Patents by Inventor Hironori Uegaki

Hironori Uegaki has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 11183819
    Abstract: A spark plug according to one embodiment of the present invention includes an insulator formed of an alumina-based sintered body, wherein the insulator contains 90 wt % or more of an aluminum component in terms of oxide, and wherein crystal grains of the insulator has an average grain size of 1.5 mm or smaller and a grain size standard deviation of 1.2 ?m or smaller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 23, 2021
    Assignee: NGK SPARK PLUG CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Yutaka Yokoyama, Nobuyoshi Araki, Kuniharu Tanaka, Haruki Yoshida, Hironori Uegaki, Toshiki Kon, Yusuke Nomura
  • Patent number: 10777975
    Abstract: Disclosed is a spark plug including: an insulator having an axial through hole formed with a first hole region and a second hole region larger in inner diameter than the first hole region; a center electrode having a collar portion disposed in the second hole region; a resistor disposed in the second hole region, with a front end of the resistor being located apart from a rear end of the center electrode; and a conductive seal material arranged at least between the center electrode and the resistor within the second hole region, wherein the center electrode has a recess recessed from the rear end thereof toward the front, wherein the recess is provided at least at a location of a maximum outer diameter section of the collar portion, and wherein the conductive seal material is filled into the recess from the rear end of the center electrode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 15, 2020
    Assignee: NGK SPARK PLUG CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Yoshitomo Iwasaki, Hironori Uegaki
  • Patent number: 10751923
    Abstract: An employed rear mold is comprised of a plurality of mold pieces. The plurality of mold pieces include a first mold piece which forms a first partial internal surface of the internal surface of the rear mold along the entire circumference of the internal surface, and a second mold piece which is located axially forward of the first mold piece and forms a second partial internal surface of the internal surface of the rear mold along the entire circumference of the internal surface. Releasing the molded body includes starting to move the first mold piece rearward in relation to a rear molded portion, and, subsequently to starting to move the first mold piece, starting to move the second mold piece rearward in relation to the rear molded portion, thereby disassembling the rear mold into the plurality of mold pieces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 25, 2020
    Assignee: NGK Spark Plug Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hirokazu Kurono, Hironori Uegaki, Toshitaka Honda, Hiroyuki Hazama, Kuniharu Tanaka, Hiroyuki Kawaji
  • Patent number: 10637212
    Abstract: A method for manufacturing an insulator for a spark plug includes a molding process of forming a cylindrical molded product having an axial hole that extends in a direction of an axial line, by means of injection molding using a mold that has a columnar cavity therein and a bar-shaped member disposed in the cavity and extending in the direction of the axial line. In this method, the molding process includes an injection step of injecting a material containing a ceramic. In the injection step, the material is injected into the cavity from a plurality of injection openings that are opened at an inner circumferential surface, of the mold, that forms the cavity. The plurality of injection openings include two or more injection openings located at different positions in the direction of the axial line, or two or more injection openings located at different positions in a circumferential direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2020
    Assignee: NGK SPARK PLUG CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Hironori Uegaki, Hirokazu Kurono, Toshitaka Honda, Hiroyuki Hazama
  • Publication number: 20200112146
    Abstract: A spark plug according to one embodiment of the present invention includes an insulator formed of an alumina-based sintered body, wherein the insulator contains 90 wt % or more of an aluminum component in terms of oxide, and wherein crystal grains of the insulator has an average grain size of 1.5 mm or smaller and a grain size standard deviation of 1.2 ?m or smaller.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 18, 2019
    Publication date: April 9, 2020
    Applicant: NGK SPARK PLUG CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Yutaka Yokoyama, Nobuyoshi Araki, Kuniharu Tanaka, Haruki Yoshida, Hironori Uegaki, Toshiki Kon, Yusuke Nomura
  • Publication number: 20190305523
    Abstract: Disclosed is a spark plug including: an insulator having an axial through hole formed with a first hole region and a second hole region larger in inner diameter than the first hole region; a center electrode having a collar portion disposed in the second hole region; a resistor disposed in the second hole region, with a front end of the resistor being located apart from a rear end of the center electrode; and a conductive seal material arranged at least between the center electrode and the resistor within the second hole region, wherein the center electrode has a recess recessed from the rear end thereof toward the front, wherein the recess is provided at least at a location of a maximum outer diameter section of the collar portion, and wherein the conductive seal material is filled into the recess from the rear end of the center electrode.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 27, 2019
    Publication date: October 3, 2019
    Applicant: NGK SPARK PLUG CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Yoshitomo IWASAKI, Hironori UEGAKI
  • Patent number: 10431961
    Abstract: A spark plug includes: an insulator having an axial hole formed therein in an axial direction; a center electrode extending in the axial direction and having a rear end located within the axial hole; a metal terminal extending in the axial direction and having a front end located rearward of the rear end of the center electrode within the axial hole; a resistor arranged between the center electrode and the metal terminal within the axial hole; and a conductive seal layer that fills a space between the resistor and the center electrode in the axial. The conductive seal layer has a first layer portion located adjacent to the center electrode and a second layer portion located between the first layer portion and the resistor. The second layer portion has a thermal expansion coefficient different from and falling between those of the first layer portion and the resistor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2019
    Assignee: NGK SPARK PLUG CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Yohei Takeda, Hironori Uegaki
  • Patent number: 10340667
    Abstract: A spark plug having a resistor disposed between a metal terminal and a center electrode so as to be electrically connected to the metal terminal and the center electrode, wherein the resistor is in contact with an inner circumferential surface of the insulator. On a cross section taken along the axial line so as to include the axial line, in a case where a plurality of points are plotted at predetermined intervals in a direction of the axial line so as to be present on a partial boundary line, within an arbitrary range in the direction of the axial line, of a boundary line between the insulator and the resistor, and a regression line is drawn by a least-squares method with use of the plurality of points, an average value of distances in a direction perpendicular to the regression line between the regression line and the partial boundary line is 0.1 to 0.3 ?m.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2019
    Assignee: NGK SPARK PLUG CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Toshinori Takeichi, Kuniharu Tanaka, Hirokazu Kurono, Haruki Yoshida, Hironori Uegaki
  • Publication number: 20190173266
    Abstract: A spark plug includes: an insulator having an axial hole formed therein in an axial direction; a center electrode extending in the axial direction and having a rear end located within the axial hole; a metal terminal extending in the axial direction and having a front end located rearward of the rear end of the center electrode within the axial hole; a resistor arranged between the center electrode and the metal terminal within the axial hole; and a conductive seal layer that fills a space between the resistor and the center electrode in the axial. The conductive seal layer has a first layer portion located adjacent to the center electrode and a second layer portion located between the first layer portion and the resistor. The second layer portion has a thermal expansion coefficient different from and falling between those of the first layer portion and the resistor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 29, 2017
    Publication date: June 6, 2019
    Applicant: NGK SPARK PLUG CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Yohei TAKEDA, Hironori UEGAKI
  • Patent number: 10277012
    Abstract: A spark plug having a connection portion disposed between a metal terminal and a center electrode. The connection portion includes: a magnetic substance formed from a Fe-containing oxide; a conductor which is a wire helically disposed on an outer periphery of the magnetic substance and electrically connected to the metal terminal and the center electrode; and an intermediate member which is in contact with the magnetic substance, the conductor, and an inner peripheral surface of the insulator, is disposed between the magnetic substance and the conductor, and the inner peripheral surface of the insulator, and has lower electrical conductivity than the conductor. The conductor is made of one or more of an oxide conductor, carbon, and a carbon compound.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2019
    Assignee: NGK SPARK PLUG CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Kazuhiro Kurosawa, Katsuya Takaoka, Kota Yokoyama, Kuniharu Tanaka, Hirokazu Kurono, Hironori Uegaki
  • Patent number: 10270228
    Abstract: A spark plug having a connection portion disposed in the axial hole and between a metal terminal and a center electrode. The connection portion includes: a magnetic substance formed from a Fe-containing oxide; a conductor helically disposed on an outer periphery of the magnetic substance and electrically connected to the metal terminal and the center electrode; and an intermediate member disposed between the magnetic substance and the conductor, and an inner peripheral surface of the insulator and having lower electrical conductivity than the conductor. The conductor includes a base and a conductive layer disposed on an outer periphery of the base and having higher electrical conductivity than the base, and the conductive layer has a thickness of larger than 0.1 ?m and equal to or smaller than 25 ?m.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2019
    Assignee: NGK SPARK PLUG CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Kazuhiro Kurosawa, Katsuya Takaoka, Kota Yokoyama, Kuniharu Tanaka, Hirokazu Kurono, Hironori Uegaki
  • Publication number: 20190115729
    Abstract: A spark plug having a resistor disposed between a metal terminal and a center electrode so as to be electrically connected to the metal terminal and the center electrode, wherein the resistor is in contact with an inner circumferential surface of the insulator. On a cross section taken along the axial line so as to include the axial line, in a case where a plurality of points are plotted at predetermined intervals in a direction of the axial line so as to be present on a partial boundary line, within an arbitrary range in the direction of the axial line, of a boundary line between the insulator and the resistor, and a regression line is drawn by a least-squares method with use of the plurality of points, an average value of distances in a direction perpendicular to the regression line between the regression line and the partial boundary line is 0.1 to 0.3 ?m.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 10, 2018
    Publication date: April 18, 2019
    Applicant: NGK SPARK PLUG CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Toshinori TAKEICHI, Kuniharu TANAKA, Hirokazu KURONO, Haruki YOSHIDA, Hironori UEGAKI
  • Publication number: 20190067914
    Abstract: A spark plug having a connection portion disposed between a metal terminal and a center electrode. The connection portion includes: a magnetic substance formed from a Fe-containing oxide; a conductor which is a wire helically disposed on an outer periphery of the magnetic substance and electrically connected to the metal terminal and the center electrode; and an intermediate member which is in contact with the magnetic substance, the conductor, and an inner peripheral surface of the insulator, is disposed between the magnetic substance and the conductor, and the inner peripheral surface of the insulator, and has lower electrical conductivity than the conductor. The conductor is made of one or more of an oxide conductor, carbon, and a carbon compound.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 21, 2018
    Publication date: February 28, 2019
    Applicant: NGK SPARK PLUG CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Kazuhiro KUROSAWA, Katsuya TAKAOKA, Kota YOKOYAMA, Kuniharu TANAKA, Hirokazu KURONO, Hironori UEGAKI
  • Publication number: 20190067915
    Abstract: A spark plug having a connection portion disposed in the axial hole and between a metal terminal and a center electrode. The connection portion includes: a magnetic substance formed from a Fe-containing oxide; a conductor helically disposed on an outer periphery of the magnetic substance and electrically connected to the metal terminal and the center electrode; and an intermediate member disposed between the magnetic substance and the conductor, and an inner peripheral surface of the insulator and having lower electrical conductivity than the conductor. The conductor includes a base and a conductive layer disposed on an outer periphery of the base and having higher electrical conductivity than the base, and the conductive layer has a thickness of larger than 0.1 ?m and equal to or smaller than 25 ?m.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 21, 2018
    Publication date: February 28, 2019
    Applicant: NGK SPARK PLUG CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Kazuhiro KUROSAWA, Katsuya TAKAOKA, Kota YOKOYAMA, Kuniharu TANAKA, Hirokazu KURONO, Hironori UEGAKI
  • Patent number: 10205305
    Abstract: A spark plug including a metal shell having a ground electrode, a cylindrical ceramic insulator held in the metal shell and having therein an axial hole having a small-diameter portion, and a large-diameter portion larger in diameter than the small-diameter portion and connected to a rear end of the small-diameter portion via a stepped portion, a resistor arranged in the large-diameter portion, a center electrode having: a flange portion projecting in a radial direction in the large-diameter portion to contact with the stepped portion; and a leg portion arranged in the small-diameter portion so as to extend from the flange portion toward the front end side, and a seal body arranged in the large-diameter portion and electrically connecting between the center electrode and the resistor. The seal body includes an insulating seal body that comes into contact with the ceramic insulator, and a conductive seal body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2019
    Assignee: NGK SPARK PLUG CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Hironori Uegaki, Hirokazu Kurono, Jumpei Kita
  • Publication number: 20180375298
    Abstract: The present invention allows reduction in high frequency noise of a spark plug. A Fe-containing oxide layer is formed on the surface of a beneath-flange rod-shaped portion, of a metal terminal of the spark plug, between a terminal flange portion and an upper end of a metal shell. The surface area of the Fe-containing oxide layer is not less than 10% of the surface area of the beneath-flange rod-shaped portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 19, 2016
    Publication date: December 27, 2018
    Applicant: NGK SPARK PLUG CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Kazuhiro KUROSAWA, Katsuya TAKAOKA, Kuniharu TANAKA, Toshitaka HONDA, Hirokazu KURONO, Hironori UEGAKI
  • Publication number: 20180358784
    Abstract: A spark plug has an insulator, a rod-shaped electrode member disposed in an axial hole of the insulator, and a cylindrical magnetic member disposed on an outer circumference of the electrode member within the axial hole. The insulator includes a large inner diameter region, a middle inner diameter region located frontward of the large inner diameter region and having an inner diameter smaller than that of the large inner diameter region, and a small inner diameter region located frontward of the middle inner diameter region and having an inner diameter smaller than that of the middle inner diameter region. The electrode member is retained on a step portion of the insulator between the middle inner diameter region and the small inner diameter region. The magnetic member is positioned in the axial hole at a location within the large inner diameter region.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 6, 2018
    Publication date: December 13, 2018
    Applicant: NGK SPARK PLUG CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Hironori UEGAKI, Shoma TSUMAGARI, Kazuhiro KUROSAWA, Katsuya TAKAOKA, Kuniharu TANAKA
  • Patent number: 10153619
    Abstract: A spark plug having a center electrode that is formed by joining a conductive portion made of a conductive material and an insulating portion made of an insulating material. A sealing member electrically connects the conductive portion to a resistor. The insulating portion includes a protruding portion at a location on the back side of a back end of the sealing member. The protruding portion is embedded in the resistor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2018
    Assignee: NGK SPARK PLUG CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Hironori Uegaki, Haruki Yoshida, Hirokazu Kurono
  • Patent number: 10153622
    Abstract: A spark plug has an insulator, a rod-shaped electrode member disposed in an axial hole of the insulator, and a cylindrical magnetic member disposed on an outer circumference of the electrode member within the axial hole. The insulator includes a large inner diameter region, a middle inner diameter region located frontward of the large inner diameter region and having an inner diameter smaller than that of the large inner diameter region, and a small inner diameter region located frontward of the middle inner diameter region and having an inner diameter smaller than that of the middle inner diameter region. The electrode member is retained on a step portion of the insulator between the middle inner diameter region and the small inner diameter region. The magnetic member is positioned in the axial hole at a location within the large inner diameter region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2018
    Assignee: NGK SPARK PLUG CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Hironori Uegaki, Shoma Tsumagari, Kazuhiro Kurosawa, Katsuya Takaoka, Kuniharu Tanaka
  • Patent number: 10090646
    Abstract: Disclosed is a spark plug capable of suppressing high-frequency noise by improving the material of an electrical connection part between a center electrode and a metal terminal within an axial hole of an insulator. A spark plug has an electrical connection part arranged in an axial hole of an insulator to establish electrical connection between a center electrode and a metal terminal. The electrical connection part includes a conductor having a first crystal phase formed of a Fe-containing oxide and a second crystal phase formed of a conductive metal oxide of perovskite crystal structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2018
    Assignee: NGK SPARK PLUG CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Katsuya Takaoka, Kazuhiro Kurosawa, Kuniharu Tanaka, Hisashi Kozuka, Toshitaka Honda, Hirokazu Kurono, Haruki Yoshida, Hironori Uegaki