JP2003083540A - Igniter - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To arrange a lock mechanism, which checks the igniting operation of the igniting operation member of an igniter, such that it is capable of sure lock release operation, though it has extremely simple and favorable setup property, and that it can automatically return to lock state without fail after use. SOLUTION: A lock part 22d, which can be displaced between a lock position where it checks the igniting operation of an operation member 20 by the interference of the index finger with the operation member 20 and a lock release position where it allows the igniting operation of the operation member 20, is provided to the tip of the elastic arm part 22c of a lock member 22, and the lock part 22d is displaced from the lock position to the lock release position by the press operation of the middle finger or the like for elastically transforming the arm part 22c, and the return from the lock release position to the lock position of the lock part 22d is performed by the elasticity restoring force of the arm part 22c.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an igniter for ejecting a flame from an ejection nozzle by operating an operating member, and in particular, it normally locks the ignition operation of the operating member while unlocking the lock during use. The present invention relates to an igniter that enables various ignition operations.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, for example, JP-A-7-29387
As disclosed in No. 8 etc., a igniter such as a lighter or an ignition rod is provided with a lock member for locking the operation of an operating member for performing an ignition operation, and when the lock member is not operated, the ignition operation of the operating member is performed. A structure has been proposed in which an ignition lock function is provided so that the lock member is locked and ignited in accordance with the release operation of the lock member, while the lock member is automatically returned in association with the ignition operation of the operation member. .

However, in the above-mentioned igniter, it is necessary to perform the unlocking operation of the lock member every one ignition operation, and the re-ignition operation when the ignition is not performed by one ignition operation is complicated. Was becoming.

Therefore, when the ignition operation is finished and the igniter is stored, unless the lock member is released, the ignition lock state is automatically set and the ignition control is reliably performed. Occasionally, it is desirable to be able to ensure both functions of enabling continuous ignition operation without having to perform the unlocking operation of the lock member each time when ignition cannot happen during ignition operation.

Therefore, as disclosed in, for example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 11-12524, a lock means for locking the operating member and a restricting means for restricting the lock means are provided on the outer surface of the igniter body. An igniter has been proposed that enables the releasing operation from the locked position to the unlocked position of the locking means by operating the restricting means from the restricting position to the non-restricting position, and allows the ignition operation by the operating member. There is.

According to this igniter, when the regulating means is in the regulating position where it is not operated to the non-regulating position, or when the locking means is in the locking position where it is not operated to the release position, ignition by the operating member is performed. While the operation is in the ignition locked state, it is possible to perform the ignition operation of the operating member by operating the restricting means from the restricting position to the non-restricting position, and operating the locking means from the lock position to the release position. Combustion can be started by igniting while ejecting fuel gas by the operation, and good ignition control function can be ensured by performing ignition combustion for the first time by simultaneous operation of the restricting means and the locking means.

Further, by continuing the unlocking operation of the locking means, the ignition member cannot be ignited and burned by one ignition operation because the ignition member can be continuously and repeatedly ignited by the operating member while holding the igniter with one hand. In this case, the re-ignition operation can be easily performed, the operability is excellent, and the ignition lock state can be restored with the movement of the locking means to the lock position.

On the other hand, US Pat. No. 6,168,423 discloses an igniter in which an integral locking member having an elastic leaf spring-like portion at one end is pivotally supported at its intermediate portion by the igniter body. In this igniter, from the locked state in which the ignition operation of the operating member is blocked by interfering with the operating member (operated by the finger), the other end of the locking member is ignited by the middle finger, for example. When pushed in, the lock member pivots to the unlocked position that allows the ignition operation of the operating member by elastic deformation of the leaf spring-like portion, and when the middle finger is released, the elastic restoring force of the leaf spring-like portion causes It is configured to return to the locked state.

Also in this igniter, continuous repetitive ignition operation by the operating member is possible as long as the lock member is pushed with the middle finger while holding the igniter with one hand.

[0010]

However, in the igniter disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 11-12524, there is a drawback that the lock mechanism is complicated, the number of parts is large, and the assemblability is poor. On the other hand, the igniter disclosed in the above-mentioned U.S. Pat. No. 6,168,423 has an advantage that the object can be achieved by an extremely simple locking mechanism, but it has a leaf spring-like portion having elasticity of the locking member. Since the pressing portion by the middle finger exists on both sides with the intermediate pivot portion interposed therebetween, the locking portion may be slightly depressed when the pressing portion is pressed, which may cause an unlocking operation. There was a risk of trouble.

In view of the above-mentioned circumstances, it is an object of the present invention to provide an igniter having a lock mechanism that can perform a reliable unlocking operation while ensuring an extremely simple structure and a good assembling property. It is what

[0012]

According to the present invention, there is provided a jet nozzle for jetting gas, a gas tank, and a valve mechanism for opening and closing a gas supply path from the gas tank to the jet nozzle.
An igniter comprising: a piezoelectric unit that generates a discharge voltage for ignition; and an operation member that drives the valve mechanism and the piezoelectric unit to perform an ignition operation in a slidable manner. The lock member that interferes with the ignition operation of the operating member and is deformed by the elastic deformation of the operation member to the unlocked state that allows the ignition operation of the operation member and returns to the locked state by the elastic restoring force of the operation member. In the igniter, the lock member includes a base portion fixed to the igniter body, an elastic arm portion having a base end connected to the base portion, and an ignition operation of the operation member by interfering with the operation member. A locking portion connected to the tip of the elastic arm portion to prevent the operation of the elastic arm portion, and by pushing the elastic arm portion, the locking portion allows ignition operation of the operating member. Tsu is characterized in that become configured to move to Unlock position.

In this case, a shaft portion extending in a direction substantially parallel to the displacement direction of the arm portion is connected to the tip of the elastic arm portion, and the locking portion is provided in the extension direction of the shaft portion and the operating member. It is preferable that the engaging portion and the shaft portion are T-shaped when viewed from the moving direction of the operating member, and are connected to the tip of the shaft portion in a manner extending in a direction substantially intersecting both the moving directions. .

Corresponding to the lock member having the above-mentioned structure, the locking portion and the shaft portion, which are displaced to the unlocked position when the operating member is ignited, are inserted into the operating member. A permissible groove extends in the moving direction of the operating member.

When the operating member is operated by the finger, the lock member can be operated by at least one of the middle finger, the ring finger and the little finger.

[0016]

According to the present invention, the lock member has a base portion fixed to the igniter body, an elastic arm portion having a base end connected to the base portion, and the operation member by interfering with the operation member. By having an integral structure with a locking portion connected to the tip of the elastic arm portion to prevent ignition operation,
Since the lock member can be composed of a single synthetic resin material, the structure of the lock mechanism is extremely simple, the lock member is easy to manufacture, the number of parts is small, and it is suitable for mass production. A good igniter can be obtained at low cost.

Further, since the locking portion connected to the tip of the elastic arm portion is configured to move to the unlocking position by directly pushing in the elastic arm portion of the lock member, the unlocking operation is surely performed. Can be done.

When the engaging portion is connected to the tip of the shaft portion in a manner extending in a direction substantially intersecting both the extension direction of the shaft portion and the moving direction of the operation member, the engagement member is There is an advantage that it is possible to reliably prevent the ignition operation of the operating member due to the interference of the operation member.In addition, as long as the lock member is pushed with the middle finger etc. while holding the igniter with one hand, the operation member can be continuously operated by the finger. Repeated ignition operation becomes possible.

[0019]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of an essential part showing an ignition lock state of an embodiment of an igniter according to the present invention.
A case 4 vertically divided into two parts on a plane including the paper surface, and an elongated rod shape provided integrally with the case 4 in front of the case 4 (left side in FIG. 1) and having a crater at its tip. And a case 4 constitutes a grip portion.

A gas tank 5 is provided at the rear of the case 4, and the gas tank 5 is provided with a gas storage chamber 6 for storing a high-pressure gas such as butane gas. A valve mechanism 8 for opening and closing the gas passage from the chamber 6 is provided. A nozzle member 10 that also functions as a valve is interposed in the gas passage in the valve mechanism 8, and the nozzle member 10 is attached to the rear (right side in the figure) by a spring arranged in the valve mechanism 8. Energized to close the gas passage. A rotating lever 14 for opening the nozzle member 10 is provided at the tip of the nozzle member 10.
Is engaged with one end of the ignition operation member 20 and the rotating lever 14 is rotated by the ignition operation of the ignition operation member 20 to advance the nozzle member 10, whereby the gas passage is opened and gas is supplied to the crater. Is configured.

A connector member 16 to which a gas pipe 18 is connected is fixed to the case 4 on an extension line of the tip of the nozzle member 10, and the gas pipe 18 extends to the tip of the ignition part 3 and is connected to the crater. . The amount of gas supplied, that is, the size of the flame is adjusted by rotating the flame adjusting knob 13 that is connected to the adjusting sleeve 12 and projects to the outside.

Below the valve mechanism 8, a piezoelectric unit 15 for generating a discharge voltage for ignition is arranged. The piezoelectric unit 15 is composed of an elongated cylindrical piezoelectric body portion 15a having a spring (not shown) installed therein, and a slide portion 15b biased by the spring so as to project forward. Valve mechanism 8 on the front wall of gas tank 5
A concave portion 5a for accommodating the rear portion of the piezoelectric body portion 15a is formed in the lower part of, and the rear end surface of the piezoelectric main body portion 15a is mounted from the front side in the concave portion 5a.

The lead wire 23 connected to one pole of the piezoelectric unit 15 is connected to a discharge electrode (not shown). The other pole is connected to the crater via a route not shown.

As shown in FIG. 2, the ignition operation member 20 provided on the case 4 slidably in the front-rear direction is
The case 4 has a box-shaped base portion 20b slidably supported, and an operation portion 20a is provided at the front end of the box-shaped base portion 20b. Middle wall 2 in the box-shaped base portion 20b of the operating member 20
The slide portion 1 of the piezoelectric unit 15 is located above 0c.
5b is fitted.

A leg portion 20d extended rearward is connected to an end of the box-shaped base portion 20b on the valve mechanism 8 side. The leg portion 20d is rotated when the operating member 20 is ignited. It has a function of engaging the end of the moving lever 14 to rotate the rotating lever 14.

The turning lever 14 is formed in a substantially L-shape, is rotatably supported around a fulcrum of an intermediate portion, and is turned counterclockwise in the drawing by the leg portion 20d of the operating member 20. In addition, the nozzle member 10 of the valve mechanism 8 is pulled forward to open the gas passage of the valve mechanism 8 and the nozzle member 10 is coupled to the connector member 16, whereby gas is supplied to the gas pipe 18 via the connector member 16. It is configured to be.

A lock member 22 is arranged below the piezoelectric body 15a. The lock member 22 integrally formed of a plastic material having elasticity has a base portion 22a having a U-shaped side surface with an opening facing downward, and the base portion 22a is provided at a lower portion of the case 4 side. The lock member 22 is attached to the case 4 by being fitted and fixed from one side. An arm portion 22b extending forward (slightly downward) is integrally connected to a front lower end of the base portion 22a, and a shaft portion 22c extending upward is integrally connected to a front end of the arm portion 22b. Further, at the upper end of the shaft portion 22c, a locking portion 2 extending in a direction perpendicular to the paper surface of FIG. 1, that is, a direction that substantially intersects both the vertical direction and the moving direction (front-back direction) of the operating member.
2c are integrally connected, and the locking portion 22d and the shaft portion 22c are
It is T-shaped when viewed from the front and back.

When the lock member 22 is attached to the case 4 by its base portion 22a, the front end portion of the arm portion 22b occupies a position projecting downward from the lower end of the case 4, and the front end portion of the arm portion 22b is held. When the arm portion 22b is pushed upward as shown in FIG. 3, the arm portion 22b is rotated in the clockwise direction in FIG. 3 around the root portion thereof, whereby the locking portion 22d is displaced rearward and upward. There is.

Further, the case 4 is provided with a stopper 25 which is close to the shaft portion 22c behind the shaft portion 22c of the lock member 22 when the lock member 22 is attached to the case 4 as shown in FIG. Has been. The stopper 25 also serves to fix the base portion 22a of the lock member 22.

On the other hand, the operating member 20 is the lock member 2 described above.
When 2 is in the initial position (locked position) shown in FIG. 1, a bottom wall 22f facing the locking portion 22d of the lock member 22 is provided, and this bottom wall 22f and the intermediate wall 20 above it.
A space extending in the front-rear direction is formed between the space and c. This space is in the state in which the locking portion 22d of the lock member 22 is displaced rearward and upward as shown in FIG.
When an ignition operation is performed by pushing in, a groove 20e that allows insertion of the locking portion 22d of the lock member 22 is formed, and at this time, a groove 20g that allows insertion of the shaft portion 22c of the lock member 22, The bottom wall 20f is extended in the front-rear direction in a notched manner in the central portion.

Next, the igniter 1 having the above structure
The action of will be described.

First, as shown in FIG. 1, the lock member 22
In the initial state in which the front end of the arm portion 22b of the above is in the locked position in which it projects downward from the lower end of the case 4, the locking portion 22d is in a position facing the bottom wall 20f of the operating member 20, and in this state When the member 20 is pushed in, the locking portion 22d comes into contact with the bottom wall 20f of the operation member 20, so that the locking portion 22d and the shaft portion 22c tend to be displaced rearward, but the rear portion of the shaft portion 22c does not move. Since the stoppers 25 are closely opposed to each other, the shaft portion 22c abuts on the stoppers and the rearward displacement of the locking portion 22d is prevented. Therefore, the ignition operation by pushing the operation member 20 is blocked, and the ignition is disabled.

Next, when it is desired to use the igniter 1, the grip portion of the igniter 1 is held with one hand, and the middle finger of the hand,
When the front end of the arm portion 22b of the lock member 22 is pushed upward with at least one of the ring finger and the little finger, the arm portion 22
Due to the elastic deformation of b, the locking portion 22d is displaced rearward and upward as shown in FIG. 3 to be in the unlocked state facing the groove 20e of the operating member 20, and the ignition operation of the operating member 20 can be performed by the finger. That is, the locking portion 22d of the lock member 22 and the shaft portion 2 are accompanied by the ignition operation of the operating member 20.
2c are respectively inserted into the grooves 22e and 20g,
The operation member 20 can be ignited and the arm portion 22 is provided.
Even if the upward pushing force of b is removed, the locking portion 22d is kept in the unlocked state by engaging with the upper surface of the bottom wall 20f of the operating member 20.

When such an ignition operation is performed by the ignition operation of the operating member 20, the leg portion 20d of the operating member 20 is performed.
Engages with the end of the turning lever 14 to
Is rotated counterclockwise in the figure, the nozzle member 10 of the valve mechanism 8 is pulled out forward, the gas passage of the valve mechanism 8 is opened, and gas is supplied to the crater through the connector member 16 and the gas pipe 18. In addition, the operating member 20
Along with the operation, the slide portion 15b of the piezoelectric unit 15
However, since the spring housed in the piezoelectric body 15a is compressed and is immersed in the piezoelectric body 15a, a discharge voltage is generated, a spark is generated at the crater, and the gas ejected from the crater is ignited.

Then, when the finger pressing the operating member 20 is released, the elastic force of the spring in the piezoelectric unit body 15a causes the operating member 20 to return to the initial position and the valve mechanism 8 is closed. The flame at the crater goes out. Further, as the operating member 20 returns, the bottom wall 2 of the operating member 20
Since the engagement state between 0f and the locking portion 22d of the lock member 22 is released, the locking portion 22d automatically returns to the initial position shown in FIG. 1 by the elastic restoring force of the arm portion 22b, and the operating member 20 In this state, the ignition operation is blocked.

Further, during ignition operation by the operation member 20,
If the ignition does not occur by chance, continuous ignition operation can be performed as long as the arm portion 22b of the lock member 22 is kept pushed upward.

As is clear from the above description, in the present embodiment, the locking portion 22d of the lock member 22 that interferes with the operating member 20 and prevents the ignition operation of the operating member 20 is
It is connected to the tip of the elastic arm portion 22b through the shaft portion 22c, and by pushing the arm portion 22b, the arm portion 22b elastically deforms to move the locking portion 22d to the unlocked position, and the arm portion 22b is moved. When released from the pressing force, the elastic restoring force of the arm portion 22b causes the locking portion 22
Since d is configured to restore to the locked position,
The structure of the lock mechanism is simplified, the number of parts is small, and an igniter with high productivity suitable for mass production can be obtained at low cost.

Further, since the arm portion 22b of the lock member 22 is directly pushed in, the locking portion connected to the tip of the arm portion 22b via the shaft portion 22c is moved to the unlocked position. , It is possible to reliably perform the unlocking operation.

The locking portion 22d is connected to the tip of the shaft portion 22c in such a manner that it extends in a direction substantially intersecting both the extension direction of the shaft portion 22c and the movement direction of the operation member 20, so that the operation member is operated. Operation member 2 due to interference with 20
There is an advantage that the ignition operation of 0 can be surely prevented.

Further, the lock member 22 is provided with a base portion 22a for attaching the lock member 22 to the igniter body 2.
, The elastic arm portion 22b, the shaft portion 22c, and the locking portion 22.
Since d and d can be configured by a single synthetic resin member connected in this order, there is an advantage that the manufacturing is easy and the configuration of the operating member 20 is simple.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a sectional view of an essential part showing an initial state of an embodiment of an igniter according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of an operation member and a lock member of FIG.

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of essential parts showing an ignition operation state of the igniter of FIG.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 igniter 2 igniter body 4 cases 5 gas tanks 8 valve mechanism 10 Nozzle member 14 Rotating lever 15 Piezoelectric unit 15a Piezoelectric main body 15b Slide part of piezoelectric unit 20 Operation member 22 Lock member 22a Base of lock member 22b Arm of lock member 22c Shaft of lock member 22d Locking part of lock member 25 stopper

Claims (4)

[Claims] 1. A jet nozzle for jetting gas, a gas tank, a valve mechanism for opening and closing a gas supply path from the gas tank to the jet nozzle, and a piezoelectric unit for generating a discharge voltage for ignition. An igniter in which an operating member that drives a valve mechanism and a piezoelectric unit to perform an ignition operation is slidably provided, and is in a locked state that interferes with the operating member and prevents an ignition operation of the operating member. In an igniter comprising a lock member that deforms to a lock release state that allows ignition operation of the operating member by its own elastic deformation, and that returns to the lock state by its elastic restoring force, the lock member is the A base portion fixed to the igniter main body, an elastic arm portion whose base end is connected to the base portion, and a front portion for interfering with the operation member to prevent ignition operation of the operation member. A locking portion connected to the tip of the elastic arm portion, and by pushing the elastic arm portion, the locking portion is configured to move to a lock release position that allows ignition operation of the operating member. An igniter characterized by becoming. 2. A shaft portion extending in a direction substantially parallel to a displacement direction of the elastic arm portion is connected to a tip of the elastic arm portion, and the locking portion extends in the extension direction of the shaft portion and the operation member. It is characterized in that it is connected to the tip of the shaft portion in a manner extending in a direction substantially intersecting both of the moving directions, and the locking portion and the shaft portion are T-shaped when viewed from the moving direction of the operating member. The igniter according to claim 1. 3. A groove for allowing the insertion of the locking portion and the shaft portion, which are displaced to the unlocked position during ignition operation of the operating member, extends in the moving direction of the operating member. The igniter according to claim 2, wherein the igniter is provided. 4. The igniter according to claim 1, wherein the operating member is operated by an eccentric finger, and the lock member is operated by at least one of a middle finger, a ring finger, and a little finger. .