JP2007005061A - Manufacturing method of spark plug - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To improve the accuracy of finishing in an eccentricity correction process after provisionally bending an earth electrode by making boundaries of respective members clear when the earth electrode side is pictured from a center electrode by a camera, in a manufacturing method of a spark plug. <P>SOLUTION: Neighborhoods of the center electrode 12 and a precious metal chip 14 are pictured by the camera 30 in a state that: a first illumination 61 and a second illumination 62 are lighted and a third illumination 63 is darker than the first illumination 61 and the second illumination 62; the first illumination 61 and the third illumination 63 are lighted and the second illumination 62 is darker than the first illumination 61 and the third illumination 63; all the illuminations including the first illumination 61, the second illumination 62 and the third illumination 63 are lighted. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a method for manufacturing a spark plug to be assembled in an internal combustion engine mounted on an automobile or the like.

  In the conventional spark plug, a columnar center electrode is insulated and held inside the housing, one end of the ground electrode is joined to one end surface of the housing, the middle part of the ground electrode is bent, and the other end of the ground electrode is the center electrode. It is arrange | positioned facing the front end surface. A cylindrical noble metal tip is joined to the ground electrode at a location facing the center electrode, and an intermediate portion of the ground electrode is bent so that the noble metal tip faces the center electrode. A spark gap is formed between them. Hereinafter, the surface of the ground electrode where the noble metal tip is bonded is referred to as a chip bonding surface, and the axis of the noble metal tip that is parallel to the bonding direction with respect to the ground electrode is referred to as a noble metal tip axis.

  Such a ground electrode is processed into a substantially L shape so that the spark gap is slightly larger than the standard by being temporarily bent after one end of the ground electrode is joined to the housing (for example, Patent Document 1). reference).

  Then, after the ground electrode is temporarily bent, an eccentricity correction process is performed on the ground electrode in an eccentricity correction process. Here, the eccentricity refers to a state where the noble metal tip axis and the center electrode axis are not coaxial when the work is viewed from the center electrode to the ground electrode side. In such eccentricity correction processing, first, illumination is arranged at a position facing the anti-chip joint surface of the ground electrode for the work for which the ground electrode has been temporarily bent, and a camera is disposed on the opposite side of the ground electrode from the illumination. Is placed.

In this state, the center electrode and the vicinity of the noble metal tip are photographed by the camera. Then, the amount of deviation between the center electrode axis and the noble metal tip axis is measured from the obtained image, and the side surface of the ground electrode is pressed with a correction punch based on the measurement result, and the ground electrode side is viewed from the center electrode on the workpiece. The center electrode axis and the noble metal tip axis are corrected so as to be coaxial.
JP 2002-231212 A

  However, in the above-described conventional technology, since only one illumination is installed at a position facing the anti-chip bonding surface, it is difficult for the illumination light to hit the chip bonding surface, the noble metal chip, and the center electrode. Therefore, since the noble metal tip and the center electrode are hidden by the shadow of the ground electrode, each member is displayed darkly in the image, and the boundary between the members is difficult to understand. As a result, the dimension measurement of each member becomes ambiguous, the precise positions of the noble metal tip axis and the center electrode axis cannot be obtained, and the processing accuracy in the eccentricity correction process cannot be increased.

  In view of the above points, an object of the present invention is to improve processing accuracy in an eccentricity correction process after provisional bending of a ground electrode in a spark plug manufacturing method.

  In order to achieve the above object, according to the present invention, illumination means for illuminating at least a surface extending in the central electrode axial direction of the anti-chip bonding surface of the temporarily bent ground electrode and a surface of the ground electrode facing the second orthogonal direction. (61 to 63) is used to photograph the central electrode and the vicinity of the noble metal tip by the photographing means (30) arranged in the first orthogonal direction, and from the center electrode to the ground electrode based on the image photographed by the photographing means When the side is viewed, the amount of deviation in the second orthogonal direction between the center electrode axis and the noble metal tip axis is obtained, and the eccentricity correction processing for the ground electrode is performed based on the amount of deviation.

  In this way, the anti-chip joint surface of the temporarily bent ground electrode and each surface of the ground electrode facing the second orthogonal direction are illuminated by the illumination means and photographed by the photographing means. Thereby, since a workpiece | work is illuminated from a 2nd orthogonal direction, a chip joint surface, a noble metal chip | tip, and a center electrode can be illuminated. Therefore, the noble metal tip and the center electrode do not need to be hidden by the shadow of the ground electrode, so that the boundary between the members can be reliably photographed. By using an image photographed using such an illumination means, it is possible to accurately measure the dimensions of each member, to obtain the accurate positions of the noble metal tip axis and the center electrode axis, and to correct the eccentricity. Can improve the machining accuracy.

  In the present invention, the first illumination (61) disposed at a position facing the anti-chip bonding surface and the second illumination (disposed in the second orthogonal direction and disposed so as to face the workpiece respectively) 62) and a third illumination (63).

  As described above, the anti-chip bonding surface of the ground electrode and each illumination arranged so as to be perpendicular to the anti-chip bonding surface and opposed to each other in the second orthogonal direction are used as the illumination means. Thereby, the background can be photographed brightly by the first illumination. In addition, each surface of the noble metal tip, the center electrode, and the ground electrode facing the second orthogonal direction can be clearly photographed by the second and third illuminations.

  In the present invention, the first illumination and the second illumination are turned on, the third illumination is made darker than the first illumination and the second illumination, the first illumination and the third illumination are turned on, and the second illumination is changed to the first illumination. Photographing the vicinity of the center electrode and the noble metal tip by the photographing means in a state where the illumination is darker than the third illumination, the first illumination, the second illumination, and the third illumination are all turned on. .

  In this way, shooting is performed by changing the lighting state of each illumination. Accordingly, when the first and second illuminations are turned on and the third illumination is darkened, the boundary between the surface of the ground electrode facing the third illumination and the background can be made clearer in the photographed image. it can. Similarly, when the first and third illuminations are turned on and the second illumination is darkened, the boundary between the surface of the ground electrode facing the second illumination and the background can be made clearer in the captured image. it can. Further, when all the illuminations are turned on, the boundary between the side facing the second and third illuminations in the center electrode and the noble metal tip and the chip joint surface of the ground electrode can be made clear.

  In the present invention, in the step of obtaining the shift amount, a plurality of windows (W1 to W7) are provided in the image, and the coordinates of the boundaries between the members or the boundaries between the members and the background (80) are acquired in these windows. It is characterized by that.

  As described above, the window is set in the image, and the boundary of each member and the coordinates of the boundary between each member and the background are acquired in the window. Thereby, the acquisition efficiency of the coordinates of the boundary to be acquired can be improved. In addition, since it is only necessary to search for the boundary for only a part of the entire image, the coordinates of the boundary can be obtained with certainty.

  In the present invention, the movement amount of the correction punch (71, 72) that presses each surface of the ground electrode facing the second orthogonal direction is obtained using the deviation amount, and the correction punch is driven based on the movement amount. An eccentricity correction process is performed on the ground electrode.

  In this way, the movement amount of the correction punch is obtained using the shift amount of each axis, and the ground electrode is processed by driving the correction punch based on the movement amount. Thereby, when the ground electrode side is viewed from the center electrode in the first orthogonal direction, the center electrode axis and the noble metal tip axis can be arranged coaxially.

  In the present invention, when the movement amount of the correction punch is larger than the correction threshold, the ground electrode is processed so that the noble metal tip axis does not exceed the center electrode axis in the second orthogonal direction, and the noble metal tip axis is changed to the center electrode axis. After that, the corrective punch is further driven in the same direction to process the ground electrode so that the noble metal tip axis is coaxial with the central electrode axis, and the amount of movement of the corrective punch is corrected. If it is below the threshold value, machine the ground electrode so that the noble metal tip axis exceeds the central electrode axis in the second orthogonal direction. Driven to process the ground electrode so that the noble metal tip axis is coaxial with the center electrode axis.

  Thus, the correction punch driving method is selected in accordance with the movement amount of the correction punch with respect to the correction threshold. Thereby, when the deviation | shift amount of each axis line is large, a noble metal chip | tip axis line can be brought close to a center electrode axis line by the 1st process, and each axis line can be arrange | positioned coaxially by the 2nd process. On the other hand, when the deviation amount of each axis is small, the ground electrode is processed so that the noble metal tip axis exceeds the center electrode axis in the first processing, and the axes are arranged coaxially in the second processing. can do. In this way, by selecting a correction punch driving method according to the amount of movement of the correction punch, the processing accuracy for the ground electrode can be improved.

  In addition, the code | symbol in the bracket | parenthesis of each said means shows the correspondence with the specific means as described in embodiment mentioned later.

(First embodiment)
Hereinafter, a first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 1 is a front view showing a spark plug manufactured by the manufacturing method of the present invention in a half section. As shown in FIG. 1, the spark plug 1 has a substantially cylindrical housing 10 made of a conductive steel material. The housing 10 has a substantially cylindrical insulator made of a ceramic having a high insulation property. 11 is inserted and fixed. A substantially cylindrical center electrode 12 made of a conductive metal material is inserted and fixed in the shaft hole 11 a of the insulator 11. Also, one end surface 10a of the housing 10 is joined to one end side of a plate-like ground electrode 13 made of an Ni-based alloy, and the other end side of the ground electrode 13 is made of, for example, Ir (iridium) alloy having excellent spark wear resistance. A cylindrical noble metal tip 14 is joined. In the present embodiment, an axis parallel to the bonding direction with respect to the ground electrode 13 in the noble metal tip 14 is referred to as a noble metal tip axis Z2 (see FIG. 4 described later).

  The ground electrode 13 is a linear plate member as indicated by a broken line before the temporary bending, and extends in the direction of the axis Z1 of the center electrode 12. Further, the ground electrode 13 is processed into a substantially L shape by provisional bending, and further bent to process the spark gap G into a predetermined dimension as shown by the solid line in FIG. In other words, the ground electrode 13 includes a leg portion 13a that extends substantially parallel to the center electrode axis Z1 and a facing portion 13b that extends in a direction substantially orthogonal to the center electrode axis Z1, and the noble metal tip 14 is centered. A predetermined spark gap G is formed between the noble metal tip 14 and the center electrode 12 in the direction of the center electrode axis Z1.

  In the present embodiment, the surface of the ground electrode 13 where the noble metal tip 14 is bonded is referred to as a chip bonding surface 13c, and the surface of the ground electrode 13 where the noble metal tip 14 is not bonded is referred to as an anti-chip bonding surface 13d. The above is the configuration near the center electrode 12 of the spark plug 1 manufactured by the manufacturing method of the present invention.

  Next, an apparatus for correcting the eccentricity of the ground electrode 13 after temporarily bending the ground electrode will be described with reference to the drawings. Here, the eccentricity means that the center electrode axis Z1 and the noble metal tip axis Z2 are not coaxial when the work is viewed from the center electrode 12 to the ground electrode 13 side (see FIG. 4).

  FIG. 2 is a schematic front view showing a preparatory processing apparatus used in a preparatory stage before performing eccentricity correction. As shown in FIG. 2, the preparatory processing apparatus includes a holder 20 that fixes and holds a work (spark plug 1) with a spark gap G portion upward, a camera 30 that captures the vicinity of both electrodes 12 and 13, and a camera 30. The image processing means 40 that processes the image signal output from the control unit 50 and the control means 50 that controls the plurality of driving devices based on the signal input from the image processing means 40 are configured. The camera 30 corresponds to the photographing means of the present invention, and for example, a CCD camera is employed.

  The image processing means 40 obtains the positions of the center electrode axis Z1 and the noble metal tip axis Z2 by measurement based on the image signal of the image input from the camera 30, and obtains the amount of deviation between the axes Z1 and Z2. Based on the amount, the drive amount (movement amount) of the correction punches 71 and 72 (see FIG. 4 described later) for correcting the eccentricity of the ground electrode 13 is obtained.

  Such an image processing means 40 includes a movement amount calculation program for calculating the movement amounts of the correction punches 71 and 72, a ROM, a RAM, a CPU, and an I / O port (all illustrated) in which various arithmetic expressions and data are stored. Not)). The eccentricity correction value obtained by the image processing means 40 is output to the control means 50.

  The control unit 50 has a function of operating the correction punch driving devices 73 and 74 for driving the correction punches 71 and 72 based on the eccentricity correction value data input from the image processing unit 40. Similar to the image processing unit 40, the control unit 50 includes a ROM, a RAM, a CPU, and an I / O port (all illustrated) in which various arithmetic expressions and data, a program for operating the driving device, and the like are stored. Not)).

  FIG. 3 is a schematic plan view showing the arrangement of the camera 30 shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 3, the camera 30 captures the vicinity of the electrodes 12 and 13 at the time after the temporary bending with respect to the ground electrode 13. Here, when the direction orthogonal to the center electrode axis Z1 and passing through the ground electrode 13 is a first orthogonal direction X, the photographing direction of the camera 30 is the first orthogonal direction X. A direction perpendicular to the center electrode axis Z1 and the first orthogonal direction X is defined as a second orthogonal direction Y.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 3, illuminations 61 to 63 are arranged in the vicinity of the workpiece. Specifically, it is arranged in the first orthogonal direction X, the first illumination 61 is arranged on the opposite side of the work 30 from the camera 30, and the anti-chip bonding surface 13d of the ground electrode 13 is illuminated. Yes. In addition, the second and third illuminations 62 and 63 are arranged in the second orthogonal direction Y so as to face the workpiece, respectively, and are surfaces perpendicular to the anti-chip bonding surface 13d of the ground electrode 13 (hereinafter referred to as the following). Then, each side surface of the ground electrode 13 is illuminated.

  As said 1st-3rd illumination 61-63, white LED (light emitting diode) is employ | adopted, for example. Each of the lights 61 to 63 is provided with a controller and is turned on or off based on a command from the control means 50.

  FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram of an eccentricity correction processing apparatus. As shown in FIG. 4, the eccentricity correction processing device includes first and second correction punches 71 and 72 and first and second correction punch driving devices 73 and 74. The first correction punch 71 faces one of the side surfaces of the ground electrode 13 after being temporarily bent, and is driven in the second orthogonal direction Y by the first correction punch driving device 73 controlled by the control means 50. The second correction punch 72 faces the other side surface of the ground electrode 13 after being temporarily bent, and is driven in the second orthogonal direction Y by the second correction punch driving device 74 controlled by the control means 50. . The first correction punch driving device 73 and the second correction punch driving device 74 use servo motors or hydraulic / pneumatic cylinders.

  The above is an apparatus used for an eccentricity correction process and its configuration when manufacturing the spark plug 1 according to the present embodiment.

  Next, of the manufacturing method of the spark plug 1 shown in FIG. 1, an eccentricity correction process step after temporarily bending the ground electrode 13 using the above apparatus will be described.

  First, in order to calculate the amount of deviation between the center electrode axis Z1 and the noble metal tip axis Z2 and the amount of movement of the correction punches 71 and 72, the vicinity of the electrodes 12 and 13 of the workpiece is photographed. FIG. 5 is a diagram schematically showing the contrast of the ground electrode 13 in the illumination patterns of the respective illuminations 61 to 63 and images taken in accordance with the respective illumination patterns. In addition, the dark part of FIG. 5 is expressed by dot hatching. Further, the camera 30 is omitted in FIG. 5, and members other than the center electrode 12, the ground electrode 13, and the noble metal tip 14 are omitted in each image shown in FIG. 5.

  FIG. 5A shows a pattern in which the first and second illuminations 61 and 62 are turned on and the third illumination 63 is turned off (hereinafter referred to as the first pattern) and the vicinity of the electrodes 12 and 13 photographed in the pattern. The image of is shown. As shown in this figure, the side surface 13e of the ground electrode 13 that faces the third illumination 63 is not illuminated, so the image is dark. However, since the first illumination 61 is lit, the background 80 is photographed brightly. Therefore, in the first pattern, the boundary between the side surface 13e of the ground electrode 13 and the background 80 is clearly photographed.

  FIG. 5B shows a pattern in which the first and third illuminations 61 and 63 are turned on and the second illumination 62 is turned off (hereinafter referred to as a second pattern), and each electrode 12 photographed in the pattern. 13 shows images in the vicinity of 13. As shown in this figure, the side surface 13f of the ground electrode 13 facing the second illumination 62 is not illuminated, so the image is dark. However, since the first illumination 61 is lit, the background 80 is photographed brightly. Therefore, in the second pattern, the boundary between the side surface 13f of the ground electrode 13 and the background 80 is clearly photographed.

  Further, FIG. 5C shows a pattern for lighting all of the first to third illuminations 61 to 63 (hereinafter referred to as a third pattern) and an image in the vicinity of the electrodes 12 and 13 photographed in the pattern. Is. As shown in this figure, in the third pattern, since all the illuminations 61 to 63 are lit, the background 80 and the side surfaces 13e and 13f of the ground electrode 13 are photographed brightly. Therefore, portions of the tip end side of the center electrode 12 and the noble metal tip 14 facing the second and third illuminations 62 and 63 are photographed brightly, and the first illumination 61 is lit, so that the tip of the ground electrode 13 is chipped. The joint surface 13c is photographed dark. Thereby, in the third pattern, the boundary between the portion of the center electrode 12 and the noble metal tip 14 facing the second and third illuminations 62 and 63 and the chip joint surface 13c is clearly photographed.

  As described above, the illuminations 61 to 63 are driven, and the vicinity of the electrodes 12 and 13 is photographed in each pattern.

  Thereafter, a method of detecting the amount of deviation between the center electrode axis Z1 and the noble metal tip axis Z2 based on these images and calculating the amount of movement of the correction punches 71 and 72 according to the amount of deviation is shown in FIGS. Description will be given with reference to 6-5. 6A to 6E, the position of the center electrode axis Z1 and the position of the noble metal tip axis Z2 are respectively detected to determine the shift amounts of the axes Z1 and Z2, and the correction punch 71 corresponding to the shift amount is obtained. , 72 is a flowchart showing the contents for obtaining the movement amount. The flowcharts shown in FIGS. 6-1 to 6-5 are executed in accordance with the movement amount calculation program stored in the image processing means 40, and the work is installed in the preparatory processing apparatus shown in FIGS. It is supposed to start.

  When the flowchart shown in FIG. 6A starts, in step 100, initial values are set. That is, initial values such as data for calculating the shift amounts of the axes Z1 and Z2 and the movement amounts of the correction punches 71 and 72 are set.

  In step 101, an image is input. That is, the images captured in the first to third patterns shown in FIG. 5 are captured.

  In step 102, an image binarization process is performed. In this step, each image captured in step 101 is processed so as to be displayed in shades of white and black.

  In step 103, the first window is set. Specifically, a first window surrounding the other end side of the ground electrode 13 is stretched in the image with respect to the image photographed in the third pattern shown in FIG. This is shown in FIG. FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a state in which the first window W1 is set in the image obtained with the illumination pattern shown in FIG. As shown in this figure, the other end side of the ground electrode 13 is surrounded by the first window W1. 7 to 13, members other than the center electrode 12, the ground electrode 13, and the noble metal tip 14 are omitted.

  In the present embodiment, in FIG. 7 and the following image diagrams, the upper left is the origin (0, 0), and the direction parallel to the one end surface 10a of the housing 10 (the right side of the page with respect to the origin) is x. The long axis direction of the shaft and the housing 10 (the vertical direction in the drawing with respect to the origin) is taken as the y axis.

  The first window W1 is stored in advance in the image processing means 40 as coordinates (that is, four coordinates) constituting the first window W1, and after the image data of the image is input to the image processing means 40 in this step. The first window W1 is formed by setting the coordinates constituting the first window W1 in the image. The windows formed below are the same.

  In step 104, it is determined whether a box has been detected. In this embodiment, the box refers to the most distal end portion of the ground electrode 13 shown in FIG. 7, that is, the portion of the anti-chip bonding surface 13 d that is farthest from the housing 10. Therefore, in this step, the coordinates of the box B1 are acquired in the first window W1.

  Specifically, the boundary between the ground electrode 13 and the background 80 is detected as a box B1. That is, when the change in the color of the image is monitored in the y-axis direction in the first window W1, for example, a boundary where a bright part (background 80) in the figure changes to a dark part (ground electrode 13) is detected. The coordinates of the place where the y-axis coordinate is the smallest value among the boundaries are detected. In this step, the boundary between the dark part and the bright part in the figure may not be detected, and the coordinates of the box B1 may not be detected. The same applies to each step of detecting the boundary shown below.

  After the coordinate detection of the box B1 is performed as described above, it is determined whether or not the box B1 is detected. That is, it is determined whether or not the coordinates of the box B1 have been acquired as described above. If it is determined in this step that the coordinates of the box B1 have not been acquired, the process proceeds to step 105 shown in FIG. On the other hand, if it is determined in this step that the coordinates of the box B1 have been acquired, the process proceeds to step 106.

  In step 105 shown in FIG. 6-5, error processing is performed. That is, the reason why the coordinates of the box B1 are not acquired in step 104 is considered to be a problem in the shooting situation and the work itself. Therefore, in this step, a process for calculating the movement amount of the correction punches 71 and 72 and a process for canceling the eccentricity correction processing step are performed on such a workpiece. By this error processing, the work fixedly held in the preparatory processing apparatus shown in FIG. 2 is removed from the preparatory processing apparatus. And this flowchart is complete | finished, another workpiece | work is attached to a preparation processing apparatus, and the flow shown by FIGS. 6-1-FIGS. 6-5 is started again.

  In step 106 shown in FIG. 6A, the second window W2 is set. Specifically, the location of the second window W2 is set based on the coordinates of the box B1 obtained in step 104 above. That is, the second window W2 is set in the first window W1 so as to include at least the side surfaces 13e and 13f of the ground electrode 13, and is stretched in the image. Such a second window W2 is a detection range for detecting edges (boundaries) between the side surfaces 13e and 13f of the ground electrode 13 and the background 80, as shown in FIG.

  In step 107, it is determined whether or not the second edge E2 is detected. In this step, first, in the second window W2 shown in FIG. 7, the boundary between the ground electrode 13 on the origin side on the x axis and the background 80 is detected as the second edge E2. That is, when the change in the color of the image is monitored in the x-axis direction in the second window W2, a boundary where the bright part (background 80) in the figure changes to the dark part (ground electrode 13) is detected. The coordinates of the boundary are obtained.

  After the coordinate detection of the second edge E2 is performed as described above, it is determined whether or not the second edge E2 is detected. That is, it is determined whether or not the coordinates of the second edge E2 have been acquired as described above. If it is determined in this step that the coordinates of the second edge E2 have not been acquired, the process proceeds to step 105. On the other hand, if it is determined in this step that the coordinates of the second edge E2 have been acquired, the process proceeds to step 108.

  In step 108, it is determined whether or not the third edge E3 has been detected. In this step, the boundary between the ground electrode 13 and the background 80 on the side opposite to the second edge E2 in the second window W2 shown in FIG. 7 is detected as the third edge E3. That is, in the second window W2, when the change in the color of the image is monitored in the x-axis direction, a boundary where the dark part (ground electrode 13) in the figure changes to the bright part (background 80) is detected. The coordinates of the boundary are obtained.

  As described above, after the coordinate detection of the third edge E3 is performed, it is determined whether or not the third edge E3 is detected. That is, it is determined whether or not the coordinates of the third edge E3 have been acquired as described above. If it is determined in this step that the coordinates of the third edge E3 are not acquired, the process proceeds to step 105. On the other hand, if it is determined in this step that the coordinates of the third edge E3 have been acquired, the process proceeds to step 109.

  In step 109, a third window is set. FIG. 8 shows how the third window is set in the image in this step. FIG. 8 shows the third window W3 in an image taken with the illumination pattern shown in FIG. 5C, as in FIG. As shown in FIG. 8, the third window W3 is set in the first window W1 so that at least the noble metal tip 14 is included based on the coordinates of the box B1 detected in step 104, and is stretched in the image. It is done. Such a third window W3 is a detection range for detecting an edge (boundary) between the noble metal tip 14 and the tip joint surface 13c of the ground electrode 13.

  In step 110, it is determined whether or not the fourth edge E4 has been detected. In this step, in the third window W3 shown in FIG. 8, the boundary between the tip joint surface 13c of the ground electrode 13 on the origin side on the x axis and the noble metal tip 14 is detected as the fourth edge E4. That is, when the change in the color of the image is monitored in the x-axis direction in the third window W3, a boundary where the dark part (chip bonding surface 13c) in the figure changes to the bright part (noble metal chip 14) is detected. And the coordinates of the boundary are obtained.

  As described above, after the coordinate detection of the fourth edge E4 is performed, it is determined whether or not the fourth edge E4 is detected. That is, it is determined whether or not the coordinates of the fourth edge E4 have been acquired as described above. If it is determined in this step that the coordinates of the fourth edge E4 have not been acquired, the process proceeds to step 112. On the other hand, if it is determined in this step that the coordinates of the fourth edge E4 have been acquired, the process proceeds to step 111.

  In step 111, it is determined whether or not the fifth edge E5 has been detected. In this step, the boundary between the noble metal tip 14 and the tip joint surface 13c of the ground electrode 13 on the side opposite to the fourth edge E4 in the third window W3 shown in FIG. 8 is detected as the fifth edge E5. . That is, when the change in the color of the image is monitored in the x-axis direction in the third window W3, the boundary where the bright part (the noble metal tip 14) in the figure changes to the dark part (the chip joint surface 13c) is detected. And the coordinates of the boundary are obtained.

  As described above, after the coordinate detection of the fifth edge E5 is performed, it is determined whether or not the fifth edge E5 is detected. That is, it is determined whether or not the coordinates of the fifth edge E5 have been acquired as described above. If it is determined in this step that the coordinate of the fifth edge E5 has not been acquired, the process proceeds to step 112. On the other hand, when it is determined in this step that the coordinates of the fifth edge E5 have been acquired, the process proceeds to step 115 shown in FIG. 6-3.

  In step 112, it is determined whether or not the edge detection in the third window W3 is completed. That is, in this step, it is determined whether or not the detection of the fourth and fifth edges E4 and E5 has been completed in steps 110 and 111 in order to prevent erroneous edge detection. If one of the fourth and fifth edges E4 and E5 is not detected, it is determined that the edge detection is not completed, and the process returns to step 109 to detect the fourth and fifth edges E4 and E5 again. Is called. In this case, the number of returns to step 109 is counted as the number of edge retries. On the other hand, if it is determined in this step that the detection of the edges E4 and E5 has been completed, the routine proceeds to step 113.

  In step 113, it is determined whether the upper limit of the number of edge retries has been exceeded. That is, whether or not one or both of the edges E4 and E5 are not detected in step 112 and it is determined whether or not the number of edge retries that have returned to step 109 exceeds a predetermined number (for example, five times) as an upper limit. Is done. If the number of edge retries exceeds the predetermined number in this step, the process proceeds to step 105. On the other hand, if it is determined that the number of edge retries does not exceed the predetermined number, the process proceeds to step 114.

  In step 114, edge retry processing is performed. The edge retry process is a process for making it easy to detect the boundary of each member by raising the black and white density level by lowering the edge level in the images shown in FIGS. When this processing is performed on the image, the process returns to step 109, and the fourth and fifth edges E4 and E5 are detected again.

  If it is determined in step 111 that the fifth edge E5 has been detected, a fourth window is set in step 115 shown in FIG. 6-3. FIG. 9 shows how the fourth window is set in the image in this step. FIG. 9 is a diagram showing a state in which the fourth window W4 is set in the image photographed with the illumination pattern shown in FIG. 5C, as in FIGS.

  As shown in FIG. 8, the fourth window W4 has at least a tip between the noble metal tip 14 and the front end surface 12a of the center electrode 12 in the y-axis direction of the image based on the coordinates of the box B1 detected in step 104. The joint surface 13c is set so as to be included, and is stretched in the image. Such a fourth window W4 is a detection range for detecting an edge (boundary) between the chip joint surface 13c of the ground electrode 13 and the background 80.

  In step 115, it is determined whether or not the sixth edge E6 has been detected. In this step, the boundary between the background 80 on the origin side in the x-axis and the chip bonding surface 13c of the ground electrode 13 is detected as the sixth edge E6 in the fourth window W4 shown in FIG. That is, when the change in the color of the image is monitored in the x-axis direction in the fourth window W4, a boundary where a bright part (background 80) in the figure changes to a dark part (chip bonding surface 13c) is detected. , The coordinates of the boundary are obtained.

  As described above, after the coordinate detection of the sixth edge E6 is performed, it is determined whether or not the sixth edge E6 is detected. That is, it is determined whether or not the coordinates of the sixth edge E6 have been acquired as described above. If it is determined in this step that the coordinates of the sixth edge E6 have not been acquired, the process proceeds to step 105. On the other hand, if it is determined in this step that the coordinates of the sixth edge E6 have been acquired, the process proceeds to step 117.

  In step 117, it is determined whether or not the seventh edge E7 has been detected. In this step, the boundary between the chip bonding surface 13c and the background 80 on the opposite side of the ground electrode 13 from the sixth edge E6 in the fourth window W4 shown in FIG. 9 is detected as the seventh edge E7. That is, when the color change of the image is monitored in the x-axis direction in the fourth window W4, a boundary where the dark part (chip bonding surface 13c) in the figure changes to the bright part (background 80) is detected. , The coordinates of the boundary are obtained.

  As described above, after the coordinate detection of the seventh edge E7 is performed, it is determined whether or not the seventh edge E7 is detected. That is, it is determined whether or not the coordinates of the seventh edge E7 have been acquired as described above. If it is determined in this step that the coordinates of the seventh edge E7 have not been acquired, the process proceeds to step 105. On the other hand, if it is determined in this step that the coordinates of the seventh edge E7 have been acquired, the process proceeds to step 118.

  In step 118, a fifth window is set. FIG. 10 shows how the fifth window is set in the image in this step. FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a state in which the fifth window W5 is set on the image photographed with the illumination pattern shown in FIG. 5C, as in FIGS.

  As shown in FIG. 10, the fifth window W5 includes at least the front end surface 12a of the center electrode 12 based on the coordinates of the sixth and seventh edges E6 and E7 detected in steps 116 and 117. Set and stretched in the image. Such a fifth window W5 is a detection range for detecting an edge (boundary) between the chip joint surface 13c of the ground electrode 13 and the center electrode 12.

  In step 119, it is determined whether or not the eighth edge E8 has been detected. In this step, the boundary between the tip joint surface 13c of the ground electrode 13 on the origin side and the center electrode 12 in the x axis is detected as the eighth edge E8 in the fifth window W5 shown in FIG. That is, when the change in the color of the image is monitored in the x-axis direction in the fifth window W5, a boundary where the dark part (chip bonding surface 13c) in the figure changes to the bright part (center electrode 12) is detected. And the coordinates of the boundary are obtained.

  As described above, after the coordinate detection of the eighth edge E8 is performed, it is determined whether or not the eighth edge E8 is detected. That is, it is determined whether or not the coordinates of the eighth edge E8 have been acquired as described above. If it is determined in this step that the coordinates of the eighth edge E8 have not been acquired, the process proceeds to step 121. On the other hand, if it is determined in this step that the coordinates of the eighth edge E8 have been acquired, the process proceeds to step 120.

  In step 120, it is determined whether the ninth edge E9 has been detected. In this step, the boundary between the center electrode 12 and the chip bonding surface 13c of the ground electrode 13 on the side opposite to the eighth edge E8 in the fifth window W5 shown in FIG. 10 is detected as the ninth edge E9. . That is, when the change in the color of the image is monitored in the x-axis direction in the fifth window W5, a boundary where the bright part (center electrode 12) in the figure changes to the dark part (chip bonding surface 13c) is detected. And the coordinates of the boundary are obtained.

  As described above, after the coordinate detection of the ninth edge E9 is performed, it is determined whether or not the ninth edge E9 is detected. That is, it is determined whether or not the coordinates of the ninth edge E9 have been acquired as described above. If it is determined in this step that the coordinates of the ninth edge E9 have not been acquired, the process proceeds to step 121. On the other hand, if it is determined in this step that the coordinates of the ninth edge E9 have been acquired, the process proceeds to step 124 shown in FIG. 6-4.

  In step 121, it is determined whether or not the edge detection in the fifth window W5 is completed. In this step, processing similar to that in step 112 is performed on the eighth and ninth edges E8 and E9. If it is determined in this step that the edge detection is not completed, the process returns to step 118, and edge detection is performed again. On the other hand, if it is determined in this step that the edge detection is completed, the process proceeds to step 122.

  In step 122, it is determined whether or not the upper limit of the number of edge retries has been exceeded. In this step, processing similar to that in step 113 is performed. If the number of edge retries exceeds the predetermined number in this step, the process proceeds to step 105. On the other hand, if it is determined in this step that the number of edge retries does not exceed the predetermined number, the process proceeds to step 123.

  In step 123, edge retry processing is performed. In this step, processing similar to that in step 114 is performed. Note that the edge level change value may be the same as or different from that in step 114. When the edge retry process is performed on the image in this step, the process returns to step 118, and the eighth and ninth edges E8 and E9 are detected again.

  Subsequently, in step 124 shown in FIG. 6-4, a sixth window is set, and a plurality of edge detection windows are set in the sixth window. First, in this step, an image obtained with the illumination pattern shown in FIG. 5B is used. FIG. 11 shows a state in which a sixth window W6 and a plurality of edge detection windows W61 to W65 are set in the image obtained with the illumination pattern shown in FIG. 5B.

  As shown in FIG. 11, at least the other end side of the ground electrode 13 is set so as to include the side surface 13f on the image origin side, and is stretched in the image. Such a sixth window W6 is a detection range for detecting the edge (boundary) between the side surface 13f on the other end side of the ground electrode 13 and the background 80. The sixth window W6 is divided into a plurality of edges in the y-axis direction, and is composed of a plurality of edge detection windows W61 to W65. As described above, a plurality of edge detection windows W61 to W65 are set in the sixth window W6 and the sixth window W6.

  In step 125, it is determined whether or not the tenth edge E10 has been detected. In this step, the boundary between the background 80 on the origin side on the x axis and the side surface 13f of the ground electrode 13 is detected as the tenth edge E10 in the plurality of edge detection windows W61 to W65 shown in FIG. Specifically, when the change in the color of the image is monitored in the x-axis direction in each of the edge detection windows W61 to W65, a bright part (background 80) in the figure is a dark part (a side surface of the ground electrode 13). The boundaries changing to 13f) are respectively detected, and the coordinates of the boundaries are respectively acquired. In this step, among the plurality of obtained coordinates, the coordinate on the most origin side in the x-axis direction is set as the tenth edge E10.

  As described above, after the coordinates of the tenth edge E10 are detected, it is determined whether or not the coordinates of the tenth edge E10 have been acquired. If it is determined in this step that the coordinates of the tenth edge E10 have not been acquired, the process proceeds to step 126. On the other hand, if it is determined in this step that the coordinates of the tenth edge E10 have been acquired, the process proceeds to step 128.

  In step 126, it is determined whether or not the upper limit of the number of edge retries has been exceeded. In this step, processing similar to that in steps 113 and 121 is performed. If the number of edge retries exceeds the predetermined number in this step, the process proceeds to step 105. On the other hand, if it is determined in this step that the number of edge retries does not exceed the predetermined number, the process proceeds to step 127.

  In step 127, edge retry processing is performed. In this step, processing similar to that in steps 114 and 122 is performed. When the edge retry process is performed on the image in this step, the process returns to step 124, and the tenth edge E10 is detected again.

  In step 128, a seventh window is set, and a plurality of edge detection windows are set in the seventh window. First, in this step, an image obtained with the illumination pattern shown in FIG. 5A is used. FIG. 12 shows a state in which a seventh window W7 and a plurality of edge detection windows W71 to W75 are set in the image obtained with the illumination pattern shown in FIG. 5A.

  As shown in FIG. 12, at least the other end side of the ground electrode 13 is set to include a side surface 13e opposite to the side surface 13f where the tenth edge E10 is detected, and is stretched in the image. Such a seventh window W7 is a detection range for detecting an edge (boundary) between the side surface 13e on the other end side of the ground electrode 13 and the background 80. The seventh window W7 is divided into a plurality of edge detection windows W71 to W75 in the y-axis direction, like the sixth window W6. As described above, the plurality of edge detection windows W71 to W75 are set in the seventh window W7 and the seventh window W7.

  In step 129, it is determined whether or not an eleventh edge E11 has been detected. In this step, the boundary between the side surface 13e of the ground electrode 13 and the background 80 on the side opposite to the tenth edge E10 with respect to the ground electrode 13 in the plurality of edge detection windows W71 to W75 shown in FIG. Detected as edge E11. Specifically, in the edge detection windows W71 to W75, when the change in the color of the image is monitored in the x-axis direction, the dark part (ground electrode 13) in the figure becomes a bright part (background 80). Each changing boundary is detected, and the coordinates of the boundary are obtained. In this step, among the plurality of obtained coordinates, the coordinate at the position farthest from the origin in the x-axis direction is taken as the eleventh edge E11.

  As described above, after the coordinates of the eleventh edge E11 are detected, it is determined whether or not the coordinates of the eleventh edge E11 have been acquired. If it is determined in this step that the coordinates of the eleventh edge E11 have not been acquired, the process proceeds to step 130. On the other hand, if it is determined in this step that the coordinates of the eleventh edge E11 have been acquired, the process proceeds to step 132 shown in FIG.

  In step 130, it is determined whether or not the upper limit of the number of edge retries has been exceeded. In this step, processing similar to that in steps 113, 121, and 126 is performed. If the number of edge retries exceeds the predetermined number in this step, the process proceeds to step 105. On the other hand, if it is determined in this step that the number of edge retries does not exceed the predetermined number, the process proceeds to step 131.

  In step 131, edge retry processing is performed. In this step, processing similar to that in steps 114, 122, and 127 is performed. When the edge retry process is performed on the image in this step, the process returns to step 128, and the eleventh edge E11 is detected again.

  In step 132 shown in FIGS. 6-5, the movement amounts of the correction punches 71 and 72 are calculated. In order to calculate the movement amounts of the correction punches 71 and 72, the x-coordinates of the axes Z1 and Z2 are first obtained, and the shift amounts of the axes Z1 and Z2 are obtained.

  First, in the noble metal tip 14, the noble metal tip axis Z2 is obtained from the coordinates of the fourth and fifth edges E4 and E5 in the x-axis direction. That is, the intermediate point between the fourth and fifth edges E4 and E5 is the x coordinate of the noble metal tip axis Z2. On the other hand, in the center electrode 12, the center electrode axis Z1 is obtained by the coordinates of the eighth and ninth edges E8 and E9 in the x-axis direction. That is, the intermediate point between the eighth and ninth edges E8 and E9 is the x coordinate of the center electrode axis Z1. From the coordinates of the respective axes Z1 and Z2 obtained in this way in the x-axis direction, the shift amounts of the respective axes Z1 and Z2 are obtained.

  FIG. 13 shows the axes Z1 and Z2 obtained by the above steps. As shown in this figure, the noble metal tip axis Z2 is not coaxial with the center electrode axis Z1 extending in the y-axis direction. In this step, the amount of deviation of each axis Z1, Z2 in the x-axis direction is obtained as described above. One of the correction punches 71 and 72 is driven in accordance with whether or not the noble metal tip axis Z2 is on the origin side with respect to the center electrode axis Z1.

  Next, the contact coordinates of the correction punches 71 and 72 are obtained. This is obtained from the coordinates from the origin to the tenth edge E10 (steps 124 and 125) or the coordinates from the origin to the eleventh edge E11 (steps 128 and 129).

  Then, the corrected punch 71, the amount of displacement of each axis Z1, Z2, the contact coordinates of the corrected punches 71, 72, and the amount of spring back when the ground electrode 13 is pushed by the corrected punches 71, 72 are added. It is obtained as a moving amount of 72.

  In step 133, it is determined whether or not the amount of deviation between the axes Z1 and Z2 is within an upper limit. That is, when the shift amounts of the axes Z1 and Z2 are too large, it is determined that the correction by the correction punches 71 and 72 cannot be performed. Accordingly, when the deviation amount of each of the axes Z1 and Z2 exceeds a preset threshold value, the process proceeds to step 105. On the other hand, if the deviation amount between the axes Z1 and Z2 does not exceed the threshold value, the process proceeds to step 134.

  In step 134, it is determined whether or not it is within the eccentricity correction standard. That is, it is determined whether or not the deviation amount between the axes Z1 and Z2 is within the standard. The standard of the movement amount of the correction punches 71 and 72 is set in advance as a threshold value. If the movement amount of the correction punches 71 and 72 is within the standard, the process proceeds to step 135. On the other hand, if the amount of movement of the correction punches 71 and 72 is out of specification, the process proceeds to step 136.

  In step 135, an output indicating that the correction punches 71 and 72 are not driven is output. That is, in step 134, since the deviation amount of each of the axes Z1 and Z2 is within the standard, it is output to the control means 50 that it is not necessary to perform the eccentricity correction processing step. Then, the flowchart ends.

  In step 136, the movement amount of the correction punches 71 and 72 is output. In other words, since the deviation amounts of the axes Z1 and Z2 are out of specification at the above step 134, data indicating that the eccentricity correction processing step is performed and the movement amounts of the correction punches 71 and 72 are output to the control means 50. Then, the flowchart ends.

  When the flowchart is completed as described above, another workpiece is installed in the preparation processing apparatus, and the photographing of the ground electrode 13 and the flowchart are executed.

  Next, a description will be given of a method of performing eccentricity correction processing on the ground electrode 13 by driving the correction punches 71 and 72 based on the obtained movement amount data of the correction punches 71 and 72 in the eccentricity correction processing apparatus.

  First, when it is input to the control means 50 that the correction punches 71 and 72 are not driven, a process that does not perform the eccentricity correction processing is performed on the workpiece.

  On the other hand, when the movement amounts of the correction punches 71 and 72 are inputted, a correction threshold value is set in advance in the control means 50, and this correction threshold value and the correction punch 71 obtained by the preparatory processing apparatus are set. , 72 are compared. This correction threshold value is used for selecting a method for correcting the eccentricity of the ground electrode 13 in accordance with the amount of deviation between the axes Z1 and Z2 of the workpiece.

  In the present embodiment, when the movement amount of the correction punches 71 and 72 is equal to or less than the correction threshold value, the eccentricity correction processing of the ground electrode 13 is performed by the method shown in FIG.

  Specifically, in the step shown in FIG. 14A, one of the correction punches 71 and 72 located on the noble metal tip axis Z2 side so that the noble metal tip axis Z2 is positioned beyond the center electrode axis Z1. Driven, the ground electrode 13 is processed. In the present embodiment, the correction punches 71 and 72 are pressed against the straight line portion on the other end side of the ground electrode 13 and driven in parallel with the second orthogonal direction Y to process the ground electrode 13. The pressing force of the correction punches 71 and 72 against the ground electrode 13 is, for example, 500 to 2000N.

  Subsequently, in the process shown in FIG. 14 (b), the correction punches 71 and 72 are located on the opposite side to that used in the process of FIG. 14 (a), that is, located on the noble metal tip axis Z2 side. The ground electrode 13 is processed in the direction opposite to the direction in which the ground electrode 13 was processed in the step shown in FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 14C, when the ground electrode 13 side is viewed from the center electrode 12, the noble metal tip axis line Z2 is arranged coaxially with the center electrode axis line Z1. Thus, the eccentricity correction process ends.

  On the other hand, when the amount of movement of the correction punches 71 and 72 is larger than the correction threshold value, the eccentricity correction processing of the ground electrode 13 is performed by the method shown in FIG. That is, in this method, since the shift amounts of the axes Z1 and Z2 are large, the noble metal tip axis Z2 is brought close to the center electrode axis Z1 in the first eccentricity correction processing, and then fine adjustment is performed.

  Specifically, in the step shown in FIG. 15A, the correction punches 71 and 72 located on the noble metal tip axis Z2 side are driven, the ground electrode 13 is processed, and the noble metal tip axis Z2 is the center electrode. It is brought close to the axis Z1. Here, the ground electrode 13 is processed so that the noble metal tip axis Z2 does not exceed the center electrode axis Z1.

  In the step shown in FIG. 15B, as in the step in FIG. 15A, the correction punches 71 and 72 on the noble metal tip axis Z2 side are driven in the same direction as in FIG. The electrode 13 is processed.

  As shown in FIG. 15C, when the ground electrode 13 side is viewed from the center electrode 12, the noble metal tip axis line Z2 is arranged coaxially with the center electrode axis line Z1. Thus, the eccentricity correction process ends.

  As described above, the ground electrode 13 is processed in multiple steps (in this embodiment, two stages). Thereby, the processing accuracy with respect to the ground electrode 13 is improved.

  As described above, in this embodiment, the anti-chip joint surface 13d of the ground electrode 13 that has been temporarily bent and the surfaces 13e and 13f that face the second orthogonal direction Y in the ground electrode 13 are used as the illuminations 61 to 63, respectively. I illuminate the camera and shoot with the camera. Thereby, since the work is illuminated not only from the anti-chip bonding surface 13d but also from the second orthogonal direction Y, the chip bonding surface 13c, the noble metal tip 14 and the center electrode 12 can be illuminated.

  More specifically, the background 80 can be photographed brightly by the first illumination 61. In addition, the second and third illuminations 62 and 63 can clearly photograph the portions of the noble metal tip 14, the center electrode 12, and the ground electrode 13 that face the second orthogonal direction Y.

  Therefore, since the noble metal tip 14 and the center electrode 12 do not need to be hidden by the shadow of the ground electrode 13, the boundary between each member can be reliably photographed. Thereby, since the dimension measurement of each member can be performed with high accuracy, the accurate positions of the respective axes Z1 and Z2 can be obtained, and the processing accuracy in the eccentricity correction process can be increased.

  Further, in each of the above-described illuminations 61 to 63, when the first and second illuminations 61 and 62 are turned on and the third illumination 63 is darker than the first and second illuminations 61 and 62, In the ground electrode 13, the boundary between the surface 13e facing the third illumination 63 and the background 80 can be made clearer. Similarly, when the first and third illuminations 61 and 63 are turned on and the second illumination 62 is darker than the first and third illuminations 61 and 63, the second illumination is applied to the ground electrode 13 in the photographed image. The boundary between the surface 13f opposed to 62 and the background 80 can be made clearer. Further, when all the illuminations 61 to 63 are turned on, the boundary between the side facing the second and third illuminations 62 and 63 in the center electrode 12 and the noble metal tip 14 and the tip joint surface 13c of the ground electrode 13 is sharpened. Can be made.

  A plurality of windows can be set in the photographed image, and the coordinates of the boundaries between the members and the boundaries between the members and the background can be acquired in the windows.

  Further, the movement amounts of the correction punches 71 and 72 are obtained using the deviation amounts of the respective axes Z1 and Z2, and the correction punches 71 and 72 are driven based on the movement amounts to process the ground electrode 13. Thus, when the ground electrode 13 side is viewed from the center electrode 12 in the first orthogonal direction X, the center electrode axis Z1 and the noble metal tip axis Z2 can be arranged coaxially.

  As a specific driving method of the correction punches 71 and 72, when the shift amount of each of the axes Z1 and Z2 is large, the noble metal tip axis Z2 is brought close to the center electrode axis Z1 in the first processing, and the second processing is performed. The axes Z1 and Z2 can be arranged coaxially. On the other hand, when the shift amount of each axis Z1, Z2 is small, the ground electrode 13 is processed so that the noble metal tip axis Z2 exceeds the center electrode axis Z1 in the first processing, and each axis Z1, Z2 can be arranged on the same axis. In this way, the processing accuracy for the ground electrode 13 can be improved by selecting the driving method of the correction punches 71 and 72 according to the amount of movement of the correction punches 71 and 72.

(Other embodiments)
Each device shown in the above embodiment shows an example, and the configuration and the like are not limited to this. The flowcharts shown in FIGS. 6-1 to 6-5 show an example, and the present invention is not limited to this.

  In the above embodiment, the image processing unit 40 obtains the movement amounts of the correction punches 71 and 72. However, the image processing unit 40 acquires only the coordinates of the respective axes Z1 and Z2 and each part of the ground electrode 13. Then, the information may be output to the control means 50, and the control means 50 may obtain the deviation amounts of the axes Z1 and Z2 and the movement amounts of the correction punches 71 and 72.

  Further, the location and direction in which the correction punches 71 and 72 are pressed against the ground electrode 13 are not limited to the above embodiment. For example, the correction punches 71 and 72 may be pressed only near the end face on the other end side of the ground electrode 13.

  In the above embodiment, the correction punches 71 and 72 are processed in two stages, but the number of processing is not limited to this. Further, the correction threshold value can be freely set by the user of the apparatus.

  In the above flowchart, a plurality of windows W61 to W65 and W71 to W75 are set in the sixth and seventh windows W6 and W7 in steps 124 and 128, respectively. It doesn't matter. By setting more, detection accuracy can be improved.

  The steps shown in each figure correspond to means for executing various processes.

It is a front view which shows the spark plug manufactured by the manufacturing method of this invention in a half section. It is a typical front view which shows the preparatory processing apparatus used in the preparatory stage before performing eccentric correction. FIG. 3 is a schematic plan view showing an arrangement of cameras shown in FIG. 2. It is a schematic diagram of an eccentricity correction processing apparatus. It is the figure which showed typically the contrast of a ground electrode in the image image | photographed according to the illumination pattern of each illumination, and each illumination pattern. It is the flowchart which showed the content which calculates | requires deviation | shift amount with respect to a center electrode axis line and a noble metal chip | tip axis line, and calculates | requires the movement amount of the correction punch according to the deviation amount. It is a flowchart following FIG. It is a flowchart following FIG. 6-2. It is a flowchart following FIG. 6-3. It is a flowchart following FIG. 6-4. It is the figure which showed a mode that the window was set to the image obtained with the illumination pattern shown by FIG.5 (c). It is the figure which showed a mode that the 3rd window was set to the image image | photographed with the illumination pattern shown by FIG.5 (c). It is the figure which showed a mode that the 4th window was set to the image image | photographed with the illumination pattern shown by FIG.5 (c). It is the figure which showed a mode that the 5th window was set to the image image | photographed with the illumination pattern shown by FIG.5 (c). It is the figure which showed a mode that the several edge detection window was set in the 6th window and the 6th window in the image obtained with the illumination pattern shown by FIG.5 (b). It is the figure which showed a mode that the some edge detection window was set in the 7th window and the 7th window in the image obtained with the illumination pattern shown by Fig.5 (a). It is the figure which each showed the center electrode axis line and the noble metal tip axis line. It is the figure which showed an example of the eccentric correction processing method. It is the figure which showed an example of the eccentric correction processing method.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 ... Housing, 10a ... One end surface, 12 ... Center electrode, 12a ... Front end surface,
13 ... Ground electrode, 13c ... Chip joint surface, 13d ... Anti-chip joint surface,
14 ... Precious metal chip, 30 ... Camera, 61-63 ... First to third illuminations,
71, 72 ... correction punch, 80 ... background, X ... first orthogonal direction, Y ... second orthogonal direction,
W1-W7 ... window, Z1 ... center electrode axis, Z2 ... precious metal tip axis.

Claims (6)

A columnar center electrode (12) is insulated and held inside the housing (10), one end of the ground electrode (13) is joined to one end face (10a) of the housing, and a columnar noble metal tip is connected to the other end of the ground electrode. (14) is joined, and the ground electrode is a linear plate member extending in the direction of the axis (Z1) of the center electrode before provisional bending, and the other end side of the ground electrode is in relation to the center electrode axis A spark plug manufacturing method in which the noble metal tip is provisionally bent to an angle substantially perpendicular to the tip end surface (12a) of the center electrode,
In the ground electrode, a surface to which the noble metal chip is bonded is a chip bonding surface (13c), and a surface opposite to the chip bonding surface is an anti-chip bonding surface (13d).
A direction perpendicular to the center electrode axis and passing through the center electrode and the ground electrode is defined as a first orthogonal direction (X), and a direction perpendicular to the center electrode axis and the first orthogonal direction is defined as a second orthogonal direction ( Y)
In the noble metal tip, an axis parallel to the bonding direction to the ground electrode is a noble metal tip axis (Z2).
Using illumination means (61-63) for illuminating at least a surface extending in the central electrode axial direction of the anti-chip joint surface of the temporarily bent ground electrode and a surface of the ground electrode facing the second orthogonal direction. Photographing the central electrode and the vicinity of the noble metal tip by photographing means (30) arranged in the first orthogonal direction;
A step of obtaining a shift amount in a second orthogonal direction between the center electrode axis and the noble metal tip axis when viewing the ground electrode side from the center electrode based on an image photographed by the photographing means;
And a step of performing an eccentricity correction process on the ground electrode based on the deviation amount. In the step of photographing the central electrode and the vicinity of the noble metal tip, the first illumination (61) arranged at a position facing the anti-chip joining surface, the second illumination direction and the second illumination direction, and a workpiece The method for manufacturing a spark plug according to claim 1, wherein an illuminating means including a second illumination (62) and a third illumination (63) arranged to face each other is used. In the step of photographing the central electrode and the vicinity of the noble metal tip,
Photographing the central electrode and the vicinity of the noble metal tip with the photographing means in a state where the first illumination and the second illumination are turned on and the third illumination is darker than the first illumination and the second illumination. And a process of
In the state where the first illumination and the third illumination are turned on and the second illumination is darker than the first illumination and the third illumination, the photographing means photographs the vicinity of the center electrode and the noble metal tip. And a process of
And photographing the vicinity of the center electrode and the noble metal tip with the photographing means in a state where all of the first illumination, the second illumination, and the third illumination are turned on. The method for manufacturing a spark plug according to claim 2. In the step of obtaining the shift amount, a plurality of windows (W1 to W7) are provided in the image, and the coordinates of the boundaries of the members or the boundaries of the members and the background (80) are acquired in these windows, respectively. The method for manufacturing a spark plug according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein: In the step of performing the eccentricity correction processing, the movement amount of the correction punch (71, 72) that presses each surface of the ground electrode facing the second orthogonal direction is obtained using the deviation amount, and the amount of movement is calculated. 5. The spark plug manufacturing method according to claim 1, wherein an eccentricity correction process is performed on the ground electrode by driving the correction punch. In the step of performing the eccentricity correction processing, a correction threshold is provided for the movement amount of the correction punch,
When the movement amount of the correction punch is larger than a correction threshold value, the correction punch located on the noble metal tip axis side is driven so that the noble metal tip axis line is the center electrode axis line in the second orthogonal direction. Machining the ground electrode so that the noble metal tip axis is close to the center electrode axis, and driving the noble metal tip axis side of the correction punch in the same direction as the previous time, Processing the ground electrode so that a tip axis is disposed coaxially with the center electrode axis, and
When the movement amount of the correction punch is less than or equal to a correction threshold value, the correction punch that is located on the noble metal tip axis side is driven, and the noble metal tip axis line is the center electrode axis line in the second orthogonal direction. And processing the ground electrode so as to exceed the above and the one of the correction punches on the noble metal tip axis side is driven in a direction opposite to the previous time, and the noble metal tip axis is arranged coaxially with the center electrode axis The method of manufacturing a spark plug according to claim 5, further comprising: processing the ground electrode as described above.

Images