EP3046395B1 - Heating apparatus, temperature estimation apparatus and heater control apparatus - Google Patents

Heating apparatus, temperature estimation apparatus and heater control apparatus Download PDF

Info

Publication number
EP3046395B1
EP3046395B1 EP15202744.7A EP15202744A EP3046395B1 EP 3046395 B1 EP3046395 B1 EP 3046395B1 EP 15202744 A EP15202744 A EP 15202744A EP 3046395 B1 EP3046395 B1 EP 3046395B1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
substrate
heating element
temperature
conductor
heater
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
Application number
EP15202744.7A
Other languages
German (de)
English (en)
French (fr)
Other versions
EP3046395A1 (en
Inventor
Masanori Otsubo
Yohei Kan
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.)
Niterra Co Ltd
Original Assignee
NGK Spark Plug Co Ltd
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 NGK Spark Plug Co Ltd filed Critical NGK Spark Plug Co Ltd
Publication of EP3046395A1 publication Critical patent/EP3046395A1/en
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of EP3046395B1 publication Critical patent/EP3046395B1/en
Active legal-status Critical Current
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical

Links

Images

Classifications

    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H05—ELECTRIC TECHNIQUES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • H05B—ELECTRIC HEATING; ELECTRIC LIGHT SOURCES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; CIRCUIT ARRANGEMENTS FOR ELECTRIC LIGHT SOURCES, IN GENERAL
    • H05B3/00—Ohmic-resistance heating
    • H05B3/40—Heating elements having the shape of rods or tubes
    • H05B3/42—Heating elements having the shape of rods or tubes non-flexible
    • H05B3/48—Heating elements having the shape of rods or tubes non-flexible heating conductor embedded in insulating material
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H05—ELECTRIC TECHNIQUES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • H05B—ELECTRIC HEATING; ELECTRIC LIGHT SOURCES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; CIRCUIT ARRANGEMENTS FOR ELECTRIC LIGHT SOURCES, IN GENERAL
    • H05B3/00—Ohmic-resistance heating
    • H05B3/02—Details
    • H05B3/06—Heater elements structurally combined with coupling elements or holders
    • 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
    • H05—ELECTRIC TECHNIQUES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • H05B—ELECTRIC HEATING; ELECTRIC LIGHT SOURCES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; CIRCUIT ARRANGEMENTS FOR ELECTRIC LIGHT SOURCES, IN GENERAL
    • H05B2203/00—Aspects relating to Ohmic resistive heating covered by group H05B3/00
    • H05B2203/027—Heaters specially adapted for glow plug igniters

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to heating.
  • a glow plug is widely used as an auxiliary heat source of a compression-ignition-type internal combustion engine (e.g., a diesel engine or the like).
  • a known method of estimating the surface temperature of a glow plug utilizes the electrical resistance of a heating element which constitutes the glow plug. This method utilizes the phenomenon that the electrical resistance of the heating element depends on the temperature of the heating element, see for example
  • the above-described prior art technique premises that a fixed relation exists between the electrical resistance of the heating element and the surface temperature of the glow plug.
  • the electrical resistance of the heating element also varies with the coolant temperature of an engine, the temperature of engine oil, the temperature within a combustion chamber, etc. Therefore, complex correction in which the above-described factors are taken into consideration is needed for accurate estimation of the surface temperature of the glow plug.
  • the relation between the electrical resistance of the heating element and the temperature of the heating element is apt to receive the influence of a production-related variation. Because of these factors, the above-described prior art technique has a room for improvement of the accuracy of temperature estimation.
  • Such a problem is not limited to glow plugs but is common among all heaters using a heating element.
  • An object of the present invention is to improve the accuracy in estimating the temperature of a heater or to accurately control the temperature of the heater.
  • the present invention which solves the above-described problem, can be realized as the following aspects.
  • the present invention can be realized in various forms other than the above-described forms.
  • the present invention can be applied to an apparatus which includes no heater.
  • the present invention may be realized as a temperature estimation apparatus or a heater control apparatus.
  • the present invention may be realized, for example, as a temperature estimation method, a heater control method, a computer program which realizes the temperature estimation method or the heater control method, or a non-temporary storage medium which stores the computer program.
  • FIG. 1 schematically shows the configuration of a heating apparatus 100.
  • the heating apparatus 100 is mounted on a diesel engine vehicle and heats a combustion chamber of a diesel engine. This heating is performed so as to assist the ignition of fuel injected from an injector 459.
  • the heating apparatus 100 includes a glow plug 1 and a control section 50.
  • the glow plug 1 is a ceramic glow plug. As shown in FIG. 1 , the glow plug 1 is attached to a cylinder block 45 by screwing an external thread portion of a housing 4 into the cylinder block 45. As a result, the glow plug 1 is attached in a state in which a forward end portion of the glow plug 1 is exposed to a combustion chamber of the cylinder block 45.
  • the control section 50 includes an ECU 52, a glow relay 53, a battery 54, and a glow relay 531.
  • the glow relay 53 is disposed between the positive terminal of the battery 54 and an external lead wire 233 of the glow plug 1.
  • the negative terminal of the battery 54 is connected to the cylinder block 45 through the glow relay 531.
  • the glow relay 53 When the glow relay 53 is on, the negative terminal of the battery 54 electrically communicates with the cylinder block 45. Since the potential of the cylinder block 45 is the ground potential, when the glow relay 531 is on, the negative terminal of the battery 54 is grounded.
  • the ECU 52 supplies the electrical power of the battery 54 to the glow plug 1 through the external lead wire 233 by turning on the glow relay 53 and the glow relay 531. By this supply of the electrical power, the ECU 52 causes the glow plug 1 to generate heat.
  • the ECU 52 controls the heat generation of the glow plug 1 by controlling the ratio between the on time and off time of the glow relay 53.
  • the glow relay 531 is always maintained in its on state during a period during which heating is performed, and is turned off when heating is stopped.
  • the control section 50 further includes a DC power supply 51, a relay 55, a resistor 521, and a potentiometer 522.
  • the relay 55 is disposed between the resistor 521 and an external lead wire 333 of the glow plug 1.
  • the relay 55 allows and prohibits the supply of electricity from the DC power supply 51 to the glow plug 1 through switching operation.
  • the negative terminal of the DC power supply 51 is connected to the cylinder block 45, whereby the negative terminal of the DC power supply 51 is grounded.
  • the resistor 521 is disposed on the positive terminal side of the DC power supply 51.
  • the potentiometer 522 measures a voltage (drop voltage) by which the voltage of the DC power supply 51 drops at the resistor 521.
  • the ECU 52 estimates the temperature of the glow plug 1 by using these circuit configurations.
  • the ECU 52 utilizes the estimated temperature for the above-described control of heat generation of the glow plug 1 (which will be described later together with FIGS. 4 and 5 ).
  • the ECU 52 further utilizes values obtained from a water temperature sensor 525 and an engine speed sensor 526 for the above-described control of heat generation.
  • the water temperature sensor 525 measures the temperature of engine cooling water.
  • the engine speed sensor 526 measures the rotational speed of the engine. The above-described temperature estimation and heat generation control will be described later together with FIGS. 4 and 5 .
  • FIG. 2 is a partially sectioned view of the glow plug 1.
  • FIG. 3 is a sectional view of a distal end of the glow plug 1 and its vicinity, and shows the state in which the glow plug 1 is attached to the cylinder block 45. Below, the glow plug 1 will be described with reference to FIGS. 2 and 3 .
  • the glow plug 1 includes the housing 4, a heater 10, a terminal portion 23, a terminal portion 31, an internal lead wire 33, an internal lead wire 231, a connection terminal 232, the external lead wire 233, a connection terminal 332, the external lead wire 333, and a rubber bush 421. These members are assembled along the axial line O of the glow plug 1.
  • the side of the glow plug 1 where the heater 10 is located will be referred to as the "forward end side,” and the side opposite thereto will be referred to as the "rear end side.”
  • the housing 4 includes an outer tube 41, a protection tube 42, and a metallic shell 47.
  • the protection tube 42 is an approximately cylindrical member extending along the axial line O and has openings on the forward end side and rear end side thereof. A forward-end-side opening portion of the protection tube 42 is attached to the rear end of the metallic shell 47.
  • the rubber bush 421 is inserted into a rear-end-side opening portion of the protection tube 42.
  • the rubber bush 421 is a circular columnar member made of rubber.
  • the rubber bush 421 inserted into the protection tube 42 seals the space located forward of the rubber bush 421.
  • the outer tube 41 is disposed on the forward end side of the protection tube 42.
  • the metallic shell 47 has an external thread portion 43. The external thread portion 43 is used to attach the glow plug 1 to the cylinder block 45 of the engine.
  • the heater 10 has a generally rod-shaped member which has a hemispherical forward end portion and extends along the axial line O.
  • the heater 10 is fixed within the housing 4 via the outer tube 41.
  • the outer tube 41 is a ring-shaped member made of metal.
  • the heater 10 has an electro-heating element 2, an electrode 3, a substrate 11, and a pair of lead wires 21 and 22.
  • the electro-heating element 2, the electrode 3, and the lead wires 21 and 22 are embedded in the substrate 11 and are held.
  • the substrate 11 is formed of a ceramic which contains Si 3 N 4 (silicon nitride) as a main component.
  • the external lead wires 233 and 333 extend through the rubber bush 421 and reach the interior of the glow plug 1.
  • the external lead wire 233 is connected to the terminal portion 23 through the connection terminal 232 and the internal lead wire 231.
  • the terminal portion 23 is disposed on the outer circumferential surface of the substrate 11 with a gap formed between the terminal portion 23 and the inner circumferential surface of the housing 4.
  • the terminal portion 23 electrically communicates with the housing 4 through the heater 10.
  • the housing 4 is fixed to the cylinder block 45 as described above, whereby the housing 4 electrically communicates with the cylinder block 45 which is the ground potential.
  • the cylinder block 45 is connected to the negative terminal of the battery 54. Therefore, when the glow relays 53 and 531 are turned on, a closed circuit is formed.
  • the lead wire 21 is connected to the terminal portion 23.
  • the lead wire 21 extends through the interior of the substrate 11 and is connected to one end of the electro-heating element 2 having a U-like shape.
  • the other end of the electro-heating element 2 is connected to the outer tube 41 through the lead wire 22. Therefore, when the glow relays 53 and 531 are turned on, the voltage of the battery 54 is applied to the electro-heating element 2, and a current flows through the electro-heating element 2 embedded in the substrate 11.
  • the electro-heating element 2 is formed of a ceramic which is smaller in electrical resistance than the substrate 11. When the voltage of the battery 54 is applied to the electro-heating element 2, a portion of the electro-heating element 2 near the forward end of the heater 10 generates heat.
  • the external lead wire 333 is connected to the terminal portion 31 disposed at the rear end of the substrate 11 through the connection terminal 332 and the internal lead wire 33.
  • the electrode 3 is connected, at one end thereof, to the terminal portion 31 and extends along the direction of the axial line O within the substrate 11. The other end of the electrode 3 is disposed near the forward end of the electro-heating element 2.
  • the electrode 3 is formed of an electrically conductive ceramic and is embedded in the substrate 11 such that the electrode 3 is separated from the electro-heating element 2. Therefore, when the relay 55 is turned on and the DC power supply 51 electrically communicates with the electrode 3, a potential difference is generated between the electrode 3 and the electro-heating element 2. This potential difference is utilized in temperature control processing which will be described next.
  • FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing the temperature control processing.
  • the temperature control processing is repeatedly executed by the ECU 52 during a period during which the generation of heat by the glow plug 1 is required.
  • the ECU 52 obtains a drop voltage V 521 at the resistor 521 through use of the potentiometer 522 (step S610). Subsequently, the ECU 52 calculates a substrate resistance R 11 (step S620).
  • the substrate resistance R 11 refers to the electrical resistance of the substrate 11 between the electro-heating element 2 and the electrode 3.
  • the substrate 11 is formed of ceramic and has an electrical resistance on the basis of which the substrate 11 is generally classified as an insulator. However, since the electrical resistance of the substrate 11 is naturally finite, when a high voltage is applied to the electrode 3, a slight current flows through the substrate 11. This current flows to conductors embedded in the substrate 11 and conductors in contact with the substrate 11, and finally flows to the cylinder block 45.
  • the conductors disposed in the substrate 11 are the electro-heating element 2, the lead wire 21, and the lead wire 22.
  • the conductors in contact with the substrate 11 are the terminal portion 23, the terminal portion 31, and the outer tube 41.
  • the greater part of the current flowing through the substrate 11 flows from the vicinity of the forward end of the electrode 3 to the vicinity of the forward end of the electro-heating element 2. This is because a portion of the the substrate 11 having a higher temperature has a smaller electrical resistance as will be described later. Since the electro-heating element 2 generates heat in the vicinity of the forward end thereof as described above, a portion of the substrate 11 near the forward end of the electro-heating element 2 has a higher temperature as compared with other portions.
  • the current flowing to the conductors other than the electrode 3 is ignored in the calculation of the substrate resistance R 11 .
  • the electrical resistance of the electro-heating element 2 is smaller than the substrate resistance R 11 , the electrical resistance of the electro-heating element 2 is ignored in the calculation of the substrate resistance R 11 .
  • the electro-heating element 2 is treated as a conductor.
  • the substrate resistance R 11 is calculated by the following expression (5).
  • V 11 represents the potential difference between the electro-heating element 2 and the electrode 3
  • I represents the current flowing through the resistor 521
  • V 0 represents the voltage of the DC power supply 51.
  • R 11 V 11 / I ⁇ 1
  • V 11 V 0 ⁇ V 521 ⁇ 2
  • I V 521 / R 521
  • the ECU 52 estimates the highest surface temperature of the substrate 11 (step S630).
  • the highest surface temperature of the substrate 11 refers to the highest value among the surface temperatures of the substrate 11.
  • the substrate 11 has different surface temperatures in different portions thereof, and normally, a portion near the forward end of the electro-heating element 2 has the highest surface temperature.
  • FIG. 5 is a graph approximately showing the relation between the highest surface temperature of the substrate 11 and the substrate resistance R 11 .
  • This graph is a semilogarithmic graph which shows the substrate resistance R 11 in logarithm scale. This relation was obtained in advance by an experiment in which the substrate resistance R 11 was actually measured while the highest surface temperature of the substrate 11 was changed, and is stored in the ECU 52.
  • the highest surface temperature of the substrate 11 changes only slightly with a change in the substrate resistance R 11 .
  • the substrate resistance R 11 changes from a value A to a value 1000 times the value A
  • the highest surface temperature of the substrate 11 only changes from 1200°C to 600°C.
  • the ECU 52 determines a target temperature (step S640).
  • the target temperature refers to a target value of the highest surface temperature of the substrate 11.
  • the target temperature is determined on the basis of the input value from the water temperature sensor 525, the input value from the engine speed sensor 526, and other values relating to the engine (e.g., the temperature of intake gas).
  • the ECU 52 determines a target resistance (step S650).
  • the target resistance refers to the substrate resistance R 11 corresponding to the target temperature determined in step S640. This determination is made on the basis of the relation shown in FIG. 5 .
  • the ECU 52 controls the energization of the heater 10 (step S660). Specifically, the ECU 52 controls the ratio between the on time and off time of the glow relay 53 such that the substrate resistance R 11 approaches the target resistance. After that, the ECU 52 ends the temperature control processing.
  • the highest surface temperature of the substrate is not required to be controlled.
  • the above-described temperature control processing may be modified to execute steps S610 to S630 without executing the steps (steps S640 to S660) for controlling the highest surface temperature of the substrate.
  • a portion of the temperature control processing may be executed as temperature estimation processing.
  • the highest surface temperature of the substrate is not required to be estimated. Namely, in the above-described temperature control processing, estimation of the highest surface temperature of the substrate (step S630) may be omitted. The steps (steps S640 to S660) for controlling the highest surface temperature of the substrate can be performed without estimating the temperature of the substrate.
  • the material of the substrate may be changed to other ceramics.
  • the material may be titanium diboride or a mixture of silicon nitride and titanium diboride.
  • the material may be alumina, sialon, or the like.
  • the configuration of the circuit for obtaining the substrate resistance may be changed.
  • the circuit may be configured to apply a voltage between the pair of external lead wires and measure the value of current. Since this configuration allows accurate grasping of the voltage applied between the electro-heating element and the electrode, the accuracy in measuring the substrate resistance improves.
  • the present invention may be applied to ceramic heaters other than those of the glow plugs.
  • the present invention may be applied to heating appliances, heat sources for soldering irons, douche-quipped toilet seats, heat sources for semiconductor manufacturing apparatuses, heat sources for measuring equipment, and components of science equipment.

Landscapes

  • Resistance Heating (AREA)
  • Control Of Resistance Heating (AREA)
EP15202744.7A 2015-01-16 2015-12-24 Heating apparatus, temperature estimation apparatus and heater control apparatus Active EP3046395B1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
JP2015006310A JP6433304B2 (ja) 2015-01-16 2015-01-16 加熱装置、温度推定装置、ヒータ制御装置

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP3046395A1 EP3046395A1 (en) 2016-07-20
EP3046395B1 true EP3046395B1 (en) 2017-06-21

Family

ID=55077367

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP15202744.7A Active EP3046395B1 (en) 2015-01-16 2015-12-24 Heating apparatus, temperature estimation apparatus and heater control apparatus

Country Status (2)

Country Link
EP (1) EP3046395B1 (ja)
JP (1) JP6433304B2 (ja)

Families Citing this family (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB2569660B (en) * 2017-12-22 2022-03-02 Jemella Ltd Thermal control apparatus and method

Family Cites Families (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
JP3605965B2 (ja) * 1996-09-12 2004-12-22 株式会社デンソー グロープラグ
JP2001336468A (ja) * 2000-03-22 2001-12-07 Ngk Spark Plug Co Ltd グロープラグ制御装置、グロープラグ、及びエンジンの燃焼室内のイオン検出方法
EP1243859B1 (en) * 2001-03-14 2004-06-09 Federal-Mogul Ignition Srl Glow plug arranged for measuring the ionization current of an engine, and a method for manufacturing the same
JP4109516B2 (ja) * 2002-08-29 2008-07-02 日本特殊陶業株式会社 イオン電流検知装置
JP5179887B2 (ja) * 2008-01-15 2013-04-10 株式会社オートネットワーク技術研究所 グロープラグ制御装置及び制御方法
JP5350761B2 (ja) 2008-11-25 2013-11-27 日本特殊陶業株式会社 ヒータの通電制御装置

Non-Patent Citations (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Title
None *

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
EP3046395A1 (en) 2016-07-20
JP6433304B2 (ja) 2018-12-05
JP2016134212A (ja) 2016-07-25

Similar Documents

Publication Publication Date Title
US9074575B2 (en) Energization control apparatus for glow plug
US7319208B2 (en) Controller and glow plug for controlling energization modes
US6414273B1 (en) Glow plug control apparatus, glow plug, and method of detecting ions in engine combustion chamber
US8217310B2 (en) Glow plug electrification control apparatus and glow plug electrification control system
US6843218B2 (en) Glow plug energization control apparatus and glow plug energization control method
US9927390B2 (en) Gas sensor element, its manufacturing method and gas sensor including the gas sensor element
US8847118B2 (en) Energization control apparatus for glow plug
JP5465263B2 (ja) ＮＯｘセンサ制御装置
JP5851366B2 (ja) センサ制御装置及びセンサ制御システム
KR101188072B1 (ko) 글로 플러그의 통전 제어장치 및 발열 시스템
EP3046395B1 (en) Heating apparatus, temperature estimation apparatus and heater control apparatus
JP4723174B2 (ja) グロープラグ通電制御装置及びグロープラグ通電制御方法
EP3096000A2 (en) Heating device, heater state estimating device, and heater state estimating method
EP3045714B1 (en) Ion current measurement apparatus
JP6736254B2 (ja) グロープラグ
US20140238973A1 (en) Heater control method and heater control apparatus for gas sensor
EP3045818B1 (en) Ion current detection system
JP6667327B2 (ja) 加熱装置及び温度推定装置
JP2009121401A (ja) 内燃機関の排気温度推定装置に関する。
JP2001330248A (ja) セラミックヒータ又はグロープラグの特性測定方法
JP2002013735A (ja) グロープラグ
JP2022160157A (ja) ガスセンサ制御装置、ガスセンサ制御方法
EP3163171B1 (en) Glow plug
JP2001295744A (ja) イオン電流検出装置

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

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

17P Request for examination filed

Effective date: 20160830

RBV Designated contracting states (corrected)

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

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: 20170208

GRAS Grant fee paid

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: EPIDOSNIGR3

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

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

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

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: IE

Ref legal event code: FG4D

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: AT

Ref legal event code: REF

Ref document number: 903957

Country of ref document: AT

Kind code of ref document: T

Effective date: 20170715

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: DE

Ref legal event code: R096

Ref document number: 602015003224

Country of ref document: DE

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: NL

Ref legal event code: MP

Effective date: 20170621

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

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: 20170921

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: 20170621

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: 20170922

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: 20170621

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: 20170621

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: LT

Ref legal event code: MG4D

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: FR

Ref legal event code: PLFP

Year of fee payment: 3

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: AT

Ref legal event code: MK05

Ref document number: 903957

Country of ref document: AT

Kind code of ref document: T

Effective date: 20170621

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

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: 20170621

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: 20170621

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: 20170621

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: 20170621

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: 20170921

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

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: 20170621

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: 20170621

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: 20170621

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: 20170621

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: 20170621

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

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: 20170621

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: 20171021

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: 20170621

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: 20170621

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: DE

Ref legal event code: R097

Ref document number: 602015003224

Country of ref document: DE

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: 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: 20170621

26N No opposition filed

Effective date: 20180322

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: 20170621

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: IE

Ref legal event code: MM4A

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: MT

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

Effective date: 20171224

Ref country code: LU

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

Effective date: 20171224

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: BE

Ref legal event code: MM

Effective date: 20171231

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: IE

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

Effective date: 20171224

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: BE

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

Effective date: 20171231

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: 20151224

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: 20170621

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: 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: 20170621

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: 20170621

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: CH

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

Effective date: 20181231

Ref country code: LI

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

Effective date: 20181231

PGFP Annual fee paid to national office [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: IT

Payment date: 20191209

Year of fee payment: 5

Ref country code: FR

Payment date: 20191115

Year of fee payment: 5

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: 20170621

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

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: 20170621

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: 20170621

GBPC Gb: european patent ceased through non-payment of renewal fee

Effective date: 20191224

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: 20191224

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: IT

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

Effective date: 20201224

Ref country code: FR

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

Effective date: 20201231

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: DE

Ref legal event code: R081

Ref document number: 602015003224

Country of ref document: DE

Owner name: NITERRA CO., LTD., NAGOYA-SHI, JP

Free format text: FORMER OWNER: NGK SPARK PLUG CO., LTD., NAGOYA-SHI, AICHI-KEN, JP

PGFP Annual fee paid to national office [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: DE

Payment date: 20231031

Year of fee payment: 9