阅读说明：本技术 火花塞 (Spark plug ) 是由 岛田大辉 吉田治树 原田直弥 于 2020-06-23 设计创作，主要内容包括：提供能够难以破坏绝缘体的火花塞。绝缘体具备：圆筒状的第一部；圆筒状的第二部,位于第一部的后端侧,自身的前端的外径F比第一部的外径小；圆筒状的第三部,位于第一部的前端侧,自身的后端的外径D比第一部的外径及第二部的前端的外径F小；第一倾斜部,将第一部与第二部之间连接,随着朝向后端侧而外径变小；及第二倾斜部,将第一部与第三部之间连接,随着朝向前端侧而外径变小,第二倾斜部的轴线方向的长度A及第一倾斜部的轴线方向的长度B满足2.0≤A/B≤3.9,满足0.50≤D/F≤0.88。(Provided is a spark plug wherein an insulator is hardly broken. The insulator is provided with: a cylindrical first portion; a cylindrical second portion located at the rear end side of the first portion, the outer diameter F of the front end of the second portion being smaller than the outer diameter of the first portion; a cylindrical third portion located on the front end side of the first portion, the outer diameter D of the rear end of the third portion being smaller than the outer diameter of the first portion and the outer diameter F of the front end of the second portion; a first inclined portion connecting the first portion and the second portion, the first inclined portion having an outer diameter that decreases toward the rear end side; and a second inclined portion connecting the first portion and the third portion, wherein the outer diameter decreases toward the distal end side, the length A in the axial direction of the second inclined portion and the length B in the axial direction of the first inclined portion satisfy 2.0. ltoreq. A/B.ltoreq.3.9, and satisfy 0.50. ltoreq. D/F.ltoreq.0.88.)

1. A spark plug includes an insulator having a shaft hole formed therein and extending along an axis from a front end side to a rear end side,

the insulator includes:

a cylindrical first portion;

a cylindrical second portion located at the rear end side of the first portion, the outer diameter F of the front end of the second portion being smaller than the outer diameter of the first portion;

a cylindrical third portion located on the front end side of the first portion, the outer diameter D of the rear end of the third portion being smaller than the outer diameter of the first portion and the outer diameter F of the front end of the second portion;

a first inclined portion connecting the first portion and the second portion, the first inclined portion having an outer diameter that decreases toward a rear end side; and

a second inclined portion connecting the first portion and the third portion, the second inclined portion having an outer diameter that decreases toward a distal end side,

wherein, the length A of the second inclined part in the axial direction and the length B of the first inclined part in the axial direction meet the conditions that A/B is more than or equal to 2.0 and less than or equal to 3.9 and D/F is more than or equal to 0.50 and less than or equal to 0.88.

2. The spark plug of claim 1,

D/F is more than or equal to 0.5 and less than or equal to 0.58.

3. The spark plug according to claim 1 or 2,

further comprises a metal shell disposed on the outer periphery of the insulator,

the insulator has a reduced diameter portion adjacent to a distal end of the third portion,

the metal shell includes a shelf portion for locking the reduced diameter portion from the front end side,

when a length obtained by adding the length A of the second inclined part to the length of the third part in the axial direction is Z, 2.2D +7.8 & ltZ & lt 34 & gt and 4.5 & ltD & lt 8 & gt are satisfied.

4. The spark plug of claim 3,

z is more than or equal to 24 and less than or equal to 34.

5. The spark plug according to any one of claims 1 to 4,

further comprises a metal shell disposed on the outer periphery of the insulator,

the main body fitting is provided with a male thread arranged on the outer periphery,

the nominal diameter of the male thread is 12mm or less.

Technical Field

The present invention relates to a spark plug including a cylindrical insulator.

Background

In order to make a cylindrical insulator used in a spark plug less likely to break, patent document 1 discloses a technique in which a value obtained by dividing the thickness of a certain portion of the insulator by the outer diameter of the certain portion is set to a certain range.

Documents of the prior art

Patent document

Patent document 1: japanese patent laid-open publication No. 2001-155839

Disclosure of Invention

Problems to be solved by the invention

However, this technique has room for improvement.

The present invention has been made in response to the above demand, and an object thereof is to provide a spark plug capable of making an insulator less likely to break.

Means for solving the problems

In order to achieve the object, a spark plug according to the present invention includes an insulator having a shaft hole formed therein and extending along an axis from a front end side to a rear end side, the insulator including: a cylindrical first portion; a cylindrical second portion located at the rear end side of the first portion, the outer diameter F of the front end of the second portion being smaller than the outer diameter of the first portion; a cylindrical third portion located on the front end side of the first portion, the outer diameter D of the rear end of the third portion being smaller than the outer diameter of the first portion and the outer diameter F of the front end of the second portion; a first inclined portion connecting the first portion and the second portion, the first inclined portion having an outer diameter that decreases toward the rear end side; and a second inclined portion connecting the first portion and the third portion, wherein the outer diameter decreases toward the distal end side, the length A in the axial direction of the second inclined portion and the length B in the axial direction of the first inclined portion satisfy 2.0. ltoreq. A/B.ltoreq.3.9, and satisfy 0.50. ltoreq. D/F.ltoreq.0.88.

Effects of the invention

According to the spark plug described in claim 1, when a bending load is applied to the insulator, stress concentrates on the first inclined portion and the second inclined portion, which change in shape of a cross section perpendicular to the axis, and the first inclined portion and the second inclined portion easily become starting points of breakage. In particular, since the outer diameter D of the rear end of the third portion connected to the second inclined portion is smaller than the outer diameter F of the front end of the second portion connected to the first inclined portion and the outer diameter of the first portion, the second inclined portion is likely to be broken before the first inclined portion. However, since the axial length a of the second inclined portion and the axial length B of the first inclined portion satisfy 2.0. ltoreq. a/B. ltoreq.3.9 when D/F is 0.50. ltoreq.d/F. ltoreq.0.88, stress of the second inclined portion, which is likely to become a starting point of failure, can be reduced. This makes it possible to make the insulator less likely to break.

According to the spark plug of claim 2, D/F is 0.50-0.58. Therefore, the strength of the second inclined portion is reduced, and the second inclined portion is easily broken. However, since 2.0. ltoreq. A/B. ltoreq.3.9 is satisfied, stress of the second inclined portion can be suppressed to remarkably suppress cracking of the second inclined portion.

According to the spark plug of claim 3, when a length obtained by adding the length A in the axial direction of the second inclined portion to the length in the axial direction of the third portion is defined as Z, 2.2D + 7.8. ltoreq. Z.ltoreq.34 and 4.5. ltoreq. D.ltoreq.8 are satisfied. In addition to the effects of the embodiment 1 or 2, the insulator can be made more difficult to break.

According to the spark plug described in claim 4, since Z.ltoreq.34 is satisfied at 24. ltoreq.Z, the insulator can be made more resistant to breakage in addition to the effect of claim 3.

According to the spark plug described in claim 5, since the nominal diameter of the male screw of the metallic shell is 12mm or less, the insulator disposed inside the metallic shell is thin and easily broken. However, by applying the present invention, the insulator can be made hard to break.

Drawings

Fig. 1 is a cross-sectional side view of a spark plug according to a first embodiment.

Fig. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the spark plug enlarged in part shown in II of fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is an enlarged, single-side sectional view of a portion of the spark plug.

Fig. 4 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of a part of a spark plug according to a second embodiment.

Fig. 5 is a schematic diagram of an impact test.

Fig. 6 shows the results of the impact test of the sample with a/B of 2.0.

Fig. 7 shows the results of the impact test of the sample with a/B of 1.9.

Detailed Description

Preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Fig. 1 is a cross-sectional side view of a spark plug 10 of the first embodiment, bounded by an axis O. In fig. 1, the lower side of the paper surface is referred to as the front end side of the spark plug 10, and the upper side of the paper surface is referred to as the rear end side of the spark plug 10 (the same applies to fig. 2 to 4). As shown in fig. 1, the spark plug 10 includes an insulator 11 and a metallic shell 30.

The insulator 11 is a cylindrical member formed of alumina or the like having excellent insulation properties at high temperatures and mechanical properties. A shaft hole 12 extending along the axis O penetrates the insulator 11. The cross section of the shaft hole 12 perpendicular to the axis O is circular. The insulator 11 includes a cylindrical first portion 13 located at the center in the axial direction, a cylindrical second portion 14 located at the rear end side of the first portion 13, and a cylindrical third portion 15 located at the front end side of the first portion 13. The second portion 14 is formed with a corrugation 14a on the rear end side.

The first portion 13 has the same outer diameter over the entire length in the axial direction. The outer diameter of the second portion 14 is substantially the same over the entire length in the axial direction except for the corrugations 14 a. The third portion 15 has the same outer diameter over the entire length in the axial direction. A conical reduced diameter portion 16 is provided on the distal end side of the third portion 15. The outer peripheral surface of the reduced diameter portion 16 is reduced in diameter toward the distal end side. A tip portion 17 is connected to the tip end side of the reduced diameter portion 16.

The center electrode 24 is a rod-shaped electrode inserted into the tip end side of the axial hole 12 and held by the insulator 11 along the axis O. The tip of the center electrode 24 protrudes to the tip side from the tip of the tip 17 of the insulator 11. In the center electrode 24, a core material having excellent thermal conductivity is embedded in the base material. The base material is formed of an alloy mainly containing Ni or a metal material composed of Ni, and the core material is formed of copper or an alloy mainly containing copper. The core material may be omitted.

The terminal fitting 25 is a rod-shaped member connected to a high-voltage cable (not shown), and is formed of a conductive metal material (for example, mild steel). The distal end side of the terminal fitting 25 is disposed in the shaft hole 12 of the insulator 11. The terminal fitting 25 is electrically connected to the center electrode 24 via a resistor 26 or the like disposed in the axial hole 12. The rear end of the terminal fitting 25 protrudes to the rear end side than the rear end of the insulator 11.

The metallic shell 30 is a substantially cylindrical member formed of a conductive metal material (for example, mild steel). The metallic shell 30 is disposed on the outer peripheral side of the insulator 11. The metal shell 30 includes a cylindrical trunk portion 31 having a male screw 32 formed on an outer peripheral surface thereof, a seat portion 35 connected to a rear end side of the trunk portion 31, a coupling portion 36 connected to a rear end side of the seat portion 35, a tool engagement portion 37 connected to a rear end side of the coupling portion 36, and a rear end portion 38 connected to a rear end side of the tool engagement portion 37.

The male screw 32 is screwed into a screw hole of an engine (not shown). The shelf portion 33 of the trunk portion 31, which extends radially inward, is formed over the entire circumference. The rear end surface of the shelf portion 33 is reduced in diameter toward the front end side. A seal 34 is interposed between the reduced diameter portion 16 of the insulator 11 and the shelf portion 33. The seal 34 is an annular plate made of a metal material such as a mild steel plate softer than the metal material constituting the metal shell 30.

The seat portion 35 is a portion for closing a gap between a screw hole of an engine (not shown) and the male screw 32, and is formed to have an outer diameter larger than the trunk portion 31. The connection portion 36 is a portion plastically deformed into a curved shape when the metal shell 30 is assembled to the insulator 11. The tool engagement portion 37 is a portion for engaging a tool such as a wrench when fastening the male screw 32 to a threaded hole of an engine. The rear end portion 38 is a portion bent inward in the radial direction and is located on the rear end side of the first portion 13 of the insulator 11. A seal portion 45 filled with powder such as talc is provided between the first portion 13 and the rear end portion 38 over the entire circumference of the outer periphery of the second portion 14 of the insulator 11.

The shelf portion 33 of the metal shell 30 is located on the front end side of the reduced diameter portion 16 of the insulator 11. When the metallic shell 30 is assembled to the insulator 11, the portion of the metallic shell 30 from the shelf portion 33 to the rear end portion 38 applies a compressive load in the axial direction to the first portion 13 and the third portion 15 of the insulator 11 via the seal 34 and the seal portion 45. The shelf portion 33 locks the reduced diameter portion 16 from the distal end side. As a result, the metal shell 30 holds the insulator 11.

The ground electrode 43 is a rod-shaped metal (for example, made of a nickel-based alloy) member joined to the trunk portion 31 of the metallic shell 30. A spark gap is formed between the ground electrode 43 and the center electrode 24. A washer 46 is disposed between the body portion 31 and the seat portion 35 of the metal shell 30. The gasket 46 improves airtightness between the screw hole of the engine and the seat portion 35 when the metal shell 30 is mounted on the engine (not shown).

Fig. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the spark plug 10 including the axis O, partially enlarged as shown in II of fig. 1. In the insulator 11, the first inclined portion 18, which has a smaller outer diameter toward the rear end side, connects the first portion 13 and the second portion 14. The outer peripheral surface of the first inclined portion 18 protrudes toward the tip side in a cross section including the axis O. Since the outer diameter E of the first portion 13 is the same over the entire length in the axial direction, the portion where the outer diameter changes is the boundary between the first portion 13 and the first inclined portion 18, that is, the rear end 13a of the first portion 13. In the vicinity of the tip 14b of the second portion 14, the outer diameter of the second portion 14 is the same, and therefore the place where the outer diameter changes is the boundary between the second portion 14 and the first inclined portion 18, that is, the tip 14b of the second portion 14. The outer diameter of the boundary between the second portion 14 and the first inclined portion 18 (the tip 14b of the second portion 14) is F. The front end 14b of the second portion 14 and the rear end 13a of the first portion 13 are located inside the tool engagement portion 37 of the metallic shell 30.

In the insulator 11, the second inclined portion 19, which has a smaller outer diameter toward the distal end side, connects the first portion 13 and the third portion 15. The outer peripheral surface 20 of the second inclined portion 19 projects toward the front end side in the vicinity of the first portion 13 and projects toward the rear end side in the vicinity of the third portion 15 in a cross section including the axis O. The place where the outer diameter changes is the boundary between the first portion 13 and the second inclined portion 19. The outer diameter of the boundary between the first portion 13 and the second inclined portion 19, i.e., the rear end 21 of the second inclined portion 19, is E. Since the outer diameter D of the third portion 15 is the same over the entire length in the axial direction, the portion where the outer diameter changes is the boundary between the third portion 15 and the second inclined portion 19, that is, the rear end 15a of the third portion 15. The outer diameter D is equal to the outer diameter of the boundary between the third portion 15 and the second inclined portion 19 (the rear end 15a of the third portion 15). The rear end 21 of the second inclined portion 19 is located inside the coupling portion 36 of the metallic shell 30, and the rear end 15a of the third portion 15 is located inside the seat portion 35 of the metallic shell 30.

The cross-sectional areas of the shaft hole 12 perpendicular to the axis O are the same in the first inclined portion 18, the first portion 13, and the second inclined portion 19. In the insulator 11, the length A in the axial direction of the second inclined portion 19 and the length B in the axial direction of the first inclined portion 18 satisfy 2.0. ltoreq.A/B. ltoreq.3.9. In addition, the outer diameter D of the boundary between the third part 15 and the second inclined part 19 and the outer diameter F of the boundary between the second part 14 and the first inclined part 18 satisfy 0.50 < D/F < 0.88.

When a bending load is applied to the insulator 11, stress concentrates on the first inclined portion 18 and the second inclined portion 19 whose shape changes in a cross section perpendicular to the axis O, and the first inclined portion 18 and the second inclined portion 19 easily become starting points of breakage. Specifically, the starting points of breakage are the vicinity of the boundary between the first inclined portion 18 and the second portion 14 and the vicinity of the boundary between the second inclined portion 19 and the third portion 15. The third portion 15 connected to the second inclined portion 19 is thinner than the second portion 14 connected to the first inclined portion 18, and therefore, the second inclined portion 19 is likely to be broken before the first inclined portion 18 by tensile stress generated by a bending load. However, since 2.0. ltoreq. A/B. ltoreq.3.9 is satisfied when D/F. ltoreq.0.50. ltoreq.0.88, stress of the second inclined portion 19 which easily becomes a starting point of breakage can be reduced.

Fig. 3 is an enlarged, single-side sectional view of a portion of the spark plug 10 including the axis O. The reduced diameter portion 16 of the insulator 11 is adjacent to the front end 15b of the third portion 15. The tip 15b of the third portion 15 is a place where the inclination of the outer peripheral surface 23 of the third portion 15 with respect to the axis O is different from the inclination of the outer peripheral surface of the reduced diameter portion 16 with respect to the axis O in the cross section including the axis O. In the present embodiment, in the cross section including the axis O, the outer peripheral surface 23 of the third portion 15 is parallel to the axis O. The length Z is the distance in the axial direction between the front end 15b of the third portion 15 and the rear end 21 of the second inclined portion 21. The length Z is equal to a length obtained by adding the length a (see fig. 2) of the second inclined portion 21 to the length of the third portion 15 in the axial direction.

The insulator 11 satisfies Z is more than or equal to 2.2D +7.8 and less than or equal to 34 and D is more than or equal to 4.5 and less than or equal to 8. D (see fig. 2) is the outer diameter of the rear end 15a of the third portion 15. This can make the insulator 11 more difficult to break.

A second embodiment will be described with reference to fig. 4. In the first embodiment, the case where the outer diameter of the third portion 15 of the insulator 11 is the same over the entire length in the axial direction is described. In contrast, in the second embodiment, a case where the outer diameter of the third portion 53 of the insulator 51 becomes smaller toward the distal end side will be described. Note that the same portions as those described in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and the following description is omitted. Fig. 4 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of a part of a spark plug 50 according to a second embodiment. Fig. 4 is an enlarged view of a portion shown in II of fig. 1, similarly to fig. 2.

The spark plug 50 includes an insulator 51 and a metallic shell 52 that holds the insulator 51 from the outer peripheral side. In the insulator 51, the second inclined portion 19, which has a smaller outer diameter toward the distal end side, connects the third portion 53 and the first portion 13. The outer peripheral surface 54 of the third portion 53 is a conical surface that decreases in diameter toward the distal end side. In the cross section including the axis O, the inclination of the outer peripheral surface 54 with respect to the axis O is constant. The reduced diameter portion 16 of the insulator 51 is adjacent to the tip (not shown) of the third portion 53.

The boundary between the third portion 53 and the second inclined portion 19 (the rear end 53a of the third portion 53) is where the inclination of the outer peripheral surface 54 of the third portion 53 with respect to the axis O is different from the inclination of the outer peripheral surface 20 of the second inclined portion 19 with respect to the axis O in the cross section including the axis O. The outer diameter D of the rear end 53a of the third portion 53 is the outer diameter of the boundary between the third portion 53 and the second inclined portion 19. The tip (not shown) of the third portion 53 is a place where the inclination of the outer peripheral surface 54 of the third portion 53 with respect to the axis O is different from the inclination of the outer peripheral surface of the reduced diameter portion 16 with respect to the axis O in the cross section including the axis O.

The insulator 51 satisfies A/B of 2.0-3.9, and D/F of 0.50-0.88. The insulator 51 satisfies Z ≤ 34 and D ≤ 8 of 2.2D +7.8 and 4.5. As a result, the spark plug 50 according to the second embodiment can also achieve the same operational effects as those of the first embodiment.

[ examples ] A method for producing a compound

The present invention will be described in more detail with reference to examples, but the present invention is not limited to these examples.

(evaluation 1)

Samples 1 to 24 were produced in the same manner as the spark plug 10 of the first embodiment. In samples 1 to 24, the body fittings 30 having the same size as each other hold various insulators 11 having different sizes. The insulators 11 of samples 1 to 24 were such that the entire length in the axial direction, the outer diameter E of the first portion 13, and the outer diameter D of the rear end 15a of the third portion 15 were constant, and the length a in the axial direction of the second inclined portion 19, the length B in the axial direction of the first inclined portion 18, and the outer diameter F of the front end 14B of the second portion 14 were different. The A, B, A/B, D, F, D/F for samples 1-24 are set forth in Table 1. The outer diameter E of the first portion 13 of samples 1-24 was 14 mm. The insulator of each sample was made to have the same size except for A, B, D, F. In each sample, the metal shell 30 having the same size is assembled to the insulator by adjusting the size of the seal portion 45. A plurality of samples of the same size are prepared with respect to each sample.

[ TABLE 1 ]

FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram of an impact test in which samples 1 to 24 were evaluated. The test apparatus 60 includes a table 61 having a screw hole 62 formed therein and a hammer 63. The male screw 32 of the metallic shell 30 of each sample is fastened to the screw hole 62 of the stage 61. When the metallic shell 30 of each sample is screwed into the table 61, the insulator 11 protrudes vertically upward from the table 61. The length of screwing the metal shell 30 into the table 61 is limited by the seat 35 of the metal shell 30 and the washer 46. The hammer 63 is made of steel and is attached to the arm 64. The arm 64 swivels around a shaft 65 located on the axis O of the insulator 11. The length of the arm 64 is 330mm and the mass of the hammer 63 is 1.13 kg.

In the impact test, the hammer 63 is raised by an angle θ with respect to the axis O, and the hammer 63 is freely dropped like a pendulum, so that the hammer 63 collides with the first peak from the rear end side in the corrugations 14a of the insulator 11. The presence or absence of cracking of the insulator 11 was examined by a penetrant test, and the smallest angle (where θ is a 1 ° scale) among the lifting angles θ of the hammer 63 when cracking occurred in the insulator 11 is shown in table 1.

The position of the fracture is shown in table 1 with respect to the low-strength sample in which the lift angle θ of the hammer 63 is less than 30 °. A sample in which a crack occurred in the vicinity of the second inclined portion 19 is denoted by a, and a sample in which a crack occurred in the vicinity of the first inclined portion 18 is denoted by B.

As is apparent from table 1, in samples 1 to 24 in which D/F is 0.50 ≦ 0.88, samples 1, 2, 9, 10, 17, and 18 in which a/B <2.0(a/B ≦ 1.9) are: the insulator 11 has low bending strength and a lift angle θ <30 °, and cracks occur in the vicinity of the boundary between the second inclined portion 19 and the third portion 15. Samples 7, 8, 15, 16, 23, and 24 with a/B >3.9(a/B ═ 4.0) are also: the insulator 11 has low bending strength and a lift angle θ <30 °, and cracks occur in the vicinity of the boundary between the first inclined portion 18 and the second portion 14.

However, samples 3-6, 11-14, 19-22 of 2.0. ltoreq. A/B. ltoreq.3.9 are: the insulator 11 has high bending strength and a lifting angle theta of more than or equal to 30 degrees. Thus, it is clear that: the bending strength of the first inclined part 18 and the second inclined part 19 can be ensured by satisfying 2.0. ltoreq. A/B. ltoreq.3.9 and 0.50. ltoreq. D/F. ltoreq.0.88, and the insulator 11 can be made hard to break.

In samples 17 to 24 having a D/F of 0.88, the lift angle θ was 25 ° when a/B was 1.9 (samples 17 and 18), and the lift angle θ was 40 ° to 46 ° when a/B was 2.0 ≦ 3.9 (samples 19 to 22). The difference between the angle theta at 1.9 of A/B and the angle theta at 2.0-3.9 of A/B is 15-21 deg.

On the other hand, in samples 1 to 16 in which D/F is 0.50 ≦ D ≦ 0.58, the lift angle θ when a/B is 1.9 (samples 1, 2, 9, and 10) is 15 °, and the lift angle θ when a/B is 2.0 ≦ a/B ≦ 3.9 (samples 3 to 6 and 11 to 14) is 40 ° to 46 °. The difference between the angle theta at 1.9 of A/B and the angle theta at 2.0-3.9 of A/B is 25-31 deg.

From these results, it is understood that samples 1 to 16, in which D/F is 0.50. ltoreq.0.58, can enlarge the difference between the angle θ when a/B is 1.9 and the angle θ when a/B is 2.0. ltoreq.a/B. ltoreq.3.9, compared to samples 17 to 24, in which D/F is 0.88. That is, it can be seen that: when D/F is not less than 0.50 and not more than 0.58 and A/B is not less than 2.0 and not more than 3.9, the second inclined part 19 is hard to break. Thus, it is clear that: when D/F is 0.50. ltoreq. D/F.ltoreq.0.58, the strength of the second inclined portion 19 is reduced and the second inclined portion 19 is easily broken, but when A/B is 2.0. ltoreq. A/B.ltoreq.3.9, the stress of the second inclined portion 19 can be suppressed, and the breakage of the second inclined portion 19 can be suppressed remarkably.

In this test, samples 1 to 24 were set so that D was 6.0mm, but the insulator 11 could be set to 4.5 ≦ D ≦ 10.0mm, for example. Similarly, the insulator 11 can be set to 2.00. ltoreq. A.ltoreq.7.80 mm, 0.51. ltoreq. B.ltoreq.2.0 mm, and 6.8. ltoreq. F.ltoreq.12.0 mm.

(evaluation 2)

In the impact test shown in fig. 5, each sample is a so-called cantilever beam having one end fixed to a stage 61. The deflection of a cantilever beam is proportional to the third power of the length of the beam and inversely proportional to the second moment of the cross section of the beam.

As shown in table 1, the sample having an a/B of 1.9 produced a crack in the vicinity of the second inclined portion 19. Since the reduced diameter portion 16 of the insulator 11 is supported by the shelf portion 33 of the metal shell 30, the length Z from the second inclined portion 19 where the crack occurs to the tip 15b of the third portion 15 adjacent to the reduced diameter portion 16 is assumed to be the length of the beam. Since the proportion of the length of the third portion 15 in the length Z is larger than the proportion of the length a of the second inclined portion 19, the second moment of area of the third portion 15 is assumed to be the second moment of area of the beam. Thus, the deflection of the cantilever is proportional to the third power of the length Z and inversely proportional to the fourth power of the outer diameter D of the third portion 15. In the cantilever beam, the smaller the deflection, the more difficult the breakage, and therefore, in the insulator 11, the smaller Z, and the larger D, the more difficult the breakage.

In order to examine the relationship between a/B, D and Z of the insulator 11 and the breakage of the insulator 11, various samples different from a/B, D and Z were produced in the same manner as in evaluation 1, and an impact test was performed in the same manner as in evaluation 1. Fig. 6 shows the results of the impact test of the sample with a/B of 2.0. Fig. 7 shows the results of the impact test of the sample with a/B of 1.9.

In FIGS. 6 and 7, D (mm) is taken on the horizontal axis and Z (mm) is taken on the vertical axis. The coordinates show D and Z for each sample. The region 66 shown in FIG. 6 is a region where 4.5. ltoreq. D.ltoreq.8, 24. ltoreq. Z.ltoreq.34, and Z.gtoreq.2D +7.8 overlap. Region 67 is the region where D.gtoreq.4.5, Z.gtoreq.24 and Z.gtoreq.2.2D +7.8 overlap. The white circle shown in fig. 6 indicates that the smallest angle (where θ is a 1 ° scale) among the lifting angles θ of the hammer 63 when the insulator 11 is broken is 30 ° or more. The black circles shown in fig. 7 indicate that the lift angle θ is less than 30 °.

As shown in fig. 6, when a/B is 2.0, the lift angle θ of the sample included in the regions 66 and 67 is 30 ° or more. On the other hand, as shown in fig. 7, when a/B is 1.9, the lift angle θ of the sample satisfying Z ≧ 2.2D +7.8 is less than 30 °. As is apparent from Table 1, the cracking of the second inclined portion 19 can be suppressed when A/B is 2.0. ltoreq.A/B.ltoreq.4.0. From this, it can be seen that: a fracture boundary exists at Z ═ 2.2D + 7.8. Thus, it is clear that: in the samples contained in the regions 66, 67 satisfying 2.0. ltoreq. A/B. ltoreq.3.9, 0.50. ltoreq. D/F. ltoreq.0.88, 2.2D + 7.8. ltoreq. Z. ltoreq.34, and 4.5. ltoreq. D.ltoreq.8, the insulator 11 is hard to break.

(evaluation 3)

Various samples 25 to 48 were produced in the same manner as in evaluation 1, and an impact test was performed in the same manner as in evaluation 1 (see fig. 5). Table 2 shows the D/F, A/B, Z of samples 25 to 48 and the minimum angle (where θ is a 1 ° scale) of the raising angle θ of the hammer 63 when the insulator 11 is broken. The outer diameter E of the first portion 13 of samples 25-48 was 14 mm. The insulator of each sample was made to have the same size except for A, B, D, F, Z.

[ TABLE 2 ]

Samples 25-32 were provided with insulation on the inside of the body fitting 30 with a nominal 12mm diameter of the male thread 32. Samples 33-40 have insulators 11 disposed on the inside of the body fitting 30 with a nominal 10mm diameter of the male threads 32. Samples 41-48 were provided with insulator 11 on the inside of a body fitting 30 having a nominal diameter of 8mm for male thread 32. The outer diameter D of the third portion 15 of each sample was adjusted according to the inner diameter of the trunk portion 31 of the metallic shell 30, and the outer diameter of the second portion 14 was adjusted.

In samples 25 to 28, 33 to 36, and 41 to 44 in which a/B is 2.0 and D/F is 0.50 or more and 0.84 or less, the bending strength of the insulator 11 is high, and the lift angle θ is not less than 30 °. On the other hand, in samples 29 to 32, 37 to 40, and 45 to 48 in which a/B is 1.9 and D/F is 0.50 ≦ 0.84, the bending strength of the insulator 11 is low and the lift angle θ is less than 30 °.

The magnification of the lift angle θ of a sample in which D/F and Z are the same and a/B is different (for example, samples 25 and 29) to the lift angle θ of a sample in which a/B is 2.0 (see table 2) is 1.6 times when Z is 23mm and 1.6 to 1.9 times when Z is 23< Z ≦ 34 (mm).

From the results, it is understood that: samples 26-28, 34-36, and 42-44, in which a/B is 2.0 and 23< Z ≦ 34(mm), can be made to have the same or greater magnification of the angle θ when a/B is 2.0 to the angle θ when a/B is 1.9, compared to samples 29-32, 37-40, and 45-48, in which a/B is 1.9. That is, it can be seen that: when Z is 24 ≦ Z ≦ 34(mm), the second inclined portion 19 is difficult to break when a/B is 2.0.

As is clear from table 1: when A/B is not less than 2.0 and not more than 4.0, the breakage of the second inclined portion 19 can be suppressed. This makes it clear that: the insulator 11 of the sample contained in the region 66 (see FIG. 6) satisfying 2.0. ltoreq. A/B. ltoreq.3.9, 0.50. ltoreq. D/F. ltoreq.0.88, 2.2D + 7.8. ltoreq. Z.ltoreq.34, 4.5. ltoreq. D.ltoreq.8, and Z.ltoreq.24 is further hard to crack.

Although the present invention has been described above based on the embodiments, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiments at all, and it can be easily assumed that: various modifications and variations can be made without departing from the scope of the present invention.

In the embodiment, the spark plug 10 in which the gasket 45 is disposed in the metallic shell 30 is described, but the present invention is not necessarily limited thereto. In the case where the spark plug 10 is of a tapered seal type (tapered seat type), the gasket 45 can be omitted.

In the embodiment, the case where the center electrode 24 and the terminal fitting 25 are electrically connected via the resistor 26 in the axial hole 12 of the insulator 11 has been described, but the present invention is not necessarily limited thereto. It is needless to say that the resistor 26 is omitted and the center electrode 24 and the terminal fitting 25 can be electrically connected in the axial hole 12 of the insulator 11.

In the embodiment, the description has been given of the case where the seal portion 45 is interposed between the first portion 13 of the insulator 11 and the rear end portion 38 of the metallic shell 30, but the present invention is not necessarily limited to this. It is needless to say that the rear end portion 38 of the metal shell 30 may be fixed to the first portion 13 of the insulator 11 by pressure welding while omitting the seal portion 45.

In the embodiment, the case where the resistor 26 for electrically connecting the center electrode 24 and the terminal fitting 25 is disposed in the axial hole 12 of the insulator 11 has been described, but the present invention is not necessarily limited thereto. It is needless to say that the resistor 26 is omitted and the terminal fitting 25 can be connected to the center electrode 24 by a conductor.

Description of the reference symbols

10. 50 spark plug

11. 51 insulator

12 axle hole

13 first part

14 second part

14b front end of the second part

15. 53 third part

Rear ends of the third portions 15a, 53a

16 reduced diameter portion

18 first inclined part

19 second inclined part

30 Main body fittings

32 male thread

33 shelf part

A length of the second inclined part

B length of the first inclined part

D outer diameter of rear end of third portion

E outer diameter of the first portion

Outer diameter of front end of F second part

Z is a length obtained by adding the length of the second inclined part to the length of the third part

O axis