A method of producing a spark plug comprises (a) a step of combining a metallic shell and an insulator; (b) a step of inserting a portion of the assembly on its forward end side into a pressure container; (c) a step of bringing an insulating member into contact with the outer circumferential surface of a base side portion of the insulator over the entire circumference thereof, and pressing the assembly so as to close the opening by the assembly; and (d) a step of pressurizing the interior of the pressure container and applying a predetermined voltage between the terminal electrode and the metallic shell.

A method of producing a spark plug comprises (a) a step of combining a metallic shell and an insulator; (b) a step of inserting a portion of the assembly on its forward end side into a pressure container; (c) a step of bringing an insulating member into contact with the outer circumferential surface of a base side portion of the insulator over the entire circumference thereof, and pressing the assembly so as to close the opening by the assembly; and (d) a step of pressurizing the interior of the pressure container and applying a predetermined voltage between the terminal electrode and the metallic shell.

In an ignition control device for controlling operation of an ignition apparatus, an ignition section has first and second electrodes disposed in a combustion chamber of an internal combustion engine. A voltage application between the first and second electrodes enables a discharge to be generated between the first and second electrodes for igniting a gas mixture in the combustion chamber. A voltage application section performs at least one application of a determination voltage between the first and second electrodes. An occurrence ratio acquisition section acquires a discharge occurrence ratio at the ignition section for the at least one application of the determination voltage. A comparison section compares the discharge occurrence ratio acquired by the occurrence ratio acquisition section with a predetermined determination threshold to thereby determine a degree of wear of at least one of the first and second electrodes.

In order to test a semiconductor spark plug, a test method comprises a step consisting of depositing water on the head of the spark plug, between the two electrodes of same, so that the water forms a water meniscus covering the semiconductor element of the head, a step consisting of applying, between the first terminal and the second terminal of the spark plug, a voltage equal to the operating voltage of the spark plug, a step consisting of identifying at least a first characteristic of electric arcs induced between the electrodes during the application of the voltage, and a step consisting of determining the operational or defective character of the spark plug according to the first characteristic of the electric arcs. This test method is particularly reliable and does not require constraining provisions in order to ensure the safety of the operators implementing the method.

In order to test a semiconductor spark plug, a test method comprises a step consisting of depositing water on the head of the spark plug, between the two electrodes of same, so that the water forms a water meniscus covering the semiconductor element of the head, a step consisting of applying, between the first terminal and the second terminal of the spark plug, a voltage equal to the operating voltage of the spark plug, a step consisting of identifying at least a first characteristic of electric arcs induced between the electrodes during the application of the voltage, and a step consisting of determining the operational or defective character of the spark plug according to the first characteristic of the electric arcs. This test method is particularly reliable and does not require constraining provisions in order to ensure the safety of the operators implementing the method.

The spark plug includes an insulator formed of an alumina-based sintered body, and the insulator contains Si, Ba, and a rare earth element. In an analysis of the insulator by using a scanning transmission electron microscope having an electron-probe diameter of 1 nm, Si and a rare earth element are detected at a crystal grain boundary having a thickness of 15 nm or less, a content of an alkaline earth metal is less than a detection limit at the crystal grain boundary, and a diffraction spot is present in an electron diffraction pattern of a portion where Ba is detected.

The spark plug includes an insulator formed of an alumina-based sintered body, and the insulator contains Si, Ba, and a rare earth element. In an analysis of the insulator by using a scanning transmission electron microscope having an electron-probe diameter of 1 nm, Si and a rare earth element are detected at a crystal grain boundary having a thickness of 15 nm or less, a content of an alkaline earth metal is less than a detection limit at the crystal grain boundary, and a diffraction spot is present in an electron diffraction pattern of a portion where Ba is detected.

A method of producing a spark plug comprises (a) a step of combining a metallic shell and an insulator; (b) a step of inserting a portion of the assembly on its forward end side into a pressure container; (c) a step of bringing an insulating member into contact with the outer circumferential surface of a base side portion of the insulator over the entire circumference thereof, and pressing the assembly so as to close the opening by the assembly; and (d) a step of pressurizing the interior of the pressure container and applying a predetermined voltage between the terminal electrode and the metallic shell.

A method of producing a spark plug comprises (a) a step of combining a metallic shell and an insulator; (b) a step of inserting a portion of the assembly on its forward end side into a pressure container; (c) a step of bringing an insulating member into contact with the outer circumferential surface of a base side portion of the insulator over the entire circumference thereof, and pressing the assembly so as to close the opening by the assembly; and (d) a step of pressurizing the interior of the pressure container and applying a predetermined voltage between the terminal electrode and the metallic shell.

A method of detecting the breakdown voltage between the electrodes of a spark plug connected to an ignition coil for a cylinder ignition system, in an internal combustion engine, includes a detection of an opening of the switch on the primary winding and a detection of a voltage on that primary winding, with the generation of a first signal representative of the voltage trend following the opening of the switch. The first signal is then integrated and, following an identification of a breakdown at the ends of the spark plug, a breakdown voltage value is determined as a function of the value of the integrated signal at the time of the breakdown.