Piezoelectric lighters generate a spark of 3000 voltages and flammable gas can be easily lit by this high-voltage spark.
The gas lighter used in our homes only uses piezoelectric material. Piezoelectric materials convert pressure energy into electric energy. The most common piezoelectric crystal used today is silicon dioxide. Piezoelectric electricity also works behind the stethoscope doctors use.
In this video, the working principle of piezoelectric material is explained in detail with the help of 3D animation, along with how the piezoelectric crystal behind the piezoelectric lighter and stethoscope works.
Even though several breakthroughs in Chemistry were achieved by them, the Curie’s are known to majority of the world for their revolutionary work on radioactivity. However, it is amazing to know that one of their discoveries has given one of the most common accessories any kitchen has. Not related to radioactivity, this is the Gas Lighter. Based on the principle of piezoelectricity, which is one of the discoveries made by Jacques Curie and Pierre Curie. Piezoelectric lighters are an economic solution to light gas stoves. Ever wondered how does a small force of thumb produces a spark of the order of kilo volts (kV)? Let’s have a look on the insides and working of the lighter in this device dissection article.
A piezoelectric crystal is the heart of the gas igniter. When a strong force is applied on it by means of a spring loaded hammer it produces an electric spark. Certain dielectric materials have an internal crystalline structure which when subjected to mechanical stress produces an electric field and vice versa. The degree of electric field produced is directly proportional to the magnitude of force applied.
These materials are termed as piezoelectric crystals and this principle is termed as piezoelectricity.
Outer Structure
Encased in a steel structure, piezoelectric gas lighters are usually in a tubular form as shown in the image above. At the top is a push button made up of steel inside which is present a spring loaded hammer. When pressed it produces the necessary force needed to generate electric potential in the piezoelectric crystal. Two small handles are provided which helps in gripping the lighter when pressing the hammer with the thumb. The internal view of the tubular rod will clear the mechanism of spark production.
The image above shows the bottom part of the gas lighter. This part is known as ignition head. The ignition head contains a thin metal rod covered with the plastic casing. When the hammer is pressed, a spark is produced at the corner of the metal rod. Interestingly the position of the produced spark varies each time hammer is pushed down.
On opening the steel casing structure from near the top handle a plastic tubular structure comes out which contains the hammer and spring assembly.
The image above shows a better view of the tubular plastic structure. It holds the spring hammer assembly inside it. There are immediate radius transitions in the plastic structure that taper it down giving the structure a telescopic appearance.
This telescopic structure plays a very important role in generating the high force needed to hit the piezo crystal. The internal structure of the plastic casing is shown in the image above. At the radii transactions, there are two small walls like barriers all across the periphery.
The above image shows the spring and hammer assembly which is responsible for generating the high force. There are two springs, and a strong metal rod at the end of which is present a hammer. The outer spring is used to operate the push button and bring it back to its normal state. The inner spring is used to load the metal rod so that the small hammer can strike the crystal for generating the spark. The inner spring is relatively strong and stiff and therefore when loaded generates a high force. The exact working is explained later in this article.
Shown in the image above is the safety latch of the lighter. Casted upon the upper section of the hammer assembly, the latch holds in the internal spring assembly.When push button of the lighter is pressed to its maximum extent, the collision of latch with the plastic assembly produces a click sound. A strong metal ring which is placed just above the plastic casing protects it from potential damage when the spring loaded metal rod strikes the impact pad.
Piezoelectric lighters generate a spark of 3000 voltages and flammable gas can be easily lit by this high-voltage spark.
The gas lighter used in our homes only uses piezoelectric material. Piezoelectric materials convert pressure energy into electric energy. The most common piezoelectric crystal used today is silicon dioxide. Piezoelectric electricity also works behind the stethoscope doctors use.
In this video, the working principle of piezoelectric material is explained in detail with the help of 3D animation, along with how the piezoelectric crystal behind the piezoelectric lighter and stethoscope works.
Even though several breakthroughs in Chemistry were achieved by them, the Curie’s are known to majority of the world for their revolutionary work on radioactivity. However, it is amazing to know that one of their discoveries has given one of the most common accessories any kitchen has. Not related to radioactivity, this is the Gas Lighter. Based on the principle of piezoelectricity, which is one of the discoveries made by Jacques Curie and Pierre Curie. Piezoelectric lighters are an economic solution to light gas stoves. Ever wondered how does a small force of thumb produces a spark of the order of kilo volts (kV)? Let’s have a look on the insides and working of the lighter in this device dissection article.
A piezoelectric crystal is the heart of the gas igniter. When a strong force is applied on it by means of a spring loaded hammer it produces an electric spark. Certain dielectric materials have an internal crystalline structure which when subjected to mechanical stress produces an electric field and vice versa. The degree of electric field produced is directly proportional to the magnitude of force applied.
These materials are termed as piezoelectric crystals and this principle is termed as piezoelectricity.
Outer Structure
Encased in a steel structure, piezoelectric gas lighters are usually in a tubular form as shown in the image above. At the top is a push button made up of steel inside which is present a spring loaded hammer. When pressed it produces the necessary force needed to generate electric potential in the piezoelectric crystal. Two small handles are provided which helps in gripping the lighter when pressing the hammer with the thumb. The internal view of the tubular rod will clear the mechanism of spark production.
The image above shows the bottom part of the gas lighter. This part is known as ignition head. The ignition head contains a thin metal rod covered with the plastic casing. When the hammer is pressed, a spark is produced at the corner of the metal rod. Interestingly the position of the produced spark varies each time hammer is pushed down.
On opening the steel casing structure from near the top handle a plastic tubular structure comes out which contains the hammer and spring assembly.
The image above shows a better view of the tubular plastic structure. It holds the spring hammer assembly inside it. There are immediate radius transitions in the plastic structure that taper it down giving the structure a telescopic appearance.
This telescopic structure plays a very important role in generating the high force needed to hit the piezo crystal. The internal structure of the plastic casing is shown in the image above. At the radii transactions, there are two small walls like barriers all across the periphery.
The above image shows the spring and hammer assembly which is responsible for generating the high force. There are two springs, and a strong metal rod at the end of which is present a hammer. The outer spring is used to operate the push button and bring it back to its normal state. The inner spring is used to load the metal rod so that the small hammer can strike the crystal for generating the spark. The inner spring is relatively strong and stiff and therefore when loaded generates a high force. The exact working is explained later in this article.
Shown in the image above is the safety latch of the lighter. Casted upon the upper section of the hammer assembly, the latch holds in the internal spring assembly.When push button of the lighter is pressed to its maximum extent, the collision of latch with the plastic assembly produces a click sound. A strong metal ring which is placed just above the plastic casing protects it from potential damage when the spring loaded metal rod strikes the impact pad.
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