Spark plug having excellent capabilities of detecting ion current and suppressing inside sparks

Abstract

According to the present invention, there is provided a spark plug for an internal combustion engine which includes a tubular metal shell, an insulator, a center electrode, and a ground electrode. In the spark plug, L1, which is the sum of lengths of an intermediate portion and a second outer shoulder of the insulator in the longitudinal direction of the insulator, is greater than or equal to 10 mm; the intermediate portion of the insulator has an outer surface that includes a first and a second section and has an electrically conductive coat only on the second section; and the first section of the outer surface of the intermediate portion of the insulator has a length in the longitudinal direction of the insulator in a range of 1 to 8 mm. With such a configuration,

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention will be understood more fully from the detailed description given hereinafter and from the accompanying drawings of the preferred embodiments of the invention, which, however, should not be taken to limit the invention to the specific embodiments but are for the purpose of explanation and understanding only.

In the accompanying drawings:

FIG. 1 is a partially cross-sectional view showing the overall structure of a spark plug according to the first embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 2 is a side view showing an insulator, with a center electrode secured therein, of the spark plug;

FIG. 3 is a waveform chart illustrating the waveform of ion current induced in the spark plug when the combustion is normal;

FIG. 4 is a waveform chart illustrating the waveform of ion current induced in the spark plug when the combustion is abnormal;

FIG. 5 is a waveform chart illustrating the waveform of ion current induced in the spark plug when the combustion flame is completely off;

FIG. 6 is a waveform chart illustrating the waveform of a noise induced in the spark plug;

FIG. 7 is a graphical representation showing the relationship between a dimensional parameter L1 and the amount of the noise in the spark plug;

FIG. 8 is a graphical representation showing the relationship between a dimensional parameter L2 and the amount of the noise when the spark plug is of a normally-reach type;

FIG. 9 is a graphical representation showing the relationship between the dimensional parameter L2 and the amount of the noise when the spark plug is a long-reach type;

FIG. 10 is a side view showing an insulator, with a center electrode secured therein, of a spark plug according to the second embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 11 is a graphical representation showing the relationship between the axial length of a threaded portion of the metal shell and the axial length of an intermediate portion of the insulator in spark plugs; and

FIG. 12 is a graphical representation showing the relationship between the axial length of a leg portion of the insulator and the axial length of the intermediate portion of the insulator in spark plugs.

Claims

1. A spark plug for an internal combustion engine comprising: a tubular metal shell having a first and a second end that are opposite to each other, the metal shell also having a first and a second inner shoulder formed on an inner periphery thereof, the first inner shoulder being closer to the first end of the metal shell than the second inner shoulder;an insulator retained in the metal shell, the insulator having a length and a bore that extends in a longitudinal direction of the insulator, the insulator also having a first and a second outer shoulder, which are formed on an outer periphery of the insulator and engage respectively with the first and second inner shoulders of the metal shell, and an intermediate portion between the first and second outer shoulders;a center electrode secured in the bore of the insulator with an end portion thereof protruding from the insulator; anda ground electrode fixed to the first end of the metal shell to face the end portion of the center electrode through a spark gap formed therebetween,whereinL1, which is the sum of lengths of the intermediate portion and second outer shoulder of the insulator in the longitudinal direction of the insulator, is greater than or equal to 10 mm,the intermediate portion of the insulator has an outer surface that includes a first and a second section and has an electrically conductive coat only on the second section, the first and second sections being arranged in the longitudinal direction of the insulator to respectively adjoin surfaces of the first and second outer shoulders of the insulator, andthe first section of the outer surface of the intermediate portion of the insulator, which lies between the second section of the outer surface of the intermediate portion and the surface of the first outer shoulder of the insulator, has a length in the longitudinal direction of the insulator in a range of 1 to 8 mm.

2. The spark plug as set forth in claim 1, wherein the metal shell further has, on an outer periphery thereof, a threaded portion that has a length in the longitudinal direction of the insulator greater than or equal to 25 mm.

3. The spark plug as set forth in claim 1, wherein the electrically conductive coat is also formed on the surface of the second outer shoulder of the insulator.

4. The spark plug as set forth in claim 3, further comprising an electrically conductive packing that is interposed between the second inner shoulder of the metal shell and the second outer shoulder of the insulator.

5. The spark plug as set forth in claim 3, wherein the electrically conductive coat is also formed on an area of an outer surface of the insulator which extends in the longitudinal direction of the insulator from the second outer shoulder of the insulator to the second end of the metal shell.