Patents by Inventor Tatsuya GOZAWA

Tatsuya GOZAWA 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: 11929594
    Abstract: The spark plug is provided with: an insulator; a main metal fitting in which a shelf portion for locking the insulator is provided; and a cap joined to the main metal fitting by way of a melted portion. The cap forms an auxiliary chamber, and includes an injection port penetrating from an inner surface to an outer surface. There is a gap extending from the auxiliary chamber to the melted portion, between a first surface connecting an inner peripheral surface of the main metal fitting and an outer peripheral surface of the main metal fitting on a tip end side of the shelf portion, and a second surface of the cap, connecting an inner surface and an outer surface thereof, and the gap includes an opening portion which opens into the auxiliary chamber in a radial direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2024
    Assignee: Niterra Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Tatsuya Gozawa, Ritsuka Nakagawa
  • Publication number: 20240063609
    Abstract: Provided is a spark plug with which pre-ignition of fuel gas that has flowed into an auxiliary chamber can be reduced. The spark plug is provided with: an insulator (11); a central electrode (14) disposed in the insulator; a main metal fitting (20) in which a shelf portion (23) for locking the insulator is provided; a grounding electrode (30) between the central electrode and which a spark gap (32) is provided; and a cap (40) joined to the main metal fitting by way of a melted portion (41). The cap forms an auxiliary chamber (42), and includes an injection port (45) penetrating from an inner surface (43) to an outer surface (44).
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 11, 2021
    Publication date: February 22, 2024
    Applicant: Niterra Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Tatsuya GOZAWA, Ritsuka NAKAGAWA
  • Patent number: 11715933
    Abstract: A spark plug includes a center electrode, a tubular metallic shell which holds the center electrode therein in an insulated state, and a ground electrode which faces a forward end portion of the center electrode. The metallic shell has a penetration hole which penetrates the metallic shell in a direction intersecting an axial direction. The ground electrode has a press-fitted portion inserted into the penetration hole and fixed to the metallic shell, a projecting portion projecting toward an inner side of the metallic shell, and an insertion portion disposed between the press-fitted portion and the projecting portion, inserted into the penetration hole, and forming a space between the insertion portion and an inner surface of the penetration hole. An angle ? formed between the inner surface of the penetration hole and an outer surface of the insertion portion falls within a range of 0°<?<90°.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2023
    Assignee: NGK SPARK PLUG CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Kenji Ban, Tatsuya Gozawa
  • Patent number: 11695258
    Abstract: This spark plug includes a cap portion covering a center electrode and an end of a ground electrode from a front side. In a cross section including an axial line, where a pitch of an external thread of a metal shell is X (mm), an axial-line-direction distance between a crest of a rear-end ridge of a full thread portion of an external thread and a rear end of a contact portion of an insulator with which the metal shell contacts directly or via another member is A (mm), an axial-line-direction distance between the rear end of the contact portion and a front end of the insulator is B (mm), and an axial-line-direction distance between the rear end of the contact portion and a seating surface of the metal shell is C (mm), 0<A<4X, B?15, and C?3.6 are satisfied.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2023
    Assignee: NGK SPARK PLUG CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Tatsuya Gozawa, Ritsuka Nakagawa
  • Publication number: 20230143447
    Abstract: A spark plug includes a metallic shell which holds a center electrode in an insulated condition, and a ground electrode is held in a penetration hole of the metallic shell. The penetration hole includes a circular counterbore portion, and a penetrating portion extending from the counterbore portion to an inner circumferential surface of the metallic shell. The ground electrode includes a fixing portion which is fixed to the counterbore portion, and an extension portion extending from the fixing portion. The extension portion has a flat surface which faces a forward end surface of the center electrode in the axial direction. The penetrating portion restricts the extension portion such that the flat surface of the extension portion faces toward a rear end side in the axial direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 16, 2020
    Publication date: May 11, 2023
    Applicant: NGK SPARK PLUG CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Tatsuya GOZAWA
  • Publication number: 20230106076
    Abstract: This spark plug includes a cap portion covering a center electrode and an end of a ground electrode from a front side. In a cross section including an axial line, where a pitch of an external thread of a metal shell is X (mm), an axial-line-direction distance between a crest of a rear-end ridge of a full thread portion of an external thread and a rear end of a contact portion of an insulator with which the metal shell contacts directly or via another member is A (mm), an axial-line-direction distance between the rear end of the contact portion and a front end of the insulator is B (mm), and an axial-line-direction distance between the rear end of the contact portion and a seating surface of the metal shell is C (mm), 0<A<4×, B?15, and C?3.6 are satisfied.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 27, 2020
    Publication date: April 6, 2023
    Applicant: NGK SPARK PLUG CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Tatsuya GOZAWA, Ritsuka NAKAGAWA
  • Patent number: 11515690
    Abstract: A spark plug capable of generating a sufficient volume of jet with an increased range is provided. The spark plug includes a metal shell having a tubular shape; a center electrode retained in the metal shell in an insulated manner; a ground electrode that is electrically connected to the metal shell and that defines a spark gap between the center electrode and an end portion of the ground electrode; and a cap portion that covers the center electrode and the end portion of the ground electrode from the front in a region in front of the metal shell and in which a through hole is formed. The cap portion includes a plurality of projections on an inner surface of the through hole. The projections extend in an extending direction in which the through hole extends.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2022
    Assignee: NGK SPARK PLUG CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Kenji Ban, Tatsuya Gozawa
  • Publication number: 20220360051
    Abstract: A spark plug includes a center electrode, a tubular metallic shell which holds the center electrode therein in an insulated state, and a ground electrode which faces a forward end portion of the center electrode. The metallic shell has a penetration hole which penetrates the metallic shell in a direction intersecting an axial direction. The ground electrode has a press-fitted portion inserted into the penetration hole and fixed to the metallic shell, a projecting portion projecting toward an inner side of the metallic shell, and an insertion portion disposed between the press-fitted portion and the projecting portion, inserted into the penetration hole, and forming a space between the insertion portion and an inner surface of the penetration hole. An angle ? formed between the inner surface of the penetration hole and an outer surface of the insertion portion falls within a range of 0°<?<90°.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 19, 2020
    Publication date: November 10, 2022
    Applicant: NGK SPARK PLUG CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Kenji BAN, Tatsuya GOZAWA
  • Publication number: 20220294191
    Abstract: A spark plug includes a tubular metal shell; an insulator including a locking portion locked onto the metal shell; and a cap disposed at a front end side of the metal shell, the cap having a plurality of orifices. The plurality of orifices include orifices with different cross-sectional areas. A sum of the number of one or more largest orifices and the number of one or more large orifices that have a cross-sectional area of larger than or equal to 90% of the one or more largest orifices is smaller than the number of orifices that are other than the one or more largest orifices and the one or more large orifices. A length of the front end portion in an axial direction between a front end of the insulator and a front end of the locking portion is smaller than or equal to 12 mm.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 10, 2022
    Publication date: September 15, 2022
    Applicant: NGK Spark Plug Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Tatsuya GOZAWA, Shunsuke MAEDA, Daiki GOTO
  • Patent number: 11431155
    Abstract: A spark plug includes a metal shell and a cap member joined to the metal shell to define a pre-chamber. The cap member includes an overlapping surface that overlaps the metal shell along the axial line direction, an inner facing surface positioned closer to the pre-chamber than is the overlapping surface, the inner facing surface facing the metal shell in the axial line direction, and an outer facing surface positioned closer to an outer periphery than is the overlapping surface, the outer facing surface facing the metal shell in the axial line direction. A portion of the cap member that is closer to the pre-chamber than is the overlapping surface s spaced from the metal shell. The metal shell and the cap member are joined together at at least one of the outer facing surface and the overlapping surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2022
    Assignee: NGK SPARK PLUG CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Kenji Ban, Tatsuya Gozawa
  • Patent number: 11424600
    Abstract: A spark plug includes a tubular metal shell; an insulator including a locking portion locked onto the metal shell; and a cap disposed at a front end side of the metal shell, the cap having a plurality of orifices. The plurality of orifices include orifices with different cross-sectional areas. A sum of the number of one or more largest orifices and the number of one or more large orifices that have a cross-sectional area of larger than or equal to 90% of the one or more largest orifices is smaller than the number of orifices that are other than the one or more largest orifices and the one or more large orifices. A length of the front end portion in an axial direction between a front end of the insulator and a front end of the locking portion is smaller than or equal to 12 mm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2022
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2022
    Assignee: NGK Spark Plug Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Tatsuya Gozawa, Shunsuke Maeda, Daiki Goto
  • Publication number: 20210399532
    Abstract: A spark plug capable of generating a sufficient volume of jet with an increased range is provided. The spark plug includes a metal shell having a tubular shape; a center electrode retained in the metal shell in an insulated manner; a ground electrode that is electrically connected to the metal shell and that defines a spark gap between the center electrode and an end portion of the ground electrode; and a cap portion that covers the center electrode and the end portion of the ground electrode from the front in a region in front of the metal shell and in which a through hole is formed. The cap portion includes a plurality of projections on an inner surface of the through hole. The projections extend in an extending direction in which the through hole extends.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 27, 2020
    Publication date: December 23, 2021
    Applicant: NGK SPARK PLUG CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Kenji BAN, Tatsuya GOZAWA
  • Publication number: 20210359495
    Abstract: A spark plug includes a metal shell and a cap member joined to the metal shell to define a pre-chamber. The cap member includes an overlapping surface that overlaps the metal shell along the axial line direction, an inner facing surface positioned closer to the pre-chamber than is the overlapping surface, the inner facing surface facing the metal shell in the axial line direction, and an outer facing surface positioned closer to an outer periphery than is the overlapping surface, the outer facing surface facing the metal shell in the axial line direction. A portion of the cap member that is closer to the pre-chamber than is the overlapping surface s spaced from the metal shell. The metal shell and the cap member are joined together at at least one of the outer facing surface and the overlapping surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 23, 2020
    Publication date: November 18, 2021
    Applicant: NGK SPARK PLUG CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Kenji BAN, Tatsuya GOZAWA
  • Patent number: 11005236
    Abstract: A spark plug wherein the occurrence of cracks at a joint portion between a cover portion and a metal shell in the spark plug is prevented. The spark plug includes a cylindrical metal shell that accommodates an insulator therein, and a cover portion that covers, from a front end side of the spark plug, a front end portion of a center electrode and a facing portion of a ground electrode to form a pre-chamber space. The cover portion is joined to a front end side of the metal shell and has injection holes that are through-holes. A first coefficient of thermal expansion A (10?5/K) of the material forming the cover portion at normal temperature and a second coefficient of thermal expansion B (10?5/K) of the metal shell at normal temperature satisfy a formula (1): A<B.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2021
    Assignee: NGK SPARK PLUG CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Tatsuya Gozawa
  • Patent number: 10944244
    Abstract: A spark plug includes a plug cap having a plurality of through holes. In a cross section including an axial line, the plug cap includes an enlarging portion in a portion of a region between a first imaginary straight line and a second imaginary straight line, the first imaginary straight line extending through a front end of the end portion of a ground electrode and being perpendicular to the axial line, the second imaginary straight line extending through a back end of one of inner open ends of the through holes that is closest to a front end of the spark plug and being perpendicular to the axial line. The enlarging portion being a portion in which a minimum distance from an outer surface to an inner surface of the plug cap increases with increasing distance in a direction from back to front.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2021
    Assignee: NGK SPARK PLUG CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Kenji Ban, Tatsuya Gozawa
  • Patent number: 10910796
    Abstract: A spark plug includes: a center electrode; a ground electrode that is provided such that a gap for spark discharge is formed between the center electrode and the ground electrode; and a plug cover covering the center electrode and the ground electrode from a front side to form an auxiliary chamber, the plug cover being provided with a through hole, wherein 60% or more of the auxiliary chamber is present in a sphere. The sphere t has a center at a midpoint of a line segment connecting the center electrode and the ground electrode at a shortest distance on an axial line of the center electrode and is in contact with a point located closest from the center on an inner open end of the through hole is imagined.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2021
    Assignee: NGK SPARK PLUG CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Tatsuya Gozawa
  • Patent number: 10868408
    Abstract: A spark plug that can suppress pre-ignition of a combustible air-fuel mixture that has flowed into the sub-chamber. The spark plug includes a ground electrode that joins to a metal shell and forms a spark gap; and a cap member that covers a center electrode and the ground electrode and forms a sub-chamber. A first fused portion that joins the metal shell and the cap member is located on the front-end side relative to the spark gap. At least a part of a first facing portion at which the metal shell and the cap member face each other is located on the sub-chamber side relative to the first fused portion. The first fused portion is not formed in an inner peripheral surface of the metal shell and an inner peripheral surface of the cap member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 15, 2020
    Assignee: NGK SPARK PLUG CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Tatsuya Gozawa, Kenji Ban
  • Patent number: 10847951
    Abstract: A spark plug includes: a center electrode; a ground electrode that is provided such that a gap for spark discharge is formed between the center electrode and the ground electrode; and a plug cover covering the center electrode and the ground electrode to form an auxiliary chamber. The plug cover is provided with plural through holes. A relationship of 80<A/B<5000 is satisfied, where a sphere has a center at a midpoint of a line connecting the center electrode and the ground electrode at a shortest distance on an axial line and contacts a point located closest from the center on each of inner open ends of the through holes. A mm3 is a volume of a region of the auxiliary chamber, which is present in the sphere, and B mm2 is an average area of the inner open ends of the through holes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 24, 2020
    Assignee: NGK SPARK PLUG CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Tatsuya Gozawa, Daiki Goto
  • Publication number: 20200358260
    Abstract: A spark plug wherein the occurrence of cracks at a joint portion between a cover portion and a metal shell in the spark plug is prevented. The spark plug includes a cylindrical metal shell that accommodates an insulator therein, and a cover portion that covers, from a front end side of the spark plug, a front end portion of a center electrode and a facing portion of a ground electrode to form a pre-chamber space. The cover portion is joined to a front end side of the metal shell and has injection holes that are through-holes. A first coefficient of thermal expansion A (10?5/K) of the material forming the cover portion at normal temperature and a second coefficient of thermal expansion B (10?5/K) of the metal shell at normal temperature satisfy a formula (1): A<B.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 31, 2020
    Publication date: November 12, 2020
    Applicant: NGK SPARK PLUG CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Tatsuya GOZAWA
  • Publication number: 20200358261
    Abstract: A spark plug includes: a center electrode; a ground electrode that is provided such that a gap for spark discharge is formed between the center electrode and the ground electrode; and a plug cover covering the center electrode and the ground electrode from a front side to form an auxiliary chamber, the plug cover being provided with a through hole, wherein 60% or more of the auxiliary chamber is present in a sphere. The sphere t has a center at a midpoint of a line segment connecting the center electrode and the ground electrode at a shortest distance on an axial line of the center electrode and is in contact with a point located closest from the center on an inner open end of the through hole is imagined.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 7, 2020
    Publication date: November 12, 2020
    Applicant: NGK SPARK PLUG CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Tatsuya Gozawa