JP2003336841A - Piezoelectric lighter - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a piezoelectric lighter being stable in operation even if lighted continually, and being excellent in assembling operability. <P>SOLUTION: A piezoelectric mechanism 20 and an ejection mechanism 40 are positioned on both sides of the interior of a lighter body 11 and a partition bracket assembly 30 is positioned therebetween. In the partition bracket assembly 30, a partition bracket 31 secured to the lighter body 11 has an approximately U-shaped hook 31c formed thereon, and a lever 32 having a nozzle locking part 32b to be locked to the nozzle 41 of the ejection mechanism 40 and an operating part 32c to be pressed by the tongue 24a of a lever presser 24 of the piezoelectric mechanism 20 is rotatably attached to the partition bracket. A fulcrum 52 of the fulcrum lever 51 of a sliding lever 50 is positioned at the U-shaped hook 31c. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a lighter, and more particularly to a piezoelectric lighter that operates a piezoelectric ignition device by a slide operation lever to ignite it.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art A lighter has a fuel tank filled with a liquefied gas or the like serving as a fuel, and upon ignition, the liquefied gas is vaporized and ejected from a nozzle. Then, the gas ejected from the nozzle is ignited by a spark from the ignition device to generate a flame. Such a lighter is excellent in portability and can be ignited by a simple operation at any time when necessary, and is thus favored by smokers and the like.

The lighter includes a flint type lighter which uses a flint (flint) as a igniter and a piezoelectric type lighter which uses a piezoelectric element. The former presses the flint against a rotary file, and the rotary file is rubbed by the rotation of the operation roller to generate a spark, thereby igniting the gas ejected from the nozzle. On the other hand, the piezoelectric element used by the latter uses a piezoelectric effect that generates a high-voltage pulse when pressure (impact) is applied and deforms when a voltage is applied.
That is, the piezoelectric element is impacted with a hammer and the generated high-voltage pulse is discharged to ignite the gas with a spark. Since the piezoelectric lighter does not wear like a flint type lighter, it has the advantage that it can be used until the fuel is used up and has a long life.

An impact for generating a high voltage pulse from the piezoelectric element is generally generated by a slide (or rotation) operating lever. That is, energy is stored by the force of sliding the cap of the slide operation lever with a finger,
When the slide amount exceeds a predetermined point, the stored energy is released and the piezoelectric element is impacted. Due to this impact, the piezoelectric element is impacted to generate a high-voltage pulse. The slide operation lever is supported at a predetermined position by using a bracket component so as not to fall off due to the fulcrum portion. The bracket is fixed to the lighter body using a hook.

The bracket component described above has a substantially H-shaped cross section, and is arranged behind the nozzle of the ejection mechanism of the lighter or in parallel with the ejection nozzle. The bracket is provided with a high-voltage lead wire for guiding a high-voltage pulse generated by the piezoelectric element and a fulcrum of the slide operation lever. This bracket is fixed by inserting a hook into a hole provided in the flange of the lighter body.

[0006]

A cap made of metal for covering the nozzle is attached to the lighter body. This cap covers the hook hole for fixing the bracket so that the hole and the hook cannot be directly seen from the outside. However, burning the lighter continuously or frequently will heat the cap,
The heat is conducted to the hook of the bracket via the cap which is a good heat conductor. The heat softens and loosens the bracket hook, and the fulcrum shaft of the slide operation lever shifts. As a result, there is a problem in that the piezoelectric mechanism cannot be operated normally and ignition failure occurs.

The present invention has been conceived in order to solve the above-mentioned problems of the prior art, and the fulcrum supporting the slide operation lever of the piezoelectric mechanism is stable even if heat is applied by the burning of the lighter. It is intended to provide an improved piezoelectric lighter which is fixed to the above and avoids the occurrence of the above-mentioned ignition failure and the like.

[0008]

A piezoelectric lighter according to the present invention comprises a jetting mechanism having a nozzle for jetting fuel gas,
It is a lighter equipped with a piezoelectric mechanism and a slide operation unit that presses the piezoelectric mechanism to rotate around a fulcrum that generates a high-voltage pulse, and ignites the gas ejected from the nozzle by the discharge of the high-voltage pulse generated by the piezoelectric mechanism. Then, the pressing operation of the piezoelectric mechanism is transmitted to the ejection mechanism via a partition bracket provided between the ejection mechanism and the piezoelectric mechanism. According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention,
Transmission of the pressing operation of the piezoelectric mechanism to the ejection mechanism is performed by a lever swingably attached to the partition bracket.
The piezoelectric mechanism is provided with a lever push for actuating the operating portion of the lever. The fulcrum of the slide operation part is placed on the hook formed on the partition bracket.

Further, the piezoelectric lighter according to the present invention has a lighter body for forming a fuel tank filled with fuel gas, a jetting mechanism having a nozzle for jetting fuel from the fuel tank, and a high pressure pulse to generate a high pressure pulse from the nozzle. A piezoelectric lighter including a piezoelectric mechanism for igniting a gas to be ejected and an operating lever for depressing the piezoelectric mechanism, comprising a partition bracket assembly arranged between the ejection mechanism and the piezoelectric mechanism, and via the partition bracket assembly. The pressing operation of the piezoelectric mechanism is transmitted to the ejection mechanism to control the ejection of gas from the nozzle. According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, a partition bracket assembly is provided with a partition bracket having a hook for arranging a fulcrum of a slide operation part, and a lever and a piezoelectric mechanism swingably attached to the partition bracket. A high voltage lead that directs the high voltage pulse to the vicinity of the nozzle. The lever is a fulcrum that is rotatably supported by the partition bracket assembly,
It has a substantially "V" shape including a nozzle locking portion extending from this fulcrum to the nozzle of the ejection mechanism and an operation portion obliquely extending from the fulcrum to the piezoelectric mechanism side. The piezoelectric mechanism is provided with a lever push having a tongue that is in sliding contact with the operating portion of the lever of the partition bracket assembly.

[0010]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The configuration and operation of a preferred embodiment of a piezoelectric lighter according to the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a lighter main body (or case) cut in half in a vertical direction to show an internal structure of a preferred embodiment of a piezoelectric lighter according to the present invention. FIG. 2 shows a bracket assembly (assembly) of a piezoelectric lighter, (A) is a perspective view showing its assembled state, and (B) is an exploded perspective view. FIG. 3A is a perspective view showing the relationship between the bracket assembly shown in FIG. 2 and the piezoelectric mechanism. FIG. 3B is a perspective view of pushing the lever of the piezoelectric mechanism. FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining the ignition operation of the piezoelectric lighter shown in FIG. 4A and 4B are a top view and a vertical cross-sectional view near the upper end of the piezoelectric lighter in a normal state (when not in use), respectively.
4C and 4D are a top view and a vertical cross-sectional view, respectively, in a use state (ignition combustion state).

The overall structure of the piezoelectric lighter 10 according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. This piezoelectric lighter 10
Is a slender lighter body 11 having a substantially rectangular cross section which constitutes a fuel gas filling tank, a piezoelectric mechanism 20 arranged on one side of the lighter body 11 for generating a high-voltage pulse, and arranged on the opposite side of the lighter body 11. The fuel gas ejection mechanism 40,
The partition bracket assembly 30 is arranged between the piezoelectric mechanism 20 and the ejection mechanism 40, and a slide operation lever (slide operation part) 50 for pressing down the piezoelectric mechanism 20.

In the piezoelectric gas lighter 10 shown in FIG.
A bottom 12 is provided at the lower end of the lighter body 11 to form a closed end,
A fuel gas filling portion 13 for filling the liquefied fuel gas is formed. A piezoelectric mechanism 20 is disposed on one side (right side in FIG. 1) inside the lighter body 11 so as to be isolated from the fuel gas filling portion 13. On the other hand, on the side opposite to the piezoelectric mechanism 20 inside the lighter body 11, the nozzle 41 is connected to the fuel gas filling portion 13 and communicates with the fuel gas filling portion 13.
A jetting mechanism 40 including is arranged. In addition, the piezoelectric mechanism 20
Partition bracket assembly 30 between
Are arranged.

A commercially available general-purpose product can be used for the piezoelectric mechanism 20. This piezoelectric mechanism 20 includes a fixed outer box 21 containing a piezoelectric element (not shown) and this outer box.
A hammer (not shown) that can be pressed against 21
It is composed of an inner box 22 containing a coil and a coil spring 23. Further, at the upper end of the inner box 22 of the piezoelectric mechanism 20,
Lever push 24 is installed.

The ejection mechanism 40 also has a conventional structure,
The liquefied gas filled in the fuel gas filling portion 13 of the lighter body 11 is vaporized and ejected from the nozzle 41 through a valve (not shown). As will be described later, when the nozzle 41 is lifted against its elasticity, the valve mechanism opens, and the fuel gas in the fuel gas filling portion 13 is vaporized and ejected from the nozzle 41.

Next, the partition bracket assembly 30 will be described with reference to FIG. 2A is a perspective view showing a state in which the partition bracket assembly 30 is assembled, and FIG. 2B is an exploded view of the partition bracket assembly 30 as seen from the opposite side of FIG. 2A. It is a perspective view.

As shown in FIG. 2, the partition bracket assembly 30 comprises a partition bracket 31, a lever 32, and a high voltage lead wire 35. This partition bracket 31
Is a relatively long cross section having a substantially U shape, for example, a plastic molded product. The partition bracket 31 has a protrusion 31a near the upper ends of both side walls, and an opening 31b in the center. Further, on the back of the partition bracket 31, there is a notch 31d at the upper end and an approximately U-shaped hook 31 which is upright at the center.
have c. The partition bracket assembly 30 is fixed to the lighter body 11 by inserting the protrusion 31a of the partition bracket 31 into a fixing hole (not shown) formed in the lighter body 11.

As shown in FIG. 2B, the lever 32 is
It has a pair of fulcrums 32a, a nozzle locking portion 32b that holds the neck portion of the nozzle 41 of the ejection mechanism 40, and an operating portion 32c. The lever 32 is swingably (rotatably) attached to the partition bracket 31. That is, the pair of fulcrums 32a of the lever 32 is inserted into the opening 31b of the partition bracket 31. Nozzle locking part 32b
Extend substantially horizontally toward the nozzle 41. On the other hand, the operating portion 32c projects obliquely downward to the back side through the opening formed in the partition bracket 31.

Further, the high voltage lead wire 35 has a straight line portion 35a extending in the vertical direction and a bent portion 35b bent horizontally from the upper end of the straight line portion 35a. The straight part 35a is
Standing up along the back surface of the partition bracket assembly 30, the bent portion 35b has a cut 31d at the upper end of the partition bracket 31.
Held in.

As shown in FIG. 1, the free end of the bent portion 35b faces the nozzle 41. The free end (lower end) 35c of the linear portion 35a is connected to the piezoelectric element and guides the high-voltage pulse generated by the piezoelectric element to the tip of the bent portion 35b.

FIG. 3A is a perspective view showing the relationship between the partition bracket assembly 30 shown in FIG. 2 and the piezoelectric mechanism 20. This partition bracket assembly 30 and piezoelectric mechanism 20
Are spaced apart from each other and arranged in parallel. As described above, the lever push 24 shown in FIG. 3B is fixed to the upper end of the inner box 22 of the piezoelectric mechanism 20. The lever pusher 24 has a tongue piece 24a extending toward the partition bracket assembly 30 side. The tongue piece 24a contacts the operating portion 32c of the lever 32 of the partition bracket assembly 30.

As described above, the operating portion 32c of the lever 32
Extends obliquely downward from the back surface of the partition bracket 31 (on the side opposite to the nozzle 41), that is, toward the piezoelectric mechanism 20 side. Therefore, when the lever push 24 attached to the upper end of the inner box 22 of the piezoelectric mechanism 20 is pushed down by the sliding operation of the operating lever 50, as will be described later, the tongue piece 24a of the lever push 24 moves the operating portion 32c of the lever 32. The nozzle locking portion 32b is lifted from the substantially horizontal state because it moves along the direction. As a result, the valve of the ejection mechanism 40 is opened, and the vaporized fuel gas is ejected from the nozzle 41.

Next, the pressing operation of the piezoelectric mechanism 20 will be described with reference to FIG. FIGS. 4A and 4B show the non-use state of the piezoelectric lighter 10, and the slide operation lever is shown.
50 is a fulcrum lever 51, a fulcrum portion 52, an operation cap 53
And a pressing portion 54 for pressing the lever 24. In this unused state, the slide operation lever 50 is located right above.

As shown in the top view of FIG. 4A, since the operation cap 53 is substantially oval in shape similar to the cross section of the lighter body 11, the piezoelectric lighter 10 is substantially crosswise. The surface is an elliptical elongated rod shape. And the fulcrum lever
The fulcrum portion 52 formed at the tip of the 51 is a substantially U-shaped hook on the rear surface of the partition bracket 31 of the partition bracket assembly 30.
It is engaged with both tips of 31c. This prevents the slide operation lever 50 from moving upward or away from the lighter body 11. Further, in this state, the push-down portion 54 formed on the fulcrum lever 51 of the slide operation lever 50 does not push down the lever push 24.

Next, FIGS. 4 (C) and 4 (D) are a top view and an upper longitudinal sectional view, respectively, showing the sliding state of the slide operating lever 50. Since the piezoelectric lighter 10 is used, it is ejected from the nozzle 41. The operation of igniting the gas will be described.

The user slides the operation cap 53 of the slide operation lever 50 to the right in the figure by applying force with a finger or the like. As a result, the fulcrum lever 51 is
Rotate around. Then, the push-down portion 54 pushes down the lever push 24 attached to the upper end of the inner box 22 of the piezoelectric mechanism 20.

When the lever push 24 is pushed by the pushing portion 54, the lever push 24 slides (pushes) downward against the elasticity of the coil spring 23. At this time, as described above, the tongue piece 24a of the lever pusher 24 pushes the operation portion 32c of the lever 32 extending obliquely downward so as to be parallel to the back surface of the partition bracket 31. This force causes lever 32 to
The nozzle locking portion 32b and the nozzle 41 locked to this are lifted by rotating around the fulcrum 32a. And the ejection mechanism
The valve of 40 is opened, and the vaporized gas is ejected from the nozzle 41.

When the slide operation lever 50 is slid or rotated to a predetermined position (angle), the piezoelectric element is impacted by the force stored in the coil spring 23 of the piezoelectric mechanism 20 to generate a high voltage pulse. This high voltage pulse
The high voltage lead wire 35 of the partition bracket assembly 30 guides it to the vicinity of the nozzle 41 and causes discharge (spark) between the nozzle 41 and the nozzle 41. This discharge ignites the gas ejected from the nozzle 41.

A metallic cap 60 is attached to the lighter body 11 so as to cover the nozzle 41. An opening 61 is formed on the upper surface of the cap 60, and the flame of the ignited gas extends from the opening 61 to the outside.

The flame generated from the nozzle 41 continues as long as the user slides (or rotates) the slide operation lever 50 to the position shown in FIGS. 4C and 4D. When the slide operation of the slide operation lever 50 by the user is stopped, the slide operation lever 50 is returned to the normal state shown in FIGS. 4A and 4B by the coil spring 23 of the piezoelectric mechanism 20. As a result, the lever 32 returns to the initial state and the ejection or supply of gas from the nozzle 41 is stopped, so that the flame disappears.

The configuration and operation of the preferred embodiment of the piezoelectric lighter according to the present invention has been described above. However, this embodiment is merely an example of the present invention and does not limit the present invention in any way. Various modifications and changes can be made according to the specific application without departing from the spirit of the present invention.

[0032]

As is apparent from the above description, the piezoelectric lighter of the present invention has the following remarkable practical effects. First, no excessive force is applied to the partition bracket assembly. The reason is that the partition bracket assembly is applied with an upward force (lifted) by sliding (rotation) of the slide operation lever and a downward force by pressing the piezoelectric mechanism lever, which cancel each other out and reduce. is there.

Secondly, the piezoelectric lighter can be easily assembled and can be manufactured at low cost. The reason is that the partition bracket, the lever, and the high-voltage lead wire are used as a partition bracket assembly and incorporated in the lighter body.

Third, great assembly strength or impact resistance can be obtained. The reason is that the partition bracket assembly is
Not only is it fixed to the lighter body by the protrusions,
This is because the nozzle is also locked by the nozzle locking portion of the lever.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a front perspective view showing a general configuration of a preferred embodiment of a piezoelectric lighter according to the present invention, with a part of a lighter body cut away.

2 shows the partition bracket assembly in FIG. 1, (A) is a perspective view showing an assembled state, (B) is FIG.
It is an exploded perspective view seen from the opposite side to (A).

3A and 3B show a relationship between a partition bracket assembly and a piezoelectric mechanism, FIG. 3A is a perspective view of the partition bracket assembly and the piezoelectric mechanism, and FIG. 3B is a perspective view of pushing a lever attached to the piezoelectric mechanism.

4A and 4B are views for explaining the operation of the piezoelectric lighter according to the present invention, in which FIGS. 4A and 4B are a top view and a vertical cross-sectional view of a normal state, and FIGS. 4C and 4D are ignition states. FIG. 3 is a top view and an upper vertical cross-sectional view of FIG.

[Explanation of symbols]

10 Piezoelectric lighter 11 Lighter body 13 Fuel filling section 20 Piezoelectric mechanism 24 Lever push 24a tongue 30 divider bracket assembly 31 partition bracket 31a protrusion 31b opening 31c U-shaped part (hook) 32 lever 32b Nozzle locking part 32c Operation part 35 high voltage lead wire 40 Ejection mechanism 41 nozzle 50 Slide operation part (operation lever) 51 Support lever 52 fulcrum 53 Operation cap 60 caps

Claims (8)

[Claims] 1. A piezoelectric mechanism, comprising: a jet mechanism having a nozzle for jetting fuel gas; a piezoelectric mechanism; and a slide operation section that slides around a fulcrum that presses the piezoelectric mechanism to generate a high-voltage pulse. In a piezoelectric lighter that ignites gas ejected from the nozzle by discharge by a generated high-voltage pulse, a pressing operation of the piezoelectric mechanism is performed by pressing the piezoelectric mechanism via a partition bracket provided between the ejection mechanism and the piezoelectric mechanism. A piezoelectric lighter characterized by transmitting to a nozzle. 2. The piezoelectric lighter according to claim 1, wherein the pressing operation of the piezoelectric mechanism is transmitted to the ejection mechanism by a lever that is swingably attached to the partition bracket. 3. The piezoelectric lighter according to claim 2, wherein the piezoelectric mechanism is provided with a lever push for operating the operating portion of the lever. 4. The fulcrum of the slide operation portion is arranged on the partition bracket.
Alternatively, the piezoelectric lighter according to the item 3. 5. A lighter body forming a fuel tank filled with fuel gas, a jetting mechanism having a nozzle for jetting fuel from the fuel tank, and a piezoelectric device for generating a high-pressure pulse to ignite the gas jetted from the nozzle. A piezoelectric lighter including a mechanism and a slide operation unit for pressing the piezoelectric mechanism, comprising a partition bracket assembly disposed between the ejection mechanism and the piezoelectric mechanism, and pressing the piezoelectric mechanism through the partition bracket assembly. A piezoelectric lighter characterized by controlling the ejection of gas from the nozzle by transmitting the operation to the nozzle of the ejection mechanism. 6. The partition bracket assembly includes a partition bracket having a hook on which a fulcrum of the slide operation portion is arranged, a lever swingably attached to the partition bracket, and a high-voltage pulse generated by the piezoelectric mechanism. The piezoelectric lighter according to claim 5, further comprising a high-voltage lead wire that guides the vicinity of the nozzle. 7. The lever includes a fulcrum rotatably supported by the partition bracket assembly, a nozzle locking portion extending from the fulcrum to a nozzle of the ejection mechanism, and an operating portion obliquely extending from the fulcrum toward the piezoelectric mechanism. Including ","
The piezoelectric lighter according to claim 5 or 6, wherein the piezoelectric lighter has a letter shape. 8. The piezoelectric mechanism according to claim 5, 6 or 7, wherein the piezoelectric mechanism is provided with a lever pusher having a tongue piece slidably contacting the operation portion of the lever of the partition bracket assembly. Ceremony lighter.