Piezoelectric ceramic and lighter ignition principle

The higher-grade lighters are not equipped with flint inside, and their ignition devices are similar, most of which are ignited by piezoelectric ceramics through tip discharge. Some solid dielectrics have a special phenomenon due to the special structure of the lattice. That is, when the piezo crystal undergoes mechanical deformation (such as compression, elongation), polarization occurs, and on the opposite sides, an oppositely-charged charge is generated. This phenomenon is called piezoelectric ceramics . Except for some piezoelectric crystals, after a certain time of piezoceramic disc transducer is applied to the piezo ceramic by an applied electric field, the small piezo crystal electric inside the ceramic will be turned to the direction of the electric field. After the electric field is removed, the electric moment remains substantially aligned along the direction of the electric field, thus the surface of the piezo ceramic exhibits a polarized charge and has a piezoelectric effect. This piezoceramic is called a piezoelectric ceramic,Since the piezo ceramic is in contact with the surrounding air, these charges are neutralized by positive and negative ions falling in the air on the surface of the crystal,so that it does not exhibit an electrical effect. If the piezo ceramic is compressed, the orientation of the electric moment changes, the polarization charge decreases, and the degree of neutralization of the positive and negative ions on the surface decreases, so that the positive and negative charges are falling on the piezoceramic surface increase. These charges can generate electric sparks through the tip discharge, which is the gas that the lighter uses to lit.

the ignition process of a certain type of piezoelectric ceramics plates is shown .There is a small square under the ignition button, which is equipped with a small impact anvil attached to the impact spring . The small square sleeve A is mounted in the large sleeve B through the return spring F, and the limit rod next to the impact small anvil just enters the limit hole C of the B square sleeve, and the bottom of the B square sleeve is fitted with a cylindrical piezoelectric element. ceramics. When the button is pressed down, due to the action of the limit lever H, the small square moves downward and the impact small anvil J is caught at the C hole, so that the impact spring is compressed. When the chute portion K of the small square sleeve A slides onto the limit rod, the chute edge is pressing the limit rod pushes the limit rod out of the limit hole C, as shown in Fig. At this time, the spring quickly recovers the original length and drives the impacting anvil to hit the piezoelectric ceramic , so that the positive and negative charges on the piezo ceramic surface increase rapidly. These charges are discharged to the gas injection hole G through the tip D, and at the same time, the gas injection holes are sprayed under the action of the interlocking switch of piezoceramic elements ring. When the gas N is discharged, the discharge spark ignites the gas.