WO2014092072A1 - 内燃機関用のスパークプラグ - Google Patents
内燃機関用のスパークプラグ Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- WO2014092072A1 WO2014092072A1 PCT/JP2013/083062 JP2013083062W WO2014092072A1 WO 2014092072 A1 WO2014092072 A1 WO 2014092072A1 JP 2013083062 W JP2013083062 W JP 2013083062W WO 2014092072 A1 WO2014092072 A1 WO 2014092072A1
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- WIPO (PCT)
- Prior art keywords
- plug
- tip
- internal combustion
- combustion engine
- spark plug
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- H—ELECTRICITY
- H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
- H01T—SPARK GAPS; OVERVOLTAGE ARRESTERS USING SPARK GAPS; SPARKING PLUGS; CORONA DEVICES; GENERATING IONS TO BE INTRODUCED INTO NON-ENCLOSED GASES
- H01T13/00—Sparking plugs
- H01T13/20—Sparking plugs characterised by features of the electrodes or insulation
- H01T13/32—Sparking plugs characterised by features of the electrodes or insulation characterised by features of the earthed electrode
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
- H01T—SPARK GAPS; OVERVOLTAGE ARRESTERS USING SPARK GAPS; SPARKING PLUGS; CORONA DEVICES; GENERATING IONS TO BE INTRODUCED INTO NON-ENCLOSED GASES
- H01T13/00—Sparking plugs
- H01T13/02—Details
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
- H01T—SPARK GAPS; OVERVOLTAGE ARRESTERS USING SPARK GAPS; SPARKING PLUGS; CORONA DEVICES; GENERATING IONS TO BE INTRODUCED INTO NON-ENCLOSED GASES
- H01T13/00—Sparking plugs
- H01T13/20—Sparking plugs characterised by features of the electrodes or insulation
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
- H01T—SPARK GAPS; OVERVOLTAGE ARRESTERS USING SPARK GAPS; SPARKING PLUGS; CORONA DEVICES; GENERATING IONS TO BE INTRODUCED INTO NON-ENCLOSED GASES
- H01T1/00—Details of spark gaps
- H01T1/20—Means for starting arc or facilitating ignition of spark gap
Definitions
- the present invention relates to a spark plug for an internal combustion engine used for an automobile engine or the like.
- Spark plugs are frequently used as ignition means in internal combustion engines such as automobile engines.
- the center electrode and the ground electrode are opposed to each other in the axial direction, and a spark discharge gap is formed between them.
- Such a spark plug generates a discharge in the spark discharge gap and ignites the air-fuel mixture in the combustion chamber by this discharge.
- an air flow of an air-fuel mixture such as a swirl flow or a tumble flow is formed, and ignitability can be ensured by appropriately flowing the air flow in the spark discharge gap.
- a part of the ground electrode joined to the front end of the housing may be arranged upstream of the spark discharge gap in the airflow.
- the airflow in the combustion chamber may be blocked by the ground electrode, and the airflow near the spark discharge gap may stagnate. If this stagnation occurs, the ignitability of the spark plug may be reduced. That is, the ignitability of the spark plug may vary depending on the mounting orientation to the internal combustion engine. Particularly, in recent years, an internal combustion engine using lean combustion is often used. In such an internal combustion engine, the combustion stability may be lowered depending on the mounting posture of the spark plug.
- the mounting posture of the spark plug to the internal combustion engine that is, the position of the ground electrode in the circumferential direction. This is because the mounting posture changes depending on the formation state of the mounting screw in the housing and the degree of tightening of the spark plug during the mounting operation to the internal combustion engine.
- Patent Document 1 discloses a configuration in which a hole is formed in the ground electrode and a configuration in which the ground electrode is joined to the housing by a plurality of thin plate-like members in order to suppress airflow obstruction by the ground electrode. .
- the present invention has been made in view of such a background, and an object of the present invention is to provide a spark plug for an internal combustion engine having a simple configuration capable of ensuring stable ignitability regardless of the mounting posture with respect to the internal combustion engine. .
- One embodiment of the present invention includes a cylindrical housing; A cylindrical insulator held inside the housing; A center electrode held inside the insulator so that the tip protrudes; and A ground electrode that protrudes from the front end of the housing to the front end side and forms a spark discharge gap with the center electrode; A tip projection protruding from the tip of the housing to the tip side at a position different from the ground electrode,
- the tip protrusion has a flat air guide surface facing the ground electrode side in the plug circumferential direction, When viewed from the plug axial direction, a straight line connecting the center in the plug circumferential direction of the standing portion of the ground electrode standing from the housing and the center point of the center electrode is a straight line L, and an extension line of the wind guide surface Is a straight line M, a distance between an intersection of the straight line L and the straight line M and a center point of the central electrode is a, an angle formed by the straight line L and the straight line M is b, and a diameter of the housing is D.
- the spark plug for an internal combustion engine wherein the distance a satisfies all of the following formulas (1) to (4) when the side of the ground electrode away from the upright portion is positive and the approaching side is negative: It is in. b ⁇ ⁇ 67.8 ⁇ (a / D) +27.4 (1) b ⁇ ⁇ 123.7 ⁇ (a / D) +64.5 (2) ⁇ 0.4 ⁇ (a / D) ⁇ 0.4 (3) 0 ° ⁇ b ⁇ 90 ° (4)
- the spark plug has the tip protrusion. Therefore, even if the spark plug is attached to the internal combustion engine in any posture, it is possible to prevent the airflow in the combustion chamber toward the spark discharge gap from being obstructed.
- the airflow that has passed through the side of the standing portion of the ground electrode from the upstream side is caused by the tip protrusion to cause a spark discharge.
- the tip protrusion serves as a guide for the airflow, and can guide the airflow toward the spark discharge gap (hereinafter, this function is referred to as a “guide function” as appropriate). Therefore, the stagnation of the airflow near the spark discharge gap can be prevented. As a result, stable ignitability of the spark plug can be ensured.
- the air guide surface of the tip protrusion is arranged in a state satisfying all of the above formulas (1) to (4).
- the guide function can be effectively exhibited. That is, by satisfying all of the above formulas (1) to (4), the air guide surface of the tip protrusion can appropriately guide the air flow to the spark discharge gap.
- the tip protrusion can be realized by a simple configuration in which the tip protrusion is arranged to protrude from the tip of the housing toward the tip. That is, it is not necessary to devise the shape of the ground electrode and to make it complicated.
- the side inserted into the combustion chamber is the front end side, and the opposite side is the base end side.
- the spark plug for the internal combustion engine further satisfies the following formula (5).
- the ignitability can be improved more effectively.
- the spark plug for the internal combustion engine preferably further satisfies the following formula (6).
- b ⁇ -123.1 ⁇ (a / D) +30.0 (6) In this case, the ignitability can be improved more reliably.
- the tip of the tip protrusion is located at the tip of the ground electrode that is the same as or more proximal than the tip of the ground electrode and the tip of the insulator. In this case, it is possible to reduce the size of the spark plug in the plug axis direction while ensuring the guide function of the tip protrusion. As a result, it is possible to prevent the tip protrusion from interfering with the piston in the combustion chamber while ensuring the ignitability of the spark plug.
- the tip of the tip protrusion is more preferably on the tip side than the tip of the center electrode, and more preferably on the tip side of the spark discharge gap.
- tip protrusion part has a plug circumferential direction width
- the “plug circumferential width” means the width in the tangential direction of a circle centered on the central axis of the spark plug when viewed from the plug axial direction.
- tip protrusion part protrudes in parallel with a plug axial direction.
- the shape of the tip protrusion can be simplified, a spark plug having a simple configuration can be realized.
- the phrase “parallel to the plug axis direction” includes a case where the axis is substantially parallel to such an extent that the above effect can be obtained even if it is slightly inclined with respect to the plug axis direction.
- the cross-sectional shape of the tip protrusion at the position in the plug axial direction closest to the spark discharge gap is longer in the plug radial direction than in the plug circumferential direction. In this case, it is easy to efficiently guide the air flow from the upstream side to the vicinity of the tip of the spark plug to the spark discharge gap by the tip protrusion, and the tip protrusion is from the upstream side to the tip of the spark plug. It becomes difficult to block the airflow toward the vicinity. That is, when the ground electrode is arranged on the upstream side of the spark discharge gap, the tip protrusion functions to guide the airflow to the spark discharge gap (guide function), but the tip protrusion itself is the spark discharge gap.
- the air flow toward the spark discharge gap may be shielded depending on its shape.
- the above-described guide function is more likely to be exhibited as the tip protrusion in the plug radial direction is larger, and the effect of shielding the air flow toward the spark discharge gap is more likely to occur as the plug protrusion in the plug circumferential direction is larger.
- the tip protrusion has a shape in which the plug radial width is larger than the plug circumferential width, so that air flow into the spark discharge gap can be efficiently introduced while shielding the air flow toward the spark discharge gap. Easier to do.
- the cross-sectional shape of the tip protrusion at the position in the plug axial direction closest to the spark discharge gap may be a triangle. In this case, it is easy to prevent the tip projection from protruding from the tip of the housing to the inside and the outside in the plug radial direction while forming a large area air guide surface on the tip projection. Thereby, the guide function of the tip protrusion can be improved while preventing the problem of side fire and the problem of attachment to the internal combustion engine.
- the spark plug for the internal combustion engine preferably further satisfies the following formula (7). ⁇ 0.3 ⁇ (a / D) ⁇ 0.3 (7) In this case, the ignitability can be improved more reliably.
- FIG. 4 is a sectional view taken along line IV-IV in FIG. 3.
- Comparative Example 1 (A) an explanatory diagram of discharge when a ground electrode standing portion is disposed on the upstream side, (B) discharge when a ground electrode standing portion is disposed at a position orthogonal to the air flow Explanatory drawing of (C) Explanatory drawing of discharge when the standing part of a ground electrode is arranged downstream.
- the comparative graph of the discharge length in the comparative example 1. The diagram which shows the relationship between the discharge length and A / F limit in the comparative example 1.
- FIG. (A) Side view explanatory drawing when the standing part of the ground electrode is arranged on the upstream side of the air flow in Comparative Example 1, (b) Cross-sectional view taken along line IX-IX in (a).
- FIG. 1 Sectional drawing of the front-end
- FIG. Sectional drawing of the front-end
- the spark plug 1 of this example includes a cylindrical housing 2, a cylindrical insulator 3 held inside the housing 2, and an insulator 3 so that the tip portion protrudes. And a center electrode 4 held inside. Further, the spark plug 1 has a ground electrode 5 that protrudes from the front end portion of the housing 2 to the front end side and forms a spark discharge gap G with the center electrode 4. As shown in FIG.
- the ground electrode 5 includes a standing portion 51 that stands up from the tip portion 21 of the housing 2 toward the tip side, a bent portion from the tip of the standing portion 51, and a tip portion of the center electrode 4. 41 and a facing portion 52 having a facing surface 53 facing the plug shaft direction.
- the spark plug 1 has the front-end
- the tip protrusion 22 has a flat air guide surface 221 facing the ground electrode 5 side in the plug circumferential direction.
- the spark plug 1 satisfies all of the following relational expressions (1) to (4) under the following conditions when viewed from the plug axial direction.
- a straight line connecting the center of the standing portion 51 of the ground electrode 5 standing from the housing 2 in the plug circumferential direction and the center point C of the center electrode 4 is a straight line L
- the wind guide surface An extension line of 221 is a straight line M.
- the distance between the intersection A of the straight line L and the straight line M and the center point C of the central electrode is a
- the angle formed by the straight line L and the straight line M is b
- the diameter of the housing 2 is D.
- the distance a is positive on the side of the ground electrode 5 away from the standing portion 51 and negative on the approaching side.
- a, b, and D satisfy all the relationships of the following formulas (1) to (4).
- the spark plug 1 preferably further satisfies at least one of the following formulas (5) and (6). It is more preferable to satisfy both 5) and formula (6). b ⁇ ⁇ 123.4 ⁇ (a / D) +53.7 (5) b ⁇ -123.1 ⁇ (a / D) +30.0 (6) Furthermore, it is more preferable that the following formula (7) is satisfied. ⁇ 0.3 ⁇ (a / D) ⁇ 0.3 (7)
- the tip protrusion 22 protrudes in parallel with the plug axis direction.
- the distal end protrusion 22 has its distal end positioned at the proximal end side of the ground electrode 5 or at the proximal end side thereof, and at the distal end side of the insulator 3 at the distal end side or at the distal end side thereof.
- the ground electrode 5 is disposed in a state where the standing portion 51 is parallel to the plug axial direction and the facing portion 52 is parallel to the plug radial direction.
- the tip protrusion 22 has a plug circumferential width smaller than the ground electrode 5 at the plug axial position closest to the spark discharge gap G.
- the plug circumferential width W2 of the tip protrusion 22 is smaller than the plug circumferential width W1 of the standing portion 51 of the ground electrode 5.
- the plug radial direction width W20 is longer than the plug circumferential direction width W2.
- the plug radial width W20 is longer than the plug circumferential width W2 in the cross-sectional shape at the plug axial position equivalent to the spark discharge gap G.
- the tip protrusion 22 has a wind guide surface 221 facing the ground electrode 5 side in the plug circumferential direction.
- “facing the ground electrode 5 side” means that it faces the upright portion 51 side of the ground electrode 5 in the plug circumferential direction along the distal end portion 21 of the housing 2.
- the extension line (straight line M) of the baffle surface 221 does not necessarily need to pass the spark discharge gap G (tip part 41 of the center electrode 4).
- the direction and position of the straight line M can be set in a range that satisfies the above-described equations (1) to (4).
- the ground electrode 5 is preferably arranged so that the straight line M is drawn in a direction and a position that also satisfy the formula (5), the formula (6), or the formula (7).
- the tip protrusion 22 has a quadrangular prism shape in which the cross-sectional shape of the surface perpendicular to the plug axis direction is rectangular.
- One of the surfaces constituting the long side of the rectangle is the air guide surface 221.
- the diameter D of the housing 2 is 10.2 mm, and the thickness at the distal end portion 21 of the housing 2 is 1.4 mm.
- the plug radial direction width W2 of the tip protrusion 22 is 1.9 mm, and the plug circumferential direction width W20 is 1.3 mm.
- the circumferential width W1 of the standing portion 51 of the ground electrode 5 is 2.6 mm.
- the tip 41 of the center electrode 4 protrudes 1.5 mm from the tip of the insulator 3 in the axial direction.
- the spark discharge gap G is 1.1 mm.
- tip part 41 of the center electrode 4 is comprised by the noble metal chip
- the housing 2 and the ground electrode 5 are made of a nickel alloy.
- the above dimensions and materials are also specific dimensions and materials of the sample used in Experimental Example 1 described later.
- the dimensions and materials of each part are not particularly limited.
- the spark plug 1 of this example is used for internal combustion engines for vehicles such as automobiles.
- the spark plug 1 has a tip protrusion 22. Thereby, even if the spark plug 1 is attached to the internal combustion engine in any posture, it is possible to prevent the airflow in the combustion chamber toward the spark discharge gap G from being obstructed.
- the tip protrusion 22 serves as a guide for the airflow F, and the airflow F can be guided toward the spark discharge gap G. Therefore, the stagnation of the airflow F near the spark discharge gap G can be prevented. As a result, the stable ignitability of the spark plug 1 can be ensured.
- the region represented by the symbol Z represents the stagnation of the airflow F. The same applies to other drawings.
- the air guide surface 221 of the tip protrusion 22 is disposed in a state satisfying all of the above formulas (1) to (4).
- the guide function can be effectively exhibited. That is, by satisfying all of the above formulas (1) to (4), the air guide surface 221 of the tip projection 22 can appropriately guide the airflow F to the spark discharge gap G.
- the discharge spark S can be sufficiently stretched to ensure sufficient ignitability.
- the tip protrusion 22 can be realized by a simple configuration in which the tip protrusion 22 protrudes from the tip 21 of the housing 2 toward the tip. That is, it is not necessary to devise the shape of the ground electrode 5 and to make it complicated.
- the spark plug 1 can improve the ignitability more effectively by further satisfying the formula (5) or the formula (6) in addition to the formulas (1) to (4). More preferably, the spark plug 1 can further improve the ignitability by further satisfying the above formulas (5) and (6) in addition to the above formulas (1) to (4). .
- the tip protrusion 22 has its tip positioned on the same side as the tip of the ground electrode 5 or on the base end side, and on the tip side of the insulator 3 or on the tip side. Thereby, size reduction in the plug axial direction of the spark plug 1 is realizable, ensuring the guide function of the front-end
- the plug circumferential width W2 of the tip protrusion 22 is smaller than the plug circumferential width W1 of the standing portion 51 of the ground electrode 5. Therefore, it is easy to prevent the airflow F from being blocked by the tip protrusion 22, and the stagnation of the airflow near the spark discharge gap G can be effectively prevented.
- the tip protrusion 22 protrudes in parallel with the plug axis direction. Thereby, the stagnation of the airflow caused by the tip protrusion 22 can be prevented from being formed in the vicinity of the spark discharge gap G. Moreover, since the shape of the front-end
- the cross-sectional shape of the tip protrusion 22 is such that the plug radial direction width W20 is longer than the plug circumferential direction width W2.
- the tip protrusion 22 has a shape in which the plug radial direction width W20 is larger than the plug circumferential direction width W2, thereby preventing the airflow toward the spark discharge gap G from being blocked and preventing the airflow to the spark discharge gap G. It becomes easy to introduce efficiently.
- This example is an example of a normal spark plug 9 in which the ground electrode 95 includes a standing portion 951 and a facing portion 952, as shown in FIGS.
- the ground electrode 95 has a standing portion 951 standing from the distal end surface 921 of the housing 92 to the distal end side, and is bent from the distal end of the standing portion 951 so as to be opposed to the distal end portion 941 of the center electrode 94.
- a facing portion 952 having a facing surface 953 facing in the plug axis direction. That is, the spark plug 9 does not have a configuration (see FIG. 1) in which the tip protrusion 22 that protrudes from the tip of the housing to the tip side is disposed as in the first embodiment. Others are the same as in the first embodiment.
- the discharge spark S in the spark discharge gap G depends on the attachment direction of the spark plug 9 as shown in FIGS.
- the discharge length N greatly changes. This is due to the relationship with the direction of the air flow F in the combustion chamber. That is, as shown in FIG. 6A, when the spark plug 9 is attached to the internal combustion engine so that the standing portion 951 of the ground electrode 95 is disposed on the upstream side of the spark discharge gap G, the discharge length N becomes extremely small.
- the spark plug 9 is attached to the internal combustion engine so that the position of the standing portion 951 of the ground electrode 95 with respect to the spark discharge gap G is disposed at a position orthogonal to the direction of the air flow F.
- the discharge length N becomes extremely large.
- the discharge length N increases to some extent, but decreases compared to the case shown in FIG.
- the discharge length N refers to the length of discharge in the direction orthogonal to the axial direction of the spark plug.
- the manner of fluctuation of the discharge length N is a knowledge obtained by measuring the discharge length N of the discharge spark S generated in the spark discharge gap G with the flow velocity of the airflow F being 15 m / s. As shown in FIG. 7, there was a large difference in the discharge length N depending on the mounting posture of each spark plug 9.
- A, B, and C in FIG. 7 represent data of the discharge length N in the mounting posture shown in FIGS. 6 (A), (B), and (C), respectively. Further, regarding the relationship between the discharge length N and the ignition performance of the spark plug 9, as shown in FIG. 8, it is confirmed that the ignition performance improves as the discharge length N increases.
- the ignition performance is evaluated based on the A / F limit, that is, the limit value of the air-fuel ratio at which the air-fuel mixture can be ignited. The higher the A / F limit, the leaner the air-fuel mixture that can be ignited. The higher the ignition performance.
- the ignition performance of the spark plug 9 of Comparative Example 1 varies greatly depending on the mounting posture to the internal combustion engine.
- the discharge length N becomes extremely short and the ignitability is reduced as shown in FIGS. ), It is conceivable that the air flow F is blocked by the entire region of the standing portion 951 and the air flow F in the vicinity of the spark discharge gap G is stagnated. More specifically, if a spark discharge gap G enters the stagnation of the airflow F, which is the region indicated by the symbol Z in the figure, the discharge spark S is difficult to extend, and a sufficient discharge length N (FIG. 6). Reference) cannot be obtained. As a result, it is difficult for the spark plug 9 to obtain stable ignition performance.
- the spark plug 1 of the first embodiment is used as a basic structure, and the distance a and the angle b are variously changed, and their ignitability is indirectly evaluated. It is. That is, as described above, various spark plugs having different distances a and angles b are installed in the combustion chamber so that the standing portion 51 of the ground electrode 5 is disposed upstream of the air flow having a flow velocity of 20 m / s. did. That is, in relation to the air flow F, the spark plug was installed in the state shown in FIGS. Here, the straight line L is parallel to the direction of the airflow F. The airflow velocity in the spark discharge gap G at this time was measured.
- the spark plug shown in FIGS. 10 and 11 is an example of the spark plug 1 shown in the first embodiment, in which the distance a and the angle b are changed. A sample having the tip protrusion 22 arranged in the direction was prepared and evaluated.
- the horizontal axis represents the ratio (a / D) of the distance a to the diameter D of the housing 2, and the vertical axis represents the angle b [°].
- the relationship between a / D and b in each spark plug was plotted.
- Each plot shows a double circle symbol when the airflow velocity in the spark discharge gap G is 20 m / s or more, a circular symbol when the flow velocity is 15 m / s or more and less than 20 m / s, and 10 m / s or more and less than 15 m / s.
- Is represented by a triangular symbol
- 5 m / s or more and less than 10 m / s is represented by an X character
- less than 5 m / s is represented by an asterisk symbol.
- the flow velocity of the airflow was measured at 12 locations on the central axis of the center electrode 4 in the spark discharge gap G, and the flow velocity of the portion with the highest flow velocity was evaluated.
- the straight line S5 is b ⁇ ⁇ 123.4 ⁇ (a / D) +53.7
- the straight line S6 represents b ⁇ ⁇ 123.1 ⁇ (a / D) +30.0. That is, the equations representing the straight lines S1, S2, S5, and S6 are obtained by replacing the inequality signs in the equations (1), (2), (5), and (6) with equal signs, respectively.
- the entire region of the graph of FIG. 12 is a range represented by Expression (3) and Expression (4).
- the double circular symbols and the circular symbols are concentrated only in the region above the straight line S6 among the regions between the straight line S1 and the straight line S2. That is, as a region where a flow velocity of 10 m / s or more (50% or more with respect to the main flow velocity) can be obtained more reliably, a region above the straight line S6 is a region between the straight line S1 and the straight line S2. Conceivable. From this result, it is understood that a sufficient flow rate of the airflow in the spark discharge gap G can be obtained more reliably by satisfying the formula (6) in addition to the formulas (1) to (4).
- a twisted portion 222 is provided on the tip protrusion 22. That is, the tip protrusion 22 has a twist portion 222 at a plug axial direction position between a base end joined to the tip 21 of the housing 2 and a portion constituting the air guide surface 221.
- the tip protrusions 22 each have a shape in which a rectangular column-shaped material having a rectangular cross section is twisted about 90 ° around the central axis thereof at the twisted portion 222.
- the wind guide surface 221 is formed in the front end side rather than the twist part 222, respectively.
- the twisted portion 222 is preferably formed on the base end side with respect to the spark discharge gap G. Thereby, the wind guide surface 221 can be formed in the plug axial direction position over the whole spark discharge gap G. Furthermore, it is more preferable that the twisted part 222 is formed on the proximal end side than the distal end of the insulator 3.
- the plug radial width W20 is longer than the plug circumferential width W2, as shown in FIG.
- the cross-sectional shape is a cross-sectional shape of the tip protrusion 22 at the plug axial direction position equivalent to the spark discharge gap G, and these shapes have a relationship of W20> W2. That is, as for the front-end
- the tip protrusion 22 protrudes inward from the inner peripheral surface of the tip 21 of the housing 2 at the portion where the air guide surface 221 is formed, but does not protrude from the outer periphery.
- the plug circumferential direction width is larger than the plug radial direction width on the proximal end side than the twisted portion 222.
- the proximal end portion of the tip protrusion 22 relative to the twisted portion 222 has a larger plug circumferential width than the plug radial width.
- the plug radial direction width W20 is longer than the plug circumferential direction width W2. Therefore, the area of the air guide surface 221 can be increased to improve the guide function. In addition, it has the same operational effects as the first embodiment.
- the cross-sectional shape of the tip protrusion portion 22 by a plane orthogonal to the plug axis direction is a triangular shape. That is, the tip protrusion 22 has a triangular prism shape. Particularly in this example, the cross-sectional shape is a regular triangle.
- An air guide surface 221 is formed on one surface of the tip protrusion 22 corresponding to one side of the triangle.
- the front protrusion 22 is prevented from protruding from the front end 21 of the housing 2 to the inner side and the outer side in the plug radial direction while forming the air guide surface 221 having a large area on the front end protrusion 22.
- Cheap the guide function of the front-end
- it has the same operational effects as the first embodiment.
- the tip protrusion 22 has a rectangular column shape with a rectangular cross section, and the surface corresponding to the short side of the rectangle is an air guide surface 221.
- the extension line of the short side of the rectangle constituting the air guide surface 221 of the tip protrusion 22 is a straight line M. Based on this, the tip protrusion 22 is disposed in the housing 2 so as to satisfy at least the expressions (1) to (4).
- the shape of the tip protrusion 22 is not limited to that shown in the first to fourth embodiments described above, and various shapes can be employed. Moreover, if the function is demonstrated, the front-end
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Abstract
Description
ここで、燃焼室内においては、例えばスワール流やタンブル流といった混合気の気流が形成されており、この気流が火花放電ギャップにおいても適度に流れることにより、着火性を確保することができる。
また、同じく特許文献1に記載の「複数の薄い板状部材によって接地電極をハウジングに接合した構成」では、接地電極の形状が複雑になり、製造工数も増加し、製造コストが高くなるという問題がある。
該ハウジングの内側に保持された筒状の絶縁碍子と、
先端部が突出するように上記絶縁碍子の内側に保持された中心電極と、
上記ハウジングの先端部から先端側へ突き出すと共に上記中心電極との間に火花放電ギャップを形成する接地電極と、
該接地電極とは異なる位置において上記ハウジングの先端部から先端側へ突出する先端突起部と、を有し、
上記先端突起部は、プラグ周方向において上記接地電極側を向いた平坦な導風面を有し、
プラグ軸方向から見た状態において、上記ハウジングから立設した上記接地電極の立設部のプラグ周方向における中心と上記中心電極の中心点とを結ぶ直線を直線L、上記導風面の延長線を直線Mとし、上記直線Lと上記直線Mとの交点と上記中心電極の中心点との距離をa、上記直線Lと上記直線Mとのなす角度をb、上記ハウジングの直径をDとし、上記距離aは上記接地電極の上記立設部から離れる側を正、近付く側を負としたとき、下記式(1)~式(4)をすべて満たすことを特徴とする内燃機関用のスパークプラグにある。
b≧-67.8×(a/D)+27.4 ・・・(1)
b≦-123.7×(a/D)+64.5 ・・・(2)
-0.4≦(a/D)≦0.4 ・・・(3)
0°<b≦90° ・・・(4)
上述した主要構成はさらに様々な形態で実施できる。
b≦-123.4×(a/D)+53.7 ・・・(5)
この場合には、より効果的に着火性を向上させることができる。
b≧-123.1×(a/D)+30.0 ・・・(6)
この場合には、より確実に着火性を向上させることができる。
また、上記「プラグ周方向幅」とは、プラグ軸方向から見たときのスパークプラグの中心軸を中心とした円の接線方向の幅を意味する。
なお、「プラグ軸方向に対して平行」とは、プラグ軸方向に対して若干傾斜していても、上記効果を得られる程度に実質的に平行である場合も含む。
-0.3≦(a/D)≦0.3 ・・・・・(7)
この場合には、より確実に着火性を向上させることができる。
本発明に係る内燃機関用のスパークプラグの第1の実施例につき、図1~図4を用いて説明する。
本例のスパークプラグ1は、図1~図3に示すごとく、筒状のハウジング2と、ハウジング2の内側に保持された筒状の絶縁碍子3と、先端部が突出するように絶縁碍子3の内側に保持された中心電極4とを有する。また、スパークプラグ1は、ハウジング2の先端部から先端側へ突き出すと共に中心電極4との間に火花放電ギャップGを形成する接地電極5とを有する。
なお、図1に示すように、ハウジング2の長さ方向を軸方向とすると、その軸方向に直交する面に沿って当該軸方向の周りを回る周方向、及び、ハウジングの軸方向に沿った中心軸(図2の符号Cで示す位置を通る軸)から半径方向に伸びる径方向が定義される。また、図1に示すように、軸方向の両側が先端側及び基端側として定義される。これらの方向の定義は、特に図示しないが、他の例にも同様に適用される。
そして、スパークプラグ1は、接地電極5とは異なる位置においてハウジング2の先端部21から先端側へ突出する先端突起部22を有する。
図2に示すごとく、プラグ軸方向から見た状態において、スパークプラグ1は、以下の条件のもと、以下の関係式(1)~式(4)をすべて満たす。
b≦-123.7×(a/D)+64.5 ・・・(2)
-0.4≦(a/D)≦0.4 ・・・(3)
0°<b≦90° ・・・(4)
b≦-123.4×(a/D)+53.7 ・・・(5)
b≧-123.1×(a/D)+30.0 ・・・(6)
また、更に、下記式(7)を満たすことがより好ましい。
-0.3≦(a/D)≦0.3 ・・・・・(7)
ハウジング2の直径Dは10.2mm、ハウジング2の先端部21における肉厚は1.4mmである。また、先端突起部22のプラグ径方向幅W2は1.9mmであり、プラグ周方向幅W20は1.3mmである。また、接地電極5の立設部51のプラグ周方向幅W1は2.6mmである。
また、中心電極4の先端部41は、絶縁碍子3の先端から軸方向に1.5mm突出している。そして、火花放電ギャップGは1.1mmである。
上述の寸法及び材質は、後述の実験例1において用いた試料の具体的寸法及び材質でもある。
ただし、上記スパークプラグ1において、各部の寸法及び材質は、特に限定されるものではない。
なお、本例のスパークプラグ1は、自動車等の車両用の内燃機関に用いられる。
上記スパークプラグ1は先端突起部22を有する。これにより、スパークプラグ1が内燃機関に対してどのような姿勢で取付けられても、火花放電ギャップGへ向かう燃焼室内の気流が妨げられることを防ぐことができる。
本例は、図5~図8に示すごとく、接地電極95が、立設部951と対向部952とから構成される通常のスパークプラグ9の例である。
図5に示すごとく、接地電極95は、ハウジング92の先端面921から先端側に立設する立設部951と、立設部951の先端から屈曲して、中心電極94の先端部941に対してプラグ軸方向に対向する対向面953を備えた対向部952とを有している。
つまり、スパークプラグ9は、第1の実施例のような、ハウジング先端部から先端側へ突出した先端突起部22が配置された構成(図1参照)を有しない。
その他は、第1の実施例と同様である。
つまり、図6(A)に示すごとく、接地電極95の立設部951が火花放電ギャップGの上流側に配置されるようにスパークプラグ9が内燃機関に取り付けられた場合には、放電長さNが極めて小さくなる。
なお、ここで、放電長さNとは、スパークプラグの軸方向に対して直交する方向の放電の長さをいうものとする。
上記放電長さNの変動の仕方は、気流Fの流速を15m/sとして、火花放電ギャップGに生じた放電火花Sの放電長さNを測定することにより得られた知見であり、具体的には、図7に示すごとく、それぞれのスパークプラグ9の取付姿勢に応じて放電長さNに大きな差が生じていた。
また、放電長さNとスパークプラグ9の着火性能との関係についても、図8に示すごとく、放電長さNが長いほど、着火性能が向上することが確認されている。ここで、着火性能は、A/F限界、すなわち、混合気に着火することができる空燃比の限界値によって評価したものであり、A/F限界が高いほど(着火可能な混合気が希薄であるほど)着火性能が高いこととなる。
図7、図8から分かるように、比較例1のスパークプラグ9は、内燃機関への取付姿勢によって、着火性能が大きく変動してしまう。
本例は、図10~図12に示すごとく、第1の実施例のスパークプラグ1を基本構造とし、距離aおよび角度bをそれぞれ種々変更して、それらの着火性を間接的に評価した例である。
すなわち、上記のごとく、距離aおよび角度bをそれぞれ変更した種々のスパークプラグを、流速20m/sの気流の上流側に接地電極5の立設部51が配置されるように、燃焼室に設置した。すなわち、気流Fとの関係において、図3、図4に示す状態でスパークプラグを設置した。ここで、気流Fの方向に対して直線Lが平行となる。このときの火花放電ギャップGにおける気流の流速を測定した。
なお、図10、図11に示したスパークプラグは、第1の実施例に示したスパークプラグ1に対して、距離aおよび角度bを変更したものの例示であり、これ以外にも種々の位置および向きに先端突起部22を配置した試料を作製し、評価した。
同図において、横軸がハウジング2の直径Dに対する距離aの比(a/D)、縦軸が角度b[°]を表す。そして、このグラフ中に、各スパークプラグにおけるa/Dとbとの関係をそれぞれプロットした。各プロットは、火花放電ギャップGにおける気流の流速が、20m/s以上のものを二重円形記号、15m/s以上20m/s未満のものを円形記号、10m/s以上15m/s未満のものを三角記号、5m/s以上10m/s未満のものをX字記号、5m/s未満のものをアスタリスク記号にて表した。
なお、気流の流速は、火花放電ギャップGにおける中心電極4の中心軸上の12箇所において測定し、そのうちの最も流速が大きい部分の流速にて評価した。
-0.3≦(a/D)≦0.3 ・・・・・(7)
本例は、図13~図15に示すごとく、先端突起部22に、ひねり部222を設けた例である。
すなわち、先端突起部22は、ハウジング2の先端部21と接合される基端部と、導風面221を構成する部分との間のプラグ軸方向位置に、ひねり部222を有する。先端突起部22は、それぞれ断面長方形状の四角柱形状の素材を、その中心軸の周りに、ひねり部222において約90°ひねった形状を有する。
その他、第1の実施例と同様の作用効果を有する。
本例は、図16、図17に示すごとく、プラグ軸方向に直交する平面による先端突起部22の断面形状を三角形状とした例である。すなわち、先端突起部22は、三角柱形状を有する。
本例においては特に、上記断面形状が正三角形状である。そして、三角形状の一辺に対応する先端突起部22の一つの面に、導風面221が形成されている。
その他、第1の実施例と同様の作用効果を有する。
本例は、図18に示すごとく、先端突起部22の形状を、断面長方形状の四角柱形状とし、長方形の短辺に対応する面を、導風面221とした例である。
この場合、先端突起部22の導風面221を構成する長方形の短辺の延長線が、直線Mとなる。そして、これに基づいて、式(1)~式(4)を少なくとも満たすように、先端突起部22がハウジング2に配設されている。
本例の場合にも、第1の実施例と同様の作用効果を奏することができる。
また、先端突起部22は、その機能が発揮されれば、これらの先端を、火花放電ギャップGよりも基端側とすることもできる。この場合、「火花放電ギャップGに最も近いプラグ軸方向位置」は、先端突起部22における先端部となる。
2 ハウジング
21 先端部
22 先端突起部
221 導風面
3 絶縁碍子
4 中心電極
41 先端部
5 接地電極
51 立設部
G 火花放電ギャップ
Claims (8)
- 筒状のハウジング(2)と、
該ハウジング(2)の内側に保持された筒状の絶縁碍子(3)と、
先端部(41)が突出するように上記絶縁碍子(3)の内側に保持された中心電極(4)と、
上記ハウジング(2)の先端部(21)から先端側へ突き出すと共に上記中心電極(4)との間に火花放電ギャップ(G)を形成する接地電極(5)と、
該接地電極(5)とは異なる位置において上記ハウジング(2)の先端部(21)から先端側へ突出する先端突起部(22)と、を有し、
上記先端突起部(22)は、プラグ周方向において上記接地電極(5)側を向いた平坦な導風面(221)を有し、
プラグ軸方向から見た状態において、上記ハウジング(2)から立設した上記接地電極(5)の立設部(51)のプラグ周方向における中心と上記中心電極(4)の中心点(C)とを結ぶ直線を直線L、上記導風面(221)の延長線を直線Mとし、上記直線Lと上記直線Mとの交点(A)と上記中心電極(4)の中心点(C)との距離をa、上記直線Lと上記直線Mとのなす角度をb、上記ハウジング(2)の直径をDとし、上記距離aは上記接地電極(5)の上記立設部(51)から離れる側を正、近付く側を負としたとき、下記式(1)~式(4)をすべて満たすことを特徴とする内燃機関用のスパークプラグ(1)。
b≧-67.8×(a/D)+27.4 ・・・(1)
b≦-123.7×(a/D)+64.5 ・・・(2)
-0.4≦(a/D)≦0.4 ・・・(3)
0°<b≦90° ・・・(4) - 請求項1に記載の内燃機関用のスパークプラグ(1)において、
下記式(5)を更に満たすことを特徴とする内燃機関用のスパークプラグ(1)。
b≦-123.4×(a/D)+53.7 ・・・(5) - 請求項1又は2に記載の内燃機関用のスパークプラグ(1)において、
下記式(6)を更に満たすことを特徴とする内燃機関用のスパークプラグ(1)。
b≧-123.1×(a/D)+30.0 ・・・(6) - 請求項1~3のいずれか一項に記載の内燃機関用のスパークプラグ(1)において、
上記先端突起部(22)は、その先端を、上記接地電極(5)の先端と同等もしくはそれよりも基端側、かつ上記絶縁碍子(3)の先端と同等もしくはそれよりも先端側に位置させていることを特徴とする内燃機関用のスパークプラグ(1)。 - 請求項1~4のいずれか一項に記載の内燃機関用のスパークプラグ(1)において、
上記先端突起部(22)は、上記火花放電ギャップ(G)に最も近いプラグ軸方向位置におけるプラグ周方向幅が、上記接地電極(5)の上記立設部(51)よりも小さいことを特徴とする内燃機関用のスパークプラグ(1)。 - 請求項1~5のいずれか一項に記載の内燃機関用のスパークプラグ(1)において、
上記先端突起部(22)は、プラグ軸方向に平行に突出していることを特徴とする内燃機関用のスパークプラグ(1)。 - 請求項1~6のいずれか一項に記載の内燃機関用のスパークプラグ(1)において、
上記火花放電ギャップ(G)に最も近いプラグ軸方向位置における上記先端突起部(22)の断面形状は、プラグ径方向幅がプラグ周方向幅よりも長いことを特徴とする内燃機関用のスパークプラグ(1)。 - 請求項1~7のいずれか一項に記載の内燃機関用のスパークプラグ(1)において、
上記火花放電ギャップ(G)に最も近いプラグ軸方向位置における上記先端突起部(22)の断面形状は、三角形状であることを特徴とする内燃機関用のスパークプラグ(1)。
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