EP3736493A1 - Glow plug - Google Patents
Glow plug Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- EP3736493A1 EP3736493A1 EP18880219.3A EP18880219A EP3736493A1 EP 3736493 A1 EP3736493 A1 EP 3736493A1 EP 18880219 A EP18880219 A EP 18880219A EP 3736493 A1 EP3736493 A1 EP 3736493A1
- Authority
- EP
- European Patent Office
- Prior art keywords
- ceramic
- heat generating
- generating section
- tip
- length
- 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.)
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- 239000000919 ceramic Substances 0.000 claims abstract description 185
- 229910052581 Si3N4 Inorganic materials 0.000 description 36
- HQVNEWCFYHHQES-UHFFFAOYSA-N silicon nitride Chemical compound N12[Si]34N5[Si]62N3[Si]51N64 HQVNEWCFYHHQES-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 36
- 230000000052 comparative effect Effects 0.000 description 22
- VYPSYNLAJGMNEJ-UHFFFAOYSA-N Silicium dioxide Chemical compound O=[Si]=O VYPSYNLAJGMNEJ-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 12
- 238000002485 combustion reaction Methods 0.000 description 11
- 239000000463 material Substances 0.000 description 10
- 239000010936 titanium Substances 0.000 description 10
- 238000005219 brazing Methods 0.000 description 8
- 239000011651 chromium Substances 0.000 description 8
- 239000011572 manganese Substances 0.000 description 8
- 238000004088 simulation Methods 0.000 description 8
- 239000000377 silicon dioxide Substances 0.000 description 6
- RTAQQCXQSZGOHL-UHFFFAOYSA-N Titanium Chemical compound [Ti] RTAQQCXQSZGOHL-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 5
- 229910052719 titanium Inorganic materials 0.000 description 5
- VYZAMTAEIAYCRO-UHFFFAOYSA-N Chromium Chemical compound [Cr] VYZAMTAEIAYCRO-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 4
- XEEYBQQBJWHFJM-UHFFFAOYSA-N Iron Chemical compound [Fe] XEEYBQQBJWHFJM-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 4
- PWHULOQIROXLJO-UHFFFAOYSA-N Manganese Chemical compound [Mn] PWHULOQIROXLJO-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 4
- 229910052804 chromium Inorganic materials 0.000 description 4
- 230000000977 initiatory effect Effects 0.000 description 4
- 229910052748 manganese Inorganic materials 0.000 description 4
- UONOETXJSWQNOL-UHFFFAOYSA-N tungsten carbide Chemical compound [W+]#[C-] UONOETXJSWQNOL-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 4
- LEONUFNNVUYDNQ-UHFFFAOYSA-N vanadium atom Chemical compound [V] LEONUFNNVUYDNQ-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 4
- BQCADISMDOOEFD-UHFFFAOYSA-N Silver Chemical compound [Ag] BQCADISMDOOEFD-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 3
- 239000000945 filler Substances 0.000 description 3
- 235000012239 silicon dioxide Nutrition 0.000 description 3
- 229910052709 silver Inorganic materials 0.000 description 3
- 239000004332 silver Substances 0.000 description 3
- 238000005245 sintering Methods 0.000 description 3
- IJGRMHOSHXDMSA-UHFFFAOYSA-N Atomic nitrogen Chemical compound N#N IJGRMHOSHXDMSA-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 2
- 239000000654 additive Substances 0.000 description 2
- YXTPWUNVHCYOSP-UHFFFAOYSA-N bis($l^{2}-silanylidene)molybdenum Chemical compound [Si]=[Mo]=[Si] YXTPWUNVHCYOSP-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 2
- 239000004020 conductor Substances 0.000 description 2
- 238000009413 insulation Methods 0.000 description 2
- 239000007769 metal material Substances 0.000 description 2
- 229910021343 molybdenum disilicide Inorganic materials 0.000 description 2
- 150000004767 nitrides Chemical class 0.000 description 2
- TWNQGVIAIRXVLR-UHFFFAOYSA-N oxo(oxoalumanyloxy)alumane Chemical compound O=[Al]O[Al]=O TWNQGVIAIRXVLR-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 2
- SIWVEOZUMHYXCS-UHFFFAOYSA-N oxo(oxoyttriooxy)yttrium Chemical compound O=[Y]O[Y]=O SIWVEOZUMHYXCS-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 2
- 230000000737 periodic effect Effects 0.000 description 2
- 229910001404 rare earth metal oxide Inorganic materials 0.000 description 2
- 230000035882 stress Effects 0.000 description 2
- WFKWXMTUELFFGS-UHFFFAOYSA-N tungsten Chemical compound [W] WFKWXMTUELFFGS-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 2
- 229910052721 tungsten Inorganic materials 0.000 description 2
- 239000010937 tungsten Substances 0.000 description 2
- PZNSFCLAULLKQX-UHFFFAOYSA-N Boron nitride Chemical compound N#B PZNSFCLAULLKQX-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- ZOKXTWBITQBERF-UHFFFAOYSA-N Molybdenum Chemical compound [Mo] ZOKXTWBITQBERF-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- 229910008814 WSi2 Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- 230000000996 additive effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000032683 aging Effects 0.000 description 1
- 150000001875 compounds Chemical class 0.000 description 1
- 230000007797 corrosion Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000005260 corrosion Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000006866 deterioration Effects 0.000 description 1
- QDOXWKRWXJOMAK-UHFFFAOYSA-N dichromium trioxide Chemical compound O=[Cr]O[Cr]=O QDOXWKRWXJOMAK-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- 230000000694 effects Effects 0.000 description 1
- ZXGIFJXRQHZCGJ-UHFFFAOYSA-N erbium(3+);oxygen(2-) Chemical compound [O-2].[O-2].[O-2].[Er+3].[Er+3] ZXGIFJXRQHZCGJ-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- 230000017525 heat dissipation Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000007731 hot pressing Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000002347 injection Methods 0.000 description 1
- 239000007924 injection Substances 0.000 description 1
- WABPQHHGFIMREM-UHFFFAOYSA-N lead(0) Chemical compound [Pb] WABPQHHGFIMREM-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- 239000000203 mixture Substances 0.000 description 1
- 229910052750 molybdenum Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- 239000011733 molybdenum Substances 0.000 description 1
- 229910052757 nitrogen Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- 239000011224 oxide ceramic Substances 0.000 description 1
- 229910052574 oxide ceramic Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- UZLYXNNZYFBAQO-UHFFFAOYSA-N oxygen(2-);ytterbium(3+) Chemical compound [O-2].[O-2].[O-2].[Yb+3].[Yb+3] UZLYXNNZYFBAQO-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- 229910052761 rare earth metal Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- 229910021332 silicide Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- FVBUAEGBCNSCDD-UHFFFAOYSA-N silicide(4-) Chemical compound [Si-4] FVBUAEGBCNSCDD-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- 239000000243 solution Substances 0.000 description 1
- 229910001220 stainless steel Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- 239000010935 stainless steel Substances 0.000 description 1
- WQJQOUPTWCFRMM-UHFFFAOYSA-N tungsten disilicide Chemical compound [Si]#[W]#[Si] WQJQOUPTWCFRMM-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
Images
Classifications
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- 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
Definitions
- the present invention relates to a glow plug that is used to aid starting an internal combustion engine such as a diesel engine.
- a glow plug of a ceramic heater type As a glow plug used to aid starting a diesel engine, a glow plug of a ceramic heater type has been known.
- a glow plug of the ceramic heater type includes: a ceramic heater; and an outer cylinder that accommodates a part of the ceramic heater such that at least a tip of the ceramic heater is exposed.
- the ceramic heater has: a heat generating section arranged at the tip of the heater; and a lead connected to a rear end of the heat generating section and having lower resistivity than the heat generating section. These heat generating section and lead are covered with an insulating ceramic.
- an outer circumferential surface of the ceramic heater and an inner circumferential surface of the outer cylinder are electrically connected via a joint section such as brazing (for example, see PTL 1).
- a thickness of the insulating ceramic between an outer circumferential surface of the insulating ceramic and a conductive ceramic embedded in the insulating ceramic is not concerned for purposes of a rapid temperature increase of the ceramic heater and a reduction in power consumption. It is considered that thinning of the insulating ceramic is effective for the rapid temperature increase. However, aging deterioration of the insulating ceramic possibly accelerates exposure of the heat generating section inside. Thus, simple thinning of the insulating ceramic is not sufficient.
- the joint section between the ceramic heater and the outer cylinder is formed of a high thermal conducting brazing material, for example.
- heat is easily transferred from the ceramic heater to the outer cylinder. That is, the heat is likely to be released from the ceramic heater via the joint section.
- a position of the heat generating section in the ceramic heater, a joint range between the ceramic heater and the outer cylinder, and the like are not concerned from perspectives of the rapid temperature increase and the reduction in the power consumption.
- the present invention has been made in view of the above problem and therefore has a purpose of providing a glow plug capable of achieving a rapid temperature increase while suppressing power consumption.
- the present invention includes a ceramic heater that has a conductive ceramic and an insulating ceramic covering the conductive ceramic.
- the conductive ceramic has: a heat generating section that is arranged at a tip; and a lead that is connected to a rear end of the heat generating section.
- the insulating ceramic has a thinnest portion, where an outer circumferential surface thereof and the heat generating section are closest to each other, in a thickness of 0.5 to 0.7 mm.
- the thickness of the thinnest portion is preferably 0.57 to 0.66 mm.
- the outer circumferential surface of the insulating ceramic is preferably in a cylindrical shape that has a diameter of 2.9 to 3.1 mm.
- a length in an axial direction from a tip of the insulating ceramic to the rear end of the heat generating section is preferably equal to or shorter than 4.5 mm.
- the present invention further includes: a ceramic heater that has a conductive ceramic and an insulating ceramic covering the conductive ceramic; and an outer cylinder that accommodates a part of the ceramic heater such that at least a tip is exposed and an inner circumferential surface of which is joined to an outer circumferential surface of the ceramic heater via a joint section.
- the conductive ceramic has: a heat generating section that is arranged at a tip; and a lead that is connected to a rear end of the heat generating section.
- Fig. 1 is a cross-sectional view for illustrating a configuration of a glow plug.
- Fig. 2 is a cross-sectional view that is taken along line II-II in Fig. 1 .
- Fig. 3 is a cross-sectional view that is taken along line III-III in Fig. 1 .
- a glow plug 1 is a glow plug of a ceramic heater type, for example, and includes, as illustrated in Fig. 1 : a ceramic heater 10; a metallic outer cylinder 20 that accommodates a part of the ceramic heater 10 such that at least a tip thereof is exposed and an inner circumferential surface of which is joined to an outer circumferential surface of the ceramic heater 10 via a joint section 21; and a housing 30.
- the ceramic heater 10 aids starting an internal combustion engine, has the tip that is inserted in a combustion chamber (a pre-combustion chamber in the case of the internal combustion engine of a pre-combustion type or the combustion chamber of the internal combustion engine in the case of the internal combustion engine of a direct-injection type), and is fixed to the housing 30 via the outer cylinder 20.
- the ceramic heater 10 is formed of a ceramic.
- the ceramic heater 10 has a conductive ceramic 11 and an insulating ceramic 16 that covers the conductive ceramic 11.
- the conductive ceramic 11 is heated by energization in the glow plug 1, and has: a heat generating section 12 that is arranged at a tip and is molded in a U-shape; and a lead 14 that is connected to a rear end of the heat generating section 12.
- the heat generating section 12 is not limited to have a particular shape but can have any one of various shapes such as a circle, an oval, an elongated circle, and a polygon.
- the heat generating section 12 has: a pair of extending sections 12a, 12b that extend in parallel with each other along the axis x of the ceramic heater 10; and a curved section 12c that couples the extending sections 12a, 12b.
- the heat generating section 12 is located within a range of 4.5 mm from a tip of the insulating ceramic 16, and is dimensioned to have a length l 1 of 3.5 mm along the axis x of the ceramic heater 10.
- the heat generating section 12 is a heat generating resistance element having high resistivity against the lead 14, and is formed of the conductive ceramic.
- the heat generating section 12 is formed of a material that has, as a primary component, a carbide, a nitride, or a silicide containing tungsten (W), molybdenum (Mo), titanium (Ti), or the like.
- the heat generating section 12 is particularly preferred to have high thermal resistance and contain tungsten carbide (WC) that has inorganic conductivity from a point of having low specific resistance.
- the heat generating section 12 contains silicon nitride (Si 3 N 4 ), and percentage of a silicon nitride (Si 3 N 4 ) content is preferably equal to or higher than 20% by mass.
- silicon nitride (Si 3 N 4 ) in the insulating ceramic 16 that contains a silicon nitride ceramic a conductor component that serves as the heat generating section 12 has a high coefficient of thermal expansion, and thus is usually in a state of being applied with tensile stress.
- silicon nitride (Si 3 N 4 ) to the heat generating section 12, the coefficient of thermal expansion is made to approximate the coefficient of thermal expansion of the insulating ceramic 16. In this way, it is possible to alleviate stress generated by a difference in the coefficient of thermal expansion at a time of a temperature increase and a time of a temperature decrease of the ceramic heater 10.
- the percentage of the silicon nitride (Si 3 N 4 ) content contained in the heat generating section 12 is equal to or lower than 40% by mass, a resistance value of the heat generating section 12 can be reduced to be small and stabilized.
- the percentage of the silicon nitride (Si 3 N 4 ) content in the heat generating section 12 is preferably 20 to 40% by mass.
- the percentage of the silicon nitride (Si 3 N 4 ) content is further preferably 25 to 35% by mass.
- the heat generating section 12 may contain at least one type of elements (titanium (Ti), vanadium (V), chromium (Cr), manganese (Mn), and iron (Fe)) in groups 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 of period 4 in a periodic table of elements.
- percentage of a content of each of the elements including titanium (Ti), vanadium (V), chromium (Cr), manganese (Mn), and iron (Fe) in the heat generating section 12 is preferably equal to or lower than 0.5 mol%.
- the tip of the lead 14 is connected to the rear end of the heat generating section 12, and a rear end thereof is exposed from the insulating ceramic 16.
- the lead 14 includes a positive electrode-side lead 14a and a negative electrode-side lead 14b.
- Each of the positive electrode-side lead 14a and the negative electrode-side lead 14b is formed of the conductive ceramic having low resistivity against the heat generating section 12.
- the positive electrode-side lead 14a and the negative electrode-side lead 14b extend in parallel with each other along the axis x of the ceramic heater 10.
- the positive electrode-side lead 14a and the negative electrode-side lead 14b are respectively connected to ends of the extending sections 12a, 12b of the heat generating section 12 extending in the U-shape.
- a tip of the positive electrode-side lead 14a is connected to the extending section 12a of the heat generating section 12.
- the positive electrode-side lead 14a extends to a rear end of the insulating ceramic 16.
- the positive electrode-side lead 14a is exposed from the insulating ceramic 16 and is electrically connected to a lead wire 115 via a cap-shaped connection section 114.
- a tip of the negative electrode-side lead 14b is connected to the extending section 12b of the heat generating section 12, and a rear end thereof has an exposed section 14c where a part of the negative electrode-side lead 14b is exposed to an outer circumferential surface of the insulating ceramic 16.
- the exposed section 14c of the lead 14 is joined to an inner circumferential surface of the outer cylinder 20 via the joint section 21, which will be described later, by brazing or the like.
- the lead 14 is electrically connected to the outer cylinder 20, which is formed of a metallic material having conductivity, via the exposed section 14c.
- the exposed section 14c of the lead 14 functions as a negative electrode-side electrode.
- the lead 14 contains, as a primary component, tungsten carbide (WC) that is an inorganic conductor, and silicon nitride (Si 3 N 4 ) is preferably added thereto such that percentage of the silicon nitride (Si 3 N 4 ) content becomes equal to or higher than 15% by mass. As the percentage of the silicon nitride (Si 3 N 4 ) content is increased, a coefficient of thermal expansion of each of the positive electrode-side lead 14a and the negative electrode-side lead 14b can approximate a coefficient of thermal expansion of silicon nitride (Si 3 N 4 ) that is contained in the insulating ceramic 16.
- WC tungsten carbide
- Si 3 N 4 silicon nitride
- the percentage of the silicon nitride content is equal to or lower than 40% by mass, a resistance value of each of the positive electrode-side lead 14a and the negative electrode-side lead 14b is reduced to be small and stabilized.
- the percentage of the silicon nitride (Si 3 N 4 ) content is preferably 15 to 40% by mass.
- the percentage of the silicon nitride (Si 3 N 4 ) content is further preferably 20 to 35% by mass.
- the lead 14 may contain an oxide and/or a nitride containing at least one type of elements (titanium (Ti), vanadium (V), chromium (Cr), manganese (Mn), and iron (Fe)) in groups 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 of period 4 in the periodic table of elements.
- the percentage of the content of each of the elements including titanium (Ti), vanadium (V), chromium (Cr), manganese (Mn), and iron (Fe) in the lead 14 is preferably equal to or lower than 0.5 mol%.
- the lead 14 is preferably a mixture that contains a rare earth element compound such as chromium oxide (Cr 2 O 3 ) of about several tens of ppm, and is a sintered body formed by sintering.
- a rare earth element compound such as chromium oxide (Cr 2 O 3 ) of about several tens of ppm
- the lead 14 is formed of the same material as that for the heat generating section 12, but contains a larger amount of the forming material than the heat generating section 12 and has a larger cross-sectional area than the heat generating section 12, for example. In this way, the lead 14 has the smaller resistance value per unit length than the heat generating section 12.
- the insulating ceramic 16 is a sintered body which is formed by sintering and the outer circumferential surface of which has a cylindrical shape, for example.
- the insulating ceramic 16 covers the conductive ceramic 11. More specifically, the insulating ceramic 16 covers the heat generating section 12 and the lead 14. In other words, the heat generating section 12 and the lead 14 are embedded in the insulating ceramic 16.
- the insulating ceramic 16 has a diameter d of 2.9 to 3.1 mm and the cylindrical outer circumferential surface.
- the diameter d is preferably 2.9 mm.
- the "diameter d of the insulating ceramic 16" is not a diameter of a dome-shaped portion but is a diameter of a cylindrical portion of the outer circumferential surface.
- a distance (length) l 2 between a tip of the curved section 12c of the heat generating section 12 and the tip of the insulating ceramic 16 is about 0.97 mm.
- a thickness t 1 of a thin portion (the thinnest portion) 16a where the outer circumferential surface of the insulating ceramic 16 is closest to each of the extending sections 12a, 12b of the heat generating section 12 falls within a range from 0.5 to 0.7 mm.
- the thickness t 1 of the thin portion 16a is preferably 0.57 to 0.66 mm.
- the "closest” in this embodiment means that the thickness t 1 of the thin portion 16a of the insulating ceramic 16 between the outer circumferential surface of the insulating ceramic 16 and each of the extending sections 12a, 12b of the heat generating section 12 (here, each of outer circumferential surfaces of the extending sections 12a, 12b) falls within the range from 0.5 to 0.7 mm.
- the thin portion 16a in the cross section that is perpendicular to the axis x, the thin portion 16a is a portion whose thickness t 1 that is the shortest distance from the outer circumferential surface of the insulating ceramic 16 to the outer circumferential surface of the heat generating section 12 is 0.5 to 0.7 mm.
- a portion other than the thin portion 16a may be 0.5 to 0.7 mm in thickness.
- the insulating ceramic 16 has a thin portion 16b in a region covering the lead 14.
- a thickness t 2 of insulating ceramic 16 between each of the positive electrode-side lead 14a and the negative electrode-side lead 14b and the outer circumferential surface of the insulating ceramic 16 falls within a range from 0.25 to 0.4 mm.
- the thin portion 16b is preferably 0.25 to 0.35 mm in thickness.
- the thin portion 16b is a portion whose thickness t 2 that is the shortest distance from the outer circumferential surface of the insulating ceramic 16 to the outer circumferential surface of the lead 14 is 0.25 to 0.4 mm.
- a length (a first length) A in an axis x direction from the tip of the insulating ceramic 16 to the rear end of the heat generating section 12, more specifically, to the rear end of each of the extending sections 12a, 12b of the heat generating section 12 is about 4.5 mm.
- a length (a second length) B in the axis x direction from the tip of the insulating ceramic 16 to a tip of the joint section 21, which will be described later, is 12 to 20 mm
- a length (a third length) C in the axis x direction of the joint section 21 is 2.8 to 10.8 mm.
- the length A with respect to the length B of the insulating ceramic 16 satisfies the following formula (Formula 1).
- the length A with respect to the length B of the insulating ceramic 16 preferably satisfies the following formula (Formula 3).
- the length C with respect to a total length (B + C) of the length B and the length C of the insulating ceramic 16 satisfies the following formula (Formula 2).
- the length C with respect to the total length (B + C) of the length B and the length C of the insulating ceramic 16 preferably satisfies the following formula (Formula 4).
- the entire heat generating section 12 is located within the range of 4.5 mm from the tip of the insulating ceramic 16 along the axis x.
- the ceramic heater 10 With the insulating ceramic 16 that is formed of the ceramic, it is possible to provide the ceramic heater 10 with high reliability during a rapid temperature increase.
- ceramics are ceramics having electric insulation properties such as an oxide ceramic, a nitrogen ceramic, and a carbide ceramic.
- silicon nitride as the primary component of the silicon nitride ceramic is superior in terms of high strength, high toughness, the high insulation property, and thermal resistance.
- This silicon nitride ceramic is obtained by mixing, as sintering additives, a rare earth oxide, an aluminum oxide (Al 2 O 3 ), a content of which is 0.5 to 3% by mass, and a silicon dioxide (SiO 2 ) with silicon nitride and by hot pressing, for example.
- the rare earth oxide are an yttrium oxide (Y 2 O 3 ), an ytterbium oxide (Yb 2 O 3 ), and an erbium oxide (Er 2 O 3 ), a content of each of which is 3 to 12% by mass.
- Silicon dioxide (SiO 2 ) is contained in such an amount that the sintered body contains 1.5 to 5% of a silicon dioxide (SiO 2 ) content by mass.
- the insulating ceramic 16 that is formed of the silicon nitride ceramic is used, molybdenum disilicide (MoSi 2 ) , tungsten disilicide (WSi 2 ), and the like are preferably mixed and dispersed.
- MoSi 2 molybdenum disilicide
- WSi 2 tungsten disilicide
- a coefficient of thermal expansion of the silicon nitride ceramic as a base material can approximate the coefficient of thermal expansion of the heat generating section 12. In this way, durability of the ceramic heater 10 can be improved.
- the outer cylinder 20 is formed of stainless steel such as SUS 430 in a cylindrical shape, for example. As illustrated in Fig. 1 , the outer cylinder 20 accommodates the ceramic heater 10 in a state where a tip portion of the ceramic heater 10 is exposed. In the state of accommodating the ceramic heater 10, the inner circumferential surface of the outer cylinder 20 is formed with the joint section 21 for a specified length along the axis x of the ceramic heater 10. For example, in the joint section 21, the ceramic heater 10 and the outer cylinder 20 are joined by brazing using a brazing material such as a silver filler.
- a brazing material such as a silver filler.
- the joint section 21 is formed by metalizing the outer circumferential surface of the insulating ceramic 16 with the brazing material such as the silver filler, and is formed for the specified length (corresponding to the length C.) between the outer circumferential surface of the ceramic heater 10 and the inner circumferential surface of the outer cylinder 20 along the axis x of the ceramic heater 10.
- the joint section 21 is formed from a tip of the outer cylinder 20 to a position where the rear end side of the insulating ceramic 16 contacts an inner circumferential surface of a tip portion 22 of the outer cylinder 20.
- a tip of the joint section 21 may be located in front of the outer cylinder 20 or inside the outer cylinder 20.
- the housing 30 is an attachment jig to a cylinder head of the engine, which is not illustrated, and, as illustrated in Fig. 1 , accommodates the ceramic heater 10 and the outer cylinder 20.
- the housing 30 is formed of a thermally conductive metallic material with a superior heat dissipation property.
- the housing 30 is formed in a cylindrical shape, for example.
- a rear end side of the ceramic heater 10 is partially supported by the outer cylinder 20, and the outer cylinder 20 is arranged in the housing 30. In this state, the tip side of the ceramic heater 10 is projected to the outside from a tip of the housing 30.
- Table 1 shows various specifications and various simulation results of Examples 1, 2 and Comparative Example 1.
- the diameter d (mm) of the insulating ceramic 16, the thickness t 1 (mm) of the thin portion 16a between the heat generating section 12 and the outer circumferential surface of the insulating ceramic 16, and the thickness t 2 (mm) of the thin portion 16b between the lead 14 and the outer circumferential surface of the insulating ceramic 16 are within the numerical ranges in the above embodiment.
- the numerical values do not fall within the numerical ranges in the above embodiment.
- Example 2 in which the diameter d of the ceramic heater 10 was smaller than 3.2 mm and the thickness t 1 of the thin portion 16a was less than 0.7 mm, temperature increase duration up to 1000 °C was shorter than that in Comparative Example 1 in which the diameter d was larger than 3.2 mm and the thickness t 1 of the thin portion 16a exceeded 0.7 mm.
- Example 2 in which the diameter d was 2.9 mm and the thickness t 1 was 0.57 mm, the temperature increase duration up to 1000 °C was shorter than 1 second, and thus a superior temperature increase property was exhibited.
- Example 2 Furthermore, it was found that the temperature of the heat generating section 12 after energization for two seconds in each of Examples 1, 2 was higher than the temperature in Comparative Example 1, the temperature exceeds 1500 °C in Example 2, and thus the superior temperature increase property was exhibited in Example 2.
- the diameter d further preferably satisfies a condition of 2.9 to 3.1 mm.
- the heat generating section 12 is possibly exposed early.
- tungsten (W) contained in the material for the heat generating section 12 is oxidized, which possibly destroys the heat generating section 12.
- the early exposure of the heat generating section 12 is avoided to achieve a long life span of the glow plug 1 and also to achieve the rapid temperature increase and the reduced power consumption.
- Table 2 shows various specifications and various simulation results of Examples 3 to 5 and Comparative Examples 2, 3.
- the diameter d (mm) of the insulating ceramic 16, the thickness t 1 (mm) of the thin portion 16a between the heat generating section 12 and the outer circumferential surface of the insulating ceramic 16, and the thickness t 2 (mm) of the thin portion 16b between the lead 14 and the outer circumferential surface of the insulating ceramic 16 are the same as those in Example 2 but the length B in the axial direction from the tip of the insulating ceramic 16 to the tip of the joint section 21 and the length C in the axial direction of the joint section 21 differ.
- the temperature of the ceramic heater 10 satisfying conditions that a ratio (A/B) of the length A to the length B in the insulating ceramic 16 was 0.2 to 0.4 and that a ratio (C/B + C) of the length C to the length B + C in the insulating ceramic 16 was 0.1 to 0.5 after 60 seconds reached about 1200 °C.
- Example 3 a value of A/B was 0.375, and a value of C/B + C was about 0.474. In Example 4, the value of A/B was about 0.321, and the value of C/B + C was about 0.386. In Example 5, the value of A/B was 0.225, and the value of C/B + C was about 0.123. In the case where Comparative Examples 2,3 in which none of the conditions of the ratios was satisfied were compared to Examples 3 to 5, it was found that the superior temperature increase property was exhibited in Examples 3 to 5.
- the consumed power after 60 seconds from the initiation of the simulations was equal to or lower than 29 W in the case where the above conditions of the ratios were satisfied as in Examples 3 to 5 and that the consumed power in Examples 3 to 5 was lower than the consumed power in Comparative Examples 2, 3.
- a joint area between the joint section 21, which is formed by the silver filler with high thermal conductivity, and the ceramic heater 10 is suppressed to be small. In this way, it is configured that heat from the ceramic heater 10 is unlikely to be released. Thus, a superior heat retaining property can be exhibited near the heat generating section 12.
- Example 3 to 5 the temperature near the heat generating section 12 could be kept high.
- a temperature of the joint section 21 between the negative electrode-side lead 14b and the outer cylinder 20, that is, a temperature of the exposed section 14c of the lead 14 could be suppressed below 450 °C.
- Comparative Examples 2, 3 the temperature of the exposed section of the lead was equal to or higher than 450 °C. From what have been described so far, it was found that, in Examples 3 to 5, a negative impact on the brazing material for the joint section 21 by heat could be suppressed to be small.
- Table 3 shows various specifications and various simulation results of Example 6 and Comparative Example 4 in which the diameter d (mm) of the insulating ceramic 16, the thickness t 1 (mm) of the thin portion between the heat generating section 12 and the outer circumferential surface of the insulating ceramic 16, and the thickness t 2 (mm) of the thin portion 16a between the lead 14 and the outer circumferential surface of the insulating ceramic 16 are the same as those in Example 2 but the length l 1 of the heat generating section 12 differs and Comparative Example 5 in which the diameter d (mm), the thickness t 1 (mm), and the thickness t 2 (mm) are the same as those in Comparative Example 1 and the length l 1 of the heat generating section 12 is the same as that in Example 6.
- Example 6 in which the length A in the axis x direction from the tip of the insulating ceramic 16 to the rear end of the heat generating section 12 became equal to or shorter than 4.5 mm (A ⁇ 4.5 (mm)), the temperature increase duration up to 1000 °C was 0.98 second and thus was shorter than 1 second.
- the thickness t 1 of the thin portion 16a where the outer circumferential surface of the insulating ceramic 16 is adjacent to the heat generating section 12 falls within the range from 0.5 to 0.7 mm.
- the thickness t 1 of the thin portion 16a is preferably 0.57 to 0.66 mm, and the diameter d of the insulating ceramic 16 is further preferably 2.9 to 3.1 mm.
- the entire heat generating section 12 is located within the range of 4.5 mm from the tip of the insulating ceramic 16, it is possible to shorten the duration until reaching 1000 °C in comparison with the case where the length A in the axis x direction from the tip of the insulating ceramic 16 to the rear ends of the extending sections 12a, 12b of the heat generating section 12 exceeds 4.5 mm.
- a cross-sectional shape of the ceramic heater 10 that is perpendicular to the axis x is not limited to a circular shape but may be another shape such as an oval shape or a polygonal shape.
- a cross-sectional shape of each of the heat generating section 12 and the lead 14 is not limited to the oval shape as illustrated in FIGs. 2, 3 but may be another shape such as the circular shape or the polygonal shape including a rectangular shape.
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Abstract
Description
- The present invention relates to a glow plug that is used to aid starting an internal combustion engine such as a diesel engine.
- As a glow plug used to aid starting a diesel engine, a glow plug of a ceramic heater type has been known. Such a glow plug of the ceramic heater type includes: a ceramic heater; and an outer cylinder that accommodates a part of the ceramic heater such that at least a tip of the ceramic heater is exposed. The ceramic heater has: a heat generating section arranged at the tip of the heater; and a lead connected to a rear end of the heat generating section and having lower resistivity than the heat generating section. These heat generating section and lead are covered with an insulating ceramic. In addition, an outer circumferential surface of the ceramic heater and an inner circumferential surface of the outer cylinder are electrically connected via a joint section such as brazing (for example, see PTL 1).
- PTL 1:
JP-A-2002-334768 - By the way, in recent years, it has been desired to rapidly increase a temperature inside a combustion chamber at a start of the internal combustion engine. However, in order to rapidly increase a temperature of the ceramic heater, for example, a large current is made to flow through the heat generating section via the lead at an initial energization stage so as to rapidly increase the temperature of the heater. As a result, power is significantly consumed.
- In regard to the conventional ceramic heaters, a thickness of the insulating ceramic between an outer circumferential surface of the insulating ceramic and a conductive ceramic embedded in the insulating ceramic is not concerned for purposes of a rapid temperature increase of the ceramic heater and a reduction in power consumption. It is considered that thinning of the insulating ceramic is effective for the rapid temperature increase. However, aging deterioration of the insulating ceramic possibly accelerates exposure of the heat generating section inside. Thus, simple thinning of the insulating ceramic is not sufficient.
- The joint section between the ceramic heater and the outer cylinder is formed of a high thermal conducting brazing material, for example. Thus, heat is easily transferred from the ceramic heater to the outer cylinder. That is, the heat is likely to be released from the ceramic heater via the joint section. However, a position of the heat generating section in the ceramic heater, a joint range between the ceramic heater and the outer cylinder, and the like are not concerned from perspectives of the rapid temperature increase and the reduction in the power consumption.
- The present invention has been made in view of the above problem and therefore has a purpose of providing a glow plug capable of achieving a rapid temperature increase while suppressing power consumption.
- In order to achieve the above purpose, the present invention includes a ceramic heater that has a conductive ceramic and an insulating ceramic covering the conductive ceramic. The conductive ceramic has: a heat generating section that is arranged at a tip; and a lead that is connected to a rear end of the heat generating section. In a cross section that is perpendicular to an axis of the ceramic heater, the insulating ceramic has a thinnest portion, where an outer circumferential surface thereof and the heat generating section are closest to each other, in a thickness of 0.5 to 0.7 mm.
- The thickness of the thinnest portion is preferably 0.57 to 0.66 mm.
- The outer circumferential surface of the insulating ceramic is preferably in a cylindrical shape that has a diameter of 2.9 to 3.1 mm.
- A length in an axial direction from a tip of the insulating ceramic to the rear end of the heat generating section is preferably equal to or shorter than 4.5 mm.
- In order to achieve the above purpose, the present invention further includes: a ceramic heater that has a conductive ceramic and an insulating ceramic covering the conductive ceramic; and an outer cylinder that accommodates a part of the ceramic heater such that at least a tip is exposed and an inner circumferential surface of which is joined to an outer circumferential surface of the ceramic heater via a joint section. The conductive ceramic has: a heat generating section that is arranged at a tip; and a lead that is connected to a rear end of the heat generating section. When a length in an axial direction from a tip of the insulating ceramic to the rear end of the heat generating section is set as a first length A, a length in the axial direction from the tip of the insulating ceramic to a tip of the joint section is set as a second length B, and a length in the axial direction of the joint section is set as a third length C, following
Formula 1 and Formula 2 are satisfied.
[Formula 1] -
- According to the present invention, it is possible to achieve a rapid temperature increase while suppressing power consumption.
-
-
Fig. 1 is a cross-sectional view for illustrating a configuration of a glow plug according to this embodiment. -
Fig. 2 is a cross-sectional view that is taken along line II-II inFig. 1 . -
Fig. 3 is a cross-sectional view that is taken along line III-III inFig. 1 . - A description will be made on a preferred embodiment of the present invention with reference to the drawings. Note that the embodiment, which will be described below, is merely one example and various embodiments can be implemented within the scope of the present invention.
Fig. 1 is a cross-sectional view for illustrating a configuration of a glow plug.Fig. 2 is a cross-sectional view that is taken along line II-II inFig. 1 .Fig. 3 is a cross-sectional view that is taken along line III-III inFig. 1 . - A
glow plug 1 is a glow plug of a ceramic heater type, for example, and includes, as illustrated inFig. 1 : aceramic heater 10; a metallicouter cylinder 20 that accommodates a part of theceramic heater 10 such that at least a tip thereof is exposed and an inner circumferential surface of which is joined to an outer circumferential surface of theceramic heater 10 via ajoint section 21; and ahousing 30. - The
ceramic heater 10 aids starting an internal combustion engine, has the tip that is inserted in a combustion chamber (a pre-combustion chamber in the case of the internal combustion engine of a pre-combustion type or the combustion chamber of the internal combustion engine in the case of the internal combustion engine of a direct-injection type), and is fixed to thehousing 30 via theouter cylinder 20. Theceramic heater 10 is formed of a ceramic. - The
ceramic heater 10 has a conductive ceramic 11 and an insulating ceramic 16 that covers the conductive ceramic 11. - The conductive ceramic 11 is heated by energization in the
glow plug 1, and has: aheat generating section 12 that is arranged at a tip and is molded in a U-shape; and alead 14 that is connected to a rear end of theheat generating section 12. In a cross-sectional view that is perpendicular to an axis x of theceramic heater 10, theheat generating section 12 is not limited to have a particular shape but can have any one of various shapes such as a circle, an oval, an elongated circle, and a polygon. - The
heat generating section 12 has: a pair of extendingsections ceramic heater 10; and acurved section 12c that couples the extendingsections heat generating section 12 is located within a range of 4.5 mm from a tip of the insulating ceramic 16, and is dimensioned to have a length l1 of 3.5 mm along the axis x of theceramic heater 10. - The
heat generating section 12 is a heat generating resistance element having high resistivity against thelead 14, and is formed of the conductive ceramic. For example, theheat generating section 12 is formed of a material that has, as a primary component, a carbide, a nitride, or a silicide containing tungsten (W), molybdenum (Mo), titanium (Ti), or the like. Theheat generating section 12 is particularly preferred to have high thermal resistance and contain tungsten carbide (WC) that has inorganic conductivity from a point of having low specific resistance. - In addition to the above primary component, the
heat generating section 12 contains silicon nitride (Si3N4), and percentage of a silicon nitride (Si3N4) content is preferably equal to or higher than 20% by mass. For example, compared to silicon nitride (Si3N4) in the insulating ceramic 16 that contains a silicon nitride ceramic, a conductor component that serves as theheat generating section 12 has a high coefficient of thermal expansion, and thus is usually in a state of being applied with tensile stress. However, by adding silicon nitride (Si3N4) to theheat generating section 12, the coefficient of thermal expansion is made to approximate the coefficient of thermal expansion of the insulating ceramic 16. In this way, it is possible to alleviate stress generated by a difference in the coefficient of thermal expansion at a time of a temperature increase and a time of a temperature decrease of theceramic heater 10. - In the case where the percentage of the silicon nitride (Si3N4) content contained in the
heat generating section 12 is equal to or lower than 40% by mass, a resistance value of theheat generating section 12 can be reduced to be small and stabilized. Thus, the percentage of the silicon nitride (Si3N4) content in theheat generating section 12 is preferably 20 to 40% by mass. The percentage of the silicon nitride (Si3N4) content is further preferably 25 to 35% by mass. - As a similar additive to the
heat generating section 12, boron nitride (BN) of 4 to 12% by mass may be added instead of silicon nitride (Si3N4). Furthermore, theheat generating section 12 may contain at least one type of elements (titanium (Ti), vanadium (V), chromium (Cr), manganese (Mn), and iron (Fe)) in groups 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 of period 4 in a periodic table of elements. - For example, percentage of a content of each of the elements including titanium (Ti), vanadium (V), chromium (Cr), manganese (Mn), and iron (Fe) in the
heat generating section 12 is preferably equal to or lower than 0.5 mol%. - The tip of the
lead 14 is connected to the rear end of theheat generating section 12, and a rear end thereof is exposed from the insulatingceramic 16. Thelead 14 includes a positive electrode-side lead 14a and a negative electrode-side lead 14b. - Each of the positive electrode-
side lead 14a and the negative electrode-side lead 14b is formed of the conductive ceramic having low resistivity against theheat generating section 12. The positive electrode-side lead 14a and the negative electrode-side lead 14b extend in parallel with each other along the axis x of theceramic heater 10. The positive electrode-side lead 14a and the negative electrode-side lead 14b are respectively connected to ends of the extendingsections heat generating section 12 extending in the U-shape. - A tip of the positive electrode-
side lead 14a is connected to the extendingsection 12a of theheat generating section 12. In the insulatingceramic 16, the positive electrode-side lead 14a extends to a rear end of the insulatingceramic 16. At a rear end of theceramic heater 10, the positive electrode-side lead 14a is exposed from the insulatingceramic 16 and is electrically connected to alead wire 115 via a cap-shapedconnection section 114. - A tip of the negative electrode-
side lead 14b is connected to the extendingsection 12b of theheat generating section 12, and a rear end thereof has an exposedsection 14c where a part of the negative electrode-side lead 14b is exposed to an outer circumferential surface of the insulatingceramic 16. The exposedsection 14c of thelead 14 is joined to an inner circumferential surface of theouter cylinder 20 via thejoint section 21, which will be described later, by brazing or the like. Thelead 14 is electrically connected to theouter cylinder 20, which is formed of a metallic material having conductivity, via the exposedsection 14c. The exposedsection 14c of the lead 14 functions as a negative electrode-side electrode. - The
lead 14 contains, as a primary component, tungsten carbide (WC) that is an inorganic conductor, and silicon nitride (Si3N4) is preferably added thereto such that percentage of the silicon nitride (Si3N4) content becomes equal to or higher than 15% by mass. As the percentage of the silicon nitride (Si3N4) content is increased, a coefficient of thermal expansion of each of the positive electrode-side lead 14a and the negative electrode-side lead 14b can approximate a coefficient of thermal expansion of silicon nitride (Si3N4) that is contained in the insulatingceramic 16. - In the case where the percentage of the silicon nitride content is equal to or lower than 40% by mass, a resistance value of each of the positive electrode-
side lead 14a and the negative electrode-side lead 14b is reduced to be small and stabilized. Thus, the percentage of the silicon nitride (Si3N4) content is preferably 15 to 40% by mass. The percentage of the silicon nitride (Si3N4) content is further preferably 20 to 35% by mass. - Furthermore, the
lead 14 may contain an oxide and/or a nitride containing at least one type of elements (titanium (Ti), vanadium (V), chromium (Cr), manganese (Mn), and iron (Fe)) in groups 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 of period 4 in the periodic table of elements. For example, the percentage of the content of each of the elements including titanium (Ti), vanadium (V), chromium (Cr), manganese (Mn), and iron (Fe) in thelead 14 is preferably equal to or lower than 0.5 mol%. - For example, the
lead 14 is preferably a mixture that contains a rare earth element compound such as chromium oxide (Cr2O3) of about several tens of ppm, and is a sintered body formed by sintering. - The
lead 14 is formed of the same material as that for theheat generating section 12, but contains a larger amount of the forming material than theheat generating section 12 and has a larger cross-sectional area than theheat generating section 12, for example. In this way, thelead 14 has the smaller resistance value per unit length than theheat generating section 12. - The insulating
ceramic 16 is a sintered body which is formed by sintering and the outer circumferential surface of which has a cylindrical shape, for example. The insulatingceramic 16 covers the conductive ceramic 11. More specifically, the insulatingceramic 16 covers theheat generating section 12 and thelead 14. In other words, theheat generating section 12 and thelead 14 are embedded in the insulatingceramic 16. - The insulating
ceramic 16 has a diameter d of 2.9 to 3.1 mm and the cylindrical outer circumferential surface. In particular, the diameter d is preferably 2.9 mm. Here, the "diameter d of the insulatingceramic 16" is not a diameter of a dome-shaped portion but is a diameter of a cylindrical portion of the outer circumferential surface. A distance (length) l2 between a tip of thecurved section 12c of theheat generating section 12 and the tip of the insulatingceramic 16 is about 0.97 mm. - In the cross section that is perpendicular to the axis x, in the insulating
ceramic 16, a thickness t1 of a thin portion (the thinnest portion) 16a where the outer circumferential surface of the insulatingceramic 16 is closest to each of the extendingsections heat generating section 12 falls within a range from 0.5 to 0.7 mm. The thickness t1 of thethin portion 16a is preferably 0.57 to 0.66 mm. - Here, the "closest" in this embodiment means that the thickness t1 of the
thin portion 16a of the insulatingceramic 16 between the outer circumferential surface of the insulatingceramic 16 and each of the extendingsections sections Fig. 2 , in the cross section that is perpendicular to the axis x, thethin portion 16a is a portion whose thickness t1 that is the shortest distance from the outer circumferential surface of the insulatingceramic 16 to the outer circumferential surface of theheat generating section 12 is 0.5 to 0.7 mm. However, a portion other than thethin portion 16a may be 0.5 to 0.7 mm in thickness. - The insulating
ceramic 16 has athin portion 16b in a region covering thelead 14. In thethin portion 16b, a thickness t2 of insulatingceramic 16 between each of the positive electrode-side lead 14a and the negative electrode-side lead 14b and the outer circumferential surface of the insulatingceramic 16 falls within a range from 0.25 to 0.4 mm. Thethin portion 16b is preferably 0.25 to 0.35 mm in thickness. - As illustrated in
Fig. 3 , in the cross section that is perpendicular to the axis x, thethin portion 16b is a portion whose thickness t2 that is the shortest distance from the outer circumferential surface of the insulatingceramic 16 to the outer circumferential surface of thelead 14 is 0.25 to 0.4 mm. - A length (a first length) A in an axis x direction from the tip of the insulating
ceramic 16 to the rear end of theheat generating section 12, more specifically, to the rear end of each of the extendingsections heat generating section 12 is about 4.5 mm. A length (a second length) B in the axis x direction from the tip of the insulatingceramic 16 to a tip of thejoint section 21, which will be described later, is 12 to 20 mm, and a length (a third length) C in the axis x direction of thejoint section 21 is 2.8 to 10.8 mm. -
-
-
-
- The length (l1 + l2 = A) in the axis x direction from the tip of the insulating
ceramic 16 to the rear end of theheat generating section 12, more specifically, to the rear end of each of the extendingsections heat generating section 12 is equal to or shorter than 4.5 mm. The entireheat generating section 12 is located within the range of 4.5 mm from the tip of the insulatingceramic 16 along the axis x. - With the insulating
ceramic 16 that is formed of the ceramic, it is possible to provide theceramic heater 10 with high reliability during a rapid temperature increase. Specific examples of ceramics are ceramics having electric insulation properties such as an oxide ceramic, a nitrogen ceramic, and a carbide ceramic. - In particular, silicon nitride as the primary component of the silicon nitride ceramic is superior in terms of high strength, high toughness, the high insulation property, and thermal resistance. This silicon nitride ceramic is obtained by mixing, as sintering additives, a rare earth oxide, an aluminum oxide (Al2O3), a content of which is 0.5 to 3% by mass, and a silicon dioxide (SiO2) with silicon nitride and by hot pressing, for example. Examples of the rare earth oxide are an yttrium oxide (Y2O3), an ytterbium oxide (Yb2O3), and an erbium oxide (Er2O3), a content of each of which is 3 to 12% by mass. Silicon dioxide (SiO2) is contained in such an amount that the sintered body contains 1.5 to 5% of a silicon dioxide (SiO2) content by mass.
- In the case where the insulating
ceramic 16 that is formed of the silicon nitride ceramic is used, molybdenum disilicide (MoSi2) , tungsten disilicide (WSi2), and the like are preferably mixed and dispersed. In this case, a coefficient of thermal expansion of the silicon nitride ceramic as a base material can approximate the coefficient of thermal expansion of theheat generating section 12. In this way, durability of theceramic heater 10 can be improved. - The
outer cylinder 20 is formed of stainless steel such as SUS 430 in a cylindrical shape, for example. As illustrated inFig. 1 , theouter cylinder 20 accommodates theceramic heater 10 in a state where a tip portion of theceramic heater 10 is exposed. In the state of accommodating theceramic heater 10, the inner circumferential surface of theouter cylinder 20 is formed with thejoint section 21 for a specified length along the axis x of theceramic heater 10. For example, in thejoint section 21, theceramic heater 10 and theouter cylinder 20 are joined by brazing using a brazing material such as a silver filler. - The
joint section 21 is formed by metalizing the outer circumferential surface of the insulatingceramic 16 with the brazing material such as the silver filler, and is formed for the specified length (corresponding to the length C.) between the outer circumferential surface of theceramic heater 10 and the inner circumferential surface of theouter cylinder 20 along the axis x of theceramic heater 10. In this embodiment, thejoint section 21 is formed from a tip of theouter cylinder 20 to a position where the rear end side of the insulating ceramic 16 contacts an inner circumferential surface of atip portion 22 of theouter cylinder 20. Here, on the axis x, a tip of thejoint section 21 may be located in front of theouter cylinder 20 or inside theouter cylinder 20. - The
housing 30 is an attachment jig to a cylinder head of the engine, which is not illustrated, and, as illustrated inFig. 1 , accommodates theceramic heater 10 and theouter cylinder 20. - The
housing 30 is formed of a thermally conductive metallic material with a superior heat dissipation property. Thehousing 30 is formed in a cylindrical shape, for example. A rear end side of theceramic heater 10 is partially supported by theouter cylinder 20, and theouter cylinder 20 is arranged in thehousing 30. In this state, the tip side of theceramic heater 10 is projected to the outside from a tip of thehousing 30. - A description will hereinafter be made on comparative examples based on the conventional glow plug and specific examples of the
glow plug 1 according to the embodiment. The present invention is not particularly limited to these examples. Numerical values described below are numerical values obtained in simulations. - Table 1 shows various specifications and various simulation results of Examples 1, 2 and Comparative Example 1. In Examples 1, 2, in the
ceramic heater 10, the diameter d (mm) of the insulatingceramic 16, the thickness t1 (mm) of thethin portion 16a between theheat generating section 12 and the outer circumferential surface of the insulatingceramic 16, and the thickness t2 (mm) of thethin portion 16b between the lead 14 and the outer circumferential surface of the insulatingceramic 16 are within the numerical ranges in the above embodiment. In Comparative Example 1, the numerical values do not fall within the numerical ranges in the above embodiment.[Table 1] Diameter d of heater element (mm) Thickness t1 of thin portion between heat generating section and insulating member (mm) Thickness t2 of thinnest portion between lead and insulating member (mm) Consumed power after 60 seconds (W) Temperature increase duration up to 1000 °C at position 2 mm from tip of heater element (s) Temperature of heat generating section after energization for 2 seconds (°C) Example 1 3.1 0.66 0.35 35.2 1.23 1453.8 Example 2 2.9 0.57 0.25 34.5 0.94 1548.2 Comparative Example 1 3.22 0.72 0.41 35.6 1.39 1401.1 - After initiation of the simulations, a current with a voltage of 11 V was applied to the glow plugs 1 according to Examples 1, 2 and Comparative Example 1 for first two seconds, and thereafter the current with the voltage of 7 V was applied thereto.
- As a result, as understood from Table 1, it was found that the consumed power in Examples 1, 2 after 60 seconds from the initiation of the simulations were 35. 2 W and 34.5 W, respectively, and thus were lower than the consumed power 35.6 W in Comparative Example 1.
- In addition, in each of Examples 1, 2 in which the diameter d of the
ceramic heater 10 was smaller than 3.2 mm and the thickness t1 of thethin portion 16a was less than 0.7 mm, temperature increase duration up to 1000 °C was shorter than that in Comparative Example 1 in which the diameter d was larger than 3.2 mm and the thickness t1 of thethin portion 16a exceeded 0.7 mm. In particular, in Example 2 in which the diameter d was 2.9 mm and the thickness t1 was 0.57 mm, the temperature increase duration up to 1000 °C was shorter than 1 second, and thus a superior temperature increase property was exhibited. - Furthermore, it was found that the temperature of the
heat generating section 12 after energization for two seconds in each of Examples 1, 2 was higher than the temperature in Comparative Example 1, the temperature exceeds 1500 °C in Example 2, and thus the superior temperature increase property was exhibited in Example 2. - As a volume of the insulating
ceramic 16 is increased, more heat is diffused from theheat generating section 12. Thus, it was found that, when the thickness t1 of thethin portion 16a satisfied a condition of 0.5 to 0.7 mm as in Examples 1, 2, the superior temperature increase property was exhibited. The diameter d further preferably satisfies a condition of 2.9 to 3.1 mm. - Note that, in the case where the thickness t1 is less than 0.5 mm and corrosion of the insulating
ceramic 16 progresses over a period of time, theheat generating section 12 is possibly exposed early. When theheat generating section 12 is exposed, tungsten (W) contained in the material for theheat generating section 12 is oxidized, which possibly destroys theheat generating section 12. In Example 2, the early exposure of theheat generating section 12 is avoided to achieve a long life span of theglow plug 1 and also to achieve the rapid temperature increase and the reduced power consumption. - Next, Table 2 shows various specifications and various simulation results of Examples 3 to 5 and Comparative Examples 2, 3. In Examples 3 to 5, the diameter d (mm) of the insulating
ceramic 16, the thickness t1 (mm) of thethin portion 16a between theheat generating section 12 and the outer circumferential surface of the insulatingceramic 16, and the thickness t2 (mm) of thethin portion 16b between the lead 14 and the outer circumferential surface of the insulatingceramic 16 are the same as those in Example 2 but the length B in the axial direction from the tip of the insulatingceramic 16 to the tip of thejoint section 21 and the length C in the axial direction of thejoint section 21 differ. Note that the length A in the axial direction from the tip of the insulatingceramic 16 to the rear end of theheat generating section 12 is the same in Examples 3 to 5 and Comparative Examples 1, 2.[Table 2] Length A in axial direction from tip of insulating ceramic to rear end of heat generating section (mm) Length B in axial direction from tip of insulating ceramic to tip of joint section (mm) Length C in axial direction of joint section (mm) A/B C/(B + C) Temperature after 60 seconds at position 2 mm from tip of heater element (°C) Consumed power after 60 seconds (W) Temperature in contact section between negative electrode-side lead and outer cylinder (°C) Example 3 4.5 12 10.8 0.375 0.47368 1199 29 434 Example 4 4.5 14 8.8 0.32143 0.38597 1208 28.98 419.54 Example 5 4.5 20 2.8 0.225 0.12281 1219 28.6 378 Comparative Example 2 4.5 8 14.8 0.5625 0.64912 1166 29.5 466 Comparative Example 3 4.5 10 12.8 0.45 0.5614 1186 29.2 450 - As understood from Table 2, it was found that the temperature at a point of 2 mm from the tip of the
ceramic heater 10 after 60 seconds from the initiation of the simulations was increased as a ratio of the exposure of theceramic heater 10 from theouter cylinder 20 was increased, that is, a region of theceramic heater 10 brazed to theouter cylinder 20 was reduced. - More specifically, as in Examples 3 to 5, the temperature of the
ceramic heater 10 satisfying conditions that a ratio (A/B) of the length A to the length B in the insulatingceramic 16 was 0.2 to 0.4 and that a ratio (C/B + C) of the length C to the length B + C in the insulatingceramic 16 was 0.1 to 0.5 after 60 seconds reached about 1200 °C. - In Example 3, a value of A/B was 0.375, and a value of C/B + C was about 0.474. In Example 4, the value of A/B was about 0.321, and the value of C/B + C was about 0.386. In Example 5, the value of A/B was 0.225, and the value of C/B + C was about 0.123. In the case where Comparative Examples 2,3 in which none of the conditions of the ratios was satisfied were compared to Examples 3 to 5, it was found that the superior temperature increase property was exhibited in Examples 3 to 5.
- Furthermore, it was found that the consumed power after 60 seconds from the initiation of the simulations was equal to or lower than 29 W in the case where the above conditions of the ratios were satisfied as in Examples 3 to 5 and that the consumed power in Examples 3 to 5 was lower than the consumed power in Comparative Examples 2, 3.
- Moreover, in Examples 3 to 5, a joint area between the
joint section 21, which is formed by the silver filler with high thermal conductivity, and theceramic heater 10 is suppressed to be small. In this way, it is configured that heat from theceramic heater 10 is unlikely to be released. Thus, a superior heat retaining property can be exhibited near theheat generating section 12. - In particular, in Examples 3 to 5, the temperature near the
heat generating section 12 could be kept high. Thus, a temperature of thejoint section 21 between the negative electrode-side lead 14b and theouter cylinder 20, that is, a temperature of the exposedsection 14c of thelead 14 could be suppressed below 450 °C. On the contrary, in Comparative Examples 2, 3, the temperature of the exposed section of the lead was equal to or higher than 450 °C. From what have been described so far, it was found that, in Examples 3 to 5, a negative impact on the brazing material for thejoint section 21 by heat could be suppressed to be small. - Next, Table 3 shows various specifications and various simulation results of Example 6 and Comparative Example 4 in which the diameter d (mm) of the insulating
ceramic 16, the thickness t1 (mm) of the thin portion between theheat generating section 12 and the outer circumferential surface of the insulatingceramic 16, and the thickness t2 (mm) of thethin portion 16a between the lead 14 and the outer circumferential surface of the insulatingceramic 16 are the same as those in Example 2 but the length l1 of theheat generating section 12 differs and Comparative Example 5 in which the diameter d (mm), the thickness t1 (mm), and the thickness t2 (mm) are the same as those in Comparative Example 1 and the length l1 of theheat generating section 12 is the same as that in Example 6.[Table 3] Diameter dmax Of heater element (mm) Distance l2 from tip of insulating member to tip of heat generating section (mm) Length l1 of heat generating section (mm) Condition for voltage (V) Temperature increase duration up to 1000 °C at position 2 mm from tip of heater element (s) Temperature of position 2 mm from tip of heater element after 60 seconds (°C) Example 6 2.9 0.97 3.5 First 1.4 seconds: 11 V Thereafter: 6.3 V 0.98 1187 Comparative Example 4 2.9 0.97 4.5 First 2 seconds: 11 V Thereafter: 7 V 1.08 1259 Comparative Example 5 3.22 0.97 3.5 First 1.8 seconds: 11 V Thereafter: 6.8 V 1.32 1181 - As understood from Table 3, in Example 6 in which the length A in the axis x direction from the tip of the insulating
ceramic 16 to the rear end of theheat generating section 12 became equal to or shorter than 4.5 mm (A ≤ 4.5 (mm)), the temperature increase duration up to 1000 °C was 0.98 second and thus was shorter than 1 second. - On the contrary, in Comparative Example 4 in which the length A in the axial direction from the tip of the insulating
ceramic 16 to the rear end of theheat generating section 12 exceeded 4.5 mm (A > 4.5 (mm)), the temperature increase duration up to 1000 °C was 1.08 seconds and thus exceeded 1 second. - Also from this, it was found that, when the length A in the axis x direction from the tip of the insulating
ceramic 16 to the rear end of theheat generating section 12 was equal to or shorter than 4.5 mm, the temperature increase duration up to 1000 °C in theceramic heater 10 was reduced. - It was found that, in the case where the diameter d was 3.22 mm (exceeded 2.9 mm) even when the length A in the axial direction from the tip of the insulating
ceramic 16 to the rear end of theheat generating section 12 was equal to or shorter than 4.5 mm (A ≤ 4.5 (mm)) as in Comparative Example 5, the temperature increase duration up to 1000 °C was 1.32 seconds and thus the temperature increase property was inferior to that in Example 6. - According to the
glow plug 1 that has been described so far, the thickness t1 of thethin portion 16a where the outer circumferential surface of the insulatingceramic 16 is adjacent to theheat generating section 12 falls within the range from 0.5 to 0.7 mm. As a result, compared to the glow plug in which thethin portion 16a falls out of the above range, it is possible to significantly improve the temperature increase property and suppress the power consumption. The thickness t1 of thethin portion 16a is preferably 0.57 to 0.66 mm, and the diameter d of the insulatingceramic 16 is further preferably 2.9 to 3.1 mm. - Since the length A in the axis x direction from the tip of the insulating
ceramic 16 to the rear ends of the extendingsections heat generating section 12 is equal to or shorter than 4.5 mm, in other words, the entireheat generating section 12 is located within the range of 4.5 mm from the tip of the insulatingceramic 16, it is possible to shorten the duration until reaching 1000 °C in comparison with the case where the length A in the axis x direction from the tip of the insulatingceramic 16 to the rear ends of the extendingsections heat generating section 12 exceeds 4.5 mm. - In addition, according to the
glow plug 1, when the length A in the axis x direction from the tip of the insulatingceramic 16 to the rear ends of the extendingsections heat generating section 12, the length B in the axis x direction from the tip of the insulatingceramic 16 to the tip of thejoint section 21, and the length C in the axis x direction of thejoint section 21 satisfy followingFormula 1 and Formula 2,
[Formula 9]section 14c of the negative electrode-side lead 14b and theouter cylinder 20. In this way, it is possible to reduce a load by the heat to the brazing material for thejoint section 21 that joins theceramic heater 10 and theouter cylinder 20. -
- The present invention is not limited to the above embodiment. For example, a cross-sectional shape of the
ceramic heater 10 that is perpendicular to the axis x is not limited to a circular shape but may be another shape such as an oval shape or a polygonal shape. In addition, a cross-sectional shape of each of theheat generating section 12 and thelead 14 is not limited to the oval shape as illustrated inFIGs. 2, 3 but may be another shape such as the circular shape or the polygonal shape including a rectangular shape.
Claims (6)
- A glow plug comprising:a ceramic heater that has a conductive ceramic and an insulating ceramic covering the conductive ceramic, whereinthe conductive ceramic has: a heat generating section that is arranged at a tip; and a lead that is connected to a rear end of the heat generating section, andin a cross section that is perpendicular to an axis of the ceramic heater, the insulating ceramic has a thinnest portion where an outer circumferential surface thereof and the heat generating section are closest to each other in a thickness of 0.5 to 0.7 mm.
- The glow plug according to claim 1, wherein
the thickness of the thinnest portion is 0.57 to 0.66 mm. - The glow plug according to claim 1 or 2, wherein
the outer circumferential surface of the insulating ceramic is in a cylindrical shape that has a diameter of 2.9 to 3.1 mm. - The glow plug according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein
a length in an axial direction from a tip of the insulating ceramic to a rear end of the heat generating section is equal to or shorter than 4.5 mm. - A glow plug comprising:a ceramic heater that has a conductive ceramic and an insulating ceramic covering the conductive ceramic; andan outer cylinder that accommodates a part of the ceramic heater such that at least a tip is exposed and an inner circumferential surface of which is joined to an outer circumferential surface of the ceramic heater via a joint section, whereinthe conductive ceramic has: a heat generating section that is arranged at a tip; and a lead that is connected to a rear end of the heat generating section, andwhen a length in an axial direction from a tip of the insulating ceramic to the rear end of the heat generating section is set as a first length A,a length in the axial direction from the tip of the insulating ceramic to a tip of the joint section is set as a second length B, anda length in the axial direction of the joint section is set as a third length C,
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
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JP2017223485 | 2017-11-21 | ||
PCT/JP2018/035539 WO2019102708A1 (en) | 2017-11-21 | 2018-09-26 | Glow plug |
Publications (3)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
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EP3736493A1 true EP3736493A1 (en) | 2020-11-11 |
EP3736493A4 EP3736493A4 (en) | 2021-06-02 |
EP3736493B1 EP3736493B1 (en) | 2024-03-13 |
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ID=66630594
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
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EP18880219.3A Active EP3736493B1 (en) | 2017-11-21 | 2018-09-26 | Glow plug |
Country Status (3)
Country | Link |
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EP (1) | EP3736493B1 (en) |
JP (1) | JPWO2019102708A1 (en) |
WO (1) | WO2019102708A1 (en) |
Family Cites Families (14)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
JPS62731A (en) * | 1985-06-27 | 1987-01-06 | Jidosha Kiki Co Ltd | Glow plug for diesel engine |
JPH0220293U (en) * | 1988-07-26 | 1990-02-09 | ||
JPH07151332A (en) * | 1993-11-29 | 1995-06-13 | Kyocera Corp | Ceramic glow plug |
JP3426678B2 (en) * | 1994-01-31 | 2003-07-14 | 京セラ株式会社 | Ceramic heating element |
JP2001227744A (en) * | 2000-02-14 | 2001-08-24 | Denso Corp | Ceramic glow plug |
JP3766786B2 (en) * | 2000-12-28 | 2006-04-19 | 日本特殊陶業株式会社 | Ceramic heater and glow plug including the same |
JP4294232B2 (en) | 2001-05-02 | 2009-07-08 | 日本特殊陶業株式会社 | Ceramic heater and glow plug using the same |
JP2004061041A (en) * | 2002-07-31 | 2004-02-26 | Kyocera Corp | Ceramic glow plug |
JP2005315447A (en) * | 2004-04-27 | 2005-11-10 | Kyocera Corp | Ceramic heater and glow plug |
JP4794338B2 (en) * | 2006-03-29 | 2011-10-19 | 京セラ株式会社 | Ceramic heater |
JP5171335B2 (en) * | 2008-03-25 | 2013-03-27 | 日本特殊陶業株式会社 | Ceramic heater and glow plug |
JP5280877B2 (en) * | 2009-02-03 | 2013-09-04 | 日本特殊陶業株式会社 | Ceramic heater and glow plug |
JP4851570B2 (en) * | 2009-09-09 | 2012-01-11 | 日本特殊陶業株式会社 | Glow plug |
JP6603321B2 (en) * | 2015-08-29 | 2019-11-06 | 京セラ株式会社 | Heater and glow plug equipped with the same |
-
2018
- 2018-09-26 WO PCT/JP2018/035539 patent/WO2019102708A1/en unknown
- 2018-09-26 EP EP18880219.3A patent/EP3736493B1/en active Active
- 2018-09-26 JP JP2019556117A patent/JPWO2019102708A1/en active Pending
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
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WO2019102708A1 (en) | 2019-05-31 |
EP3736493A4 (en) | 2021-06-02 |
JPWO2019102708A1 (en) | 2020-10-22 |
EP3736493B1 (en) | 2024-03-13 |
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