JPH044498B2 - - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION (Field of Industrial Application) The present invention is commonly used for electronic lighters and gas range ignition, but is particularly applicable to lighters with the recent trend of inexpensive electronic lighters. This invention relates to a piezoelectric unit with a spark plug that can achieve overall rationalization.

(Conventional structure and its problems) The basic principle and structure of a piezoelectric unit for gas ignition is to apply the piezoelectricity of ceramics that generates an electric charge when subjected to an impact, and uses a piezoelectric element as a piezoelectric source. It is roughly divided into two parts: a main body that accommodates parts such as, and a hammer structure for applying impact, and is configured in a vertically elongated shape.

Conventionally, the conduction relationship between the Yin and Yang electrodes has been established by using adhesive on the outside of the piezoelectric unit body or by press-fitting the lead wires to connect them to the internal parts and providing insulation for the positive electrode conduction. A lead wire is guided and fixed near the gas outlet to serve as a positive electrode. For negative conduction, either the housing is molded with conductive resin or an indirect part is used, and the metal press contacts the conductive synthetic resin gas ejection lever and guides it to the nozzle, forming the negative electrode. However, although this method involves creating a spark between it and the positive electrode, it may not be possible to ignite it due to the force of the ejected gas. In particular, there is a temperature difference of more than 30 degrees Celsius between summer and winter, and gas evaporation is difficult in the cold season, so a strong spark is required for ignition.

The shape of the piezoelectric element is roughly 2 to 3 mm φ x 5 to 6
It has a cylindrical shape with a diameter of millimeter L, and both ends are yin and yang.
The piezoelectric unit has approximately one piezoelectric element and two
There are two types for individual use. Wiring is simple in series if only one is used. On the other hand, a device that uses two devices is difficult because it requires an intermediate terminal in parallel, but it is superior in terms of output and durability. The method of output conduction is almost the same for both, and positive conduction is basically via an insulated lead wire, but because the distance between the negative and positive conductive parts is narrow, leakage may occur in places with poor insulation. They are prone to pinholes, which often cause leaks and prevent proper sparking.

(Means for Solving the Problems) The present invention integrates indirect parts for electrode conduction, which are necessary when using a piezoelectric unit, into the main body of the piezoelectric unit, thereby making the insulation more solid overall. By preventing leakage, making the output conductive through the shortest possible direct connection, and providing a means for generating sparks in the piezoelectric unit alone, we have succeeded in completely eliminating the above-mentioned disadvantages.

(Preferred Embodiments of the Invention) Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a simplified diagram showing the configuration of a completed assembly of a lighter according to an embodiment of the present invention. The push button B is placed and fixed on the upper part of the housing 10 of the main body of the piezoelectric unit A according to the present invention, inserted into the lighter main body C in which predetermined parts have been assembled, and the electronic lighter is covered with the cap D. You can roughly complete the assembly.

FIG. 2 is a simplified diagram supplementing the ignition operation in FIG. 1. When pushbutton B is pressed, the main body of piezoelectric unit A is also pressed by hammer mechanism 16.
At the same time, the protrusion 17 provided on the side wall surface of the main body housing 10 of the piezoelectric unit lowers while driving the piezoelectric unit.
When the gas ejection lever E is pushed, the nozzle F is pulled up and the gas is ejected. A spark plug 15, which is comprised of two Yin and Yang electrodes and is provided on the electrode stand 14, is lowered at a position about 2 mm to the side of the ejection port, and ignites the ejected gas when a spark is generated.

FIG. 3 is a simplified top view showing the positional relationship between the spark plug and the nozzle in FIG. 2. push button B
The spark plug 15 when pressed is positioned next to the gas outlet of the nozzle F. If we connect the three points of Yin and Yang electrodes and the end of nozzle F with a line, we get
As long as a triangle with sides of about 2 mm is formed, the yin and yang bipoles of the spark plug do not necessarily have to be horizontal, but can be vertical or diagonal.

This technique also has the advantage of making it easier to ignite the gas at a distance from the gas ejection port, since it avoids the strong gas and allows the gas to be sparked with a weak ejection force.

FIG. 4 is a simplified reference diagram showing the basic configuration of a conventional lighter using a lead wire type piezoelectric unit. Basically, the tip H of a lead wire as a positive electrode conductor is guided near the nozzle F and fixed using a guide holder I. The negative electrode is connected to the nozzle F through the gas ejection lever E via a negative conductive part J made of metal press or casting, which serves as a negative electrode. As described above, since the conventional electrode conduction method used indirect parts, it was difficult to automate the assembly of the entire lighter.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing the entire piezoelectric unit according to an embodiment of the present invention. Main body housing 1
Conventionally, with an electrode stand 14 extending on the side wall surface of the upper part of the spark plug 15 and a spark plug 15 constructed by fixing the Yin and Yang conductors facing each other and using them as electrodes, the Yin and Yang conductors led from the inside in the shortest direct connection are used. Since indirect parts required for output conduction, electrodes, etc. can be omitted, various advantages can be produced.

FIG. 6 is a three-dimensional view showing a method of assembling the main body in FIG. 5. Top surface 1 of main body housing 10
Slot hole 12 drilled from 1 and through round hole 1 with threaded part
3, the seat 1, the piezoelectric element a2, the intermediate terminal 3, and the positive electrode conductor 4 are connected and integrated by soldering, and the piezoelectric element b5 is connected, and then the negative electrode conductor 6 is connected with a groove in the pedestal 7. Insert and assemble related parts such as piezoelectric generation and output conduction, such as those that are press-fitted and integrated, in order, insert the rubber gasket 8, adjust the torque with the screw 9, and connect the negative and positive electrode conductors 4 and 7. Electrode stand 1
4, fit them into the grooves so that they do not touch each other, and fix them so that the two tips are facing each other with a distance of about 2 mm,
After configuring the spark plug 15, a caulking agent is injected through the component insertion port to prevent leakage, to secure the components in place, and to prevent damage to the piezoelectric element, thereby completing the assembly of the main body. At the same time, by incorporating a spring for repetitive operation and a hammer mechanism 16 for applying impact into the lower part of the main body housing 10, a piezoelectric unit with a spark plug, which is an embodiment of the present invention, can be completed.

(Effect of the invention) The piezoelectric unit with spark plug according to the present invention has the following features:
It is used for gas ignition of lighters, gas ranges, etc. As an example, a case for a writer will be explained. Defective products occur due to various reasons during the final assembly of electronic lighters. This is often due to either a defect in the nozzle or the piezoelectric unit, or an improper assembly between the lighter body and the piezoelectric unit. conventionally,
Since it is difficult to inspect the output and spark of all piezoelectric units after they are completed, it has generally been done by incorporating them into lighters and performing ignition tests as well.

The piezoelectric unit with a spark plug of the present invention has the following features: it is possible to assemble parts from one side of the piezoelectric unit body, which saves labor; it is easy to perform a preliminary output/spark inspection; and there is a gap between the piezoelectric unit and the lighter body. It is possible to eliminate indirect parts such as electrodes and conductors, the complicated structure of the lighter body can be simplified, and the piezoelectric unit can be easily attached and detached from the lighter body, making it easier to assemble and adjust the entire lighter. You can save labor when recycling defective products, etc., you can get a strong spark by directly connecting the output, you can avoid the strong gas that blows out, and you can create a spark in the weak gas at a little distance. Therefore, the ignition efficiency can be increased. or,
The size of the piezoelectric unit can be the same as a general-purpose unit, with a main body measuring 7 mm square and a total length of within 40 mm.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

Figure 1: A simplified diagram showing the configuration of a completed assembly of a lighter according to an embodiment of the present invention, Figure 2: A simplified diagram supplementing the ignition operation in Figure 1, Figure 3:
Figure 2: A simplified top view showing the positional relationship between the spark plug and the nozzle; Figure 4: A simplified top view showing the basic configuration of a lighter using a conventional lead wire type piezoelectric unit; Figure 5: The present invention. FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing the entire piezoelectric unit as an example of the piezoelectric unit, and FIG. 6 is a three-dimensional view showing the method of assembling the main body of FIG.
4: positive electrode conductor, 5: piezoelectric element b, 6: pedestal,
7: Cathode conductor wire, 8: Rubber gasket, 9: Screw,
10: Main body housing, 11: Top surface, 12: Slot hole, 13: Through-hole with screw part, 14: Electrode stand, 1
5: Spark plug, 16: Hammer mechanism, 17: Projection, A: Piezoelectric unit body, B: Push button, C:
Lighter main body, D: cap, E: gas ejection lever, F: nozzle, G: lead wire, H: lead wire tip, I: guide holder, J: negative conduction parts.

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. An electrode stand is integrally molded with the main body housing and extends on the upper side wall surface of the synthetic resin main body housing of the piezoelectric unit, and a slotted hole and a through round hole with a threaded part are bored on the top surface of the main body housing. The parts necessary for piezoelectric generation are inserted into the slot and the through-hole with a threaded part, and the above-mentioned parts are injected into the slot and the through-hole with a threaded part. It is fixed with caulking agent, and each Yin and Yang conductor is guided to the electrode stand and fixed with the two ends facing each other.
A piezoelectric unit with a spark plug characterized by having an ignition plasma composed of Yin and Yang bipoles.