the closed state of the mechanical switch.
The lighter may comprise an insulation holder secured to the casing, with the two fixed switch contacts arranged on the insulation holder so as to be electrically insulated from each other and from the casing.
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1~76 IL96 Preferably, the casing of the lighter may have an open end with a cap pivotally mounted thereon, and the mechanical switch may be adapted to be actuated by movement of the cap. The burner valve may also be movable in accordance with pivotal movement of the cap. At least one of the fixed switch contacts may be located at a position inaccessible when the cap is in the closed position.
The ignition circuit may comprise a charging circuit comprising a DC-DC converter which increases the level of voltage from the battery to a higher level for charging a capacitor, and a discharging circuit comprising a step-up transformer and a switching element, the primary winding of the transformer being in series connected to the capacitor and the secondary winding being connected to the spark gap, the switching element adapted to discharge the capacitor at the predetermined voltage level.
The switching means and mechanical switch may be electrically connected in series with each other between the battery and the ignition circuit.
The switching means controlling the operation of the ignition circuit may comprise a semiconductor switching deviee having high input impedance and low output impedanee, the fixed switeh eontaets being eonneeted to input terminals of the semieonductor switching device to operate the device by eonduetion between the fixed switeh eontaets, and output terminals of the semieonductor switehing deviee being eonneeted to the ignition circuit. The semiconductor switching device may eomprise a field effeet transistor.
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~0~ L96 Thereneed not be used any mechanical component part movable to effect electrical switching. According to a preferred feature of the present invention, the switching means includes a semiconductor switching device having high input impedance and low output impedance, which con-stitutes a feed back amplifier. The fixed switch contacts -~.
are located onthelighter case and are electrically connected to input of the semiconductor switching device to operate ,:,, said device by conduction between the contacts through ~ .
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61~6 user's finger. The output terminals of the semiconductor switching device are connected to the one section of the ignition circuit and are adapted to operate the ignition circuit which generates sparks at the spark gap upon operation of the switching means.
The switching contacts can be mounted on the surface of the lighter case and the switch does not take the internal space of the lighter~ Further the semlconductor switching device may be constructed as an integrated circuit together with the ignition circuit thereby making the bulk of such circuit small.
A feature of the switching means is that since the switch contacts do not move upon actuation thereof, there is not severe wear thereof due to contact-breaking sparks or mechanical percussion and friction.
For the purpose of preventing inadvertent operation 1 of the ignition circuit, there is further arranged an r~ auxiliary mechanical switch in the ignition circuit.
Preferably, the auxiliary switch is actuated in accordance with the movement of a lighter cap. It will be understood that, when at least one of the switching contacts is located at a position inaccessible when the cap is closed, the auxiliary switch may be deleted since the switching means cannot be actuated while the cap is in its closed state.
By way of example only, the invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, ~ `
in which:-FIGURE 1 is a circuit diagram of a first embodiment of the ignition circuit used in a lighter according to the present invention.
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1~76~l96 FIGURE 2 iS a circuit diagram of a second embodiment of the ignition circuit used in the lighter according ~ to the present invention.
: FIGURE 3 is a part-sectional elevation of the lighter according to the present invention. -FIGURE 4 is a ~ragmentary, part-sectional elevation of the lighter of Figure 3 depicted with the cap of the lighter in its open position.
Referring now to Figure 1, there is shown the 10 first embodiment of the spark discharge ignition cixcuit, in which a battery 1 is connected to an auxiliary mechanical ; switch 2 (described later) and is further connected to electrical switch means 3 in series. The electrical switch means 3 comprises two fixed switch contacts 4 adapted to be touchable with user's finger from the outside of the lighter and one of which is connected to a terminal 5, two transistors Trl, Tr2 in which the transistor Trl is connected at its base side to another switch contact 4 and in whlch the transistor Tr2 is connected at its collector side to a terminal 6 and at its emitter side to the battery 1, and two resistors R1, R2 and a capacitor Cl which are connected to the base of the transistor Trl for stable operation of the transistors Trl, Tr2.
; The collector of the transistor Trl is connected to the same of the transistor Tr2 and the emitter o~ the transistor Trl is connected to the base oE the transistor Tr2. This connection is known as Darlington connection which constitutes a ~eedback ampli~ier having a high input impedance and a low output impedance.
The electrical switch means 3 is the so-called touch switch which is actuated by putting user's finger - .
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76~96 on the fixed switch contacts 4. This allows a minute current to flow from the battery 1 to the base of the transistor Trl against the skin resistance of user's finger and the transistor Tr2 is saturated to connect directly the battery to a DC-DC converter I which is connected to the electrical switch means 3 at terminals 5, 6.
The DC-DC converter I consists of a transistor Tr3, a resistor R3, an oscillation transformer Tl and a half-wave rectifier Dl. The base of the transistor Tr3 is connected to the terminal 5 through the resistor R3 and a feedback winding of the oscillation transformer Tl. The emitter of the transistor Tr3 is connected to the terminal 6. The collector of the transistor Tr3 is connected to the terminal 5 through a primary winding of the oscillation transformer Tl. The half-wave rectifier Dl is connected at its positive side to a secondary winding of the oscillation transformer and at its negative side to the positive terminal of a storage capacitor C thereby to charge the capacitor C. .
A SCR (silicon controlled rectifier) D3 is con-nected at its anode side to the positive terminal of the `
storage capacitor C and at its cathode side to a primary winding of a step-up transformer T2 for discharging the ;capacitor C~ A zener diode D2 and a resistor R~ are connected to a gate of the 5CR D3 to trigger the same at a predetermined level of the charged voltage on the storage capacitor C.
A secondary winding of the step-up transformer T2 has a pair of discharge electrodes 7, 8 to discharge sparks to ignite a fuel gas. ~ : :
. 30 The auxiliary mechanical switch 2 shall preferably be arranged to prevent inadvertent or unexpected operation ''' ' `''` ' :. '. ',, '`.`' ` '`,` ' :. . :, ' .
~0~6~96 of the ignition circuit. For this purpose, the lighter which will be explained hereinafter as one of the preferred embodiments has a cap mounted on the lighter case to actuate the auxiliary mechanical switch. The same effect may be achieved without using such an auxiliary switch by locating at least one of the switch contacts at a position inaccessible when the cap is closed, for example at a portion of the casing covered by the cap when it is closed, so that operation of the electrical switch due to some 10 material inadvertently bridged over the fixed con~acts may be prevented. If one of the fixed contacts is formed by the lighter casing, the other fixed contact may be located at such a position.
;In operation of the ignition circuit, when the -auxiliary mechanical switch 2 is closed and then further user's finger touches the two fixed switch contacts 4, the battery is directly connected to the DC-DC converter I.
The DC-DC converter I increases the level of the voltage from the battery to a higher level for charging the storage capacitor C. When the charged voltage of the storage capacitor C reaches a predetermined level, which depends on the trigger elements, the zener diode breaks down to trigger the SCR D3. Firing of the SCR D3 permits the built-up charge on the capacitor C to discharge suddenly through the primary winding of the step-up transformer T2 and anode-cathode path. This induces a very high voltage of short duration in the secondary winding. A spark discharge is therefore produced between the discharge electrodes 7, 8. The sparking continues automatically and periodically until user's finger leaves the two fixed switch contacts 4.
~076196 Referring to Figure 2, there is shown the second embodiment of the ignition circuit used in the lighter according to the present invention. The ignition circuit comprises a battery 1, an auxiliary mechanical switch 2 connected between the battery 1 and a storage capacitor C
; for charging the capacitor C, a step-up transformer T, a protective resistor R2 for the battery 1, and an electrical switch means 30 connected to the positive side of the capacitor C for discharging the capacitor C through a primary winding of the step-up transformer T. A secondary : winding of the step-up transformer T is connected to discharge electrodes 7, 8. The protective resistor R2 functions as protection for the battery 1 as the battery 1 is short~
circuited upon actuation of the electrical switch means 30.
. The electrical switch means 30 consists of a transistor Tr whose collector is connected to the positive side of the capacitor C and whose emitter is connected to the primary : ~ -winding of the step-up transformer T, and a pair of fixed switch contacts 4 one of which is connected to the base ..
of the transistor Tr and the other of which is connected to the collector through a base bias resistor Rl.
In operation of this ignition circuit, the storage capacitor C is charged by the battery 1 in response to the operation of the auxiliary mechanical switch 2. When user's finger touches the switch contacts 4, a minute :~
current flows from the battery 1 to the base of the trans-istor Tr through the base bias resistor Rl and the user's finger. Then the transistor Tr is saturated to discharge the capacitor C through its collector-emitter path and the primary winding of the step-up transformer T so that spark discharge is produced between the discharge electrodes 7, 8.
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1071~1L96 The electrical switch means 30 may be substituted by such electrical switch means as shown in Figure 1.
Since the discharge circuit loop is constituted by the capacitor C, the collector-emitter path and the primary winding, and mechanical switch contacts are not used in this loop, there are not any contact-breaking sparks due to the surge current of the capacitor.
The auxiliary mechanical switch 2 is used to prevent the leak current of the storage capacitor C as well as to prevent inadvertent or unexpected operation of the ignition circuit.
Figures 3 and 4 illustrate the lighter according ; to the present invention which employs the ignition circuit as shown in Figure 1 or 2. The lighter comprises the ignition circuit unit 101, a casing 102 and a lighter cap 103, a fuel tank 104 having a burner valve (not shown) on which a burner nozzle 105 is mounted, a windshield 106 - covering the burner nozzle 105, having a flame opening 106a, and a telescopic spring-loaded cylinder 107 for controlling the movement of the lighter cap 103. One end of the cylinder 107 engages a leg 108 which is secured to the inside of the ca~ 103. The other side o~ the same engages an insulation frame 109 which secures a discharge electrode 7 and a switch contact piece 2a. The discharge electrode 7 cor-responds to the discharge electrode 7 of the ignition circuit shown in Figure 1 or 2. The tip 8 of the burner nozzle 105 corresponds to the discharge electrode 8.
The switch contact piece 2a is used as a switch lever of the auxiliary mechanical switch 2 as shown in Figure 1 - 30 or 2. In opened position of the cap 103, the switch contact ., 716~96 piece 2a engages the leg 108 to contact with the windshield 106 which is also used as a switch contact of the auxiliary mechanical switch 2. A hinge 110 pivots the lighter cap 103 to the casing 102 and the lighter cap is movable. A valve actuator 111 with a protrusion llla controls the open and close movements of the burner valve. One end of the valve actuator 111 is adapted to catch a neck portion oE the burner nozzle 105 and the other is slidably mounted on a screw 112. Inserted into the ignition circuit unit 101 is the screw 112 around which a valve actuating spring 113 is arranged. The valve actuating spring 113 biases the valve actuator 111 upwardly to open the burner valve (not shown). In closed position of the cap 103, the side face of the cylinder 107 engages the head of the protrusion llla to urge downwardly the valve actuator 111 thereby to close - the burner valve. Two fixed switch contacts 4 are electri-cally insulated from each other and from the casing 102 by an insulation contact holder 4a which is secured to the casing 102. The two fixed switch contacts 4 correspond to the switch contacts 4 as shown in Figure 1 or 2.
The method of operation of the lighter will now be explained. When the lighter cap 103 is opened, assisted by spring force by the telescopic cylinder 107, the cylinder 107 pivots in a clockwise direction around the insulation frame 109 away from the protrusion llla.
The valve actuator 111 is raised by the spring 113 so that the burner nozzle 105 is raised to open the burner valve allowing fuel gas to issue from the tip 8 of the burner nozzle 105. At the same time the leg 108 urges the switch contact piece 2a towards the windshield 106 ~ `
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, ,, , , , ' ' ' " :. , 1~761~6 and thus the auxiliary mechanical switch is closed. Then putting the finger on the fixed switch contacts 4 closes the electrical switch in the same way as explained in connection with Figure 1 or 2.
Although the invention has been described in its preferred form, various changes in the shape and arrange-ment of parts may be made. Some of the examples of these changes will be explained hereinafter~ ~ -A field effect transistor (FET) has also the required high input impedance and low output impedance.
- Therefore a FET may be used in the electrical switch means in the ignition circuit of Figure 1.
When the terminal 5 of the DC-DC converter I
is electrically connected to the casing 102 and the windshield ; 106, only one of the fixed switch contacts 4, the one connected to the base of the transistor Trl, may be electri-cally insulated from the casing 102. In this case, the ` casing 102 shall be appropiated to the other switch contact - of the electrical switch means 3.
Further in Figure 1, the electrical switch means 3 may be used as a trigger switch of the SCR in place of the zener diode D2, instead of placing the electrical switch means 3 between the battery 1 and the DC-DC converter I. ;
Both ignition circuits as shown in Figures 1 and 2 are a capacitor discharge spark ignition type; however, various other kinds of battery spark ignition circuit may be used in the lighter according to the present invention, with the above-mentioned so-called touch switch being applied in such ignition circuits.
Further in Figure 3, the surfaces of the two fixed switch contacts 4 and insulation holder 4a are flush . . .
~ 11 -;~ 10761~;
with the surface of the casing 102. In this case, when ~:: the lighter design does not include the cap 103 and the ~ .
auxiliary mechanical switch 2, the switch contacts 4 may i accidentally be electrically connected to operate the -~ :
: lighter by other metallic articles in user's pocket.
However this danger may be easily reduced by forming the - contact surfaces slightly recessed from the surfaces of insulation holder 4a and the casing 102, or the insulation holder portion between the contacts 4 may be formed slightly :~
projecteù from the contact surfaces. ;
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: . . . . . . .
.'' , . ' ,' ' . ' " ' . .
In the known type of a cigarette lighter with battery ignition, there is a manuall~ operable mechanical switch for controlling the ignition circuit which causes spark generation to ignite a gaseous fuel. The switch is constituted by precision parts, the manufacturing of which is really expensive and in which more or less severe wear cannot be avoided in long run because the switch is actuated through mechanical operation accompanied with percussion and friction of the parts.
The ignition circuit in general comprises a - charging circuit for charging a capacitor and a discharging circuit for discharging the capacitor, in which the switch is provided between charging and discharging circuits or in discharging circuit and connects the capacitor to the discharging circuit for ignition. In this case, as a surge current from the capacitor flows to the discharging circuit through the switch, the contacts of the switch - sustain contact-breaking sparks which often cause ~urther wear thereof.
Further the switch button is conventionally exposed externally of the lighter casing and so constructed that the switch button may simultaneously actuate the switch and a gas outlet valve. Therefore there is a danger of inadvertent or unexpected operation of the lighter, for example when in a user's pocket. Recently there is an increasing demand to design a lighter so as to prevent :-, , , - , . : ' , !
:
--~ 1076196 .' ' . ~"
such accident and there are known several ways to do so, for example, to increase the force required to operate the switch. However it will be apparent that such increase in the operating force causes inconvenience in actual use and reduces the value of the lighter.
The present invention is directed towards providing an improved gas-fuelled electric lighter which overcomes the above-mentioned disadvantayes.
According to the present invention there is ` 10 provided a gas-fuelled electric lighter comprising a casing, a fuel tank for holding fuel gas arranged within the casing, a burner valve in communication with the fuel tank, a burner nozzle in communication with the burner valve, a spark gap arranged adjacent to the nozzle, an ignition circuit adapted to generate sparks at the spark gap, a battery for energizing the ignition circuit, a switching means electrically connected to the ignition circuit in order to control the operation of the ignition circuit and including two fixed switch contacts being electrically insulated from each other, and a mechanical switch being electrically connected to at least one of the fixed switch contacts of the switching means to define operable and inoperable states of the switching means, wherein the switching means is adapted to function only when an electrically conductive substance is placed on the fixed switch contacts in the closed state of the mechanical switch.
The lighter may comprise an insulation holder secured to the casing, with the two fixed switch contacts arranged on the insulation holder so as to be electrically insulated from each other and from the casing.
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1~76 IL96 Preferably, the casing of the lighter may have an open end with a cap pivotally mounted thereon, and the mechanical switch may be adapted to be actuated by movement of the cap. The burner valve may also be movable in accordance with pivotal movement of the cap. At least one of the fixed switch contacts may be located at a position inaccessible when the cap is in the closed position.
The ignition circuit may comprise a charging circuit comprising a DC-DC converter which increases the level of voltage from the battery to a higher level for charging a capacitor, and a discharging circuit comprising a step-up transformer and a switching element, the primary winding of the transformer being in series connected to the capacitor and the secondary winding being connected to the spark gap, the switching element adapted to discharge the capacitor at the predetermined voltage level.
The switching means and mechanical switch may be electrically connected in series with each other between the battery and the ignition circuit.
The switching means controlling the operation of the ignition circuit may comprise a semiconductor switching deviee having high input impedance and low output impedanee, the fixed switeh eontaets being eonneeted to input terminals of the semieonductor switching device to operate the device by eonduetion between the fixed switeh eontaets, and output terminals of the semieonductor switehing deviee being eonneeted to the ignition circuit. The semiconductor switching device may eomprise a field effeet transistor.
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~0~ L96 Thereneed not be used any mechanical component part movable to effect electrical switching. According to a preferred feature of the present invention, the switching means includes a semiconductor switching device having high input impedance and low output impedance, which con-stitutes a feed back amplifier. The fixed switch contacts -~.
are located onthelighter case and are electrically connected to input of the semiconductor switching device to operate ,:,, said device by conduction between the contacts through ~ .
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61~6 user's finger. The output terminals of the semiconductor switching device are connected to the one section of the ignition circuit and are adapted to operate the ignition circuit which generates sparks at the spark gap upon operation of the switching means.
The switching contacts can be mounted on the surface of the lighter case and the switch does not take the internal space of the lighter~ Further the semlconductor switching device may be constructed as an integrated circuit together with the ignition circuit thereby making the bulk of such circuit small.
A feature of the switching means is that since the switch contacts do not move upon actuation thereof, there is not severe wear thereof due to contact-breaking sparks or mechanical percussion and friction.
For the purpose of preventing inadvertent operation 1 of the ignition circuit, there is further arranged an r~ auxiliary mechanical switch in the ignition circuit.
Preferably, the auxiliary switch is actuated in accordance with the movement of a lighter cap. It will be understood that, when at least one of the switching contacts is located at a position inaccessible when the cap is closed, the auxiliary switch may be deleted since the switching means cannot be actuated while the cap is in its closed state.
By way of example only, the invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, ~ `
in which:-FIGURE 1 is a circuit diagram of a first embodiment of the ignition circuit used in a lighter according to the present invention.
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.. .. . ~ .
1~76~l96 FIGURE 2 iS a circuit diagram of a second embodiment of the ignition circuit used in the lighter according ~ to the present invention.
: FIGURE 3 is a part-sectional elevation of the lighter according to the present invention. -FIGURE 4 is a ~ragmentary, part-sectional elevation of the lighter of Figure 3 depicted with the cap of the lighter in its open position.
Referring now to Figure 1, there is shown the 10 first embodiment of the spark discharge ignition cixcuit, in which a battery 1 is connected to an auxiliary mechanical ; switch 2 (described later) and is further connected to electrical switch means 3 in series. The electrical switch means 3 comprises two fixed switch contacts 4 adapted to be touchable with user's finger from the outside of the lighter and one of which is connected to a terminal 5, two transistors Trl, Tr2 in which the transistor Trl is connected at its base side to another switch contact 4 and in whlch the transistor Tr2 is connected at its collector side to a terminal 6 and at its emitter side to the battery 1, and two resistors R1, R2 and a capacitor Cl which are connected to the base of the transistor Trl for stable operation of the transistors Trl, Tr2.
; The collector of the transistor Trl is connected to the same of the transistor Tr2 and the emitter o~ the transistor Trl is connected to the base oE the transistor Tr2. This connection is known as Darlington connection which constitutes a ~eedback ampli~ier having a high input impedance and a low output impedance.
The electrical switch means 3 is the so-called touch switch which is actuated by putting user's finger - .
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,: . .
76~96 on the fixed switch contacts 4. This allows a minute current to flow from the battery 1 to the base of the transistor Trl against the skin resistance of user's finger and the transistor Tr2 is saturated to connect directly the battery to a DC-DC converter I which is connected to the electrical switch means 3 at terminals 5, 6.
The DC-DC converter I consists of a transistor Tr3, a resistor R3, an oscillation transformer Tl and a half-wave rectifier Dl. The base of the transistor Tr3 is connected to the terminal 5 through the resistor R3 and a feedback winding of the oscillation transformer Tl. The emitter of the transistor Tr3 is connected to the terminal 6. The collector of the transistor Tr3 is connected to the terminal 5 through a primary winding of the oscillation transformer Tl. The half-wave rectifier Dl is connected at its positive side to a secondary winding of the oscillation transformer and at its negative side to the positive terminal of a storage capacitor C thereby to charge the capacitor C. .
A SCR (silicon controlled rectifier) D3 is con-nected at its anode side to the positive terminal of the `
storage capacitor C and at its cathode side to a primary winding of a step-up transformer T2 for discharging the ;capacitor C~ A zener diode D2 and a resistor R~ are connected to a gate of the 5CR D3 to trigger the same at a predetermined level of the charged voltage on the storage capacitor C.
A secondary winding of the step-up transformer T2 has a pair of discharge electrodes 7, 8 to discharge sparks to ignite a fuel gas. ~ : :
. 30 The auxiliary mechanical switch 2 shall preferably be arranged to prevent inadvertent or unexpected operation ''' ' `''` ' :. '. ',, '`.`' ` '`,` ' :. . :, ' .
~0~6~96 of the ignition circuit. For this purpose, the lighter which will be explained hereinafter as one of the preferred embodiments has a cap mounted on the lighter case to actuate the auxiliary mechanical switch. The same effect may be achieved without using such an auxiliary switch by locating at least one of the switch contacts at a position inaccessible when the cap is closed, for example at a portion of the casing covered by the cap when it is closed, so that operation of the electrical switch due to some 10 material inadvertently bridged over the fixed con~acts may be prevented. If one of the fixed contacts is formed by the lighter casing, the other fixed contact may be located at such a position.
;In operation of the ignition circuit, when the -auxiliary mechanical switch 2 is closed and then further user's finger touches the two fixed switch contacts 4, the battery is directly connected to the DC-DC converter I.
The DC-DC converter I increases the level of the voltage from the battery to a higher level for charging the storage capacitor C. When the charged voltage of the storage capacitor C reaches a predetermined level, which depends on the trigger elements, the zener diode breaks down to trigger the SCR D3. Firing of the SCR D3 permits the built-up charge on the capacitor C to discharge suddenly through the primary winding of the step-up transformer T2 and anode-cathode path. This induces a very high voltage of short duration in the secondary winding. A spark discharge is therefore produced between the discharge electrodes 7, 8. The sparking continues automatically and periodically until user's finger leaves the two fixed switch contacts 4.
~076196 Referring to Figure 2, there is shown the second embodiment of the ignition circuit used in the lighter according to the present invention. The ignition circuit comprises a battery 1, an auxiliary mechanical switch 2 connected between the battery 1 and a storage capacitor C
; for charging the capacitor C, a step-up transformer T, a protective resistor R2 for the battery 1, and an electrical switch means 30 connected to the positive side of the capacitor C for discharging the capacitor C through a primary winding of the step-up transformer T. A secondary : winding of the step-up transformer T is connected to discharge electrodes 7, 8. The protective resistor R2 functions as protection for the battery 1 as the battery 1 is short~
circuited upon actuation of the electrical switch means 30.
. The electrical switch means 30 consists of a transistor Tr whose collector is connected to the positive side of the capacitor C and whose emitter is connected to the primary : ~ -winding of the step-up transformer T, and a pair of fixed switch contacts 4 one of which is connected to the base ..
of the transistor Tr and the other of which is connected to the collector through a base bias resistor Rl.
In operation of this ignition circuit, the storage capacitor C is charged by the battery 1 in response to the operation of the auxiliary mechanical switch 2. When user's finger touches the switch contacts 4, a minute :~
current flows from the battery 1 to the base of the trans-istor Tr through the base bias resistor Rl and the user's finger. Then the transistor Tr is saturated to discharge the capacitor C through its collector-emitter path and the primary winding of the step-up transformer T so that spark discharge is produced between the discharge electrodes 7, 8.
.. . . . .
. ~
, ' . , . . :
.
1071~1L96 The electrical switch means 30 may be substituted by such electrical switch means as shown in Figure 1.
Since the discharge circuit loop is constituted by the capacitor C, the collector-emitter path and the primary winding, and mechanical switch contacts are not used in this loop, there are not any contact-breaking sparks due to the surge current of the capacitor.
The auxiliary mechanical switch 2 is used to prevent the leak current of the storage capacitor C as well as to prevent inadvertent or unexpected operation of the ignition circuit.
Figures 3 and 4 illustrate the lighter according ; to the present invention which employs the ignition circuit as shown in Figure 1 or 2. The lighter comprises the ignition circuit unit 101, a casing 102 and a lighter cap 103, a fuel tank 104 having a burner valve (not shown) on which a burner nozzle 105 is mounted, a windshield 106 - covering the burner nozzle 105, having a flame opening 106a, and a telescopic spring-loaded cylinder 107 for controlling the movement of the lighter cap 103. One end of the cylinder 107 engages a leg 108 which is secured to the inside of the ca~ 103. The other side o~ the same engages an insulation frame 109 which secures a discharge electrode 7 and a switch contact piece 2a. The discharge electrode 7 cor-responds to the discharge electrode 7 of the ignition circuit shown in Figure 1 or 2. The tip 8 of the burner nozzle 105 corresponds to the discharge electrode 8.
The switch contact piece 2a is used as a switch lever of the auxiliary mechanical switch 2 as shown in Figure 1 - 30 or 2. In opened position of the cap 103, the switch contact ., 716~96 piece 2a engages the leg 108 to contact with the windshield 106 which is also used as a switch contact of the auxiliary mechanical switch 2. A hinge 110 pivots the lighter cap 103 to the casing 102 and the lighter cap is movable. A valve actuator 111 with a protrusion llla controls the open and close movements of the burner valve. One end of the valve actuator 111 is adapted to catch a neck portion oE the burner nozzle 105 and the other is slidably mounted on a screw 112. Inserted into the ignition circuit unit 101 is the screw 112 around which a valve actuating spring 113 is arranged. The valve actuating spring 113 biases the valve actuator 111 upwardly to open the burner valve (not shown). In closed position of the cap 103, the side face of the cylinder 107 engages the head of the protrusion llla to urge downwardly the valve actuator 111 thereby to close - the burner valve. Two fixed switch contacts 4 are electri-cally insulated from each other and from the casing 102 by an insulation contact holder 4a which is secured to the casing 102. The two fixed switch contacts 4 correspond to the switch contacts 4 as shown in Figure 1 or 2.
The method of operation of the lighter will now be explained. When the lighter cap 103 is opened, assisted by spring force by the telescopic cylinder 107, the cylinder 107 pivots in a clockwise direction around the insulation frame 109 away from the protrusion llla.
The valve actuator 111 is raised by the spring 113 so that the burner nozzle 105 is raised to open the burner valve allowing fuel gas to issue from the tip 8 of the burner nozzle 105. At the same time the leg 108 urges the switch contact piece 2a towards the windshield 106 ~ `
. .
, .: ', ', ' ' ~ . .............................. .
, ,, , , , ' ' ' " :. , 1~761~6 and thus the auxiliary mechanical switch is closed. Then putting the finger on the fixed switch contacts 4 closes the electrical switch in the same way as explained in connection with Figure 1 or 2.
Although the invention has been described in its preferred form, various changes in the shape and arrange-ment of parts may be made. Some of the examples of these changes will be explained hereinafter~ ~ -A field effect transistor (FET) has also the required high input impedance and low output impedance.
- Therefore a FET may be used in the electrical switch means in the ignition circuit of Figure 1.
When the terminal 5 of the DC-DC converter I
is electrically connected to the casing 102 and the windshield ; 106, only one of the fixed switch contacts 4, the one connected to the base of the transistor Trl, may be electri-cally insulated from the casing 102. In this case, the ` casing 102 shall be appropiated to the other switch contact - of the electrical switch means 3.
Further in Figure 1, the electrical switch means 3 may be used as a trigger switch of the SCR in place of the zener diode D2, instead of placing the electrical switch means 3 between the battery 1 and the DC-DC converter I. ;
Both ignition circuits as shown in Figures 1 and 2 are a capacitor discharge spark ignition type; however, various other kinds of battery spark ignition circuit may be used in the lighter according to the present invention, with the above-mentioned so-called touch switch being applied in such ignition circuits.
Further in Figure 3, the surfaces of the two fixed switch contacts 4 and insulation holder 4a are flush . . .
~ 11 -;~ 10761~;
with the surface of the casing 102. In this case, when ~:: the lighter design does not include the cap 103 and the ~ .
auxiliary mechanical switch 2, the switch contacts 4 may i accidentally be electrically connected to operate the -~ :
: lighter by other metallic articles in user's pocket.
However this danger may be easily reduced by forming the - contact surfaces slightly recessed from the surfaces of insulation holder 4a and the casing 102, or the insulation holder portion between the contacts 4 may be formed slightly :~
projecteù from the contact surfaces. ;
~ ' ; :
:
: . . . . . . .
.'' , . ' ,' ' . ' " ' . .
Claims (11)
OR PRIVILEGE IS CLAIMED ARE DEFINED AS FOLLOWS:
1. A gas-fuelled electric lighter comprising a casing, a fuel tank for holding fuel gas arranged within the casing.
a burner valve in communication with the fuel tank, a burner nozzle in communication with the burner valve, a spark gap arranged adjacent to the nozzle, an ignition circuit adapted to generate sparks at the spark gap, a battery for energizing the ignition circuit, a switching means electrically connected to the ignition circuit in order to control the operation of the ignition circuit and including two fixed switch contacts.
being electrically insulated from each other, and a mechanical switch being electrically connected to at least one of the fixed switch contacts of the switching means to define operable and inoperable states of the switching means, wherein the switching means is adapted to function only when an electrically conductive substance is placed on the fixed switch contacts in the closed state of the mechanical switch.
a burner valve in communication with the fuel tank, a burner nozzle in communication with the burner valve, a spark gap arranged adjacent to the nozzle, an ignition circuit adapted to generate sparks at the spark gap, a battery for energizing the ignition circuit, a switching means electrically connected to the ignition circuit in order to control the operation of the ignition circuit and including two fixed switch contacts.
being electrically insulated from each other, and a mechanical switch being electrically connected to at least one of the fixed switch contacts of the switching means to define operable and inoperable states of the switching means, wherein the switching means is adapted to function only when an electrically conductive substance is placed on the fixed switch contacts in the closed state of the mechanical switch.
2. A gas-fuelled electric lighter as set forth in claim 1, comprising an insulation holder being secured to the casing, wherein the two fixed switch contacts are arranged on the insulation holder so as to be electrically insulated from each other and from the casing.
3. A gas-fuelled electric lighter as set forth in claim 2, wherein the surfaces of the two fixed switch contacts and insulation holder are flush with the surface of the casing.
4. A gas-fuelled electric lighter as set forth in claim 2, wherein the surfaces of the two fixed switch contacts are slightly recessed from the surfaces of the insulation holder and casing.
5. A gas-fuelled electric lighter as set forth in claim 2, wherein the insulation holder is formed slightly projected from the surfaces of the two fixed switch contacts.
6. A gas-fuelled electric lighter as set forth in claim 1, wherein the casing has an open end, and a cap is pivotally mounted on the open end of the casing, wherein the mechanical switch is adapted to be actuated by movement of the cap.
7. A gas-fuelled electric lighter comprising a casing having an open end, a cap pivotally mounted on the open end of the casing, a fuel tank for holding fuel gas arranged within the casing, a burner valve arranged in communication with the fuel tank and movable in accordance with pivotal movement of the cap, a burner nozzle in communication with the burner valve, a spark gap arranged adjacent to the nozzle, a battery for energizing the ignition circuit, an ignition circuit for generating sparks at the spark gap, comprising a charging circuit comprising a DC-DC converter which increases the level of voltage from the battery to a higher level for charging a capacitor, and a discharging circuit comprising a step-up transformer and a switching element, the primary winding of the transformer being in series connected to the capacitor and the secondary winding being connected to the spark gap, the switching element adapted to discharge the capacitor at the predetermined voltage level, a switching means electrically connected to the igni-tion circuit in order to control the operation of the ignition circuit and including two fixed switch contacts electrically insulated from each other, and a mechanical switch being electrically connected at one side to the battery and at the other side to one of the fixed switch contacts of the switching means to define operable and inoperable states of the switching means, the mechanical switch adapted to be actuated by movement of the cap.
8. A gas-fuelled electric lighter as set forth in claim 1 or 7, wherein the switching means and mechanical switch are electrically connected in series with each other between the battery and the ignition circuit.
9. A gas-fuelled electric lighter as set forth in claim 1 or 7, wherein the casing has an open end, and a cap is pivotally mounted on the open end of the casing and movable between open and closed positions, wherein at least one of the fixed switch contacts is located at a position inaccessible when the cap is in the closed position.
10. A gas-fuelled electric lighter comprising a casing having an open end, a cap pivotally mounted on the open end of the casing, a fuel tank for holding fuel gas arranged within the casing, a burner valve arranged in communication with the fuel tank and movable in accordance with pivotal movement of the cap, a burner nozzle in communication with the burner valve, a spark gap arranged adjacent to the nozzle, an ignition circuit adapted to generate sparks at the spark gap, a battery for energizing the ignition circuit, a switching means electrically connected to the igni-tion circuit in order to control the operation of the igni-tion circuit and including two fixed switch contacts being electrically insulated from each other and a semiconductor switching device having high input impedance and low output impedance, the fixed switch contacts being connected to input terminals of the semiconductor switching device to operate the device by conduction between the fixed switch contacts, and output terminals of the semiconductor switching device being connected to the ignition circuit, and a mechanical switch being electrically connected at one side to the battery and at the other side to one of the fixed switch contacts of the switching means to define operable and inoperable states of the switching means, the mechanical switch adapted to be actuated by movement of the cap.
11. A gas-fuelled electric lighter as set forth in claim 10, wherein the semiconductor switching device comprises a field effect transistor.
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| JP222676U JPS5295670U (en) | 1976-01-13 | 1976-01-13 |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA1076196A true CA1076196A (en) | 1980-04-22 |
Family
ID=11523432
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA269,504A Expired CA1076196A (en) | 1976-01-13 | 1977-01-12 | Gas fuelled electric lighter |
Country Status (5)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| JP (1) | JPS5295670U (en) |
| CA (1) | CA1076196A (en) |
| DE (1) | DE2701036A1 (en) |
| FR (1) | FR2338459A1 (en) |
| GB (1) | GB1568240A (en) |
Families Citing this family (4)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| JPS5650285Y2 (en) * | 1976-11-15 | 1981-11-25 | ||
| US4288209A (en) * | 1978-03-02 | 1981-09-08 | Prince Industrial Development Co., Ltd. | Gas cigarette lighter with solar cell |
| FR2423911A2 (en) * | 1978-04-21 | 1979-11-16 | Flaminaire | Electric spark circuit for gas cigarette lighter - has bias circuit including resistor connected between base of transistor and negative battery terminal |
| AU2020783A (en) * | 1982-10-20 | 1984-05-03 | Technical Components Pty. Ltd. | Gas ignition circuits |
-
1976
- 1976-01-13 JP JP222676U patent/JPS5295670U/ja active Pending
- 1976-12-22 GB GB5394976A patent/GB1568240A/en not_active Expired
-
1977
- 1977-01-12 FR FR7700786A patent/FR2338459A1/en active Granted
- 1977-01-12 DE DE19772701036 patent/DE2701036A1/en not_active Withdrawn
- 1977-01-12 CA CA269,504A patent/CA1076196A/en not_active Expired
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| GB1568240A (en) | 1980-05-29 |
| FR2338459B1 (en) | 1981-12-31 |
| DE2701036A1 (en) | 1977-07-21 |
| JPS5295670U (en) | 1977-07-18 |
| FR2338459A1 (en) | 1977-08-12 |
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Legal Events
| Date | Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| MKEX | Expiry |