Patent Grant
6995644
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an ignition coil for an internal combustion engine and, more particularly, to a stick-type ignition coil to be fitted directly in the plug hole of an internal combustion engine.
2. Description of Related Art
As an ignition coil, a stick-type ignition coil is known. It has a rod-shaped central core disposed in a housing, and a primary coil and a secondary coil wound respectively on a primary spool and a secondary spool made of resin. Resin is filled in the housing of the ignition coil as an electric insulator. The insulator not only provides electric insulation among individual members in the housing but also fills clearances between wires of the coils thereby to restrict movement or breakage of the coils which may arise from engine vibrations. As the insulator, a thermosetting resin such as epoxy is used in consideration of the heat resistance. The ignition coil further has a permanent magnet attached to at least one of the two longitudinal ends of the central core to raise a voltage to be supplied to a spark ignition plug.
In this type of ignition coil, the central core contacts with not only the resin insulator but also a case member such as a spool enclosing the outer circumference of the central core. The central core and the resin insulator or the case member, as having different thermal expansion coefficients, may repeatedly expand and contract as the surrounding temperature rises and falls. Then, the resin insulator or the case member, as contacting with the central core, especially the resin insulator or the case member contacting the longitudinal end corners of the central core, may crack, which results in defective electric insulation.
When the resin insulator or the case member around the central core cracks, an electric discharge may occur through the cracks between the secondary coil or a high voltage terminal (high voltage side) and the central core (low voltage side). If the discharge occurs between the high voltage side and the central core, the electric insulation between the high voltage side and the central core is broken to lower the voltage to be generated in the secondary coil, thus disabling a generation of desired high voltage.
If the central core and the resin insulator or the case member repeatedly expand and contract due to changes in the temperature, the central core is caused to receive a load in the radial direction and in the longitudinal direction from the resin insulator and the case member due to the difference in the thermal expansion coefficient. Especially when the central core receives the load in the longitudinal direction, the magnetic permeability of the core may drop causing magneto-striction which disables generation of a required high voltage.
It is desired in a stick-type ignition coil to dispose an outer core around the outer periphery of the primary spool and the secondary spool. Since this outer core contacts directly with the insulator in the housing, the outer core and the insulator having different thermal expansion coefficients, may repeat expansions and contractions as the temperature changes. As a result, the insulator contacting with the outer core may crack causing an electric discharge between the secondary coil or a high voltage terminal the outer core. This discharge lowers the high voltage to be applied to the ignition plug.
In another ignition coil disclosed in Japanese Utility Model Publication No. 59-30501, although not a stick-type, the corners of the core are covered by over-coating the surface of the core with an elastomer. This prevents the corners of the core and the insulator made of epoxy resin from coming into direct contact with each other and suppresses cracks in the epoxy resin in the vicinity of the corners of the core. This over coating is not applicable to the stick-type ignition coil, however, because the stick-type is so regulated in its external diameter as to match the internal diameter of the plug hole.
It is an object of the present invention to provide an ignition coil capable of suppressing drawbacks caused by a change in surrounding temperature.
It is an object of the present invention to provide an ignition coil capable of suppressing drawbacks caused by changes in surrounding temperature.
It is another object of the invention to provide an ignition coil capable of suppressing cracks from occurring in the vicinity of the longitudinal end corners of the a central core and/or outer core.
It is a further object of the invention to provide an ignition coil capable of suppressing dielectric breakdown caused by changes in surrounding temperature.
According to the first aspect of the invention, an ignition coil has an elastic buffer member at at least one of longitudinal end corners of a central core to absorb a difference in thermal expansion coefficients between a central core and a resin insulator or a case member such as a spool. As a result, even if the resin insulator or the case member having the thermal expansion coefficient different from that of the central core repeatedly expands and contracts together with the central core as the temperature changes, the resin insulator and the case member in the vicinity of the longitudinal end corners of the central core can be prevented from cracking. Alternatively, at least one of the two end corners of the central core may be surrounded by a space, so that a case member such as a spool or a resin insulator enclosing the outer circumference of the central core is not in contact with the longitudinal end corners of the central core.
According to the second aspect of the invention, an 5 ignition coil has an angled member to cover the inner circumference corner of the longitudinal end of an outer core which is arranged around the outer circumferences of a primary coil and a secondary coil, so that a resin insulator is restricted from coming into direct contact with the inner circumference corner of the outer core. As a result, even if the outer core and the resin insulator, having different expansion coefficients, repeatedly expands and contracts as the temperature changes, cracks can be suppressed in the resin insulator in the vicinity of the inner circumference corner of the outer core. As a result, the electric discharge can be suppressed so that the drop in the voltage to be applied to an ignition plug can be restricted. Alternatively, the spool may have a flange to be arranged to cover the longitudinal end corner of the outer core, so that the cracks, if caused in the resin insulator in the vicinity of the inner circumference corner of the outer core, will hardly extend to the inner circumference because of being shielded by the outer spool. As a result, the cracks are less likely to reach electric wires connecting the coils and terminals in the ignition coil electrically.
According to the third aspect of the invention, an ignition coil has a separating member to separate a spool and a resin insulator from each other so that the spool and the resin insulator disposed inside and outside of the separating member can expand/contract separately from each other with a change in temperature. Thus, the spool and the resin insulator are prevented from cracking in a peripheral part on which a large force is liable to act.
According to the fourth aspect of the invention, a resin material used for at least an inner one of a primary spool and a secondary spool contains more than 5 weight % of rubber component. Accordingly, even if the inner spool is hindered from contracting toward the inside more than a coil wound thereon in low temperature by adhesion, it can reduce the distortion and can extend while maintaining the adhesion with the coil, thereby restricting the inner spool from cracking.
According to the fifth aspect of the invention, an ±5 ignition coil has an insulator made of a flexible material to hold individual members adhered to one another even if the members having different thermal expansion coefficients expand and contract as the temperature changes. Preferably, an average of the thermal expansion coefficient at −40° C. to 130° C. is set within a range of 10 to 30 ppm in a test method corresponding to ASTMD790, so that a thermal expansion coefficient of the insulator becomes close to that of iron or copper used for a core or coils, thus restricting distortion of spools and the insulator.
Other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description with reference to the embodiments shown in the accompanying drawings. In the drawings:
The present invention will be described with reference to various embodiments throughout which the same or like parts are designated by the same or similar reference numerals.
An ignition coil 10 is fitted, as shown in
The ignition coil 10 has a cylindrical housing 11 made of a resin, in which an accommodating chamber 11a is formed to accommodate a central core assembly 13, a secondary spool 20, a secondary coil 21, a primary spool 23, a primary coil 24 and an outer core 25. The central core assembly 13 is comprised of a core 12, and permanent magnets 14 and 15 arranged at the two longitudinal ends (top and bottom) of the core 12. An epoxy resin 26 filled in the accommodating chamber 11a infiltrates between the individual members of the ignition coil 10 to ensure the electric insulations among the members as a resin insulating material.
The core 12 having a column shape is provided by laminating a thin silicon (Si) steel sheet radially to have a generally circular transverse section. The permanent magnets 14 and 15 are magnetized to have a magnetic polarity in the direction opposed to the direction of the magnetic flux which is generated by magnetizing the coils. On the other hand, the outer circumference of the core 12 is covered with a cylindrical member 17 made of rubber acting as a first buffer member. On the permanent magnet 14 covered with the cylindrical member 17, moreover, there is fitted a cap 19 having a through hole. The cap 19 and the secondary spool 20 construct a case member enclosing the outer circumference of the central core assembly 13.
The cylindrical member 17 is integrally formed into a cylindrical tube shape, as shown in
As shown in
The primary spool 23 is arranged on the outer circumference of the secondary coil 21 and is molded of a resin material. The primary coil 24 is wound on the outer circumference of the primary spool 23. A switching circuit (not shown) for supplying a control signal to the primary coil 24 is disposed outside of the ignition coil 10, and the primary coil 24 is electrically connected with the switching circuit through a terminal which is insert-molded on a connector 30.
The outer core 25 is mounted on the outer circumference side of the primary coil 24. The outer core 26 is provided by winding a thin silicon (Si) steel sheet into a cylindrical shape but does not connect the starting end and the terminal end of the winding to leave a gap in the longitudinal direction. The outer core 25 has a longitudinal length from the outer circumference position of the permanent magnet 14 to the outer circumference position of the permanent magnet 15 to form a magnetic circuit.
A high voltage terminal 41 is insert-molded below the housing 11. The central portion of the terminal plate 40 is folded in the direction to insert the high voltage terminal 41 to form a pawl. The high voltage terminal 41 is electrically connected with the terminal plate 40 by inserting the leading end of the high voltage terminal 41 into the pawl. The wire of the dummy coil 22 at the high voltage end is electrically connected with the terminal plate 40 by fusing or soldering. A conductor spring 42 is electrically connected with the high voltage terminal 41 and with the ignition plug when the ignition coil 10 is inserted into the plug hole. In the open end of the housing 11 at the high voltage side, there is mounted a plug cap 43 made of rubber, into which the ignition plug is inserted. When the control signal is fed from the switching circuit to the primary coil 24, a high voltage is generated and is applied to the ignition plug through the dummy coil 22, the terminal plate 40, the high voltage terminal 41 and the spring 42.
In the ignition coil 10, the secondary spool 20 and the epoxy resin 26, as enclosing the central core assembly 13, have a thermal expansion coefficient different from that of the core 12 and the permanent magnets 14 and 15, as constructing the central core assembly 13. Usually, the thermal expansion coefficient of the secondary spool 20 and the epoxy resin 26 is larger than that of the central core assembly 13. As a result, if the central core assembly 13 is not covered with the cylindrical member 17 and if the secondary spool 20 and the epoxy resin 26 are in direct contact with the central core assembly 13, the secondary spool 20 contacting with the central core assembly 13 and the epoxy resin 26 may be cracked by the repeated expansions and contractions of the central core assembly 13, the secondary spool 20 and the epoxy resin 26 according to the temperature change. Especially the secondary spool 20 in contact with the end corners of the permanent magnets 14 and 15 and the epoxy resin 26 are liable to crack. When the secondary spool 20 in contact with the end corners of the permanent magnets 14 and 15 and the epoxy resin 26 crack, an electric discharge may occur through the cracks between the dummy coil 22, the terminal plate 40 or the high voltage terminal 41 at the high voltage side of the secondary coil 21 or the high voltage side and the central core assembly 13 or the low voltage side. If this discharge occurs between the high voltage side and the central core assembly 13, the insulation between the high voltage side and the central core assembly 13 is broken to lower the voltage to be generated at the secondary coil so that the desired high voltage cannot be applied to the ignition plug.
In the first embodiment, however, the outer circumference of the central core assembly 13 and the end corners of the permanent magnets 14 and 15 are covered with the cylindrical member 17 which is an elastic member so that the outer circumference of the central core assembly 13 and the end corners of the permanent magnets 14 and 15 are prevented from coming into direct contact with the secondary spool 20 and the epoxy resin 26. Even if the central core assembly 13 and the secondary spool 20 or the epoxy resin 26 having different thermal expansion coefficients repeat expansions and contractions in accordance with the temperature change, moreover, the cylindrical member 17 can elastically deform to absorb the difference in the thermal expansion coefficients. As a result, the cracks are prevented around the outer circumference of the central core assembly 13 and especially at the secondary spool 20 and the epoxy resin 26 in the vicinity of the two end corners of the central core assembly 13, where the cracks might otherwise be liable to occur, so that the electric discharge between the high voltage side and the central core assembly 13 can be prevented. This makes it possible to apply the desired high voltage to the ignition plug.
The thermal expansion coefficient of the cap 19, the secondary spool 20 and the epoxy resin 26 is different from or larger than that of the central core assembly 13 comprised of the core 12 and the permanent magnets 14 and 15. As the temperature lowers, therefore, the cap 19, the secondary spool 20 and the epoxy resin 26 contact to activate a force to contract the central core assembly 13 in the radial direction and in the longitudinal direction. Especially when the force is applied in the longitudinal direction of the central core assembly 13, a magneto-striction to lower the magnetic permeability of the core 12 may occur to lower the voltage to be generated in the secondary coil 21. Since the central core assembly 13 is covered at its outer circumference with the cylindrical part 17a and partially at its two longitudinal ends with the annular parts 17b and 17c thicker than the cylindrical member 17, however, this cylindrical member 17 is elastically deformed to buffer the forces to be received by the central core assembly 13 in the radial direction and in the longitudinal direction so that no magneto-striction occurs in the core 12. As a result, the desired high voltage can be applied to the ignition plug.
The permanent magnets 14 and 15 are arranged in the first embodiment at the two longitudinal ends of the core 12, but the permanent magnet may be arranged at only one end of the core 12.
In the second embodiment shown in
In the second embodiment, too, the cracks can be prevented around the outer circumference of the core 12 and especially at the secondary spool 20 and the epoxy resin 26 in the vicinity of the two end corners of the core 12, where the cracks might otherwise be liable to occur, so that the electric discharge between the high voltage side and the central core assembly 13 can be prevented. As a result, the desired high voltage can be applied to the ignition plug.
As a result of the elastic deformation of the cylindrical member 17, moreover, the forces for the core 12 to receive in the radial direction and in the longitudinal direction are buffered to establish no magneto-striction in the core 12. Thus, the desired high voltage can be applied to the ignition plug.
In the third embodiment shown in
In the third embodiment, too, the cracks can be prevented around the outer circumference of the central core assembly 13 and especially at the secondary spool 20 and the epoxy resin 26 in the vicinity of the two end corners of the central core assembly 13, where the cracks might otherwise be liable to occur, so that the electric discharge between the high voltage side and the central core assembly 13 can be prevented. As a result, the desired high voltage can be applied to the ignition plug.
As a result of the elastic deformations of the cylindrical member 17 and the plate member 17e, moreover, the forces for the central core assembly 13 to receive in the radial direction and in the longitudinal direction are buffered to establish no magneto-striction in the central core assembly 13. As a result, the desired high voltage can be applied to the ignition plug.
The first buffer member is comprised of the cylindrical member 17 and the plate member 17e, and the cylindrical member 17 is formed into the bottomed cylindrical shape having no longitudinal end face at its longitudinal top end, so that the first buffer member can be easily provided.
In the fourth embodiment shown in
Plate members 17f and 17g made of rubber to act as the second buffer member are formed into a circular shape separate from the cylindrical member 17. The plate members 17f and 17g are made radially smaller than the permanent magnets 14 and 15 and are in abutment against the longitudinal end faces of the permanent magnets 14 and 15, respectively.
As shown in
In the fourth embodiment, the end corner of the permanent magnet 14 confronts the space 100, and the end corner of the permanent magnet 15 is covered with the cylindrical member 17, so that the two longitudinal end corners of the central core assembly 13 are out of contact with the secondary spool 20 and the epoxy resin 26. Since the outer circumference of the central core assembly 13 is covered with the cylindrical part 17a, moreover, even if the central core assembly 13 and the secondary spool 20 or the epoxy resin 26 having different thermal expansion coefficients repeat expansions and contractions in accordance with the temperature change, the cracks are prevented around the outer circumference of the central core assembly 13 and especially at the secondary spool 20 and the epoxy resin 26 in the vicinity of the two end corners of the central core assembly 13, where the cracks might otherwise be liable to occur, so that the discharge between the high voltage side and the central core assembly 13 can be prevented. This makes it possible to apply the desired high voltage to the ignition plug.
As a result of the elastic deformations of the plate members 17f and 17g, moreover, the forces for the central core assembly 13 to receive in the radial direction and in the longitudinal direction are buffered so that the magneto-striction will not occur in the central core assembly 13. Thus, the desired high voltage can be applied to the ignition plug. Moreover, the plate member 17f as the second buffer member acts as the seal member between the end face of the permanent magnet 14 and the cap 19 so that the number of parts and the number of assembling steps are reduced.
Only the end corner at the side of the permanent magnet 14 is disposed in the space 100 and kept out of contact with other members. However, only the end corner of the permanent magnet 15 may be surrounded by a space or both of the end corners of the permanent magnets 14 and 15 may be surrounded by respective spaces.
In the foregoing first to fourth embodiments, at least one of the outer circumference and the two longitudinal end corners of the central core assembly 13 is covered with the buffer member such as the cylindrical member 17, and the other is either covered with the cylindrical member 17 or made to be surrounded by the space. As a result, the secondary spool 20 and the epoxy resin 26 having the thermal expansion coefficient different from that of the central core assembly 13 are prevented from contacting with the outer circumference and the two end corners of the central core assembly 13, and the difference in the thermal expansion coefficients is absorbed by the elastic deformation of the buffer member. As a result, even if the central core and the secondary spool 20 or the epoxy resin 26 having different expansion coefficients repeat expansions and contractions in accordance with the temperature change, the cracks are prevented around the outer circumference of the central core and especially at the secondary spool 20 and the epoxy resin 26 in the vicinity of the two longitudinal end corners of the central core, where the cracks might otherwise be liable to occur. Thus, the discharge between the high voltage side in the ignition coil and the central core or the low voltage side can be prevented, as might otherwise occur along the cracks, so that the desired high voltage can be applied to the ignition plug.
Moreover, the outer circumference of the central core assembly 13 is covered with the cylindrical member 17, and the two longitudinal end faces of the central core assembly 13 are covered with either the cylindrical member 17 or the plate members 17e, 17f, 17g acting as the buffer member. Even if the secondary spool 20 or the epoxy resin 26 having the thermal expansion coefficient different from that of the central core are expanded or contracted together with the central core assembly 13 as the temperature changes, the cylindrical member 17 and the plate members 17e, 17f, 17g are elastically deformed to buffer the forces to be received by the central core assembly 13 in the radial direction and in the longitudinal direction are buffered. As a result, no magneto-striction will be caused in the central core assembly 13 so that the desired high voltage can be applied to the ignition plug.
Although the cylindrical member 17 acting as the buffer member is extended in the longitudinal direction of the central core assembly 13 and shaped to cover at least one end corner and the outer circumference of the central core assembly 13, the buffer member may be comprised of a plurality of members to cover only the longitudinal end corners of the central core assembly 13.
Although the cylindrical member 17 and the plate members 17e, 17f, 17g are molded of rubber, the cylindrical member 17 and the plate members 17e, 17f, 17g can be molded of an elastomer resin, and the cylindrical member 17 can be insert-molded to have the central core assembly 13 integrally therein. Alternatively, the central core assembly 13 may be inserted into the cylindrical member 17 which is molded of the elastomer resin.
Further, the cylindrical member 17 as the buffer member may be provided by covering the surface of the central core assembly 13 with an elastic member of an elastomer resin or rubber by the integral molding method such as the injection molding, baking or dipping method. In this case, the cylindrical member may cover the whole surface of the central core assembly 13 or may have a small through hole formed at one longitudinal end portion for discriminating the end specified one end portion of the central core assembly 13. By molding the central core assembly 13 and the cylindrical member 17 integrally, the cylindrical member does not come out of the central core assembly 13 during the assembling process.
Alternatively, the cylindrical member 17 may be provided by mounting the permanent magnets 14 and 15 in advance on the core 12 to construct the central core assembly 13 and by covering the central core assembly 13 with a thermally shrinking tube to shrink this tube thermally.
Further, the cylindrical member 17 contacting with the end corners of the central core assembly 13 may be prevented from any damage by chamfering the end corners of the central core assembly 13, i.e., the end corners of the permanent magnets 14 and 15 by polishing or the like.
In the fifth embodiment shown in
The inner circumference corners of the two longitudinal end portions of the outer core 25 are covered with ring members 50b and 50a which are made of rubber to act as angled members. The inner circumference of the end portion of the outer core 25, as located at the high voltage side of the secondary coil 21, is covered with the ring member 50, whereas the inner circumference corner of the end portion of the outer core 25, as located at the low voltage side of the secondary coil 21, is covered with the ring member 51. As shown in
The ignition coil 10 is assembled as follows.
(1) The ring member 50b is fitted in one end portion of the outer core 25, and this outer core 25 is inserted from the side of the ring member 50b into the transformer portion 11b having the high voltage terminal 41 and the spring 42. The ring member 50b is retained by the retaining portion 13a of the transformer portion 11b, as shown in
(2) The coil assembly, as constructed of the central core assembly 13, the permanent magnets 14 and 15, the secondary spool 20, the secondary coil 21, the primary spool 23 having the ring member 50a fitted in the fitting portion 23b, and the primary coil 24, is inserted into the outer core 25. The ring member 50a is fitted in the fitting portion 23b by the radially inward elastic force so that it is less likely to get out of place from the fitting portion 23b. The ring member 50a is retained on the inner circumference corner of the end portion of the outer core 25 so that the stroke of insertion of the coil assembly is regulated.
(3) The cap is fitted on the transformer portion 11b, and the epoxy resin is poured from the opening 12a of a cap 31.
In the assembling procedure described above, the coil assembly including the outer core 25 may be inserted into the transformer portion 11b by assembling the outer core 25 with the coil assembly, and then by covering the inner circumference corner of the end portion of the outer core 25 at the low voltage side in advance with the ring member 51.
Here, the epoxy resin 26 has a larger thermal expansion coefficient than that of the outer core 25 made of a silicon steel sheet. If the inner circumference corners of the two end portions of the outer core 25 are not covered with the ring members 50b and 50a but are in direct contact with the epoxy resin 26, the ring members 50b and 50a and the epoxy resin 26 repeat the expansions and contractions as the temperature changes, so that cracks will occur in the epoxy resin 26 contacting with the inner circumference corners of the two end portions of the outer core 25. If the cracks occur in the epoxy resin 26 contacting with the inner circumference corners of the two end portions of the outer core 25, a discharge may occur through the cracks between the dummy coil 22, the terminal plate 40 or the high voltage terminal 41 at the high voltage side of the secondary coil 21 or the high voltage side and the outer core 25 or the low voltage portion. With this discharge between the high voltage portion and the low voltage portion, the voltage to be applied to the ignition plug drops so that the desired high voltage cannot be applied to the ignition plug.
In the Fifth embodiment, however, the inner circumference corners of the two end portions of the outer core 25 are covered with the ring members 50b and 50a made of rubber, so that they are prevented from contacting directly with the epoxy resin 26. Moreover, the difference in the expansion coefficient between the outer core 25 and the epoxy resin 26 can be absorbed by the elastic deformations of the ring members 50b and 51. As a result, no crack occurs in the epoxy resin 26 in the vicinity of the inner circumference corners of the two end portions of the outer core 25 so that the discharge can be suppressed between the high voltage side of the secondary coil 21, i.e., the dummy coil 22, the terminal plate 40 or the high voltage terminal 41 and the outer core 25. As a result, the desired high voltage can be applied to the ignition plug.
Moreover, the ring member 50a can be fitted in the fitting portion 23b of the primary spool 23 so that the ring member 50a is less likely to come out of the primary spool 23 when this primary spool 23 is inserted into the outer core 25. As a result, the assemlability of the ring member 50a is improved to reduce the number of assembling steps.
In the sixth embodiment, at the end portion of a primary spool 27, as located at the low voltage side of the secondary coil 21, there is formed the flange 23a, in which an annular groove 27b is formed as the fitting portion for fitting the ring member 50c as the angled member. When the ring member 50c is fitted in the annular groove 27b, its longitudinal motion is regulated so that the ring member 50c is less likely to get out of position when the primary spool 27 is inserted into the outer core 25. As a result, the assembly of the primary spool 27 having the ring member 50c fitted therein is further facilitated to reduce the number of assembling steps. The inner circumference corner, as located at the high voltage side of the secondary coil 21, of the end portions of the outer core 25 is covered with the ring member 50b as in the fifth embodiment.
In the Fifth embodiment and the second embodiment described above, the ring member as the angled member covers the inner circumference corners of the two longitudinal end portions of the outer core 25 thereby to prevent the epoxy resin 26 from coming into direct contact with the inner circumference corners of the two end portions of the outer core 25. As a result, the cracks are suppressed in the epoxy resin 26 in the vicinity of the inner circumference corners of the two end portions of the outer core 25 due to the temperature change. By making the ring members of an elastic material such as rubber, moreover, the difference in the expansion coefficient between the outer core 25 and the epoxy resin 26 is absorbed by the elastic deformation of the ring members so that the cracks are made further less likely to occur. As a result, the discharge between the high voltage side of the secondary coil 21 or the high voltage portion such as the dummy coil 22, the terminal plate 40 or the high voltage terminal 41 and the outer core 25 or the low voltage portion can be suppressed to apply the desired high voltage to the ignition coil. On the other hand, not the whole surface of the outer core 25 but only the inner circumference corner of its end portion is covered with the ring member so that the radius of the ignition coil is not enlarged.
The ring member as the angled member is made of rubber in the fifth embodiment and sixth embodiment, but the rubber may be replaced by an elastomer resin. Moreover, the ring member may be made of a hard resin or the like in place of the elastic material if the inner circumference corner of the end portion of the outer core can be covered with a cured face.
If the angled member is made of a volumetrically shrinkable material such as independently foamed sponge, on the other hand, this sponge is easily deformable so that the sponge abutting against the outer core can be deformed in its section into an L-shape conforming the shape of the inner circumference corner of the end portion of the outer core by applying the outer core to the independently foamed sponge thereby to cover the inner circumference corner of the end portion of the outer core. As a result, the angled member can be formed in its sectional shape not into the L-shape in advance but into the simple plate shape so that it can be easily worked.
The ring members cover the inner circumference corners of the two end portions of the outer core 25 in the embodiments but can cover only the inner circumference corner of one end portion of the outer core 25. Moreover, with no radial restriction, the end portion of the outer core, as located at the low voltage side of the secondary coil, for example, may be covered with a ring member having a C-shaped section.
In the seventh embodiment, the inner circumference corner of the end portion of the outer core 25 is not covered with the ring member, but the end portion of the primary spool 23, as located at the low voltage side of the secondary coil 21, is extended longer in the longitudinal direction than the outer core 25. Moreover, the flange 23a, as formed at the end portion of the primary spool 23 at the low voltage side of the secondary coil 21, is more extended in the radial direction than the end portion of the outer core 25 thereby to cover the end portion of the outer core 25. The inner circumference corner of the end portion of the outer core 25, as located at the high voltage side of the secondary coil 21, is covered with the ring member 50b (not shown) as in the fifth embodiment.
In the seventh embodiment, the cracks, if caused in the epoxy resin 26 in the vicinity of the corner of the end portion of the outer core 25, are shielded by the flange 23a so that they become less likely to extend. As a result, the cracks fail to reach the electric wires connecting the secondary coil 21 and the primary coil 24, and the terminals which are arranged in the ignition coil, so that the electric wires can be prevented from being broken by the cracks. Moreover, the discharge is suppressed through the cracks between the high voltage side of the secondary coil or the high voltage terminal and the outer core 25 so that the desired high voltage can be applied to the ignition plug.
If the primary spool is extended at its flange as short as the radially inner side of the outer core 25 but at its end portion at the low voltage side of the secondary coil longer in the longitudinal direction than the outer core 25, it can prevent the cracks from extending to the inner circumferential side of the primary spool. As a result, the breakage of the electric wires can be prevented to suppress the discharge.
In a modification of the shown in
In the seventh embodiment and its modification, the inner circumference corner of the end portion of the outer core 25, as covered with the primary spool, is not covered with the ring member. However, the end portion of the outer core 25, as covered with the ring member, is further covered with the ring member, which is covered with the flange of the primary spool.
On the other hand, the inner circumference of the end portion of the outer core 25 at the high voltage side of the secondary coil is not covered with the ring member 50b but may be covered with the flange of the primary spool or the outer spool. When the secondary coil 21 is arranged around the outer circumference of the primary coil 24, too, the inner circumference corners of the end portions of the outer core 25 at the low voltage side and the high voltage side of the secondary coil are not covered with the ring members but may be covered with the flange of the secondary spool. If the inner circumference corner of the end portion of the outer core 25 at the high voltage side of the secondary coil is not covered with the ring member, the cracks may occur in the epoxy resin 26 in the vicinity of the inner circumference corner of the end portion of the outer core 25 thereby to establish the discharge between the high voltage side of the secondary coil 21 and the outer core 25. However, the cracks, if any, are shielded by the flange of the secondary spool or the outer spool and are suppressed from any extension so that the discharge can be suppressed between another high voltage portion and the outer core 25. Moreover, the electric wires, if any at the high voltage side of the secondary coil, can be prevented from breaking.
In the above plural embodiments of the invention thus far described, the ring member to come into contact with the corner of the end portion of the outer core 25 can be prevented from any damage by rounding the same end portion corner by chamfering it by the indenting or machining method. When the end portion of the corner of the outer core 25 is not covered with the ring member, too, the cracks can be suppressed in the epoxy resin 26 in the vicinity of the end portion corner of the outer core 25.
The primary coil 24 is arranged around the outer circumference of the secondary coil 21 in the foregoing plural embodiments, but the secondary coil 21 may be arranged around the outer circumference of the primary coil 24.
In the eighth embodiment shown in
The outer core 25 is attached around the outer periphery of the primary coil 24. Because the outer core 25 is formed by wrapping a thin silicon steel plate cylindrically around the primary coil 24 so that its wrap starting end is not connected with its wrap ending end, a gap is provided in the longitudinal direction. The outer core 25 extends from the peripheral position of the permanent magnet 14 (
In the above eighth embodiment, the thin film 51 interposed between the primary spool 23 and the primary coil 24 adheres less with the epoxy resin 26 which has infiltrated between coil wires of the primary coil 24 and the primary spool 23. Accordingly, when each member of the ignition coil 10 expands/contracts as the ambient temperature changes, (1) the members on the inner periphery side of the thin film 51, i.e., the primary spool 23, the secondary coil 21, the secondary spool 20, the central core assembly 13 and the epoxy resin 26 on the inner periphery side of the thin film 51 and (2) the members on the outer periphery side of the thin film 51, i.e., the primary coil 24, the outer core 25, the housing 11 and the epoxy resin 26 on the outer periphery side of the thin film 51 expand/contract separately from each other bordering on the thin film 51. Thereby, the force which acts on each other when the inner and the outer peripheral parts of the thin film 51 expand/contract is divided by the thin film 51. Accordingly, the force which acts on the inner peripheral part which is otherwise liable to receive the greater force than the outer peripheral part when they expand/contract is reduced, so that the distortion of the inner peripheral part is reduced. For instance, because the distortion of the secondary spool 20 as a member composing the inner peripheral part is reduced, it is possible to prevent the secondary spool 20 from cracking in low temperature when the toughness of the secondary spool 20 drops. Thereby, it is possible to prevent the electric discharge from occurring between the coil wires composing the secondary coil 21 along the crack which might otherwise be caused in the secondary spool 20 and to prevent the electric discharge between the secondary coil 21 and the central core assembly 13 as well as the dielectric breakdown between the secondary coil 21 and the central core assembly 13 from occurring. Accordingly, desired high voltage is generated by the secondary coil 21 and the high voltage causes the ignition plug to generate a good spark.
Because it is possible to reduce the distortion of not only the secondary spool 20 but also of the epoxy resin 26 as the inner peripheral part filled between the secondary spool 20 and the core 12 caused by the expansion/contraction and to prevent the crack from occurring at the surface of contact with the core 12, it is possible to prevent the insulation between the secondary coil 21 and the core 12 from being broken.
In the ninth embodiment shown in
Although the PET thin film 51 is used as the separating member in the eighth and ninth embodiments, it is possible to form a separating member by applying PET as a separating material on the primary spool 23. Instead of PET, silicone, wax or the like may be used as the separating material to be applied on the primary spool 23. Also a rubber member may be wrapped around the primary spool 23 or the like or a rubber member formed in a shape of tube in advance may be fitted on the primary spool 23 or the like. Further, a plurality of thin films may be disposed at a plurality of sections.
Although the thin film 51 which adheres less with the spool and the epoxy resin 26 has been used as the separating member in the above embodiments, the use of a separating member which adheres less with at least either one of the spool and the epoxy resin 26 also allows the inner and outer peripheral parts of the ignition coil 10 to be separated so that those can expand/contract separately from each other bordering on the separating member.
Although the inner and outer peripheral parts of the ignition coil have been separated by using the thin film 51 in the above embodiments, the spool itself may be used as a separating member by forming the spool by PPS (polyphenylene sulfide) or PET forming the thin film 51. Thereby, because no separating member needs to be provided anew, the number of parts and the number of manufacturing steps may be reduced.
Further, it is possible to apply PET, silicone, wax or the like as a separating material to the primary coil 24 so that the epoxy resin 26 will not contact with the primary spool 23. It becomes possible to prevent the resin insulator in contact with the primary coil 24 from cracking by applying the separating material on the primary coil 24.
Instead of applying the separating material on the primary coil 24, the coil wires of the primary coil 24 may be coated by a material, e.g., nylon or fluorine, which does not adhere with the epoxy resin 26. Thereby, the primary coil 24 and the resin insulator 26 can expand/contract separately, so that the restraint added to the primary spool 23 via the resin insulator 26 from the the primary coil 24 is lowered when they expand/contract. Accordingly, it is possible to prevent the primary spool 23 and the resin insulator 26 in contact with the primary spool 23 from cracking.
In the tenth embodiment shown in
The primary coil 24 is made of a coil wire 71 which is constructed as shown in
The fusing layer 75 melts and the wire 71 adhere each other by heating after winding the wire 71 around a temporary core member in a coil. When it is cooled in that state, the melted fusing material is solidified and the wire 71 is combined each other longitudinally, maintaining the shape of the tubular coil even if it is removed from the temporary core member. Accordingly, the primary coil 24 may be assembled without using a primary spool for the primary coil 24.
The primary coil 24 thus formed may be considered to have the same structure with a coil which is coated by the fusing material by its outer and inner peripheral sides and which is applied by the separating material within the fusing material. When the primary coil 24 and the epoxy resin 26 on the inner and outer peripheral sides of the primary coil 24 whose thermal expansion coefficient differ repeatedly expand/contract with changes in temperature, the fusing material expands/contracts together with the epoxy resin 26 because the fusing material adheres strongly with the epoxy resin 26. The separating material adheres less with the fusing material, so that the primary coil 24 is separated from the epoxy resin 26.on the inner and outer peripheral sides of the primary coil 24 bordering on the separating material and can expand/contract separately from each other.
Because the shape of the primary coil 24 can be maintained without winding it around the spool, the primary spool may be omitted and the diameter of the ignition coil 10 may be reduced in the radial thickness. Further, because the primary spool can be omitted, the number of parts and the production cost may be reduced.
Although the separating layer 74 is formed on the inner peripheral side and the fusing layer 75 has is formed on the outer peripheral side, the separating layer 74 may be formed on the outer peripheral side and the fusing layer 75 may be formed on the inner peripheral side. Further, one coating layer which possesses both separating and fusing qualities may be formed by mixing the separating material and the fusing material. It is also possible to form one coating layer which possesses both qualities by one material by using a separating material having the fusing quality or a fusing material having the separating quality. The separating member may be disposed on the inner or the outer peripheral side of the coils combined by the fusing material without forming the separating layer on the wire.
Although the fusing layer 75 is formed only on the primary coil 24 and the primary spool is omitted, the fusing layer may be formed only on the secondary coil or may be formed on both primary and secondary coils 24 and 21. In this case, the separating layer is formed on the coil on which the fusing layer is formed.
Although the secondary coil 21 is provided on the inner peripheral side of the primary coil 24 in the above embodiments, it is also possible to reverse the position of the primary coil 24 and the secondary coil 21 by disposing the secondary coil 21 on the outer peripheral side and the primary coil 24 on the inner peripheral side.
In the eleventh embodiment shown in
Each of the primary and secondary spools 23 and 20 is molded of the resin material containing at least one of PPE, PS and PBT and whose solution viscosity is kept to be less than 0.5 and to which more than 5 weight % of SEBS (styrene-ethylene-butene-styrene) rubber for example as a rubber component whose glass transition point temperature Tg is −30° or less and glass fibers as a reinforcing material for preventing the plastic deformation of the spool are contained.
As shown in
The inlet port 102, the outlet port 103 and the alignment plate 105 forming the path of the resin are formed extending in the axial direction of the main body 101 which is the molding die of the spool itself, so that the orientation of the glass fibers within the resin is uniformed across the axial length of the main body 101. A width of the path of the resin formed within the alignment plate 105 is narrow, so that the orientation of the glass fibers is liable to go along the direction of the flow of the resin.
When the resin is injected from the inlet port 102, the glass fibers which are oriented almost uniformly along the direction of flow of the resin within the alignment plate 105 are oriented uniformly along the flow of the resin within the main body 101, i.e., along the circumferential direction thereof, and flows out of the outlet port 103 via the alignment plate 105.
Because each spool is molded of the resin material containing at least one of PPE, PS and PBT and more than 5 weight % of the rubber component whose glass transition point temperature Tg is −30° or less to enhance the toughness of the spool in low temperature, the spool repeats expansion/contraction without cracking while adhering with the coil by the epoxy resin 26 infiltrating between wire rods composing each coil even if the ambient temperature changes. In particular, because the toughness of each spool may be maintained in low temperature, it is possible to prevent each spool from cracking in low temperature during which the tenacity is inclined to drop. Accordingly, it is possible to prevent electric discharge from occurring along a crack of the spool between the coil wires composing the coil. Further, it is possible to prevent electric discharge from occurring between the secondary coil 21 which is located in the vicinity of the core 12 and generates high voltage and the core 12 and to prevent dielectric breakdown from occurring between the secondary coil 21 and the core 12.
Further, because a fluidity of the resin material drops and it becomes difficult to mold the spool when the rubber component is added to enhance the toughness of the spool, the drop of the fluidity is suppressed by setting the solution viscosity of the resin material at 0.5 or less.
Still more, a thermal expansion coefficient of the spool in the radial direction is lowered and is made closer to that of the coil by aligning the orientation of the glass fibers contained in the resin material molding the spool along the circumferential direction. Because it allows the difference of the thermal expansion coefficient of the spool with that of the coil to be reduced and the spool to expand/contract conforming to the coil, the distortion of the spool during the expansion/contraction is reduced and the spool is prevented from cracking. Further, the disturbance of the orientation of the glass fibers may be suppressed at the confluent section of the injected resin by providing the outlet port 103 in the spool molding die, so that the orientation of the glass fibers may be uniformed along the circumferential direction of the spool.
In
Point B shows characteristics of one in which 5 weight % of rubber component is added to the above product. It can be seen that the extension of rupture εf increases and the spool is prevented from cracking by adding the rubber component to the prior art spool material. Point C also shows characteristics of the spool. That is, although the same spool material with that of the prior art product is used, the spool has been molded by the above-mentioned method shown in
Point D shows characteristics of the present embodiment. That is, the thermal expansion coefficient αθ in the circumferential direction is reduced and the extension of rupture εf is increased by adding 5 weight % of rubber component to the above product denoted by A and by orienting the glass fibers in the circumferential direction by the method shown in
Although the glass fibers were contained in the resin material in order to prevent the plastic deformation of each spool in the embodiment, it is possible to contain glass beads or mica, instead of the glass fiber.
In the twelfth embodiment shown in
It allows the spool to be restricted from cracking with a change in temperatures in the same manner with the eleventh embodiment and the number of parts as well as the number of production steps to be reduced.
In the thirteenth embodiment shown in
Further, because a corner section at a stepped portion of the outer periphery of the core 12 having a laminated structure is covered by the wire 12a, it is possible to prevent the epoxy resin 26 filled between the core 12 and the secondary spool 20 on the side of core 12 from cracking.
Although the wire 12a has been wound around the outer periphery of the core 12, it is possible to wind a wire formed of a glass fiber around the core 12 or to cover the core 12 by a tube knitted by glass fibers. Further, it is possible to add an additive which reduces the thermal expansion coefficient of the epoxy resin 26 filled between the core 12 and the secondary spool 20 at least in the vicinity of and across all around the core 12.
Still more, although the epoxy resin 26 which is filled within the housing 11 as the resin insulator is also filled between the core 12 and the secondary spool 20, the epoxy resin 26 which is to be solidified as the resin insulator may be filled only between the core 12 and the secondary spool 20 and a fluid such as insulating oil may be used for the insulation between other members.
Although the rubber component has been included in the resin material of both the secondary spool 20 and the primary spool 23, the primary spool 20 on the outer periphery side may be molded without including the rubber component. Further, it is possible to reverse the position of the secondary spool 20 and the primary spool 23 and to dispose the secondary spool 20 on the outer periphery side and the primary spool 23 on the inner periphery side. Both of the secondary spool 20 and the primary spool 23 may be molded by including the rubber component within the resin material and the secondary spool on the outer periphery side may be molded without including the rubber component.
Still more, although the spool can be suppressed from cracking by enhancing the toughness of the spool and by reducing its thermal expansion coefficient, it is possible to suppress the spool from cracking by reducing elastic modulus of the spool in the circumferential direction. That is, it is possible to prevent the spool from cracking by absorbing the distortion by softening the spool itself and by making it extendible. For instance, it is possible to prevent the spool from cracking by adopting a material containing at least either one of silicon, flexible epoxy and elastomer having small elastic modulus as the material for molding the spool and by reducing the elastic modulus in a testing method conforming to ASTM•D790 to 1 MPa to 1000 MPa. Here, the spool becomes too soft and the windability in winding a coil around the spool drops when the elastic modulus is reduced below 1 MPa. Further, the distortion cannot be absorbed fully when it is greater than 1000 MPa.
Although the thermal expansion coefficient αθ of the spool in the circumferential direction was reduced by orienting the glass fibers in the circumferential direction, it is also possible to reduce the thermal expansion coefficient αθ in the circumferential direction by adopting a material containing at least either one of PPS, PET, liquid crystal polymer and epoxy as the material for molding the spool. Specifically, the thermal expansion coefficient ae in the circumferential direction in the testing method conforming to ASTM•D696 may be reduced to 10 ppm to 50 ppm. It allows the same effect with orienting the glass fibers in the circumferential direction to be obtained. At this time, the thermal expansion coefficient αθ in the circumferential direction may be reduced more readily by using the method shown in
In the fourteenth embodiment shown in
The insulator 26, if made of epoxy resin, has a cold modulus of elasticity E (measured by a test method corresponding to ASTMD790) of about 8,400 MPa and a thermal expansion coefficient α (an average at the room temperature to 70° C. in a test method corresponding to ASTMD696) of about 40 ppm. As shown in
According to various experiments conducted on the basis of the relation between the characteristics of the insulator 26 and the cold-heat distortion to occur in the secondary spool 20, it was ascertained that the breakage of the individual members in the housing 11 can be restricted by employing a flexible-insulator made of a silicone resin, urethane resin, flexible epoxy resin or the like.
Specifically, it was ascertained that the breakage of the individual members in the housing 11 can be restricted by setting the cold modulus of elasticity E of the insulator 26 no more than 5,000 MPa, and that the breakage of the members around the central core 12 can be restricted by setting the cold modulus of elasticity E of the insulator 26 no more than 10 MPa.
It was also ascertained that the cold modulus of elasticity E of the insulator 26 is preferred to be no less than 0.1 MPa because the fixing forces of the individual members drop, if the cold modulus of elasticity E of the insulator 26 is lower than 0.1 MPa, so that breakage such as disconnections or cracks may be suppressed.
On the other hand, it was also ascertained that the insulation deteriorates, as enumerated in the following Table 1, if the cold modulus of elasticity E of the insulator 26 is reduced. In case the insulation raises no serious problem, as exemplified by the ignition coil having a relatively low voltage generation or the insulator 26 capable of retaining a sufficient insulation distance, the cold modulus of elasticity E is preferred to be lower. In another case (in which the sufficient insulation has to be retained by the insulator 26), it is preferred that the cold modulus of elasticity E be no less than 10 MPa.
It was ascertained that the cold-heat distortion of the secondary spool 20 can be reduced contrary to the foregoing experiments by reducing the thermal expansion coefficient α of the insulator 26 so that the breakage of the individual members in the housing 11 can be restricted without using any separation members or the like.
By setting the thermal expansion coefficient α of the insulator 26 within a range of 10 to 30 ppm, the breakage of the individual members in the housing 11 can be suppressed without using any separation members. By especially noting that the iron used for the central core 12 has a thermal expansion coefficient α of 11 ppm and that the copper used for the secondary coil 21 has a thermal expansion coefficient α of 17 ppm, it is ascertained that the breakage of the individual members in the housing 11 is more restricted by setting the thermal expansion coefficient α of the insulator 26 within a range of 11 to 17 ppm.
By setting the thermal expansion coefficient α of the secondary spool 20 within a range of 10 to 50 ppm, on the other hand, the thermal expansion coefficients α of the central core 12, the secondary spool 20 and the secondary coil 21 come close to one another to suppress occurrence of the cold-heat distortion due to the temperature change thereby to improve the durability of the ignition coil 10.
Thus, the insulator 26 is preferred to have a cold modulus of elasticity E of no more than 5,000 MPa or to have a thermal expansion coefficient α of no more than 30 ppm, as described above.
By using the insulator 26 having a cold modulus of elasticity E of no more than 10 MPa, on the other hand, the breakage of the members around the central core 12 can be restricted without mounting the buffer member on the central core 12 although the insulation of the insulator 26 is slightly lowered. By thus using no buffer member, the costs for preparing and assembling the buffer means can be eliminated to further suppress the cost for the ignition coil 1.
When the thermal expansion coefficient α of the insulator 26 is to be determined, its average at a temperature range of the room temperature to 70° C. was determined in the test method corresponding to ASTMD696. Thus, the average of the thermal expansion coefficient α can be easily determined because the thermal expansion coefficient α is determined in terms of the average at a temperature range from the room temperature to the glass transition temperature of 70° C.
That is, since the insulator 26 has a glass transition temperature Tg, as illustrated in
In the fifteenth embodiment shown in
Here, the inner insulator 26a and the outer insulator 26b may be prepared either by charging the inside of the housing 11 separately with those respective materials, or by coating the outer circumference of the central core 12, as having the magnets 14 and 15 mounted thereon, in advance with the inner insulator 26a and assembling it in the housing 11 and subsequently by charging the inside of the housing 11 with the outer insulator 26b.
By thus setting the cold modulus of elasticity E of the inner insulator 26a no more than 10 MPa and the cold modulus of elasticity E of the outer insulator 26b more than 10 MPa, the breakage of the members around the central core 12 can be suppressed without mounting any buffer member such as the cylindrical member of rubber around the central core 12, and the fixing force of its outer circumference can be strengthened to restrict the breakage such as the disconnections due to the vibration. A separating member can be eliminated by setting the cold modulus of elasticity E of the outer insulator 26b no more than 5,000 MPa.
The fifteenth embodiments may be modified by setting the thermal expansion coefficient α of the inner insulator 26a within a range of 10 to 30 ppm and the thermal expansion coefficient α of the outer insulator 26b more than 17 ppm. By setting the thermal expansion coefficient α of the inner insulator 26a within a range of 11 to 17 ppm, on the other hand, the thermal expansion coefficient α of the inner insulator 26a can be brought close to that of the iron of the central core 12 or the copper wire of the coils 21 and 24 thereby to restrict breakages of the inside members of the ignition coil 10 due to the thermal distortion more reliably.
Although the foregoing embodiments are exemplified by mounting housing 11 on the outer circumference of the outer core 25, the housing 12 may not be used but the outer core 8 may be used to function as the housing. In this modification, the outer core 25 is sealed in its inside by baking rubber to its slit.
The present invention should not be limited to the disclosed embodiments and modifications but covers other embodiments and modifications which may be implemented by those skilled in the art.
| Number | Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| 9-030403 | Feb 1997 | JP | national |
| 9-030404 | Feb 1997 | JP | national |
| 9-110836 | Apr 1997 | JP | national |
| 9-173947 | Jun 1997 | JP | national |
| 9-213626 | Aug 1997 | JP | national |
| 9-214939 | Aug 1997 | JP | national |
| 9-214940 | Aug 1997 | JP | national |
| 9-214941 | Aug 1997 | JP | national |
| 9-214943 | Aug 1997 | JP | national |
| 9-357011 | Dec 1997 | JP | national |
| 9-357143 | Dec 1997 | JP | national |
This application is a division of application Ser. No. 10/625,697, filed Jul. 24, 2003, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,930,583, which was a division of application Ser. No. 09/635,138, filed Aug. 9, 2000, which was a division of application Ser. No. 09/023,613, filed Feb. 13, 1998, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,208,231, the entire content of each of which is hereby incorporated by reference in this application. This application relates to and incorporates herein by reference Japanese Patent Application Nos. 9-30403, 9-30404, 9-110836, 9-173947, 9-213626, 9-214939, 9-214940, 9-214941, 9-214943, 9-357011 and 9-357143, filed on Feb. 14, 1997, Feb. 14, 1997, Apr. 28, 1997, Jun. 30, 1997, Aug. 7, 1997, Aug. 8, 1997, Aug. 8, 1997, Aug. 8, 1997, Aug. 8, 1997, Dec. 25, 1997 and Dec. 25, 1997, respectively.
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| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Parent | 10625697 | Jul 2003 | US |
| Child | 11137559 | US | |
| Parent | 09635138 | Aug 2000 | US |
| Child | 10625697 | US | |
| Parent | 09023613 | Feb 1998 | US |
| Child | 09635138 | US |
