JPS6330043Y2 - - Google Patents

Description

[Detailed Description of the Invention] The present invention relates to a power generation device for a gas lighter (hereinafter referred to as an electronic lighter) using a piezoelectric igniter.

Electronic lighters are popular as high-quality lighters made of metal, but not as disposable lighters made of plastic. This is mainly due to cost issues, but if this cost issue is resolved, piezoelectric ignition devices can be used in disposable and other simple lighters, and plastic electronic lighters will become a reality.

From the point of view of cost, it is desirable to have a structure that lowers the unit price of parts, facilitates assembly, and facilitates automation.In this regard, for example, Utility Model Application No. 70453 of 1987 by the present applicant states: parts cost,
Ideas have been proposed to significantly reduce both assembly costs.

FIG. 1 shows an embodiment of the invention of Utility Model Application No. 57-70453. In this embodiment, since the electrode member 1 is only sandwiched and fitted between the upper inner surface of the operation cap 2 and the impact receiver 3, the electrode member 1 and the impact receiver 3 can be connected by repeated operations. There was a possibility that the electrical contact would be poor, making it difficult to ignite.

For this purpose, either a plate-like elastic body is sandwiched between the operation cap 2 and the electrode member 1, or a notch 1a is formed in a part of the electrode member 1 as shown in FIG. However, in either case, there is a drawback that poor contact occurs due to deterioration of the elastic force, and furthermore, the arc for igniting the lighter is applied by the impactor 4 due to the biasing force of the spring 5. Electricity is generated by compressing the piezoelectric element 7 due to the impact force generated when the metal 6 hits the metal, but the impact force is absorbed by the sandwiched elastic body, and the electric power generated by the piezoelectric element 7 becomes smaller and the arc becomes smaller. The disadvantage is that it becomes difficult to ignite.

In view of the above points, the present invention is an electronic lighter that can ensure electrical contact between the electrode member and the impact receiving metal with a simple structure without reducing the impact force applied to the piezoelectric element, and also enables smooth mass production. The purpose of this invention is to provide a power generation device for use.

In the power generation device for an electronic lighter of the present invention, a conductive member having a bent portion at one end is fixed on the upper surface of an impact receiver 3, and an electrode member 1 is disposed on the upper surface of the conductive member via a non-conductive member. One end of the member 1 inside the operating cap 2 is bent at a substantially right angle so as to make surface contact with the bent portion of the conductive member, and the operating cap 2 is covered with the operating cap 2 from above.
The bending ends of the electrode member 4 and the conductive member are pressed into close contact with the non-conductive member by the inner surfaces of the electrode member 4 and the conductive member.

According to the present invention, the electrode member and the impact receiver are electrically connected to each other through surface contact between the outer surface of the bent end of the conductive member fixed on the upper surface of the impact receiver and the inner surface of the bent end of the electrode member. Moreover, when the operation cap is fitted, these bent ends are pressed against the non-conductive member held between the two and are securely contacted, so some misalignment between the bent ends occurs. However, the desired power can be obtained from the piezoelectric element. Because the structure is simple and easy to assemble, it is easy to mass produce and automate the manufacturing process without compromising the performance of the power generator, and it is also possible to use the piezoelectric ignition device in simple lighters such as disposable ones. This makes it possible to realize an inexpensive plastic electronic lighter. EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION Hereinafter, one embodiment of the power generation device for an electronic lighter of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 3 is a side sectional view of a power generation device for an electronic lighter according to an embodiment of the present invention. The same parts as those of the conventional example shown in FIG. 1 are designated by the same numbers.

In FIG. 3, one piezoelectric element 7 is placed inside the outer case 8.
The impactor 4, which is urged in the direction of the outer case 8 by the impact spring 5, is stored separately in the inner case 9, and the outer case 8 is urged upward on the inner case 9. It is covered with a return spring 10. An impact receiver 3 is fitted onto the upper cylindrical portion of the outer case 8 provided on the opposite side of the impactor 4 of the piezoelectric element 7 . A band-shaped conductive member 13 is sandwiched between the impact receiver 3 and a non-conductive member 12 such as plastic disposed above it, and one end 13a of this conductive member 13 is bent upward at a substantially right angle. It is being A circular recess 12a is formed in the center of the upper surface of the non-conductive member 12, and a through-hole 12b is provided at the center of the recess 12a, and a bolt 14 is inserted into the through-hole 12b. The non-conductive member 12, the conductive member 13, and the impact receiver 3 are integrally fixed by being press-fitted into the impact receiver 3 through the hole 13b. These three integrally fixed members 1
The operating cap 2 is press-fitted onto the caps 2, 13, and 3, and the electrode member 1 is clamped and fixed therebetween. One end of this electrode member 1 is connected to the operation cap 2.
The other end 1a on the opposite side is bent downward at a substantially right angle to form a discharge electrode that protrudes linearly to the outside through a through hole provided on one side of the conductive member and faces a nozzle (not shown). It is clamped and crimped between the bent portion 13a of 13 and the inner surface of the operating cap 2.

Furthermore, a stopper 6 that is in contact with the surface of the piezoelectric element 7 housed in the outer case 8 opposite to the impact receiver 3 and protrudes into the inner case with its head facing the impactor 4 is attached to the piezoelectric element 7 .
and outer box 8.

In the power generation device according to the embodiment of the present invention configured as described above, the impact receiver 3 and the conductive member 13 are pressed together with the bolt 14 through the non-conductive member 12, and the conductive member 13 and the electrode member 1, the respective bent portions 13a and 1a are tightly pressed together by the operation cap 2 being press-fitted, so that the electric power generated from the piezoelectric element 7 is transmitted through the shock receiver 3 and the conductive member 13. The information can be reliably transmitted to the electrode member 1. Furthermore, even if the distance between the impact receiver 3 and the electrode member 1 is slightly different, the bent portions 13a and 1 of the conductive member 13 and the electrode member 1
Since there is surface contact with a, there is no support for power transmission.

Although this embodiment shows a case in which one piezoelectric element is used, two piezoelectric elements may be used.

As explained in detail above, the power generation device of the present invention places a conductive member on the shock receiver, and bends one end of each of the conductive member and the electrode member almost directly below and presses them into contact with the piezoelectric element. The generated power can be reliably transmitted to the electrode member, and the structure is simple and easy to assemble, making it easy to mass produce and automate the manufacturing process.
This is extremely advantageous in practice.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIG. 1 is a side sectional view of a conventional generator for electronic lighters, FIG. 2 is a side sectional view showing another example of the head structure, and FIG. 3 is a side sectional view of a generator for electronic lighters according to an embodiment of the present invention.
1: electrode member; 2: operating cap; 7: piezoelectric element; 12: non-conductive member; 13: conductive member; 14: bolt.

Claims (1)

[Scope of utility model registration request] An outer box that accommodates the piezoelectric element, an inner box that accommodates the impactor, an impact receiver fixed on the opposite side of the impactor with the piezoelectric element sandwiched outside the outer case, and a portion between the outer case and the piezoelectric element. A stopper held by the impactor and projecting into the inner box with its head facing the impactor, a discharge electrode member electrically connected to one pole of the piezoelectric element through the impact receiver and projecting outward, and a piezoelectric element. In a power generation device for an electronic lighter consisting of a gas lever press electrically connected to the other pole, the discharge electrode member 1 is bent at a substantially right angle with one end opposite to one end protruding outwardly of the member, A non-conductive member is provided at the upper end of the outer case and abuts against the inner surface of the operation cap 2 for pressing the outer case downward, and a non-conductive member is placed between the lower surface of the discharge electrode member 1 and the upper surface of the impact receiver 3. 12, and further the bent end 1a of the electrode member 1.
A power generating device for an electronic lighter, characterized in that a conductive member 13 having a bent portion 13a in surface contact with the non-conductive member 12 is disposed between the lower surface of the non-conductive member 12 and the upper surface of the impact receiver 3.