JP2009228988A - Glow plug - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a glow plug adjusting a position of a temperature sensor disposed on a heater while shifting the plug in a circumferential direction. <P>SOLUTION: This glow plug 1 has a ceramic heater in which a thermocouple is buried. The glow plug further has a first main fitting 40, and a second main fitting 50 coaxially joined to the first main fitting 40. A first joining end section 45 of the first main fitting 40 and a second joining end section 55 of the second main fitting 50 are respectively formed into the irregular shape. The first main fitting 40 and the second main fitting 50 are then joined in the state of being fitted to each other. In mounting the glow plug 1 on an engine 150, the direction of the thermocouple may be shifted from the target direction in a combustion chamber 160. Here, the first main fitting 40 and the second main fitting 50 are displaced to each other to be rejoined. Thus a position of a temperature measuring point of the thermocouple is freely adjusted by one glow plug 1. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a glow plug that is attached to an internal combustion engine and has a function of measuring the temperature in a cylinder.

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a temperature measurement glow plug in which a temperature sensor is provided on the surface of a heater is known (see, for example, Patent Document 1). On the outer surface of the glow plug metal shell, a thread corresponding to the female thread formed in the mounting hole of the internal combustion engine is formed. Thereby, the glow plug can be attached to the attachment hole of the internal combustion engine. When measuring the temperature in the cylinder of the internal combustion engine using this glow plug, the glow plug must be mounted in the mounting hole of the internal combustion engine so that the temperature sensor is arranged toward a desired position in the cylinder. .
JP 2001-336468 A

  However, in the glow plug described in Patent Document 1, the threading start position of the thread of the metal shell is already determined. In other words, when the screw thread is screwed into the female screw of the mounting hole of the internal combustion engine, the direction of the temperature sensor in the cylinder is determined. Therefore, it was necessary to prepare several glow plugs in which the temperature sensor is shifted in the circumferential direction with respect to the threading start position of the thread of the metal shell. And it is very troublesome because it is necessary to select a glow plug in which the temperature sensor is directed in a desired direction while being attached to the mounting hole of the internal combustion engine.

  The present invention has been made to solve the above-described problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a glow plug that can be adjusted by shifting the position of a temperature sensor provided in a heater in the circumferential direction.

  In order to achieve the above object, a glow plug according to a first aspect of the present invention has a shaft hole, and a screw thread that engages with a female screw provided in a mounting hole of an internal combustion engine is formed on its outer peripheral surface. A glow plug comprising a cylindrical metal shell, a heater held in the shaft hole of the metal shell, and a temperature sensor provided at a position radially displaced from the axial center of the heater, The metal shell is disposed on the front end side in the axial direction, and is a cylindrical first metal shell that projects the heater from its front end side, and a cylindrical shape that is disposed on the rear end side in the axial direction and has the threads formed thereon. The second metal shell is joined on the same axis, and the rear end portion in the axial direction of the first metal shell and the front end portion in the axial direction of the second metal shell are opposed to each other. In the pair of joints, one of the joints is arranged in the circumferential direction Recesses number provided on the other joint, the convex portion is provided to fit in the recess.

  In the glow plug of the invention according to claim 1, in the first metallic shell and the second metallic shell, a plurality of concave portions into which the convex portions provided in the other joint portion are fitted in one joint portion in the circumferential direction. Since they are provided side by side, the first metal shell and the second metal shell can be joined while being shifted from each other in the circumferential direction. Thereby, since the position of the temperature sensor can be adjusted by shifting in the circumferential direction, the temperature sensor can be arranged at a desired position with the plug attached to the attachment hole of the internal combustion engine.

  Hereinafter, an embodiment of a glow plug 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. 1 is an external view of the glow plug 1, FIG. 2 is a longitudinal sectional view of the glow plug 1, FIG. 3 is a sectional view taken in the direction of arrows I-I shown in FIG. 2, and FIG. FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view taken along line II-II shown in FIG. 3, FIG. 5 is a view showing a joining mode of the first metal shell 40 and the second metal shell 50, and FIG. FIG. Note that the side where the ceramic heater 20 is disposed (the lower side in FIGS. 1 and 2) in the direction of the axis O will be described as the tip side of the glow plug 1.

  First, the structure of the glow plug 1 according to the present embodiment will be described. The glow plug 1 shown in FIG. 1 is attached to, for example, the attachment hole 154 of the direct injection diesel engine 150 and is used as a heat source for assisting ignition when the engine 150 is started.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the glow plug 1 is connected to a ceramic heater 20 having a heating resistor 27 therein, a heater holding member 80 that holds the ceramic heater 20 in the radial direction, and a rear end portion of the ceramic heater 20. The cylindrical first metallic shell 40 joined to the rod-shaped middle shaft 30 extending to the rear end side along the axis O and the rear end portion (a fitting fitting portion 83 described later) of the heater holding member 80. And a cylindrical second metal shell 50 joined to the rear end portion (first joint end portion 45 described later) of the first metal shell 40. The glow plug 1 is attached to the engine 150 by attaching the second metal shell 50 to the attachment hole 154 of the engine 150. Hereinafter, each member will be sequentially described.

  First, the ceramic heater 20 will be described. As shown in FIG. 2, the ceramic heater 20 is formed in a round bar shape. The tip 22 has a base 21 made of an insulating ceramic that has been hemispherically curved. A heating element 24 having a substantially U-shaped cross section made of conductive ceramic is embedded in the base 21. The heating element 24 is connected to a heating resistor 27 (see FIGS. 2 to 4) whose both ends are folded back in a substantially U shape in accordance with the curved surface of the tip portion 22, and both ends of the heating resistor 27. Lead portions 28 and 29 extending substantially parallel to each other along the axis O toward the rear end portion 23 of the ceramic heater 20 are provided. The heating resistor 27 is formed such that its cross-sectional area is smaller than the cross-sectional area of the lead portions 28 and 29.

  In addition, on the outer peripheral surface on the rear end side from the center of the ceramic heater 20, electrode extraction portions 25 and 26 that protrude from the lead portions 28 and 29 are provided. The electrode extraction portions 25 and 26 are exposed at positions shifted from each other in the direction of the axis O. Further, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, a groove 35 is formed on the outer surface of the base body 21 along the axial direction (vertical direction in FIG. 4). Inside the groove 35, a thermocouple 36 in which the tips of two metal wires 38 (only one is shown in FIG. 4) is welded is embedded in a cement 37. The thermocouple 36 shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 corresponds to the “temperature sensor” of the present invention.

  When the glow plug 1 having such a ceramic heater 20 is attached to the attachment hole 154 of the engine 150, the tip 22 of the ceramic heater 20 is exposed in the combustion chamber 160. The temperature of the portion very close to the surface temperature of the tip 22 can be measured by the thermocouple 36. That is, the temperature in the direction in which the thermocouple 36 faces in the combustion chamber 160 can be measured.

  Next, the heater holding member 80 will be described. As shown in FIG. 2, the heater holding member 80 is a cylindrical metal fitting extending in the direction of the axis O. The barrel portion of the ceramic heater 20 is held in the radial direction in the cylindrical hole 84 of the heater holding member 80. And the front-end | tip part 22 and the rear-end part 23 of the ceramic heater 20 protrude from the both ends of the cylinder hole 84, respectively. A thick collar 82 is formed on the rear end side of the body 81 of the heater holding member 80. The body 81 and the flange 82 are connected by a tapered locking portion 85. Therefore, when the glow plug 1 is mounted in the mounting hole 154 of the engine 150, the locking portion 85 is locked to the step portion 156 provided in the mounting hole 154. Thereby, the airtight leak in the combustion chamber 160 via the attachment hole 154 can be prevented.

  In addition, a stepped fitting fitting portion 83 for fitting the distal end portion 41 of the first metallic shell 40 by press-fitting by external fitting in order to join the first metallic shell 40 at the rear end of the collar portion 82. Is provided. Of the electrode extraction portions 25 and 26 of the ceramic heater 20, the electrode extraction portion 25 formed on the distal end side is in contact with the inner peripheral surface of the cylindrical hole 84 of the heater holding member 80. Thereby, the electrode extraction part 25 and the heater holding member 80 are electrically connected.

  In addition, a cylindrical connecting ring 75 made of metal is fitted to the rear end 23 of the ceramic heater 20 exposed from the metal fitting fitting 83 of the heater holding member 80 to the rear end. The electrode extraction portion 26 of the ceramic heater 20 is in contact with the inner peripheral surface of the connection ring 75. Thereby, the electrode extraction part 26 and the connection ring 75 are electrically connected.

  Furthermore, the front end portion 41 of the first metal shell 40 is joined to the metal fitting portion 83 of the heater holding member 80, whereby the first metal shell 40 and the heater holding member 80 are electrically connected. At this time, the rear end portion 23 and the connection ring 75 of the ceramic heater 20 are disposed inside the first metal shell 40. Further, the ceramic heater 20 and the first metal shell 40 are respectively positioned by the heater holding member 80, and the first metal shell 40 and the connection ring 75 are maintained in a non-contact state.

  Next, the first metal shell 40 will be described. As shown in FIGS. 2 and 6, the first metal shell 40 is a cylindrical metal member having a shaft hole 43 penetrating in the direction of the axis O. Inside the shaft hole 43, the front end side of the middle shaft 30 joined to the rear end portion 23 of the ceramic heater 20 is inserted. And the front-end | tip part 41 of the 1st main metal fitting 40 is fitted by the press fit with respect to the metal fitting fitting part 83 of the heater holding member 80. FIG. Further, the inner periphery of the tip portion 41 is in close contact with the outer periphery of the fitting fitting portion 83, and the joint portion of both is laser-welded from the outer periphery. Thereby, the 1st metal shell 40 and the heater holding member 80 are joined integrally.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 5, the rear end portion of the first metal shell 40 is formed in a concavo-convex shape so as to be fitted to the front end portion (second joint end portion 55 described later) of the second metal shell 50. A first joining end 45 is provided. That is, convex portions 47 and concave portions 48 are alternately provided on the end surface of the first joint end portion 45. The convex portion 47 and the concave portion 48 are each formed in a rectangular shape when viewed from the radial direction, and their widths are adjusted to the same length.

  Next, the second metal shell 50 will be described. As shown in FIGS. 2 and 6, the cylindrical metal member has a shaft hole 53 penetrating in the direction of the axis O and is joined to the first joining end 45 of the first metal shell 40. Inside the shaft hole 53, the rear end side of the middle shaft 30 joined to the ceramic heater 20 is inserted. A screw portion 52 in which a thread is formed is provided on the outer peripheral surface on the rear end side of the second metal shell 50. When the glow plug 1 is attached to the attachment hole 154 of the engine 150, the screw portion 52 is screwed with a female screw 157 provided in the attachment hole 154 to fix the glow plug 1.

  Further, on the rear end side of the threaded portion 52 of the second metal shell 50, a tool engagement having a hexagonal cross section with which a tool (not shown) used when the glow plug 1 is attached to the engine 150 is engaged. A portion 56 is formed. Inside the tool engaging portion 56, the diameter of the shaft hole 53 is increased.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 5, a second joint formed in an uneven shape is formed at the tip of the second metal shell 50 in order to fit the first joint end 45 of the first metal shell 40 described above. An end 55 is provided. That is, convex portions 57 and concave portions 58 are alternately provided on the end surface of the second joint end portion 55. The convex portion 57 has a shape corresponding to the concave portion 48 of the first joint end portion 45 of the first metal shell 40, and the concave portion 58 corresponds to the convex portion 47 of the first joint end portion 45 of the first metal shell 40. It has a shape.

  Therefore, by pushing the second joint end 55 of the second metal shell 50 coaxially with respect to the first joint end 45 of the first metal shell 40, the first joint end 45 of the first metal shell 40. The convex portion 57 of the second joint end 55 of the second metal shell 50 is fitted into the recess 48 of the second metal shell 50, and the first metal shell 40 first is inserted into the recess 58 of the second joint end 55 of the second metal shell 50. The convex part 47 of the joining end part 45 is fitted. Thus, the first metal shell 40 and the second metal shell 50 are coaxially joined to each other inside the mounting hole 154 of the engine 150. And in the state which the 1st metal shell 40 and the 2nd metal shell 50 joined, it does not rotate mutually in the peripheral direction.

  Next, the middle shaft 30 will be described. As shown in FIG. 2, the middle shaft 30 is a metal rod that extends in the direction of the axis O and whose length is longer than the length of the metal shell 40 in the direction of the axis O. The intermediate shaft 30 is inserted through the inside of the shaft hole 43 of the first metal shell 40 and the inside of the shaft hole 53 of the second metal shell 50. A small-diameter ring engaging portion 34 is formed at the tip end portion 31 of the middle shaft 30 so as to engage with the inner periphery of the connection ring 75. By engaging the ring engaging portion 34 with the connection ring 75, the ceramic heater 20 and the middle shaft 30 are integrally coupled along the axis O through the connection ring 75. Furthermore, the front-end | tip part 31 and the connection ring 75 of the center axis | shaft 30 are joined integrally by welding both joining site | parts from the outer periphery with a laser. Therefore, the middle shaft 30 is electrically connected to the electrode extraction portion 26 of the ceramic heater 20 through the connection ring 75. As described above, the ceramic heater 20 and the first metal shell 40 are positioned on the heater holding member 80, respectively. Therefore, since the middle shaft 30 and the metal shell 40 are maintained in a non-contact state inside the shaft hole 43 of the first metal shell 40, they are electrically insulated.

  Further, a part of the rear end portion 32 of the middle shaft 30 projects rearward from the rear end of the second metal shell 50. The rear end portion 32 includes a cylindrical resin insulating bush 91, a round nut 92 for preventing the insulating bush 91 from falling off, and a terminal screw 93 for connecting a cable for energization in this order. 30 and fixed.

  Next, a method for aligning the thermocouple 36 when the glow plug 1 having the above structure is attached to the engine 150 will be described. First, the glow plug 1 is assembled. As shown in FIG. 6, the middle shaft 30 is coupled to the rear end portion of the ceramic heater 20 via a connection ring 75 (see FIG. 2). Next, the ceramic heater 20 is held inside the cylindrical hole 84 (see FIG. 2) of the heater holding member 80. Further, the shaft hole 43 of the first metal shell 40 is passed from the front end side to the rear end portion 32 of the middle shaft 30 protruding from the rear end side of the cylindrical hole 84 of the heater holding member 80. Then, the tip end portion 41 of the first metal shell 40 is fitted into the metal fitting fitting portion 83 of the heater holding member 80. At this time, laser welding is performed from the outer periphery with respect to the combined portion. Thereby, the 1st metal shell 40 and the heater holding member 80 are joined integrally, and the plug intermediate body 200 is completed.

  Next, the shaft hole 53 of the second metal shell 50 is passed through the rear end portion 32 of the middle shaft 30 protruding toward the rear end side of the plug intermediate body 200 from the front end side. At this time, the second joint end 55 of the second metal shell 50 is opposed to the first joint end 45 of the first metal shell 40 and is mounted coaxially with the first metal shell 40. Then, the first joint end 45 of the first metal shell 40 and the second joint end 55 of the second metal shell 50 are joined.

  That is, as shown in FIG. 5, the convex portion 57 of the second joint end portion 55 of the second metal shell 50 is fitted into the concave portion 48 of the first joint end portion 45 of the first metal shell 40, so that the second metal shell The convex portion 47 of the first joint end portion 45 of the first metal shell 40 is fitted into the concave portion 58 of the second joint end portion 55 of 50. Thus, as shown in FIG. 1, the second metal shell 50 is coaxially joined to the first metal shell 40. Next, the insulating bush 91, the round nut 92, and the terminal screw 93 are attached in this order to the rear end side of the first metal shell 40 attached to the plug intermediate body 200. Thus, the assembly of the glow plug 1 is temporarily completed.

  Next, the glow plug 1 that has been temporarily assembled is mounted in the mounting hole 154 of the engine 150 (see FIGS. 1 and 2). At this time, the thread of the threaded portion 52 of the second metal shell 50 is screwed into the female screw 157 provided in the mounting hole 154 of the engine 150. As a result, the glow plug 1 is attached to the attachment hole 154 of the engine 150 and the tip 22 of the ceramic heater 20 is exposed in the combustion chamber 160. Here, the direction in which the thermocouple 36 (see FIG. 3) embedded in the outer surface of the distal end portion 22 faces is determined by the threading start position of the thread of the threaded portion 52 and the threading start position of the female screw 157.

  However, the direction in which the thermocouple 36 faces may be shifted from the target direction in the combustion chamber 160. In this case, the glow plug 1 is once removed from the mounting hole 154 of the engine 150. Then, the first metal shell 40 and the second metal shell 50 are removed, and the first metal shell 40 is corrected so as to correct the deviation between the temperature point of the thermocouple 36 and the target direction in the combustion chamber 160. And the second metal shell 50 are shifted from each other and joined again. For example, when the direction in which the thermocouple 36 faces is shifted by 90 degrees with respect to the target direction in the combustion chamber 160, the first metal shell 40 and the second metal shell 50 may be shifted from each other by 90 degrees. Then, the re-joined glow plug 1 is reattached to the attachment hole 154 of the engine 150. Thereby, the temperature side point of the thermocouple 36 can be directed to the target direction in the combustion chamber 160. Therefore, the temperature of the desired place in the combustion chamber 160 can be accurately detected.

  As shown in FIG. 2, in the glow plug 1 attached to the attachment hole 154 of the engine 150, the engagement portion 85 of the heater holding member 80 is engaged with the step portion 156 in the attachment hole 154. Accordingly, the first metal shell 40 welded to the heater holding member 80 does not rotate in the circumferential direction within the mounting hole 154. The second metal shell 50 joined to the first metal shell 40 also has a concavo-convex shape with the first metal shell 40 so that it does not rotate in the circumferential direction within the mounting hole 154. .

  As described above, the glow plug 1 of the present embodiment includes the ceramic heater 20, the heater holding member 80 that holds the ceramic heater 20, the central shaft 30 that is connected to the rear end portion 23 of the ceramic heater 20, and the heater. A first metal shell 40 joined to the rear end portion of the holding member 80 and a second metal shell 50 joined to the rear end portion of the first metal shell 40 are provided. A thermocouple 36 for temperature measurement is embedded in the tip 22 of the ceramic heater 20. And the convex part 47 and the recessed part 48 are provided in the 1st joining edge part 45 of the 1st metal shell 40 alternately. Convex portions 57 and concave portions 58 are alternately provided on the second joint end portion 55 of the second metal shell 50. Thus, the convex portion 57 of the second joint end portion 55 is fitted into the concave portion 48 of the first joint end portion 45, and the convex portion 47 of the first joint end portion 45 is fitted into the concave portion 58 of the second joint end portion 55. Can be mated.

  Here, when the glow plug 1 is mounted in the mounting hole 154 of the engine 150, the direction in which the thermocouple 36 faces may be shifted from the target direction in the combustion chamber 160. In this case, the glow plug 1 is temporarily removed from the mounting hole 154 of the engine 150, and the first metal shell 40 and the first metal fitting 40 are adjusted so as to correct the deviation between the direction in which the thermocouple 36 faces and the target direction in the combustion chamber 160. The two metal shells 50 are shifted and rejoined. Then, by re-attaching the re-joined glow plug 1 to the mounting hole 154 of the engine 150, the direction in which the thermocouple 36 faces can be directed to the target direction in the combustion chamber 160. Thus, the position of the warm side point of the thermocouple 36 can be freely adjusted with one glow plug 1. Therefore, since it is not necessary to prepare a plurality of glow plugs in which the positions of the thermocouples 36 are shifted in the circumferential direction, the glow plug 1 can be quickly attached to the engine 150. Further, since one glow plug 1 can be used, the cost can be greatly reduced as compared with the conventional case where a plurality of glow plugs need to be prepared.

  The present invention can be variously modified. In the present embodiment, the ceramic heater 20 in which the heat generating element 24 made of conductive ceramic is embedded inside the base 21 made of insulating ceramic is provided. However, the present invention is not limited thereto, and the metal heater whose tip is closed in a hemispherical shape is provided. A sheathed heater in which a coiled heating resistor or control resistor is arranged in the sheath tube may be provided.

  Moreover, in the said embodiment, although the joining aspect of the 1st joining edge part 45 of the 1st metal shell 40 and the 2nd joining edge part 55 of the 2nd metal shell 50 is uneven | corrugated shaped fitting, The shape of is not particularly limited.

  For example, as in a first modification shown in FIG. 7, the uneven shape of the first joint end 145 of the first metal shell 40 and the second joint end 155 of the second metal shell 50 viewed from the radial direction is formed. Each may be formed in a triangular shape. Further, as in the second modification shown in FIG. 8, the uneven shape of the first joint end portion 245 of the first metal shell 40 and the second joint end portion 255 of the second metal shell 50 viewed from the radial direction is formed. Each may be formed in a wave shape. Further, as in the third modification shown in FIG. 9, a plurality of concave portions 346 are provided in the first joint end portion 345 of the first metal shell 40, and the convex portion 356 is provided in the second joint end portion 355 of the second metal shell 50. One may be provided. Note that the shape of the first joint end 345 and the shape of the second joint end 355 may be interchanged.

  The present invention can be used not only for a glow plug having only a temperature sensor but also for a glow plug incorporating a pressure sensor or the like.

1 is an external view of a glow plug 1. FIG. 1 is a longitudinal sectional view of a glow plug 1. FIG. FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken in the direction of arrows II in FIG. 2. FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along line II-II shown in FIG. 3. It is a figure which shows the joining aspect of the 1st metal shell 40 and the 2nd metal shell 50. FIG. 1 is an exploded view of a glow plug 1. FIG. It is a figure which shows the 1st modification of the joining aspect of the 1st metal shell 40 and the 2nd metal shell 50. FIG. It is a figure which shows the 2nd modification of the joining aspect of the 1st metal shell 40 and the 2nd metal shell 50. FIG. It is a figure which shows the 3rd modification of the joining aspect of the 1st metal shell 40 and the 2nd metal shell 50. FIG.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Glow plug 20 Ceramic heater 36 Thermocouple 40 1st main metal fitting 43 Shaft hole 45 1st joining end part 47 Convex part 48 Concave part 50 2nd main metal fitting 52 Screw part 53 Shaft hole 55 2nd joining end part 57 Convex part 58 Concave part 150 Engine 154 Mounting hole 157 Female thread 160 Combustion chamber

Claims (1)

A cylindrical metal shell having a shaft hole and threaded to a female screw provided in a mounting hole of the internal combustion engine formed on the outer peripheral surface of the shaft, and held in the shaft hole of the metal shell A glow plug comprising a heater and a temperature sensor provided at a position displaced in the radial direction from the axial center of the heater,
The metallic shell is
A cylindrical first metal shell that is disposed on the front end side in the axial direction and projects the heater from its front end side;
A cylindrical second metal shell disposed on the rear end side in the axial direction and formed with the thread is joined on the same axis,
In a pair of joint portions where the axial rear end portion of the first metal shell and the axial front end portion of the second metal shell face each other, one joint portion includes a plurality of circumferentially arranged A glow plug, characterized in that a recess is provided, and the other joint is provided with a projection that fits into the recess.

Images