JP2013037961A - Spark plug and spark plug manufacturing method - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a technique capable of improving a heat dissipation performance of an insulator and a center electrode of a spark plug.SOLUTION: Among crystal grains of a center electrode appearing on a cross section passing through an axial line passing through a center of the center electrode and a position at which a gap between an inner periphery at a tip of a shaft hole of the insulator and an outer periphery of the center electrode becomes minimum, a crystal grain positioned on a line segment LS is observed by a metallurgical microscope. When an average particle size of the crystal grains is measured from an obtained image, the average particle size is 0.010 mm or more.

Description

  The present invention relates to a spark plug and a spark plug manufacturing method.

  As performance required for the spark plug, for example, pre-ignition resistance can be mentioned. Preignition (premature ignition) means that the temperature of the tip (for example, an insulator) of the spark plug rises excessively and combustion starts using the tip as a heat source before the timing of normal ignition.

  When pre-ignition occurs, problems such as a decrease in engine output and a tendency for knocking to occur occur. Therefore, there has been a demand to suppress the vicinity of the tip of the insulator and the center electrode from becoming high temperature and to improve the pre-ignition resistance.

JP 2001-155838 A JP 2005-183177 A Japanese Patent No. 4375119

  SUMMARY An advantage of some aspects of the invention is to provide a technique capable of improving the pre-ignition resistance of a spark plug.

  In order to solve at least a part of the problems described above, the present invention can take the following forms or application examples.

[Application Example 1]
A central electrode extending in the axial direction;
An insulator having an axial hole extending in the axial direction, and holding the center electrode on a tip side of the axial hole;
A spark plug comprising:
In a cross section passing through the axis passing through the center of the center electrode, and the position where the gap between the inner peripheral surface and the outer peripheral surface of the center electrode at the tip of the shaft hole of the insulator is minimized,
A straight line that is perpendicular to the axis and passes through the tip of the shaft hole is a straight line L1,
A straight line that is parallel to the straight line L1 and located on the rear end side of 1 mm from the tip of the shaft hole is defined as a straight line L2.
A straight line that is parallel to the axis and is located 0.5 mm from the side of the outer peripheral surface of the center electrode where the gap is minimum is defined as a straight line L3,
An intersection point between the straight line L2 and the side of the outer peripheral surface of the center electrode where the gap is minimum is a point P1,
An intersection of the straight line L2 and the straight line L3 is a point P2,
A line segment from the point P1 to the point P2 is defined as a line segment LS.
Among the crystal grains of the central electrode that appeared in the cross section, when observing the crystal grains located on the line segment LS with a metallographic microscope, and measuring the average particle diameter of the crystal grains from the obtained image,
The spark plug according to claim 1, wherein the average particle diameter is 0.010 mm or more.
The vicinity of the line segment LS in the center electrode is a portion where the heat flow rate from the vicinity of the tip of the shaft hole of the insulator is the largest. Performance is improved. And as the average particle diameter of the crystal grains in the center electrode is larger, the thermal conductivity is increased and the heat drawing performance is improved. Therefore, according to this configuration, the heat-drawing performance of the insulator and the center electrode can be improved. Can be improved.

[Application Example 2]
The spark plug according to application example 1,
The spark plug according to claim 1, wherein the minimum gap is 0.05 mm or more and 0.15 mm or less at a position where the gap is minimum.
According to this configuration, since the gap between the center electrode and the insulator is reduced, heat can be easily transferred from the insulator to the center electrode, and the heat extraction performance of the insulator can be improved. Further, since the gap between the center electrode and the insulator is secured at a predetermined value or more, it is possible to suppress the breakdown of the insulator due to the expansion of the center electrode.

[Application Example 3]
The spark plug according to Application Example 1 or Application Example 2,
The spark plug according to claim 1, wherein the average particle size is 0.025 mm or more.
According to this configuration, the thermal conductivity in the center electrode can be further increased, and the heat extraction performance of the insulator and the center electrode can be further improved.

[Application Example 4]
The spark plug according to any one of Application Example 1 to Application Example 3,
The spark plug according to claim 1, wherein the center electrode contains 70 wt% or more of nickel.
According to this configuration, the crystal grains of the center electrode can easily grow, and the thermal conductivity in the center electrode can be increased.

[Application Example 5]
The spark plug according to application example 4,
The spark plug according to claim 1, wherein the center electrode contains 80% by weight or more of nickel.
According to this configuration, the crystal grains of the center electrode can be further easily grown, and the thermal conductivity in the center electrode can be further increased.

[Application Example 6]
An insulator having a shaft hole;
A spark plug including a center electrode provided on a tip side of the shaft hole,
Preparing the molded center electrode;
A step of performing a heat treatment for 25 hours or more in a temperature range of 500 ° C. or more and 950 ° C. or less with respect to the prepared center electrode;
And a step of assembling the center electrode on the tip end side of the shaft hole of the insulator.
According to this manufacturing method, since the crystal grains of the center electrode can be grown, it is possible to manufacture a spark plug with good heat extraction performance.

[Application Example 7]
An insulator having a shaft hole;
A spark plug including a center electrode provided on a tip side of the shaft hole,
Preparing the molded center electrode;
Bonding the precious metal tip containing iridium to the prepared center electrode;
A step of performing a heat treatment for 25 hours or more in a temperature range of 500 ° C. or more and 750 ° C. or less with respect to the center electrode to which the noble metal tip is bonded;
And a step of assembling the center electrode on the tip end side of the shaft hole of the insulator.
According to this manufacturing method, the crystal grains of the center electrode can be grown without oxidizing the noble metal tip containing iridium. Therefore, it is possible to manufacture a spark plug having a noble metal tip and having a good heat drawing performance.

  Note that the present invention can be realized in various modes. For example, it can be realized in the form of a spark plug, a spark plug manufacturing method and a manufacturing apparatus.

It is a fragmentary sectional view showing a spark plug as one embodiment of the present invention. It is explanatory drawing which expands and shows the tip vicinity of a center electrode. It is process drawing which shows a part of manufacturing process of a spark plug. It is process drawing which shows a part of manufacturing process in the case of joining the noble metal chip | tip containing iridium to the front-end | tip of a center electrode. It is explanatory drawing which shows the experimental result about the relationship between an average particle diameter and pre-ignition resistance. It is explanatory drawing which shows the experimental result about the relationship between the minimum clearance gap MG and the state of an insulator, and the relationship between minimum clearance MG and pre-ignition resistance. It is explanatory drawing which shows the experimental result about the relationship between an average particle diameter and pre-ignition resistance. It is explanatory drawing which shows the experimental result about the relationship between content of Ni in a center electrode, and pre-ignition resistance.

Next, embodiments of the present invention will be described in the following order based on examples.
A. Embodiment:
A1. The overall structure of the spark plug:
A2. Details of the tip of the center electrode:
A3. Production method:
B. Experimental example:
B1. Experimental example 1 regarding average particle diameter
B2. Example of experiment on minimum gap MG:
B3. Experimental example 2 regarding average particle diameter:
B4. Experimental example on Ni content in center electrode:
C. Variations:

A. Embodiment:
A1. The overall structure of the spark plug:
FIG. 1 is a partial cross-sectional view showing a spark plug 100 as an embodiment of the present invention. In the following description, the axial direction OD of the spark plug 100 in FIG. 1 is the vertical direction in the drawing, the lower side is the front end side of the spark plug, and the upper side is the rear end side. In FIG. 1, the appearance of the spark plug 100 is shown on the right side of the axis O, and the cross section of the spark plug 100 cut along a plane passing through the axis O (hereinafter also referred to as the central axis O) is shown on the left side of the axis O. ing.

  The spark plug 100 includes an insulator 10, a metal shell 50, a center electrode 20, a ground electrode 30, and a terminal metal fitting 40. The center electrode 20 is held in a shaft hole 12 provided in the insulator 10 in a state extending in the axial direction OD. The insulator 10 functions as an insulator, and the metal shell 50 is inserted in a state of surrounding the insulator 10. The terminal fitting 40 is a terminal for receiving power supply, and is provided at the rear end portion of the insulator 10.

  The insulator 10 is an insulator formed by firing alumina or the like. The insulator 10 is a cylindrical insulator in which an axial hole 12 extending in the axial direction OD is formed along the central axis. The insulator 10 is formed with a flange portion 19 having the largest outer diameter in the approximate center of the axial direction OD, and a rear end side body portion 18 is formed on the rear end side. The rear end side body portion 18 is formed with a flange portion 11 for increasing the surface length and enhancing the insulation. A front end side body portion 17 having an outer diameter smaller than that of the rear end side body portion 18 is formed on the front end side from the flange portion 19. A long leg portion 13 having an outer diameter smaller than that of the front end side body portion 17 is formed further on the front end side than the front end side body portion 17. The long leg portion 13 has a smaller outer diameter toward the distal end side. The leg portion 13 is exposed to the combustion chamber of the internal combustion engine when the spark plug 100 is attached to the engine head 200 of the internal combustion engine. A step portion 15 is formed between the long leg portion 13 and the front end side body portion 17.

  The center electrode 20 extends along the central axis O from the front end side of the insulator 10 toward the rear end side, and is exposed on the front end side of the insulator 10. The center electrode 20 is a rod-shaped electrode having a structure in which a core material 25 is embedded in an electrode base material 21. The electrode base material 21 is formed of nickel of Inconel 600, Inconel 601 or the like (“Inconel” is a trade name) or an alloy containing nickel as a main component. The core material 25 is made of copper or an alloy containing copper as a main component, which is superior in thermal conductivity to the electrode base material 21. Usually, the center electrode 20 is produced by filling a core material 25 inside an electrode base material 21 formed in a bottomed cylindrical shape, and performing extrusion molding from the bottom side and stretching it. The core member 25 has a substantially constant outer diameter at the body portion, but is formed in a tapered shape at the distal end side. In the shaft hole 12, the center electrode 20 is electrically connected to a terminal fitting 40 provided on the rear end side of the insulator 10 through the seal body 4 and the ceramic resistor 3.

  The metal shell 50 is a cylindrical metal fitting made of a low carbon steel material, and holds the insulator 10 inside. A portion from a part of the rear end side body portion 18 of the insulator 10 to the long leg portion 13 is surrounded by a metal shell 50.

  The metal shell 50 includes a tool engaging portion 51 and a mounting screw portion 52. The tool engaging part 51 is a part into which a spark plug wrench (not shown) is fitted. The mounting screw portion 52 of the metal shell 50 is a portion where a screw thread is formed, and is screwed into a mounting screw hole 201 of the engine head 200 provided in the upper part of the internal combustion engine. Thus, the spark plug 100 is fixed to the engine head 200 of the internal combustion engine by screwing the mounting screw portion 52 of the metal shell 50 into the mounting screw hole 201 of the engine head 200 and tightening.

  Between the tool engaging portion 51 and the mounting screw portion 52 of the metal shell 50, a flange-like flange portion 54 that bulges radially outward is formed. An annular gasket 5 formed by bending a plate is fitted into a screw neck 59 between the mounting screw portion 52 and the flange portion 54. When the spark plug 100 is attached to the engine head 200, the gasket 5 is crushed and deformed between the seat surface 55 of the flange portion 54 and the opening peripheral edge portion 205 of the attachment screw hole 201. Due to the deformation of the gasket 5, the gap between the spark plug 100 and the engine head 200 is sealed, and leakage of combustion gas through the mounting screw hole 201 is suppressed.

  A thin caulking portion 53 is provided on the rear end side of the metal shell 50 from the tool engaging portion 51. In addition, a thin buckled portion 58 is provided between the flange portion 54 and the tool engaging portion 51, similarly to the caulking portion 53. Annular ring members 6, 7 are inserted between the inner peripheral surface of the metal shell 50 from the tool engaging portion 51 to the crimping portion 53 and the outer peripheral surface of the rear end side body portion 18 of the insulator 10. Has been. Further, the talc (talc) 9 powder is filled between the ring members 6 and 7. The metal shell 50 and the insulator 10 are fixed by caulking the caulking portion 53 inwardly. The airtightness between the metal shell 50 and the insulator 10 is determined by the annular plate packing 8 interposed between the step portion 56 formed on the inner peripheral surface of the metal shell 50 and the step portion 15 of the insulator 10. Is retained, and combustion gas leakage is prevented. The buckling portion 58 is configured to bend outwardly and deform as the compression force is applied during caulking. The buckling portion 58 secures the compression length of the talc 9 and increases the airtightness in the metal shell 50. ing.

  A ground electrode 30 that is bent from the tip of the metal shell 50 toward the central axis O is joined to the tip of the metal shell 50. The ground electrode 30 can be formed of a nickel alloy having high corrosion resistance such as Inconel 600 or the like (“Inconel” is a trade name). The ground electrode 30 and the metal shell 50 can be joined by welding. The tip 33 of the ground electrode 30 faces the center electrode 20.

  A high voltage cable (not shown) is connected to the terminal fitting 40 of the spark plug 100 via a plug cap (not shown). A spark discharge is generated between the ground electrode 30 and the center electrode 20 by applying a high voltage between the terminal fitting 40 and the engine head 200.

  Each of the center electrode 20 and the ground electrode 30 is attached with electrode tips 90 and 95 formed mainly of a high melting point noble metal in order to improve spark wear resistance. Specifically, for example, iridium (Ir) or iridium as a main component, platinum (Pt), rhodium (Rh), ruthenium (Ru), palladium (Pd), An electrode tip 90 made of an Ir alloy to which one or more of rhenium (Re) is added is attached. Further, platinum or an electrode tip 95 containing platinum as a main component is attached to the surface of the tip 33 of the ground electrode 30 facing the center electrode 20. Hereinafter, the electrode tip is also referred to as a noble metal tip.

A2. Details of the tip of the center electrode:
FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram showing the vicinity of the tip of the center electrode 20 in an enlarged manner. FIG. 2A is a view showing the center electrode 20 from the front end side, and FIG. 2B is a view showing a BB cross section of FIG. 2A. An arrow MG shown in FIG. 2A indicates a position where the gap between the inner peripheral surface at the tip of the shaft hole 12 of the insulator 10 and the outer peripheral surface of the center electrode 20 is minimized (hereinafter, the gap at this position is “ Also referred to as “minimum gap MG”). The BB cross section line connects the minimum gap MG and the axis O passing through the center of the center electrode 20. In FIG. 2, for convenience of illustration, the electrode chips 90 and 95 are omitted. Further, the outer diameter of the center electrode 20 may be reduced in a portion closer to the front end side than the position on the rear end side 1 mm from the front end of the shaft hole 12 of the insulator 10.

  The heat drawing performance in the vicinity of the tip of the shaft hole 12 of the insulator 10 is affected by the size of the gap between the insulator 10 and the center electrode 20. That is, the smaller the gap between the insulator 10 and the center electrode 20, the easier the heat of the insulator 10 is transferred to the center electrode 20, and the heat drawing performance is improved. On the other hand, the heat extraction performance of the center electrode 20 is affected by the average particle diameter of the crystal grains in the cross section of the center electrode 20. That is, the larger the average particle diameter of the crystal grains, the smaller the existence ratio of the interface between the crystal grains. Therefore, the thermal resistance by the interface is reduced, the thermal conductivity is improved, and the heat drawing performance of the center electrode 20 is improved. . Therefore, in the present embodiment, the gap between the inner peripheral surface at the tip of the shaft hole 12 of the insulator 10 and the outer peripheral surface of the center electrode 20 is minimized for the purpose of improving the heat extraction performance of the insulator 10 and the center electrode 20. The average particle diameter of the crystal grains of the center electrode 20 in the vicinity of the portion (minimum gap MG) where the heat flow rate from the insulator 10 to the center electrode 20 is large in the cross section at the position (minimum gap MG).

  In the present embodiment, the line segment LS is defined as the vicinity of the portion (minimum gap MG) where the heat flow rate from the insulator 10 to the center electrode 20 is large, and the average particle diameter of the crystal grains on the line segment LS is defined. The definition of the line segment LS will be described below with reference to FIG.

[Definition of line segment LS]
In the cross section shown in FIG. 2B, a straight line that is perpendicular to the axis O and passes through the tip of the shaft hole 12 is defined as a straight line L1.
A straight line that is parallel to the straight line L1 and located 1 mm rearward from the tip of the shaft hole 12 is defined as a straight line L2.
A straight line that is parallel to the axis O and is located 0.5 mm on the inner peripheral side from the side of the outer peripheral surface of the center electrode 20 where the gap is minimum is defined as a straight line L3.
A point P1 is an intersection between the straight line L2 and the side of the outer peripheral surface of the center electrode 20 where the gap is the smallest.
A point of intersection of the straight line L2 and the straight line L3 is defined as a point P2.
A line segment from the point P1 to the point P2 is defined as a line segment LS.

  In the present embodiment, among the crystal grains of the center electrode 20 (electrode base material 21) appearing in the cross section shown in FIG. 2B, the average grain size of the crystal grains located on the line segment LS is 0. It is 01 mm or more. If the average particle diameter is 0.01 mm or more, the thermal conductivity in the vicinity of the line segment LS increases, so that the heat drawing performance of the insulator 10 and the center electrode 20 can be improved, and the pre-ignition resistance of the spark plug is improved. Can be improved. Furthermore, if the average particle diameter of the crystal grains located on the line segment LS is 0.025 mm or more, the heat-drawing performance of the insulator 10 and the center electrode 20 can be further improved.

  In the present embodiment, the average particle diameter is defined by observing crystal grains located on the line segment LS with a metal microscope. Specifically, the crystal grains located on the line segment LS are observed with a metal microscope (magnification 100 times), and an image of the crystal grains is acquired. From the acquired image, the area of each crystal grain located on the line segment LS is calculated by image processing. The diameter of a circle having the same area as the calculated crystal grain area (area circle equivalent diameter) is calculated for each crystal grain. And what averaged the diameter of the calculated circle | round | yen with the crystal grain located on line segment LS is prescribed | regulated as an average particle diameter.

  Further, in this specification, “a crystal grain positioned on the line segment LS” means a crystal grain through which the line segment LS passes, and is specifically shown in a circle C in FIG. As shown, the hatched hatched crystal grains.

  Furthermore, the minimum gap MG is preferably 0.05 mm or more and 0.15 mm or less. The reason for this will be described. If the minimum gap MG is set to 0.15 mm or less, the heat of the insulator 10 is easily transmitted to the center electrode 20, so that the heat-drawing performance of the insulator 10 can be improved and the pre-ignition resistance can be improved. On the other hand, if the minimum gap MG is set to 0.05 mm or more, the insulator 10 can be prevented from being damaged due to the center electrode 20 expanding in the radial direction when the spark plug becomes hot. That is, if the minimum gap MG is set to 0.05 mm or more and 0.15 mm or less, the pre-ignition resistance of the insulator 10 can be improved while suppressing the damage of the insulator 10. The reason for defining the minimum gap MG to such a numerical value will be described later.

  Furthermore, the center electrode 20 (electrode base material 21) preferably contains 70% by weight or more of nickel, and particularly preferably contains 80% by weight or more. The reason for this will be described. When the content of nickel in the center electrode 20 is large, the thermal conductivity of the center electrode 20 is increased, and the heat extraction performance is improved. Moreover, when the center electrode 20 is heat-treated, the growth of crystal grains is promoted, and there is an effect that the average particle diameter of the crystal grains of the center electrode 20 tends to increase. Therefore, if the nickel content in the center electrode 20 is 70% by weight or more, particularly 80% by weight or more, the heat-drawing performance of the center electrode 20 can be improved, and the pre-ignition resistance can be improved. The basis for prescribing the nickel content to such a value will be described later.

A3. Production method:
FIG. 3 is a process diagram showing a part of the manufacturing process of the spark plug 100. In step S <b> 10, the center electrode 20 is prepared by extrusion molding with the core material 25 embedded in the electrode base material 21. In step S12, the prepared center electrode 20 is subjected to a heat treatment for 25 hours or more in a temperature range of 500 ° C. or more and 950 ° C. or less. In step S <b> 14, the center electrode 20 is assembled to the distal end side of the shaft hole 12 of the insulator 10.

  According to such a manufacturing method, since the crystal grains in the electrode base material 21 grow by the heat treatment on the center electrode 20, the average grain diameter of the crystal grains on the line segment LS can be set to 0.01 mm or more. Moreover, since the heat treatment for the center electrode 20 is performed before the assembly to the insulator 10, it is possible to avoid the mechanical strength and the withstand voltage performance of the insulator 10 from being deteriorated by the heat treatment.

  In the manufacturing process shown in FIG. 3, the noble metal tip is attached to the tip of the center electrode 20 after the heat treatment for the center electrode 20, but the noble metal tip may not be attached to the tip of the center electrode 20. Further, when a noble metal tip that can withstand heat treatment in a temperature range of 500 ° C. or more and 950 ° C. or less is used, the noble metal tip may be attached to the tip of the center electrode 20 before the heat treatment for the center electrode 20. .

  FIG. 4 is a process diagram showing a part of the manufacturing process in the case where the noble metal tip containing iridium is joined to the tip of the center electrode 20. In step S <b> 20, the center electrode 20 is prepared by extrusion molding with the core material 25 embedded in the electrode base material 21. In step S22, a noble metal tip containing iridium is bonded to the prepared center electrode 20. In step S24, the central electrode 20 to which the noble metal tip is bonded is subjected to a heat treatment for 25 hours or more in a temperature range of 500 ° C. or higher and 750 ° C. or lower. In step S <b> 26, the center electrode 20 is assembled to the tip end side of the shaft hole 12 of the insulator 10.

  When the noble metal tip containing iridium is exposed to a high temperature environment of about 850 ° C. or more, it may be oxidized. However, according to this manufacturing method, even if heat treatment is performed on the center electrode 20 to which the noble metal tip containing iridium is bonded, it is possible to suppress the iridium from being oxidized and the line segment LS. The average particle diameter of the above crystal grains can be 0.01 mm or more.

  In addition, the significant figure of the average particle diameter shown in this specification and drawing is three digits after the decimal point.

B. Experimental example:
B1. Experimental example 1 regarding average particle diameter
In order to investigate the relationship between the average particle diameter of the crystal grains located on the line segment LS and the pre-ignition resistance, an experiment was performed using samples having different average particle diameters. In this experimental example, each sample was attached to a 4-cylinder engine, the ignition timing was gradually advanced, the ignition timing (advance) at which pre-ignition occurred was measured 10 times, and the average value was calculated. Then, the pre-ignition resistance was evaluated based on how much the lead electrode could be advanced with respect to the comparative sample in which the structure of the center electrode 20 was fiber-like (that is, in a state where crystal grains were not formed). Note that the minimum gap MG of each sample in this experimental example is 0.2 mm.

FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram showing experimental results on the relationship between the average particle size and the pre-ignition resistance. FIG. 5A is a diagram showing the experimental results in a table format, and FIG. 5B is a diagram showing the experimental results in a graph format. The evaluation criteria for pre-ignition resistance are as follows.
F: When preignition occurs due to an advance angle of less than +0.1 degrees. (Lowest rating)
E: When preignition occurs due to an advance angle of +0.1 degrees or more and less than +0.4 degrees.
D: When preignition occurs due to an advance angle of +0.4 degrees or more and less than +1.0 degrees.
C: When preignition occurs due to an advance angle of +1.0 degree or more and less than +1.3 degree.
B: When preignition occurs due to an advance angle of +1.3 degrees or more and less than +2.0 degrees.
A: When preignition occurs due to an advance angle of +2.0 degrees or more. (Highest evaluation)

  According to FIG. 5, it can be understood that the pre-ignition resistance is improved as the average particle diameter is increased. Specifically, if the average particle diameter is 0.010 mm or more, the evaluation about the pre-ignition resistance becomes “E”, and if the average particle diameter is 0.015 mm or more, the evaluation about the pre-ignition resistance. Can be understood as “D”. As mentioned above, it is preferable that an average particle diameter is 0.010 mm or more, and it is further more preferable that it is 0.015 mm or more.

B2. Example of experiment on minimum gap MG:
In order to investigate the relationship between the minimum gap MG and the occurrence of cracks in the insulator 10 and the relationship between the minimum gap MG and the pre-ignition resistance, an experiment was performed using samples having different minimum gaps MG. The experimental method and evaluation criteria of this experimental example are the same as those of “Experimental example 1 regarding average particle diameter” described above. However, when the insulator 10 was cracked, the pre-ignition resistance was evaluated as “F”, which is the lowest evaluation.

  FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram showing experimental results on the relationship between the minimum gap MG and the state of the insulator 10 and the relationship between the minimum gap MG and the pre-ignition resistance. FIG. 6A is a diagram showing the experimental results in a table format, and FIG. 6B is a diagram showing the experimental results in a graph format.

  According to FIG. 6, it can be understood that the pre-ignition resistance is improved as the minimum gap MG is reduced. Specifically, if the minimum gap MG is 0.15 mm or less, the evaluation of pre-ignition resistance is “D” or more, and if the minimum gap MG is 0.05 mm, the evaluation of pre-ignition resistance is “C”. Can be understood.

  On the other hand, if the minimum gap MG is equal to or greater than a predetermined value, it can be understood that the occurrence of cracking of the insulator 10 can be suppressed. Specifically, it can be understood that if the minimum gap MG is 0.05 mm or more, the insulator 10 is not cracked. As described above, the minimum gap MG is preferably 0.05 mm or more and 0.15 mm or less.

B3. Experimental example 2 regarding average particle diameter:
In this experimental example, an experiment similar to the above-mentioned “Experimental example 1 regarding the average particle diameter” was performed on each sample having the minimum gap MG of 0.15 mm.

  FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram showing experimental results on the relationship between the average particle size and the pre-ignition resistance. FIG. 7A is a diagram showing the experimental results in a table format, and FIG. 7B is a diagram showing the experimental results in a graph format. According to FIG. 7, it can be understood that the pre-ignition resistance is improved as the average particle diameter is increased. Specifically, it can be understood that when the minimum gap MG is 0.15 mm and the average particle diameter is 0.025 mm or more, the evaluation of the pre-ignition resistance is “C”. As mentioned above, it is especially preferable that an average particle diameter is 0.025 mm or more.

B4. Experimental example on Ni content in center electrode:
In order to investigate the relationship between the Ni content in the center electrode 20 and the pre-ignition resistance, an experiment was performed using samples having different Ni contents. The experimental method and evaluation criteria of this experimental example are the same as those of “Experimental example 1 regarding average particle diameter” described above. Note that the minimum gap MG of each sample in this experimental example is 0.15 mm, and the average particle diameter of the crystal grains located on the line segment LS is 0.045 mm.

  FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram showing experimental results on the relationship between the Ni content in the center electrode and the pre-ignition resistance. FIG. 8A is a diagram showing a table format, and FIG. 8B is a diagram showing a graph format. It can be understood from FIG. 8 that the pre-ignition resistance is improved as the Ni content in the center electrode 20 is increased. Specifically, if the Ni content in the center electrode 20 is 70% or more, the evaluation of pre-ignition resistance is “B” or more, and if the Ni content in the center electrode 20 is 80% or more. It can be understood that the evaluation of pre-ignition resistance is “A”. From the above, the Ni content in the center electrode 20 is preferably 70% or more, and more preferably 80% or more.

C. Variations:
The present invention is not limited to the above-described examples and embodiments, and can be implemented in various modes without departing from the gist thereof. For example, the following modifications are possible.

C1. Modification 1:
Although the discharge direction of the spark plug in the above embodiment coincides with the axial direction OD, the present invention also applies to a so-called lateral discharge type spark plug in which the discharge direction is a direction perpendicular to the axial direction OD. Can be applied.

C2. Modification 2:
In the spark plug in the above embodiment, the electrode tips 90 and 95 are provided, but one or both of them may not be provided.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 3 ... Ceramic resistance 4 ... Sealing body 5 ... Gasket 6 ... Ring member 8 ... Plate packing 9 ... Talc 10 ... Insulator 11 ... Gutter 12 ... Shaft hole 13 ... Leg long part 15 ... Step part 17 ... Tip side trunk | drum 18 ... Rear end side body part 19 ... collar part 20 ... center electrode 21 ... electrode base material 25 ... core material 30 ... ground electrode 33 ... tip part 40 ... terminal fitting 50 ... metal shell 51 ... tool engaging part 52 ... mounting screw part 53 ... caulking part 54 ... collar part 55 ... bearing surface 56 ... step part 58 ... buckling part 59 ... screw neck 90 ... electrode tip 95 ... electrode tip 100 ... spark plug 200 ... engine head 201 ... mounting screw hole 205 ... peripheral edge of the opening Part MG ... Minimum clearance

Claims (7)

A central electrode extending in the axial direction;
An insulator having an axial hole extending in the axial direction, and holding the center electrode on a tip side of the axial hole;
A spark plug comprising:
In a cross section passing through the axis passing through the center of the center electrode, and the position where the gap between the inner peripheral surface and the outer peripheral surface of the center electrode at the tip of the shaft hole of the insulator is minimized,
A straight line that is perpendicular to the axis and passes through the tip of the shaft hole is a straight line L1,
A straight line that is parallel to the straight line L1 and located on the rear end side of 1 mm from the tip of the shaft hole is defined as a straight line L2.
A straight line that is parallel to the axis and is located 0.5 mm from the side of the outer peripheral surface of the center electrode where the gap is minimum is defined as a straight line L3,
An intersection point between the straight line L2 and the side of the outer peripheral surface of the center electrode where the gap is minimum is a point P1,
An intersection of the straight line L2 and the straight line L3 is a point P2,
A line segment from the point P1 to the point P2 is defined as a line segment LS.
Among the crystal grains of the central electrode that appeared in the cross section, when observing the crystal grains located on the line segment LS with a metallographic microscope, and measuring the average particle diameter of the crystal grains from the obtained image,
The spark plug according to claim 1, wherein the average particle diameter is 0.010 mm or more. The spark plug according to claim 1,
The spark plug according to claim 1, wherein the minimum gap is 0.05 mm or more and 0.15 mm or less at a position where the gap is minimum. The spark plug according to claim 1 or 2, wherein
The spark plug according to claim 1, wherein the average particle size is 0.025 mm or more. The spark plug according to any one of claims 1 to 3,
The spark plug according to claim 1, wherein the center electrode contains 70 wt% or more of nickel. The spark plug according to claim 4,
The spark plug according to claim 1, wherein the center electrode contains 80% by weight or more of nickel. An insulator having a shaft hole;
A spark plug including a center electrode provided on a tip side of the shaft hole,
Preparing the molded center electrode;
A step of performing a heat treatment for 25 hours or more in a temperature range of 500 ° C. or more and 950 ° C. or less with respect to the prepared center electrode;
And a step of assembling the center electrode on the tip end side of the shaft hole of the insulator. An insulator having a shaft hole;
A spark plug including a center electrode provided on a tip side of the shaft hole,
Preparing the molded center electrode;
Bonding the precious metal tip containing iridium to the prepared center electrode;
A step of performing a heat treatment for 25 hours or more in a temperature range of 500 ° C. or more and 750 ° C. or less with respect to the center electrode to which the noble metal tip is bonded;
And a step of assembling the center electrode on the tip end side of the shaft hole of the insulator.

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