GB1314843A - Mechanism for impacting a piezoelectric body - Google Patents

Abstract

1314843 Lighters MANSEI KOGYO KK 23 Oct 1970 [31 Oct 1969] 50485/70 Heading F4F [Also in Division H2] A piezo-electric generator for an ignition device comprises an enclosure, Fig. 1, supporting the piezo-electric element 7 together with a hammer 3 and operating member 8 which are pivotable about a pin 4, the hammer being retained away from the element by a spring-loaded pin 5 located in a slot 3a in the hammer and the ends of the pin engaging horizontal portions 2a of L-shaped slots 2 in the side-walls of the enclosure. Pressure on the member 8 loads a spring 9 located between the member and the hammer until a surface 8c on the member, disengages the pin 5 from the slot portions 2a whereupon spring 9 pivots the hammer into engagement with the element 7. A return spring 10 re-sets the hammer on release of the member 8. Alternatively, the element 7 may be arranged so that the hammer is actuated upwardly into engagement therewith and is returned by gravity. In another embodiment, Fig. 3, the enclosure 101 and operating member 108 are cylindrical, the hammer 103 and piezoelectric element 107 being arranged coaxially therein. As above, the hammer carries a pin 105 retained in L-shaped slots 102 by a spring 106. Apertures 120 in the member 108 embrace the pin and on depression of the member against a spring 104, an inclined surface 120a of the apertures 102 releases the pin 105 from portions 102a of slots 102. Fig. 7 shows a gas-fuelled lighter incorporating a generator similar to that shown in Fig. 1. The pin 205 of the pivoted hammer 203 is retained by spring 206 or step portions 201a formed on a chassis 201 until released therefrom by a surface 208a on the pivoted operating member 208. Prior to release of the pin 205 a further surface 208b on member 208 engages a valve operating member 223 to produce a flow of gas from a nozzle 222a.