Patent US3729639A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US3729639A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Piezoelectric igniter
Assignee: Murata Manufacturing Co Ltd
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Filing: 1972-03-27
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Granted: 1973-04-24
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Expires: 1992-03-27
Abstract
Abstract A piezoelectric igniter comprising a piezoelectric element, an enclosure fixedly accommodating the piezoelectric element, an operating body movable in relation to the enclosure and a piezoelement impacting mechanism including a striker operatively accommodated in the operating body and mounted with two split ring springs each formed respectively with a pair of end pins, the impacting mechanism being operable so as to inwardly grip each pair of the end pins thereby permitting the striker to strike against the piezoelectric element in accordance with the movement of the operating body in relation to the enclosure.
Inventors
- 👤 Y Heinouchi
- 👤 K Tabuchi
- 👤 T Tatsumi
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-24 17:53
CPC Classifications
F; F23; F23Q; F23Q3/00; F23Q3/002
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 19
Claim 1
Independent Claim
318 words
A piezoelectric igniter comprising: an enclosure containing therein a piezoelectric element capable of generating a high-voltage spark across a spark gap upon receipt of a sufficient impact given thereto; an operating body telescoped with said enclosure, said operating body being normally maintained at a first axial position with respect to said enclosure and being capable of axial movement toward said enclosure upon receipt of an external force applied thereto from the outside; a striker axially mounted between said enclosure and operating body and slidable in the direction of the axis of said enclosure, said striker being provided with at least one split spring element, having a pair of radially outwardly extending end pins, said pair of end pins being engaged by individual portions of at least either one of said enclosure or said operating body when said operating body is at said first axial position; at least one spring axially mounted between said striker and operating body for applying to said striker an axial pushing force and for accumulating sufficient energy by compression during at least part of said axial movement of said operating body toward said enclosure to insure generation of the highvoltage spark when said sufficient impact is given to said piezoelectric element; and means having at least one slant edge and a guide edge in cooperative relation to said slant edge, said slant edge and guide edge being formed on that one of said enclosure or said operating body to which said end pins are not engaged, and being capable of gripping said end pins inwardly with respect to each other during said movement of said operating body toward said enclosure, thereby to disengage said pins from said individual portions and to release the accumulated energy of said spring in accordance with the movement of said operating body so that said striker is permitted to strike against said piezoelectric element to apply the impact thereto.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
318 words
A piezoelectric igniter comprising: an enclosure containing therein a piezoelectric element capable of generating a high-voltage spark across a spark gap upon receipt of a sufficient impact given thereto; an operating body telescoped with said enclosure, said operating body being normally maintained at a first axial position with respect to said enclosure and being capable of axial movement toward said enclosure upon receipt of an external force applied thereto from the outside; a striker axially mounted between said enclosure and operating body and slidable in the direction of the axis of said enclosure, said striker being provided with at least one split spring element, having a pair of radially outwardly extending end pins, said pair of end pins being engaged by individual portions of at least either one of said enclosure or said operating body when said operating body is at said first axial position; at least one spring axially mounted between said striker and operating body for applying to said striker an axial pushing force and for accumulating sufficient energy by compression during at least part of said axial movement of said operating body toward said enclosure to insure generation of the highvoltage spark when said sufficient impact is given to said piezoelectric element; and means having at least one slant edge and a guide edge in cooperative relation to said slant edge, said slant edge and guide edge being formed on that one of said enclosure or said operating body to which said end pins are not engaged, and being capable of gripping said end pins inwardly with respect to each other during said movement of said operating body toward said enclosure, thereby to disengage said pins from said individual portions and to release the accumulated energy of said spring in accordance with the movement of said operating body so that said striker is permitted to strike against said piezoelectric element to apply the impact thereto.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
48 words
A piezoelectric igniter as claimed in claim 1, wherein an additional spring is provided for effecting a return movement of said operating body to the first axial position after said operating body has been moved toward said piezoelectric element to give the sufficient impact to said piezoelectric element.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
19 words
an operating body telescoped with said enclosure and axially movable into said enclosure by an external force applied thereto;
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
19 words
an operating body telescoped with said enclosure and axially movable into said enclosure by an external force applied thereto;
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
35 words
an axially displaceable striker body mounted between said piezoelectric element and said operating member with an energy accumulating spring between said striker and operating body and a return spring between said striker and piezoelectric element;
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
35 words
an axially displaceable striker body mounted between said piezoelectric element and said operating member with an energy accumulating spring between said striker and operating body and a return spring between said striker and piezoelectric element;
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
34 words
A piezoelectric igniter as claimed in claim 1, wherein said striker is of cylindrical shape and formed on its periphery with at least one groove for accommodating therein said split spring element provided thereto.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
43 words
A piezoelectric igniter as claimed in claim 1, wherein said enclosure and said operating body are respectively in the shape of a box and are fitted to each other in such a manner that either of them constitutes a guide for the other.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
35 words
means for axially restraining said striker body against movement toward said piezoelectric element upon initial movement of said operating body into said enclosure whereby to permit accumulation of energy in said energy accumulating spring; and
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
35 words
means for axially restraining said striker body against movement toward said piezoelectric element upon initial movement of said operating body into said enclosure whereby to permit accumulation of energy in said energy accumulating spring; and
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
233 words
means to release said striker body for impact upon said piezoelectric element upon displacement of said operating member toward said piezoelectric element a predetermined distance, whereby to permit the energy accumulated in said energy accumulating spring to be dissipated by said impact; the improvement wherein: said means for restraining said striker body comprises a pair of split spring elements mounted in grooves extending about said striker body in a direction transverse to the axis thereof, each of said elements having a pair of radially outwardly extending end pins, each said pair of pins extending in opposite directions, and the walls of said enclosure being provided with a pair of axially extending slots for receiving each of said pair of pins, at least one shoulder being present at each slot for engaging a pin member of each said pair to effect said restraint of said striker body; and wherein said release means comprises a pair of slots foRmed in the walls of said operating body adjacent to said slots of said enclosure, each of said operating body slots being provided with an inclined surface which progressively bears against at least one pin member of said pin pair upon movement of said operating body into said enclosure, thereby by cam action pinching said member pins toward one another, thereby displacing said engaged pin member from said shoulder to effect said release of said striker body.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
233 words
means to release said striker body for impact upon said piezoelectric element upon displacement of said operating member toward said piezoelectric element a predetermined distance, whereby to permit the energy accumulated in said energy accumulating spring to be dissipated by said impact; the improvement wherein: said means for restraining said striker body comprises a pair of split spring elements mounted in grooves extending about said striker body in a direction transverse to the axis thereof, each of said elements having a pair of radially outwardly extending end pins, each said pair of pins extending in opposite directions, and the walls of said enclosure being provided with a pair of axially extending slots for receiving each of said pair of pins, at least one shoulder being present at each slot for engaging a pin member of each said pair to effect said restraint of said striker body; and wherein said release means comprises a pair of slots foRmed in the walls of said operating body adjacent to said slots of said enclosure, each of said operating body slots being provided with an inclined surface which progressively bears against at least one pin member of said pin pair upon movement of said operating body into said enclosure, thereby by cam action pinching said member pins toward one another, thereby displacing said engaged pin member from said shoulder to effect said release of said striker body.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
295 words
A piezoelectric igniter comprising an enclosure containing therein a piezoelectric element capable of generating a high voltage spark across a spark gap upon receipt of a sufficient impact given thereto; an operating body fitted to said enclosure with a first spring interposed therebetween and movable in the axial direction of said enclosure upon receipt of an external force applIed thereto from the outside; a striker of cylindrical shape being slidable in the direction of the axis of said enclosure and provided on its periphery with at least one groove; at least one second spring for applying to said striker an axial pushing force and for accumulating sufficient energy necessary to insure generation of the high voltage spark when said sufficient impact proportional to the amount of energy accumulated is given to said piezoelectric element; at least one split spring element having a substantially circular portion and a pair of radially outwardly extending end pins integral with said circular portion and elastically engaged in said groove of said striker, said circular portion encircling the depth of said groove, said pair of said end pins being projected through an opening formed on at least one side of each of said enclosure and said operating body, one of said openings being formed with a guide groove and an engagement notch and the other of said openings having a slant edge and a guide edge by which said end pins are inwardly gripped with respect to each other to disengage one of said end pins, that has been engaged into said engagement notch, thereby to release the accumulated energy of said second spring in accordance with the movement of said operating body so that said striker is permitted to strike against said piezoelectric element to apply the impact thereto.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
295 words
A piezoelectric igniter comprising an enclosure containing therein a piezoelectric element capable of generating a high voltage spark across a spark gap upon receipt of a sufficient impact given thereto; an operating body fitted to said enclosure with a first spring interposed therebetween and movable in the axial direction of said enclosure upon receipt of an external force applIed thereto from the outside; a striker of cylindrical shape being slidable in the direction of the axis of said enclosure and provided on its periphery with at least one groove; at least one second spring for applying to said striker an axial pushing force and for accumulating sufficient energy necessary to insure generation of the high voltage spark when said sufficient impact proportional to the amount of energy accumulated is given to said piezoelectric element; at least one split spring element having a substantially circular portion and a pair of radially outwardly extending end pins integral with said circular portion and elastically engaged in said groove of said striker, said circular portion encircling the depth of said groove, said pair of said end pins being projected through an opening formed on at least one side of each of said enclosure and said operating body, one of said openings being formed with a guide groove and an engagement notch and the other of said openings having a slant edge and a guide edge by which said end pins are inwardly gripped with respect to each other to disengage one of said end pins, that has been engaged into said engagement notch, thereby to release the accumulated energy of said second spring in accordance with the movement of said operating body so that said striker is permitted to strike against said piezoelectric element to apply the impact thereto.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
74 words
A piezoelectric igniter as claimed in claim 5, wherein said guide edge is provided integrally with a restricting member and said guide groove is provided with an abutment step whereby the other of said end pins which is not engaged into the engagement notch can be firmly secured by said abutment step for avoiding a possible displacement of said split spring element with respect to the plane perpendicular to the axis of said striker.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
45 words
A piezoelectric igniter as claimed in claim 5, wherein said guide groove is of the shape substantially tapered toward its depth whereby a smooth return movement of said operating body can be facilitated by said first spring interposed between said operating body and said enclosure.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
8 words
In a piezoelectric igniter of the type including:
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
8 words
In a piezoelectric igniter of the type including:
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1976-04-23 | 1976-10-23 | 1977-04-24 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-04-23 | 1980-10-23 | 1981-04-24 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-04-23 | 1984-10-23 | 1985-04-24 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |