EP3001519B1 - Method for manufacturing spark plug for internal combustion engine - Google Patents
Method for manufacturing spark plug for internal combustion engine Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- EP3001519B1 EP3001519B1 EP14801406.1A EP14801406A EP3001519B1 EP 3001519 B1 EP3001519 B1 EP 3001519B1 EP 14801406 A EP14801406 A EP 14801406A EP 3001519 B1 EP3001519 B1 EP 3001519B1
- Authority
- EP
- European Patent Office
- Prior art keywords
- base member
- discharge
- joining
- chip
- electrode
- 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.)
- Active
Links
- 238000004519 manufacturing process Methods 0.000 title claims description 13
- 238000002485 combustion reaction Methods 0.000 title claims description 12
- 238000000034 method Methods 0.000 title claims description 6
- 238000005304 joining Methods 0.000 claims description 50
- 238000003466 welding Methods 0.000 claims description 23
- 238000002844 melting Methods 0.000 claims description 19
- 230000008018 melting Effects 0.000 claims description 17
- 229910000990 Ni alloy Inorganic materials 0.000 claims description 5
- 239000000463 material Substances 0.000 description 24
- 239000002131 composite material Substances 0.000 description 10
- 229910000510 noble metal Inorganic materials 0.000 description 7
- PXHVJJICTQNCMI-UHFFFAOYSA-N Nickel Chemical compound [Ni] PXHVJJICTQNCMI-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 5
- 229910052751 metal Inorganic materials 0.000 description 4
- 239000002184 metal Substances 0.000 description 4
- KDLHZDBZIXYQEI-UHFFFAOYSA-N palladium Substances [Pd] KDLHZDBZIXYQEI-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 4
- BASFCYQUMIYNBI-UHFFFAOYSA-N platinum Substances [Pt] BASFCYQUMIYNBI-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 4
- 238000009792 diffusion process Methods 0.000 description 3
- 238000010304 firing Methods 0.000 description 3
- 239000010948 rhodium Substances 0.000 description 3
- 229910052741 iridium Inorganic materials 0.000 description 2
- 150000002739 metals Chemical class 0.000 description 2
- 229910052759 nickel Inorganic materials 0.000 description 2
- 229910052762 osmium Inorganic materials 0.000 description 2
- 229910052763 palladium Inorganic materials 0.000 description 2
- 229910052697 platinum Inorganic materials 0.000 description 2
- 238000004064 recycling Methods 0.000 description 2
- 229910052703 rhodium Inorganic materials 0.000 description 2
- 229910052707 ruthenium Inorganic materials 0.000 description 2
- VYZAMTAEIAYCRO-UHFFFAOYSA-N Chromium Chemical compound [Cr] VYZAMTAEIAYCRO-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- 229910000575 Ir alloy Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- KJTLSVCANCCWHF-UHFFFAOYSA-N Ruthenium Chemical compound [Ru] KJTLSVCANCCWHF-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- 229910045601 alloy Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- 239000000956 alloy Substances 0.000 description 1
- 229910052804 chromium Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- 239000011651 chromium Substances 0.000 description 1
- 230000005684 electric field Effects 0.000 description 1
- 239000000446 fuel Substances 0.000 description 1
- 238000010438 heat treatment Methods 0.000 description 1
- 239000012212 insulator Substances 0.000 description 1
- GKOZUEZYRPOHIO-UHFFFAOYSA-N iridium atom Chemical compound [Ir] GKOZUEZYRPOHIO-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- SYQBFIAQOQZEGI-UHFFFAOYSA-N osmium atom Chemical compound [Os] SYQBFIAQOQZEGI-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- MHOVAHRLVXNVSD-UHFFFAOYSA-N rhodium atom Chemical compound [Rh] MHOVAHRLVXNVSD-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- 230000001629 suppression Effects 0.000 description 1
Images
Classifications
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
- H01T—SPARK GAPS; OVERVOLTAGE ARRESTERS USING SPARK GAPS; SPARKING PLUGS; CORONA DEVICES; GENERATING IONS TO BE INTRODUCED INTO NON-ENCLOSED GASES
- H01T13/00—Sparking plugs
- H01T13/20—Sparking plugs characterised by features of the electrodes or insulation
- H01T13/39—Selection of materials for electrodes
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
- H01T—SPARK GAPS; OVERVOLTAGE ARRESTERS USING SPARK GAPS; SPARKING PLUGS; CORONA DEVICES; GENERATING IONS TO BE INTRODUCED INTO NON-ENCLOSED GASES
- H01T21/00—Apparatus or processes specially adapted for the manufacture or maintenance of spark gaps or sparking plugs
- H01T21/02—Apparatus or processes specially adapted for the manufacture or maintenance of spark gaps or sparking plugs of sparking plugs
Definitions
- the present invention relates to a method of manufacturing a spark plug for an internal combustion engine; in the spark plug, at least one of a center electrode and a ground electrode includes a discharge chip, the center and ground electrodes being opposed to each other with a spark discharge gap formed therebetween.
- US 2007/114900 A1 discloses a spark plug having a multilayer firing tip including a discharge end and a weld end, with the weld end being connected to a center electrode, and more specifically to a base electrode on the center electrode.
- the weld end has a coefficient of thermal expansion, which is not between the values for the coefficients of thermal expansion for the discharge end and the base electrode. More specifically, the weld end has a coefficient of thermal expansion which is greater than the coefficients of thermal expansion for the discharge end and base electrode.
- the weld end is formed from Nickel and Chromium with a limited amount of additional elements.
- the spark plug is assembled by providing a first elongated material formed from the material used for the discharge end and a second elongated material formed from a material used for the weld end. The two materials are then joined to form a single joined material and are severed to create a firing tip. The firing tip is welded to the center electrode of the spark plug and more specifically, the base electrode.
- high-efficiency engines are required which, for example, have low emissions and perform supercharging.
- high-performance spark plugs are employed which have a discharge chip in at least one of a center electrode and a ground electrode.
- the discharge chip for securing the wear resistance, noble metals such as Pt, Ir, Ru, Rh, Pd, Os or the like, or rare metals are used.
- the discharge chip is constituted of a clad material consisting of a base member-joining part joined to an electrode base member and a discharge part facing a spark discharge gap.
- Patent Document 1 there is disclosed a method of manufacturing a discharge chip that is constituted of a clad material formed by joining a base member-joining part and a discharge part by both resistance welding and diffusion bonding.
- the discharge chip (clad electrode) disclosed in Patent Document 1 involves the following problems. Specifically, since the discharge chip is obtained by joining the discharge part and the base member-joining part, it is easy for a step to be formed therebetween. Accordingly, it is easy for a sharp corner portion of the base member-joining part to appear at a side portion of the discharge chip. Thus, when the discharge chip is used in a ground electrode or a center electrode of a spark plug, the strength of electric field will be high in the vicinity of the sharp corner portion of the base member-joining part. Consequently, it will be easy for discharge sparks to fly to the sharp corner portion of the base member-joining part at the side portion of the discharge chip; thus it may be difficult to form a normal discharge spark.
- the discharge chip is made by blanking a composite plate that is obtained by bonding the material of the discharge part and the material of the base member-joining part, it is possible to result in the discharge chip having no step between the discharge part and the base member-joining part.
- the composite plate after the blanking process it is necessary to separate the two different materials; thus there is a problem that the recycling cost becomes high.
- the present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and aims to provide a method of manufacturing a spark plug for an internal combustion engine by which it is possible to suppress flying sparks to a base member-joining part.
- the present invention provides a method of manufacturing a spark plug for an internal combustion engine.
- a center electrode and a ground electrode are opposed to each other with a spark discharge gap formed therebetween, and at least one of the center and ground electrodes has a discharge chip joined to an electrode base member so as to protrude toward the spark discharge gap.
- the method is characterized by comprising: a chip making step of making the discharge chip by joining a discharge part and a base member-joining part to each other, the discharge part being arranged on the spark discharge gap side, the base member-joining part being made of a material having a lower melting point than the discharge part and to be joined to the electrode base member; a temporary joining step of temporarily joining the discharge chip, at the base member-joining part, to the electrode base member by resistance welding; and a main joining step of joining, by laser welding, the discharge chip to the electrode base member so that a side surface of the discharge part and a surface of the electrode base member are smoothly connected by a connecting surface that has no sharp edge.
- the discharge chip is joined, by laser welding, to the electrode base member by melting and solidifying part of the base member-joining part and part of the electrode base member, it is particularly easy to have the outline of the base member-joining part shaped along the side surface of the discharge part and the surface of the electrode base member. Therefore, it is possible to easily join the discharge chip to the electrode base member so that the side surface of the discharge part and the surface of the electrode base member are smoothly connected.
- the discharge chip may be included in the center electrode, in the ground electrode or in each of the center and ground electrodes.
- the spark plug may be used, for example, as an ignition means in a combustion chamber of an internal combustion engine such as an automotive engine.
- the diameter of the base member-joining part may be greater than the diameter of the discharge part. In this case, it is easy to stably perform the joining of the discharge part and the base member-joining part in the chip making step. However, in this case of the diameter of the base member-joining part being greater than the diameter of the discharge part, a step is formed between the two parts and a sharp corner portion of the base member-joining part appears. If the discharge chip was joined to the electrode base member so that the sharp corner portion remained appearing, it would be easy for discharge sparks of the spark plug to fly to the base member-joining part.
- the sharp corner portion of the base member-joining part can be eliminated. Consequently, it is possible to effectively suppress flying sparks to the base member-joining part.
- a center electrode 2 and a ground electrode 3 are opposed to each other with a spark discharge gap 11 formed therebetween.
- the center and ground electrodes 2 and 3 respectively have discharge chips 4 and 5 joined to electrode base members 20 and 30 so as to protrude toward the spark discharge gap 11.
- the discharge chip 5 in the ground electrode 3 is formed by joining a discharge part 51 arranged on the spark discharge gap 11 side and a base member-joining part 52 that is made of a material having a lower melting point than the discharge part 51 and joined to the electrode base member 30.
- the discharge chip 4 in the center electrode 2 is not a composite member.
- the manufacturing method of the spark plug 1 of the present example includes a chip making step, a temporary joining step and a main joining step which will be described hereinafter. That is, via the following steps, the discharge chip 5 is joined to the electrode base member 30 to form the ground electrode 3.
- the discharge chip 5 is made by joining the discharge part 51 and the base member-joining part 52 to each other.
- the temporary joining step as shown in FIG. 3 , the discharge chip 5 is temporarily joined, at the base member-joining part 52, to the electrode base member 30 by resistance welding.
- the main joining step as shown in FIG. 4 , the discharge chip 5 is joined, by laser welding, to the electrode base member 30 by melting and solidifying part of the base member-joining part 52 and part of the electrode base member 30, so that a side surface 511 of the discharge part 51 and a surface of the electrode base member 30 are smoothly connected by a connecting surface 523 that has no sharp edge.
- the electrode base member 30 of the ground electrode 3 extends distalward (i.e., downward in FIG. 1 ) from a distal end of a housing 12 of the spark plug 1 and is bent to a central axis side.
- the electrode base member 20 of the center electrode 2 is held inside an insulator 13 that is held inside the housing 12.
- Each of the housing 12 and the electrode base member 30 of the ground electrode 3 is made of a nickel alloy.
- the electrode base member 20 of the center electrode 2 is also made of a nickel alloy.
- the electrode base member 30 of the ground electrode 3 has an opposing surface 31 that opposes the center electrode 2 in an axial direction of the spark plug 1 (to be simply referred to as "plug axial direction " hereinafter).
- the discharge chip 5 To the opposing surface 31, there is joined the discharge chip 5.
- the discharge chip 4 of the center electrode 2 is constituted, not of a composite member, but of, for example, a noble metal chip of an iridium alloy or the like. That is, the discharge chip 4 constituted of a noble metal chip is joined, for example by welding, to the distal end of the electrode base member 20 of the center electrode 2.
- the discharge chip 5 of the ground electrode 3 is constituted of a composite member that is obtained by joining the discharge part 51 and the base member-joining part 52 to each other.
- the above-described chip making step, the temporary joining step and the main joining step are performed. An example of each step will be described in detail hereinafter.
- the discharge part 51 made of a material having a relatively high melting point (e.g., the melting point being higher than or equal to 1700°C) and the base member-joining part 52 made of a material having a lower melting point than the discharge part 51 are prepared.
- the material of the discharge part 51 it is possible to use, for example, Pt (Platinum), Ir (Iridium), Ru (Ruthenium), Rh (Rhodium), Pd (Palladium), Os (Osmium) or the like.
- the material of the base member-joining part 52 it is possible to use, for example, a Ni (Nickel) alloy.
- Ni alloy it is possible to use one which has a melting point of, for example, 1400-1450°C.
- Those metal members are processed, for example by blanking, to respectively form the cylindrical discharge part 51 and base member-joining part 52. Moreover, the diameter of the base member-joining part 52 is greater than the diameter of the discharge part 51.
- the cylindrical discharge part 51 and base member-joining part 52 formed in the above manner are axially superposed with the central axes of the two parts coinciding with each other, as shown in FIG. 2 . Then, in a state of the two parts being pressed against each other, a heat treatment is performed to join the discharge part 51 and the base member-joining part 52 by diffusion bonding. Consequently, the discharge chip 5 is obtained as a composite member. Therefore, in the vicinity of the interface between the discharge part 51 and the base member-joining part 52 in the discharge chip 5, there is formed a diffusion layer (not shown) in which atoms of the materials of the discharge part 51 and the base member-joining part 52 are diffused to each other.
- the diameter of the base member-joining part 52 is greater than the diameter of the discharge part 51. Therefore, in this stage, there is formed a step between the base member-joining part 52 and the discharge part 51; at the step, there exists a sharp corner portion 521 of the base member-joining part 52.
- the discharge chip 5 obtained in the chip making step is temporarily joined to the opposing surface 31 of the electrode base member 30.
- the temporary joining is performed by resistance welding. Specifically, the discharge chip 5 is made to abut, on its base member-joining part 52-side surface, a predetermined position on the opposing surface 31 of the electrode base member 30. Then, with the discharge chip 5 and the electrode base member 30 sandwiched between a pair of resistance welding electrodes, electric current is supplied to flow between the discharge chip 5 and the electrode base member 30. Consequently, by the Joule heat, the discharge chip 5 is welded and thus temporarily joined to the electrode base member 30.
- the discharge chip 5 is joined to the electrode base member 30 by laser welding.
- a laser beam L is irradiated to the discharge chip 5 temporarily joined to the electrode base member 30 from the vicinity of the joining portion.
- the laser beam L is irradiated from a plurality of locations over the entire circumference of the joining portion with respect to the electrode base member 30.
- the laser welding is performed at a temperature lower than the melting point of the discharge part 51. That is, in the main joining step, part of the base member-joining part 52 and part of the electrode base member 30 are melted without melting the discharge part 51. Consequently, as shown in FIG. 6 , on an outer periphery of the base member-joining part 52, there is formed an annular melt zone 522 where the base member-joining part 52 and the electrode base member 30 are melted together and solidified.
- the sharp corner portion 521 (see FIGS. 3 and 5 ) of the base member-joining part 52 is eliminated in shape, and there is formed the connecting surface 523 that smoothly connects the side surface 511 of the discharge part 51 and the surface (i.e., the opposing surface 31) of the electrode base member 30.
- the connecting surface 523 has, on a cross section taken along a plane passing through the central axis of the discharge chip 5, such a shape as to smoothly connect a curve and a straight line and have no sharp edge.
- the discharge chip 5 is joined, by laser welding, to the electrode base member 30 by melting and solidifying part of the base member-joining part 52 and part of the electrode base member 30. Consequently, the discharge chip 5 is joined to the electrode base member 30 so that the side surface 511 of the discharge part 51 and the opposing surface 31 of the electrode base member 30 are connected by the connecting surface 523 that has no sharp edge. Therefore, in the obtained spark plug 1, no sharp corner portion 521 (see FIG. 3 ) of the base member-joining part 52 exists at a side portion of the discharge chip 5; thus it is possible to prevent a locally high-electric field strength portion from being formed in the base member-joining part 52. As a result, it is possible to suppress flying sparks to the base member-joining part 52.
- the discharge chip 5 is joined, by laser welding, to the electrode base member 30 by melting and solidifying part of the base member-joining part 52 and part of the electrode base member 30, it is particularly easy to have the outline of the base member-joining part 52 shaped along the side surface 511 of the discharge part 51 and the opposing surface 31 of the electrode base member 30, as shown in FIG. 4 . Therefore, it is possible to easily join the discharge chip 5 to the electrode base member 30 so that the side surface 511 of the discharge part 51 and the opposing surface 31 of the electrode base member 30 are connected by the connecting surface 523 that has no sharp edge.
- the diameter of the base member-joining part 52 is greater than the diameter of the discharge part 51. Consequently, it is easy to stably perform the joining of the discharge part 51 and the base member-joining part 52. That is, it is possible to easily have the whole of an end surface of the discharge part 51 abutting the base member-joining part 52; thus it is easy to make the joining area of the discharge part 51 to the base member-joining part 52 constant, thereby obtaining stable joining strength therebetween.
- the sharp corner portion 521 of the base member-joining part 52 is eliminated by joining the discharge chip 5 to the electrode base member 30 so that the side surface 511 of the discharge part 51 and the opposing surface 31 of the electrode base member 30 are connected by the connecting surface 523 that has no sharp edge. Consequently, it becomes possible to smoothly connect, by the connecting surface 523 that has no sharp edge, the side surface of the discharge chip 5 from the side surface 511 of the discharge part 51 to a surface (i.e., the opposing surface 31) of the electrode base member 30. As a result, it becomes possible to effectively suppress flying sparks to the base member-joining part 52.
- the laser welding is performed at a temperature lower than the melting point of the discharge part 51. Consequently, it is possible to sufficiently secure the volume and shape of the discharge part 51 that is made of a high-melting point material, thereby securing the wear resistance of the spark plug 1.
- the discharge chip 4 of the center electrode 2 is also constituted of a composite member; the composite member is obtained by joining a discharge part 41 arranged on the spark discharge gap 11 side and a base member-joining part 42 that is made of a material having a lower melting point than the discharge part 41 and joined to the electrode base member 20.
- a chip making step, a temporary joining step and a main joining step are performed as described in Example 1.
- the discharge chip 4 is obtained by diffusion-bonding the discharge part 41 and the base member-joining part 42.
- the temporary joining step as shown in FIG. 8 , the discharge chip 4 is temporarily joined, by resistance welding, to a distal end surface 21 of the electrode base member 20 of the center electrode 2.
- a distal part of the electrode base member 20 of the center electrode 2 before joining the discharge chip 4 is substantially cone-shaped and has, at its distal end, a flat surface perpendicular to the axial direction. To this flat surface which constitutes the distal end surface 21, the discharge chip 4 is temporarily joined with the base member-joining part 42 abutting the distal end surface 21.
- the discharge chip 4 is joined to the electrode base member 20 by laser welding.
- an annular melt zone 422 is formed between the base member-joining part 42 of the discharge chip 4 and the electrode base member 20.
- a sharp corner portion 421 (see FIG. 8 ) of the base member-joining part 42 is eliminated in shape, and there is formed a connecting surface 423 that smoothly connects a side surface 411 of the discharge part 41 and a surface (i.e., a side surface 22 of the substantially cone-shaped part) of the electrode base member 20.
- the connecting surface 423 has, on a cross section taken along a plane passing through the central axis of the discharge chip 5, such a shape as to smoothly connect a curve and a straight line and have no sharp edge.
- Example 1 The others are the same as in Example 1.
- those which are the same as the reference signs used in Example 1 designate the same components as in Example 1.
- the center electrode 2 in the center electrode 2 as well, it is possible to suppress discharge sparks from flying to the electrode base member 20. As a result, it is possible to more reliably generate normal discharge sparks between the discharge part 41 of the center electrode 2 and the discharge part 51 of the ground electrode 3.
- Example 1 has the same advantageous effects as Example 1.
Landscapes
- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Manufacturing & Machinery (AREA)
- Spark Plugs (AREA)
Description
- The present invention relates to a method of manufacturing a spark plug for an internal combustion engine; in the spark plug, at least one of a center electrode and a ground electrode includes a discharge chip, the center and ground electrodes being opposed to each other with a spark discharge gap formed therebetween.
-
US 2007/114900 A1 discloses a spark plug having a multilayer firing tip including a discharge end and a weld end, with the weld end being connected to a center electrode, and more specifically to a base electrode on the center electrode. The weld end has a coefficient of thermal expansion, which is not between the values for the coefficients of thermal expansion for the discharge end and the base electrode. More specifically, the weld end has a coefficient of thermal expansion which is greater than the coefficients of thermal expansion for the discharge end and base electrode. The weld end is formed from Nickel and Chromium with a limited amount of additional elements. The spark plug is assembled by providing a first elongated material formed from the material used for the discharge end and a second elongated material formed from a material used for the weld end. The two materials are then joined to form a single joined material and are severed to create a firing tip. The firing tip is welded to the center electrode of the spark plug and more specifically, the base electrode. - As internal combustion engines such as automotive engines, for improving the fuel economy, high-efficiency engines are required which, for example, have low emissions and perform supercharging. In these high-efficiency engines, for improving the ignition performance, high-performance spark plugs are employed which have a discharge chip in at least one of a center electrode and a ground electrode.
- As the discharge chip, for securing the wear resistance, noble metals such as Pt, Ir, Ru, Rh, Pd, Os or the like, or rare metals are used. However, in terms of cost reduction and suppression of the exhaustion of resources, it is requested, as an important issue, to reduce the use of high-melting point metals. As a measure on this issue, there have been proposed spark plugs in which the discharge chip is constituted of a clad material consisting of a base member-joining part joined to an electrode base member and a discharge part
facing a spark discharge gap. Moreover, inPatent Document 1, there is disclosed a method of manufacturing a discharge chip that is constituted of a clad material formed by joining a base member-joining part and a discharge part by both resistance welding and diffusion bonding. - [PATENT DOCUMENT 1]
WO2013015262A1 - However, the discharge chip (clad electrode) disclosed in
Patent Document 1 involves the following problems. Specifically, since the discharge chip is obtained by joining the discharge part and the base member-joining part, it is easy for a step to be formed therebetween. Accordingly, it is easy for a sharp corner portion of the base member-joining part to appear at a side portion of the discharge chip. Thus, when the discharge chip is used in a ground electrode or a center electrode of a spark plug, the strength of electric field will be high in the vicinity of the sharp corner portion of the base member-joining part. Consequently, it will be easy for discharge sparks to fly to the sharp corner portion of the base member-joining part at the side portion of the discharge chip; thus it may be difficult to form a normal discharge spark. - Therefore, it is desirable to eliminate the step between the discharge part and the base member-joining part. However, in the case of using the manufacturing method disclosed in
Patent Document 1, it is difficult to obtain a discharge chip without a step. Specifically, in the manufacturing method, a noble metal chip (discharge part) is joined to a tape-shaped base material (base member-joining part) by resistance welding; then an integrated body of the base material and the noble metal chip is blanked out. Consequently, a step is formed between the noble metal chip and the base material. That is, after the blanking process, the diameter of the base material becomes greater than the diameter of the noble metal chip. - Moreover, if the discharge chip is made by blanking a composite plate that is obtained by bonding the material of the discharge part and the material of the base member-joining part, it is possible to result in the discharge chip having no step between the discharge part and the base member-joining part. However, in recycling the composite plate after the blanking process, it is necessary to separate the two different materials; thus there is a problem that the recycling cost becomes high.
- In contrast, in the case of bonding the discharge part and the base member-joining part after blanking, to keep the joining area between the two parts constant, it is necessary to set the diameter of the base member-joining part to be greater than the diameter of the discharge part. Consequently, a step will be formed between the base member-joining part and the discharge part; thus a sharp corner portion of the base member-joining part will be formed at a side portion of the discharge chip.
- The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and aims to provide a method of manufacturing a spark plug for an internal combustion engine by which it is possible to suppress flying sparks to a base member-joining part.
- The present invention provides a method of manufacturing a spark plug for an internal combustion engine. In the spark plug, a center electrode and a ground electrode are opposed to each other with a spark discharge gap formed therebetween, and at least one of the center and ground electrodes has a discharge chip joined to an electrode base member so as to protrude toward the spark discharge gap. The method is characterized by comprising: a chip making step of making the discharge chip by joining a discharge part and a base member-joining part to each other, the discharge part being arranged on the spark discharge gap side, the base member-joining part being made of a material having a lower melting point than the discharge part and to be joined to the electrode base member; a temporary joining step of temporarily joining the discharge chip, at the base member-joining part, to the electrode base member by resistance welding; and a main joining step of joining, by laser welding, the discharge chip to the electrode base member so that a side surface of the discharge part and a surface of the electrode base member are smoothly connected by a connecting surface that has no sharp edge.
- With the above method, in the obtained spark plug, no sharp corner portion of the base member-joining part appears at a side portion of the discharge chip. That is, it is possible to prevent a locally high-electric field strength portion from being formed in the base member-joining part. As a result, it is possible to suppress flying sparks to the base member-joining part.
- Moreover, since the discharge chip is joined, by laser welding, to the electrode base member by melting and solidifying part of the base member-joining part and part of the electrode base member, it is particularly easy to have the outline of the base member-joining part shaped along the side surface of the discharge part and the surface of the electrode base member. Therefore, it is possible to easily join the discharge chip to the electrode base member so that the side surface of the discharge part and the surface of the electrode base member are smoothly connected.
- As above, according to the present invention, it is possible to provide a method of manufacturing a spark plug for an internal combustion engine by which it is possible to suppress flying sparks to a base member-joining part.
-
-
FIG. 1 is a side view of a distal part of a spark plug in Example 1. -
FIG. 2 (a) is a front view andFIG. 2(b) is a plan view of a discharge chip obtained by a chip making step in Example 1. -
FIG. 3 is a front view showing a state where the discharge chip has been temporarily joined to an electrode base member by a temporary joining step in Example 1. -
FIG. 4 is a front view showing a state where the discharge chip has been welded to the electrode base member by a main joining step in Example 1. -
FIG. 5 is a schematic cross-sectional view illustrating how laser welding is performed in Example 1. -
FIG. 6 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing the state where the discharge chip has been welded to the electrode base member by the main joining step in Example 1. -
FIG. 7 is a side view of a distal part of a spark plug in Example 2. -
FIG. 8 is a schematic cross-sectional view illustrating how laser welding is performed in Example 2. -
FIG. 9 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing a state where a discharge chip has been welded to an electrode base member by a main joining step in Example 2. - In the above-described spark plug for an internal combustion engine, the discharge chip may be included in the center electrode, in the ground electrode or in each of the center and ground electrodes.
- The spark plug may be used, for example, as an ignition means in a combustion chamber of an internal combustion engine such as an automotive engine.
- Moreover, in the discharge chip obtained in the chip making step, the diameter of the base member-joining part may be greater than the diameter of the discharge part. In this case, it is easy to stably perform the joining of the discharge part and the base member-joining part in the chip making step. However, in this case of the diameter of the base member-joining part being greater than the diameter of the discharge part, a step is formed between the two parts and a sharp corner portion of the base member-joining part appears. If the discharge chip was joined to the electrode base member so that the sharp corner portion remained appearing, it would be easy for discharge sparks of the spark plug to fly to the base member-joining part. Therefore, as described above, in the main joining step, by joining the discharge chip to the electrode base member so that the side surface of the discharge part and the surface of the electrode base member are smoothly connected by the connecting surface that has no sharp edge, the sharp corner portion of the base member-joining part can be eliminated. Consequently, it is possible to effectively suppress flying sparks to the base member-joining part.
- An example of the above method of manufacturing a spark plug for an internal combustion engine will be described with reference to
FIGS. 1-6 . - In a
spark plug 1 obtained by the manufacturing method of the present example, as shown inFIG. 1 , acenter electrode 2 and aground electrode 3 are opposed to each other with aspark discharge gap 11 formed therebetween. The center andground electrodes discharge chips electrode base members spark discharge gap 11. - In the present example, the
discharge chip 5 in theground electrode 3 is formed by joining adischarge part 51 arranged on thespark discharge gap 11 side and a base member-joiningpart 52 that is made of a material having a lower melting point than thedischarge part 51 and joined to theelectrode base member 30. On the other hand, thedischarge chip 4 in thecenter electrode 2 is not a composite member. - The manufacturing method of the
spark plug 1 of the present example includes a chip making step, a temporary joining step and a main joining step which will be described hereinafter. That is, via the following steps, thedischarge chip 5 is joined to theelectrode base member 30 to form theground electrode 3. - In the chip making step, as shown in
FIG. 2 , thedischarge chip 5 is made by joining thedischarge part 51 and the base member-joiningpart 52 to each other. In the temporary joining step, as shown inFIG. 3 , thedischarge chip 5 is temporarily joined, at the base member-joiningpart 52, to theelectrode base member 30 by resistance welding. In the main joining step, as shown inFIG. 4 , thedischarge chip 5 is joined, by laser welding, to theelectrode base member 30 by melting and solidifying part of the base member-joiningpart 52 and part of theelectrode base member 30, so that aside surface 511 of thedischarge part 51 and a surface of theelectrode base member 30 are smoothly connected by a connectingsurface 523 that has no sharp edge. - As shown in
FIG. 1 , theelectrode base member 30 of theground electrode 3 extends distalward (i.e., downward inFIG. 1 ) from a distal end of ahousing 12 of thespark plug 1 and is bent to a central axis side. Theelectrode base member 20 of thecenter electrode 2 is held inside aninsulator 13 that is held inside thehousing 12. Each of thehousing 12 and theelectrode base member 30 of theground electrode 3 is made of a nickel alloy. Moreover, theelectrode base member 20 of thecenter electrode 2 is also made of a nickel alloy. - Moreover, the
electrode base member 30 of theground electrode 3 has an opposingsurface 31 that opposes thecenter electrode 2 in an axial direction of the spark plug 1 (to be simply referred to as "plug axial direction " hereinafter). To the opposingsurface 31, there is joined thedischarge chip 5. Moreover, to the distal end of theelectrode base member 20 of thecenter electrode 2 which opposes the opposingsurface 31 in the plug axial direction, there is joined thedischarge chip 4. In the present example, thedischarge chip 4 of thecenter electrode 2 is constituted, not of a composite member, but of, for example, a noble metal chip of an iridium alloy or the like. That is, thedischarge chip 4 constituted of a noble metal chip is joined, for example by welding, to the distal end of theelectrode base member 20 of thecenter electrode 2. - On the other hand, as described above, the
discharge chip 5 of theground electrode 3 is constituted of a composite member that is obtained by joining thedischarge part 51 and the base member-joiningpart 52 to each other. In forming theground electrode 3 that includes thedischarge chip 5 constituted of the composite member, the above-described chip making step, the temporary joining step and the main joining step are performed. An example of each step will be described in detail hereinafter. - In the chip making step, first, the
discharge part 51 made of a material having a relatively high melting point (e.g., the melting point being higher than or equal to 1700°C) and the base member-joiningpart 52 made of a material having a lower melting point than thedischarge part 51 are prepared. As the material of thedischarge part 51, it is possible to use, for example, Pt (Platinum), Ir (Iridium), Ru (Ruthenium), Rh (Rhodium), Pd (Palladium), Os (Osmium) or the like. Moreover, as the material of the base member-joiningpart 52, it is possible to use, for example, a Ni (Nickel) alloy. In addition, as the Ni alloy, it is possible to use one which has a melting point of, for example, 1400-1450°C. - Those metal members are processed, for example by blanking, to respectively form the
cylindrical discharge part 51 and base member-joiningpart 52. Moreover, the diameter of the base member-joiningpart 52 is greater than the diameter of thedischarge part 51. - The
cylindrical discharge part 51 and base member-joiningpart 52 formed in the above manner are axially superposed with the central axes of the two parts coinciding with each other, as shown inFIG. 2 . Then, in a state of the two parts being pressed against each other, a heat treatment is performed to join thedischarge part 51 and the base member-joiningpart 52 by diffusion bonding. Consequently, thedischarge chip 5 is obtained as a composite member. Therefore, in the vicinity of the interface between thedischarge part 51 and the base member-joiningpart 52 in thedischarge chip 5, there is formed a diffusion layer (not shown) in which atoms of the materials of thedischarge part 51 and the base member-joiningpart 52 are diffused to each other. - In the
discharge chip 5 obtained in the chip making step, the diameter of the base member-joiningpart 52 is greater than the diameter of thedischarge part 51. Therefore, in this stage, there is formed a step between the base member-joiningpart 52 and thedischarge part 51; at the step, there exists asharp corner portion 521 of the base member-joiningpart 52. - In the temporary joining step, as shown in
FIG. 3 , thedischarge chip 5 obtained in the chip making step is temporarily joined to the opposingsurface 31 of theelectrode base member 30. The temporary joining is performed by resistance welding. Specifically, thedischarge chip 5 is made to abut, on its base member-joining part 52-side surface, a predetermined position on the opposingsurface 31 of theelectrode base member 30. Then, with thedischarge chip 5 and theelectrode base member 30 sandwiched between a pair of resistance welding electrodes, electric current is supplied to flow between thedischarge chip 5 and theelectrode base member 30. Consequently, by the Joule heat, thedischarge chip 5 is welded and thus temporarily joined to theelectrode base member 30. - Next, in the main joining step, as shown in
FIG. 4 , thedischarge chip 5 is joined to theelectrode base member 30 by laser welding. Specifically, as shown inFIG. 5 , a laser beam L is irradiated to thedischarge chip 5 temporarily joined to theelectrode base member 30 from the vicinity of the joining portion. Here, the laser beam L is irradiated from a plurality of locations over the entire circumference of the joining portion with respect to theelectrode base member 30. Moreover, the laser welding is performed at a temperature lower than the melting point of thedischarge part 51. That is, in the main joining step, part of the base member-joiningpart 52 and part of theelectrode base member 30 are melted without melting thedischarge part 51. Consequently, as shown inFIG. 6 , on an outer periphery of the base member-joiningpart 52, there is formed anannular melt zone 522 where the base member-joiningpart 52 and theelectrode base member 30 are melted together and solidified. - Moreover, by the laser welding, as shown in
FIGS. 4 and6 , the sharp corner portion 521 (seeFIGS. 3 and5 ) of the base member-joiningpart 52 is eliminated in shape, and there is formed the connectingsurface 523 that smoothly connects theside surface 511 of thedischarge part 51 and the surface (i.e., the opposing surface 31) of theelectrode base member 30. The connectingsurface 523 has, on a cross section taken along a plane passing through the central axis of thedischarge chip 5, such a shape as to smoothly connect a curve and a straight line and have no sharp edge. - Next, advantageous effects of the present example will be described.
- In the above main joining step, the
discharge chip 5 is joined, by laser welding, to theelectrode base member 30 by melting and solidifying part of the base member-joiningpart 52 and part of theelectrode base member 30. Consequently, thedischarge chip 5 is joined to theelectrode base member 30 so that theside surface 511 of thedischarge part 51 and the opposingsurface 31 of theelectrode base member 30 are connected by the connectingsurface 523 that has no sharp edge. Therefore, in the obtainedspark plug 1, no sharp corner portion 521 (seeFIG. 3 ) of the base member-joiningpart 52 exists at a side portion of thedischarge chip 5; thus it is possible to prevent a locally high-electric field strength portion from being formed in the base member-joiningpart 52. As a result, it is possible to suppress flying sparks to the base member-joiningpart 52. - Moreover, as described above, since the
discharge chip 5 is joined, by laser welding, to theelectrode base member 30 by melting and solidifying part of the base member-joiningpart 52 and part of theelectrode base member 30, it is particularly easy to have the outline of the base member-joiningpart 52 shaped along theside surface 511 of thedischarge part 51 and the opposingsurface 31 of theelectrode base member 30, as shown inFIG. 4 . Therefore, it is possible to easily join thedischarge chip 5 to theelectrode base member 30 so that theside surface 511 of thedischarge part 51 and the opposingsurface 31 of theelectrode base member 30 are connected by the connectingsurface 523 that has no sharp edge. - Moreover, in the discharge chip 5 (see
FIG. 2 ) obtained in the chip making step, the diameter of the base member-joiningpart 52 is greater than the diameter of thedischarge part 51. Consequently, it is easy to stably perform the joining of thedischarge part 51 and the base member-joiningpart 52. That is, it is possible to easily have the whole of an end surface of thedischarge part 51 abutting the base member-joiningpart 52; thus it is easy to make the joining area of thedischarge part 51 to the base member-joiningpart 52 constant, thereby obtaining stable joining strength therebetween. However, in this case of the diameter of the base member-joiningpart 52 being greater than the diameter of thedischarge part 51, a step is formed between the two parts and thesharp corner portion 521 of the base member-joiningpart 52 appears. If thedischarge chip 5 was joined to theelectrode base member 30 so that thesharp corner portion 521 remained appearing, it would be easy for discharge sparks of thespark plug 1 to fly to the base member-joiningpart 52. Therefore, as described above, in the main joining step, as shown inFIG. 4 , thesharp corner portion 521 of the base member-joiningpart 52 is eliminated by joining thedischarge chip 5 to theelectrode base member 30 so that theside surface 511 of thedischarge part 51 and the opposingsurface 31 of theelectrode base member 30 are connected by the connectingsurface 523 that has no sharp edge. Consequently, it becomes possible to smoothly connect, by the connectingsurface 523 that has no sharp edge, the side surface of thedischarge chip 5 from theside surface 511 of thedischarge part 51 to a surface (i.e., the opposing surface 31) of theelectrode base member 30. As a result, it becomes possible to effectively suppress flying sparks to the base member-joiningpart 52. - Moreover, in the main joining step, the laser welding is performed at a temperature lower than the melting point of the
discharge part 51. Consequently, it is possible to sufficiently secure the volume and shape of thedischarge part 51 that is made of a high-melting point material, thereby securing the wear resistance of thespark plug 1. - As above, according to the present example, it is possible to provide a method of manufacturing a spark plug for an internal combustion engine by which it is possible to suppress flying sparks to a base member-joining part.
- In this example, as shown in
FIGS. 7-9 , thedischarge chip 4 of thecenter electrode 2 is also constituted of a composite member; the composite member is obtained by joining adischarge part 41 arranged on thespark discharge gap 11 side and a base member-joiningpart 42 that is made of a material having a lower melting point than thedischarge part 41 and joined to theelectrode base member 20. - Moreover, in forming the
center electrode 2, a chip making step, a temporary joining step and a main joining step are performed as described in Example 1. - In the chip making step, as in the chip making step of Example 1, the
discharge chip 4 is obtained by diffusion-bonding thedischarge part 41 and the base member-joiningpart 42. Next, in the temporary joining step, as shown inFIG. 8 , thedischarge chip 4 is temporarily joined, by resistance welding, to adistal end surface 21 of theelectrode base member 20 of thecenter electrode 2. Specifically, a distal part of theelectrode base member 20 of thecenter electrode 2 before joining thedischarge chip 4 is substantially cone-shaped and has, at its distal end, a flat surface perpendicular to the axial direction. To this flat surface which constitutes thedistal end surface 21, thedischarge chip 4 is temporarily joined with the base member-joiningpart 42 abutting thedistal end surface 21. - Next, in the main joining step, the
discharge chip 4 is joined to theelectrode base member 20 by laser welding. At this time, anannular melt zone 422 is formed between the base member-joiningpart 42 of thedischarge chip 4 and theelectrode base member 20. Moreover, as shown inFIG. 9 , a sharp corner portion 421 (seeFIG. 8 ) of the base member-joiningpart 42 is eliminated in shape, and there is formed a connectingsurface 423 that smoothly connects aside surface 411 of thedischarge part 41 and a surface (i.e., aside surface 22 of the substantially cone-shaped part) of theelectrode base member 20. The connectingsurface 423 has, on a cross section taken along a plane passing through the central axis of thedischarge chip 5, such a shape as to smoothly connect a curve and a straight line and have no sharp edge. - The others are the same as in Example 1. In addition, unless particularly specified, of the reference signs used in the present example and the drawings relating to the present example, those which are the same as the reference signs used in Example 1 designate the same components as in Example 1.
- In the present example, in the
center electrode 2 as well, it is possible to suppress discharge sparks from flying to theelectrode base member 20. As a result, it is possible to more reliably generate normal discharge sparks between thedischarge part 41 of thecenter electrode 2 and thedischarge part 51 of theground electrode 3. - In addition, the present example has the same advantageous effects as Example 1.
- In addition, besides the above-described examples, it is also possible to, for example, constitute the discharge chip of the ground electrode with a metal chip that is not a composite member or provide no discharge chip in the ground electrode while configuring the center electrode in the same manner as in Example 2.
-
- 1: spark plug
- 11: spark discharge gap
- 2: center electrode
- 20: electrode base member (of the center electrode)
- 3: ground electrode
- 30: electrode base member (of the ground electrode)
- 4: discharge chip (of the center electrode)
- 41: discharge part (of the center electrode)
- 42: base member-joining part (of the center electrode)
- 5: discharge chip (of the ground electrode)
- 51: discharge part (of the ground electrode)
- 52: base member-joining part (of the ground electrode)
Claims (1)
- A method of manufacturing a spark plug (1) for an internal combustion engine,
wherein in the spark plug (1), a center electrode (2) and a ground electrode (3) are opposed to each other with a spark discharge gap (11) formed therebetween, and at least one of the center and ground electrodes (2, 3) has a discharge chip (4, 5) joined to an electrode base member (20, 30) that is made of a Ni alloy, so as to protrude toward the spark discharge gap (11),
the method comprising:a chip making step of making the discharge chip (4, 5) by joining a discharge part (41, 51) and a base member-joining part (42, 52) to each other, the discharge part (41, 51) being arranged on the spark discharge gap (11) side, the base member-joining part (42, 52) being made of a Ni alloy having a lower melting point than the discharge part (41, 51) and to be joined to the electrode base member (20, 30);a temporary joining step of temporarily joining the discharge chip (4, 5), at the base member-joining part (42, 52), to the electrode base member (20, 30) by resistance welding, anda main joining step of joining, by laser welding, the discharge chip (4, 5) to the electrode base member (20, 30) so that a side surface (411, 511) of the discharge part (41, 51) and a surface (22, 31) of the electrode base member (20, 30) are smoothly connected by a connecting surface (423, 523) that has no sharp edge,whereinin the main joining step, part of the base member joining part (42, 52) and part of the electrode base member (20, 30) are melted without melting the discharge part (41, 51),in the discharge chip (4, 5) obtained in the chip making step, a diameter of the base member-joining part (42, 52) is greater than a diameter of the discharge part (41, 51), andin the main joining step, the laser welding is performed at a temperature lower than the melting point of the discharge part (41, 51).
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
JP2013106942A JP6043681B2 (en) | 2013-05-21 | 2013-05-21 | Method of manufacturing a spark plug for an internal combustion engine |
PCT/JP2014/063507 WO2014189088A1 (en) | 2013-05-21 | 2014-05-21 | Method for manufacturing spark plug for internal combustion engine |
Publications (4)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
EP3001519A1 EP3001519A1 (en) | 2016-03-30 |
EP3001519A8 EP3001519A8 (en) | 2016-08-10 |
EP3001519A4 EP3001519A4 (en) | 2017-01-25 |
EP3001519B1 true EP3001519B1 (en) | 2019-05-01 |
Family
ID=51933640
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
EP14801406.1A Active EP3001519B1 (en) | 2013-05-21 | 2014-05-21 | Method for manufacturing spark plug for internal combustion engine |
Country Status (4)
Country | Link |
---|---|
EP (1) | EP3001519B1 (en) |
JP (1) | JP6043681B2 (en) |
CN (1) | CN105247747B (en) |
WO (1) | WO2014189088A1 (en) |
Families Citing this family (3)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
JP6528412B2 (en) * | 2015-01-16 | 2019-06-12 | 富士ゼロックス株式会社 | Tubular body, tubular body unit, intermediate transfer member, and image forming apparatus for image forming apparatus |
JP6702094B2 (en) | 2016-08-31 | 2020-05-27 | 株式会社デンソー | Spark plug |
JP6944429B2 (en) * | 2018-11-09 | 2021-10-06 | 日本特殊陶業株式会社 | Spark plug |
Family Cites Families (6)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
CN101536277B (en) * | 2005-11-18 | 2012-02-29 | 费德罗-莫格尔公司 | Spark plug with multi-layer firing tip |
JP4964896B2 (en) * | 2005-11-18 | 2012-07-04 | フェデラル−モーグル コーポレイション | Spark plug with multilayer ignition tip |
US7569979B2 (en) * | 2006-04-07 | 2009-08-04 | Federal-Mogul World Wide, Inc. | Spark plug having spark portion provided with a base material and a protective material |
JP2008077838A (en) * | 2006-09-18 | 2008-04-03 | Denso Corp | Spark plug for internal combustion engine, and manufacturing method therefor |
CN101670488A (en) * | 2009-02-05 | 2010-03-17 | 株洲湘火炬火花塞有限责任公司 | Laser welding method of noble metal spark plug electrode |
EP2738890A4 (en) | 2011-07-28 | 2015-04-01 | Tanaka Precious Metal Ind | Clad electrode for spark plug, and method for manufacturing the same |
-
2013
- 2013-05-21 JP JP2013106942A patent/JP6043681B2/en active Active
-
2014
- 2014-05-21 CN CN201480028953.7A patent/CN105247747B/en active Active
- 2014-05-21 WO PCT/JP2014/063507 patent/WO2014189088A1/en active Application Filing
- 2014-05-21 EP EP14801406.1A patent/EP3001519B1/en active Active
Non-Patent Citations (1)
Title |
---|
None * |
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
CN105247747B (en) | 2017-08-29 |
EP3001519A1 (en) | 2016-03-30 |
JP2014229429A (en) | 2014-12-08 |
CN105247747A (en) | 2016-01-13 |
EP3001519A8 (en) | 2016-08-10 |
WO2014189088A1 (en) | 2014-11-27 |
JP6043681B2 (en) | 2016-12-14 |
EP3001519A4 (en) | 2017-01-25 |
Similar Documents
Publication | Publication Date | Title |
---|---|---|
JP5118695B2 (en) | Spark plug for internal combustion engine and method of manufacturing spark plug | |
KR100965741B1 (en) | Spark plug and method for manufacturing the same | |
EP1775808B1 (en) | Spark plug and method for producing spark plug | |
KR101521495B1 (en) | Spark plug electrode configuration | |
KR101395376B1 (en) | Spark plug and its manufacturing method | |
US9800023B2 (en) | Spark plug | |
KR101855025B1 (en) | Spark plug | |
JP5048063B2 (en) | Spark plug for internal combustion engine | |
JP2011119143A (en) | Spark plug and manufacturing method therefor | |
US10666021B2 (en) | Spark plug electrode assembly and method of manufacturing same | |
EP3001519B1 (en) | Method for manufacturing spark plug for internal combustion engine | |
JP4956579B2 (en) | Spark plug for internal combustion engine and method for manufacturing the same | |
US8348709B1 (en) | Method of making a spark plug | |
EP2621038B1 (en) | Method of producing an electrode support using brazing | |
US10008832B2 (en) | Spark plug electrode, method for its production, and spark plug | |
JP4147152B2 (en) | Spark plug and method of manufacturing spark plug | |
US20040092193A1 (en) | Method of manufacturing spark plug | |
JP2005203110A (en) | Manufacturing method of spark plug, and spark plug | |
US9368943B2 (en) | Spark plug having multi-layer sparking component attached to ground electrode | |
US9837796B2 (en) | Spark plug | |
WO2011142106A1 (en) | Spark plug | |
US9041275B2 (en) | Spark plug for internal combustion engine and method of manufacturing the same | |
US9401587B2 (en) | Method of manufacturing an ignition plug | |
JP4885837B2 (en) | Manufacturing method of spark plug | |
JP2022045165A (en) | Spark plug |
Legal Events
Date | Code | Title | Description |
---|---|---|---|
PUAI | Public reference made under article 153(3) epc to a published international application that has entered the european phase |
Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009012 |
|
17P | Request for examination filed |
Effective date: 20151201 |
|
AK | Designated contracting states |
Kind code of ref document: A1 Designated state(s): AL AT BE BG CH CY CZ DE DK EE ES FI FR GB GR HR HU IE IS IT LI LT LU LV MC MK MT NL NO PL PT RO RS SE SI SK SM TR |
|
AX | Request for extension of the european patent |
Extension state: BA ME |
|
RAP1 | Party data changed (applicant data changed or rights of an application transferred) |
Owner name: TANAKA KIKINZOKU KOGYO K.K. Owner name: DENSO CORPORATION |
|
DAX | Request for extension of the european patent (deleted) | ||
REG | Reference to a national code |
Ref country code: DE Ref legal event code: R079 Ref document number: 602014045886 Country of ref document: DE Free format text: PREVIOUS MAIN CLASS: H01T0013200000 Ipc: H01T0021020000 |
|
A4 | Supplementary search report drawn up and despatched |
Effective date: 20161222 |
|
RIC1 | Information provided on ipc code assigned before grant |
Ipc: H01T 21/02 20060101AFI20161216BHEP |
|
GRAP | Despatch of communication of intention to grant a patent |
Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: EPIDOSNIGR1 |
|
STAA | Information on the status of an ep patent application or granted ep patent |
Free format text: STATUS: GRANT OF PATENT IS INTENDED |
|
INTG | Intention to grant announced |
Effective date: 20181108 |
|
GRAJ | Information related to disapproval of communication of intention to grant by the applicant or resumption of examination proceedings by the epo deleted |
Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: EPIDOSDIGR1 |
|
STAA | Information on the status of an ep patent application or granted ep patent |
Free format text: STATUS: REQUEST FOR EXAMINATION WAS MADE |
|
GRAR | Information related to intention to grant a patent recorded |
Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: EPIDOSNIGR71 |
|
GRAS | Grant fee paid |
Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: EPIDOSNIGR3 |
|
STAA | Information on the status of an ep patent application or granted ep patent |
Free format text: STATUS: GRANT OF PATENT IS INTENDED |
|
GRAA | (expected) grant |
Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009210 |
|
STAA | Information on the status of an ep patent application or granted ep patent |
Free format text: STATUS: THE PATENT HAS BEEN GRANTED |
|
INTC | Intention to grant announced (deleted) | ||
AK | Designated contracting states |
Kind code of ref document: B1 Designated state(s): AL AT BE BG CH CY CZ DE DK EE ES FI FR GB GR HR HU IE IS IT LI LT LU LV MC MK MT NL NO PL PT RO RS SE SI SK SM TR |
|
INTG | Intention to grant announced |
Effective date: 20190322 |
|
REG | Reference to a national code |
Ref country code: GB Ref legal event code: FG4D |
|
REG | Reference to a national code |
Ref country code: CH Ref legal event code: EP Ref country code: AT Ref legal event code: REF Ref document number: 1128180 Country of ref document: AT Kind code of ref document: T Effective date: 20190515 |
|
REG | Reference to a national code |
Ref country code: DE Ref legal event code: R096 Ref document number: 602014045886 Country of ref document: DE |
|
REG | Reference to a national code |
Ref country code: IE Ref legal event code: FG4D |
|
REG | Reference to a national code |
Ref country code: NL Ref legal event code: MP Effective date: 20190501 |
|
REG | Reference to a national code |
Ref country code: DE Ref legal event code: R082 Ref document number: 602014045886 Country of ref document: DE Representative=s name: KUHNEN & WACKER PATENT- UND RECHTSANWALTSBUERO, DE Ref country code: DE Ref legal event code: R081 Ref document number: 602014045886 Country of ref document: DE Owner name: DENSO CORPORATION, KARIYA-CITY, JP Free format text: FORMER OWNERS: DENSO CORPORATION, KARIYA-CITY, AICHI-PREF., JP; TANAKA KIKINZOKU KOGYO K.K., TOKYO, JP |
|
REG | Reference to a national code |
Ref country code: LT Ref legal event code: MG4D |
|
PG25 | Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo] |
Ref country code: AL Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT Effective date: 20190501 Ref country code: ES Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT Effective date: 20190501 Ref country code: NO Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT Effective date: 20190801 Ref country code: PT Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT Effective date: 20190901 Ref country code: SE Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT Effective date: 20190501 Ref country code: HR Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT Effective date: 20190501 Ref country code: NL Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT Effective date: 20190501 Ref country code: FI Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT Effective date: 20190501 Ref country code: LT Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT Effective date: 20190501 |
|
PG25 | Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo] |
Ref country code: LV Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT Effective date: 20190501 Ref country code: RS Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT Effective date: 20190501 Ref country code: BG Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT Effective date: 20190801 Ref country code: GR Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT Effective date: 20190802 |
|
REG | Reference to a national code |
Ref country code: AT Ref legal event code: MK05 Ref document number: 1128180 Country of ref document: AT Kind code of ref document: T Effective date: 20190501 |
|
REG | Reference to a national code |
Ref country code: CH Ref legal event code: PL |
|
PG25 | Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo] |
Ref country code: IS Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT Effective date: 20190901 |
|
PG25 | Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo] |
Ref country code: MC Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT Effective date: 20190501 Ref country code: SK Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT Effective date: 20190501 Ref country code: LI Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES Effective date: 20190531 Ref country code: DK Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT Effective date: 20190501 Ref country code: AT Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT Effective date: 20190501 Ref country code: EE Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT Effective date: 20190501 Ref country code: CH Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES Effective date: 20190531 Ref country code: RO Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT Effective date: 20190501 Ref country code: CZ Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT Effective date: 20190501 |
|
REG | Reference to a national code |
Ref country code: DE Ref legal event code: R097 Ref document number: 602014045886 Country of ref document: DE |
|
REG | Reference to a national code |
Ref country code: BE Ref legal event code: MM Effective date: 20190531 |
|
PG25 | Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo] |
Ref country code: SM Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT Effective date: 20190501 Ref country code: IT Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT Effective date: 20190501 Ref country code: LU Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES Effective date: 20190521 |
|
PLBE | No opposition filed within time limit |
Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009261 |
|
STAA | Information on the status of an ep patent application or granted ep patent |
Free format text: STATUS: NO OPPOSITION FILED WITHIN TIME LIMIT |
|
PG25 | Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo] |
Ref country code: TR Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT Effective date: 20190501 |
|
26N | No opposition filed |
Effective date: 20200204 |
|
GBPC | Gb: european patent ceased through non-payment of renewal fee |
Effective date: 20190801 |
|
PG25 | Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo] |
Ref country code: PL Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT Effective date: 20190501 Ref country code: IE Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES Effective date: 20190521 |
|
PG25 | Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo] |
Ref country code: SI Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT Effective date: 20190501 Ref country code: BE Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES Effective date: 20190531 |
|
PG25 | Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo] |
Ref country code: FR Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES Effective date: 20190701 |
|
PG25 | Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo] |
Ref country code: GB Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES Effective date: 20190801 |
|
PG25 | Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo] |
Ref country code: CY Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT Effective date: 20190501 |
|
PG25 | Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo] |
Ref country code: HU Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT; INVALID AB INITIO Effective date: 20140521 Ref country code: MT Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT Effective date: 20190501 |
|
PG25 | Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo] |
Ref country code: MK Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT Effective date: 20190501 |
|
PGFP | Annual fee paid to national office [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo] |
Ref country code: DE Payment date: 20230519 Year of fee payment: 10 |