EP3229331A2 - Dispositif d'allumage, système d'allumage, et connecteur - Google Patents

Dispositif d'allumage, système d'allumage, et connecteur Download PDF

Info

Publication number
EP3229331A2
EP3229331A2 EP15865499.6A EP15865499A EP3229331A2 EP 3229331 A2 EP3229331 A2 EP 3229331A2 EP 15865499 A EP15865499 A EP 15865499A EP 3229331 A2 EP3229331 A2 EP 3229331A2
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
center conductor
conductor
ignition device
discharge electrode
electromagnetic wave
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.)
Withdrawn
Application number
EP15865499.6A
Other languages
German (de)
English (en)
Inventor
Yuji Ikeda
Seiji Kanbara
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.)
Imagineering Inc
Original Assignee
Imagineering Inc
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 Imagineering Inc filed Critical Imagineering Inc
Publication of EP3229331A2 publication Critical patent/EP3229331A2/fr
Withdrawn legal-status Critical Current

Links

Images

Classifications

    • FMECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F02COMBUSTION ENGINES; HOT-GAS OR COMBUSTION-PRODUCT ENGINE PLANTS
    • F02PIGNITION, OTHER THAN COMPRESSION IGNITION, FOR INTERNAL-COMBUSTION ENGINES; TESTING OF IGNITION TIMING IN COMPRESSION-IGNITION ENGINES
    • F02P13/00Sparking plugs structurally combined with other parts of internal-combustion engines
    • HELECTRICITY
    • H01ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01TSPARK GAPS; OVERVOLTAGE ARRESTERS USING SPARK GAPS; SPARKING PLUGS; CORONA DEVICES; GENERATING IONS TO BE INTRODUCED INTO NON-ENCLOSED GASES
    • H01T13/00Sparking plugs
    • H01T13/20Sparking plugs characterised by features of the electrodes or insulation
    • FMECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F02COMBUSTION ENGINES; HOT-GAS OR COMBUSTION-PRODUCT ENGINE PLANTS
    • F02PIGNITION, OTHER THAN COMPRESSION IGNITION, FOR INTERNAL-COMBUSTION ENGINES; TESTING OF IGNITION TIMING IN COMPRESSION-IGNITION ENGINES
    • F02P23/00Other ignition
    • F02P23/04Other physical ignition means, e.g. using laser rays
    • F02P23/045Other physical ignition means, e.g. using laser rays using electromagnetic microwaves
    • HELECTRICITY
    • H01ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01PWAVEGUIDES; RESONATORS, LINES, OR OTHER DEVICES OF THE WAVEGUIDE TYPE
    • H01P7/00Resonators of the waveguide type
    • H01P7/04Coaxial resonators
    • HELECTRICITY
    • H01ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01TSPARK GAPS; OVERVOLTAGE ARRESTERS USING SPARK GAPS; SPARKING PLUGS; CORONA DEVICES; GENERATING IONS TO BE INTRODUCED INTO NON-ENCLOSED GASES
    • H01T13/00Sparking plugs
    • H01T13/50Sparking plugs having means for ionisation of gap

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to an ignition device that is used in an internal combustion engine and ignites fuel, or relates to a connector for the ignition device.
  • Patent Document 1 the art of expanding the ignited flame by microwave irradiation after fuel ignition by using spark plug, is disclosed.
  • Patent Document 1 Japanese Patent Publication No. 4876217
  • the high voltage circuit for driving the spark plug, and the high frequency circuit for generating the microwave i.e., two circuits, are required, and therefore, there are demerits of the device size enlargement and the cost high performance.
  • the present invention is made in view of the above points.
  • An ignition device of one type of the present invention comprises a center conductor configured to propagate an electromagnetic wave on a surface thereof, a ground conductor for surrounding the center conductor, a second center conductor in a cylindrical manner provided between the center conductor and the ground conductor, insulated from the ground conductor, connected to the center conductor at a rear end side, while separated from the center conductor at a front end side, an electromagnetic wave resonation structure formed by the center conductor and the second center conductor, and a projecting discharge electrode part formed on a side surface of a distal end of the center conductor.
  • a potential at the discharge electrode part is boosted by use of the electromagnetic wave resonation structure, and a discharge is caused between the discharge electrode part and the ground conductor.
  • An ignition device of other type of the present invention comprises a center conductor configured to propagate an electromagnetic wave on a surface thereof, a ground conductor for surrounding the center conductor, a second center conductor in a cylindrical manner provided between the center conductor and the ground conductor, insulated from the ground conductor, connected to the center conductor at a rear end side, while separated from the center conductor at a front end side, an electromagnetic wave resonation structure formed by the center conductor and the second center conductor, a projecting discharge electrode part formed on a side surface of a distal end of the center conductor, and a screw part for engaging with an inner wall of a spark-plug-mounting-port at an outer circumference side of the ground conductor.
  • a potential at the discharge electrode part is boosted by use of the electromagnetic wave resonation structure, and a discharge is caused between the discharge electrode part and the ground conductor.
  • An ignition device of another type of the present invention comprises a center conductor configured to propagate an electromagnetic wave on a surface thereof, a ground conductor for surrounding the center conductor, a projecting discharge electrode part formed on a side surface of a distal end of the center conductor, and an insulator in an annular manner arranged between the center conductor and the ground conductor.
  • An outflow/inflow part for permitting an outflow and an inflow of air-fuel mixture is provided on the insulator in the annular manner.
  • a connector for connecting an ignition device to a cable comprises an impedance matching circuit thereinside so as to match an impedance of an electromagnetic wave resonation structure inside the ignition device and an impedance of the cable.
  • the ignition device comprises a center conductor configured to propagate an electromagnetic wave on a surface thereof, a ground conductor for surrounding the center conductor, the electromagnetic wave resonation structure, and a projecting discharge electrode part formed on a side surface of a distal end of the center conductor.
  • a potential at the discharge electrode part is boosted by use of the electromagnetic wave resonation structure, and a discharge is caused between the discharge electrode part and the ground conductor.
  • An ignition system comprises an ignition device and a controller configured to control the ignition device, the ignition device including a center conductor configured to propagate an electromagnetic wave on a surface thereof, a ground conductor for surrounding the center conductor, a projecting discharge electrode part formed on a side surface of a distal end of the center conductor, an insulator in an annular manner arranged between the center conductor and the ground conductor, and an annular space provided at frontward of the insulator, and provided at rearward of the discharge electrode part.
  • the controller at least performs two operation modes, a normal operation mode and a second operation mode, the normal operation mode for driving the ignition device by a first duty ratio, and the second operation mode for driving the ignition device by a second duty ratio larger than the first duty ratio and eliminating deposits accumulated in the annular space therefrom.
  • an ignition device in that a device size enlargement and a high cost performance can be prevented, and an air-fuel ratio can be improved, can be provided.
  • an ignition device 10 of a first present embodiment comprises a center conductor 1, a second center conductor 3, an insulator 4, an insulator 5, a discharge electrode 6, a casing 7, and an O-ring 8.
  • the center conductor 1 is divided into a front side conductor 1A (in below, merely referred to "center conductor 1A") and a rear side conductor 1B (in below, merely referred to “center conductor 1B”), and they are formed in a stick manner.
  • the material thereof is conductive metal such as tungsten, molybdenum, brass, stainless (SUS), tantalum, and beryllium copper.
  • an insert hole is provided so as to insert a rear end of the center conductor 1A into.
  • an insert hole is provided so as to insert a center pin 21a of a coaxial connector 21 into.
  • the coaxial connector 21 corresponds to a connector to a coaxial cable 22 configured to transmit a microwave generated by a microwave oscillator, not illustrated.
  • the discharge electrode 6 in circular-truncated-cone-shape is jointed at the distal end part of the center conductor 1A.
  • a material such as copper, nickel alloy, is used for the discharge electrode 6.
  • the jointing method of the discharge electrode 6 with the center conductor 1A is, for example, laser welding or screw fastening.
  • the discharge electrode 6 is in shape of convex as directing to forward side, and therefore, the rear end part has a larger diameter, and the rear end is the closest to the casing 7. Accordingly, the discharge is caused between the rear end part and the casing 7.
  • the second center conductor 3 is made of cylindrical conductor.
  • the material thereof is conductive metal such as tungsten, molybdenum, brass, stainless (SUS), tantalum, and beryllium copper.
  • the second center conductor 3 is connected at the rear end side thereof to the center conductor 1B, while the distal end side thereof is connected to the insulator 5.
  • the center part of the second center conductor 3 is, facing to the center conductor 1A, spaced at distance by the annular space 2A, while, facing to the casing 7, spaced at distance by the space 2B.
  • the insulator 4 is positioned between the center conductor 1B at the rear end and the casing 7.
  • the insulator 4 electrically insulates the center conductor 1B at the rear end from the casing 7.
  • the material of the insulator 4 is, for example, ceramics based on aluminum (Al 2 O 3 ), steatite, silicon nitride.
  • the insulator 5 is also made of ceramics based on aluminum (Al 2 O 3 ), steatite, silicon nitride, for example.
  • the insulator 5 is formed in an annular manner between the center conductor 1A at the front end and the casing 7.
  • the insulator 5 electrically insulates the center conductor 1A from the casing 7, and improves a structural strength of the ignition device 10.
  • the insulator 5 is connected to the tip end side of the second center conductor 3, and functions as a part of the microwave transmission line as described later.
  • the casing 7 is made of the cylindrical conductor, and the material thereof is, for example, tungsten, molybdenum, brass, stainless (SUS), tantalum, and beryllium copper.
  • the discharge is caused when a potential difference between the sharpening part of the discharge electrode 6 and the ground electrode part 7a becomes a predetermined value or higher.
  • the casing 7 also has a function of the housing that incorporates the center conductor 1 thereinto, and prevents the microwave propagating through the center conductor 1 from leaking toward outside.
  • a recess portion 7c is formed at the rear end part of the casing 7 so as to insert the coaxial connector 21 thereinto. Further, a screw part 9 for engaging with a spark-plug-mounting-port is formed on a surface of outer circumference of the casing 7.
  • the o-ring 8 is mounted so as to fill up the space therebetween and secure and maintain an air-tightness.
  • a step portion 7b is formed on the tip end part of the casing 7 so as to prevent the center conductor 1 and etc. from coming-off.
  • the microwave inputted into the ignition device 10 from the coaxial connector 21 propagates on the surface of the center conductor 1B based on so called “skin-effect,” and then, enters the second center conductor 3.
  • the microwave propagates on outer surface of cylindrical-shape-second-center-conductor 3, and then, reaches to the front end side of the second center conductor 3.
  • the “skin-effect” means a phenomenon that current density in the conductor surface is high when "AC”, i.e., alternating current flows through the conductor, and current density is low when away from the surface.
  • the electromagnetic wave having a high frequency such as the microwave, the current concentrates to the surface.
  • the second center conductor 3 length is designed to be a quarter-wavelength of microwave, where the length does not directly or simply mean "microwave length divided by four accurately," but considering also the refractive index of the second center conductor 3. Then, if the design is performed such that a node of the microwave reaches to the rear end side of the second center conductor 3, an anti-node of the microwave is positioned at the front end side of the second center electrode 3, and then, the potential can be increased. Thereby, the potential at the distal end part of the ignition device 10, especially, the potential at the discharge electrode 6 can be increased, and the discharge can be caused between the discharge electrode 6 and the ground electrode part 7a.
  • the second center conductor 3 length is quarter-wavelength of microwave
  • the node of the microwave becomes positioned at the rear end side of the second center conductor 3.
  • the microwave reached to the rear end of the second center conductor 3 propagates on the surface of the center conductor 1A, and flows toward the front end side again.
  • the center conductor 1A length is also designed so as to be quarter-wavelength of the microwave. Therefore, the anti-node of microwave is positioned at the front end of the center conductor 1A, and the potential is increased.
  • the ignition device 10 thereinside has a microwave resonation structure comprising the second center conductor 3, the center conductor 1A, and the annular space 2A. Then, the discharge electrode 6 potential is boosted by use of the microwave resonation structure, and as the result, the difference in potential between the discharge electrode 6 and the ground electrode part 7a becomes increased. When difference in potential exceeds a predetermined value, the discharge is caused between the discharge electrode 6 and the ground electrode part 7a.
  • the coaxial cable 22 is directly connected to the rear end side of the center conductor 1.
  • an impedance matching circuit so as to adjust and make up for the difference is preferably interposed therebetween.
  • the coaxial connector 21, the center conductor 1 at the rear end side, the insulator 4 and etc. may form a circuit with a desirable frequency characteristic so as to function as an impedance matching circuit.
  • the impedance matching circuit may be formed at the coaxial connector 21 part.
  • the impedance can be matched also by providing a stub tuner at outside.
  • the inventors performed a characteristic-confirmation-experiment for the ignition device 10 by using the structure of the stub tuner provided at outside. As a result, the inventors succeeded in occurrence of discharge between the discharge electrode 6 and the ground electrode part 7a. Further, fuel ignition based on the discharge by the ignition device 10, where the fuel is air-mixture of methane with air, was succeeded by the inventors.
  • the ignition device 10 of the present embodiment differs from normal spark plug in that the microwave is used as power supply. Therefore, the discharge in high speed can continuously be caused, and non local thermodynamic equilibrium plasma can be generated in an arbitral timing. The larger amount of plasma over longer time period compared to the conventional spark plug can be generated, and therefore, the air-fuel-ratio can also be improved.
  • the spark plug for fuel ignition and the microwave irradiation means for ignited flame expansion referred in the Patent Document 1 can be combined together as the ignition device 10. Therefore, the high voltage circuit for driving the spark plug, and the high frequency circuit for generating the microwave, i.e., two circuits, are not required, and therefore, both the system size miniaturization and the cost reduction can be achieved.
  • the function of spark plug and the function of the microwave irradiation means can be combined together as one component, a plurality of mounting ports are not required to be provided to the cylinder head, and therefore, one mounting port is sufficient.
  • An outflow/inflow part for permitting an outflow or inflow of air, exactly, air-fuel mixture, is provided on the insulator 5.
  • the outflow/inflow part is formed, for example, by providing a plurality of insert holes, or providing a slit in a radial manner.
  • the fuel and air can be entered in the annular space 2B extending in an axial direction, formed between the second center conductor 3 and the casing 7.
  • the annular space 2B can be utilized as a cavity.
  • the outflow/inflow part may be provided on an inner circumference surface of the casing 7.
  • an inclination surface for controlling combustion-gas-injection-direction inside the cavity may be provided at the outflow/inflow part.
  • the center conductor 1 is constituted of two parts, i.e., conductors 1A and 1B, but the center conductor 1 may be formed by a single component.
  • the tip part 1a of the center conductor 1A is formed in circular-truncated-cone-shape and the diameter thereof is made in thicker and larger. Therefore, when the conductors 1A and 1B are formed in a single component, the cylindrical second center conductor 3 having a diameter thinner and smaller than the circular truncated cone part, cannot be arranged.
  • conductor part is divided into two parts, i.e., the conductor 1A and the conductor 1B, the rear end side of the conductor 1A is inserted into the inside of the second center conductor 3, and then, the conductor 1A is inserted into an insert hole of the conductor 1B, and thereby, an assembling work can easily be performed.
  • the structure of a casing 71 of an ignition device 30 of the present embodiment differs from the structure of the casing 7 of the ignition device 10 of the first embodiment. Moreover, a providing of a housing member 72 is not disclosed in the first embodiment.
  • the housing member 72 corresponds to a main body metal fitting of the normal spark plug, and a screw part 73 is mounted around the outer circumference thereof.
  • the inside thereof is replaced to the ignition device of the present invention, while utilizing the main body metal fitting of the spark plug being available in a market place.
  • the ignition device 30 can be mounted to the spark-plug-mounting-port of the conventional gasoline engine. Moreover, since the main body metal fitting of the secondhand spark plug can originally be reused, designing or manufacturing of the main body metal fitting becomes unnecessary, and cost reduction for the ignition device designing can be achieved.
  • the attachment to the spark-plug-mounting-port i.e., plug hole
  • the housing member 72 is also utilized to attach to the plug hole. Accordingly, the shape of casing is different from the first embodiment.
  • annular space 15 is formed at a rearward of the distal end part 1a of the center conductor 1 of the ignition device 10. If the annular space 15 is not existed or provided, and the front surface of the insulator 5 is positioned between the discharge electrode 6 and the ground electrode part 7a, deposits such as soot, carbon, or oil generated on fuel combustion adhere to the front surface of the insulator 5. As the result, the discharge cannot properly be caused between the discharge electrode 6 and the ground electrode part 7a. Accordingly, the annular space 15 is provided at a rearward of gap between the discharge electrode 6 and the ground electrode part 7a, and soot and etc. are temporarily accumulated or evacuated into the annular space 15. Thereby, a discharge failure problem can be resolved.
  • an ashing is preferably performed on a regular basis.
  • an ignition device 40 of a present embodiment differs from the ignition device 10 of the first embodiment in that the second center conductor 3 is not provided with.
  • Other structure is similar to the ignition device 10 of the first embodiment. However, the difference in this structure results in the microwave resonation structure difference.
  • the microwave inputted into the ignition device 40 from the coaxial connecter 21 propagates on the surface of the center conductor 1B, and then enters the center conductor 1A. Then, the microwave propagates on the surface of the center conductor 1A, and reaches to the front end side.
  • the length of the center conductor 1A is designed so as to be quarter-wavelength of the microwave. Accordingly, if the design is performed such that the node of the microwave reaches to the rear end of the center conductor 1A, the anti-node of microwave is positioned at the front end of the center conductor 1A, and the potential can be increased. Thereby, the potential at the distal end of the ignition device 40, especially, the potential at the discharge electrode 6 can be increased, and the discharge can be caused between the discharge electrode 6 and the ground electrode part 7a.
  • the microwave resonation structure comprising the center conductor 1A, the casing 7, and the annular space 2A, is formed inside the ignition device 40. Then, by use of the microwave resonation structure, the potential at the discharge electrode 6 is boosted. As the result, the potential difference between the discharge electrode 6 and the ground electrode part 7a becomes increased, and the discharge is caused between the discharge electrode 6 and the ground electrode part 7a when the potential difference exceeds a predetermined value.
  • the matching circuit configured to attain the impedance matching between the ignition device 10 and the coaxial cable 22 is formed in the coaxial connecter 21 part.
  • the impedance matching circuit may be formed at the coaxial connecter 21 part.

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
  • Combustion & Propulsion (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Electromagnetism (AREA)
  • Optics & Photonics (AREA)
  • Spark Plugs (AREA)
  • Ignition Installations For Internal Combustion Engines (AREA)
EP15865499.6A 2014-12-05 2015-12-07 Dispositif d'allumage, système d'allumage, et connecteur Withdrawn EP3229331A2 (fr)

Applications Claiming Priority (4)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
JP2014247363 2014-12-05
JP2014252510 2014-12-12
JP2015038771 2015-02-27
PCT/JP2015/084280 WO2016088899A2 (fr) 2014-12-05 2015-12-07 Dispositif d'allumage, système d'allumage, et connecteur

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP3229331A2 true EP3229331A2 (fr) 2017-10-11

Family

ID=56092628

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP15865499.6A Withdrawn EP3229331A2 (fr) 2014-12-05 2015-12-07 Dispositif d'allumage, système d'allumage, et connecteur

Country Status (3)

Country Link
EP (1) EP3229331A2 (fr)
JP (1) JPWO2016088899A1 (fr)
WO (1) WO2016088899A2 (fr)

Family Cites Families (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
JP4211124B2 (ja) * 1998-12-16 2009-01-21 株式会社日本自動車部品総合研究所 点火プラグ
JP4876217B2 (ja) * 2005-09-20 2012-02-15 イマジニアリング株式会社 点火装置、内燃機関
JP5152653B2 (ja) * 2008-05-20 2013-02-27 株式会社エーイーティー 火花放電点火方式とマイクロ波プラズマ点火方式を併用する点火装置
EP2463506B1 (fr) * 2009-08-06 2017-01-25 Imagineering, Inc. Mélangeur, dispositif de réglage, unité d'allumage et générateur de plasma
JP2013060869A (ja) * 2011-09-13 2013-04-04 Ngk Spark Plug Co Ltd 点火システム
JP5639565B2 (ja) * 2011-11-04 2014-12-10 日本特殊陶業株式会社 プラズマジェット点火プラグ

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
WO2016088899A2 (fr) 2016-06-09
JPWO2016088899A1 (ja) 2017-11-30
WO2016088899A3 (fr) 2016-07-28

Similar Documents

Publication Publication Date Title
JP4669486B2 (ja) プラズマジェット点火プラグおよびその点火システム
US7714488B2 (en) Plasma jet spark plug and ignition system for the same
US8082897B2 (en) Plasma jet ignition plug and ignition device for the same
US7204220B2 (en) Device for igniting an air-fuel mixture in an internal combustion engine by means of a high frequency electric energy source
US8047172B2 (en) Plasma jet ignition plug
JP5963775B2 (ja) コロナ形成の位置が制御されたコロナ点火器
CN103098324B (zh) 点火系统和火花塞
US8925532B2 (en) Power supply control for spark plug of internal combustion engine
JP2011034953A (ja) プラズマイグナイター及び内燃機関の点火装置
EP2782198B1 (fr) Bougie d'allumage plasma haute fréquence
EP3184796A1 (fr) Injecteur à dispositif d'allumage intégré, moteur à combustion interne, brûleur à gaz, et dispositif d'allumage
JP2017517675A (ja) 二重信号同軸空洞共振器プラズマ発生
EP3150841A1 (fr) Injecteur doté d'un système d'allumage intégré
EP3225832A1 (fr) Unité d'allumage, système d'allumage, et moteur à combustion interne
EP3229331A2 (fr) Dispositif d'allumage, système d'allumage, et connecteur
US7262547B2 (en) Spark plug element having defined dimensional parameters for its insulator component
JP2016522386A (ja) 内側接触型セラミック製加熱要素を備えたシーズ型グロープラグおよびその製造方法
JP2004087498A (ja) 内燃機関の空気・燃料混合気を点火するための装置
US10036361B2 (en) Ignition device
US20180183215A1 (en) Spark plug
CN114868315A (zh) 火花塞
JP6715600B2 (ja) 内燃機関用の点火プラグ
JP2005183396A (ja) 内燃機関で混合気を点火するための装置
JP2019525430A (ja) コロナ点火装置および組立方法
JP5971806B2 (ja) プラズマジェット点火プラグ及びその製造方法

Legal Events

Date Code Title Description
STAA Information on the status of an ep patent application or granted ep patent

Free format text: STATUS: THE INTERNATIONAL PUBLICATION HAS BEEN MADE

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

STAA Information on the status of an ep patent application or granted ep patent

Free format text: STATUS: REQUEST FOR EXAMINATION WAS MADE

17P Request for examination filed

Effective date: 20170626

AK Designated contracting states

Kind code of ref document: A2

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

DAV Request for validation of the european patent (deleted)
DAX Request for extension of the european patent (deleted)
STAA Information on the status of an ep patent application or granted ep patent

Free format text: STATUS: THE APPLICATION IS DEEMED TO BE WITHDRAWN

18D Application deemed to be withdrawn

Effective date: 20190702