JP4895679B2 - Combustion equipment for liquid fuel - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a combustion apparatus for liquid fuel, and more particularly to a structure around a combustion core of a combustion apparatus for liquid fuel that includes a combustion core that sucks and burns fuel by capillary action.

  In general, as fuel for smoking equipment lighters, igniters, torches, lighting equipment, etc., alcohol fuels such as ethyl alcohol, petroleum benzine-based benzine fuels including gasoline, liquefied gas fuels such as butane gas and propane gas are used. Depending on the type of fuel used, the performance, usability, and design structure of the combustion appliance have different characteristics. For example, as a combustion device for liquid fuel that uses liquid fuel such as alcohol, the surface tension of the liquid fuel is used to suck up the liquid fuel from capillarity through continuous pores or slits bundled with fine fibers. It is known that liquid fuel is supplied from a fuel tank part to a combustion part using a combustion wick that is combusted in the part.

In the above-described combustion apparatus for liquid fuel, in order to prevent the volatilization of the liquid fuel, the tip of the combustion core, that is, the combustion part is sealed by a closure cap that can be opened and closed is known. In order to prevent liquid fuel from leaking through the wick due to the pressure difference between the internal pressure and the external pressure of the fuel tank section, or inhaling outside air to cause poor ignition, the fuel tank section and the outside air are connected. The thing which provided the ventilation path which connects and reduced the said pressure difference is disclosed.
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 10-227457

  However, the liquid fuel combustion appliance disclosed in Patent Document 1 has a sealed space between the combustion portion and the inner surface of the closing cap, and the opening to the outside air of the air passage when the closing cap is in a closed state. Is communicated with the sealed space or the closing cap is closed and the air passage is also sealed. For this reason, if the closure cap is closed after burning the fuel volatilized on the surface of the combustion section for a long time, the combustion section is sealed together with the air passage in a hot state, and the combustion section is extinguished and the temperature rapidly decreases. As a result, the pressure in the sealed space is reduced, so that fuel may be sucked into the combustion part due to the pressure difference between the internal pressure of the fuel tank part and the external pressure.

  And when the fuel is sucked up, the sealed space may be filled with the sucked-up fuel, and when the sealed space is filled with fuel, the closed cap is opened for the next ignition. When the fuel spreads to the periphery and is ignited as it is, a large flame may be suddenly formed. Even if the combustion is not performed, there is a slight possibility that the fuel will be filled in the same manner as described above even when the combustion device for liquid fuel is shaken by hand with the closure cap closed.

  The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to provide a combustion apparatus for liquid fuel that can form a stable flame by eliminating the space between the combustion part of the combustion core and the inner surface of the closing cap. To do.

The combustion instrument for liquid fuel according to the present invention includes an instrument body having a fuel tank that stores liquid fuel, a combustion core that sucks up the liquid fuel stored in the fuel tank by a capillary phenomenon and burns it at a combustion part at the tip, and the combustion part In a fuel device for liquid fuel, comprising: an ignition part that ignites the light; a closing cap that opens and closes an upper end portion of the instrument body; and a ventilation passage that communicates the inside of the fuel tank and outside air.
A cylindrical sleeve member for holding the combustion core is disposed on the outer periphery of the combustion core,
The closing cap includes a closing part that opens and closes the combustion part,
The closing portion includes a first seal member that contacts the tip of the sleeve member and seals the combustion portion, and an air passage seal portion that closes the air passage.

  A combustion apparatus for liquid fuel according to the present invention includes a second seal member that is attached to the apparatus body and that abuts against the air passage seal portion, and the second seal member is disposed around the sleeve member. It is preferable to have an outer seal portion with which the closing portion abuts.

  In the combustion apparatus for liquid fuel of the present invention, it is preferable that the first seal member and the second seal member are rubber members having different hardnesses.

  In the combustion tool for liquid fuel according to the present invention, the combustion portion of the combustion core protrudes from the distal end portion of the sleeve member when the closing cap is in an open state, and when the closing cap is in a closed state, It is preferable to immerse inside.

  In the combustion apparatus for liquid fuel of the present invention, it is preferable that the combustion core is urged in the protruding direction by a spring.

  In the liquid fuel combustion appliance of the present invention, it is preferable that a surface of the first seal member on the combustion portion side has a spherical shape.

  In the combustion apparatus for liquid fuel of the present invention, a cylindrical sleeve member for holding the combustion wick is disposed on the outer periphery of the combustion wick, and the closing cap includes a closing portion for opening and closing the combustion portion. However, since the first seal member that contacts the tip of the sleeve member and seals the combustion portion and the air passage seal portion that closes the air passage are provided, the combustion portion is sealed by the first seal member and the sleeve member. Therefore, the sealed space around the combustion part can be almost eliminated, and even if the combustion part is sealed together with the air passage in the hot state, the pressure drop space is narrow, so that the suction of fuel can be reduced and the combustion Even if the liquid fuel is sucked into the part, there is no space for the fuel to enter, so that the movement of the liquid fuel from the fuel tank can be prevented. In addition, even when the combustion device for liquid fuel is shaken by hand with the closing cap closed, there is no space for the fuel to enter, so the movement can be prevented. Thereby, even if the closing cap is opened for the next ignition, the fuel does not spread to the periphery, so that a stable flame can be formed at the time of ignition.

  The liquid fuel combustion device includes a second seal member mounted on the device main body and abutted with the air passage seal portion, and the second seal member is disposed around the sleeve member and the outer seal is in contact with the closing portion. In the case of having a portion, the air passage and the combustion portion can be sealed at the same time, so that volatilization of liquid fuel from the air passage and the combustion core can be prevented.

  Further, when the first seal member and the second seal member are rubber members having different hardnesses, the first seal member and the sleeve member, and the second seal member and the ventilation seal portion are in contact with each other almost simultaneously. Since the contact pressure received by each rubber member varies depending on the difference in contact area, for example, by making a difference in rubber hardness so that the rubber member with the higher contact pressure has a lower hardness, The contact surface can be reliably sealed without weakening the sealing force.

  In addition, when the combustion portion of the combustion core protrudes from the tip of the sleeve member when the closing cap is in the open state and is immersed in the sleeve member when the closing cap is in the closed state, the closing cap is in the open state. When, in other words, when the combustion part is ignited, conventionally, when the sleeve member is made of metal, for example, and does not have the protruding part, the combustion part is located inside the sleeve member so that the metal part is deprived of heat. In some cases, however, the flame may be reduced. However, since the burning part protrudes from the tip of the sleeve member, the volatilized area increases, so that the ignitability is improved and the flame can be formed larger.

  In addition, when the surface of the first seal member on the combustion part side has a spherical shape, when the closure cap is closed, a load applied to the tip of the combustion part when the first seal member comes into contact with the combustion part. Can be reduced.

  Hereinafter, a lighter 1 according to an embodiment of a combustion apparatus for liquid fuel of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. 1 is a partially exploded central sectional view of the lighter 1, FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the main part of the closing cap 5 as seen from the direction A in FIG. 1, and FIG. 3 is the main part of the lighter 1 as seen from the direction B in FIG. It is a perspective view. For the sake of convenience, the lighter 1 of the present embodiment will be described with the side where the flame is formed (upper side in FIG. 1) as the upper side, the left and right direction in FIG. 1 as the left and right direction, the rear side as the rear side, and the front side as the front side.

  As shown in FIG. 1, a lighter 1 (liquid fuel combustion instrument) of the present embodiment includes a lighter main body 2 (equipment main body) having a fuel tank 21 that stores liquid fuel, and liquid fuel stored in the fuel tank 21. A combustion core 3 that is sucked up and burned by the combustion section 31 at the tip, an ignition member 4 that ignites the combustion section 31, and a closing cap 5 that seals the upper end of the lighter body 2 so as to be openable and closable.

  The lighter body 2 is made of synthetic resin, and has a lower end portion closed by a lower lid 2a, and has a fuel tank 21 for storing liquid fuel therein. A pivotal support 2b that pivotally supports the closing cap 5 is provided on the front and rear surfaces of the left end, respectively, and a pivotal hole 2c that serves as a pivotal axis is formed in the pivotal support 2b. Further, the upper end of the right side surface is provided with a notch 2d to which a later-described one-touch member 6 can be attached.

  A tank upper wall 22 is formed integrally with the lighter body 2 at the upper portion of the fuel tank 21. The tank upper wall 22 may be a lid separate from the lighter body 2. The fuel tank 21 contains a filling 21a made of a liquid absorbent fiber material (for example, PP fiber). The filling 21a contains a liquid fuel in which, for example, isopropyl alcohol 50 wt%, heptane 40 wt%, and turpentine oil 10 wt% are mixed. It is impregnated and stored. A mounting hole 22a to which a sleeve member 32 (described later) is mounted is formed at the upper end portion of the tank upper wall 22 that is separated from the center by a predetermined distance in the left direction, and the combustion core 3 is inserted into the lower surface of the mounting hole 22a. An insertion hole 22b is formed. The sleeve member 32 is formed in a cylindrical shape from a liquid crystal polymer, and is mounted in the mounting hole 22a so that the upper end protrudes, and holds the combustion core 3 on the inner surface. The material of the sleeve member 32 is preferably a heat-resistant thermoplastic resin or thermosetting resin such as a liquid crystal polymer in terms of separation and disposal described later, but may be a metal such as zinc die-cast or brass. Good.

  The combustion core 3 is made of polyester fiber, has a spherical shape at the upper end, is formed in a rod shape, and has a stepped portion 3a above the center in the vertical direction so that the lower end has a small diameter. The upper part including the step portion 3a of the combustion core 3 is held in the sleeve member 32, and the closing cap 5 is secured by a resin spring 33 mounted between the lower end surface of the step portion 3a and the bottom surface of the mounting hole 22a. When in the open state, the upper combustion portion 31 is biased upward (protruding direction) so as to protrude from the upper end portion of the sleeve member 32, and the inner surface of the mounting hole 22a can be moved vertically. Yes. As will be described later, the spring 33 is preferably made of resin when separated and discarded, but may be made of metal in order to reduce costs. The lower end portion of the combustion core 3 is inserted through the insertion hole 22b and protrudes substantially vertically into the fuel tank 21. When the liquid fuel is sucked by contact with the batting 21a and ignited, the upper end portion of the sleeve member 32 is used. The liquid fuel is flame-combusted in the protruding part (combustion part 31).

  Further, the tank upper wall 22 on the left side of the sleeve member 32 is formed with an air passage 22c penetrating from the upper end of the upper wall 22 into the fuel tank 21 so as to communicate the inside with the outside air. An accommodation step 22 d extending downward is provided to the right of the center of the tank upper wall 22, and a later-described ignition unit 4 is attached to the step 22 d through an intermediate case 23.

  The intermediate case 23 is formed of a synthetic resin, and has a cylindrical housing portion 23a at both end openings into which an after-mentioned ignition portion 4 is inserted. The intermediate case 23 extends leftward from the upper end of the housing portion 23a and protrudes further downward. 22 and a hole 23c through which one end portion 6a of the one-touch member 6 described later is inserted adjacent to the right side of the housing portion 23a. The outer periphery of the one-touch member 6 is disposed on the outer periphery of the housing portion 23a. A contact step portion 23d with which the other end portion 6b contacts is formed. Further, a substantially rectangular wall 23e (see FIG. 1) extending upward from the accommodating portion 23a is provided on the front surface and the rear surface of the intermediate case 23.

  The one-touch member 6 is formed of a synthetic resin, and a lower end wall 6c is fixed to a bottom portion 23f extending from the accommodation portion 23a of the intermediate case 23 to the lower right, and an end portion 6a extending upward from the right side of the lower end wall 6c and an upper side from the left side. And the other end 6b extending in the direction. As described above, the one end 6a is inserted into the hole 23c and protrudes upward, and the tip 6a is an elastic member having a claw 6d that engages with the closing cap 5, and is attached to the notch 2d of the lighter body 2. When the upper part protruding outward from the lighter body 2 is pressed to the inside of the lighter body 2, the engagement between the claw 6d and the closing cap 5 is released. The other end portion 6b is slightly inclined toward the left at a predetermined upper position, and the tip thereof is in contact with the contact step portion 23d. Thus, the main body side including the lighter main body 2 is substantially made of resin.

  The ignition part 4 is accommodated in the accommodating part 23a of the intermediate case 23 described above, and the ignition stone 42 and the stone pushing spring 43 are accommodated in a cylindrical spacer 41 formed of metal to form a unit. Has been.

  The spacer 41 has an annular projecting portion 41a projecting annularly on the outer periphery above the center, and the lower portion of the annular projecting portion 41a is inserted through an opening of a bracket 44 formed of a metal plate. The bracket 44 includes a flat plate portion 44a having an opening through which the spacer 41 passes, a standing portion 44b bent up at the left end of the flat plate portion 44a, and a windshield 44c disposed before and after the combustion core 3. It has. Further, the upper surface of the support member 45 formed of a metal plate is in contact with the lower surface of the flat plate portion 44a.

  The support member 45 has an opening through which the spacer 41 penetrates, and a lower surface of the support member 45 is fixed to the upper surface of the intermediate case 23, and a front plate and a rear surface are bent so as to face each other across the support flat plate portion 45a. And a column portion 45b in which a support hole (not shown) for rotatably supporting a rotation shaft 48 described later is formed. The file wheel 46 has a ring shape with a peripheral surface formed on a file surface, and a front wheel and a rear surface are fixed to a front wheel and a side wheel 47 which are formed in an uneven shape and are rotationally operated at the time of ignition. The rod-shaped rotating shaft 48 made of metal is penetrated to rotate integrally. The ignition stone 42 is located at the lower end of the file wheel 46, and the ignition stone 42 is urged upward by a pressing spring 43, that is, in a direction in contact with the file wheel 46.

  In the ignition unit 4 unitized as described above, the file wheel 46 is rotated by the rotation operation of the side wheel 47, and the upper end of the ignition stone 42 is attached to the file surface around the file wheel 46. It is pressed by the power and sparks fly toward the combustion part 31. As described above, the ignition part 4 is constituted by a member made of substantially metal.

  Next, the closing cap 5 will be described. The closing cap 5 will be described below with the cap 5 in the closed state, the side positioned on the lighter body 2 side being the lower side and the side pivoted on the lighter body 2 being the left side. The closing cap 5 is made of metal and has a substantially box shape having an opening 5a on the lower side in the closed state. The lower left end of the closing cap 5 can be rotated by the pin 51 to the shaft hole 2c of the lighter body 2 described above. A torsion spring 52 is mounted on the pin 51 so as to urge the closing cap 5 in the opening direction. Further, a convex portion 5b projecting inward is formed on the inner surface of the lower right end of the closing cap 5, and the convex portion 5b is engaged with the claw 6d of the one-touch member 6 described above, whereby the blocking cap 5 The closed state of is maintained. An annular protrusion 5c is formed on the inner surface of the upper end of the closure cap 5 so as to project downward in an annular shape. An inner cap 53 is fixed to the inner surface of the upper end of the closing cap 5.

  The inner cap 53 is made of metal and has a plate portion 53a having a shape along the inner surface of the upper end of the closing cap 5, and a circular hole shape that projects from the plate portion 53a toward the opening 5a and opens and closes the combustion portion 31 at the lower end. And a cylindrical portion 53c (see FIG. 2) having a closing portion 53b. An annular recess 53d is formed at the upper end of the cylindrical portion 53c of the inner cap 53, and the annular recess 53d is fitted with the annular protrusion 5c.

  What is characteristic in the present invention is that the closing portion 53b includes a first seal member 54 that contacts the tip of the sleeve member 32 to seal the combustion portion 31, and an air passage seal portion 55 that closes the air passage 22c. (See FIG. 2). The first seal member 54 is a substantially cylindrical rubber member, and is attached to the inner surface of the closing portion 53b. Further, the lower end surface (the surface on the combustion unit 31 side) of the first seal member 54 has a spherically shaped portion 54a that is recessed upward. The air passage seal portion 55 is a cylinder formed integrally with the tube portion 53c on a part of the outer peripheral wall of the tube portion 53c, and at a position corresponding to the air passage 22c when the closing cap 5 is closed. The air passage 22c has a larger diameter than the air passage 22c and is formed so as to be able to be sealed.

  Further, the tank upper wall 22 of the lighter main body 2 described above is provided with a second seal member 24 with which the air passage seal portion 55 abuts when the closing cap 5 is closed. As shown in FIG. 3, the second seal member 24 is a circular seal having the same diameter as that of the above-described air passage seal portion 55, and a through hole having the same diameter as the air passage 22c is formed at the substantially center. A rubber member including a portion 24a and an outer seal portion 24b including a part of the main seal portion 24a and surrounding the sleeve member 32, and a rubber member mounting portion 22e ( The air passage 22c and the through-hole are connected in communication with each other (see FIG. 1).

  The first seal member 54 and the second seal member 24 are formed of rubber members having different hardnesses. For example, the first seal member 54 has a hardness of 55 degrees and the second seal member 24 has a hardness of 70 degrees. It is made of a material such as NBR. This is because, when the first seal member 54 and the sleeve member 32, and the second seal member 24 and the ventilation seal portion 55 are in contact with each other at substantially the same time, the contact pressure received by each rubber member varies depending on the difference in contact area. This is because, by making a difference in the rubber hardness, the contact surface can be surely sealed without weakening one of the sealing forces.

  4A is a central sectional view of the lighter 1 when the closing cap 5 is in an open state, and FIG. 4B is a central sectional view of the lighter 1 when the closing cap 5 is partially opened. 4 (c) shows a central sectional view of the lighter 1 when the closing cap 5 is in a closed state.

  In the closing cap 5 having the above-described configuration, when the closing cap 5 is in the open state, as shown in FIG. 4A, the combustion portion 31 at the tip of the combustion core 3 protrudes from the tip of the sleeve member 32. . In this state, the ignition unit 4 ignites the combustion unit 31 and the liquid fuel volatilized from the surface of the combustion unit 31 burns to form a predetermined length of flame. Then, the liquid fuel is sucked up from the lower end of the combustion wick 3, and the volatilized liquid fuel is continuously burned to continuously form a flame, and the lighter 1 is used. After use, the closing cap 5 is pushed down. Then, as shown in FIG. 4 (b), the spherical surface portion 54 a of the first seal member 54 attached to the closing portion 53 b comes into contact with the combustion portion 31 at the tip of the combustion core 3. At this time, since the first seal member 54 has the spherical surface portion 54a, the load applied to the tip of the combustion portion 31 when it contacts the combustion portion 31 can be reduced.

  Next, when the closing cap 5 is further pushed downward, as shown in FIG. 4 (c), the spherical shape portion 54 a presses the tip of the combustion portion 31, so that the spring 33 is compressed and the combustion core 3 is, for example, H Is pushed down by about 4 mm, and is immersed in the sleeve member 32. The spherical surface portion 54 a comes into contact with the tip of the sleeve member 32 to seal the combustion portion 31, and the air passage seal portion 55 comes into contact with the main seal portion 24 a of the second seal member 24 to seal the air passage 22 c.

  By doing so, the combustion part 31 is sealed by the first seal part 54 and the sleeve member 32, so that the sealed space around the combustion part 31 can be substantially eliminated, and the combustion part 31 is hot together with the air passage 22c. Even if sealed, the pressure drop space is narrow, so that the suction of the fuel can be reduced. Even if the liquid fuel is sucked up into the combustion section 31, there is almost no space for the fuel to enter. The movement can be prevented. Further, even when the lighter 1 is shaken by hand with the closing cap 5 closed, the movement can be prevented because there is no space for liquid fuel to enter. Thereby, even if the closing cap 5 is opened for the next ignition, the fuel does not spread to the periphery, so that a stable flame can be formed at the time of ignition.

  Further, the lower end of the cylindrical portion 53c comes into contact with the outer seal portion 24b, and around the sleeve member 32 and the combustion core 3 protruding from the tank upper wall 22 from above the sealing of the combustion portion 31 by the first seal portion 54. Seal. Thereby, since the air passage 22c and the combustion part 31 can be sealed simultaneously, it is possible to prevent the liquid fuel from evaporating from the air passage 22c and the combustion core 3.

  At the same time, the convex portion 5b of the closing cap 5 engages with the claw 6d of the one-touch member 6, so that the closing cap 5 is fixed to the upper end of the lighter body 2, and the flame is extinguished. The flame can be extinguished by, for example, the user of the lighter 1 blowing his / her breath.

  Then, when the lighter 1 is used next time, the one-touch member 6 is pressed toward the inside of the lighter main body 2 to disengage the convex portion 5b from the claw 6d. Then, the closing cap 5 is opened by the urging force of the torsion spring 52 as shown in FIG. At this time, as shown in FIG. 4C, the combustion portion 31 of the combustion core 3 that has been immersed in the leave member 32 is urged by the spring 33, and the sleeve member 32 as shown in FIGS. 4A and 4B. For example, H = 4 mm protrudes from the front end portion. In this state, the ignition unit 4 ignites the combustion unit 31 and the liquid fuel volatilized from the surface of the combustion unit 31 burns to form a flame, and the lighter 1 can be used.

  As a result, conventionally, when the sleeve member 32 is made of, for example, metal and does not have the protruding portion, the combustion portion 31 is located inside the sleeve member 32 and heat is taken away by the metal portion. However, when the combustion part 31 protrudes beyond the tip of the sleeve member 32 as described above, the volatilization area is increased, so that the ignitability is improved and a large flame can be formed. it can.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 1, the lighter 1 can be removed from the shaft hole 2 c of the lighter body 2 by folding the pin 51 with the closing cap 5. Further, by pulling the ignition part 4 upward, the other end part 6b of the one-touch member 6 is pressed toward the outside of the lighter body 2 by the contact step part 23d, so that the ignition part 4 is extracted from the housing part 23a. Can do.

  As described above, the closing cap 5 and the igniting portion 4 are made of substantially metal, and the body side including the other lighter body 2 is made of, for example, approximately 95% of resin parts. It can be separated into resins.

Partially exploded center view of the lighter 1 is a perspective view of the main part of the closure cap as seen from the direction A in FIG. The main part perspective view of the lighter seen from the B direction in FIG. Central cross-sectional view of the lighter when the closure cap is open, partially open, and closed

Explanation of symbols

1 Lighter (combustion device for liquid fuel)
2 Lighter body (equipment body)
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 21 Fuel tank 22 Tank upper wall 22c Ventilation path 3 Combustion core 31 Combustion part 32 Sleeve member 33 Spring 4 Ignition part 5 Blocking cap 53b Blocking part 54 First seal member 54a Spherical shape part 55 Venting path seal part 24 Second seal Member 24a Main seal part 24b Outer seal part

Claims (4)

An instrument body having a fuel tank for storing liquid fuel; a combustion core for sucking the liquid fuel stored in the fuel tank by a capillary phenomenon and burning it in a combustion section at the tip; an ignition section for igniting the combustion section; a closure cap for opening and closing the upper end portion of the instrument body, the liquid fuel combustion instrument comprising a vent passage communicating with said fuel tank interior and the outside air,
A cylindrical sleeve member for holding the combustion core is disposed on the outer periphery of the combustion core,
The closing cap includes a closing part that opens and closes the combustion part,
The closing portion includes a first seal member that contacts the tip of the sleeve member and seals the combustion portion, and an air passage seal portion that closes the air passage ,
A second seal member mounted on the instrument body and abutted against the vent seal part is provided, and the second seal member is disposed around the sleeve member and has an outer seal part abutted against the closing part. Have
The combustion instrument for liquid fuel, wherein the first seal member and the second seal member are rubber members having different hardnesses . Claims the combustion portion of the combustion wick, the closure cap protrudes from the front end portion of said sleeve member when in the open state, the closure cap is characterized in that it sinks into the interior of the sleeve member when in the closed state Item 2. The combustion instrument for liquid fuel according to Item 1 . The combustion instrument for liquid fuel according to claim 2 , wherein the combustion core is biased in a protruding direction by a spring. The combustion apparatus for liquid fuel according to any one of claims 1 to 3 , wherein a surface of the first seal member on the combustion part side has a spherical shape.

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