EP1669675A1 - Bougie à incandescence d'un moteur Diesel avec électronique intégrée et dissipateur de chaleur - Google Patents

Bougie à incandescence d'un moteur Diesel avec électronique intégrée et dissipateur de chaleur Download PDF

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Publication number
EP1669675A1
EP1669675A1 EP05025454A EP05025454A EP1669675A1 EP 1669675 A1 EP1669675 A1 EP 1669675A1 EP 05025454 A EP05025454 A EP 05025454A EP 05025454 A EP05025454 A EP 05025454A EP 1669675 A1 EP1669675 A1 EP 1669675A1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
housing
heat sink
glow plug
connector
power transistor
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Granted
Application number
EP05025454A
Other languages
German (de)
English (en)
Other versions
EP1669675B1 (fr
Inventor
Hiromi Hiramatsu
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Denso Corp
Original Assignee
Denso Corp
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Denso Corp filed Critical Denso Corp
Priority to EP10156649.5A priority Critical patent/EP2202461B1/fr
Publication of EP1669675A1 publication Critical patent/EP1669675A1/fr
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of EP1669675B1 publication Critical patent/EP1669675B1/fr
Expired - Fee Related legal-status Critical Current
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical

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Classifications

    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F02—COMBUSTION ENGINES; HOT-GAS OR COMBUSTION-PRODUCT ENGINE PLANTS
    • F02P—IGNITION, OTHER THAN COMPRESSION IGNITION, FOR INTERNAL-COMBUSTION ENGINES; TESTING OF IGNITION TIMING IN COMPRESSION-IGNITION ENGINES
    • F02P17/00—Testing of ignition installations, e.g. in combination with adjusting; Testing of ignition timing in compression-ignition engines
    • F02P17/12—Testing characteristics of the spark, ignition voltage or current
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F02—COMBUSTION ENGINES; HOT-GAS OR COMBUSTION-PRODUCT ENGINE PLANTS
    • F02P—IGNITION, OTHER THAN COMPRESSION IGNITION, FOR INTERNAL-COMBUSTION ENGINES; TESTING OF IGNITION TIMING IN COMPRESSION-IGNITION ENGINES
    • F02P19/00—Incandescent ignition, e.g. during starting of internal combustion engines; Combination of incandescent and spark ignition
    • F02P19/02—Incandescent ignition, e.g. during starting of internal combustion engines; Combination of incandescent and spark ignition electric, e.g. layout of circuits of apparatus having glowing plugs
    • F02P19/021—Incandescent ignition, e.g. during starting of internal combustion engines; Combination of incandescent and spark ignition electric, e.g. layout of circuits of apparatus having glowing plugs characterised by power delivery controls
    • F02P19/022—Incandescent ignition, e.g. during starting of internal combustion engines; Combination of incandescent and spark ignition electric, e.g. layout of circuits of apparatus having glowing plugs characterised by power delivery controls using intermittent current supply
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F02—COMBUSTION ENGINES; HOT-GAS OR COMBUSTION-PRODUCT ENGINE PLANTS
    • F02P—IGNITION, OTHER THAN COMPRESSION IGNITION, FOR INTERNAL-COMBUSTION ENGINES; TESTING OF IGNITION TIMING IN COMPRESSION-IGNITION ENGINES
    • F02P19/00—Incandescent ignition, e.g. during starting of internal combustion engines; Combination of incandescent and spark ignition
    • F02P19/02—Incandescent ignition, e.g. during starting of internal combustion engines; Combination of incandescent and spark ignition electric, e.g. layout of circuits of apparatus having glowing plugs
    • F02P19/027—Safety devices, e.g. for diagnosing the glow plugs or the related circuits
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F23—COMBUSTION APPARATUS; COMBUSTION PROCESSES
    • F23Q—IGNITION; EXTINGUISHING-DEVICES
    • F23Q7/00—Incandescent ignition; Igniters using electrically-produced heat, e.g. lighters for cigarettes; Electrically-heated glowing plugs
    • F23Q7/001—Glowing plugs for internal-combustion engines
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F02—COMBUSTION ENGINES; HOT-GAS OR COMBUSTION-PRODUCT ENGINE PLANTS
    • F02P—IGNITION, OTHER THAN COMPRESSION IGNITION, FOR INTERNAL-COMBUSTION ENGINES; TESTING OF IGNITION TIMING IN COMPRESSION-IGNITION ENGINES
    • F02P19/00—Incandescent ignition, e.g. during starting of internal combustion engines; Combination of incandescent and spark ignition
    • F02P19/02—Incandescent ignition, e.g. during starting of internal combustion engines; Combination of incandescent and spark ignition electric, e.g. layout of circuits of apparatus having glowing plugs
    • F02P19/021—Incandescent ignition, e.g. during starting of internal combustion engines; Combination of incandescent and spark ignition electric, e.g. layout of circuits of apparatus having glowing plugs characterised by power delivery controls
    • F02P19/023—Individual control of the glow plugs
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F23—COMBUSTION APPARATUS; COMBUSTION PROCESSES
    • F23Q—IGNITION; EXTINGUISHING-DEVICES
    • F23Q7/00—Incandescent ignition; Igniters using electrically-produced heat, e.g. lighters for cigarettes; Electrically-heated glowing plugs
    • F23Q7/001—Glowing plugs for internal-combustion engines
    • F23Q2007/002—Glowing plugs for internal-combustion engines with sensing means
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01L—SEMICONDUCTOR DEVICES NOT COVERED BY CLASS H10
    • H01L2924/00—Indexing scheme for arrangements or methods for connecting or disconnecting semiconductor or solid-state bodies as covered by H01L24/00
    • H01L2924/0001—Technical content checked by a classifier
    • H01L2924/0002—Not covered by any one of groups H01L24/00, H01L24/00 and H01L2224/00

Definitions

  • the present invention relates generally to glow plugs for diesel engines. More particularly, the invention relates to a glow plug for a diesel engine which includes a heating element, a semiconductor chip for control of electric power supply to the heating element, and a heat sink for dissipation of heat generated by operation of the semiconductor chip.
  • Glow plugs are generally used to improve startability of diesel engines. Specifically, for a typical diesel engine, one glow plug is installed to each of a plurality of cylinders of the engine to preheat the air-fuel mixture within the cylinder, thereby assisting the initial ignition of the air-fuel mixture.
  • a controller which includes a plurality of semiconductor chips, one for each of the glow plugs, and a micro computer.
  • the semiconductor chips each include a power transistor that is configured to be selectively turned on and off so as to intermittently supply electric power to the corresponding glow plug.
  • the controller works to control electric power supply to the glow plugs.
  • the controller is configured to receive switching signals sent from an engine ECU (Electronic Control Unit) and turn on and off the power transistors in the semiconductor chips according to the switching signals.
  • ECU Electronic Control Unit
  • the semiconductor chips each of which generates considerable heat during operation, are integrated into a single device, i.e., the controller. Consequently, it is very difficult to effectively dissipate the heat generated, so that if not suitably designed, the controller will be damaged due to the heat, thus making it impossible to reliably supply electric power to the glow plugs.
  • Japanese Translation of International Publication No. 2003 - 509652 discloses a glow plug, in which a circuit unit that includes a semiconductor chip is disposed in a housing of the glow plug.
  • the semiconductor chip includes a power transistor configured to be selectively turned on and off so as to intermittently supply electric power to a heating element of the glow plug.
  • a switching signal and a voltage are provided from an engine ECU to the circuit unit via a wiring harness, the circuit unit turns on and off the power transistor according to the switching signal, so that the voltage is intermittently applied to the heating element, thereby preheating the air-fuel mixture within the engine cylinder.
  • afterglow which herein denotes to continuously supply electric power to glow plugs to heat the air-fuel mixture after engine start
  • demand for afterglow which herein denotes to continuously supply electric power to glow plugs to heat the air-fuel mixture after engine start
  • afterglow has the effect of reducing the amount of hydrocarbons included in emissions from diesel engines. Consequently, operation time of semiconductor chips integrated into glow plugs has been accordingly increasing, thus increasing the amount of heat generated.
  • the present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned problem.
  • a primary object of the present invention to provide a glow plug for a diesel engine which includes an integrated power transistor for electric power supply to a heating element of the glow plug and is capable of preventing the power transistor from being damaged due to heat generated by operation of the power transistor.
  • a glow plug for a diesel engine which includes a heating element, a power transistor, and a heat sink.
  • the heating element is configured to generate heat when supplied with electric power.
  • the power transistor is configured to be selectively turned on and off so as to supply electric power to the heating element.
  • the heat sink serves to dissipate heat generated by operation of the power transistor so as to protect the power transistor from heat damage.
  • the glow plug further includes a tubular housing, a tubular sleeve, a rod-like insulator, and a rod-like central shaft.
  • the tubular housing has a first end and a second end; it also has a threaded portion formed on an outer periphery thereof so as to be installed to a diesel engine.
  • the tubular sleeve has a first end retained in the housing and a second end protruding from the second end of the housing.
  • the rod-like insulator is secured to the sleeve; it has a first end located in the housing and a second end protruding from the second end of the sleeve.
  • the rod-like central shaft is accommodated in the housing; it has a first end fixed to the first end of the housing via an insulative fixing member and a second end that is located in the housing.
  • the heating element is provided in the insulator on the second end side of the insulator and electrically connected to the second end of the central shaft.
  • the power transistor is provided on a substrate and electrically connected to the first end of the central shaft.
  • the heat sink is fixed to the first end of the housing and has a surface on which the substrate is disposed.
  • the heat generated by operation of the power transistor will be effectively transferred to the engine block via the substrate, the heat sink, and the housing, so that the power transistor can be prevented from being damaged due to the heat generated, thus improving reliability of the power transistor.
  • the glow plug further includes a connector that is integrally formed with the heat sink and includes a plurality of terminals.
  • a switching signal and a voltage are provided to the power transistor via the terminals, the power transistor is turned on and off according to the switching signal so that the voltage is intermittently applied to the heating element.
  • the connector can be easily mounted to the housing through fixing the heat sink to the housing, thereby improving manufacturing efficiency of the glow plug.
  • the substrate which carries the power transistor, may be so disposed on the surface of the heat sink that the longitudinal direction of the substrate is perpendicular to the surface of the heat sink.
  • the heat sink may be fixed to the first end of the housing by crimping.
  • the glow plug further includes a tubular housing, a tubular sleeve, a rod-like insulator, a rod-like central shaft, and a connector.
  • the tubular housing has a first end and a second end; it also has a threaded portion formed on an outer periphery thereof so as to be installed to a diesel engine.
  • the tubular sleeve has a first end retained in the housing and a second end protruding from the second end of the housing.
  • the rod-like insulator is secured to the sleeve; it has a first end located in the housing and a second end protruding from the second end of the sleeve.
  • the rod-like central shaft is partially accommodated in the housing and fixed to the first end of the housing via an insulative fixing member; it has a first end protruding from the housing and the fixing member and a second end that is located in the housing.
  • the connector has a hollow electrode formed therein which has an open end.
  • the heating element is provided in the insulator on the second end side of the insulator and electrically connected to the second end of the central shaft.
  • the power transistor is provided on a substrate and embedded in the connector together with the substrate.
  • the heat sink is included in the connector and has a plate-like shape with a first major surface embedded in the connector, on which the substrate is disposed, and a second major surface exposed from the connector to dissipate the heat generated by operation of the power transistor.
  • the electrode of the connector is electrically connected to the power transistor and brought into electrical connection with the first end of the central shaft by insertion of the first end of the central shaft in the electrode through the open end thereof.
  • the heat generated by operation of the power transistor will be effectively dissipated into the atmosphere via the second major surface of the heat sink, so that the power transistor can be prevented from being damaged due to the heat, thus improving reliability of the power transistor.
  • the glow plug may further include a metal connector cover covering an outer surface of the connector.
  • the connector cover abuts the second major surface of the heat sink and has an end that is brought into abutment with the first end of the housing by insertion of the first end of the central shaft in the electrode of the connector.
  • part of the heat generated by operation of the power transistor will be directly dissipated into the atmosphere via the outer surface of the connector cover, and the other part of the heat will be transferred to the engine block via the housing.
  • the glow plug may further include a metal housing cover covering the first end of the housing and a metal connector cover covering an outer surface of the connector.
  • the housing cover is fixed to the first end of the housing and has a bore formed therein through which the central shaft extends.
  • the connector cover abuts the second major surface of the heat sink and has an end that is brought into abutment with the housing cover by insertion of the first end of the central shaft in the electrode of the connector.
  • part of the heat generated by operation of the power transistor will be directly dissipated into the atmosphere via the outer surfaces of the connector cover and the housing cover, and the other part of the heat will be transferred to the engine block via the housing.
  • the glow plug further includes a wiring harness that is integrally formed with the connector and includes a plurality of wires.
  • a switching signal and a voltage are provided to the power transistor via the wires, the power transistor is turned on and off according to the switching signal so that the voltage is intermittently applied to the heating element.
  • FIG. 1 shows the overall structure of a glow plug 100 according to the first embodiment of the invention.
  • the glow plug 100 is designed for use in a diesel engine.
  • the glow plug 100 includes a tubular housing 10 that is made of a conductive metal material, such as S25C carbon steel.
  • the housing 10 has a first end 10a and a second end 10b, which are opposite to each other in the longitudinal direction of the housing 10.
  • the housing 10 includes a threaded portion 11 formed on an outer periphery thereof, through which the glow plug 100 is to be installed to an engine block and thus the housing 10 is to be grounded.
  • the housing 10 also includes a head portion 12 formed at the first end 10a thereof, to which torque is to be applied by a wrench so as to install the glow plug 100 to the engine block.
  • the head portion 12 has the shape, for example, of a hollow hexagonal prism.
  • a tubular sleeve 20 which is made, for example, of stainless steel, is partially secured in the housing 10 on the second end 10b side. More specifically, the sleeve 20 has a first end 20a, which is located in the housing 10 on the second end 10b side, and a second end 20b that protrudes from the second end 10b of the housing 10.
  • a rod-like insulator 21 is partially retained in the sleeve 20. More specifically, the insulator 21 has a first end 21a protruding from the first end 20a of the sleeve 20 and a second end 21b protruding from the second end 20b of the sleeve 20.
  • the insulator 21 is made, for example, of an insulative ceramic consisting of silicon nitride.
  • a U-shaped heat element 22 is provided in the insulator 21 on the second end 21b side.
  • two electrodes 23a and 23b which extend in the longitudinal direction of the insulator 21, are mechanically and electrically connected.
  • the heat element 22 is made, for example, of an electrically conductive ceramic that consists of silicon nitride and molybdenum disilicide.
  • the electrodes 23a and 23b are made, for example, of tungsten.
  • a rod-like central shaft 30 is accommodated in the housing 10 close to the first end 21a of the insulator 21. More specifically, the central shaft 30 has a first end 30a protruding from the first end 10a of the housing 10 and a second end 30b located in the housing 10.
  • the central shaft 30 is made of a conductive metal material, such as S25C carbon steel.
  • a hollow cylindrical terminal 31 is electrically and mechanically connected to the second end 30b of the central shaft 30 and retained with the help of a cap 32 that is fixed to the second end 30b.
  • the terminal 31 is brought into electrical connection with the electrode 23a, which has an end exposed from the insulator 21 at the first end 21a, by insertion of the first end 21a of the insulator 21 in the terminal 31.
  • the electrode 23b is in electrical connection with the sleeve 20 via an end thereof that is exposed from the insulator 21. Consequently, the electrode 23b is electrically connected to the housing 10 via the sleeve 20.
  • a glass seal 40 At the first end 10a of the housing 10, there are provided a glass seal 40, a packing 41, and an insulation bush 42 between the inner surface of the housing 10 and the outer surface of the central shaft 30.
  • the glass seal 40 is made of glass; the packing 41 is configured with an O-ring; the insulation bush 42 is made, for example, of a phenol resin.
  • the insulation bush 42 has a flange portion, by which the insulation bush 42 is prevented from being completely inserted in the housing 10.
  • the insulation bush 42 is urged in the longitudinal direction of the housing 10 toward the first end 10a by a tight engagement between a terminal nut 43 and a threaded portion of the central shaft 30 formed at the first end 30a. Consequently, an airtight seal is obtained at the first end 10a of the housing 10, and the central shaft 30 is secured in the housing 10.
  • a heat sink 50 is secured to the first end 10a of the housing 10.
  • the heat sink 50 is shaped in a semi-closed hollow cylinder with a flange portion 50a formed at an open end thereof and an end wall 50b that is opposite to the open end.
  • the heat sink 50 is fixed to the head portion 12 of the housing 10 by crimping an end portion 12a of the head portion 12 against the flange portion 50a of the heat sink 50.
  • the heat sink 50 is made, for example, of Al (Aluminum).
  • a substrate 60 that carries a semiconductor chip 61.
  • the semiconductor chip 61 includes therein a power transistor (to be simply referred to as PTr hereinafter), such as a P-type MOSFET and an IGBT.
  • PTr is configured to receive a switching signal from an engine ECU and a voltage from an automotive battery and be turned on and off according to the switching signal so as to intermittently supply the voltage to the heating element 22.
  • the heat sink 50 has also a bore formed through the end wall 50b, so as to provide an electrical connection between the semiconductor chip 61 and the central shaft 30.
  • a resin member 50c is fitted in the bore and thus fixed to the heat sink 50.
  • the resin member 50c includes a wire (not shown) inset-molded therein, via which the semiconductor chip 61 and the first end 30a of the central shaft 30 are electrically connected.
  • the semiconductor chip 61 has a grounding wire that is electrically connected to the heat sink 50. Moreover, a packing 12b is provided between the flange portion 50a of the heat sink 50 and the head portion 12 of the housing 10, so as to form an airtight seal therebetween.
  • a connector 70 which is made, for example, of PBT (Polybutylene Terephthalate), is integrally formed with the heat sink 50.
  • the connector 70 includes a terminal portion 80, through which the semiconductor chip 61 is to be electrically connected with external devices and/or circuits.
  • the terminal portion 80 includes three terminals 81 - 83, all of which are electrically connected to the semiconductor chip 61 on one hand.
  • the terminal 81 is to be connected to an automotive battery so as to supply electric power to the heating element 22;
  • the terminal 82 is to be connected to an engine ECU so as to provide a switching signal from the engine ECU to the semiconductor chip 61;
  • the terminal 83 is connected to the engine ECU so as to provide a signal for performing an open-circuit check for the glow plug 100 from the semiconductor chip 61 to the engine ECU.
  • the heat is transferred from the semiconductor chip 61 to the heat sink 50 via the substrate 60. Then, since the heat sink 50 is crimp-fixed to the head portion 12 of the housing 10, the heat is transferred from the heat sink 50 to the housing 10.
  • the housing 10 Since the housing 10 is fixed to an engine block via the threaded portion 11 thereof, the heat is finally transferred from the housing 10 to the engine block.
  • FIG. 3 shows the overall configuration of an electric power supply system for supplying electric power to the glow plug 100, operation of the glow plug 100 will be described hereinafter.
  • the electric power supply system is configured with a plurality of glow plugs 100, an automotive battery 200, and an engine ECU 300.
  • the terminal voltage of the battery 200 is regulated to a constant voltage (to be referred to as +B voltage hereinafter) by means of a voltage regulator (not shown), and the +B voltage is then provided to each of the glow plugs 100.
  • the engine ECU 300 is of a well-known type including circuits for engine control, such as control of fuel injection timing.
  • the engine ECU 300 is configured to generate a switching signal, which has a high frequency, based on the temperature and pressure within the engine cylinders and output the switching signal to the each of the glow plugs 100.
  • the engine ECU 300 includes an open-circuit check circuit and a diagnosis circuit.
  • the open-circuit check circuit is configured to check an open-circuit in each of the glow plugs 100 and that between each of the glow plugs 100 and the engine ECU 300.
  • the open-circuit check circuit has a threshold voltage for open-circuit checking. When an inputted voltage for open-circuit check is not higher than the threshold voltage, the open-circuit check circuit identifies the occurrence of an open-circuit and generates an open-circuit signal that is indicative of the occurrence of the open-circuit.
  • the diagnosis circuit is configured to provide the open-circuit signal from the open-circuit check circuit to a main control circuit of the engine ECU 300.
  • a voltage at an output terminal of the PTr in the semiconductor chip 61 of each of the glow plugs 100 is outputted to the open-circuit check circuit. Then, the open-circuit check circuit compares the voltage with the threshold voltage and identifies the occurrence of an output-circuit in the glow plug 100 when the voltage is not higher than the threshold voltage.
  • each of the glow plugs 100 is supplied with electric power in the following way.
  • the +B voltage which is obtained by regulating the terminal voltage of the battery 200, is provided to the terminal 81 of each of the glow plugs 100.
  • the switching signal is provided from the engine ECU 300 to the terminal 82 of each of the glow plugs 100.
  • the PTr in the semiconductor chip 61 of each of the glow plugs 100 is turned on and off, so that the +B voltage is intermittently applied to the heating element 22 via the central shaft 30, the terminal 31, and the electrode 23a, thus heating the air-fuel mixture within the engine cylinder.
  • the voltage at the output terminal of the PTr in the semiconductor chip 61 of each of the glow plugs 100 is outputted to the open-circuit check circuit of the engine ECU 300 via the terminal 83.
  • the open-circuit check circuit determines weather the voltage is higher than the threshold voltage, and when the voltage is not higher than the threshold voltage, it generates the open-circuit signal that is indicative of the occurrence of an open-circuit in the glow plug 100.
  • the open-circuit signal is provided to the main control circuit of the engine ECU 300 by the diagnosis circuit, so that the occurrence of the open-circuit is identified by the main control circuit based on the open-circuit signal.
  • the glow plug 100 includes the heating element 22, the semiconductor chip 61 including therein the PTr, and the heat sink 50.
  • the heating element 22 is configured to generate heat when supplied with electric power, so as to heat the air-fuel mixture within the engine cylinder.
  • the PTr in the semiconductor chip 61 is configured to be selectively turned on and off so as to intermittently supply electric power to the heating element 22.
  • the heat sink 50 is configured to dissipate heat generated by operation of the semiconductor chip 61 so as to prevent the semiconductor chip 61 from being damaged due to the heat.
  • the engine ECU 300 is allowed not to include therein the semiconductor chip 61 and a heat sink for dissipating the heat generated by operation of the semiconductor chip 61 for each of the glow plugs 100, and thus the size of the engine ECU 300 can be accordingly reduced.
  • the housing 10 is configured to be fixed to an engine block via the threaded portion 11 thereof, the substrate 60 that carries the semiconductor chip 61 is disposed on the heat sink 50, and the heat sink 50 is crimp-fixed to the first end 10a of the housing 10.
  • the heat generated by operation of the semiconductor chip 61 will be effectively transferred to the engine block via the substrate 60, the heat sink 50, and the housing 10, so that the semiconductor chip 61 can be prevented from being damaged due to the heat, thus improving reliability of the semiconductor chip 61.
  • the connector 70 that includes the terminals 81 - 83 is integrally formed with the heat sink 50.
  • the connector 70 can be easily mounted to the housing 10 through fixing the heat sink 50 to the housing 10, thus improving manufacturing efficiency of the glow plug 100.
  • a glow plug 100A which has a structure almost identical to that of the glow plug 100 according to the previous embodiment. Accordingly, only the difference in structure between the glow pugs 100 and 100A is to be described hereinafter.
  • FIG. 4 shows the overall structure of the glow plug 100A, which is designed for use in a diesel engine as the glow plug 100.
  • the insulation bush 42 and the packing 12c are urged in the longitudinal direction of the housing 10 by a heat sink 54 that is crimp-secured to the first end 10a of the housing 10.
  • the heat sink 54 has the shape of a disk with a first major surface 54a, which abuts the insulation bush 42, and a second major surface 54b on which a cylindrical protruding portion 54c is formed.
  • the substrate 60 On an end surface of the protruding portion 54c, there is disposed the substrate 60 that carries the semiconductor chip 61.
  • the substrate 60 has the shape of an oblong plate and is disposed on the end surface of the protruding portion 54c of the heat sink 54 such that the longitudinal direction (or lengthwise direction) of the substrate 60 is perpendicular to the end surface of the protruding portion 54c.
  • the semiconductor chip 61 is electrically connected to the central shaft 30 via the substrate 60 and a wire (not shown) that is embedded in the heat sink 54.
  • a connector 72 On a side surface of the protruding portion 54c, there is integrally-formed a connector 72.
  • the connector 72 includes the terminals 81 - 83, which are electrically connected to the semiconductor chip 61 via wires 62 and the substrate 60.
  • the substrate 60 is so disposed on the second major surface 54b of the heat sink 54 that the longitudinal direction of the substrate 60 is perpendicular to the second major surface 54b of the heat sink 54.
  • a glow plug 100B which has a structure almost identical to that of the glow plug 100 according to the first embodiment. Accordingly, only the difference in structure between the glow pugs 100 and 100B is to be described hereinafter.
  • FIG. 5 shows the overall structure of the glow plug 100B, which is designed for use in a diesel engine as the glow plug 100.
  • the first end 30a of the central shaft 30 protrudes from the nut 43 as well as from the housing 10. Further, on the first end 30a of the central shaft 30, there is mounted a connector 71.
  • the connector 71 includes a cap portion 71a, an electrode 71b, a wire 71c, a heat sink 51, the substrate 60, the semiconductor chip 61, and a resin-molded portion 71d.
  • the cap portion 71a which shapes the connector 71, is made, for example, of PBT.
  • the electrode 71 b is made of a metal material, such as iron, and insert-molded into the cap portion 71a.
  • the electrode 7 1 b has the shape of a hollow semi-closed cylinder with an open end 71b1.
  • the connector 71 Upon insertion of the first end 30a of the central shaft 30 in the electrode 71 b through the open end 71b1, the connector 71 is integrated into the main body of the glow plug 100B and the electrode 71b is brought into electrical connection with the central shaft 30.
  • the wire 71c is insert-molded into the cap portion 71a to electrically connect the terminal 71 b with the semiconductor chip 61a.
  • the substrate 60 carries the semiconductor chip 61.
  • the heat sink 51 has the shape of a plate with a first major surface 51a, on which the substrate 60 is disposed, and a second major surface 51b that is opposite to the first major surface 51a.
  • the resin-molded portion 71d is so molded to cover the semiconductor chip 61, the substrate 60, and most area of the first major surface 51a of the heat sink 51.
  • the resin-molded portion 71d, the semiconductor chip 61, the substrate 60, and the heat sink 51 are together embedded in the cap portion 71 a such that only the second major surface 51b of the heat sink 51 is exposed, as shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, from the cap portion 71a.
  • the glow plug 100B further includes a wiring harness 71e that is integrally formed with the connector 71.
  • the wiring harness 71e includes a plurality of insert-molded wires, via which the +B voltage is provided to the semiconductor chip 61, the switching signal is provided from the engine ECU 300 to the semiconductor chip 61, and the voltage at the output terminal of the PTr in the semiconductor chip 61 is provided to the open-circuit check circuit of the engine ECU 300.
  • the heat is transferred from the semiconductor chip 61 to the heat sink 51 via the substrate 60.
  • the heat sink 51 since the heat sink 51 has the exposed second major surface 51b, the heat is directly dissipated into the atmosphere via the second major surface 51b.
  • the connector 71 includes the semiconductor chip 61, the heat sink 51, and the hollow electrode 71.
  • the connector 71 is integrated into the main body of the glow plug 100B by insertion of the first end 30a of the central shaft 30 in the electrode 71 b.
  • the semiconductor chip 61 is disposed on the first major surface 51a of the heat sink 51 via the substrate 60 and the second major surface 51b of the heat sink 51 is exposed.
  • the connector 71 further includes the integrally-formed wiring harness 71e, by which the electrical connection between the glow plug 100B and external devices and/or circuits is facilitated.
  • a glow plug 100C which has a structure almost identical to that of the glow plug 100B according to the third embodiment. Accordingly, only the difference in structure between the glow pugs 100B and 100C is to be described hereinafter.
  • FIG. 7 shows the overall structure of the glow plug 100C, which is designed for use in a diesel engine as the glow plug 100B.
  • a heat sink 52 that covers the outer surface of the connector 71 as a metal connector cover.
  • the heat sink 52 includes an end 52a that is brought into abutment with the first end 10a of the housing 10 by insertion of the first end 30a of the central shaft 30 in the electrode 71b of the connector 71.
  • the heat sink 52 further includes a recessed portion 52b that abuts the second major surface 51b of the heat sink 51.
  • the heat is transferred from the semiconductor chip 61 to the heat sink 51 via the substrate 60.
  • the heat sink 51 has the second major surface 51b that abuts the recessed portion 52b of the heat sink 52, the heat is transferred from the heat sink 51 to the heat sink 52.
  • the heat sink 52 is provided, in addition to the heat sink 51, to more effectively dissipate heat generated by operation of the semiconductor chip 61 as well as to cover the connector 71.
  • a glow plug 100D is provided which has a structure almost identical to those of the glow plugs 100 - 100C according to the previous embodiments. Accordingly, only the difference in structure between the glow pug 100D and the glow plugs 100 - 100C is to be described hereinafter.
  • FIG. 9 shows the overall structure of the glow plug 100D, which is designed for use in a diesel engine as the glow plugs 100 - 100C.
  • a heat sink 53 that covers the first end 10a of the housing 10 as a metal housing cover.
  • the heat sink 53 has the shape of a semi-closed hollow cylinder.
  • the heat sink 53 is fixed to the first end 10a of the housing 10 by crimping such that the first end 30a of the central shaft 30 extends through a bore 53a formed in an end wall 53b of the heat sink 53.
  • the connector 71 Upon insertion of the first end 30a of the central shaft 30 in the electrode 71b of the connector 71, the connector 71 is integrated into the main body of the glow plug 100D. Consequently, the electrode 71b is brought into electrical connection with the central shaft 30, and the end 52a of the heat sink 52 is brought into abutment with the end wall 53b of the heat sink 53.
  • the heat is transferred from the semiconductor chip 61 to the heat sink 51 via the substrate 60.
  • the heat sink 53 is provided, in addition to the heat sinks 51 and 52, to more effectively dissipate heat generated by operation of the semiconductor chip 61 as well as to cover the housing 10.
  • the engine ECU 300 is configured to provide the same switching signal to the plurality of glow plugs 100.
  • the engine ECU 300 may also be configured to provide one switching signal for each of the glow plugs 100, which is generated based on the temperature and pressure within a corresponding one of the engines cylinders.
  • the end 52a of the heat sink 52 abuts and can be moved away from the first end 10a of the housing 10 or the end wall 53b of the heat sink 53.
  • the end 52a of the heat sink 52 may also be fixed to the first end 10a of the housing 10 or the end wall 53b of the heat sink 53 by, for example, welding.
  • a glow plug for a diesel engine which includes a heating element, a semiconductor chip that includes therein a power transistor, and a heat sink.
  • the heating element is configured to generate heat when supplied with electric power, so as to heat the air-fuel mixture within a cylinder of the diesel engine.
  • the power transistor in the semiconductor chip is configured to be selectively turned on and off so as to intermittently supply electric power to the heating element.
  • the heat sink serves to dissipate heat generated by operation of the semiconductor chip so as to prevent the semiconductor chip from being damaged due to the heat.

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
  • Combustion & Propulsion (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Combined Controls Of Internal Combustion Engines (AREA)
  • Resistance Heating (AREA)
  • Cylinder Crankcases Of Internal Combustion Engines (AREA)
EP05025454A 2004-11-25 2005-11-22 Bougie à incandescence d'un moteur Diesel avec électronique intégrée et dissipateur de chaleur Expired - Fee Related EP1669675B1 (fr)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
EP10156649.5A EP2202461B1 (fr) 2004-11-25 2005-11-22 Configuration d'un bougie à incandescence et d'un connecteur avec électronique intégrée et dissipateur de chaleur, pour un moteur Diesel

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
JP2004340404A JP4225273B2 (ja) 2004-11-25 2004-11-25 グロープラグ

Related Child Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP10156649.5 Division-Into 2010-03-16

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP1669675A1 true EP1669675A1 (fr) 2006-06-14
EP1669675B1 EP1669675B1 (fr) 2011-03-09

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EP05025454A Expired - Fee Related EP1669675B1 (fr) 2004-11-25 2005-11-22 Bougie à incandescence d'un moteur Diesel avec électronique intégrée et dissipateur de chaleur
EP10156649.5A Expired - Fee Related EP2202461B1 (fr) 2004-11-25 2005-11-22 Configuration d'un bougie à incandescence et d'un connecteur avec électronique intégrée et dissipateur de chaleur, pour un moteur Diesel

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Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP10156649.5A Expired - Fee Related EP2202461B1 (fr) 2004-11-25 2005-11-22 Configuration d'un bougie à incandescence et d'un connecteur avec électronique intégrée et dissipateur de chaleur, pour un moteur Diesel

Country Status (3)

Country Link
EP (2) EP1669675B1 (fr)
JP (1) JP4225273B2 (fr)
DE (1) DE602005026766D1 (fr)

Cited By (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO2008127467A2 (fr) * 2006-12-15 2008-10-23 State Of Franklin Innovation, Llc Système d'allumeur à surface chaude encastré dans la céramique pour turboréacteurs
JP2012233661A (ja) * 2011-05-09 2012-11-29 Denso Corp 制御部一体型グロープラグ
DE102012212113B4 (de) * 2011-07-12 2020-12-10 Denso Corporation Heizelement-Energiesteuervorrichtung

Families Citing this family (8)

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Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
JP4905472B2 (ja) 2008-03-11 2012-03-28 株式会社デンソー グロープラグ制御装置及びグロープラグ制御システム
KR101031316B1 (ko) * 2008-12-26 2011-04-29 에이피시스템 주식회사 가열 장치 및 기판 처리 장치
JP5228931B2 (ja) * 2009-01-16 2013-07-03 株式会社デンソー グロープラグ通電制御装置
JP5884390B2 (ja) * 2011-10-11 2016-03-15 株式会社デンソー 発熱装置
JP6139137B2 (ja) * 2013-01-08 2017-05-31 日本特殊陶業株式会社 グロープラグ及びグロープラグ構造体
DE102013201048B4 (de) * 2013-01-23 2015-08-13 Robert Bosch Gmbh Glühstiftkerze
JP6024524B2 (ja) * 2013-03-07 2016-11-16 株式会社デンソー コネクタ付き通電制御素子収容筐体並びに発熱体通電制御装置
CN110398525B (zh) * 2019-08-28 2020-11-10 中国原子能科学研究院 ZrO2基氧敏感元件与金属法兰的封接方法

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WO2001020229A1 (fr) 1999-09-15 2001-03-22 Robert Bosch Gmbh Bougie crayon de prechauffage
DE10249408A1 (de) 2001-10-24 2003-06-05 Denso Corp Glühkerze für Dieselmotor und entsprechendes Herstellungsverfahren
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Cited By (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO2008127467A2 (fr) * 2006-12-15 2008-10-23 State Of Franklin Innovation, Llc Système d'allumeur à surface chaude encastré dans la céramique pour turboréacteurs
WO2008127467A3 (fr) * 2006-12-15 2009-04-30 State Of Franklin Innovation L Système d'allumeur à surface chaude encastré dans la céramique pour turboréacteurs
JP2012233661A (ja) * 2011-05-09 2012-11-29 Denso Corp 制御部一体型グロープラグ
DE102012212113B4 (de) * 2011-07-12 2020-12-10 Denso Corporation Heizelement-Energiesteuervorrichtung

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
EP2202461A3 (fr) 2010-09-22
EP2202461B1 (fr) 2013-11-06
EP2202461A2 (fr) 2010-06-30
JP4225273B2 (ja) 2009-02-18
JP2006153293A (ja) 2006-06-15
DE602005026766D1 (de) 2011-04-21
EP1669675B1 (fr) 2011-03-09

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