Glow Plug Insulating Sleeve Design
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing glow plug designs require complex assembly and materials, including compacted insulating powder, which increases manufacturing costs and complexity.
Innovation Solution
A simplified glow plug design that eliminates the need for insulating powder by using an electrically conductive connector with a support collar and insulating sleeve, ensuring reliable electrical conductivity between the heating cartridge and center electrode, and employing a frustoconical collar for force distribution and a laser welding process for assembly.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If compacted insulating powder is used to establish electrical connection and hold position, then reliable electrical insulation is achieved, but manufacturing complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the compacted insulating powder from the glow plug structure entirely. Instead, it uses an insulating sleeve made of ceramic or plastic material that provides electrical insulation without requiring compacted powder, thereby simplifying manufacturing while maintaining insulation reliability
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the physical state of the insulating material from compacted powder to a solid sleeve structure. This parameter change eliminates the need for powder compaction processes and simplifies assembly while maintaining effective electrical insulation
2Reliability
If threaded rod and metal spring assembly is used for electrical connection, then reliable electrical contact is achieved, but manufacturing steps and part count increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the electrical connection function and mechanical support function into a single integrated structure. The insulating sleeve with its support collar provides both electrical insulation and mechanical support for the heating element, eliminating the need for separate threaded rod and metal spring components
Solution Approach 2:
The insulating sleeve is designed to perform multiple functions simultaneously: it provides electrical insulation, mechanical support for the heating element, and structural positioning within the glow plug. This multi-functionality reduces the total number of parts needed in the assembly
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The design reduces manufacturing steps and costs while maintaining effective electrical conductivity and mechanical strength, ensuring a reliable and economical glow plug with reduced risk of short circuits.
Implementation Method 1
the collar is frustoconical in cross section. With this frustoconical cross-section of the collar, it is possible to distribute the forces well over a significant support surface
Implementation Method 2
employing a frustoconical collar for force distribution and a laser welding process for assembly
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2A
Figure 2B
AI summary
Glow plug containing a heating pin (2) comprising a metal cover (21) and a ceramic heating cartridge (22), which is welded to the front area (101) of a tubular body (1), the back area of which carries a connector (3) for power supply. The electrical connection between the bottom wall (24) of the heating cartridge (22), which is provided with an input contact (233), the circuit of the cartridge and the front end (72) of the central electrode, contains an electrically conductive connecting piece (4) and an electrically conductive cylindrical head (6) which is attached to the front area of the central electrode (7), wherein both these two parts are pressed together between the heating cartridge and a support shoulder (103) in a depression (102) of the front end of the tubular body (1).