GB1363570A - Piezoelectric igniter - Google Patents

Abstract

1363570 Piezo-electric generators MURATA MFG CO Ltd 21 Feb 1972 [2 April 1971 22 Aug 1971] 7913/72 Heading H2A A piezo-electric igniter comprises an enclosure 20 for the piezo-electric element 10, an operating member 30 slidable within the enclosure and between them a striker 40 having circumferential grooves 41a, 41b in which are located circlips 50, 55 with out-turned ends 53a, 53b and 58a, 58b respectively. These ends locate in triangular openings 34, 35 in opposite sides of the operating member 30 and in notches 25a, 26a in longitudinal grooves 25, 26 in the sides of the enclosure 20 to retain member 30 in the enclosure and hold the striker 40 in its inoperative position against a spring 60. Axial pressure on member 30 loads the spring 60 and causes the sloping edges 34a, 35a of openings 34, 35 to force together the ends of the circlips until the ends 53e, 58a disengage the notches 25a, 26a whereupon the striker is released into engagement with the element 10. On release of member 30, a spring 70 returns it and the striker to their initial positions. Various alternative shapes and arrangements of grooves, notches and springs are described, Figs. 4-7 (not shown), and in a further embodiment, Fig. 8 (not shown), the longitudinal grooves (25<1>, 26<1>) in the enclosure are tapered so that the circlips expand during the return movement of the striker and operating member and assist the spring 70.