JP2011242029A - Gas lighter - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a gas lighter the mechanism of which can be applied to both of the gas lighter (a pocket lighter) for lighting a cigarette or a cigar and the gas lighter (an igniter) for lighting a candlestick, firewood, a lighting material for a bonfire etc. and which has high safety even when operated by an infant.SOLUTION: The gas lighter includes: a fuel tank having a fuel gas discharge valve for sending a fuel gas to a gas discharge nozzle 1; a gas discharge lever to be driven to open the fuel gas discharge valve; an ignition mechanism 2-4 for igniting the fuel gas discharged upward from the gas discharge nozzle 1; operation elements 7, 11 which are turnably driven by a finger to open the gas discharge lever and to ignite the ignition mechanism; and an operation element returning spring 4. The gas lighter further includes: a finger lever 6 which is mounted on the operation element so as to be turned around the shaft center other than the turning shaft center of turning of the operation element, and which transfers the operating force to the operation element by being engaged with the operation element in the turning direction, when it is turned and erected in the same direction as the turning direction of the operation element by receiving operating force of a user; and a finger lever returning spring 10. The ignition mechanism 2-4 is a piezoelectric unit.

Description

  The present invention relates to a hand-held gas writer, and more particularly, to a so-called safety gas writer including a mechanism for preventing a gas combustion flame from being generated when an infant (for example, 5 years old or younger) easily manipulates an ignition operation element. The present invention can be implemented in a gas writer (pocket writer) that ignites cigarettes, cigars, and the like, and a gas writer (ignition tool) that ignites candlesticks, firewood, ignitable materials, and the like.

  There are various ignition operators for this type of gas writer. For example, when the ignition control is a case lid that covers the flint ignition mechanism or the electrode that ignites the fuel gas by the discharge spark, the gas release lever is first driven in the valve opening direction by a person opening the case lid. The gas release valve of the fuel tank opens and a flint spark or an electric spark (spark) ignites the gas. Also, when the ignition operation element is a push button or a slide button, when a person pushes down or slides the push button, the gas release lever is driven in the valve opening direction to open the gas release valve of the fuel tank, and An electric spark ignites gas (for example, Patent Document 1).

JP 2004-116849 A Japanese Patent Application No. 2010-65342

  An infant may imitate the use of a gas writer by a familiar person such as a father and mess with the gas writer. An unexpected gas combustion flame may cause a burn or a fire. In order to prevent such an accident, it is recommended to provide a lock mechanism so that the ignition operator does not move by simple operation. The gas writer of Patent Document 1 includes a push button lock mechanism, and the push button is set to the unlocked position by horizontally sliding the push button (unlock operation). I can't do it.

  By the way, the mechanical lock mechanism of the ignition operator is a fine mechanism, and if a strong force is applied, the lock mechanism may be sluggish or destroyed, and an ignition operation may be possible.

  For the purpose of increasing safety against operation by an infant, the applicant of the present application is required to start the opening drive and ignition drive in addition to the return spring that repels the opening operation of the gas release valve. A gas writer provided with an additional spring that applies a repulsive force that is a weak force but becomes a strong force as the drive progresses (Patent Document 2).

  The present invention relates to an improvement of this type of gas writer, and aims to further increase safety against operation by an infant.

(1) A fuel tank having a fuel gas release valve for sending fuel gas to the gas release nozzle (1), a gas release lever for opening the fuel gas release valve, and above the gas release nozzle (1) An ignition mechanism (2-4) for igniting the fuel gas coming out of the engine, and an operator (7, 11) that is rotated by a finger to open the gas release lever and drive the ignition mechanism (2-4) to ignite And a manipulator return spring (4) repelling the rotational drive of the manipulator (7, 11),
The operating element (7, 11) is mounted so as to be rotatable about an axis different from the rotation axis of the rotation drive, and receives the operation force of the user, thereby the operating element (7, 11). A finger hook that engages with the operating element (7, 11) and transmits the operating force to the operating element (7, 11) with respect to the direction of rotation when it stands up by rotating in the same direction as the rotational driving direction of A gas writer comprising 6) and a finger hook return spring (10) repelling the rotation of the finger hook (6) with respect to the operating element (7, 11).

(2) A fuel tank having a fuel gas release valve for sending fuel gas to the gas discharge nozzle (1), a gas release lever for opening the fuel gas release valve, and a return spring built in the gas release lever. Piezoelectric unit (2-4) for igniting fuel gas exiting from nozzle (1) by electric spark, and driving by finger to open the gas release lever and ignite piezoelectric unit (2-4) In a gas writer comprising an operating element (7, 11) that is driven and returned to its original position by the return spring,
The operating element (7, 11) is mounted so as to be rotatable about an axis different from the rotation axis of the rotation drive, and receives the operation force of the user, thereby the operating element (7, 11). A finger hook that engages with the operating element (7, 11) and transmits the operating force to the operating element (7, 11) with respect to the direction of rotation when it stands up by rotating in the same direction as the rotational driving direction of A gas writer comprising 6) and a finger hook return spring (10) repelling the rotation of the finger hook (6) with respect to the operating element (7, 11).

  In addition, in order to make an understanding easy, the code | symbol of the corresponding element or the equivalent element of the Example which is shown in drawing and mentions later in parentheses is attached for reference by reference. The same applies to the following.

  When the finger hook (6) is driven to rotate against the repulsive force of the finger hook return spring (10) with its thumb on its free end, it is operated in a standing posture with respect to the operating element (7, 11). Since the operating force is transmitted to the operating element (7, 11) by engaging with the child (7, 11), the operating element (7, 11) is moved to the finger holding (6 ), The fuel gas is discharged from the gas discharge nozzle (1), and the ignition mechanism (2-4) ignites the fuel gas. The first stage of raising the finger hook (6) around its pivot axis (9), and further the finger hook (6) as the pivot center (8) of the controls (7, 11) The operation of the second stage is required to rotate with the controls (7, 11) in the center, but infants are unlikely to apply upward force at the initial stage of standing up to the free end of the finger hook (6). The first stage operation is difficult. The finger hook (6) does not stand up even when the finger hook (6) is pushed down by placing the finger on the upper end surface. Even if the finger hook (6) can be stood up, the second stage operation is based on the repulsive force of the finger hook return spring (10) and the manipulator return spring (4) centering on the long distance axis (8). Because it requires a strong moment to resist, it is difficult with an infant's finger. High safety for messing with infants.

The gas writer of one Example of the present invention is shown, (a) is a principal part front view of a non-use state, (b) is a top view in a non-use state, (c) is a principal part longitudinal section of a non-use state, ( d) is a cross-sectional view taken along line Id-Id in (c). (A) is the principal part front view in the middle of ignition operation which stood the finger hook 6 of the writer shown in FIG. 1, (b) is a principal part longitudinal cross-sectional view. 1A is a front view of a main part of the writer shown in FIG. 1 in which the finger hook 6 is raised and further rotated to drive the finger hook 6 and the operating element 7 to the ignition position, and FIG. FIG.

  (3) The finger hook (6) is configured to rotate the finger hook (6) in a non-use state where the finger hook (6) is lying down with respect to the operation element (7, 11) by a repulsive force of the finger hook return spring (10). The gas writer according to the above (1) or (2), wherein the end on the side of the shaft center (9) is inclined to be lower than the free end of the finger hook (6).

  According to this, even if an infant tries to rotate the operation element (7, 11) without placing the finger on the upper surface of the finger hook (6) and raising the finger hook (6), a large driving moment is required. In spite of this, the finger slides due to the inclination and the operation elements (7, 11) do not rotate.

  (4) The pivot axis (9) of the finger hook (6) is a pin (9), and a cover (5a) covering both end faces of the pin (9) is attached to the upper surface of the finger hook (6). The gas writer according to any one of the above (1) to (3), which has a height equal to or higher than.

  According to this, it is difficult to push down the upper surface of the finger hook (6) by the cover (5a), and it is difficult to stand the finger hook by pressing the finger hook (6). It is possible to prevent ignition that may occur when an operator presses the operation element easily.

  Other objects and features of the present invention will become apparent from the following description of embodiments with reference to the drawings.

  The gas writer according to an embodiment of the present invention shown in FIG. 1 has a liquefied fuel tank (not shown) in the lower portion of the outer case 13, and the combustion gas is sent to the first nozzle (not shown) inside the gas writer. There is a fuel gas release valve that is a normally closed valve to be vented. When the first nozzle is pulled upward, the fuel gas release valve is opened, and a part of the liquefied fuel in the liquefied fuel tank is vaporized. Exit from the first nozzle. The second nozzle 1 is connected to the first nozzle through an insulating tube (not shown) having flexibility and elasticity. A rotating arm 7 a of the upper lid 7, which is an operator, is connected by a pin 8 to a metal (conductive) inner frame that supports the piezoelectric unit 4. The trunk portion and the unit lower support portion that are connected to the nozzle base of the middle frame extend downward through the bottom opening of the crater member 5 that is the upper frame. The second nozzle 1 is fixed to the nozzle base, and the high voltage electrode 2 of the piezoelectric unit 4 faces the upper edge of the nozzle 1. The other pole of the piezoelectric unit 4 is electrically connected to the second nozzle 1 through the middle frame. When the piezoelectric unit 4 generates a high voltage, an electric spark (discharge spark) is generated between the electrode 2 and the nozzle 1.

  When the lower end of the operating stem 11 coupled to the sliding head of the piezoelectric unit 4 is pushed down the rear end of the gas release lever (not shown) that opens and closes the fuel gas release valve of the liquefied fuel tank (not shown), the gas release lever Opens the fuel gas release valve of the liquefied fuel tank. That is, when the upper lid 7 shown in FIGS. 1 (c), 2 (b) and 3 is rotated clockwise about the pin 8, the pressing member of the upper lid 7 pushes down the operating stem 11, thereby operating. The sliding heads of the trunk 11 and the piezoelectric unit 4 are lowered, and this lowering compresses the return spring in the piezoelectric unit 4 and compresses the plunger spring. When the operating trunk 11 is lowered to some extent, the fuel gas discharge valve of the liquefied fuel tank is opened, and the fuel gas begins to flow upward from the second nozzle 2. When the operating trunk 11 is further lowered, the plunger is unlocked in the piezoelectric unit 4, and the plunger is suddenly lowered by the repulsive force of the plunger spring to strike the piezoelectric element (piezo element). A high voltage is generated, and this high voltage is applied between the electrode 2 and the second nozzle 1 to generate an electric spark (discharge spark: spark). By this electric spark, the fuel gas flowing out from the second nozzle 2 is ignited.

  A pin 9 that passes through the coil portion of the torsion coil spring 10 is fixed to the upper lid 7. The finger hook 6 is attached to the upper lid 7 so as to be rotatable about a pin 9. The lower leg of the torsion coil spring 10 is supported by the engaging portion 7 b of the upper lid 7 and is not displaced. However, the upper leg engages with the side surface of the spring accommodating hole of the finger hook 6, so that the pin 9 is the center. When the torsion coil spring 10 is twisted by the clockwise rotation of the finger hook 6 to accumulate power and the finger hook 6 stands up with respect to the upper lid 7, as shown in FIG. When the side surface (upper side in FIG. 1) abuts on the engaging portion 7b of the upper lid 7 and the finger hook 6 is further rotated in the clockwise direction, the finger hook 6 and the upper lid 7 are integrally rotated around the pin 8 in the clockwise direction. As shown in FIG. Around the end of the first half of the rotation, the operating stem 11 opens the fuel gas discharge valve of the liquefied fuel tank, and immediately before the end of the second half, the piezoelectric unit 4 generates a high voltage and flows out of the second nozzle 2. Gas ignites.

  The first operation for placing the thumb on the left end face of the finger hook 6 shown in FIG. 1A, holding the outer case 13 with another finger, and rotating the finger hook 6 to the position shown in FIG. However, it is difficult for the infant to drive the left end face side of the finger hook 6 upward. When the finger hook 6 is in the non-use state (FIG. 1), the end portion on the pin 9 side that is the pivot axis of the finger hook 6 is in the non-use state in which the finger hook 6 lies down with respect to the upper lid 7 by the repulsive force of the torsion coil spring 10 Since the posture is inclined downward from the free end of the finger hook 6, even if an infant tries to rotate the upper lid 7 without placing the finger on the upper surface of the finger hook 6 and raising the finger hook 6, the driving is large. Although the moment is required, the finger slips due to the inclination and the upper lid 7 does not rotate. That is, the safety for infants is high.

  Further, in order to conceal both end faces of the pin 9, the crater member 5 has a cover 5 a protruding above the pin 9, and the upper end of the cover 5 a is pushed down against the right half of the upper surface of the finger hook 6 (clock In order to prevent the rotation of the fingers 6, the height is equal to the upper surface of the finger hook 6. It may be higher than the upper surface of the finger hook 6. Thereby, it is difficult to push down the upper surface of the finger hook 6 by the cover 5 a, and the finger hook 6 is difficult to stand up by pressing the finger hook 6. It is possible to prevent ignition that may occur when an operator presses the operation element easily.

1: second nozzle 2: electrode 4: piezoelectric unit 5: crater member 5a: cover 6: finger hook 7: upper lid 7a: upper lid rotating arm 7b: upper lid engaging portion 8, 9: pin 10: torsion coil spring 11: Working trunk 13: Outer case

Claims (4)

A fuel tank having a fuel gas release valve for supplying fuel gas to the gas release nozzle, a gas release lever for opening and driving the fuel gas release valve, and an ignition mechanism for igniting the fuel gas exiting from the gas release nozzle A gas writer comprising: an operating element that is rotationally driven by a finger to open the gas release lever and drive the ignition mechanism to ignite; and an operating element return spring that repels the rotational driving of the operating element.
The operating element is mounted so as to be rotatable about an axis different from the rotational axis of the rotational drive, and rotates in the same direction as the rotational driving direction of the operating element in response to a user's operating force. A finger hook that engages with the operation element in the direction of the rotation when it moves and stands to transmit the operation force to the operation element, and a finger return spring that repels the rotation of the finger hook with respect to the operation element; A gas writer characterized by comprising: A fuel tank having a fuel gas release valve for supplying fuel gas to the gas release nozzle, a gas release lever for opening the fuel gas release valve, and a return spring inside, and exiting from the gas release nozzle A gas writer comprising: a piezoelectric unit that ignites a fuel gas by an electric spark; and an operator that is driven by a finger to open the gas release lever and that drives the piezoelectric unit to ignite and is returned to the original position by the return spring. ,
The operating element is mounted so as to be rotatable about an axis different from the rotational axis of the rotational drive, and rotates in the same direction as the rotational driving direction of the operating element in response to a user's operating force. A finger hook that engages with the operation element in the direction of the rotation when it moves and stands to transmit the operation force to the operation element, and a finger return spring that repels the rotation of the finger hook with respect to the operation element; A gas writer characterized by comprising:   In the non-use state where the finger hook is lying down with respect to the operation element due to the repulsive force of the finger hook return spring, the end portion on the axis side of the rotation of the finger hook is inclined lower than the free end of the finger hook The gas writer according to claim 1 or 2, which has a posture.   The axis of rotation of the finger hook is a pin, and the cover that covers both end faces of the pin has a height equal to or higher than the upper surface of the finger hook. The described gas writer.

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