EP3221936B1 - Spark plug and method for producing a spark plug - Google Patents

Spark plug and method for producing a spark plug Download PDF

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Publication number
EP3221936B1
EP3221936B1 EP15763919.6A EP15763919A EP3221936B1 EP 3221936 B1 EP3221936 B1 EP 3221936B1 EP 15763919 A EP15763919 A EP 15763919A EP 3221936 B1 EP3221936 B1 EP 3221936B1
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EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
spark plug
centre electrode
electrode head
thermally conductive
conductive contact
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EP15763919.6A
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German (de)
French (fr)
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EP3221936A1 (en
Inventor
Nicolai CLAUS
Chris Schimmel
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Robert Bosch GmbH
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Robert Bosch GmbH
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Publication of EP3221936A1 publication Critical patent/EP3221936A1/en
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    • 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
    • H01T13/02—Details
    • H01T13/16—Means for dissipating heat
    • 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
    • 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
    • H01T13/34—Sparking plugs characterised by features of the electrodes or insulation characterised by the mounting of electrodes in insulation, e.g. by embedding

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to a spark plug with reduced wear on the center electrode and to a method for producing a spark plug that can be easily implemented.
  • WO 2012/105255 A1 describes a spark plug with a center electrode and a ground electrode.
  • the center electrode is arranged in the insulator.
  • An electrically conductive material creates an electrical connection between the center electrode and an electrical connection area of the spark plug.
  • the electrically conductive material surrounds a center electrode head of the center electrode that is oriented in the direction of the electrical connection area and fills a gap between the center electrode head and the insulator.
  • the electrically conductive material acts as a thermal insulator and prevents or reduces heat dissipation from the center electrode via the ceramic insulator to a cooled cylinder head that is in contact with a housing of the spark plug. The wear of such a spark plug due to thermal overload is high.
  • the EP 1 203 428 B1 discloses a spark plug according to the preamble of claim 1.
  • the spark plug according to the invention according to the main claim 1, however, is characterized by very good heat conduction between the center electrode head and the ceramic insulator. This is achieved in that the center electrode head is in thermally conductive contact on its outer circumference at least in sections with the ceramic insulator and forms a thermally conductive contact area. In other words, there are sections the outer circumference of the center electrode head in thermally conductive contact with the ceramic insulator, so that heat is transferred from the center electrode head to the insulator and thus heat is dissipated from the center electrode at high rates. It was found here that an electrically conductive connecting element, which is provided for the electrical connection of the center electrode head and the electrical connection area of the spark plug, has a poorer thermal conductivity than the ceramic insulator.
  • the center electrode head and the insulator are in a very good thermal connection, so that heat transfer can take place very well.
  • the heat dissipation from the center electrode head to the insulator can thus take place very quickly at high rates.
  • the very good heat dissipation reduces the wear rate of the center electrode.
  • heat dissipation from the central electrode tip facing the combustion chamber, at which the highest temperatures prevail due to the spark plasma, to the insulator and further to the usually cooled cylinder head is improved.
  • the material of the center electrode is thus less stressed and the service life of the spark plug according to the invention is significantly increased.
  • an advantageous development provides that the entire outer circumference of the center electrode head forms a heat-conducting contact area with the ceramic insulator.
  • the heat conduction can be further improved in that the outer circumference of the center electrode head is in direct contact with the insulator. In other words, this means that there is no intermediate layer between the center electrode head and the insulator, that is to say neither a thermally conductive intermediate layer nor an air layer. There is also no electrically conductive connecting element in this area.
  • the center electrode head and the insulator It is also advantageous to avoid air gaps between the center electrode head and the insulator. This is preferably achieved in that a press connection is formed between the center electrode head and the insulator. In order to further minimize heat transfer losses due to convection flow, the heat-conducting contact area between the center electrode head and the insulator is advantageously designed to be gas-tight.
  • the heat dissipation capacity of the spark plug according to the invention can advantageously be increased, with the total length of the center electrode as short as possible, in that the heat-conducting contact area extends in the axial direction X-X of the spark plug over a length L of preferably 1.5 to 4.5 mm.
  • the heat dissipation capacity can be further increased by the thermally conductive contact area.
  • a ratio L / D of the length L of the thermally conductive contact area to the diameter D of the thermally conductive contact area is also beneficial to the heat dissipation capability.
  • a good gas-tight seal of the combustion chamber as well as a centering mounting of the central electrode head in the insulator and thus a particularly uniformly high heat dissipation capability on all sides is advantageously achieved by having a diameter of the central electrode head larger than a central electrode section facing the combustion chamber. Furthermore, a shoulder is formed in a transition area between the center electrode head and the center electrode section facing the combustion chamber, which shoulder comes to rest on the insulator. As a result, the shoulder of the center electrode is also in thermally conductive contact with the ceramic insulator.
  • the center electrode head of the center electrode has a cup-like area on its end face.
  • the cup-like area further preferably has a wall that is closed all the way round. This results in a particularly large outer circumference with a reduced central electrode head volume obtained, which is conducive to heat transfer from the center electrode head to the insulator.
  • the center electrode head is particularly preferably designed as a cylindrical cup. This allows heat to be dissipated uniformly to all sides of the insulator at high rates.
  • a further advantageous development is characterized in that the center electrode head has a large number of jagged projections in the area of its outer circumference which is located in the heat-conducting contact area. This increases the surface area of the thermally conductive contact area, so that heat can be dissipated even more effectively.
  • the method comprises introducing a center electrode into a cavity of the ceramic insulator, so that the center electrode head comes to rest on a shoulder formed in the cavity of the ceramic insulator.
  • a diameter of the center electrode head is in particular greater than a section of the center electrode facing the combustion chamber, which section is arranged below the shoulder formed in the insulator.
  • the center electrode is pressed with the ceramic insulator.
  • the center electrode head is brought into direct contact with the ceramic insulator, so that in a further step a heat-conducting contact area is formed between an outer circumference of the center electrode head and the ceramic insulator.
  • a spark plug with a high heat dissipation capability from the center electrode to the ceramic insulator and further to a usually cooled cylinder head can be produced by the method in a technically simple manner. The method can thus be implemented cost-effectively without great effort.
  • the spark plug produced in this way is characterized by a good one thermal stability, a low wear rate of the center electrode and thus high durability.
  • the pressing is advantageously carried out with a punch.
  • the punch preferably has a shape which corresponds to the negative shape of the center electrode head to be pressed, so that a uniform force transmission can be exerted for the centering arrangement and fastening of the center electrode in the ceramic insulator.
  • the method further advantageously comprises the step of introducing an electrically conductive connection element into the cavity of the ceramic insulator, so that the center electrode head is connected in an electrically conductive manner to the electrical connection area of the spark plug.
  • the electrically conductive connecting element is subsequently melted, e.g. in an oven, whereby the thermally conductive arrangement and fastening of the center electrode head are permanently fixed.
  • the spark plug 1 comprises a ground electrode 2 and a center electrode 3.
  • a ceramic insulator 7 is provided in such a way that the center electrode 3 protrudes somewhat from the insulator 7 in a known manner.
  • the center electrode 3 is made of one material, but can also have a core-jacket Have structure, for example a jacket made of nickel-containing material and a core made of copper-containing material, which improves heat dissipation from the central electrode base facing the combustion chamber to the insulator 7.
  • a noble metal pin for generating a spark plasma can be provided on the combustion chamber side.
  • the insulator 7 itself is partially surrounded by a housing 6.
  • the reference numeral 13 denotes an electrical connection area of the spark plug 1.
  • An electrically conductive connection is made from the electrical connection area 13 via a connecting bolt and a e.g. Connection element 8 made of electrically conductive glass to the center electrode 3 is provided.
  • the center electrode 3 has a center electrode head 5 arranged in the direction of the electrically conductive connecting element 8.
  • an end face 10 of the center electrode head 5 is in contact with the electrically conductive connecting element 8.
  • a diameter of the center electrode head 5 is greater than a diameter of a center electrode section 4 facing the combustion chamber.
  • a shoulder 12 is formed in a transition area between the center electrode head 5 and the center electrode section 4 facing the combustion chamber on the center electrode head 5 and comes to rest on a correspondingly designed section of the insulator 7.
  • An outer circumference of the center electrode head 5 is in thermally conductive contact with the ceramic insulator 7, so that a thermally conductive contact area 9 is formed between the outer circumference of the center electrode head 5 and the ceramic insulator 7.
  • the thermally conductive contact area 9 is in Figure 2 shown in more detail.
  • the entire outer circumference of the center electrode head 5 and the ceramic insulator 7 form a heat-conducting contact area 9.
  • the entire outer circumference of the center electrode head 5 including its shoulder 12 is in direct contact with the insulator 7, so that between these components neither an air gap nor, as with conventional spark plugs, an electrically conductive connecting element 8 is provided.
  • a press connection is formed in particular between the center electrode head 5 and the insulator 7. This also improves the gas tightness of the thermally conductive contact area 9 between the center electrode head 5 and the insulator 7.
  • the heat-conducting contact area 9 extends in the axial direction X-X of the spark plug 1 over a length L of at least 1 mm, in particular from 1.5 to 4.5 mm, since a particularly large heat exchange surface can be provided between the center electrode head 5 and the insulator 7.
  • a diameter D of the center electrode head 5 on the thermally conductive contact area 9 is also advantageously at least 2 mm, in particular 2 to 4 mm, and a ratio L / D of the length L of the thermally conductive contact area 9 to the diameter D of the thermally conductive contact area 9 is at least 0.75.
  • the ratio L / D depending on the dimensions of the spark plug 1, the heat-conducting contact area 9 can be enlarged to a maximum size.
  • the center electrode head 5 has a cup-like region 11 in the direction of its end face 10, and thus a concave region oriented in the direction of the electrically conductive connecting element 8. In this way, with a reduced central electrode head volume, a particularly large thermally conductive contact area 9 is obtained with very good contacting of the electrically conductive connecting element 8.
  • the center electrode 3 is therefore also fitted in a form-fitting manner into the insulator and the electrically conductive connecting element 8, as a result of which the center electrode 3 is stabilized in a centering manner in the ceramic insulator 7.

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Manufacturing & Machinery (AREA)
  • Spark Plugs (AREA)

Description

Stand der TechnikState of the art

Die vorliegende Erfindung betrifft eine Zündkerze mit reduziertem Verschleiß an der Mittelelektrode sowie ein einfach umsetzbares Verfahren zur Herstellung einer Zündkerze.The present invention relates to a spark plug with reduced wear on the center electrode and to a method for producing a spark plug that can be easily implemented.

Zündkerzen sind aus dem Stand der Technik in unterschiedlicher Ausgestaltung bekannt. WO 2012/105255 A1 beschreibt eine Zündkerze mit Mittelelektrode und Masseelektrode. Die Mittelelektrode ist im Isolator angeordnet. Ein elektrisch leitfähiges Material stellt eine elektrische Verbindung zwischen der Mittelelektrode und einem elektrischen Anschlussbereich der Zündkerze her. Das elektrisch leitfähige Material umgibt dabei einen in Richtung des elektrischen Anschlussbereichs ausgerichteten Mittelelektrodenkopf der Mittelelektrode und füllt einen Spalt zwischen dem Mittelelektrodenkopf und dem Isolator. Das elektrisch leitfähige Material wirkt als thermischer Isolator und verhindert bzw. reduziert eine Wärmeabfuhr von der Mittelelektrode über den keramischen Isolator auf ein mit einem Gehäuse der Zündkerze in Kontakt stehenden, gekühlten Zylinderkopf. Der Verschleiß einer solchen Zündkerze durch thermische Uberlastung ist damit hoch.Spark plugs are known from the prior art in different configurations. WO 2012/105255 A1 describes a spark plug with a center electrode and a ground electrode. The center electrode is arranged in the insulator. An electrically conductive material creates an electrical connection between the center electrode and an electrical connection area of the spark plug. The electrically conductive material surrounds a center electrode head of the center electrode that is oriented in the direction of the electrical connection area and fills a gap between the center electrode head and the insulator. The electrically conductive material acts as a thermal insulator and prevents or reduces heat dissipation from the center electrode via the ceramic insulator to a cooled cylinder head that is in contact with a housing of the spark plug. The wear of such a spark plug due to thermal overload is high.

Die EP 1 203 428 B1 offenbart eine Zündkerze gemäß dem Oberbegriff des Anspruchs 1.The EP 1 203 428 B1 discloses a spark plug according to the preamble of claim 1.

Offenbarung der ErfindungDisclosure of the invention

Die erfindungsgemäße Zündkerze gemäß dem Hauptanspruch 1 zeichnet sich hingegen durch eine sehr gute Wärmeleitung zwischen dem Mittelelektrodenkopf und dem keramischen Isolator aus. Dies wird dadurch erzielt, dass der Mittelelektrodenkopf an seinem Außenumfang mindestens abschnittsweise mit dem keramischen Isolator in wärmeleitendem Kontakt steht und einen wärmeleitenden Kontaktbereich bildet. Mit anderen Worten stehen Abschnitte des Außenumfangs des Mittelelektrodenkopfes in thermisch leitfähigem Kontakt mit dem keramischen Isolator, so dass ein Wärmeübertrag vom Mittelelektrodenkopf auf den Isolator und damit eine Wärmeableitung von der Mittelelektrode mit großen Raten erfolgt. Hierbei wurde gefunden, dass ein elektrisch leitfähiges Verbindungselement, das zur elektrischen Verbindung des Mittelelektrodenkopfes und des elektrischen Anschlussbereichs der Zündkerze vorgesehen ist, eine schlechtere thermische Leitfähigkeit als der keramische Isolator aufweist. Durch den wärmeleitenden Kontaktbereich stehen der Mittelelektrodenkopf und der Isolator in sehr guter thermischer Verbindung, so dass ein Wärmetransfer sehr gut erfolgen kann. Die Wärmeableitung vom Mittelelektrodenkopf auf den Isolator kann somit sehr schnell mit hohen Raten erfolgen. Durch die sehr gute Wärmeabfuhr wird die Verschleißrate der Mittelelektrode reduziert. Insbesondere wird eine Wärmeableitung von der brennraumzugewandten Mittelelektrodenspitze, an der, durch das Funkenplasma bedingt, die höchsten Temperaturen vorherrschen, auf den Isolator und weiter auf den üblicherweise gekühlten Zylinderkopf, verbessert. Das Material der Mittelelektrode wird somit weniger strapaziert und die Lebensdauer der erfindungsgemäßen Zündkerze signifikant erhöht.The spark plug according to the invention according to the main claim 1, however, is characterized by very good heat conduction between the center electrode head and the ceramic insulator. This is achieved in that the center electrode head is in thermally conductive contact on its outer circumference at least in sections with the ceramic insulator and forms a thermally conductive contact area. In other words, there are sections the outer circumference of the center electrode head in thermally conductive contact with the ceramic insulator, so that heat is transferred from the center electrode head to the insulator and thus heat is dissipated from the center electrode at high rates. It was found here that an electrically conductive connecting element, which is provided for the electrical connection of the center electrode head and the electrical connection area of the spark plug, has a poorer thermal conductivity than the ceramic insulator. Due to the thermally conductive contact area, the center electrode head and the insulator are in a very good thermal connection, so that heat transfer can take place very well. The heat dissipation from the center electrode head to the insulator can thus take place very quickly at high rates. The very good heat dissipation reduces the wear rate of the center electrode. In particular, heat dissipation from the central electrode tip facing the combustion chamber, at which the highest temperatures prevail due to the spark plasma, to the insulator and further to the usually cooled cylinder head is improved. The material of the center electrode is thus less stressed and the service life of the spark plug according to the invention is significantly increased.

Die Unteransprüche zeigen bevorzugte Weiterbildungen der Erfindung.The subclaims show preferred developments of the invention.

Zur weiteren Verbesserung der Wärmeableitung vom Mittelelektrodenkopf auf den Isolator ist gemäß einer vorteilhaften Weiterbildung vorgesehen, dass der gesamte Außenumfang des Mittelelektrodenkopfes mit dem keramischen Isolator einen wärmeleitenden Kontaktbereich bildet.To further improve the dissipation of heat from the center electrode head to the insulator, an advantageous development provides that the entire outer circumference of the center electrode head forms a heat-conducting contact area with the ceramic insulator.

Die Wärmeleitung kann dadurch weiter verbessert werden, dass der Außenumfang des Mittelelektrodenkopfes in direktem Kontakt mit dem Isolator steht. Dies bedeutet mit anderen Worten, dass zwischen dem Mittelelektrodenkopf und dem Isolator keine Zwischenschicht, also weder eine thermisch leitfähige Zwischenschicht noch eine Luftschicht, vorhanden ist. Auch liegt in diesem Bereich kein elektrisch leitfähiges Verbindungselement vor.The heat conduction can be further improved in that the outer circumference of the center electrode head is in direct contact with the insulator. In other words, this means that there is no intermediate layer between the center electrode head and the insulator, that is to say neither a thermally conductive intermediate layer nor an air layer. There is also no electrically conductive connecting element in this area.

Weiter vorteilhaft ist es, Luftspalte zwischen dem Mittelelektrodenkopf und dem Isolator zu vermeiden. Dies wird vorzugsweise dadurch erzielt, dass zwischen dem Mittelelektrodenkopf und dem Isolator eine Pressverbindung ausgebildet ist. Um des Weiteren Wärmetransferverluste durch Konvektionsströmung zu minimieren, ist der wärmeleitende Kontaktbereich zwischen Mittelelektrodenkopf und Isolator vorteilhafterweise gasdicht ausgebildet.It is also advantageous to avoid air gaps between the center electrode head and the insulator. This is preferably achieved in that a press connection is formed between the center electrode head and the insulator. In order to further minimize heat transfer losses due to convection flow, the heat-conducting contact area between the center electrode head and the insulator is advantageously designed to be gas-tight.

Das Wärmeableitvermögen der erfindungsgemäßen Zündkerze kann, bei möglichst geringer Gesamtlänge der Mittelelektrode vorteilhaft dadurch gesteigert werden, dass sich der wärmeleitende Kontaktbereich in Axialrichtung X-X der Zündkerze über eine Länge L von vorzugsweise 1,5 bis 4,5 mm erstreckt.The heat dissipation capacity of the spark plug according to the invention can advantageously be increased, with the total length of the center electrode as short as possible, in that the heat-conducting contact area extends in the axial direction X-X of the spark plug over a length L of preferably 1.5 to 4.5 mm.

Durch Optimierung des Verhältnisses der Länge des Mittelelektrodenkopfes und dessen Durchmesser und insbesondere dadurch, dass ein Durchmesser D des Mittelelektrodenkopfes am wärmeleitenden Kontaktbereich mindestens 2 mm und insbesondere 2 bis 4 mm, beträgt, kann das Wärmeableitvermögen durch den wärmeleitenden Kontaktbereich weiter gesteigert werden.By optimizing the ratio of the length of the center electrode head and its diameter and in particular by having a diameter D of the center electrode head at the thermally conductive contact area at least 2 mm and in particular 2 to 4 mm, the heat dissipation capacity can be further increased by the thermally conductive contact area.

Dem Wärmeableitvermögen ebenfalls zuträglich ist auch ein Verhältnis L/D der Länge L des wärmeleitenden Kontaktbereichs zum Durchmesser D des wärmeleitenden Kontaktbereichs, das vorzugsweise mindestens 0,75 beträgt.A ratio L / D of the length L of the thermally conductive contact area to the diameter D of the thermally conductive contact area, which is preferably at least 0.75, is also beneficial to the heat dissipation capability.

Eine gute gasdichte Abdichtung des Brennraumes sowie eine zentrierende Lagerung des Mittelelektrodenkopfs im Isolator und damit ein nach allen Seiten besonders gleichmäßig hoch ausgebildetes Wärmeableitvermögen wird vorteilhafterweise dadurch erzielt, dass ein Durchmesser des Mittelelektrodenkopfs größer ist als ein brennraumzugewandter Mittelelektrodenabschnitt. Ferner ist in einem Übergangsbereich zwischen dem Mittelelektrodenkopf und dem brennraumzugewandten Mittelelektrodenabschnitt eine Schulter ausgebildet, die auf dem Isolator zu liegen kommt. Dadurch steht auch die Schulter der Mittelelektrode in wärmeleitendem Kontakt mit dem keramischen Isolator.A good gas-tight seal of the combustion chamber as well as a centering mounting of the central electrode head in the insulator and thus a particularly uniformly high heat dissipation capability on all sides is advantageously achieved by having a diameter of the central electrode head larger than a central electrode section facing the combustion chamber. Furthermore, a shoulder is formed in a transition area between the center electrode head and the center electrode section facing the combustion chamber, which shoulder comes to rest on the insulator. As a result, the shoulder of the center electrode is also in thermally conductive contact with the ceramic insulator.

Der Mittelelektrodenkopf der Mittelelektrode weist an seiner Stirnseite einen becherartigen Bereich auf. Der becherartige Bereich weist dabei weiter bevorzugt eine umlaufend geschlossene Wand auf. Hierdurch wird bei reduziertem Mittelelektrodenkopfvolumen ein besonders großer Außenumfang erhalten, was einem Wärmetransfer vom Mittelelektrodenkopf auf den Isolator zuträglich ist.The center electrode head of the center electrode has a cup-like area on its end face. The cup-like area further preferably has a wall that is closed all the way round. This results in a particularly large outer circumference with a reduced central electrode head volume obtained, which is conducive to heat transfer from the center electrode head to the insulator.

Besonders bevorzugt ist der Mittelelektrodenkopf als zylindrischer Becher ausgebildet. Dadurch kann eine Wärmeableitung mit großen Raten gleichförmig nach allen Seiten auf den Isolator erfolgen.The center electrode head is particularly preferably designed as a cylindrical cup. This allows heat to be dissipated uniformly to all sides of the insulator at high rates.

Eine weitere vorteilhafte Weiterbildung ist dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass der Mittelelektrodenkopf in dem Bereich seines Außenumfangs, der sich im wärmeleitenden Kontaktbereich befindet, eine Vielzahl von zackenartigen Vorsprüngen aufweist. Hierdurch wird die Oberfläche des wärmeleitenden Kontaktbereichs vergrößert, so dass eine Wärmeableitung noch effektiver erfolgen kann.A further advantageous development is characterized in that the center electrode head has a large number of jagged projections in the area of its outer circumference which is located in the heat-conducting contact area. This increases the surface area of the thermally conductive contact area, so that heat can be dissipated even more effectively.

Ebenfalls erfindungsgemäß wird gemäß Anspruch 10 auch ein Verfahren zur Herstellung einer Zündkerze beschrieben. Das nachstehend offenbarte Verfahren eignet sich insbesondere zur Herstellung der vorstehend beschriebenen Zündkerze. Das Verfahren ist durch eine Kombination von Standardprozessen sehr leicht ohne hohen technischen Aufwand und damit kostengünstig umsetzbar. Das Verfahren umfasst als ersten Schritt ein Einbringen einer Mittelelektrode in einen Hohlraum des keramischen Isolators, so dass der Mittelelektrodenkopf auf einer im Hohlraum des keramischen Isolators gebildeten Schulter zu liegen kommt. Ein Durchmesser des Mittelelektrodenkopfes ist hierzu insbesondere größer als ein brennraumzugewandter Abschnitt der Mitteleelektrode, der unterhalb der im Isolator ausgebildeten Schulter angeordnet ist. Als ein weiterer Schritt wird ein Verpressen der Mittelelektrode mit dem keramischen Isolator ausgeführt. Dadurch wird erzielt, dass der Brennraum der Zündkerze gasdicht gegenüber den Bereichen außerhalb des Brennraums abgedichtet wird. Zudem wird so der Mittelelektrodenkopf in direkten Kontakt mit dem keramischen Isolator gebracht, so dass in einem weiteren Schritt ein wärmeleitender Kontaktbereich zwischen einem Außenumfang des Mittelelektrodenkopfes und dem keramischen Isolator gebildet wird. Durch das Verfahren kann auf technisch einfache Weise eine Zündkerze mit hohem Wärmeableitvermögen von der Mittelelektrode auf den keramischen Isolator und weiter auf einen üblicherweise gekühlten Zylinderkopf, hergestellt werden. Das Verfahren ist damit ohne großen Aufwand kostengünstig umsetzbar. Die so hergestellte Zündkerze zeichnet sich durch eine gute thermische Stabilität, eine niedrige Verschleißrate der Mittelelektrode und damit eine hohe Haltbarkeit aus.According to the invention, a method for producing a spark plug is also described according to claim 10. The method disclosed below is particularly suitable for producing the spark plug described above. Thanks to a combination of standard processes, the process can be implemented very easily without high technical effort and thus cost-effectively. As a first step, the method comprises introducing a center electrode into a cavity of the ceramic insulator, so that the center electrode head comes to rest on a shoulder formed in the cavity of the ceramic insulator. For this purpose, a diameter of the center electrode head is in particular greater than a section of the center electrode facing the combustion chamber, which section is arranged below the shoulder formed in the insulator. As a further step, the center electrode is pressed with the ceramic insulator. This ensures that the combustion chamber of the spark plug is sealed in a gas-tight manner from the areas outside the combustion chamber. In addition, the center electrode head is brought into direct contact with the ceramic insulator, so that in a further step a heat-conducting contact area is formed between an outer circumference of the center electrode head and the ceramic insulator. A spark plug with a high heat dissipation capability from the center electrode to the ceramic insulator and further to a usually cooled cylinder head can be produced by the method in a technically simple manner. The method can thus be implemented cost-effectively without great effort. The spark plug produced in this way is characterized by a good one thermal stability, a low wear rate of the center electrode and thus high durability.

Die für die erfindungsgemäße Zündkerze beschriebenen Vorteile, vorteilhaften Effekte und Weiterbildungen finden auch Anwendung auf das erfindungsgemäße Verfahren zur Herstellung der Zündkerze.The advantages, advantageous effects and developments described for the spark plug according to the invention are also applied to the method according to the invention for producing the spark plug.

Technisch mit geringem Aufwand wird das Verpressen vorteilhafterweise mit einem Stempel ausgeführt. Der Stempel hat dabei vorzugsweise eine Form, die der Negativform des zu verpressenden Mittelelektrodenkopfes entspricht, so dass eine gleichförmige Kraftübertragung zur zentrierenden Anordnung und Befestigung der Mittelelektrode im keramischen Isolator ausgeübt werden kann.Technically with little effort, the pressing is advantageously carried out with a punch. The punch preferably has a shape which corresponds to the negative shape of the center electrode head to be pressed, so that a uniform force transmission can be exerted for the centering arrangement and fastening of the center electrode in the ceramic insulator.

Weiter vorteilhaft umfasst das Verfahren den Schritt des Einbringens eines elektrisch leitfähigen Verbindungelements in den Hohlraum des keramischen Isolators, so dass der Mittelelektrodenkopf mit dem elektrischen Anschlussbereich der Zündkerze elektrisch leitend verbunden wird. Vorteilhaft erfolgt im Anschluss daran ein Aufschmelzen des elektrisch leitfähigen Verbindungselements, z.B. in einem Ofen, wodurch die wärmeleitende Anordnung und Befestigung des Mittelelektrodenkopfes dauerhaft fixiert werden.The method further advantageously comprises the step of introducing an electrically conductive connection element into the cavity of the ceramic insulator, so that the center electrode head is connected in an electrically conductive manner to the electrical connection area of the spark plug. Advantageously, the electrically conductive connecting element is subsequently melted, e.g. in an oven, whereby the thermally conductive arrangement and fastening of the center electrode head are permanently fixed.

Kurze Beschreibung der ZeichnungenBrief description of the drawings

Nachfolgend wird ein Ausführungsbeispiel der Erfindung unter Bezugnahme auf die begleitende Zeichnung im Detail beschrieben. In der Zeichnung ist:

Figur 1
eine Teilschnittansicht einer Zündkerze gemäß einer vorteilhaften Weiterbildung der Erfindung und
Figur 2
eine Schnittansicht eines Abschnitts der Zündkerze aus Figur 1.
An exemplary embodiment of the invention is described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawing. In the drawing is:
Figure 1
a partial sectional view of a spark plug according to an advantageous development of the invention and
Figure 2
Figure 3 is a sectional view of a portion of the spark plug Figure 1 .

Ausführungsform der ErfindungEmbodiment of the invention

Wie aus Figur 1 ersichtlich ist, umfasst die Zündkerze 1 eine Masseelektrode 2 und eine Mittelelektrode 3. Ein keramischer Isolator 7 ist derart vorgesehen, dass die Mittelelektrode 3 in bekannter Weise etwas vom Isolator 7 vorsteht. Die Mittelelektrode 3 ist aus einem Material gefertigt, kann aber auch eine Kern-Mantel Struktur aufweisen, beispielsweise einen Mantel aus nickelhaltigem Material und einen Kern aus kupferhaltigem Material, was einen Wärmeabtransport vom brennraumzugewandten Mittelelektrodenfuß auf den Isolator 7 verbessert. Zudem kann brennraumseitig ein Edelmetallstift zur Erzeugung eines Funkenplasmas vorgesehen sein.How out Figure 1 As can be seen, the spark plug 1 comprises a ground electrode 2 and a center electrode 3. A ceramic insulator 7 is provided in such a way that the center electrode 3 protrudes somewhat from the insulator 7 in a known manner. The center electrode 3 is made of one material, but can also have a core-jacket Have structure, for example a jacket made of nickel-containing material and a core made of copper-containing material, which improves heat dissipation from the central electrode base facing the combustion chamber to the insulator 7. In addition, a noble metal pin for generating a spark plasma can be provided on the combustion chamber side.

Der Isolator 7 selbst ist teilweise von einem Gehäuse 6 umgeben. Das Bezugszeichen 13 bezeichnet einen elektrischen Anschlussbereich der Zündkerze 1. Von dem elektrischen Anschlussbereich 13 ist eine elektrisch leitfähige Verbindung über einen Anschlussbolzen und ein z.B. aus einem elektrisch leitfähigen Glas hergestelltes Verbindungselement 8 zur Mittelelektrode 3 vorgesehen.The insulator 7 itself is partially surrounded by a housing 6. The reference numeral 13 denotes an electrical connection area of the spark plug 1. An electrically conductive connection is made from the electrical connection area 13 via a connecting bolt and a e.g. Connection element 8 made of electrically conductive glass to the center electrode 3 is provided.

Die Mittelelektrode 3 weist einen in Richtung des elektrisch leitfähigen Verbindungselements 8 angeordneten Mittelelektrodenkopf 5 auf. Hierbei steht eine Stirnseite 10 des Mittelelektrodenkopfes 5 mit dem elektrisch leitfähigen Verbindungselement 8 in Kontakt.The center electrode 3 has a center electrode head 5 arranged in the direction of the electrically conductive connecting element 8. Here, an end face 10 of the center electrode head 5 is in contact with the electrically conductive connecting element 8.

Ein Durchmesser des Mittelelektrodenkopfes 5 ist größer als ein Durchmesser eines brennraumzugewandten Mittelelektrodenabschnitts 4. Hierbei ist in einem Übergangsbereich zwischen Mittelelektrodenkopf 5 und dem brennraumzugewandten Mittelelektrodenabschnitt 4 am Mittelelektrodenkopf 5 eine Schulter 12 ausgebildet, die auf einem entsprechend ausgebildeten Abschnitt des Isolators 7 zu liegen kommt.A diameter of the center electrode head 5 is greater than a diameter of a center electrode section 4 facing the combustion chamber. In this case, a shoulder 12 is formed in a transition area between the center electrode head 5 and the center electrode section 4 facing the combustion chamber on the center electrode head 5 and comes to rest on a correspondingly designed section of the insulator 7.

Ein Außenumfang des Mittelelektrodenkopfes 5 steht in wärmeleitendem Kontakt mit dem keramischen Isolator 7, so dass zwischen dem Außenumfang des Mittelelektrodenkopfes 5 und dem keramischen Isolator 7 ein wärmeleitender Kontaktbereich 9 ausgebildet ist.An outer circumference of the center electrode head 5 is in thermally conductive contact with the ceramic insulator 7, so that a thermally conductive contact area 9 is formed between the outer circumference of the center electrode head 5 and the ceramic insulator 7.

Der wärmeleitende Kontaktbereich 9 ist in Figur 2 näher dargestellt. Gemäß der hier gezeigten vorteilhaften Weiterbildung bildet der gesamte Außenumfang des Mittelelektrodenkopfes 5 mit dem keramischen Isolator 7 einen wärmeleitenden Kontaktbereich 9. Mit anderen Worten steht der gesamte Außenumfang des Mittelelektrodenkopfes 5 inklusive seiner Schulter 12 in direktem Kontakt mit dem Isolator 7, so dass zwischen diesen Bauteilen weder ein Luftspalt, noch, wie bei herkömmlichen Zündkerzen, ein elektrisch leitfähiges Verbindungselement 8 vorgesehen ist.The thermally conductive contact area 9 is in Figure 2 shown in more detail. According to the advantageous development shown here, the entire outer circumference of the center electrode head 5 and the ceramic insulator 7 form a heat-conducting contact area 9. In other words, the entire outer circumference of the center electrode head 5 including its shoulder 12 is in direct contact with the insulator 7, so that between these components neither an air gap nor, as with conventional spark plugs, an electrically conductive connecting element 8 is provided.

Hierzu ist insbesondere zwischen dem Mittelelektrodenkopf 5 und dem Isolator 7 eine Pressverbindung ausgebildet. Dadurch wird auch eine Gasdichtheit des wärmeleitenden Kontaktbereichs 9 zwischen Mittelelektrodenkopf 5 und Isolator 7 verbessert.For this purpose, a press connection is formed in particular between the center electrode head 5 and the insulator 7. This also improves the gas tightness of the thermally conductive contact area 9 between the center electrode head 5 and the insulator 7.

Der wärmeleitende Kontaktbereich 9 erstreckt sich in Axialrichtung X-X der Zündkerze 1 über eine Länge L von mindestens 1 mm, insbesondere von 1,5 bis 4,5 mm, da so eine besonders große Wärmeaustauschfläche zwischen Mitteleelektrodenkopf 5 und Isolator 7 bereitgestellt werden kann.The heat-conducting contact area 9 extends in the axial direction X-X of the spark plug 1 over a length L of at least 1 mm, in particular from 1.5 to 4.5 mm, since a particularly large heat exchange surface can be provided between the center electrode head 5 and the insulator 7.

Weiter vorteilhaft beträgt ein Durchmesser D des Mittelelektrodenkopfes 5 am wärmeleitenden Kontaktbereich 9 mindestens 2 mm, insbesondere 2 bis 4 mm und ein Verhältnis L/D der Länge L des wärmeleitenden Kontaktbereichs 9 zum Durchmesser D des wärmeleitenden Kontaktbereichs 9 ist mindestens 0,75. Durch Variation des Verhältnisses L/D kann in Abhängigkeit der Dimensionierung der Zündkerze 1 der wärmeleitende Kontaktbereich 9 auf eine maximale Größe vergrößert werden.A diameter D of the center electrode head 5 on the thermally conductive contact area 9 is also advantageously at least 2 mm, in particular 2 to 4 mm, and a ratio L / D of the length L of the thermally conductive contact area 9 to the diameter D of the thermally conductive contact area 9 is at least 0.75. By varying the ratio L / D, depending on the dimensions of the spark plug 1, the heat-conducting contact area 9 can be enlarged to a maximum size.

Der Mittelelektrodenkopf 5 weist in Richtung seiner Stirnseite 10 einen becherartigen Bereich 11, und damit einen in Richtung des elektrisch leitfähigen Verbindungselements 8 ausgerichteten konkaven Bereich, auf. Hierdurch wird bei reduziertem Mittelelektrodenkopfvolumen ein besonders großer wärmeleitender Kontaktbereich 9 bei sehr guter Kontaktierung des elektrisch leitfähigen Verbindungselements 8 erhalten. Die Mittelelektrode 3 ist somit zudem formschlüssig in den Isolator und das elektrisch leitfähige Verbindungselement 8 eingepasst, wodurch die Mittelelektrode 3 im keramischen Isolator 7 zentrierend stabilisiert wird.The center electrode head 5 has a cup-like region 11 in the direction of its end face 10, and thus a concave region oriented in the direction of the electrically conductive connecting element 8. In this way, with a reduced central electrode head volume, a particularly large thermally conductive contact area 9 is obtained with very good contacting of the electrically conductive connecting element 8. The center electrode 3 is therefore also fitted in a form-fitting manner into the insulator and the electrically conductive connecting element 8, as a result of which the center electrode 3 is stabilized in a centering manner in the ceramic insulator 7.

Claims (12)

  1. Spark plug comprising
    - an earth electrode (2),
    - a centre electrode (3) and
    - a ceramic insulator (7) which is designed to receive the centre electrode (3),
    - wherein the centre electrode (3) comprises a centre electrode head (5) which is situated in the direction of an electrical connection region (13) of the spark plug (1) and has an end side (10) which is in contact with an electrically conductive connecting element (8) which is arranged between the electrical connection region (13) and the centre electrode head (5), and
    - wherein the centre electrode head (5) is in thermally conductive contact with the ceramic insulator (7) on its outer circumference at least in sections and forms a thermally conductive contact region (9),
    wherein the centre electrode head (5) has, on the end side (10), a cup-like region (11) and therefore a concave region which is oriented in the direction of the electrically conductive connecting element (8), characterized in that the thermally conductive contact region (9) extends over a length (L) of at least 1 mm in the axial direction (X-X) of the spark plug.
  2. Spark plug according to Claim 1, characterized in that the entire outer circumference of the centre electrode head (5) forms a thermally conductive contact region (9) with the ceramic insulator (7).
  3. Spark plug according to Claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the outer circumference of the centre electrode head (5) is in direct contact with the insulator (7).
  4. Spark plug according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a press-fit connection is formed between the centre electrode head (5) and the insulator (7) .
  5. Spark plug according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the thermally conductive contact region (9) between the centre electrode head (5) and the insulator (7) is formed in a gas-tight manner.
  6. Spark plug according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the thermally conductive contact region (9) extends over a length (L) of from 1.5 to 4.5 mm in the axial direction (X-X) of the spark plug (1).
  7. Spark plug according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a diameter (D) of the centre electrode head (5) at the thermally conductive contact region (9) is at least 2 mm, in particular 2 to 4 mm.
  8. Spark plug according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a ratio L/D of the length (L) of the thermally conductive contact region (9) to the diameter (D) of the thermally conductive contact region (9) is at least 0.75.
  9. Spark plug according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a diameter of the centre electrode head (5) is greater than a combustion chamber-facing centre electrode section (4), wherein a shoulder (12) is formed in a transition region between the centre electrode head (5) and the combustion chamber-facing centre electrode section (4) and is in thermally conductive contact with the ceramic insulator (7).
  10. Method for producing a spark plug (1) according to one of the preceding claims, comprising the steps of:
    - introducing the centre electrode (3) into a cavity of a ceramic insulator (7), so that the centre electrode head (5) comes to rest on a shoulder which is formed in the cavity of the ceramic insulator (7),
    - pressing the centre electrode (3) with the ceramic insulator (7), and
    - forming a thermally conductive contact region (9) between an outer circumference of the centre electrode head (5) and the ceramic insulator (7),
    wherein the centre electrode head (5) has, on the end side (10), a cup-like region (11) and therefore a concave region which is oriented in the direction of the electrically conductive connecting element (8), characterized in that the thermally conductive contact region (9) extends over a length (L) of at least 1 mm in the axial direction (X-X) of the spark plug.
  11. Method according to Claim 10, characterized in that pressing is executed using a plunger.
  12. Method according to either of Claims 10 and 11, further comprising the step of introducing an electrically conductive connecting element (8) into the cavity of the ceramic insulator (7), so that the centre electrode head (5) is electrically conductively connected to the electrical connection region (13) of the spark plug (1).
EP15763919.6A 2014-11-20 2015-09-16 Spark plug and method for producing a spark plug Active EP3221936B1 (en)

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DE102014223746.7A DE102014223746A1 (en) 2014-11-20 2014-11-20 Spark plug and method of making a spark plug
PCT/EP2015/071187 WO2016078795A1 (en) 2014-11-20 2015-09-16 Spark plug and method for producing a spark plug

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US7944135B2 (en) * 2008-08-29 2011-05-17 Federal-Mogul Ignition Company Spark plug and methods of construction thereof

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JPH03225785A (en) * 1990-01-30 1991-10-04 Ngk Spark Plug Co Ltd Spark plug for internal combustion engine
EP1203428B1 (en) * 1999-07-13 2008-03-12 AlliedSignal Inc. Spark plug including a wear-resistant electrode tip made from a co-extruded composite material, and method of making same
US7944135B2 (en) * 2008-08-29 2011-05-17 Federal-Mogul Ignition Company Spark plug and methods of construction thereof
WO2010131410A1 (en) * 2009-05-13 2010-11-18 日本特殊陶業株式会社 Spark plug

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US9979161B2 (en) 2018-05-22
EP3221936A1 (en) 2017-09-27
WO2016078795A1 (en) 2016-05-26

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