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GB2061378A - Spark plug connector - Google Patents

Spark plug connector Download PDF

Info

Publication number
GB2061378A
GB2061378A GB8031953A GB8031953A GB2061378A GB 2061378 A GB2061378 A GB 2061378A GB 8031953 A GB8031953 A GB 8031953A GB 8031953 A GB8031953 A GB 8031953A GB 2061378 A GB2061378 A GB 2061378A
Authority
GB
United Kingdom
Prior art keywords
spark plug
terminal
connector
insulating body
gap
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Withdrawn
Application number
GB8031953A
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Federal Mogul Ignition LLC
Original Assignee
Champion Spark Plug Co
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Champion Spark Plug Co filed Critical Champion Spark Plug Co
Publication of GB2061378A publication Critical patent/GB2061378A/en
Withdrawn legal-status Critical Current

Links

Classifications

    • HELECTRICITY
    • H01ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01TSPARK GAPS; OVERVOLTAGE ARRESTERS USING SPARK GAPS; SPARKING PLUGS; CORONA DEVICES; GENERATING IONS TO BE INTRODUCED INTO NON-ENCLOSED GASES
    • H01T13/00Sparking plugs
    • H01T13/46Sparking plugs having two or more spark gaps
    • H01T13/462Sparking plugs having two or more spark gaps in series connection

Landscapes

  • Spark Plugs (AREA)
  • Connector Housings Or Holding Contact Members (AREA)

Abstract

The spark plug 11 with which the connector 10 is used has a terminal 12 for receiving an electrical connector (not shown) of the ignition system of an associated internal combustion engine when the plug is releasably mounted in the engine. The connector 10 comprises a tubular insulating body 14 having a lower opening which is releasably engageable exteriorly of the spark plug terminal 12 and a terminal 15 exterior of the insulating body for receiving the electrical connector. The insulating body 14 limits movement of the exterior terminal 15 toward the spark plug terminal 12, and the exterior terminal has a sparking surface, interior of the insulating body which surface, when the insulating body prevents further movement of the exterior terminal toward the spark plug terminal, is spaced from the latter to leave a series gap 18 between the surface and the spark plug terminal. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Spark plug connector This invention relates to a connector used with a spark plug releasably mounted in an associated internal combustion engine. The spark plug has a firing gap across which ignition occurs when the applied voltage reaches a specific level. The spark plug also has a terminal for receiving an electrical connector of the ignition system of the associated engine. Although the ignition system provides sufficient voltage to cause the spark required to operate the engine, it frequently occurs that because of electrical leakage, sometimes attributable to deposits on the spark plugs, the ignition system fails to produce sufficient voltage to operate an engine on a new automobile when it arrives at its destination.
The present invention is based on a connector for a spark plug having a terminal for receiving an electrical connector of the ignition system of an associated internal combustion engine when the plug is releasably mounted in the engine. The connector comprises a tubular insulator body having a lower opening which matches and is releasably engageable exteriorly of the spark plug terminal and a terminal exterior of the insulating body for receiving the electrical connector. The insulator body is effective to limit movement of the exterior terminal toward the terminal of the spark plug.The exterior terminal has a sparking surface interior of the insulating body which surface, when the insulating body prevents further movement of the exterior terminal toward the spark plug terminal, is spaced from the spark plug terminal to leave a series gap between the electrical connector and the spark plug terminal.
Such a series gap between the interior terminal of the connector and the spark plug terminal isolates the spark plug firing gap from the ignition energy source until a sufficiently high voltage level is reached to cause the auxiliary series gap to break down, whereupon a high voltage is applied almost instantaneously, rather than a comparatively slowly increasing voltage to the spark plug firing gap. It has been found that the use of a connector according to the invention usually enables the firing of plugs having fouling of the type that sometimes occurs after low temperature operation; without the connectors such engines often will not start.Because the connector can be used in conjunction with the existing electrical connector and spark plug terminal, it can be installed easily and quickly in the ignition system of the internal combustion engine to solve what is often an urgent problem.
It is an object of the present invention to provide, for use with a spark plug, a connector that creates an auxiliary gap ahead of the spark plug firing gap.
It is a further object to provide, for use with a spark plug, a connector that can be easily installed in the ignition system for an internal combustion engine.
The accompanying drawing is a view in vertical elevation, with parts broken away, to show details of construction, of a spark plug with a partially schematic view of a connector in accordance with the invention attached thereto.
Referring to the drawing, a connector 10 is shown engaging a spark plug 11 having terminal 12 for receiving an electrical connector (not shown) and a firing gap 1 3 for igniting an air-fuel mixture when the spark plug is mounted in an associated internal combustion engine. The connector 10 comprises a tubular insulating body 14 having a lower opening with an inner diameter which matches and is releasably engageable with the outer diameter of the spark plug terminal 12, an exterior terminal 1 5 for receiving the electrical connector (not shown), and an interior terminal 1 6 structurally integral with the exterior terminal 1 5.
The tubular insulating body 14 has a central portion 17 of reduced inner diameter which engages the spark plug terminal 12 to prevent longitudinal movement thereof beyond the position shown in which the interior terminal 16 is positioned in spark gap relationship with the spark plug terminal 12.
The length of the central reduced diameter portion 17 determines the length of an auxiliary, series gap 1 8 between the interior terminal 1 6 and the spark plug terminal 12, and isolates the spark plug firing gap 13 from the ignition energy source until a sufficiently high voltage level is attained. When that level is reached, the auxiliary gap 18 breaks down and allows current to flow, thus applying a high instantaneous voltage rather than a comparatively slowly increasing voltage to the spark plug firing gap 13.
1. A connector for a spark plug having a terminal for receiving an electrical connector of the ignition system of an associated internal combustion engine when the plug is releasably mounted in the engine, said connector comprising a tubular insulating body having a lower opening which matches and is releasably engageable exteriorly of the spark plug terminal, and a terminal exterior of said insulating body for receiving the electrical connector, said insulating body being effective to limit movement of said exterior terminal toward the terminal of the spark plug, and said exterior terminal having a sparking surface interior of said insulating body which surface, when the insulating body prevents further movement of said exterior terminal toward the spark plug terminal, is spaced from the spark plug terminal to leave a series gap between the electrical connector and the spark plug terminal.
2. A connector for a spark plug substantiaily as described with reference to, and as illustrated in, the accompanying drawing.
**WARNING** end of DESC field may overlap start of CLMS **.

Claims (2)

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. SPECIFICATION Spark plug connector This invention relates to a connector used with a spark plug releasably mounted in an associated internal combustion engine. The spark plug has a firing gap across which ignition occurs when the applied voltage reaches a specific level. The spark plug also has a terminal for receiving an electrical connector of the ignition system of the associated engine. Although the ignition system provides sufficient voltage to cause the spark required to operate the engine, it frequently occurs that because of electrical leakage, sometimes attributable to deposits on the spark plugs, the ignition system fails to produce sufficient voltage to operate an engine on a new automobile when it arrives at its destination. The present invention is based on a connector for a spark plug having a terminal for receiving an electrical connector of the ignition system of an associated internal combustion engine when the plug is releasably mounted in the engine. The connector comprises a tubular insulator body having a lower opening which matches and is releasably engageable exteriorly of the spark plug terminal and a terminal exterior of the insulating body for receiving the electrical connector. The insulator body is effective to limit movement of the exterior terminal toward the terminal of the spark plug.The exterior terminal has a sparking surface interior of the insulating body which surface, when the insulating body prevents further movement of the exterior terminal toward the spark plug terminal, is spaced from the spark plug terminal to leave a series gap between the electrical connector and the spark plug terminal. Such a series gap between the interior terminal of the connector and the spark plug terminal isolates the spark plug firing gap from the ignition energy source until a sufficiently high voltage level is reached to cause the auxiliary series gap to break down, whereupon a high voltage is applied almost instantaneously, rather than a comparatively slowly increasing voltage to the spark plug firing gap. It has been found that the use of a connector according to the invention usually enables the firing of plugs having fouling of the type that sometimes occurs after low temperature operation; without the connectors such engines often will not start.Because the connector can be used in conjunction with the existing electrical connector and spark plug terminal, it can be installed easily and quickly in the ignition system of the internal combustion engine to solve what is often an urgent problem. It is an object of the present invention to provide, for use with a spark plug, a connector that creates an auxiliary gap ahead of the spark plug firing gap. It is a further object to provide, for use with a spark plug, a connector that can be easily installed in the ignition system for an internal combustion engine. The accompanying drawing is a view in vertical elevation, with parts broken away, to show details of construction, of a spark plug with a partially schematic view of a connector in accordance with the invention attached thereto. Referring to the drawing, a connector 10 is shown engaging a spark plug 11 having terminal 12 for receiving an electrical connector (not shown) and a firing gap 1 3 for igniting an air-fuel mixture when the spark plug is mounted in an associated internal combustion engine. The connector 10 comprises a tubular insulating body 14 having a lower opening with an inner diameter which matches and is releasably engageable with the outer diameter of the spark plug terminal 12, an exterior terminal 1 5 for receiving the electrical connector (not shown), and an interior terminal 1 6 structurally integral with the exterior terminal 1 5. The tubular insulating body 14 has a central portion 17 of reduced inner diameter which engages the spark plug terminal 12 to prevent longitudinal movement thereof beyond the position shown in which the interior terminal 16 is positioned in spark gap relationship with the spark plug terminal 12. The length of the central reduced diameter portion 17 determines the length of an auxiliary, series gap 1 8 between the interior terminal 1 6 and the spark plug terminal 12, and isolates the spark plug firing gap 13 from the ignition energy source until a sufficiently high voltage level is attained. When that level is reached, the auxiliary gap 18 breaks down and allows current to flow, thus applying a high instantaneous voltage rather than a comparatively slowly increasing voltage to the spark plug firing gap 13. CLAIMS
1. A connector for a spark plug having a terminal for receiving an electrical connector of the ignition system of an associated internal combustion engine when the plug is releasably mounted in the engine, said connector comprising a tubular insulating body having a lower opening which matches and is releasably engageable exteriorly of the spark plug terminal, and a terminal exterior of said insulating body for receiving the electrical connector, said insulating body being effective to limit movement of said exterior terminal toward the terminal of the spark plug, and said exterior terminal having a sparking surface interior of said insulating body which surface, when the insulating body prevents further movement of said exterior terminal toward the spark plug terminal, is spaced from the spark plug terminal to leave a series gap between the electrical connector and the spark plug terminal.
2. A connector for a spark plug substantiaily as described with reference to, and as illustrated in, the accompanying drawing.
GB8031953A 1979-10-19 1980-10-03 Spark plug connector Withdrawn GB2061378A (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
FR7926029A FR2468233A1 (en) 1979-10-19 1979-10-19 SPARK PLUG CONNECTOR

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
GB2061378A true GB2061378A (en) 1981-05-13

Family

ID=9230847

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
GB8031953A Withdrawn GB2061378A (en) 1979-10-19 1980-10-03 Spark plug connector

Country Status (7)

Country Link
JP (1) JPS5665483A (en)
BE (1) BE885770A (en)
DE (1) DE3036225A1 (en)
FR (1) FR2468233A1 (en)
GB (1) GB2061378A (en)
IT (1) IT1129039B (en)
SE (1) SE8007312L (en)

Cited By (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP0089390A1 (en) * 1982-03-22 1983-09-28 Angelo Giuffrida Spark plug connector
RU2120690C1 (en) * 1996-04-09 1998-10-20 Александр Владимирович Арзамасцев Spark plug cap
RU2151321C1 (en) * 1998-07-28 2000-06-20 Винокуров Валерий Афанасьевич Spark ignition system
RU2368048C1 (en) * 2008-07-09 2009-09-20 Государственное образовательное учреждение высшего профессионального образования "Рязанский военный автомобильный институт имени генерала армии В.П. Дубынина" Device for cleaning and checking of spark plugs

Families Citing this family (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
JPH06196249A (en) * 1992-01-17 1994-07-15 Kaname Iketani Double ignition type spark plug @(3754/24)one-circuit system) for internal combustion engine using gasoline as fuel and electric spark generator

Family Cites Families (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
FR923226A (en) * 1946-01-26 1947-07-01 Auxiliary or solid device of the spark plug to cause a long hot spark
US3219864A (en) * 1962-09-13 1965-11-23 Harvey G Allman Spark plug connection
DE2418261B2 (en) * 1974-04-16 1976-05-13 Siemens AG, 1000 Berlin und 8000 München SPARK GAP COMPONENT FOR IGNITION SYSTEMS IN COMBUSTION MACHINES
IT1017152B (en) * 1974-07-15 1977-07-20 Fbbrica Italiana Magneti Marel SPARK PLUG FOR INTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINES WITH ADDITIONAL JUMP SPARK

Cited By (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP0089390A1 (en) * 1982-03-22 1983-09-28 Angelo Giuffrida Spark plug connector
RU2120690C1 (en) * 1996-04-09 1998-10-20 Александр Владимирович Арзамасцев Spark plug cap
RU2151321C1 (en) * 1998-07-28 2000-06-20 Винокуров Валерий Афанасьевич Spark ignition system
RU2368048C1 (en) * 2008-07-09 2009-09-20 Государственное образовательное учреждение высшего профессионального образования "Рязанский военный автомобильный институт имени генерала армии В.П. Дубынина" Device for cleaning and checking of spark plugs

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
SE8007312L (en) 1981-04-20
JPS5665483A (en) 1981-06-03
FR2468233A1 (en) 1981-04-30
IT8049930A0 (en) 1980-10-17
DE3036225A1 (en) 1981-04-30
IT1129039B (en) 1986-06-04
BE885770A (en) 1981-04-17

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Legal Events

Date Code Title Description
WAP Application withdrawn, taken to be withdrawn or refused ** after publication under section 16(1)