JPH11270847A - Wick for liquid fuel combustor - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To obtain a flame having shape conforming to the purpose of use, especially an elongated thin flame, by composing a wick of a porous material and providing a skin layer for suppressing evaporation of liquid fuel at least on the side face of burning part except upper end face. SOLUTION: A combustion wick 6 is made of a porous material where capillary paths are formed in ceramic fibers, acryl fibers, glass fibers, porous ceramic or porous glass material into a rectangular rod, for example. A skin layer 8 for suppressing evaporation of liquid fuel from the side face is provided partially or entirely on the side face at the burning part 61 of the combustion wick 6 except the upper end face 6a thereof. More specifically, coating liquid or heat resistant paint produced by mixing a bond of glass material or low melting point glass material with metal oxide powder, heat resistant inorganic compound powder or metal powder is applied to the outer circumference at the part being held by a wick holder 7 starting from the burning part 61 or that part is immersed into the liquid and dried to form a skin layer 8 of 0.2-0.5 mm thick.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a liquid fuel burning appliance such as a lighter for a smoking article, an igniter, etc., which uses a liquid fuel mainly composed of alcohol, and sucks and burns the liquid fuel from a fuel tank by utilizing a capillary phenomenon. The present invention relates to a combustion wick to be burned, and more particularly, to a structure of a burning portion for burning.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In general, fuels for burning equipment such as lighters for smoking equipment, igniters, torches, lighting equipment, etc. include alcohol fuels such as ethyl alcohol, petroleum benzene benzene fuels including gasoline, butane gas, propane gas and the like. Liquefied gas fuel is used.

[0003] The performance, ease of use, and design structure of each burner differ depending on the type of fuel used, and each burner has its own characteristics.

For example, in the case of a benzene fuel made of a mixture of petroleum benzene hydrocarbon compounds, the fuel is a mixture of compounds having different boiling points, and a benzene component having a low boiling point volatilizes in an early stage of use after ignition of a combustion appliance. Since the volatile components are sequentially shifted to hydrocarbons having a high boiling point, the fuel composition remaining in the combustion equipment changes according to the burning time,
The same applies to gasoline, which causes a change in flame length. In addition, benzine and gasoline have high volatility, and combustion equipment that uses them requires a hermetic structure to reduce volatilization from the fuel storage section and the combustion wick. The benzine and gasoline have a peculiar smell and may not be preferred.

[0005] In the case of liquefied gas fuel, the gas pressure is high in the operating temperature range of the combustion equipment, and a container for storing the fuel needs a pressure-resistant structure. Further, the flame length changes in accordance with the fluctuation of the gas pressure. In particular, the gas pressure has a characteristic of greatly changing logarithmically with the temperature, and there is a problem that the flame length greatly changes with the temperature. In order to reduce the change in the flame length, special design measures for compensating for the temperature of the fuel supply mechanism of the combustion apparatus are required, which complicates the structure and is disadvantageous in cost.

On the other hand, in the case of alcohol fuel, a liquid fuel mainly composed of alcohol such as lower monohydric alcohol such as ethyl alcohol, methyl alcohol and propyl alcohol is liquid at room temperature, has a relatively low vapor pressure, and has a low fuel pressure. A pressure-resistant container in the storage unit is not required, and the fuel tank and the combustion wick may be hermetically sealed so that the alcohol does not evaporate. This is advantageous in terms of simplification of the structure of the combustion apparatus and cost.

[0007] Further, in the combustion apparatus using a liquid fuel mainly composed of alcohol, as a means for supplying the liquid fuel from the fuel storage section to the combustion section, generally, the surface tension of the liquid fuel is utilized. A combustion wick is used that sucks up continuous pores or slits formed by bundling fine fibers by capillary action and burns at the tip.

[0008] Specifically, the above-mentioned combustion wick is used for sucking up the fuel, in which the fiber is twisted into a string, the glass fiber is bundled, or both are used, and the glass fiber is wrapped with a cotton yarn, and this is melted. In order to avoid this, a material wound around a thin metal wire or the like is used, the lower end suction part functions as a fuel sucker, and combustion is performed in the upper end combustion part.

[0009]

However, in a burning appliance such as a lighter for a smoking article or an igniter using the above-mentioned burning wick, the initial flame length after ignition depends on the material and form of the burning wick. , The length of the flame, the length of the saturated flame, the thickness of the flame, and the like are different.

That is, a lighter for a smoking article and an igniter are manufactured by using the above-mentioned conventional combustion wick, and when the leading end combustion portion is ignited, the liquid of the flame volatilizes from the leading end face and the outer periphery of the leading end portion of the burning portion. The gas is formed by burning the gas, and the liquid fuel evaporates and rises more than the outer peripheral portion of the lower portion of the burning portion. When the fuel is ignited, a thicker and longer flame is formed. This combustion state is similar to the form of the flame due to the ignition of the candle.When considering the combustion wick for obtaining the required flame length, the combustion wick has a certain thickness, that is, the tip Needs the size of However, there is a proportional relationship between the thickness of the combustion wick and the thickness of the flame, and the thickness of the flame increases with a thick combustion wick.

[0011] For example, in the case of a lighter for a smoking article as a burning appliance, the thinner the flame, the smaller the thickness of the flame for the purpose of igniting a cigarette. There are conflicting demands for thinning.

In the ignition of the combustion wick as described above, it is necessary that the liquid fuel is present in a volatilized state in the vicinity of the combustion wick where sparks due to ignite or discharge act. Moreover, in addition to the fuel volatilized from the upper end surface of the combustion wick, the presence of the fuel volatilized from the side surface of the wick is important for securing the ignitability, and the influence on the ignition rate particularly at low temperatures may be increased. found.

Further, when designing a burning appliance, the igniting member which ignites by blowing a spark on the wick has better ignitability when approaching the wick.
There is a problem that the edge of the flame approaches the ignition member and causes the temperature of the ignition member such as a file wheel to rise. For example, when a file wheel is heated, heat is transferred to the support portion formed of the plastic, the support portion is melted, and the file wheel falls off due to the pressing force of the igniter stone pressed against the file wheel. May become unusable. Especially when the combustion wick and the ignition member approach, the air flow around the combustion wick changes,
The flame tends to expand toward the ignition member, and the above-mentioned problem of overheating may occur.

On the other hand, in the case of a combustion appliance using a liquid fuel mainly composed of alcohol, even if a material exhibiting a flame reaction is added to the fuel, the flame may not be easily seen. For this reason, there is also a demand that the form of the flame is further clarified by coloring the flame.

The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and it is an object of the present invention to provide a combustion wick of a liquid fuel combustion appliance capable of obtaining a flame form suitable for a purpose of use, particularly a thin and long flame.

[0016]

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the combustion wick of the liquid fuel combustion apparatus according to the present invention contains liquid fuel in a batting accommodated in a fuel tank, and the batting comes into contact with the suction portion to cause capillary action. A combustion wick that sucks up liquid fuel and burns it in the tip combustion section, and an ignition member that ignites the combustion section, wherein the combustion wick is made of a porous material, and combustion excluding at least the upper end face is performed. An outer skin layer for suppressing volatilization of the liquid fuel is provided on a side surface of the portion.

Further, the combustion core provided with the outer layer is provided so that the liquid fuel is volatilized uniformly over the entire side surface, or the volatilization suppressing effect of the liquid fuel on the side of the igniting member is reduced. Provided to be smaller than the function. In that case, the outer skin layer is partially formed by removing, for example, a slit shape on the side surface on the ignition member side, or by not forming the outer skin layer, the volatilization suppressing action of the liquid fuel can be made smaller than the other side surfaces. It is possible, and in these, the outer skin layer may be formed of a material having no permeability to the liquid fuel.

Regarding the outer skin layer provided on the entire circumference or partially on the side surface of the combustion wick, the outer skin layer is formed as a porous film having a permeability lower than that of the liquid fuel inside the wick, from which the liquid fuel penetrates. It is preferable to provide it so that it evaporates.

For example, the outer layer is formed by applying or dipping and solidifying a mixture of a metal oxide powder and a fixing agent.
The outer layer is formed by applying or dipping and solidifying a heat-resistant inorganic compound powder or a metal powder or a mixture of the mixture and a fixing agent. As the metal oxide powder, titanium oxide, aluminum oxide or the like is used alone or in combination. It is preferable to use a water glass material or a low-melting glass material made of sodium silicate, potassium silicate, or the like as the fixing agent. The thickness of the outer skin layer is 0.2
It is preferably provided in a range of mm to 0.5 mm.

The outer skin layer may be coated with a heat-resistant paint or dipped and dried. It is preferable that the outer skin layer contains a metal compound exhibiting a flame reaction. On the other hand, carbon may be added to the outer skin layer. After the formation of the outer skin layer, a coating solution containing carbon may be coated.

The permeability of the liquid fuel in the outer layer may be different between the upper end of the combustion part and the other part. For example, the permeability may be higher at the upper end of the combustion part and lower at the lower part. Or vice versa. In that case, the thickness of the outer skin layer may be provided so as to be different between the thickness of the upper end portion of the combustion portion and the thickness of the other portions.

[0022] The tip of the combustion core provided with the outer skin layer may be formed on an inclined surface, and the inclined surface may be disposed toward the ignition member.

The combustion core is preferably made of a heat-resistant material such as ceramic fiber or glass fiber and formed into a rectangular rod having a rectangular cross section, and may be made of porous ceramic or porous glass material. Further, the combustion wick is formed of a porous material that is compression-molded in a direction perpendicular to the axial direction thereof. It is arranged toward the ignition member to prevent overheating of the ignition member, or when the amount of volatilization from the side surface is small as a whole by forming the outer skin layer, the surface orthogonal to the compression surface at the time of compression molding is ignited You may arrange | position to a member and may raise an ignition rate.

In the combustion wick of the liquid fuel combustion apparatus of the present invention as described above, the volatilization of the liquid fuel from the side surface of the combustion portion is controlled so as to be ignitable by the formation of the outer layer, so that the length of the flame can be reduced. And keep the thickness small. In other words, in the case where the entire side of the combustion portion of the combustion wick is hermetically covered with a skin layer that is not permeable to liquid fuel so that no fuel is volatilized from this side, the liquid fuel is supplied to the upper end surface of the combustion wick. Since the flame is formed only by the more volatilized fuel, the flame becomes thin. However, since the ignition of the combustion wick is generally performed from the side, it is difficult to ignite if the liquid fuel does not volatilize from such a side.

In this respect, in the present invention, ignition is possible by blowing a spark from the side surface, and the liquid fuel is ignited from the outer peripheral side surface of the combustion portion of the combustion wick so as not to increase the thickness of the flame. Forming a porous skin layer that permeates and volatilizes, or reduces the volatilization suppressing action on the side of the ignition member as compared with the other side to enable good ignition by the ignition member, while using liquid fuel on the upper end surface of the combustion wick By exposing the surface of the combustion core material having a high suction volatilization ability, a long and thin flame shape was obtained, and a combustion core capable of general ignition was obtained.

As the liquid fuel mainly composed of alcohol, for example, a lower monohydric alcohol such as methyl alcohol, ethyl alcohol or propyl alcohol is used as a main component, and a saturated hydrocarbon such as hexane or heptane for coloring the flame is used. A mixture is used.

[0027]

According to the combustion wick of the liquid fuel combustion apparatus of the present invention, the combustion wick is made of a porous material, and the volatilization of the liquid fuel from the side surface of the wick at least on the side surface excluding the upper end surface of the combustion part is suppressed. By providing the outer skin layer, the fuel volatilized from the side of the ignition member side secures the ignitability from the side by the ignition member, while securing the size of the upper end surface of the combustion wick to some extent and from the upper end surface. While securing the length of the flame due to sufficient fuel volatilization, the outer skin layer suppresses the amount of fuel volatilized from the outer peripheral surface, thereby preventing the thickness of the flame, especially the thickness of the lower end portion from becoming large, and making it thin. It is possible to prevent the temperature of the ignition member from rising due to the flame approaching the ignition member, and it is possible to obtain a thin and long flame form which has not been obtained conventionally by a simple structure. As a result, the degree of freedom in the form of the flame can be increased, and characteristics suitable for the purpose of use of the burning appliance, such as a lighter for smoking equipment and an igniter, can be obtained, and its commercial value can be enhanced.

When the volatilization suppressing action on the side of the combustion core provided with the outer layer on the side of the ignition member is made smaller than that of the other side, the amount of volatilization for ignition can be easily ensured and the volatilization on the other side can be ensured. It is possible to easily achieve compatibility with reducing the thickness of the flame by suppression.

Further, by forming the outer skin layer as described above, the hardness of the combustion portion of the combustion wick is increased, the strength is increased, and the durable life of the combustion portion for use can be extended.

Further, in the time-dependent change of the flame in the continuous combustion after the ignition, the flame length elongation rises quickly immediately after the ignition, and the saturated flame length becomes short, so that suitable characteristics as combustion characteristics of an igniter or the like can be obtained. Can be

The flame is mainly formed by the combustion of the fuel volatilized from the upper end face of the combustion portion of the combustion wick, and does not depend on the amount of volatilization from the side surface of the combustion portion. The protrusion amount can be reduced, and the design of the closing cap that covers the combustion part for volatilization prevention becomes easy.

By controlling the volatilization of the fuel from the side surface of the combustion portion by forming the outer skin layer, a thin and long flame can be formed. The fuel consumption was reduced, and the number of times of use and the time of use could be greatly increased for the same fuel amount.

On the other hand, in the case of a burning appliance in which it is advantageous to see the shape of the flame in the combustion state, the flame color component such as sodium is contained in the outer skin layer so that the flame color component in the outer skin layer is burned. This causes a flame reaction and causes the flame to be colored, thereby clarifying the form of the flame. In addition, even if the outer skin layer contains carbon or a coat containing carbon is applied on it, carbon is similarly released with combustion and a yellow color can be obtained in the flame, making the flame easily visible Become.

[0034]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Hereinafter, embodiments of a combustion wick of a liquid fuel combustion device according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1A shows a basic structure of a combustion wick according to the present invention. The main body of the combustion wick 6 is formed of a porous material, and a portion protruding above the wick holder 7 is provided in the combustion portion 61 and a batting 3 (see FIG. 3) below the wick holder 7 which is impregnated and held with a liquid fuel described below. The contacting part is provided on the suction part 62.

An outer skin layer 8 for suppressing the volatilization of the liquid fuel from the side surface is provided on a part or the entire periphery of the combustion core 61 except the upper end surface 6a of the combustion portion 61. This skin layer 8
For example, the core is made porous having permeability so that liquid fuel sucked up by capillary action penetrates and volatilizes from the surface, and the permeability is lower than that of the main body material inside the core.

More specifically, as will be described in detail in the following embodiment, the combustion wick 6 has a capillary passage formed inside ceramic fiber, acrylic fiber, glass fiber, porous ceramic, porous glass material, or the like. For example, it is formed of a porous material in the shape of a square rod, and a metal oxide powder such as titanium oxide and aluminum oxide, a heat-resistant inorganic compound powder, a metal powder Etc.
Sodium silicate, water silicate material such as potassium silicate, or a coating solution or heat-resistant paint mixed with a fixing agent made of a low-melting glass material is applied or dipped and dried to have a thickness of 0.2 to 0.5 mm. An outer skin layer 8 is formed.

Then, the application liquid is not applied to the upper end surface 6a of the combustion section 61 so that the surface of the core material such as the ceramic fiber is exposed, or the end surface is cut after the application. Further, the relationship between the ignition performance and the thickness of the flame is adjusted by adjusting the coating thickness of the coating solution. Further, the tip surface 6a may be formed obliquely.

FIG. 1B shows the combustion state of the combustion wick 60 of the comparative example having no outer skin layer. The outer peripheral surface of the combustion portion 61 has high permeability, as indicated by arrows. A large amount of fuel is volatilized, and the flame ignited and burned by the side surface and the flame due to the volatile gas from the upper end surface 6a are united to form a large and large flame as a whole. In particular, the lower end becomes thicker. Further, the amount of volatilization from the front end face 6a and the outer peripheral face increases due to the temperature rise due to the continuation of combustion after ignition, the flame becomes large, and a saturated state as shown in the figure is obtained.

On the other hand, in the combustion state of the combustion wick 6 according to the present invention shown in FIG. Cortical layer 8
The volatilization of the fuel is suppressed and reduced by the formation of the flame, and the flame ignited by the volatile gas from this side is small, and the entire flame has a narrow lower end, and the flame length is slightly shortened, but the required length can be obtained. Then, even if the volatilization amount increases due to the temperature rise after ignition, the increase in the volatilization amount from the outer peripheral surface is suppressed, and the extension of the saturated flame length is suppressed. Further, the upper end surface 6a of the combustion portion 61 of the combustion wick 6
Because the formation of the flame is mainly performed by the volatilization of the fuel,
The protruding length of the combustion part 61 from the wick holder 7 can be shortened to about 3 mm as compared with the case where the outer skin layer is not formed.

FIG. 2 shows combustion in the case where the outer skin layer 8 is formed to be thicker to further reduce the fuel permeability on the side surface of the combustion portion 61. When the permeation volatility from the outer skin layer 8 becomes lower, FIG. When the combustion portion 61 is ignited, a rising air current due to temperature is generated at the same time as the formation of a flame on the side surface of the combustion portion 61, and the fuel gas volatilized from the outer layer 8 rises without forming a flame on this side surface, Combustion occurs with the flame of the fuel gas volatilized from the upper end face 6a of the combustion section 61, and in this case, the thickness of the lower end of the flame is further reduced. Thus, the thickness and length of the flame can be set according to the intended use of the burning appliance. At that time, in order to increase the ignition rate, the outer skin layer 8 on the side of the ignition side may be partially or entirely removed to reduce the volatilization suppressing effect and increase the volatilization amount for ignition.

Further, the shape of the flame can be further changed by changing the coating thickness such that the outer skin layer 8 has a higher permeability at the upper end and a lower permeability at the lower end, or vice versa. It is.

The amount of volatilization that has passed through the outer skin layer 8 needs to be sufficient to obtain ignitability, but the required amount varies depending on the ignition performance of the ignition member.

Further, in order to make it easy to see the shape of the flame, a metal compound exhibiting a flame reaction or carbon is added to the outer skin layer 8 or a coating material mixed with carbon is coated on the outer skin layer 8.

<First Embodiment> FIG. 3 shows a schematic sectional structure of a smoking article lighter as an example of a liquid fuel burning appliance incorporating the above-mentioned combustion core 6. In addition, the combustion wick 6
Is also shown.

The lighter 1 has a bottomed cylindrical fuel tank 2, into which a batting 3 made of a fiber material impregnated with and holding liquid fuel is inserted. 4 is fixed to form a fuel storage unit 5 for storing liquid fuel. The batting 3 is filled into the bottom of the fuel tank 2 to form an upper space 2a.

For example, the fuel tank 2 is a molded article made of polypropylene and has an inner volume of 5 cm ³ .
Filling 3 is a 6-denier polypropylene fiber,
The fuel tank 2 is charged at a density of 0.05 g / cm ³ , and 4 g of a liquid fuel obtained by mixing 95 wt% of ethyl alcohol and 5 wt% of n-hexane is injected and impregnated into the batting 3 and stored.

Further, a metal core holder 7 is fixedly secured by vertically penetrating the upper lid 4 into the fuel tank 2.
A rod-shaped combustion core 6 is mounted on the core holder 7 in the vertical direction. The combustion wick 6 has a combustion portion 61 at the tip protruding upward from the wick holder 7 and a suction portion 62 that contacts the batting 3 below and are integrally formed of the same material.

The combustion wick 6 is formed of ceramic fibers. For example, trace amounts of an organic binder and a hardening agent are added to ceramic fibers of 2.8 μm in thickness and made of a raw material mainly composed of alumina and silica. A plate having a fiber packing density of 0.16 g / cm ³ was formed into a plate shape, cut, and cut into a square having a cross section of 3 mm × 4 mm and a length of 70 mm. 0.0mmφ, outer diameter 6.0mm
φ is inserted into the core holder 7 having a length of 7.0 mm.
The combustion portion 61 of the combustion wick 6 is fixed so that the protruding length from the upper end surface of the wick holder 7 is 3 mm, and the suction portion 62 has a length of 45 mm from the lower end inserted into the batting 3.

At least the outer peripheral side surface of the combustion portion 61 of the combustion wick 6 is covered with a skin layer 8 which is porous and has a lower liquid fuel permeability than the internal material. The outer skin layer 8 has a predetermined length (for example, 10 mm) from the upper end of the wick 6.
The ceramic fiber surface is exposed on the upper end surface 6a and the side surface of the suction portion 62.

The outer layer 8 in this example is prepared by mixing a coating liquid composed of 50 wt% of sodium silicate + 50 wt% of water and a mixing liquid of 70 wt% and titanium dioxide in a mixing ratio of 30 wt%. Is applied so that the thickness after drying becomes 0.3 mm, and then dried.

The combustion wick 6 as described above sucks up the liquid fuel impregnated in the batting 3 by the suction part 62 by means of capillary action. The sucked liquid fuel is supplied to the combustion part 61 and the wick holder is provided. The fuel is ignited by the combustion part 61 projecting upward from the upper part 7 to generate a flame and burn.

The combustion wick 6 may be made of a different material for the combustion part 61 and the suction part 62. In this case, the combustion part 61 is formed of the above-mentioned ceramic fiber, and the suction part 62 is made of, for example, Formed of acrylic fiber,
Both are contact-joined. The suction portion 62 is formed by adding a binder and a curing agent to acrylic fibers having a fiber thickness of 3 deniers, bundling them and molding and solidifying them in a rod shape. The porosity after the fixing molding is 60%, and the outer diameter is 3.4 mmφ. Formed.

An ignition member 10 is disposed on the upper lid 4 so as to face the tip of the combustion section 61. The ignition member 10 is provided in a bracket 11 fixed to the upper lid 4 so as to be movable vertically. A rotary file 13 is provided on the upper lid of the bracket 11, and the tip of the igniter 12 is provided around the rotary file 13 in a structure in which the tip of the igniter 12 is pressed by the urging force of the stone pressing spring 14. Is provided so that the sparks fly toward the combustion wick 6 by the rotation operation of.

A volatilization-preventing closing cap 16 is provided to cover the combustion portion 61 and the projecting portion of the core holder 7 so as to be openable and closable. The closing cap 16 is attached to one end of the upper surface of the upper lid 4 of the fuel tank 2 by a pin. 17 pivotably supports. On the inner surface of the closing cap 16, an inner lid 16 a is provided, which surrounds the outer peripheral portion of the core holder 7 and covers and seals the tip of the combustion section 61. Further, an O-ring 19 is horizontally attached to the outer peripheral root portion of the core holder 7, and is pressed against the inner peripheral surface of the inner lid 16a to improve the airtightness. A top plate 18 is provided on the upper surface of the upper lid 4.

The circular inner peripheral surface of the core holder 7
The gap formed between the outer peripheral surface of the combustion section 61 and the rectangular cross section functions as a vent that communicates the upper space 2a in the fuel tank 2 with the outside.

Using the above-described lighter 1 for a smoking article as shown in FIG. 1, the change in the flame length in the case of continuous burning from ignition was measured. The flame length immediately after the ignition was 18 mm, and the flame length was measured immediately after that. After 5 seconds, the flame length becomes 35 mm,
After 10 seconds, the flame length became 38 mm and became saturated and became an equilibrium state (see Experimental Example 1 in FIG. 6). In addition, the maximum thickness of the flame is 7
mm. Further, the flame in the combustion state after the elapse of a predetermined time after the ignition exhibited an orange color accompanying the flame reaction of sodium silicate in the outer skin layer 8. As described above, a thin and long flame shape that satisfies the required combustion conditions as a smoking article lighter was obtained.

A similar skin layer could be formed by blending aluminum oxide powder (alumina powder) in place of the titanium dioxide. Also, instead of sodium silicate,
Even when potassium silicate was blended, a similar skin layer could be formed.

<Second Embodiment> In this example, the outer skin layer 8
The material of the formation is different, low melting point glass (glass frit)
Is used as a fixing agent (binder), and the other components are provided in the same manner as in the first embodiment.

The outer skin layer 8 of this example is made of glass frit 80 wt.
% Of titanium dioxide and 20% by weight of titanium dioxide, and a 5% solution of polyvinyl alcohol as a binder was mixed at a ratio of 1: 1 to prepare a coating solution.
Is applied (0.3 mm thick) to the outer periphery of the combustion part 61 with a length of 10 mm from the upper end surface, dried, and then 800 ° C. × 10 minutes
(A temperature rising rate of 10 ° C./min). The composition example of the above glass frit is as follows: SiO ₂ : 10%, ZnO: 65%, B ₂
O ₃ : 25%.

When the change in flame length after ignition was observed using the lighter according to the embodiment of the present example, the flame length immediately after ignition was 20 mm, and then reached 40 mm after 5 seconds, and was saturated and equilibrated as it was. It became a state. In addition, the maximum thickness of the flame is 7
In mm, a thin and long flame shape similar to that of the first embodiment was obtained.

<Third Embodiment> In this example, the surface of the outer skin layer 8 of the combustion core 6 formed in the same manner as the first embodiment is provided.
Further, a coat layer is provided.

That is, the outer surface layer 8 was coated with a carbon-containing oil-based ink on a coating surface on which a coating solution of 70 wt% of a mixture of 50 wt% of sodium silicate + 50 wt% of water and 30 wt% of titanium dioxide was applied. And then dry.

When the change in flame length after ignition was measured using the above lighter, the change in flame length and the thickness of flame after ignition were the first.
The same result as that of the embodiment was obtained. Further, the formation of the carbon-containing coating layer further caused the flame to exhibit an orange color due to the action of the flame of carbon.

<Fourth Embodiment> In this example, as shown in FIG. 4, a tip surface 6a of a combustion core 6 provided with a skin layer 8 is formed as an inclined surface, and this inclined end surface 6a is used as an ignition member 10 It is arranged toward.

When the inclined tip surface 6a of the combustion wick 6 is opposed to the scattering of sparks caused by the rotation of the rotating file 13, the tip end surface 6a is susceptible to sparks and the ignition performance is improved. Depending on the type or thickness of the fuel cell 8, the structure is effective for improving the ignitability when the fuel is less volatilized from the side surface on which the outer skin layer 8 is provided.

<Fifth Embodiment> In this example, the combustion wick 6
The outer shape is the same as that of the first embodiment, and relates to the porous material inside the combustion core 6, and the material density on a part of the surface is high. The combustion wick 6 is formed of the above-mentioned ceramic fiber, a small amount of an organic binder and a hardening agent are added to the ceramic fiber, compression-molded into a plate shape, and this is cut into a square having a cross section of 3 mm × 4 mm. , 70 mm in length, and a skin layer 8 is similarly formed on the side surface of the combustion portion 61.

The combustion wick 6 manufactured as described above is compression-molded in a direction orthogonal to its axial direction (longitudinal direction), and its compression surface (the surface subjected to a pressing force during compression)
Has a property that the material density is higher than the inside and the permeability of the liquid fuel is low.

If the suppression of volatilization of the liquid fuel from the side surface of the combustion wick 6 by the outer skin layer 8 is small, the compressed surface of the combustion wick 6 is disposed toward the ignition member 10 and the cut surface is reduced. It is turned to the side. According to this arrangement,
The compressed surface of the combustion wick 6 has less fuel volatilization than the cut surface, and the swelling of the flame in the portion facing the ignition member 10 is smaller than in the case where the cut surface is opposed, and the flame as a whole is not so large. Although not thin, contact of the flame with the ignition member 10 can be suppressed, and overheating can be prevented.

In the case where the suppression of the volatilization of the liquid fuel from the side surface of the combustion core 6 by the outer skin layer 8 is large, a cut surface orthogonal to the compression surface of the combustion core 6 is provided toward the ignition member 10. Then, the compression surface is directed to the side. According to this arrangement, the cut surface of the combustion wick 6 has a greater amount of fuel volatilized than the compressed surface, and the amount of liquid fuel volatilized in a portion facing the ignition member 10 is increased, so that the ignition rate of the ignition member 10 is reduced. Can be improved and the flame as a whole can be made thinner. The relationship between the direction of the compression surface and the ignition rate is shown in Experimental Example 7 described later.

<Sixth Embodiment> In this example, the outer skin layer 8
This is an example in which the volatilization suppressing action of the liquid fuel on the side face 6b on the ignition member 10 side of the combustion wick 6 in which is formed is smaller than the volatilization suppressing action on the other side face.

FIG. 5 is a plan view of the lighter 1 having the combustion core 6 of this embodiment, with the closing cap 16 removed, and the combustion core 6 is made of ceramic fiber and has a sectional shape of 3 mm.
mm × 3 mm square, 70 mm long, and its upper end surface 6a
The outer skin layer 8 is formed on the other three side surfaces except the side surface 6b on the side of the ignition member 10 so as to have a length of 10 mm. The outer layer 8 is composed of 70% by weight of potassium silicate and 30% by weight of titanium dioxide.
% Of the mixture, and the mixture is dried at a thickness of 0.3 mm, and the inner material is applied to the upper end surface 6a of the combustion core 6 and the side surface 6b on the side of the ignition member 10 without applying the outer skin layer 8 to the mixture. Exposed. The combustion wick 6 is inserted and fixed into the wick holder 7 so that the protrusion length becomes 3 mm. Others are the same as in the first embodiment.

The thickness of the flame in the combustion state of the lighter 1 according to the embodiment of the present invention is such that although it slightly expands to the ignition member side, volatilization from the side is suppressed by the outer skin layer 8 as a whole, and a thin and long flame shape is obtained. Obtained. The ignitability is good because the amount of volatilization from the side surface 6b on the igniting member 10 side is good.
When the ignition test was performed by changing the position of the combustion core 6, the distance from the center line of the rotating file 13 to the center line of the combustion core 6 was 7 to 12 mm, and the distance from the upper end surface 6 a of the combustion core 6 was upward. A good ignition rate was obtained in a wide range where the position of the upper end surface of the igniter stone 12 was -1 to 6 mm.

<Seventh Embodiment> In this example, the outer skin layer 8
This is another example in which the volatilization suppression effect of the liquid fuel on the side surface 6b of the combustion core 6 on the ignition member 10 side is smaller than that of the other side surface.

FIG. 6 shows only the outer shape of the tip of the combustion wick 6,
With respect to the combustion wick 6 configured in the same manner as the sixth embodiment, a skin layer 8 having the same composition as that of the previous example is provided on the entire circumference within a range of 10 mm from the upper end of the combustion portion 61.
A slit 8a is formed by removing a central portion of the outer skin layer 8 on the side surface 6b on the side of the ignition member 10 to a predetermined width (0.5 to 2 mm) in the vertical direction, and the core material is exposed to thereby form the side surface 6b on the side of the ignition member 10. The effect of suppressing the volatilization of the liquid fuel is smaller than that of the other aspects.

In the embodiment of the present embodiment, the lighter in which the burner core 6 is incorporated in the ignited state has a flame thickness slightly swelled toward the igniting member 10 due to the size of the slit width. And a long and thin flame shape was obtained. Furthermore, the ignitability is good because the amount of volatilization from the side surface 6b on the side of the ignition member 10 is increased, and as shown in Experimental Example 7 described later,
When the ignition test was performed on the ignition member 10 with the position of the combustion core 6 changed, the slit width was 1 mm, and the distance from the center line of the rotating file 13 to the center line of the combustion core 6 was 8 mm.
Ignite 1 upward from the upper end surface 6a of the wick 6
Good ignition performance was obtained over a wide range where the position of the upper end face of No. 2 was -1 to 6 mm.

<Eighth Embodiment> In this example, the combustion wick 6
Are different from each other in that a binder is added to an acrylic fiber and extruded to form a round bar. The tip portion is a combustion portion 61, and an outer skin layer 8 is formed on the outer periphery in the same manner as in the first to third embodiments.

The wick 6 made of acrylic fiber is a material having a high wicking ability for liquid fuel and has a lower heat resistance than the wick 6 made of ceramic fiber. For example, sodium silicate is used as a fixing agent. By forming the heat-resistant porous outer skin layer 8, it becomes a combustion wick 6 that can withstand sufficient use, and the characteristics of change in flame form and flame length during combustion are the same as those of the combustion wick 6 made of ceramic fibers. Obtained.

Next, Experimental Examples 1 to 7 in which the effect of the combustion wick of the present invention was confirmed will be described. The combustion wick used in Experimental Examples 1 to 6,
A binder is added to a ceramic fiber having a fiber diameter of 2.8 μm, and it is formed into an elongated rod that is formed into a board shape and solidified to a thickness of 3 mm and cut into a width of 4 mm. I have. The combustion wick is housed in an experimental combustor 100 shown in FIG. 7, and a fuel tank 2 of the combustor 100 is filled with a batting 3 made of polypropylene fiber and contains a liquid fuel obtained by adding 5% of hexane to 95% of absolute ethanol. Then, the lower suction part 62 of the combustion wick 6 is inserted into the batting 3, and the combustion part 61 penetrates the wick holder 7 provided on the upper wall of the fuel tank 2 and protrudes upward. Is provided with a vent hole 20. Then, various skin layers 8 were formed on the outer peripheral surface within a range of 10 mm from the upper end of the combustion portion 61 of the combustion core 6, and a combustion test was performed.

<Experimental example 1> The outer skin layer in this experiment was
The same as in the first embodiment, that is, 50 wt% of sodium silicate is mixed with 50 wt% of water, 30 wt% of titanium dioxide is added to 70 wt% of this water glass solution, and the mixture obtained by stirring and mixing is applied and dried. A breathable porous coating film is applied on the surface of the combustion wick to a thickness of 0.3 mm. The protruding length of the burning part from the wick holder in the above burning wick is 3 mm, and the flame length change and flame thickness after ignition are measured,
A comparison was made with a combustion wick having no outer skin layer as described above.

FIG. 8 shows the measurement results. The initial flame length immediately after ignition is about 27 mm in the comparative example, whereas it is as short as about 20 mm in the present invention. However, the elongation of the flame length after that according to the present invention was fast, and the flame length 10 seconds after ignition was 35 mm in the comparative example and 41 mm in the present invention, and the saturated flame length thereafter was 48 mm in the comparative example and 41 mm in the present invention. It has become.

On the other hand, the thickness of the flame was 13 mmφ in the comparative example, but was reduced to 7 mmφ in the present invention, and the flame was orange-yellow due to the flame reaction of sodium in sodium silicate as a fixing agent. Color to make the shape of the flame easier to see,
Combustion characteristics suitable for use in igniters, especially lighters for smoking equipment, were shown.

<Experimental Example 2> The outer skin layer in this experiment was
The sodium silicate in Experimental Example 1 was changed to potassium silicate, and the other components were provided similarly.

The measurement results in the combustion test are shown in FIG. 8 above. The flame length change tendency is the same as in Experimental Example 1. The initial flame length is 18 mm, the flame length after 10 seconds and the saturated flame length are about 38 mm.
The thickness of the flame was 7 mm, and a thin and long flame shape was obtained.

<Experimental Example 3> The outer skin layer in this experiment was
The same as the second embodiment, that is, glass frit (SiO ₂ : 10%, ZnO: 65%, B ₂ O ₃ : 2)
5%) 80 wt% mixed with 20 wt% of titanium dioxide was applied as a coating solution and sintered, and the other conditions were the same as in Experimental Example 1. The measurement results are shown in FIG.

In this experimental example, the flame length change tendency is the same as in experimental example 1. The initial flame length is 20 mm, the flame length after 10 seconds and the saturated flame length are about 40 mm, and the flame thickness is 7 mm. As a result, a thin and long flame shape was obtained.

<Experimental Example 4> In this experiment, a change in flame length was measured when the protruding length of the combustion portion from the core holder was changed.

The outer skin layer in this experiment was the same as that in the above-mentioned Experimental Example 1.
The composition is the same as that of the first embodiment. When the protruding length of the combustion part from the core holder is changed from 1 mm to 4 mm, the temporal change of the flame length in combustion is measured, and the result is shown in FIG. It is shown in FIG. FIG. 11 shows the relationship between the saturated flame length and the protrusion length.

The longer the protruding length of the combustion part, the longer the saturated flame length. This is because the fuel volatile gas from the outer peripheral side surface corresponding to the protruding length of the combustion part is added to the fuel volatile gas from the front end surface of the combustion wick. The saturated flame length reaches the limit without being proportional to the protrusion length due to the liquid fuel suction capacity (see FIG. 11).

From the above points, the thickness of the combustion wick is as follows:
Depending on the suction capacity, the protrusion length is set so that the required saturated flame length of the igniter is obtained up to the vicinity where the saturated flame length reaches the limit. This is advantageous in terms of design because it is possible to reduce the length of the protrusion of the combustion wick from the wick holder as compared with the case where no outer skin layer is provided on the outer periphery of the combustion portion. In other words, when providing the closing cap so as to prevent the fuel from volatilizing during storage of the burning appliance and sealing the tip of the burning wick, the protruding length of the burning wick can be shortened to facilitate the design structure.

<Experimental Example 5> In this experiment, the change in fuel consumption accompanying the formation of the outer skin layer was determined. The outer skin layer and other forms in this experiment are the same as those in Experimental Example 1.

As an experiment, the process of igniting the combustion part of the wick, burning for 2.5 seconds, extinguishing the fire, leaving the wick closed and left for 5 seconds is repeated 25 times to make one cycle. After the repetition of this one cycle of ignition, the temperature of the combustion part has risen, so that the combustion wick is left closed for 5 minutes or more to return to room temperature, and then one cycle of the next ignition repetition is performed. The ignition cycle was performed until 3.3 g of liquid fuel was put into the fuel tank at the start of the experiment until the wick no longer ignited. Table 1 below shows the result of calculating the fuel consumption per ignition from the total number of ignitions and the total fuel consumption (initial fuel amount-residual fuel amount) at this time. Note that the residual fuel amount is a fuel that is held by the batting but cannot be sucked up.

In the combustion wick having an outer skin layer of the present invention, fuel volatilization from the side of the combustion part is suppressed, and the thickness of the flame is reduced, so that the fuel consumption is larger than that of the comparative example having no outer skin layer. Has declined.

The reason why the combustion time was set to 2.5 seconds in this experiment is that the flame length immediately after the ignition was different between the case where the outer skin layer was provided and the case where the skin layer was not provided as described above, but it was 2.5 seconds after the ignition. At this point, the flame length became the same as 28 mm (see FIG. 8), and this time was set. In the case of a lighter for a smoking article, the burning time for igniting ordinary cigarettes is less than 2.5 seconds, which is a time that is practically applicable.

[0095]

[Table 1]

<Experimental Example 6> In this experiment, the relationship between the thickness of the skin layer and the flame length was determined. The skin layer in this experiment has the same composition as that of the above-mentioned Experimental Example 1, and the configuration other than the thickness of the skin layer is provided similarly.

Then, the thickness of the outer layer was changed to 0.1 mm to 0.7 mm by changing the application amount of the coating solution, and a burning test was performed. The outer layer thickness, the initial flame length, and the flame after 2 seconds were measured. Long,
FIG. 12 shows the relationship with the saturated flame length, and FIG. 13 shows the relationship between the skin layer thickness and the flame thickness.

From these results, it is understood that the thickness of the outer skin layer is related to its volatilization-suppressing action. As the thickness increases, the length of each flame becomes shorter and the thickness of the flame becomes thinner. If it exceeds 3 mm, it saturates and becomes almost constant. For this reason, it is preferable to provide the outer skin layer with a thickness of 0.2 to 0.5 mm.

From the experiments described above, by applying the porous skin layer to the combustion portion of the combustion wick, the speed of flame extension from the initial flame length immediately after ignition was increased, and the saturation flame length was not applied. It has been found that the flame can be kept short and the thickness of the flame can be reduced.

<Experimental Example 7> This is an ignition test of a lighter using the combustion wick according to the seventh embodiment. That is,
A slit of a predetermined width is formed in the center of the side surface of the ignition member, and the slit width is 0 mm (the entire outer skin layer) to 3 mm (the entire surface is exposed).
And the distance and height from the ignition member are changed. The material and the like of the fiber core and the outer skin layer are the same as in the seventh embodiment. The results of the ignition test are shown in FIGS.

Regarding the distance from the ignition member, the distance L from the center of contact between the igniter and the rotating file to the center line of the combustion wick is described.
And is changed every 7 mm from 7 to 12 mm. In addition,
The diameter of the rotating file is 6 mm, the diameter of the cross wheel is 8 mm, and the diameter of the igniter is 2 mm. On the other hand, the height H is defined such that the position where the contact point between the rotating file and the igniter moves upward with respect to the upper end position of the combustion wick is plus, and the lower position is minus. At each distance L, the height H was changed from -2 to 6 mm every 1 mm.

FIG. 14 shows a case in which a slit is provided in the outer skin layer of the compression surface of the combustion core and the combustion core is arranged toward the ignition member.
Reference numeral 5 denotes a case where a slit is provided in the outer skin layer of the cut surface orthogonal to the compression surface and the slit is arranged toward the ignition member.

In the ignition test, the combustion wick and the igniting member were set in each positional relationship of the experimental range surrounded by the solid line, and the ignition good range ignited by one or two ignition operations was ignited three or more times on a white background. The range of the ignition failure requiring the operation is indicated by oblique lines.

From FIGS. 14 and 15, the slit width is 1 mm.
When the slits of a degree or more are formed, good ignitability over a wide range is obtained. In addition, when the cut surface of the combustion wick is directed toward the ignition member, the ignitable range is larger than when the compressed surface is directed.

[Brief description of the drawings]

1A is an explanatory view showing a combustion state of a basic structure of a combustion wick of the present invention, and FIG. 1B is a view showing a combustion state of a combustion wick of a comparative example.

FIG. 2 is an explanatory view showing a combustion state in a case where the skin layer has a lower permeability in the combustion wick of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a lighter for a smoking article as an example of a liquid fuel burning appliance incorporating a combustion wick according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a lighter for a smoking article as an example of a liquid fuel combustion apparatus incorporating a combustion wick according to another embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a schematic plan view of a lighter for a smoking article as an example of a liquid fuel burning appliance incorporating a combustion wick according to still another embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of an upper portion of a combustion wick in another embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view showing a structure of a combustor used in an experimental example.

FIG. 8 is a graph showing flame length change characteristics in Experimental Examples 1 and 2 together with Comparative Examples.

FIG. 9 is a graph showing flame length change characteristics in Experimental Example 3 together with Comparative Examples.

FIG. 10 is a graph showing a flame length change characteristic with respect to a protruding length of a combustion portion in Experimental Example 4.

FIG. 11 is a graph showing a relationship between a protruding length of a burning portion and a saturated flame length in Experimental Example 4.

FIG. 12 is a graph showing the relationship between the skin layer thickness and various flame lengths in Experimental Example 6.

FIG. 13 is a graph showing the relationship between the thickness of a skin layer and the thickness of a flame in Experimental Example 6.

14 and 15 are diagrams showing ignitability in Experimental Example 7;

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Lighter (liquid fuel combustion apparatus) 2 Fuel tank 3 Filling 4 Upper lid 6 Burning core 6a Upper end surface 6b Side surface on ignition member side 61 Burning part 62 Suction top 7 Core holder 8 Skin layer 8a Slit 10 Ignition member

Claims (22)

[Claims] 1. A combustion wick for containing liquid fuel in a batting housed in a fuel tank, wherein the batting and the wick contact to suck up the liquid fuel by capillarity and burn in a leading end combustion section;
A liquid fuel combustion device comprising: an ignition member for igniting the combustion section; wherein the combustion wick is made of a porous material, and at least a side face of the combustion section except an upper end face is suppressed from volatilizing the liquid fuel. A combustion core for a liquid fuel combustion device, comprising a skin layer. 2. The combustion wick according to claim 1, wherein the combustion wick provided with the outer layer has a volatilization suppressing action on the side of the ignition member which is smaller than that of the other side. core. 3. The combustion wick according to claim 2, wherein an outer skin layer is partially formed on a side surface of the combustion wick on the side of the ignition member. 4. The combustion wick according to claim 2, wherein a skin layer is not formed on a side surface of the combustion wick on the side of the ignition member. 5. The combustion wick according to claim 1, wherein the outer skin layer is a porous film having a permeability lower than that of the liquid fuel inside the wick. 6. The combustion wick according to claim 1, wherein the outer skin layer is formed by applying or dipping and solidifying a mixture of a metal oxide powder and a fixing agent. 7. The combustion wick according to claim 6, wherein the metal oxide powder contains at least one of titanium oxide and aluminum oxide. 8. The method according to claim 1, wherein the outer layer is formed by applying or dipping and solidifying a mixture of a heat-resistant inorganic compound powder or a metal powder or a mixture thereof with a fixing agent. Burning wick. 9. The combustion wick according to claim 6, wherein the fixing agent is a water glass material made of sodium silicate, potassium silicate, or the like. 10. The combustion wick according to claim 6, wherein the fixing agent is a low-melting glass material. 11. The combustion wick according to claim 1, wherein the outer layer is formed by applying or dipping and drying a heat-resistant paint. 12. The wick according to claim 1, wherein the outer layer contains a metal compound exhibiting a flame reaction. 13. The combustion wick according to claim 1, wherein carbon is added to the outer skin layer. 14. The combustion wick according to claim 1, wherein a coating liquid containing carbon is coated after the formation of the outer skin layer. 15. The combustion wick according to claim 1, wherein the permeability of the liquid fuel in the outer skin layer is different between an upper end portion of the combustion portion and other portions. 16. The wick according to claim 15, wherein the outer skin layer has a thickness different from a thickness of an upper end portion of the combustion portion and a thickness of other portions. 17. The thickness of the skin layer is 0.2 mm to 0.5.
The combustion wick according to claim 1, wherein the diameter of the combustion wick is mm. 18. The combustion wick according to claim 1, wherein the combustion wick is formed of a heat-resistant material such as a ceramic fiber or a glass fiber in a rectangular rod shape having a rectangular cross section. 19. The combustion wick according to claim 1, wherein the combustion wick is made of a porous ceramic or a porous glass material. 20. The combustion wick according to claim 1, wherein a tip end surface of the combustion wick provided with the outer skin layer is formed as an inclined surface, and the inclined surface is disposed toward the ignition member. 21. The combustion wick is made of a porous material that is compression-molded in a direction perpendicular to the axial direction of the combustion wick, and when the amount of volatilization from the side surface is large as a whole due to the formation of a skin layer, 19. The combustion wick according to claim 1, wherein a compression surface at the time of compression molding is disposed facing the ignition member. 22. The combustion wick is made of a porous material that is compression-molded in a direction perpendicular to the axial direction of the combustion wick, and when the amount of volatilization from the side surface is small as a whole due to the formation of a skin layer, The surface orthogonal to the compression surface at the time of compression molding is provided facing the ignition member.
The combustion wick according to 1.