JP2716581B2 - Heat conversion device, ignition device, container with heating function - Google Patents

Description

Description: TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention relates to an ignition device for igniting a heating element.

The present invention also relates to a container with a heating function incorporating the ignition device, and more particularly to a container with a heating function provided with an electric circuit for preventing ignition due to malfunction.

Furthermore, the present invention relates to a heat conversion device that converts electric energy used for the ignition device and the container with a heating function substantially into heat energy and generates heat at a high temperature.

(Conventional Technology and Problems to be Solved by the Invention) Conventionally, as a heating vessel utilizing heat generated by a self-combustion reaction of a heating agent composed of a mixture of an oxygen supply agent and a combustible, see, for example, Japanese Utility Model Laid-Open No. 62-146427. And actual opening 63/4208
No. 9 and others.

In these heating vessels, as a method of igniting the exothermic agent,
It was configured to be ignited by a squib or a filament type electric heater connected to a heating agent.

However, these heating vessels require a separate ignition device such as a match, a lighter, or a battery for operating a filament-type electric heater to ignite the squib at the time of ignition, which is extremely inconvenient in use. In particular, in the configuration in which the squib is ignited, there is a problem in that when the heating container is used outdoors, it becomes difficult to use it in rainy weather or strong wind. The present inventors have already arranged a heating element in contact with a heating agent and a heating agent in order to solve the above-mentioned problems in the prior art and to improve ignition performance, calorific efficiency and heating rate. We have proposed a heating container that is provided with an igniting agent that is easier to ignite than a heating agent and an igniter disposed near the igniting agent.

For example, in Japanese Patent Application No. 2 132332 of the present inventors, a piezoelectric element that generates electricity by a pressure such as an impact, a hammer member for applying an impact to the piezoelectric element, and water or water inside the container are mainly used. A container with a heating function provided with a sensing electrode for sensing that the fluid as a component is filled, an ignition discharge electrode for discharging electricity, and an avoidance discharge electrode is proposed.

However, in the case of the container with a heating function, unnecessary electric noise generated by electrostatic induction, electromagnetic induction, current leakage, radiation, and the like occurs due to the high voltage generated from the piezoelectric element, and conduction between the sensing electrodes occurs. Although not performed, a voltage is applied between the ignition discharge electrodes.
When this voltage becomes extremely large, even if the substance to be heated such as water is not filled in the container, a spark discharge occurs between the ignition discharge electrodes due to the ignition operation, and a phenomenon that the heating element is ignited, that is, a so-called malfunction occurs. It was undesirable.

The present inventors have conducted intensive studies in view of such circumstances, and as a result, when the amount of electricity generated by the piezoelectric element is small and only a relatively small voltage is generated as the piezoelectric element, even if there is no avoidance discharge electrode, It has been found that the generated electricity is absorbed in the piezoelectric element or in the air, and does not discharge between the sensing electrodes or break the insulating part of the electric circuit. When such a piezoelectric element having a low generated voltage is used, there is no need to provide an avoidance discharge electrode, and the generated voltage of the piezoelectric element is low, so that the withstand voltage strength of the electronic component is within the allowable range. In view of the above, the present invention has invented a container with a heating function having an electric circuit for stabilizing electric pulses and reducing unnecessary electric pulses to prevent ignition due to malfunction.

On the other hand, when a piezoelectric element that generates only a low voltage is used as such a piezoelectric element, it is difficult to discharge with a conventional ignition discharge electrode. Together with a pair of spaced electrodes having a surface coated with an igniter, which is an insulator or a high resistance material, to reduce the low voltage generated by the piezoelectric element. It has been found that even at a voltage, electric energy is substantially converted to heat energy and heat is generated at a high temperature, and the heat conversion device of the present invention has been invented.

Furthermore, the present inventors provide an ignition device that can convert electric energy into heat energy substantially, generate heat at a high temperature, and effectively ignite the heating element by using the heat conversion device. The present inventors have found that it is possible and invented the ignition device of the present invention.

(Means for Solving the Problems) The present invention has been made in view of the above problems and objects.

(1) First, the heat conversion device of the present invention is a heat conversion device that converts electric energy to heat energy substantially and generates heat at a high temperature, and includes a thin metal wire, oxygen gas, and an insulator or A heat converter comprising a pair of spaced electrodes coated with a high resistance igniting agent and a valve sealed in a container.

(2) The ignition device according to the present invention includes: a piezoelectric element that generates electricity by a pressure such as a striking force; a pressure applying device that applies pressure to the piezoelectric element; A sensing device for sensing whether a predetermined amount of a substance to be heated based on heat generated by the heat conversion device is filled in a container to be accommodated, the piezoelectric element, the sensing device, and heat conversion And a malfunction prevention electric circuit for stabilizing electric pulses supplied to the heat conversion device and reducing unnecessary electric pulses, wherein the sensing device is provided inside the container. An ignition device configured to convert electric energy generated by the piezoelectric element into heat energy when the heat conversion device detects that a predetermined amount of the substance to be heated is charged. That.

(3) The container with a heating function of the present invention further comprises: an ignition device according to claim 2; and a heated substance comprising water, a fluid containing water as a main component, or a mixture of these and a solid. A container with a heating function, comprising: a container to be housed; and a heating element installed in the container to heat the substance to be heated, wherein the ignition device is configured to generate heat in the heating element.

(Operation) (1) In the heat conversion device of the present invention, when a voltage is supplied to the ignition valve, a spark discharge is generated between the electrodes sealed in the ignition valve, and the insulator or the high voltage applied to the electrodes is applied. Ignition of the igniter, which is a resistor, occurs. Next, ignition and heat generation of the thin metal wire enclosed in the valve occur.

According to the heat conversion device of the present invention, even when the voltage supplied to the ignition valve is small and the supplied electric energy is small, it is possible to cause discharge between the electrodes, and the ignition of the ignition agent And ignition of the thin metal wire to cause the ignition valve to generate heat at a high temperature.

Thus, the heat conversion device of the present invention can effectively perform the substantial conversion of electric energy into heat energy in the ignition valve, even when the supplied electric energy is small, Effective heat generation can be generated.

(2) The ignition device of the present invention generates a voltage of several thousand volts by hitting the piezoelectric element by the pressure applying device.
The malfunction preventing electric circuit reduces unnecessary electric noise due to electrostatic induction, electromagnetic induction, current leakage, and the like, and stabilizes electric potential and electric pulse.

When the substance to be heated does not intervene between the sensing electrodes, the voltage generated by the piezoelectric element is insulated by the gap formed between the sensing electrodes, and is directly transmitted to the heat conversion device connected to the sensing electrodes. It is not applied. Further, the voltage generated as an input to the heat conversion device is suppressed to a low voltage of about several tens to several volts by the malfunction prevention electric circuit. In this manner, when the substance to be heated is not interposed between the sensing electrodes, no spark discharge occurs between the electrodes of the heat conversion device, and ignition and heat generation in the heat conversion device are prevented.

On the other hand, when a substance to be heated is interposed between the sensing electrodes, electricity generated by the piezoelectric element is supplied to the heat conversion device via the substance to be heated and the sensing electrode. Then, the heat conversion device generates a spark discharge between the electrodes sealed in the container, generates ignition and heat, and converts electric energy into heat energy.

Here, in the ignition device of the present invention, as described above, the heat conversion device provided therein can generate ignition and heat inside even if the supplied electric energy is small. Even if the voltage generated by the piezoelectric element is low, it is possible to generate effective heat generation. In particular, if a structure that generates a low voltage is used for the piezoelectric element, spark discharge between the electrodes of the heat conversion device in the case where the substance to be heated is not interposed between the sensing electrodes is prevented, and the temperature is unnecessarily increased. Since heating is prevented, there is an advantage that it is not necessary to provide an avoidance discharge electrode for preventing this.

(3) Further, since the ignition device is incorporated in the container with a heating function of the present invention, when the container is not filled with the contents, as described above, the space between the electrodes of the heat conversion device is provided. Since no spark discharge occurs and no ignition or heat generation occurs, no heating of the heating element installed in the container occurs.

On the other hand, when a container with a heating function is filled with a substance to be heated such as water or another fluid, the substance to be heated has a sufficiently low insulating property as compared with air, and thus an electrical connection is established between the sensing electrodes. A conduction path can be formed. Thereby, the voltage generated from the piezoelectric element can be supplied to the heat conversion device,
A spark discharge occurs between the electrodes of the heat conversion device, causing ignition and heat generation of the heat conversion device. Since the heating element is heated by the heat conversion device, the substance to be heated is heated via the heating element.

From the above, in the container with a heating function of the present invention, the content is not filled, or when a predetermined amount of the content does not exist, or only the dried material is filled and the sensing electrode Even if the ignition operation is carelessly performed in a situation where the insulation property does not decrease, the heat conversion device does not ignite or generate heat, and the proper and appropriate amount of contents are filled in a predetermined amount. Only the heating is performed.

(Example) Hereinafter, the container with a heating function of the present invention will be described in more detail based on one example of the attached drawings.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 5, a metal heating element container 3 is also provided at the lower portion of a substantially cylindrical container body 1 made of metal, preferably steel, and has a heating element therein. 5 are accommodated. A heat insulator 4 is attached below the heating element 5, a recess 4 a for accommodating the ignition valve 9 is provided in an upper central portion thereof, and a support member 9 a for supporting the ignition valve is fitted in a central portion thereof. Holes 4b are respectively formed.

Further, a power generation substrate 14 is provided below the heat insulator 4, and a through hole 14 a formed in the center of the power generation substrate 14 is provided.
A support member 9 a supporting the ignition valve 9 is inserted and fitted through the through hole 4 b of the heat insulator 4, and the ignition valve 9 is housed in the recess 4 a of the heat insulator 4.

As shown in FIG. 1 and FIG.
Above, a piezoelectric element 7 is supported via a support member 7a so as to be parallel to a line D passing through the center.
Further, in order to strike one end 7b of the piezoelectric element 7, the hammer member 8 is supported by the supporting member 13a via the leaf spring 13.
Thus, it is fixed on the power generation substrate 14 so as to be perpendicular to the line D passing through the center.

On the other hand, on the power generation substrate 14, two sensing electrodes 11 are provided near both ends on the line D passing through the center thereof as described later.

Then, the ignition valve 9, the piezoelectric element 7, and the sensing electrode 11 are connected to each other via the conductor 15 so as to form an electric circuit as shown in FIG. Specifically, loss resistance
R1, leakage resistance R2, R3, bypass capacitors C1 and C2, and an element A that does not conduct when a predetermined voltage such as an arrester, a varistor, or a Zener diode does not conduct, but conducts only when a higher voltage is applied, The connections are made to form the electric circuit of FIG. Preferably, the piezoelectric element 7 generates a voltage of about several hundreds to several thousand volts, and a piezoelectric element having a relatively low voltage is used.

In this case, the voltage applied to the ignition valve is reduced by R1 as follows: V2 = V1 × R2 / (R1 + R2), and the current is leaked by R2, thereby stabilizing the potential of V2 and leaking the current by R3. By doing so, the potential of V3 is stabilized, and further, unnecessary signals are bypassed by C1 and C2.

Therefore, a voltage of about several thousand volts generated in the piezoelectric element 7 is formed of water or a fluid containing water as a main component, or a mixture thereof with a solid, between the sensing electrodes 11 through the malfunction prevention circuit. When an object to be heated intervenes, a voltage of about several hundred volts is stably supplied to the ignition valve 9. On the other hand, when there is no object to be heated between the sensing electrodes 11, unnecessary electric noise generated by electrostatic induction, electromagnetic induction, current leakage, radiation, etc. is reduced to about several volts, and the ignition valve 9 Since such a voltage becomes extremely low, no discharge occurs between the electrodes of the ignition valve 9 and ignition is avoided.

Even when such a malfunction prevention circuit is not provided, when an object to be heated is interposed between the sensing electrodes, a voltage of several thousand volts generated by the piezoelectric element is generated due to the electric resistance of the object to be heated between the sensing electrodes. Between several electrodes drops to several hundred volts. Moreover, in this case, even when the object to be heated is not present, a voltage of about 100 to 300 V is applied between the electrodes of the ignition valve due to unnecessary electric noise, and the temperature,
Environments such as humidity and variations for each ignition operation are added,
Due to the voltage difference, it is difficult to clearly determine the presence or absence of the object to be heated between the sensing electrodes. As a result, even when the object to be heated is not interposed between the sensing electrodes, ignition is often possible and a malfunction occurs. It will be.

Therefore, it is important to provide the malfunction prevention circuit of the present invention as described above. It should be noted that the electric circuit shown in FIG. 3 is merely an example, and any electric circuit that operates as described above may be, for example, a simpler circuit as shown in FIG. Or, as shown in FIG. 10 to FIG. 12, using a temperature sensor or a thermostat in combination, such as a more effective circuit such that the material to be heated is not operated below a predetermined temperature, etc. Of course, it can be used.

In addition, as shown in FIG. 6, the ignition valve is made of a metal, preferably a cylinder-shaped valve container 9b made of aluminum or the like.
A thin metal wire 9c made of iron foil, aluminum, or the like is sealed together with oxygen, and discharge electrodes 9d, 9d are arranged apart from each other. Further, an insulator or a high-resistance igniter 9e such as a zirconium igniter is applied to the discharge electrode 9d. Thereby, the discharge electrodes 9d, 9d are insulated by the igniter 9e so as not to be short-circuited by the thin metal wire in the bulb.At the time of ignition, the discharge electrodes 9d, 9d or the discharge electrode 9d and the metal are not insulated. Discharge occurs between the thin wires 9c, the igniter 9c is ignited, and the thin metal wires 9c are ignited and burned, so that the electric energy is substantially converted into heat energy in the valve container 9b. 9c is high temperature (1000 ℃ or more)
Then, heat is generated and the heating element 5 can be ignited. The shape of the valve can be appropriately selected according to the shape of the heating element 5 and the like.

On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 5, a bottom cover 16 is rotatably mounted on the bottom of the container body 1, and a central portion of the bottom cover 16 The ratchet gear 21 formed with 21a is fixed to the bottom lid 16 by a fixing member 21b. A ratchet claw 20 is mounted inside the ratchet gear 21 so as to be rotatable about the center of the bottom cover 16 as a shaft 16a. The ratchet claw 20 has a plurality of claw portions 20a.
The pawl 20a is designed to mesh with a tooth 21a formed on the inner periphery of the ratchet gear 21 (see FIG. 4).

The trigger member 12 is fixed to the upper central portion of the ratchet claw 20. In this trigger member 12,
A plurality of projecting portions 12a are formed radially, and the trigger member 12 is formed.
When is rotated, the projecting portion 12a is configured to engage with one end 13b of the leaf spring 13 of the hammer member 8 (see FIG. 2). These members are formed from an insulating material such as a synthetic resin so that electricity from the piezoelectric element 7 is not conducted.

With this configuration, when igniting, when the bottom cover 16 is rotated counterclockwise as shown by the arrow E in FIGS. 2 and 4, the ratchet gear 21 together with the bottom cover 16 moves in the E direction. The teeth 21 formed on the inner periphery of the ratchet gear 21
a engages with a plurality of claw portions 20a protruding from the ratchet claw 20 (see FIG. 4). Thereby, the ratchet claw 20 is also E
The trigger member 12 fixed to the ratchet claw 20 also rotates in the same direction. Further, with the rotation of the trigger member 12, one of the protruding portions 12a of the trigger member 12 becomes one end 13b of the leaf spring 13 to which the hammer member 8 is attached.
This causes the leaf spring 13 to bend in a direction away from the piezoelectric element 7. When the bottom lid 16 is further rotated, the engagement between the projecting portion 12a of the trigger member 12 and one end 13b of the leaf spring 13 is released, and the elastic force of the leaf spring 13 causes the hammer member 8 to move.
Is configured to apply a striking force to one end 7b of the piezoelectric element 7 and generate a voltage at both ends of the piezoelectric element 7 (see FIG. 2). Therefore, when igniting, the ignition operation can be easily performed simply by turning the bottom lid lightly.

On the other hand, when the bottom cover 16 is rotated in the direction opposite to the arrow E in FIG. 2, that is, clockwise in FIG.
One of the 12 projecting portions 12a engages with one end 13b of the leaf spring 13 to urge the hammer member 8 in the direction of the piezoelectric element 7. However, since the piezoelectric element 7 is fixed to the power generation substrate 14, the trigger member 12
Cannot rotate any more.
Therefore, the pawl portion 20a of the ratchet pawl 20 is further bent by the force for rotating the bottom cover 16 in the clockwise direction, the engagement with the tooth 21a of the ratchet gear 21 engaged is released, and the bottom cover 16 idles, and the bottom cover 16 is idled. The rotation of 16 is not transmitted to the trigger member 12 (see FIG. 4). Therefore, accidentally the bottom lid
Even when the 16 is rotated in the reverse direction, excessive force is not applied to the trigger member 12, the hammer member 8, the piezoelectric element 7, etc. or their attachment parts, so that ignition due to vibration during transportation of the container is avoided. As well as no damage due to misuse.

In addition, the two sensing electrodes 11 are covered with a coating having high insulation strength, preferably an insulating coating 22 made of synthetic resin,
From the space between the power generation board 14 and the container main body 1, the vicinity of the inside of the container main body 1 is substantially vertically set up to the vicinity of a predetermined water level line 18. The tip of the sensing electrode 11, that is, the exposed part of the sensing electrode
17 is formed shorter than the insulating coating 22, and a concave portion at the distal end formed thereby is filled with a hydrophilic member 19 having a capillary action such as a hydrophilic felt. Therefore, even if the tip of the sensing electrode 11 contacts the inner wall surface of the container body 1, the exposed portion 17 of the sensing electrode 11 and the container body 1 are insulated by the insulating coating 22 and the container body 1 is separated from the exposed portion 17. , I.e., the distance from the exposed portion 17 to the container body 1 via the hydrophilic member 19 is configured to be sufficiently large.

Therefore, when the contents 2 are not filled in the container body 1, when a predetermined amount of the contents 2 does not exist (that is, when the contents 2 are not filled up to the water level line 18), or when the container 2 is dried. If only the material is filled,
When the ignition operation is performed, as described above, the electric circuit shown in FIG. 3 reduces the generated voltage (that is, unnecessary electric noise generated by electrostatic induction, electromagnetic induction, current leakage, radiation, and the like). Since the voltage is a voltage, heat generation at the ignition valve 9 is avoided, and the heating element 5 is not ignited.

On the other hand, in the container body 1, the contents 2 made of a material whose insulation is sufficiently inferior to that of air, such as water, a fluid containing water as a main component, or a mixture of these and a solid, are placed on the water level line 18. When the filling is completed, part of the contents 2 penetrates to the exposed portion 17 by the capillary action via the hydrophilic member 19 filled in the tip of the sensing electrode 11. As a result, the exposed portions 17 of the two sensing electrodes 11 are short-circuited through the contents 2, and when an ignition operation is performed, a discharge spark occurs in the gap between the discharge electrodes 9d, 9d of the ignition bulb. . As a result, the ignition valve 9 generates heat instantaneously at a high temperature, the heating element 5 ignites,
The fever starts.

In addition, as in the conventional case, the conducting wire provided on the power generation substrate 14
It is of course possible to make the conductive wire 15 coated with polyvinyl chloride, polyethylene, polypropylene, polyamide, fluororesin, etc., but it is also possible to mix a conductive material such as carbon or aluminum with an adhesive, By directly applying to the power generation plate, or by directly attaching a conductive material such as a metal foil to the power generation plate 14, a cheaper and simpler configuration can be achieved.

Further, as disclosed in JP-A-2-79918 and JP-A-1-288218, an oxidizing agent composed of a metal oxide such as iron oxide, copper oxide, and lead oxide is used as the heating element 5. The ignition performance, calorific efficiency, and heating rate can be improved by appropriately selecting from a combustible composed of a metal such as titanium or iron or a semimetal such as silicon, which has a higher heat of oxidation than the metal being formed. It is.

Still further, the heat insulator 4 may be any heat insulator having an excellent adsorptivity such as odor and gas that is slightly generated at the time of ignition or heat generation. For example, zeolite and pearlite are suitable.

FIG. 7 shows an embodiment of the ignition device 30 of the present invention, which basically comprises only a portion corresponding to the component of the heating mechanism of the container with a heating function shown in FIG. The same members are denoted by the same reference numerals. The features of this ignition device are basically the same as those of the heating mechanism of the container with a heating function shown in FIG. 1, but are different from the components of the heating mechanism shown in FIG. 11. The heating element 5 is not provided, and it is configured to function as an ignition device for any heating element. In this circuit configuration, the piezoelectric element 7 and the ignition valve 9 may be directly connected.

FIG. 9 shows another embodiment of the ignition device 30 of the present invention, which is basically the same as the component of the heating mechanism of the container with a heating function shown in FIG. And an electric circuit configuration. In this ignition device 30, the sensing electrode 11 '
This is different from the first embodiment in that an insulator 22 'is used as a supporting member, a part of the heat insulator 4 is penetrated, and is exposed to the outside of the ignition device 30, and is sealed by a seal packing 23'. Therefore, this ignition device can provide a convenient ignition device capable of appropriately heating by, for example, containing a liquid to-be-heated substance such as stew and making it detachable in another container.

The above-described embodiment is merely a description of a preferred embodiment of the present invention, and any person skilled in the art can easily change or modify the embodiment.
The scope of the present invention should be limited only by the appended claims.

(Effects) (1) As described above, the heat conversion device of the present invention can effectively convert substantial electric energy to heat energy in the ignition valve even when the supplied electric energy is small. And it is possible to produce effective heat generation.

(2) Since the ignition device of the present invention includes the heat conversion device, even if the voltage generated by the piezoelectric element is low, effective heat generation can be generated. With this configuration, if a configuration that generates a low voltage is used for the piezoelectric element, an undesirable heating operation of the heat conversion device can be prevented without providing an avoidance discharge electrode, so that the ignition device can be configured more easily. Also has the effect. In addition, since the ignition device of the present invention includes the malfunction prevention electric circuit, it is possible to stabilize the potential and the electric pulse of the voltage supplied from the piezoelectric element to the heat conversion device, which is not preferable for the heat conversion device. There is also an effect that the heating operation can be prevented.

(3) Since the container with a heating function of the present invention is provided with the ignition device, if the material to be heated composed of water, other fluids, or the like is not filled, the container may be ignited carelessly. Even if the operation is performed, the heat conversion device is not ignited or generates heat. In particular, when the piezoelectric element is configured to generate a low voltage, such an effect is further enhanced.

Further, when the container with the heating function of the present invention is filled with the substance to be heated, the ignition and heat generation of the heat conversion device can be performed even when the piezoelectric element is configured to generate a low voltage. Can be reliably generated, so that there is an effect that the material to be heated can be sufficiently heated.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a longitudinal sectional view of one embodiment of a container with a heating function of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a sectional view taken along line AA of FIG. 1, and FIG. Electric circuit diagram of an embodiment of the container,
4 is a sectional view taken along line BB of FIG. 1, FIG. 5 is a longitudinal sectional view taken along line CC of FIG. 1, and FIG. 6 is an embodiment of the ignition valve of the present invention. FIG. 7 is an enlarged sectional view of the example, FIG. 7 is a longitudinal sectional view of one embodiment of the ignition device of the present invention, and FIG. 8 is an electric circuit diagram showing another embodiment of the electric circuit of the container with a heating function of the present invention. ,
FIG. 9 is a sectional view of another embodiment of the ignition device of the present invention,
10 to 12 are electric circuit diagrams showing another embodiment of the electric circuit of the container with a heating function of the present invention. 1 ... container body, 2 ... contents, 3 ... heating element container, 4
... heat insulator, 5 ... heating element, 7 ... piezoelectric element, 8 ... hammer member, 9 ... ignition valve, 9a ... support member, 9b ...
... Valve container, 9c ... Metal wire, 9d ... Discharge electrode, 9e ...
... Ignition, 11 ... Sensing electrode, 12 ... Trigger member, 13 ...
... leaf spring, 14 ... power generation board, 15 ... lead wire, 16 ... bottom lid,
17 ... exposed part, 18 ... water level line, 19 ... hydrophilic member, 20
…… Ratchet claw, 21 …… Ratchet gear, 22 …… Insulation coating, 30 …… Ignition device.

 ──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continuation of front page (56) References JP-A-63-87531 (JP, A) JP-A-60-101567 (JP, A) JP-A-1-288219 (JP, A) JP-A-1- 121625 (JP, A) Japanese Utility Model Hei 1-88154 (JP, U) Japanese Utility Model Hei 2-109197 (JP, U) Japanese Utility Model Showa 60-6965 (JP, U)

Claims (3)

(57) [Claims] 1. A heat conversion device for converting electric energy into heat energy to generate heat at a high temperature, comprising a metal thin wire, oxygen gas, and an igniting agent which is an insulator or a high resistance material on the surface. A heat conversion device comprising: a valve in which a pair of separated electrodes applied are sealed in a container. 2. A piezoelectric device for generating electricity by a pressure such as a striking force, a pressure applying device for applying a pressure to said piezoelectric device, a heat converting device according to claim 1, and said heat converting device. A sensing device that senses whether a substance to be heated based on heat generation of the container is filled with a predetermined amount in the container to be accommodated, and the piezoelectric element, the sensing device, and the heat conversion device are interconnected. A malfunction preventing electric circuit for stabilizing electric pulses supplied to the heat conversion device and reducing unnecessary electric pulses, wherein the sensing device has a predetermined amount of the heated object inside the container. An ignition device, wherein the heat conversion device is configured to convert electric energy generated by the piezoelectric element into heat energy when detecting that a substance is filled. 3. An ignition device according to claim 2, a container for containing a substance to be heated comprising water, a fluid containing water as a main component, or a mixture of these and a solid, and the substance to be heated. A heating element disposed in the container to heat the heating element, wherein the ignition device is configured to generate heat in the heating element.