The invention relates to an apparatus for igniting a fuel mixture. Set apparatus comprises an ignition system for generating a high-voltage ignition voltage as well as a circuit device comprising a circuit for superimposing a high-frequency signal on to the high-voltage ignition voltage. The apparatus further comprises a spark plug in an engine block as well as a transmission element for transmitting the ignition voltage, onto which the high-frequency signal has been superimposed, to the spark plug. The transmission element includes a contact element which is provided with an electrically conductive coating along at least one portion of the longitudinal axis of the contact element, the impedance of the coding being lower than the impedance of the contact element.

In a method for manufacturing a spark plug, a space on a proximal end side of a center electrode in a shaft hole of an insulator is filled with first electrically conductive glass powder. A space on the proximal end side of the first electrically conductive glass powder in the shaft hole is filled with resistor composition powder. A space on the proximal end side of the resistor composition powder in the shaft hole is filled with second electrically conductive glass powder. The first electrically conductive glass powder, the resistor composition powder, and the second electrically conductive glass powder are sintered in the shaft hole. Prior to filling of the resistor composition powder, at least one of the insulator and the first electrically conductive glass powder is placed in an uncharged state, or the insulator and the first electrically conductive glass powder are placed in the same charged state.

A method for manufacturing a spark plug that includes preparing an assembly fitted with a cylindrical insulator, and a main metal fitting disposed on an outer periphery of the insulator; photographing the assembly by using a camera disposed on the axis while turning on a first lighting equipment disposed; photographing the assembly by using the camera while turning on a second lighting equipment; specifying a position of an outer peripheral surface of the insulator by using one of photographed images; specifying a position of an inner peripheral surface of the main metal fitting by using the other of the photographed images; and specifying a size of a clearance between the insulator and the main metal fitting by using the position of the outer peripheral surface of the insulator and the position of the inner peripheral surface of the main metal fitting.

A spark plug includes a housing, an isolator arranged in the housing, and a ground electrode arranged on a front surface of the housing on a combustion chamber side. The spark plug further includes a central electrode, a terminal stud, and a resistance element all of which are arranged in the isolator. The resistance element is spatially arranged between the central electrode and the terminal stud and connects the central electrode to the terminal stud. The ground electrode forms a spark gap together with the central electrode. The resistance element contains a resistance material that contains conductive particles and non-conductive particles. At least 80% of the non-conductive particles have a maximum diameter of 20 m.

A method for manufacturing a spark plug. The method includes: furnishing an insulator; introducing into the insulator a material mixture that is configured to constitute a resistor paste, the material mixture containing ZrO.sub.2 and SiO.sub.2; heating the insulator and the material mixture present therein to a temperature T of at least 870 C., so that ZrO.sub.2 and SiO.sub.2 in the material mixture react at least partly to ZrSiO.sub.4.

A method for manufacturing a spark plug. The method includes: furnishing an insulator; introducing into the insulator a material mixture that is configured to constitute a resistor paste, the material mixture containing ZrO.sub.2 and SiO.sub.2; heating the insulator and the material mixture present therein to a temperature T of at least 870 C., so that ZrO.sub.2 and SiO.sub.2 in the material mixture react at least partly to ZrSiO.sub.4.

A spark plug which is capable of further improving load life performance and a resistor material for a spark plug are provided. A spark plug includes a center electrode, a terminal fitting, and a resistor disposed between the center electrode and the terminal fitting. The resistor contains glass, a zirconia-based material and an electrically conducting material. The zirconia-based material contains at least stabilized zirconia.

A spark plug which is capable of further improving load life performance and a resistor material for a spark plug are provided. A spark plug includes a center electrode, a terminal fitting, and a resistor disposed between the center electrode and the terminal fitting. The resistor contains glass, a zirconia-based material and an electrically conducting material. The zirconia-based material contains at least stabilized zirconia.

An ignition coil includes a coil main body portion, a conductive member, and a protective portion. The coil main body portion generates a high voltage. The conductive member electrically connects the coil main body portion and a terminal metal fitting of a spark plug. The conductive member is arranged inside the protective portion. The protective portion has an electrically insulating property. The conductive member includes an elastic portion that elastically deforms in a longitudinal direction of the conductive member, and a conductive terminal that is arranged on a distal end side of the elastic portion. The conductive terminal has a distal end surface that includes a concave surface or a convex surface that abuts on the terminal metal fitting of the spark plug. A contact portion between the concave surface or the convex surface and the terminal metal fitting of the spark plug has an annular shape.

An ignition coil includes a coil main body portion, a conductive member, and a protective portion. The coil main body portion generates a high voltage. The conductive member electrically connects the coil main body portion and a terminal metal fitting of a spark plug. The conductive member is arranged inside the protective portion. The protective portion has an electrically insulating property. The conductive member includes an elastic portion that elastically deforms in a longitudinal direction of the conductive member, and a conductive terminal that is arranged on a distal end side of the elastic portion. The conductive terminal has a distal end surface that includes a concave surface or a convex surface that abuts on the terminal metal fitting of the spark plug. A contact portion between the concave surface or the convex surface and the terminal metal fitting of the spark plug has an annular shape.