JP2009236070A - Internal combustion engine - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an internal combustion engine capable of bringing the position of a spark discharge gap close to a wall surface of a combustion chamber while avoiding a life reduction of a semi-surface discharge type ground electrode and ensuring breakage resistance.
An internal combustion engine (200) includes an internal engine body (210) and a spark plug (100) attached thereto. In this internal combustion engine 200, a distance D (mm) from the wall surface 231 of the combustion chamber to the slit bottom surface 113c of the slit 113 provided in the metal shell 110 of the spark plug 100 is D ≧ 1. Further, a predetermined first deviation amount B (mm) in the ground electrode lead-in portion 140h of the ground electrode 140 is set to B ≦ 0.2, while a predetermined second deviation amount C in the ground electrode protrusion 140t of the ground electrode 140 is set. (Mm) is C> 0.2.
[Selection] Figure 3

Description

  The present invention relates to an internal combustion engine in which a spark plug having a center electrode and a ground electrode is attached to a plug attachment hole that opens in a wall surface of a combustion chamber.

  Among the spark plugs constituting an internal combustion engine, the most common form called a so-called “parallel electrode type ground electrode”, in which the side surface of the front end of the ground electrode in the extending direction is disposed so as to face the front end surface of the center electrode In the spark plug having the ground electrode, the length of the ground electrode (parallel electrode type ground electrode) in the axial direction (plug axial direction) is sufficiently long. For this reason, when the rod-shaped ground electrode welded to the metal fitting front end surface of the metal shell is bent into a predetermined shape at the time of manufacturing, the bending stress applied to the weld surface and the vicinity thereof is small. This is presumably because the ground electrode is sufficiently long so that the bending stress at the time of bending is sufficiently relaxed before it is transmitted to the weld surface and its vicinity.

  On the other hand, as a spark plug that exerts an effect on smoldering stains and the like, a spark plug having a ground electrode called a “semi-surface discharge type ground electrode”, and “semi-surface discharge type ground electrode” and other forms A hybrid type spark plug having a ground electrode is also known. The semi-surface discharge type ground electrode mainly has a so-called “semi-surface discharge” in which a part of the spark discharge with the center electrode is an air discharge and the other is a surface discharge along the insulator front end surface of the insulator. In order to generate, the rod-shaped ground electrode joined to the front end surface of the metal shell is bent and formed. For this reason, the semi-surface discharge type ground electrode tends to be shorter in the axial direction length than the parallel electrode type ground electrode. When the axial length of the ground electrode is shortened, bending stress applied to the welded surface and the vicinity thereof is increased when the rod-shaped ground electrode welded to the front end surface of the metal shell is bent into a predetermined shape. For this reason, in the case of a semi-creeping discharge type ground electrode, the strength of the welded portion between the ground electrode and the metal shell is lowered, and there is a risk that the ground electrode may be broken during use.

However, in general, the semi-surface discharge type ground electrode is also excellent in ignitability as the spark discharge gap is formed to protrude toward the center of the combustion chamber, so that the axial length thereof is sufficiently secured. Therefore, there is a small possibility that the above-mentioned problems are not caused when the rod-shaped ground electrode welded to the metal fitting front end surface of the metal shell is bent into a predetermined shape.
On the other hand, as disclosed in FIG. 3 and the like of Patent Document 1, a spark plug that can avoid the above-described problem by not bending the semi-surface discharge type ground electrode has been proposed.

JP 2006-85997 A

  In recent internal combustion engines, in-cylinder injection engines have been actively developed in order to achieve both improved fuel efficiency and improved output, and the use of semi-creeping type and hybrid type spark plugs has increased as a measure against smoldering fouling. Yes. Under these circumstances, the combustion spray area in the combustion chamber and the swirl and tumble flow are very finely controlled for each internal combustion engine, and the optimum ignition position of the spark plug can be ignited if it protrudes toward the center of the combustion chamber. On the other hand, from the general idea of improving, there are cases where ignitability is better when the ignition position is closer to the wall surface of the combustion chamber. When the ignition position is brought closer to the wall surface of the combustion chamber, the axial length of the ground electrode is shortened accordingly. For this reason, especially in the case of a semi-surface discharge type grounding electrode, the axial length is shortened. Therefore, when bending the rod-shaped grounding electrode welded to the metal fitting front end surface of the metallic shell during manufacture, The strength tends to decrease, and there is a risk that the ground electrode may be broken during use.

  On the other hand, the semi-surface discharge-type ground electrode disclosed in Patent Document 1 does not require bending in the manufacturing process, but the portion where the spark discharge is generated is not the tip surface of the electrode but the corner portion of the electrode. (Edge portion), there is a problem in durability. That is, the corner of the electrode has a smaller volume than the portion including the tip surface of the electrode. For this reason, when it is considered that the electrode is consumed by the same volume due to the spark discharge, the semi-surface discharge type ground electrode of Patent Document 1 in which spark discharge is generated at the corner of the electrode is semi-surface in which spark discharge is generated at the tip surface of the electrode. The spark discharge gap is increased as compared with the discharge-type ground electrode. Therefore, the semi-surface discharge type ground electrode of Patent Document 1 has a shorter life than the semi-surface discharge type ground electrode in which spark discharge occurs at the tip surface of the electrode.

  The present invention has been made in view of the present situation, and avoids a decrease in the life of the semi-surface discharge type ground electrode and secures breakage resistance and peeling resistance, while positioning the spark discharge gap. An object of the present invention is to provide an internal combustion engine that can also be brought close to the wall surface of the combustion chamber.

  The solution is a cylindrical metal shell having an axial line, a screw part having a male screw formed on the outer periphery, and an axially leading end side of the screw part without forming a male screw on the outer periphery. A metal fitting having a metal fitting tip including a flat metal fitting tip surface that is positioned and perpendicular to the axis, and is inserted inward of the metal fitting in the radial direction. A cylindrical insulator having an insulator exposed portion that is exposed from the metal shell on the tip end side, and an insulator front end surface that is inserted in the radially inner side of the insulator and is positioned at the axial tip of the insulator exposed portion A center electrode having a center electrode protruding portion that protrudes further toward the tip end side in the axial direction, and a tip end surface of the ground electrode that extends from the metal tip end portion of the metal shell, and that is a tip surface in the extending direction of the metal shell, faces the radially inner side , Outer peripheral surface of the center electrode protrusion and spark discharge The discharge form of the spark discharge formed between the ground electrode front end surface and the outer peripheral surface is separated from the ground electrode by the air discharge from the ground electrode front end surface to the insulator front end surface, and the insulator. One or a plurality of semi-creeping discharge type ground electrodes that generate semi-creeping discharge consisting of creeping discharge along the tip surface, and are welded to the tip of the metal fitting and then bent radially inward. An internal combustion engine in which a spark plug including a mold ground electrode is mounted in a plug mounting hole that opens to a wall surface of a combustion chamber, wherein the metal fitting tip portion of the metal shell is parallel to the metal tip surface. And including two slit side surfaces extending from the bottom surface of the slit to the front end surface of the metal fitting, and having a slit opened at the front end surface of the metal fitting. It is welded to the bottom surface of the slit, and the slit bottom surface is set back in the axial direction from the combustion chamber wall surface in the plug mounting hole, and the axial direction from the combustion chamber wall surface to the slit bottom surface The semi-surface discharge type is obtained when the semi-surface discharge-type ground electrode is virtually cut by a planar first virtual surface along the slit bottom surface, and the distance D (mm) is D ≧ 1.0. The center of the first virtual cross section of the ground electrode is defined as a first center K1, and a planar second virtual surface parallel to the first virtual surface at a position 1.0 mm away from the first virtual surface toward the distal end in the axial direction. When the semi-surface discharge type ground electrode is virtually cut by the second center K2, the center of the second virtual section of the semi-surface discharge type ground electrode is defined as the second center K2, and the inside of the plug mounting hole along the combustion chamber wall surface. 3rd virtual extended to When the semi-surface discharge type ground electrode is virtually cut by a plane, the center of the third virtual cross section of the semi-surface discharge type ground electrode is defined as the third center K3, and the axial direction tip side from the third virtual surface When the semi-surface discharge-type ground electrode is virtually cut at a position 1.0 mm away by a fourth virtual surface parallel to the third virtual surface, the fourth virtual cross-section of the semi-surface-discharge discharge ground electrode When the center is the fourth center K4, the first deviation amount B (mm) in the direction orthogonal to the axis line from the first center K1 to the second center K2 is B ≦ 0.2, An internal combustion engine in which a second displacement amount C (mm) radially inward from the third center K3 to the fourth center K4 is C> 0.2.

  In the internal combustion engine of the present invention, as the ground electrode of the spark plug, the tip end surface of the ground electrode faces radially inward and is separated from the outer peripheral surface of the center electrode protruding portion with a spark discharge gap. The discharge type includes a semi-surface discharge type ground electrode that generates a semi-surface discharge including an air discharge from the surface of the ground electrode to the surface of the insulator and a surface discharge along the surface of the insulator. In such a semi-surface discharge type ground electrode, since the tip end surface of the ground electrode is directed radially inward, spark discharge does not occur at the electrode corner as in the ground electrode of Patent Document 1 shown in the prior art. Instead, this ground electrode tip surface is generated as a starting point. For this reason, since the spark discharge does not concentrate on the corner portion of the ground electrode, it can be avoided that the life of the ground electrode is reduced.

  Further, in this internal combustion engine, a slit is provided at the metal tip of the metal shell, with the bottom of the slit retracted into the plug mounting hole on the proximal side in the axial direction with respect to the wall surface of the combustion chamber. By joining the electrodes, a part of the semi-surface discharge-type ground electrode (hereinafter, this portion is also referred to as a ground electrode lead-in portion) is disposed on the proximal side in the axial direction from the wall surface of the combustion chamber. And since the said 1st deviation amount B (mm) of this ground electrode drawing-in part is set to B <= 0.2, at least the part near a slit bottom face of a ground electrode drawing-in part is a straight rod shape or a small bending amount close to it. It becomes the shape which has. As a result, when the semi-surface discharge type ground electrode welded to the slit bottom surface of the metal shell at the time of manufacturing is bent into a predetermined shape, the transmission of stress that can occur during bending at the ground electrode lead-in portion can be mitigated. The bending stress applied to the surface and its vicinity is reduced. Therefore, the residual stress in the vicinity of the weld surface is small and the strength of the welded portion between the semi-surface discharge type ground electrode and the metal shell is sufficiently secured. It is possible to prevent problems from occurring.

On the other hand, in the semi-surface discharge-type ground electrode, a portion (hereinafter, this portion is also referred to as a ground electrode projecting portion) disposed in the combustion chamber on the tip side in the axial direction with respect to the wall surface of the combustion chamber is the second displacement. The amount C (mm) is C> 0.2. That is, the ground electrode protruding portion is greatly bent radially inward from the vicinity of the wall surface of the combustion chamber. Therefore, the axial length of the ground electrode protrusion can be shortened to bring the position of the spark discharge gap closer to the combustion chamber wall.
As described above, in the internal combustion engine of the present invention, the position of the spark discharge gap is brought closer to the combustion chamber wall surface while avoiding a decrease in the life of the semi-surface discharge type ground electrode and ensuring breakage resistance and peeling resistance. Can also be supported.

  The “center electrode” only needs to satisfy the above requirements, and may be integrally formed. For example, the center electrode base is formed by welding a columnar center electrode tip to the center electrode substrate. You may have done. In addition, the “semi-surface discharge type ground electrode” is not particularly limited as long as it satisfies the above-described requirements, and may be integrally formed. For example, a columnar ground electrode chip is formed on a ground electrode base material that is a base material. It may be formed by welding. In the case where there are a plurality of “semi-surface discharge type ground electrodes”, the present invention may be applied to at least one of the semi-surface discharge type ground electrodes. This is because at least the semi-surface discharge type ground electrode satisfying the requirements of the present invention can obtain the above-described effects.

  Further, in the internal combustion engine, the semi-surface discharge type ground electrode is formed by resistance welding to the bottom surface of the slit, and a gap H1 (mm) between one side surface of the slit and the semi-surface discharge type ground electrode is provided. , H1 ≧ 1.0, and an internal combustion engine in which the gap H2 (mm) between the other side surface of the slit and the semi-surface discharge-type ground electrode is H2 ≧ 1.0.

  If the gaps H1 and H2 (mm) between the side surfaces of the slits and the semi-surface discharge type ground electrode are too narrow, specifically less than 1.0 mm, the semi-surface discharge type ground electrode is resistance-welded to the slit bottom surface. When welding, a part of the melted semi-surface discharge type ground electrode may come into contact with the side surface of the slit that is present in the immediate vicinity. If it does so, sufficient electric current may not flow between a semi-surface discharge type ground electrode and a slit bottom face, and there exists a possibility that a semi-surface discharge type ground electrode cannot be reliably welded to a slit bottom face.

  On the other hand, in the present invention, as described above, the gaps H1 and H2 (mm) between the side surfaces of the slits and the semi-surface discharge type ground electrode are sufficiently widened to H1 ≧ 1.0 and H2 ≧ 1.0, respectively. Yes. For this reason, when resistance-welding the semi-surface discharge type ground electrode to the bottom surface of the slit, it is possible to prevent a part of the melted semi-surface discharge type ground electrode from contacting the side surface of the slit. Therefore, since the semi-surface discharge type ground electrode can be reliably welded to the bottom surface of the slit, the connection reliability of the semi-surface discharge type ground electrode can be improved.

  Further, in the internal combustion engine according to any one of the above, the gap between one slit side surface and the semi-surface discharge type ground electrode is a gap H1 (mm), and the other slit side surface and the semi-surface discharge type An internal combustion engine in which the spark plug is configured to satisfy (H1 + H2) /M≦0.4, where a gap with the ground electrode is a gap H2 (mm) and an inner diameter of the metal tip is an inner diameter M (mm). And good.

  As described above, with respect to the gaps H1, H2 (mm) and the inner diameter M (mm), the spark plug is configured to satisfy (H1 + H2) /M≦0.4, thereby reducing the space formed by the slits. For this reason, the space around the insulator exposed portion can be reduced accordingly, and the gas volume around the insulator exposed portion can be reduced accordingly. Thereby, the smoldering stain | pollution | contamination of an insulator exposure part can be suppressed.

  Further, another solution is a cylindrical metal shell having an axis, a screw part having a male screw formed on the outer periphery, and an axial direction of the screw part without forming a male screw on the outer periphery. A metal fitting having a metal fitting tip including a flat metal metal fitting tip surface that is positioned on the tip side and that is perpendicular to the axis of the metal fitting and is inserted radially inward of the metal fitting. A cylindrical insulator having an insulator exposed portion that is exposed from the metallic shell on the tip end side in the axial direction, and an insulator that is inserted radially inside the insulator and is positioned at the tip end in the axial direction of the insulator exposed portion A center electrode having a center electrode protruding portion that protrudes in the axial direction tip side from the body tip surface, and a ground electrode tip surface that extends from the metal tip of the metal shell and that is the tip surface in the direction of extension is radially inward. Facing the outer peripheral surface of the central electrode protrusion and the fire The discharge form of the spark discharge formed between the ground electrode front end surface and the outer peripheral surface is separated from the ground electrode front end surface to the insulator front end surface by the air gap from the ground electrode front end surface. One or a plurality of semi-creeping discharge type ground electrodes that generate a semi-creeping discharge consisting of a creeping discharge along the front end surface of the body, the semi-creeping surface being bent radially inward after being welded to the tip of the metal fitting An internal combustion engine in which a spark plug including a discharge-type ground electrode is mounted in a plug mounting hole that opens to a wall surface of a combustion chamber, wherein the metal fitting tip of the metal shell is a slit parallel to the metal tip surface A bottom surface and two slit side surfaces extending from the bottom surface of the slit to the metal tip surface, and having a slit opened at the metal tip surface, and the semi-surface discharge type ground electrode is connected to the metal tip The slit bottom surface is welded to the slit bottom surface, and the slit bottom surface is set back in the axial direction from the combustion chamber wall surface in the plug mounting hole, and from the combustion chamber wall surface to the slit bottom surface. A distance D (mm) in the axial direction is set to D ≧ 1.0, and a portion of the semi-surface discharge type ground electrode that is located in the plug mounting hole on the proximal side in the axial direction with respect to the wall surface of the combustion chamber. As a ground electrode lead-in portion, and when a portion located in the combustion chamber on the tip end side in the axial direction from the wall surface of the combustion chamber is a ground electrode projecting portion, the ground electrode lead-in portion is shaped like a straight bar extending toward the tip end in the axial direction. The internal combustion engine is configured to bend the ground electrode protruding portion radially inward.

  In the internal combustion engine of the present invention, as the ground electrode of the spark plug, the tip end surface of the ground electrode faces radially inward and is separated from the outer peripheral surface of the center electrode protruding portion with a spark discharge gap. The discharge type includes a semi-surface discharge type ground electrode that generates a semi-surface discharge including an air discharge from the surface of the ground electrode to the surface of the insulator and a surface discharge along the surface of the insulator. In such a semi-surface discharge type ground electrode, since the tip end surface of the ground electrode is directed radially inward, spark discharge does not occur at the electrode corner as in the ground electrode of Patent Document 1 shown in the prior art. Instead, this ground electrode tip surface is generated as a starting point. For this reason, since the spark discharge does not concentrate on the corner portion of the ground electrode, it can be avoided that the life of the ground electrode is reduced.

  Further, in this internal combustion engine, a slit is provided at the metal tip of the metal shell, with the bottom of the slit retracted into the plug mounting hole on the proximal side in the axial direction with respect to the wall surface of the combustion chamber. By joining the electrodes, a part of the semi-surface discharge type ground electrode (ground electrode lead-in part) is disposed on the proximal side in the axial direction from the wall surface of the combustion chamber. The ground electrode lead-in portion has a straight bar shape extending toward the tip end side in the axial direction. For this reason, when bending the semi-surface discharge type ground electrode welded to the bottom of the slit of the metal shell during manufacturing into a predetermined shape, the transmission of stress that can occur during bending at the ground electrode lead-in portion can be mitigated. The bending stress applied to the surface and its vicinity is reduced. Therefore, the residual stress in the vicinity of the weld surface is small and the strength of the welded portion between the semi-surface discharge type ground electrode and the metal shell is sufficiently secured. It is possible to prevent problems from occurring.

On the other hand, in the semi-surface discharge type ground electrode, a portion (ground electrode protruding portion) disposed in the combustion chamber at the tip end in the axial direction from the wall surface of the combustion chamber is bent radially inward. That is, the ground electrode protruding portion is greatly bent radially inward from the vicinity of the wall surface of the combustion chamber. Therefore, the axial length of the ground electrode protrusion can be shortened, and the position of the spark discharge gap can be made closer to the wall surface of the combustion chamber.
As described above, in the internal combustion engine of the present invention, the position of the spark discharge gap is brought closer to the combustion chamber wall surface while avoiding a decrease in the life of the semi-surface discharge type ground electrode and ensuring breakage resistance and peeling resistance. Can also respond.

  Furthermore, in the internal combustion engine according to any one of the above, the center electrode protruding portion of the center electrode has a columnar center electrode tip via a melting portion at a tip in an axial direction of a center electrode substrate that is a substrate. The ground electrode tip surface, which is welded and extends from the metal fitting tip surface of the metal shell, and which is the tip surface in the extending direction of the metal shell, faces the inner side in the radial direction, and forms a spark discharge gap with the outer peripheral surface of the center electrode tip. An internal combustion engine that also includes one or a plurality of radial discharge type ground electrodes that are spaced apart from each other, and a discharge type of spark discharge generated between the front end surface of the ground electrode and the outer peripheral surface is a radial air discharge. An institution is preferred.

The radial discharge type ground electrode, which is a radial air discharge that does not include creeping discharge, is generally superior in ignitability. By adding a discharge-type ground electrode, an internal combustion engine having excellent ignitability can be obtained.
In the radial discharge type ground electrode, spark discharge may occur not only on the outer peripheral surface of the center electrode tip but also on the melted portion between the center electrode tip and the center electrode base material. This is because the work function of the molten part is smaller than the work function of the center electrode tip. If the frequency of spark discharge to the melted portion is high, the melted portion is consumed earlier than the center electrode tip, and the melted portion is largely scraped off, and the center electrode tip may peel off and fall off. In this case, not only the spark plug cannot reach its original life but also the internal electrode engine may be damaged by the dropped center electrode tip.

  In order to avoid this, the axial length of the center electrode tip is increased to some extent, and the ground electrode tip surface of the radial discharge type ground electrode is moved away from the melting portion, thereby reducing the frequency of spark discharge to the melting portion. It can be reduced. However, simply lengthening the center electrode tip is not preferable from the viewpoint of heat resistance of the center electrode and engine design because the center electrode tip protrudes too far toward the center of the combustion chamber.

  Therefore, it is conceivable to lengthen the axial length of the center electrode tip to some extent while shortening the axial length of the insulator. In this way, the center electrode tip can be prevented from projecting too far toward the center of the combustion chamber, so that the heat resistance of the center electrode and engine design problems can be avoided. However, if the axial length of the insulator is shortened, the axial length of the semi-surface discharge type ground electrode must be shortened accordingly. Then, as described in the prior art, when bending the semi-surface discharge type ground electrode welded to the metal tip of the metal shell at the time of manufacturing into a predetermined shape, the bending stress applied to the weld surface and its vicinity increases, The problem that the intensity | strength of falls falls.

  Therefore, by adopting the above-described invention, it is possible to prevent the above-described problems from occurring when the semi-surface discharge type ground electrode welded to the metal shell during manufacturing is bent into a predetermined shape. Thus, in the internal combustion engine having the above-described configuration, while achieving a spark plug that has high ignitability and is resistant to smoldering contamination, it avoids a decrease in the life of the semi-creeping discharge type ground electrode, and also has fracture resistance and Peel resistance can be ensured.

(Embodiment 1)
Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 shows a spark plug 100 constituting the internal combustion engine 200 according to the first embodiment. FIG. 2 shows the vicinity of the tip of the spark plug 100. FIG. 3 shows the vicinity of the tip of the spark plug 100 in the internal combustion engine 200. FIG. 4 shows a part of the ground electrode (semi-surface discharge type ground electrode) 140 and the center electrode 130 of the spark plug 100.

The internal combustion engine 200 of the first embodiment includes an internal combustion engine main body 210 and a spark plug 100 attached thereto (see FIG. 3).
Among these, as shown in FIG. 1, the spark plug 100 includes a cylindrical metal shell 110, a cylindrical insulator 120, a bar-shaped center electrode 130, and four ground electrodes 140, 140 bent into a predetermined shape. ,... (The ground electrode 140 located on the back side of the paper is not shown).

  The metal shell 110 is made of low carbon steel and has a cylindrical shape extending in the axis AX direction. The metal shell 110 is positioned on a flange portion 110f having a large diameter and a base end side AK in the axial direction (hereinafter also simply referred to as a base end side AK; upward in FIG. 1), and the spark plug 100 is connected to the internal combustion engine. A tool engaging portion 110h having a hexagonal cross section for engaging a tool when attached to the main body 210 is provided. Further, the metal shell 110 further has a caulking portion 110j for caulking and fixing the insulator 120 to the metal shell 110 on the base end side AK.

  The metal shell 110 is smaller in diameter than the flange portion 110f on the front end side AS in the axial direction of the flange portion 110f (hereinafter, also simply referred to as the front end side AS, and downward in FIG. 1). The engine main body 210 has a threaded portion 110m in which a male screw for mounting for screwing is formed. Further, the metal shell 110 further has a metal tip portion 110s including a ring-shaped metal tip surface 110sc that is located at the tip of the metal shell 110 and forms a plane orthogonal to the axis AX on the tip side AS. An inner diameter M (mm) of the metal tip 110s is M = 7.2 (mm) (see FIG. 2).

  In the metal fitting tip part 110s, four slits 113, 113,... Opened to the metal fitting tip surface 110sc are formed at equal intervals in the circumferential direction (intervals every 90 degrees) (in addition to FIG. 1, FIG. 2). And also FIG. 3). Each of the slits 113, 113,... Has a planar slit bottom surface 113 c parallel to the metal fitting front end surface 110 sc, and two plane shapes parallel to each other and orthogonal to the slit bottom surface 113 s and extending from the slit bottom surface 113 s to the metal fitting front end surface 110 sc The slit side surfaces 113d1 and 113d2 are provided. These slits 113, 113,... Have a length in the vertical direction along the axis AX direction (depth L (mm) of the slit 113) is L = 2.0 (mm), and are orthogonal to the depth direction. The length in the width direction (the length between the slit side surfaces 113d1 and 113d2) is 5.0 mm.

The insulator 120 is made of alumina ceramic and has a cylindrical shape extending in the direction of the axis AX. The insulator 120 is inserted inward of the metal shell 110 in the radial direction, and the insulator exposed portion 120r located on the distal end AS is exposed to the outside from the metal shell 110 and is insulated on the base end side. The body base end portion 120k is held by the metal shell 110 in a state of protruding from the crimping portion 110j of the metal shell 110 to the base end side (see also FIGS. 2 to 4 in addition to FIG. 1). Of the insulator exposed portion 120r, the insulator front end portion 120s located on the front end side AS projects from the metal fitting front end surface 110sc of the metal shell 110 to the front end side AS.
A center electrode 130 is inserted on the radially inner side on the distal end side of the insulator 120. On the other hand, a terminal fitting 150 for guiding a high voltage to the center electrode 130 is inserted on the radially inner side on the proximal end side of the insulator 120.

  The center electrode 130 is integrally formed from a Ni alloy containing Ni as a main component. The center electrode 130 is inserted inside the insulator 120 in the radial direction, and the center electrode protrusion 130s located on the tip side AS protrudes from the insulator tip surface 120sc of the insulator 120 to the tip side AS. It is held by an insulator 120 (see FIG. 3 and FIG. 4 in addition to FIG. 1). The center electrode protrusion 130s has a cylindrical shape that is coaxial with the axis AX and extends in the direction of the axis AX.

  The four ground electrodes 140, 140,... Of the first embodiment all have a discharge form of a spark discharge generated between the ground electrode front end surface 140sc and the outer peripheral surface 130sn of the center electrode 130 as a ground electrode front end surface 140sc. This is a semi-surface discharge type grounding electrode that generates a semi-surface discharge including an air discharge from the surface to the insulator front end surface 120sc and a surface discharge along the insulator front end surface 120sc. Each of the ground electrodes 140, 140,... Is integrally formed from a Ni alloy containing Ni as a main component, and has a shape in which a rectangular column is bent into a predetermined shape radially inward. Specifically, each ground electrode base end portion 140k, 140k,... Is at the center in the circumferential direction of the slit bottom surface 113c, 113c,. They are joined by resistance welding.

  Moreover, each ground electrode 140,140, ... extends from the slit bottom surface 113c, 113c, ... to the tip side AS and exceeds the metal fitting tip surface 110sc. Each of the ground electrode tip portions 140s, 140s,... Is bent in a predetermined shape radially inward, and the ground electrode tip surfaces (outer electrode tip surfaces) 140sc, 140sc,... Are parallel to the axis AX direction. It faces radially inward. Each of the ground electrode front end surfaces 140sc, 140sc,... Is separated from the outer peripheral surface 130sn of the center electrode protruding portion 130s by a spark discharge gap G that generates a spark discharge.

  Since these four ground electrodes 140, 140,... Are arranged at slits 113, 113,... Provided at equal intervals in the circumferential direction at the metal tip 110s, these ground electrodes 140, 140,. They are arranged at equal intervals in the circumferential direction. Accordingly, the two ground electrodes 140 and 140 face each other, and the remaining two ground electrodes 140 and 140 face each other.

  As shown in FIG. 2, when viewed from the side facing the ground electrode 140, the gap H1 (mm) between the ground electrode 140 and one slit side surface 113d1 of the slit 113 to which the ground electrode 140 is joined is H1 ≧ 1. 0. Further, a gap H2 (mm) between the ground electrode 140 and the other slit side surface 113d2 is also H2 ≧ 1.0. Specifically, H1 = H2 = 1.2 (mm). Further, as described above, the inner diameter M (mm) of the metal tip 110s is M = 7.2 (mm). Therefore, the gaps H1, H2 (mm) and the inner diameter M (mm) are (H1 + H2). ) /M≦0.4.

  Next, the internal combustion engine body 210 will be described (see FIG. 3). The internal combustion engine main body 210 includes a cylinder head 230 having a combustion chamber wall surface 231 that forms a combustion chamber NS (downward in FIG. 3) therein. The cylinder head 230 has a plug mounting hole 240 that penetrates the combustion chamber wall surface 231 and is connected to the outside of the internal combustion engine 200. An inner peripheral surface of the plug mounting hole 240 in the vicinity of the combustion chamber wall surface 231 is a screw portion 241 in which a female screw for mounting the spark plug 100 is formed.

  The above-described spark plug 100 is attached to the plug attachment hole 240. Specifically, the spark plug 100 is inserted into the plug mounting hole 240 with the distal end side of the spark plug 100 facing the combustion chamber NS and the proximal end side facing the outside of the internal combustion engine 200. The screw portion 110 m of the spark plug 100 is screwed into the screw portion 241 of the plug attachment hole 240, so that the spark plug 100 is fixed to the plug attachment hole 240.

In the internal combustion engine 200 in which the spark plug 100 is attached to the internal combustion engine body 210 in this manner, as shown in FIG. 3, the position NM1 in the axis AX direction of the metal fitting front end surface 110sc of the metal shell 110 and the combustion chamber wall surface 231 (plug attachment The position NM1 of the opening end 240c) of the hole 240 coincides. And each slit bottom face 113c, 113c, ... is located in the plug attachment hole 240 which retreated to the base end side rather than the combustion chamber inner wall surface 231. Specifically, the distance D (mm) in the axis AX direction from the combustion chamber wall surface 231 (position NM1 of the combustion chamber wall surface 231 in the axis AX direction) to the slit bottom surface 113c (position DM1 in the axis AX direction of the slit bottom surface 113c). D ≧ 1.0. In the first embodiment, the distance D (mm) is D = 2.0 (mm).
In the first embodiment, since the position NM1 of the metal fitting tip surface 110sc and the combustion chamber wall surface 231 coincides as described above, the distance D (mm) is equal to the depth L (mm) of the slit 113. (D = L).

  In this way, by retracting the slit bottom surfaces 113c, 113c,... To the base end side from the combustion chamber wall surface 231, the ground electrodes 140, 140,... Joined to the slit bottom surfaces 113c, 113c,. Are located in the combustion chamber NS on the front end side AS, and ground electrode lead-in portions 140h and 140h located in the plug mounting hole 240 on the proximal side AK from the combustion chamber wall surface 231. , ... will be included.

Next, the details of the ground electrodes 140, 140,... In the internal combustion engine 200 will be described (see FIG. 4).
Of the ground electrode lead-in portions 140h of each ground electrode 140, when this is virtually cut by a planar first virtual plane Z1 along the slit bottom surface 113c (a direction perpendicular to the axis AX at the position DM1 in the axis AX direction) The center of the first virtual cross section Y1 of the ground electrode lead-in portion 140h is defined as the first center K1.
Further, in the ground electrode lead-in part 140h, a planar second virtual plane parallel to the first virtual plane Z1 at a position DM2 that is 1.0 mm away from the first virtual plane Z1 (slit bottom surface 113c) to the tip side AS. The center of the second virtual cross section Y2 of the ground electrode lead-in portion 140h when this is cut in the direction perpendicular to the axis AX by Z2 is defined as a second center K2.

  A shift amount in a direction orthogonal to the axis AX from the first center K1 to the second center K2 is defined as a first shift amount B (mm). In the first embodiment, since the direction orthogonal to the axis AX is shifted only in the radial direction, the shift amount inward in the radial direction (shift amount to the right in FIG. 4) is the first shift amount B ( mm). The first deviation amount B (mm) is set to B ≦ 0.2. Specifically, the first deviation amount B (mm) is B = 0.1 (mm), and the ground electrode lead-in portion 140h has a straight bar shape extending toward the tip side AS.

On the other hand, among the ground electrode protrusions 140t of each ground electrode 140, when this is virtually cut by a planar third virtual plane Z3 extending along the combustion chamber wall surface 231 and into the plug mounting hole 240 ( The center of the third virtual cross section Y3 of the ground electrode protrusion 140t is defined as the first center K3 when the virtual electrode is virtually cut in the direction orthogonal to the axis AX at the position NM1 in the axis AX direction.
Further, in the ground electrode projecting portion 140t, at a position NM2 that is 1.0 mm away from the third virtual plane Z3 to the tip side AS, a plane fourth virtual plane Z4 that is parallel to the third virtual plane Z3 causes an axis AX. The center of the fourth virtual cross section Y4 of the ground electrode protruding portion 140t when this is cut in a direction orthogonal to the center is defined as a fourth center K4.

  The amount of deviation inward in the radial direction from the third center K3 to the fourth center K4 (the amount of deviation to the right in FIG. 4) is defined as the second deviation amount C (mm). In the first embodiment, the second deviation amount C (mm) is C> 0.2. Specifically, the second displacement amount C (mm) is C = 0.4 (mm), and the ground electrode protruding portion 140t is greatly bent radially inward from the vicinity of the combustion chamber wall surface 231. .

  As described above, in the internal combustion engine 200, as the ground electrode of the spark plug 100, the ground electrode front end surface 140sc faces radially inward, and the outer peripheral surface 130sn of the center electrode protrusion 130s and the spark discharge gap G are formed. It has a semi-surface discharge type ground electrode 140, 140,... That generates a semi-surface discharge in which a part of the spark discharge is an air discharge and the rest is a surface discharge along the insulator front end surface 120sc. . In such semi-surface discharge type ground electrodes 140, 140,..., The ground electrode front end surfaces 140sc, 140sc,... Face inward in the radial direction, so that spark discharge does not occur at the corners of the ground electrode. It is generated starting from the ground electrode front end surfaces 140sc, 140sc,. For this reason, since the spark discharge does not occur at the corners of the ground electrode, it can be avoided that the life of the semi-surface discharge type ground electrodes 140, 140,...

Further, in the internal combustion engine 200, a slit 113 having a slit bottom surface 113c retracted to the base end side AK from the combustion chamber wall surface 231 is provided in the metal fitting tip 110s of the metal shell 110, and a ground electrode 140 is provided on the slit bottom surface 113c. By joining, a part of the ground electrode 140 (ground electrode lead-in part 140h) is arranged on the base end side with respect to the wall surface 231 of the combustion chamber.
The first displacement amount B (mm) of the ground electrode lead-in portion 231h is B ≦ 0.2, and the ground electrode lead-in portion 231h has a straight bar shape extending toward the tip side AS. For this reason, when the rod-shaped ground electrode 140 welded to the slit bottom surface 113c of the metal shell 110 is bent into a predetermined shape during manufacturing, bending stress applied to the welded surface 149 and its vicinity is reduced. Accordingly, the residual stress in the vicinity of the weld surface 149 is small, and the strength of the welded portion between the ground electrode 140 and the metal shell 110 can be sufficiently secured, so that problems such as breakage occur in the ground electrode 140 during use. Can be prevented.

On the other hand, of the ground electrode 140, the ground electrode protruding portion 140t that protrudes from the combustion chamber wall surface 231 and is disposed in the combustion chamber NS, the second displacement amount C (mm) inward in the radial direction described above. However, C> 0.2. That is, the ground electrode protrusion 140t is greatly bent radially inward from the vicinity of the combustion chamber wall surface 231. Therefore, the length of the ground electrode protrusion 140t in the axis AX direction is short, and the position of the spark discharge gap G approaches the combustion chamber wall surface 231.
As described above, the internal combustion engine 200 according to the first embodiment avoids a decrease in the life of the semi-surface discharge type ground electrodes 140, 140,..., And spark discharge while ensuring its breakage resistance and peel resistance. It is also possible to accommodate the position of the gap G close to the combustion chamber wall surface 231.

  Further, in the first embodiment, as described above, the gaps H1 and H2 (mm) between the ground electrode 140 and the slit side surfaces 113d1 and 113d2 are sufficiently widened to 1.0 mm or more, respectively. Therefore, when the ground electrode 140 is resistance-welded to the slit bottom surface 113c, a part of the melted ground electrode 140 can be prevented from coming into contact with the slit side surfaces 113d1 and 113d2, so that the ground electrode 140 is reliably welded to the slit bottom surface 113c. it can.

  Further, as described above, the spark plug 100 has a configuration in which the gaps H1, H2 (mm) between the ground electrode 140 and the slit side surfaces 113d1, 113d2 and the inner diameter M (mm) of the metal tip 110s are (H1 + H2). /M≦0.4. For this reason, since the space constituted by the slits 113 is reduced, the space around the insulator exposed portion 120r can be reduced accordingly, and the gas volume around the insulator exposed portion 120r can be reduced accordingly. Thereby, the smoldering stain | pollution | contamination of the insulator exposed part 120r can be suppressed.

The internal combustion engine 200 can be manufactured by separately manufacturing the internal combustion engine body 210 and the spark plug 100 and then attaching the spark plug 100 to the plug mounting hole 240 of the internal combustion engine body 210.
Among these, the spark plug 100 can be manufactured by the following method. That is, the center electrode 130 is assembled to the insulator 120, and the terminal fitting 150 and the like are also assembled to the insulator 120, and glass sealing is performed.

Next, a metal shell 110 provided with slits 113, 113,... Is prepared, and rod-shaped ground electrodes 140, 140,. The ground electrodes 140, 140,... At this time, the gaps H1 and H2 (mm) between the ground electrode 140 and the slit side surfaces 113d1 and 113d2 are sufficiently wide at 1.0 mm or more, respectively, so that a part of the melted ground electrode 140 contacts the slit side surfaces 113d1 and 113d2. Can be prevented. Therefore, the ground electrode 140 can be reliably welded to the slit bottom surface 113c.
This welding may be laser welding. After that, the insulator 120 assembled with the center electrode 130 and the like is assembled to the metal shell 110 joined with the ground electrodes 140, 140,.

Next, each ground electrode 140, 140,... Joined to the metal shell 110 is bent radially inward to have a predetermined shape, and a spark discharge gap G is formed between the center electrode 130. In this case, since each ground electrode 140, 140,... Has a sufficient length in the axis AX direction, bending stress applied to the welding surfaces 149, 149,. Therefore, the strength of the welded portion between each ground electrode 140, 140,.
Thereafter, when the spark plug 100 is attached to the separately prepared internal combustion engine body 210, the internal combustion engine 200 is completed.

(Embodiment 2)
Next, a second embodiment will be described. In the internal combustion engine 400 of the second embodiment, the form of the center electrode 330 is different from the form of the center electrode 130 of the first embodiment.
Further, a total of three ground electrodes 140, 140, and 340 are provided, and two of the ground electrodes 140 and 140 that face each other are the same as the semi-surface discharge type ground electrodes 140 and 140 of the first embodiment. However, the form of the remaining ground electrode 340 is different from the form of the semi-surface discharge type ground electrode 140 of the first embodiment. Accordingly, only two slits 113, 113 similar to those of the first embodiment are provided at the metal tip 110 s of the metal shell 110 corresponding to the ground electrodes 140, 140.
Other than that, the second embodiment is the same as the first embodiment, and the description of the same parts as the first embodiment is omitted or simplified. FIG. 5 shows the vicinity of the tip of the spark plug 300 in the internal combustion engine 400 according to the second embodiment.

  In the center electrode 330 of the spark plug 300 constituting the internal combustion engine 400, the center electrode protrusion 330s located on the tip side AS (downward in FIG. 5) protrudes from the insulator tip surface 120sc of the insulator 120 to the tip side AS. In this state, the insulator 120 is inserted and held. The central electrode 330 is formed by coaxially laser welding a central electrode tip 333 having a smaller diameter and a columnar shape to the tip of a rod-shaped central electrode base material 331 that is a base material. Between the center electrode base material 331 and the center electrode tip 333, a melted portion 332 is formed in which these melt and solidify each other. Among these, the center electrode base material 331 is made of a Ni alloy containing Ni as a main component. On the other hand, the center electrode tip 333 is made of a Pt alloy containing 70% by weight or more of Pt.

Among the ground electrodes 140, 140, 340, the two ground electrodes 140, 140 facing each other are the same as the semi-surface discharge type ground electrodes 140, 140 of the first embodiment as described above, and the center electrode protruding portion 330s. The outer peripheral surface 330sn is spaced apart from the spark discharge gap G.
On the other hand, the remaining ground electrode 340 is a so-called parallel electrode type ground electrode, which is made of a Ni alloy containing Ni as a main component, and has a shape in which a quadrangular prism is bent into a predetermined shape. Specifically, the ground electrode base end portion 340k is joined to the metal fitting front end surface 110sc of the metal shell 110, while the ground electrode front end portion 340s extends further to the front end side AS than the other ground electrodes 140 and 140, It is bent into a predetermined shape toward the radially inner side beyond the electrode protruding portion 330s. Of the ground electrode front end portion 340s, a base end side surface 340sd (upper side surface in FIG. 5) facing the base end side faces the circular front end surface 330ss of the center electrode protruding portion 330s and spark discharge occurs. A spark discharge gap J is generated.

  The internal combustion engine 400 having such a spark plug 300 also has semi-surface discharge type ground electrodes 140, 140 having the same form as the semi-surface discharge type ground electrodes 140, 140,. Accordingly, at least for these semi-surface discharge type grounding electrodes 140 and 140, as in the case of the internal combustion engine 200 of the first embodiment, the life of the semi-surface discharge type grounding electrodes 140 and 140 is prevented from being reduced, and the The position of the spark discharge gap G can be made closer to the combustion chamber wall surface 231 while ensuring breakage resistance and peel resistance. In addition, the same parts as those of the first embodiment have the same operations and effects as those of the first embodiment.

(Embodiment 3)
Next, a third embodiment will be described. In the internal combustion engine 600 of the third embodiment, the form of the center electrode 530 is different from the form of the center electrode 130 of the first embodiment. Further, a total of three ground electrodes 140, 140, and 540 are provided, and two of the ground electrodes 140 and 140 facing each other are the same as the semi-surface discharge type ground electrodes 140 and 140 of the first embodiment. However, the form of the remaining ground electrode 540 is different from the form of the semi-surface discharge type ground electrode 140 of the first embodiment. Other than that, the second embodiment is the same as the first embodiment, and the description of the same parts as the first embodiment is omitted or simplified. FIG. 6 shows the vicinity of the tip of the spark plug 500 in the internal combustion engine 600 according to the third embodiment.

  The center electrode 530 of the spark plug 500 constituting the internal combustion engine 600 has a center electrode protruding portion 530 s located on the tip side AS (downward in FIG. 6) closer to the tip side AS than the insulator tip surface 120 sc of the insulator 120. In a protruding state, the insulator 120 is inserted and held. The center electrode 530 is formed by coaxially laser welding a center electrode tip 533 having a smaller diameter and a columnar shape to the tip of a rod-shaped center electrode substrate 531 which is a substrate. Between the center electrode base material 531 and the center electrode tip 533, a melted part 532 is formed by melting and solidifying each other. Among these, the center electrode base material 531 is made of a Ni alloy containing Ni as a main component. On the other hand, the center electrode tip 533 is made of a Pt alloy containing 70% by weight or more of Pt.

  Among the ground electrodes 140, 140, 540, the two ground electrodes 140, 140 facing each other are the same as the semi-surface discharge type ground electrodes 140, 140 of the first embodiment as described above, and the center electrode protruding portion 530s. Are spaced apart from each other with a spark discharge gap G therebetween.

  On the other hand, the remaining ground electrode 540 is a radial discharge type ground electrode that does not include creeping discharge and generates radial air discharge as spark discharge. The ground electrode 540 has a ground electrode base end portion 540k joined to a metal fitting front end surface 110sc of the metal shell 110 and extends from the metal fitting front end surface 110sc, and a ground electrode front end surface 540sc which is a front end surface in the extending direction of the ground electrode 540 It is parallel to AX and faces radially inward. The ground electrode front end surface 540sc is separated from the outer peripheral surface 530sn of the center electrode protruding portion 530s (specifically, the outer peripheral surface 533n of the center electrode tip 533) with a spark discharge gap L that causes spark discharge. .

  The ground electrode 540 is formed by welding a ground electrode tip 543 forming a square column thinner than the base end side surface 541sd (upper side surface in FIG. 6) of the distal end portion 541s of the ground electrode base material 541 which is a base material. Formed. The ground electrode base material 541 is made of a Ni alloy containing Ni as a main component, and has a shape in which a quadrangular prism is bent in a predetermined shape radially inward. On the other hand, the ground electrode tip 543 is made of a Pt alloy containing 70% by weight or more of Pt.

As described above, in the third embodiment, since the radial discharge type ground electrode 540 that generates the radial air discharge is provided, the ignitability is superior to the case where only the semi-surface discharge type ground electrodes 140 and 140 are provided. .
In the radial discharge type ground electrode 540, spark discharge occurs not only on the outer peripheral surface 533 n of the center electrode tip 533 but also on the melting part 532 between the center electrode tip 533 and the center electrode base material 531. There is. This is because the work function of the melting part 532 is smaller than the work function of the center electrode tip 533.

  If the frequency of the spark discharge to the melted part 532 is high, the melted part 532 is consumed earlier than the center electrode tip 533, and the melted part 532 is largely scraped off, and the center electrode tip 533 may be peeled off and dropped off. is there. As a result, the spark plug 500 may not be able to achieve the original life, and the internal electrode 600 may be damaged by the dropped center electrode tip 533.

  In order to avoid this, the length of the center electrode tip 533 in the axis AX direction is lengthened to some extent, and the ground electrode front end surface 540sc of the radial discharge type ground electrode 540 is moved away from the melt portion 532, thereby moving to the melt portion 532. It is conceivable to reduce the frequency of spark discharge. However, simply elongating the center electrode tip 533 is not preferable from the viewpoint of heat resistance of the center electrode 530 and engine design because the center electrode tip 533 protrudes too much toward the center of the combustion chamber NS.

  Therefore, it is conceivable to reduce the length of the insulator 120 in the axis AX direction while increasing the length of the center electrode tip 533 in the axis AX direction to some extent. In this way, it is possible to prevent the center electrode tip 533 from protruding too far toward the center of the combustion chamber NS, so that the heat resistance of the center electrode 530 and engine design problems can be avoided. However, if the length of the insulator 120 in the axis AX direction is shortened, the length of the semi-surface discharge type ground electrodes 140 and 140 in the axis AX direction must be shortened accordingly. Then, as described in the prior art, when bending the semi-surface discharge type ground electrodes 140, 140 welded to the metal fitting front end surface 110sc of the metal shell 110 at the time of manufacturing into a predetermined shape, the bending stress applied to the vicinity of the weld surface increases. There arises a problem that the strength of the welded portion is lowered.

On the other hand, the third embodiment includes the semi-surface discharge type ground electrodes 140, 140 having the same form as the semi-surface discharge type ground electrodes 140, 140,. Therefore, at least for these semi-surface discharge type ground electrodes 140 and 140, as in the first embodiment, it is possible to prevent the life of the semi-surface discharge type ground electrodes 140 and 140 from being reduced, It is also possible to cope with bringing the position of the spark discharge gap G closer to the wall surface 231 of the combustion chamber while ensuring the peel resistance.
As described above, in the internal combustion engine 600 of the third embodiment, the life of the semi-surface discharge type ground electrodes 140 and 140 is reduced while realizing the spark plug 500 having high ignitability and resistance to smoldering contamination. While avoiding, the breakage resistance and peeling resistance can be ensured. In addition, the same parts as those in the first or second embodiment have the same functions and effects as those in the first or second embodiment.

Next, the results of various tests conducted to verify the effects of the present invention will be described.
(Test 1)
In the test 1, in the spark plug 100 described in the first embodiment, the second displacement amount C (mm) (see FIG. 4) of each ground electrode 140, 140,... Is in the range of 0 mm to 0.5 mm. Various spark plugs were prepared.
These spark plugs are obtained by welding the ground electrode to the metal fitting front end surface as usual without providing the slits 113, 113,. The rest is the same as the spark plug 100 described in the first embodiment. Accordingly, since the ground electrode does not have a ground electrode lead-in portion that is recessed from the wall surface of the combustion chamber (since the entire ground electrode is a ground electrode protrusion), the second displacement amount C (mm) is equal to the first displacement amount. It can be considered that this also corresponds to B (mm).

  These spark plugs were subjected to a ground electrode impact test, and the relationship between the first displacement amount B (mm) of the ground electrode and the durability against the impact of the ground electrode was investigated. This test 1 was performed using a JIS type impact tester in accordance with JIS B8031 (2006). The test conditions were 400 times per minute, and the test was conducted for a maximum of 10 hours until the ground electrode was broken and broken. These results are shown in the graph of FIG.

  According to this result, in the spark plug having the first displacement amount B of 0.3 mm or more, the ground electrode was bent near the weld surface within 5 hours from the start of the impact test. On the other hand, in the spark plug having the first displacement amount B of 0.2 mm or less, the ground electrode was not broken or broken even after the impact test was performed for 10 hours.

  In the spark plug having the first displacement amount B of 0.3 mm or more, since the ground electrode is greatly bent from a portion close to the weld surface, when the rod-shaped ground electrode is bent into a predetermined shape at the time of manufacture, the vicinity of the weld surface The bending stress that is applied to is increased. For this reason, it is considered that the strength of the welded portion between the ground electrode and the metal shell decreased, and as a result, the ground electrode was broken early in the impact test.

On the other hand, in the spark plug having the first deviation amount B of 0.2 mm or less, the portion of the ground electrode close to the welding surface has a straight rod shape or a shape having a small bending amount close thereto. For this reason, when the rod-shaped ground electrode is bent into a predetermined shape at the time of manufacture, bending stress applied to the vicinity of the weld surface is small. Therefore, since the strength of the welded portion between the ground electrode and the metal shell is sufficiently secured, it is considered that the ground electrode was not broken or broken even when the impact test was performed for a long time.
From this, it can be seen that by setting the first deviation amount B (mm) of the ground electrode to B ≦ 0.2, it is possible to effectively prevent problems such as breakage in the ground electrode during use. .

(Test 2)
In this test 2, in the spark plug 100 described in the first embodiment, the distance D (mm) is set to D = 1.0 (mm), and the ground electrode protrusions of the ground electrodes 140, 140,. Spark plugs in which the second displacement amount C (mm) of 140t, 140t and the first displacement amount B (mm) of the ground electrode lead-in portions 140h, 140h of the ground electrodes 140, 140,. Prepared.
These spark plugs were subjected to the same impact test as in Test 1 above, and the relationship between the second displacement amount C (mm) of the ground electrode and the durability time against the impact of the ground electrode was investigated. These results are shown in the graph of FIG.

  According to this result, in the spark plug having the first displacement amount B of 0.3 mm and 0.5 mm, regardless of the value of the second displacement amount C, within the vicinity of the weld surface within 5 hours from the start of the impact test. The ground electrode was broken. On the other hand, in the spark plug having the first displacement amount B of 0.2 mm, the ground electrode was not broken or damaged even when the impact test was performed for 10 hours regardless of the value of the second displacement amount C. .

  In the spark plug having the first displacement amount B of 0.3 mm or more, since the ground electrode is greatly bent from the portion near the slit bottom surface of the metal shell, the rod-shaped ground electrode welded to the slit bottom surface at the time of manufacture has a predetermined shape. When bending, the bending stress applied to the vicinity of the weld surface is large. For this reason, it is considered that the strength of the welded portion between the ground electrode and the metal shell is lowered, and as a result, the ground electrode is broken in the impact test.

  On the other hand, in the spark plug having the first displacement amount B of 0.2 mm, a portion of the ground electrode that is close to the slit bottom has a small bending amount that is close to a straight bar shape. For this reason, when bending the rod-shaped ground electrode welded to the slit bottom surface during manufacturing into a predetermined shape, the bending stress applied to the vicinity of the weld surface is reduced. Therefore, since the strength of the welded portion between the ground electrode and the metal shell is sufficiently secured, it is considered that the ground electrode was not broken or broken even when the impact test was performed for a long time.

  From this, it can be seen that by setting the first deviation amount B (mm) of the ground electrode to B ≦ 0.2, it is possible to effectively prevent problems such as breakage in the ground electrode during use. . Further, since the second displacement amount C (mm) of the ground electrode does not depend on the strength of the welded portion between the ground electrode and the metal shell, it can be seen that the second displacement amount C (mm) may be increased. . That is, it can be seen that, in the range of the ground electrode protruding portion, the ground electrode can be largely bent from the vicinity of the wall surface of the combustion chamber, and the position of the spark discharge gap G can be brought close to the wall surface of the combustion chamber.

(Test 3)
In Test 3, in the spark plug 100 described in the first embodiment, the gaps H1 and H2 (mm) (see FIG. 3) between the ground electrode 140 and the slit side surfaces 113d1 and 113d2 are changed in various ways. The bonding strength was investigated. Specifically, after a rod-shaped ground electrode is resistance welded to the bottom surface of the slit of the metal shell, the rod-shaped ground electrode is bent 90 degrees radially inward. After that, it is bent back to the original rod shape. And even if this was repeated 3 times, it was judged that the bonding strength of the ground electrode was good if the ground electrode did not break near the weld surface. On the other hand, it was determined that the ground electrode was broken in the vicinity of the weld surface until the bending test was repeated three times, and that the bonding strength of the ground electrode was insufficient. These results are shown in Table 1.

  According to this result, when at least one of the gaps H1 and H2 (mm) is 0.5 mm or less, the ground electrode is broken near the weld surface until the above bending test is repeated three times (Table). Indicated by x inside)) The bonding strength of the ground electrode is insufficient. On the other hand, when the gaps H1 and H2 (mm) are both 1.0 mm or more, the ground electrode does not break near the weld surface even if the bending test is repeated three times (indicated by a circle in the table). The bonding strength of the ground electrode is sufficiently high. From this, it can be seen that the bonding strength of the ground electrode can be sufficiently secured by sufficiently widening the gaps H1 and H2 (mm) between the ground electrode and the side surface of the slit to 1.0 mm or more.

Such a result is considered to be due to the following reason. That is, if the gaps H1, H2 (mm) between the ground electrode and the slit side surface are too narrow, 0.5 mm or less, when the ground electrode is resistance-welded to the bottom surface of the slit, a part of the melted ground electrode also contacts the slit side surface. Resulting in. Then, it is considered that a sufficient current does not flow between the ground electrode and the bottom surface of the slit, and the ground electrode cannot be reliably welded to the bottom surface of the slit.
On the other hand, if the gaps H1 and H2 (mm) between the ground electrode and the side surface of the slit are sufficiently wide, each 1.0 mm or more, when the ground electrode is resistance-welded to the bottom of the slit, a part of the melted ground electrode is slit. Contact with the side surface can be prevented. Therefore, it is considered that the ground electrode was reliably welded to the bottom surface of the slit.

(Test 4)
In Test 4, in the spark plug 100 described in the first embodiment, many spark plugs having different distances D (depth L of the slit 113) (mm) and different gaps H1 and H2 and inner diameter M are used. Prepared. And about these spark plugs, the antifouling property of the insulator (insulator exposed part) was investigated. Specifically, the relationship between the value of (H1 + H2) / M and the insulation resistance value of the insulator was examined to evaluate the stain resistance of the insulator.

  In Test 4, each spark plug was assembled in a 4-cylinder direct injection gasoline engine with a displacement of 1800 cc, and a predelivery fouling test defined by JIS standard D1606 was performed in a test room at room temperature −10 ° C. Specifically, after starting the engine and performing idling several times, driving for 3 seconds at 35 km / h for 40 seconds, idling for 90 seconds, and again for 3 seconds at 35 km / h for 40 seconds. Stop the engine. Then, complete cooling is performed until the temperature of the cooling water reaches room temperature, the engine is started again and blown, the 15-second drive at the first speed of 15 km / h, the engine stop twice for 30 seconds, and the first speed of 15 km again. Drive again for 15 seconds at / h to stop the engine. This series of test patterns was taken as one cycle, and the test was repeated 10 cycles. And the insulation resistance value of the insulator was measured. These results are shown in the graph of FIG.

  According to this result, regardless of the value of the distance D (slit depth L), when the value of (H1 + H2) / M is at least 0.4 or less, the smoldering contamination of the insulator (insulator exposed portion) is small, There was no change in the insulation resistance value of the insulator. On the other hand, regardless of the value of the distance D (slit depth L), since the value of (H1 + H2) / M exceeds 0.4, the smoldering of the insulator (insulator exposed portion) increases as this value increases. The amount of fouling increased, and the insulation resistance value of the insulator decreased accordingly. From this, it can be seen that smoldering contamination of the exposed portion of the insulator can be suppressed by setting the gaps H1 and H2 and the inner diameter M to satisfy (H1 + H2) /M≦0.4.

  In addition, it can be considered that the smoldering contamination of the exposed portion of the insulator can be suppressed for the following reason. That is, as the value of (H1 + H2) / M decreases, the space formed by the slits decreases, so that the space around the insulator exposed portion can be reduced accordingly. Accordingly, the gas volume around the insulator exposed portion can be reduced accordingly. Thereby, it is thought that it can suppress that a pollutant adheres to an insulator exposure part, and can suppress the smoldering stain | pollution | contamination of an insulator exposure part.

(Test 5)
In this test 5, the spark plug 100 described in the first embodiment is different in the number of the slits 113 and the ground electrodes 140 (n = 1 to 4), and the gaps H1 and H2 and the inner diameter M are different. Many prepared. And about these spark plugs, the antifouling property of the insulator (insulator exposed part) was investigated. Specifically, in the same manner as in Test 4 above, the relationship between the value of (H1 + H2) / M and the insulation resistance value of the insulator was examined, and the stain resistance of the insulator was evaluated. These results are shown in the graph of FIG.

According to this result, regardless of the number n of slits and ground electrodes, when the value of (H1 + H2) / M is at least 0.4 or less, the smoldering contamination of the insulator (insulator exposed portion) is small, and the insulation resistance of the insulator There was no change in the value.
On the other hand, since the value of (H1 + H2) / M exceeded 0.4, the greater the value, the more smoldering contamination of the insulator (insulator exposed portion), and the lower the insulation resistance value of the insulator. . In particular, when the number n of slits and ground electrodes increases, the smoldering contamination of the insulators increases and the insulation resistance value of the insulators tends to decrease, but when the number of slits and ground electrodes is n = 3 or more, There was no difference in the smoldering contamination of the insulator, and the insulation resistance value of the insulator did not decrease any more.
Therefore, regardless of the number n of the slits and ground electrodes, the gaps H1, H2 and the inner diameter M satisfy (H1 + H2) /M≦0.4. It can be seen that it can be suppressed.

In the above, the present invention has been described with reference to the first to third embodiments. However, the present invention is not limited to the above first to third embodiments, and may be appropriately modified and applied without departing from the gist thereof. Needless to say, it can be done.
For example, in the first to third embodiments, an example in which a plurality of semi-surface discharge type ground electrodes 140 are provided is illustrated. However, a single semi-surface discharge type ground electrode 140 may be provided.

In the first to third embodiments, the semi-surface discharge-type ground electrode 140 is exemplified as an integrally formed one. However, for example, a columnar ground electrode tip is welded to a ground electrode base material that is a base material. You may have done.
In the first to third embodiments, the metal fitting 110 has the front end surface 110sc aligned with the position NM1 of the combustion chamber wall surface 231. However, the metal fitting front end surface 110sc is more proximal than the combustion chamber wall surface 231. It is also possible to retreat to AK, or conversely, the metal fitting tip surface 110sc may be protruded to the tip side AS from the combustion chamber wall surface 231.

1 is a side view of a spark plug that constitutes an internal combustion engine according to Embodiment 1. FIG. FIG. 3 is a partially enlarged side view of the vicinity of a tip of a spark plug constituting the internal combustion engine according to the first embodiment. FIG. 3 is an explanatory view showing the vicinity of the tip of the spark plug in the internal combustion engine according to the first embodiment. FIG. 3 is an explanatory view showing a part of a ground electrode and a center electrode of a spark plug constituting the internal combustion engine according to the first embodiment. It is explanatory drawing which shows the front-end | tip part vicinity of a spark plug among the internal combustion engines which concern on Embodiment 2. FIG. It is explanatory drawing which shows the front-end | tip part vicinity of a spark plug among the internal combustion engines which concern on Embodiment 3. FIG. It is the graph which showed the relationship between the 2nd deviation | shift amount C (1st deviation | shift amount B) of a ground electrode, and the durable time with respect to the impact of a ground electrode. It is the graph which showed the relationship between the 2nd deviation | shift amount C of a ground electrode, and the durable time with respect to the impact of a ground electrode about the spark plug from which the 1st deviation | shift amount B of a ground electrode differs. It is the graph which showed the relationship between the value of (H1 + H2) / M, and the insulation resistance value of an insulator about the spark plug from which the distance D (depth L of a slit) differs, and gap | intervals H1, H2, and the internal diameter M differ. It is the graph which showed the relationship between the value of (H1 + H2) / M, and the insulation resistance value of an insulator about the spark plug from which the number of a slit and a ground electrode differ, and gap | intervals H1, H2, and the internal diameter M differ.

Explanation of symbols

100, 300, 500 Spark plug 110 Metal fitting 110s Metal tip 110sc Metal tip 113 Slit 113c Slit bottom 113d1, 113d2 Slit side 120 Insulator 120r Insulator exposed parts 130, 330, 530 Center electrodes 130s, 330s, 530s Center electrode Protrusion 130 sn, 330 sn, 530 sn Outer peripheral surface 140, 340, 540 Ground electrode 140, 340 s, 540 s Ground electrode tip 140 sc, 540 sc Ground electrode tip 140 t Ground electrode protrusion 140 h Ground electrode lead-in portion 200, 400, 600 Internal combustion engine 210 Internal combustion engine body 231 Combustion chamber wall surface 240 Plug mounting hole B First displacement amount C Second displacement amount D Distance G, J Spark discharge gap L Depth M Inner diameter AX Axis AS Tip side (Axial direction tip side)
AK Base end side (Axis direction base end side)
K1 1st center K2 2nd center K3 3rd center K4 4th center Y1 1st virtual cross section Y2 2nd virtual cross section Y3 3rd virtual cross section Y4 4th virtual cross section Z1 1st virtual plane Z2 2nd virtual plane Z3 Third virtual plane Z4 Fourth virtual plane NS Combustion chamber DM1, DM2, NM1, NM2 Position H1, H2 Gap

Claims (4)

A cylindrical metal shell having an axis,
A threaded portion having a male thread formed on the outer periphery; and
Without the formation of a male screw on the outer periphery, the front end of the metal fitting is positioned on the front end side in the axial direction of the threaded portion, and includes a front end of the metal shell in the axial direction and including a flat front end of the metal fitting perpendicular to the axis.
A metal shell having
A cylindrical insulator that is inserted through the metal shell in the radial direction and has an insulator exposed portion that is exposed from the metal shell on the front end side in the axial direction;
A center electrode having a center electrode protruding portion that is inserted into the radially inner side of the insulator and protrudes toward the front end side in the axial direction from the front end surface of the insulator located at the front end in the axial direction of the exposed insulator portion;
The ground electrode front end surface, which extends from the metal front end of the metal shell and is the front end surface in the direction of extension, faces radially inward and is spaced apart from the outer peripheral surface of the center electrode protrusion and the spark discharge gap. The discharge form of the spark discharge generated between the ground electrode front end surface and the outer peripheral surface is an air discharge from the ground electrode front end surface to the insulator front end surface, and a creeping discharge along the insulator front end surface. One or a plurality of semi-creeping discharge type grounding electrodes that generate semi-creeping discharge consisting of: a semi-creeping discharge type grounding electrode that is bent radially inward after welding to the metal tip, and
An internal combustion engine in which a spark plug is attached to a plug mounting hole that opens in a wall surface of a combustion chamber,
The metal fitting front end portion of the metal shell includes a slit bottom surface parallel to the metal fitting front end surface, and two slit side surfaces extending from the slit bottom surface to the metal fitting front end surface, and has a slit opened at the metal metal front end surface. ,
The semi-surface discharge-type ground electrode is welded to the slit bottom surface of the metal fitting tip,
The slit bottom surface is disposed in the plug mounting hole by retreating from the combustion chamber wall surface in the axial direction base end side,
A distance D (mm) in the axial direction from the wall surface of the combustion chamber to the bottom surface of the slit is D ≧ 1.0,
The center of the first virtual cross section of the semi-surface discharge-type ground electrode when the semi-surface discharge-type ground electrode is virtually cut by a planar first virtual surface along the bottom surface of the slit is defined as a first center K1.
When the semi-creeping discharge type ground electrode is virtually cut by a planar second virtual surface parallel to the first virtual surface at a position 1.0 mm away from the first virtual surface toward the front end in the axial direction. , The center of the second virtual cross section of the semi-surface discharge type ground electrode as the second center K2,
The center of the third virtual cross section of the semi-surface discharge-type ground electrode when the semi-surface discharge-type ground electrode is virtually cut by a third virtual surface extending to the inside of the plug mounting hole along the wall surface of the combustion chamber Is the third center K3,
This semi-surface discharge-type ground electrode is virtually cut by a fourth virtual surface parallel to the third virtual surface at a position 1.0 mm away from the third virtual surface toward the tip in the axial direction. When the center of the fourth virtual cross section of the creeping discharge ground electrode is the fourth center K4,
A first deviation amount B (mm) in a direction perpendicular to the axis from the first center K1 to the second center K2 is set as B ≦ 0.2,
An internal combustion engine in which a second displacement amount C (mm) radially inward from the third center K3 to the fourth center K4 satisfies C> 0.2. The internal combustion engine according to claim 1,
The semi-surface discharge type ground electrode is formed by resistance welding to the slit bottom surface,
A gap H1 (mm) between one slit side surface and the semi-surface discharge type ground electrode is set to H1 ≧ 1.0, and
An internal combustion engine in which a gap H2 (mm) between the other side surface of the slit and the semi-surface discharge-type ground electrode satisfies H2 ≧ 1.0. The internal combustion engine according to claim 1 or 2,
The gap between one side surface of the slit and the semi-surface discharge type ground electrode is defined as a gap H1 (mm),
The gap between the other side surface of the slit and the semi-surface discharge-type ground electrode is defined as a gap H2 (mm),
When the inner diameter of the metal tip is the inner diameter M (mm),
An internal combustion engine in which the spark plug is configured to satisfy (H1 + H2) /M≦0.4. A cylindrical metal shell having an axis,
A threaded portion having a male thread formed on the outer periphery; and
Without the formation of a male screw on the outer periphery, the front end of the metal fitting is positioned on the front end side in the axial direction of the threaded portion, and includes a front end of the metal shell in the axial direction and including a flat front end of the metal fitting perpendicular to the axis.
A metal shell having
A cylindrical insulator that is inserted through the metal shell in the radial direction and has an insulator exposed portion that is exposed from the metal shell on the front end side in the axial direction;
A center electrode having a center electrode protruding portion that is inserted into the radially inner side of the insulator and protrudes toward the front end side in the axial direction from the front end surface of the insulator located at the front end in the axial direction of the exposed insulator portion;
The ground electrode front end surface, which extends from the metal front end of the metal shell and is the front end surface in the direction of extension, faces radially inward and is spaced apart from the outer peripheral surface of the center electrode protrusion and the spark discharge gap. The discharge form of the spark discharge generated between the ground electrode front end surface and the outer peripheral surface is an air discharge from the ground electrode front end surface to the insulator front end surface, and a creeping discharge along the insulator front end surface. One or a plurality of semi-creeping discharge type grounding electrodes that generate semi-creeping discharge consisting of: a semi-creeping discharge type grounding electrode that is bent radially inward after welding to the metal tip, and
An internal combustion engine in which a spark plug is attached to a plug mounting hole that opens in a wall surface of a combustion chamber,
The metal fitting front end portion of the metal shell includes a slit bottom surface parallel to the metal fitting front end surface, and two slit side surfaces extending from the slit bottom surface to the metal fitting front end surface, and has a slit opened at the metal metal front end surface. ,
The semi-surface discharge-type ground electrode is welded to the slit bottom surface of the metal fitting tip,
The slit bottom surface is disposed in the plug mounting hole by retreating from the combustion chamber wall surface in the axial direction base end side,
A distance D (mm) in the axial direction from the wall surface of the combustion chamber to the bottom surface of the slit is D ≧ 1.0,
Of the semi-surface discharge type ground electrode, a portion located in the plug mounting hole on the axial base end side with respect to the wall surface of the combustion chamber is used as a ground electrode lead-in portion, and combustion on the tip side in the axial direction with respect to the wall surface of the combustion chamber When the part located in the room is the ground electrode protrusion,
The ground electrode lead-in part is in the shape of a straight bar extending toward the tip end side in the axial direction,
An internal combustion engine configured to bend the ground electrode protruding portion radially inward.

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