Patent Grant
9655170
The present invention relates to a ceramic heater used for a glow plug or the like.
Conventionally, a ceramic heater has been utilized for various apparatuses, such as a glow plug. For manufacture of such a ceramic heater, there has been utilized a method of molding a heating element and a ceramic base member through use of molding dies.
Patent Document 1: JP 2002-334768 A
Patent Document 2: WO2011/052624 A1
Patent Document 3: WO2008/123296 A1
Patent Document 4: JP 10-110951 A
Patent Document 5: JP 2005-340034 A
Patent Document 6: JP 2007-265893 A
Patent Document 7: JP 2003-40678 A
However, in the case where molding is performed through use of molding dies, protrusions (also called burrs) may be formed as a result of the molding process. When such protrusions are formed, cracks may be generated around the protrusions. For example, a heating resistor having a generally U-like shape may be molded through use of two molding dies. Each of the two molding dies has a generally U-shaped recess corresponding to a generally U-shaped half of the heating resistor. When the two molding dies are combined, there is formed a cavity corresponding to the entirety of the generally U-like shape of the heating resistor. In the case where a heating resister is molded through use of such molding dies, since a line of joint (joint line) between the two molding dies appears on the wall surface of the generally U-shaped cavity on the inner circumferential side of the U-like shape, protrusions may be formed on an inner circumferential portion of the generally U-shaped heating resister. Upon energization, the temperature of the inner circumferential portion of the generally U-shaped heating resister is likely to become high. Accordingly, due to a difference in temperature between periods in which the ceramic heater is energized and periods in which the ceramic heater is not energized, cracks may be generated around the protrusions.
The main advantage of the present invention is that cracking of a ceramic heater is suppressed.
The present invention has been accomplished so as to solve, at least partially, the above-described problem, and the present invention can be embodied in the following application examples.
In accordance with a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a ceramic heater comprising:
a resistor which generates heat when energized; and
a base member which extends along an axial direction, which is formed through use of ceramic, in which the resistor is embedded, and which is lower in electrical conductivity than the resistor, wherein
the resistor includes a first portion extending from a forward end portion of the base member toward a rear end portion thereof, a second portion spaced from the first portion and extending from the forward end portion of the base member toward the rear end portion thereof, and a connection portion embedded in the forward end portion of the base member and connecting the first portion and the second portion; and
in at least one of cross sections of the ceramic heater orthogonal to the axial direction, each of the cross sections containing, as a cross section of the resistor, a first resistor cross section and a second resistor cross section spaced from each other,
with two straight lines which are in contact with both of a contour of the first resistor cross section and a contour of the second resistor cross section and which pass between the first resistor cross section and the second resistor cross section in the cross section of the ceramic heater being defined as a first straight line and a second straight line,
the first resistor cross section has no protrusion on a first inner portion which is a portion of the contour of the first resistor cross section located on the side toward the second resistor cross section, the first inner portion extending from a first position at which the contour is in contact with the first straight line to a second position at which the contour is in contact with the second straight line, and
the first resistor cross section has two or more protrusions on a first outer portion which is a portion of the contour of the first resistor cross section located on the side opposite the second resistor cross section, the first outer portion extending from the first position to the second position.
According to this configuration, the first resistor cross section has no protrusion on the first inner portion of the resistor where temperature is likely to become high when the ceramic heater is energized. Therefore, it is possible to decrease the possibility that cracks are produced in the ceramic heater due to a change in temperature. Since the first resistor cross section has two or more protrusions on the first outer portion, the close adhesion between the resistor and the base member can be enhanced.
In accordance with a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a ceramic heater according to application example 1, wherein
the second resistor cross section has no protrusion on a second inner portion which is a portion of the contour of the second resistor cross section located on the side toward the first resistor cross section, the second inner portion extending from a third position at which the contour is in contact with the first straight line to a fourth position at which the contour is in contact with the second straight line, and
the second resistor cross section has two or more protrusions on a second outer portion which is a portion of the contour of the second resistor cross section located on the side opposite the first resistor cross section, the second outer portion extending from the third position to the fourth position.
According to this configuration, the second resistor cross section has no protrusion on the second inner portion of the resistor where temperature is likely to become high when the ceramic heater is energized. Therefore, it is possible to decrease the possibility that cracks are produced in the ceramic heater due to a change in temperature. Since the second resistor cross section has two or more protrusions on the second outer portion, the close adhesion between the resistor and the base member can be enhanced.
In accordance with a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided a ceramic heater according to application example 1 or 2, wherein, in the cross section of the ceramic heater, when the first outer portion is divided into two equi-length portions having the same length, the first resistor cross section has at least one protrusion on each of the equi-length portions.
According to this configuration, the protrusions are disposed in a dispersed manner as compared with the case where a protrusion is provided only on one equi-length portion and no protrusion is provided on the other equi-length portion. Therefore, the close adhesion between the resistor and the base member can be enhanced further.
In accordance with a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a glow plug comprising:
a tubular metallic shell; and
a ceramic heater of any of the application examples 1 to 3, at least a portion of the ceramic heater being disposed inside the metallic shell.
In accordance with a fifth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of manufacturing a ceramic heater comprising a resistor which generates heat when energized, and a base member which extends along an axial direction, which is formed through use of ceramic, in which the resistor is embedded, and which is lower in electrical conductivity than the resistor, wherein
the resistor includes a first portion extending from a forward end portion of the base member toward a rear end portion thereof, a second portion spaced from the first portion and extending from the forward end portion of the base member toward the rear end portion thereof, and a connection portion embedded in the forward end portion of the base member and connecting the first portion and the second portion;
in at least one of cross sections of the ceramic heater orthogonal to the axial direction, each of the cross sections containing, as a cross section of the resistor, a first resistor cross section and a second resistor cross section spaced from each other,
with two straight lines which are in contact with both of a contour of the first resistor cross section and a contour of the second resistor cross section and which pass between the first resistor cross section and the second resistor cross section in the cross section of the ceramic heater being defined as a first straight line and a second straight line,
a first green body includes first and second parts of a portion corresponding to the base member, the first part being to come into contact with a first inner portion which is a portion of the contour of the first resistor cross section located on the side toward the second resistor cross section, the first inner portion extending from a first position at which the contour is in contact with the first straight line to a second position at which the contour is in contact with the second straight line, and the second part being to come into contact with a second inner portion which is a portion of the contour of the second resistor cross section located on the side toward the first resistor cross section, the second inner portion extending from a third position at which the contour is in contact with the first straight line to a fourth position at which the contour is in contact with the second straight line; and
the method comprises
a first step of molding the first green body,
a second step of molding, on the first green body, a resistor portion corresponding to the first portion, the second portion, and the connection portion to thereby mold a second green body including the first green body and the resistor portion, and
a third step of molding, on the second green body, a remaining part of the portion corresponding to the base member which remains after exclusion of the first green body, to thereby mold a third green body including the second green body and the remaining part.
This configuration prevents formation of protrusions on the first inner portion of the resistor where temperature is likely to become high upon energization, and prevents formation of protrusions on the second inner portion of the resistor where temperature is likely to become high upon energization. Therefore, it is possible to decrease the possibility that cracks are produced in the ceramic heater due to a change in temperature.
In accordance with a sixth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a manufacturing method according to the application example 5, wherein the first green body includes portions which form portions of the outer surface of the base member.
According to this configuration, the accuracy of the positioning of the resistor in relation to the outer surface of the base member can be improved. Therefore, it is possible to decrease the possibility that cracks are produced due to positioning deviation. Also, variation of heating performance can be suppressed.
In accordance with a seventh aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of manufacturing a glow plug comprising a step of fixing the ceramic heater manufactured by the manufacturing method according to the application example 5 or 6 to a tubular metallic shell such that at least a portion of the ceramic heater is disposed inside the metallic shell.
Notably, the present invention can be realized in various forms. The present invention can be realized, for example, as a ceramic heater, a method of manufacturing a ceramic heater, a ceramic heater manufactured by the manufacturing method, a glow plug including a ceramic heater, a method of manufacturing a glow plug, a glow plug manufactured by the manufacturing method, or the like.
A1. Structure of Glow Plug:
A mode of the present invention will be described on the basis of an embodiment.
The glow plug 10 includes a metallic shell 20, a center rod 30, a ceramic heater 40, an O-ring 50, an insulating member 60, a metal sleeve 70 (hereinafter simply referred to as the “sleeve 70”), a terminal member 80, and a connection member 90. The metallic shell 20 is a tubular member having a through hole 20x extending along the center axis CL. The metallic shell 20 has a tool engagement portion 28 formed on an end portion thereof on the −D1 side, and a male screw portion 22 provided on the +D1 side of the tool engagement portion 28. The tool engagement portion 28 is a portion with which an unillustrated tool is engaged when the glow plug 10 is attached or detached. The male screw portion 22 includes a screw thread for screw engagement with a female screw of a mounting hole of an unillustrated internal combustion engine. The metallic shell 20 is formed of an electrically conductive material (e.g., metal such as carbon steel).
The center rod 30 is accommodated in the through hole 20x of the metallic shell 20. The center rod 30 is a member having the shape of a round bar. A forward end portion 31 (an end portion on the +D1 side) of the center rod 30 is located in the through hole 20x. A rear end portion 39 (an end portion on the −D1 side) of the center rod 30 projects toward the −D1 direction from an opening OPb of the metallic shell 20 on the −D1 side. The center rod 30 is formed of an electrically conductive material (e.g., stainless steel).
In the vicinity of the opening OPb, the O-ring 50 is provided between the outer surface of the center rod 30 and the wall surface of the through hole 20x of the metallic shell 20. The O-ring 50 is formed of elastic material (e.g., rubber). A ring-shaped insulating member 60 is attached to the opening OPb of the metallic shell 20. The insulating member 60 includes a tubular portion 62 and a flange portion 68 provided on the −D1 side of the tubular portion 62. The tubular portion 62 is sandwiched between the outer surface of the center rod 30 and the inner surface of a portion of the metallic shell 20 which forms the opening OPb. The insulating member 60 is formed of, for example, resin. The metallic shell 20 supports the center rod 30 through these members 50 and 60.
The terminal member 80 is disposed on the rear end side of the metallic shell 20 (specifically, on the −D1 side of the insulating member 60). The terminal member 80 is a cap-shaped member, and is formed of an electrically conductive material (e.g., metal such as nickel). The flange portion 68 of the insulating member 60 is sandwiched between the terminal member 80 and the metallic shell 20. The rear end portion 39 of the center rod 30 is inserted into the terminal member 80. As a result of the terminal member 80 being crimped, the terminal member 80 is fixed to the rear end portion 39. Thus, the terminal member 80 is electrically connected to the rear end portion 39.
The sleeve 70 is press-fitted into an end portion of the metallic shell 20 on the +D1 side (specifically, the opening OPa on the +D1 side). The sleeve 70 is a tubular member having a through hole 70x extending along the center axis CL. The sleeve 70 is formed of an electrically conductive material (e.g., stainless steel).
The ceramic heater 40, which generates heat upon energization, is press-fitted into the through hole 70x of the sleeve 70. The ceramic heater 40 is a rod-shaped member disposed to extend along the center axis CL. The outer circumferential surface of the ceramic heater 40 is held by the sleeve 70. A forward end portion 41 (an end portion on the +D1 side) of the ceramic heater 40 projects from the +D1 side end of the sleeve 70 toward the +D1 side, and a rear end portion 49 (an end portion on the −D1 side) of the ceramic heater 40 projects from the −D1 side end of the sleeve 70 toward the −D1 side. The rear end portion 49 of the ceramic heater 40 is inserted into the through hole 20x of the metallic shell 20.
The connection member 90 is fixed to the rear end portion 49 of the ceramic heater 40. The connection member 90 is a cylindrical tubular member having a through hole extending along the center axis CL, and is formed of an electrically conductive material (e.g., stainless steel). The rear end portion 49 of the ceramic heater 40 is press-fitted into a portion of the connection member 90 on the +D1 side. The forward end portion 31 (the end portion on the +D1 side) of the center rod 30 is press-fitted into a portion of the connection member 90 on the −D1 side. Thus, the forward end portion 31 is electrically connected to the connection member 90. In the following description, the combination of the ceramic heater 40 and the connection member 90 is also referred to as a “heater module 490.”
Next, the details of the heater module 490 will be described.
The base member 210 is formed of an insulating ceramic material (in the present embodiment, silicon nitride). A forward end portion of the base member 210 (namely, the forward end portion 41 of the ceramic heater 40) becomes gradually thin toward the forward end side. The resistor 220 is formed of an electrically conductive ceramic material. In the present embodiment, the resistor 220 is formed of a ceramic material which is obtained by mixing tungsten carbide (electrically conductive material) into silicon nitride, which is the same as the material of the base member 210. The electrical conductivity of the base member 210 is lower than that of the resistor 220.
The resistor 220 includes two lead portions 221 and 222, a heat generation portion 223 connected to the lead portions 221 and 222, and electrode connection portions 281 and 282. Each of the lead portions 221 and 222 extends, parallel to the axial line CL, from the rear end portion 49 of the ceramic heater 40 to a position near the forward end portion 41. The first lead portion 221 and the second lead portion 222 are disposed at positions which are approximately symmetric with respect to the center axis CL. The direction from the second lead portion 222 toward the first lead portion 221 is the third direction D3.
The heat generation portion 223 is embedded in the forward end portion 41 of the ceramic heater 40, and connects together the +D1 side end of the first lead portion 221 and the +D1 side end of the second lead portion 222. The shape of the heat generation portion 223 is a generally U-like shape; i.e., the heat generation portion 223 curves to follow the round shape of the forward end portion 41 of the ceramic heater 40. Specifically, the heat generation portion 223 includes a first straight portion 223a extending in the +D1 direction from the +D1 side end of the first lead portion 221, a second straight portion 223b extending in the +D1 direction from the +D1 side end of the second lead portion 222, and a curved connection portion 223c connecting together the +D1 side end of the first straight portion 223a and the +D1 side end of the second straight portion 223b. The cross-sectional area of the heat generation portion 223 is smaller than those of the lead portions 221 and 222. Accordingly, the electrical resistance of the heat generation portion 223 per unit length is larger than those of the lead portions 221 and 222. As a result, when the ceramic heater is energized, the temperature of the heat generation portion 223 increases quickly as compared with other portions.
The first electrode connection portion 281 is connected to a portion of the first lead portion 221 on the −D1 side. The first electrode connection portion 281 is a member extending along the radial direction. An inner end portion of the first electrode connection portion 281 is connected to the first lead portion 221, and an outer end portion thereof is exposed on the outer surface of the ceramic heater 40. The exposed portion of the first electrode connection portion 281 is in contact with the inner circumferential surface of the sleeve 70. Thus, the sleeve 70 and the first lead portion 221 are electrically connected together.
The second electrode connection portion 282 is connected to a portion of the second lead portion 222 on the −D1 side. The second electrode connection portion 282 is a member extending along the radial direction, and is disposed on the −D1 side in relation to the first electrode connection portion 281. An inner end portion of the second electrode connection portion 282 is connected to the second lead portion 222, and an outer end portion thereof is exposed on the outer surface of the ceramic heater 40. The exposed portion of the second electrode connection portion 282 is in contact with the inner circumferential surface of the connection member 90. Thus, the connection member 90 and the second lead portion 222 are electrically connected together.
Notably, of the resistor 220, the first straight portion 223a and the first lead portion 221 correspond to a first portion 220a which extends from the forward end portion of the base member 210 (which is the same as the forward end portion 41 of the ceramic heater 40) toward the rear end portion thereof (which is the same as the rear end portion 49 of the ceramic heater 40), and the second straight portion 223b and the second lead portion 222 correspond to a second portion 220b which is spaced from the first portion 220a and extends from the forward end portion of the base member 210 to the rear end portion thereof.
In the next step S140, the glow plug 10 is assembled. Various known methods can be employed for assembly. For example, the heater module 490 is produced by inserting the ceramic heater 40 into the +D1 side opening of the connection member 90. Subsequently, the ceramic heater 40 is press-fitted into the sleeve 70. Also, the center rod 30 is press-fitted into the −D1 side opening of the connection member 90. The rear end portion 39 of the center rod 30 is then inserted into the opening OPa of the metallic shell 20, and the sleeve 70 is press-fitted into the opening OPa of the metallic shell 20. As a result, the ceramic heater 40 is fixed to the metallic shell 20 through the sleeve 70 such that a −D1 side portion of the ceramic heater 40 is disposed inside the metallic shell 20 (specifically, within the through hole 20x). Next, the O-ring 50 is fitted onto the rear end portion 39 of the center rod 30, and the insulating member 60 is then fitted onto the rear end portion 39 of the center rod 30. Subsequently, the terminal member 80 is fixed to the rear end portion 39 of the center rod 30 by means of crimping. Thus, the glow plug 10 is completed.
As shown in
The inner portion 110 sandwiched between the two portions 121 and 122 corresponding to the resistor 220 extends from an outer surface 130s1 of the heater green body 130 located on the −D2 side toward an outer surface 130s2 thereof located on the +D2 side. The first outer portion 131 disposed on the +D3 side of the inner portion 110 forms an outer surface of the heater green body 130 located on the +D3 side. The first resistor portion 121 corresponding to a portion of the resistor 220 is sandwiched between the inner portion 110 and the first outer portion 131. The second outer portion 132 disposed on the −D3 side of the inner portion 110 forms an outer surface of the heater green body 130 located on the −D3 side. The second resistor portion 122 corresponding to a portion of the resistor 220 is sandwiched between the inner portion 110 and the second outer portion 132.
Such a heater green body 130 is formed by mainly three steps S202, S204, and S206. In step S202, the inner portion 110 (also referred to as the “first green body 110”) is formed. In step S204, a portion corresponding to the resistor 220 (including the resistor portions 121 and 122) is formed on the first green body 110. In step S206, the remaining portion of the heater green body 130 (including the outer portions 131 and 132) is formed. The details of these steps S202, S204, and S206 will be described later.
In the next step S210, the produced heater green body 130 is fired. Thus, the ceramic heater 40 is completed.
As shown in
The first groove 111 includes a first groove forward portion 111a which is a portion on the +D1 side (also referred to as the “forward groove portion 111a”), and a first groove rear portion 111b which is a portion located on the −D1 side in relation to the first groove forward portion 111a (also referred to as the “rear groove portion 111b”). The forward groove portion 111a is thinner and narrower than the rear groove portion 111b. The diameter of the groove changes smoothly at a connection region where the forward groove portion 111a and the rear groove portion 111b are connected.
The −D3 side second groove 112 has the same shape. For example, as shown in
As will be described later, the forward end groove 113 and the forward groove portions 111a and 112a accommodate an inner-circumferential-side part of a portion corresponding to the generally U-shaped heat generation portion 223 of the resistor 220 (
A recess 912g concaved toward the −D3 direction is formed on the +D3 side surface of the second die 912 disposed on the −D3 side. The shape of the wall surface of the recess 912g is the same as the shape of the outer surface of an approximate half of the first green body 110 located on the −D3 side. A protrusion 912a projecting in the +D3 direction is formed in the recess 912g. Although not illustrated, the protrusion 912a corresponds to the second groove 112 and an approximate half of the forward end groove 113 located on the −D3 side.
As shown in
Next, as shown in
shown in
The first resistor portion 121 includes a first resistor forward portion 121a formed on the forward groove portion 111a (
The second resistor portion on the −D3 side has the same shape. As shown in
The first resistor forward portion 121a corresponds to the first straight portion 223a of the heat generation portion 223 (
A recess 922g concaved toward the −D3 direction is formed on the +D3 side surface of the second die 922 disposed on the −D3 side. The shape of the wall surface of the recess 922g is the same as the shape of the outer surface of an approximate half of the second green body 120 located on the −D3 side. A recess 922gx concaved in the −D3 direction is formed in the recess 922g. Although not illustrated, the recess 922gx corresponds to the second resistor portion 122 and an approximate half of the forward end resistor portion 123 located on the −D3 side.
As shown in
Next, as shown in
As shown in the drawings, both the −D2 side outer surface 130s1 and the +D2 side outer surface 130s2 of the first green body 110 are in contact with the inner surface of the first die 921. Similarly, these outer surfaces 130s1 and 130s2 are in contact with the inner surface of the second die 922. Accordingly, the positions of the molding dies 921 and 922 in relation to the first green body 110 (namely, the positions of the resistor portions 121, 122, and 123 in relation to the first green body 110) can be determined accurately, with the outer surfaces 130s1 and 130s2 (namely, the outer surface of the ceramic heater 40) used as a reference. Accordingly, cracking of the ceramic heater 40 due to positional deviation of the dies can be suppressed. Also, variation of heating performance can be suppressed.
When the material of the resistor 220 is injected into the cavity 920z, the material enters gaps between the first green body 110 and the molding dies 921 and 922, whereby protrusions B11, B12, B21, and B22 (also referred to as “burrs B11, B12, B21, and B22”) are formed. An enlarged view of the burr B11 is shown on the right side of
After completion of the injection, as shown in
As shown in
As shown in
Next, as shown in
Next, there will be described the relation between the positions of burrs and cracks which may be produced in the ceramic heater 40.
In the drawing, two straight lines L1 and L2 are shown. Each of these straight lines is a tangential line which is tangent to both of the first contour C1L and the second contour C2L. The first straight line L1 is in contact with the first contour C1L at a first position P1 on the −D3 side of a +D2 side portion of the first contour C1L, and is in contact with the second contour C2L at a third position P3 on the +D3 side of a −D2 side portion of the second contour C2L. The second straight line L2 is in contact with the first contour C1L at a second position P2 on the −D3 side of a −D2 side portion of the first contour C1L, and is in contact with the second contour C2L at a fourth position P4 on the +D3 side of a +D2 side portion of the second contour C2L. Each of the straight lines L1 and L2 is a straight line which passes between the first resistor cross section C1 and the second resistor cross section C2 and intersect each other between the first resistor cross section C1 and the second resistor cross section C2. In the case where each of the resistor cross sections C1 and C2 has a circular shape, the two straight lines L1 and L2 are also referred to as “internal common tangents.”
As shown in the enlarged view on the lower side of
Upon energization, the first straight portion 223a, the second straight portion 223b, and the connection portion 223c of the heat generation portion 223 (
The enlarged view on the lower side of
Since the base member 210 and the resistor 220 differ in material, a difference in the coefficient of thermal expansion may arise therebetween. In the case where the base member 210 and the resistor 220 differ in the coefficient of thermal expansion, due to a difference between the temperature at the time when the ceramic heater 40 is energized and the temperature at the time when the ceramic heater 40 is not energized, stress may be produced at the boundary between the base member 210 and the resistor 220. When such stress is produced in the vicinity of the burrs, cracks become more likely to be generated. As compared with the outer portions OP1 and OP2, the inner portions IP1 and IP2 have higher temperatures when the ceramic heater 40 is energized; i.e., the inner portions IP1 and IP2 are larger in terms of the difference in temperature between periods during which the ceramic heater 40 is energized and periods during which the ceramic heater 40 is not energized. Accordingly, as compared with the outer portions OP1 and OP2, the inner portions IP1 and IP2 receive larger stresses attributable to the difference in the coefficient of thermal expansion between the base member 210 and the resistor 220.
It is assumed that burrs are formed on the inner portions 1P1 and IP2. In this case, since stresses produced near the burrs are strong, the possibility that cracks are produced near the burrs is high. In contrast, in the present embodiment, no burr is formed on the inner portions IP1 and IP2, and the burrs B11v, B12v, B21v, and B22v are formed on the outer portions OP1 and OP2. Accordingly, stresses produced near the burrs are weak, and the possibility that cracks are produced near the burrs can be reduced.
The two burrs B11v and B12v are formed on the first outer portion OP1. Like this, two burrs B11v and B12v projecting toward the base member 210 are formed in a single first resistor cross section C1. Accordingly, as compared with the case where the total number of burrs (i.e., protrusions) is one or less, the area of contact between the first resistor cross section C1 and the base member 210 can be increased. Also, as compared with the case where the total number of burrs is one or less, movement of the first resistor cross section C1 relative to the base member 210 can be suppressed to a greater degree. These enhance the close adhesion between the first resistor cross section C1 (i.e., the resistor 220) and the base member 210. Accordingly, the possibility of generation of cracks at the boundary between the resistor 220 and the base member 210 can be decreased. Such enhancement of the close adhesion is also realized in a state before firing. Similarly, two burrs B21v and B22v projecting toward the base member 210 are formed in a single second resistor cross section C2. Accordingly, the close adhesion between the second resistor cross section C2 (i.e., the resistor 220) and the base member 210 can be enhanced.
The enlarged view on the lower side of
Similarly, the enlarged view shows a sixth position P6 at which the second outer portion OP2 is divided into two equi-length portions OP2a and OP2b which are two portions having the same length. In the present embodiment, the sixth position P6 is a position of an end on the −D3 side. One burr B21v is formed on the equi-length portion OP2a on the +D2 side, and one burr B22v is formed on the equi-length portion OP2b on the −D2 side. Like this, at least one burr is provided on each of the equi-length portions OP2a and OP2b. Accordingly, the close adhesion between the resistor 220 and the base member 210 can be enhanced.
The ceramic heater 40 having no burr on the inner portions IP1 and IP2 can be readily manufactured through use of the manufacturing method of
Next, a portion corresponding to the resistor 220 is molded on the first green body 110 (S204). As described above, neither projections nor depressions are formed on the portions (here, the grooves 111 and 112) of the surfaces of the first green body 110, which portions are to come into contact with the inner portions IP1 and IP2. Therefore, formation of protrusions on the inner portions IP1 and 1P2 is suppressed.
Notably, the first green body 110 forms portions of the outer surface of the base member 210 (specifically, outer surfaces corresponding to the outer surfaces 130s1 and 130s2 shown in
(1) From the viewpoint of enhancing the close adhesion between the base member 210 (
Three or more protrusions may be formed on each of the outer portions OP1 and OP2 by, for example, the following method. Namely, the two molding dies shown in
Notably, either of the total number of the protrusions of the first outer portion OP1 and the total number of the protrusions of the second outer portion OP2 may be “1” or “zero.” In either case, when at least one of the total number of the protrusions of the first outer portion OP1 and the total number of the protrusions of the second outer portion OP2 is “2” or greater, the close adhesion between the base member 210 and the resistor 220 can be enhanced as compared with the case where both the total number of the protrusions of the first outer portion OP1 and the total number of the protrusions of the second outer portion OP2 are 1 or less.
(2) The protrusions formed on the resistor cross sections C1 and C2 (
(3) The shape of the first resistor cross section C1 (
In each case, in a cross section of the ceramic heater (a cross section orthogonal to the axial direction), the temperature of a region sandwiched between the first resistor cross section C1 and the second resistor cross section C2 is likely to become high as compared with other regions. Accordingly, a portion of the first contour C1L where temperature becomes relatively high can be specified by two tangential lines which are tangent to the first contour C1L and the second contour C2L and which pass between the first resistor cross section C1 and the second resistor cross section C2, irrespective of the shape of the first resistor cross section C1 and the shape of the second resistor cross section C2 (such two tangential line intersect each other between the first resistor cross section C1 and the second resistor cross section C2). In the example of
Irrespective of the shapes of the first and second resistor cross sections, and irrespective of the number of protrusions provided on the first outer portion determined by the two tangential lines (the first outer portion OP1 in the example of
(4) The cross-sectional shape (specifically, the shape of a cross section orthogonal to the axial direction) of the first green body 110 is not limited to that described with reference to
The portions of the outer surface of the base member 210 (namely, the outer surface of the ceramic heater 40), which portions are formed by the first green body 110, are not limited to the two portions 130s1 and 130s2 disposed on the opposite sides of the center axis CL, and arbitrary portions may be formed by the first green body 110. For example, the first green body 110 may configured such that it has a portion for forming the first outer surface 130s1 but a portion for forming the second outer surface 130s2 is omitted. Also, all the portions for forming the outer surface may be omitted from the first green body 110. However, in order to improve the accuracy of positioning of the resistor 220 relative to the base member 210, it is preferred that the first green body 110 form at least a portion of the outer surface, and the portions 121, 122, and 123 corresponding to the resistor 220 be formed on the first green body 110 through use of a molding die which comes into contact with the outer surface formed by the first green body 110.
(5) In the above-described embodiment and modifications, with reference to
(6) In the above-described embodiment and modifications, it is preferred that the height of each protrusion (for example, the burr B11v of
Similarly, it is preferred that the maximum width of each protrusion (for example, the burr B11v of
(7) The method of manufacturing the ceramic heater is not limited to the method described with reference to
The second green body 120; specifically, a portion corresponding to the resistor 220 (specifically, the resistor portions 121, 122, and 123 shown in
The third green body 130; specifically, a part of the portion corresponding to the base member 210 remaining after exclusion of the first green body 110 may be molded on a portion by portion basis through a plurality of times of molding. In this case, the entirety of the plurality of times of molding corresponds to a step of molding the part (remaining part) of the portion corresponding to the base member 210 other than the first green body 110.
(8) The structure of the ceramic heater is not limited to the structure described with reference to
(9) The structure of the glow plug 10 is not limited to the structure described with reference to
(10) The glow plugs according to the above-described embodiment and modifications are not limited to a glow plug used for assisting startup of an internal combustion engine, and can be applied to various glow plugs. For example, the glow plug according to the above-described embodiment can be applied to glow plugs utilized in various apparatuses such as an exhaust gas heater apparatus for heating exhaust gas, a burner system for reactivating a catalyst or a diesel particulate filter (DPF), and a water heater apparatus for heating cooling water.
Also, the ceramic heater can be applied not only to glow plugs but also to various apparatuses. For example, the ceramic heater can be applied to a soldering iron.
Although the present invention has been described on the basis of the embodiment and modifications thereof, the above-mentioned mode of the invention is provided so as to facilitate the understanding of the invention and does not limit the present invention. The present invention may be modified or improved without departing from the spirit and scope of the claims, and encompasses equivalents thereof.
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