Adjustment method for spark plug and apparatus therefor

An adjustment method for a spark plug, comprising the steps of:

• supporting and fixing a spark plug having a center electrode and a ground electrode;
• executing an image processing of image signals obtained by imaging a spark gap defined by said center electrode and said ground electrode and/or eccentricity so as to determine said spark gap and/or said eccentricity;
• conducting a hammering operation to impart an impact working pressure to said ground electrode on the basis of said spark gap and/or said eccentricity obtained by said image processing;
• and
• executing an image processing of image signals obtained by imaging said spark gap and/or said eccentricity after said hammering operation so as to determine said spark gap and/or said eccentricity after said hammering operation, wherein said hammering operation is carried out a plurality of times until said spark gap and/or said eccentricity reaches a predetermined value, and wherein said ground electrode has a bent portion so formed as to extend from one of the ends thereof to the other and said hammering operation imparts an impact pressure directly to said bent portion.

An adjustor of a spark plug comprising:

• spark plug holding means for holding a spark plug;
• imaging means for imaging a spark gap between a center electrode and a ground electrode of said spark plug and/or its eccentricity;
• image processing means for inputting an image from said imaging means and determining said spark gap and/or said eccentricity;
• and
• hammering means for conducting a hammering operation for imparting an impact working pressure to said ground electrode on the basis of said spark gap and/or said eccentricity to such an extent that said ground electrode does not come into contact with said center electrode;
• means for repeatedly implementing the image and hammering means so as to regulate said spark gap and/or said eccentricity until said spark gap and/or said eccentricity is below a predetermined value;
• and
• wherein said hammering operation is carried out a plurality of times until said spark gap and/or said eccentricity reaches the predetermined value, and wherein said ground electrode has a bent portion so formed as to extend from one of the ends thereof to the other and said hammering operation imparts an impact working pressure directly to said bent portion.

An adjustment method for a spark plug comprising the steps of:

• supporting and fixing a spark plug having a center electrode and ground electrodes;
• executing an image processing of image signals obtained by imaging a spark gap defined by said center electrode and said ground electrodes and/or eccentricity so as to determine said spark gap and/or said eccentricity;
• determining a hammering operation quantity providing an impact working pressure several times to said ground electrodes in such a manner as to correspond to said spark gap and/or said eccentricity obtained by said image processing;
• imparting an impact working pressure several times to said ground electrodes in accordance with said hammering operation quantity corresponding to said spark gap and/or said eccentricity;
• executing an image processing of image signals obtained by imaging said spark gap and/or said eccentricity after said hammering operation so as to determine said spark gap and/or said eccentricity after said hammering operation;
• and
• imparting again said impact working pressure to said ground electrode when said spark gap and/or said eccentricity obtained by said image processing does not reach a predetermined value, wherein said ground electrode has a bent portion so formed as to extend from one of the ends thereof to the other and said hammering operation imparts an impact working pressure to only said bent portion.

An adjustment method for a spark plug comprising the steps of:

• supporting and fixing a spark plug having a center electrode and a ground electrode;
• executing an image processing of image signals obtained by imaging a spark gap defined by said center electrode and said ground electrode and/or eccentricity so as to determine said spark gap and/or said eccentricity;
• conducting a hammering operation to impart an impact working pressure to said ground electrode on the basis of said spark gap and/or said eccentricity obtained by said image processing;
• and
• executing an image processing of image signals obtained by imaging said spark gap and/or said eccentricity after said hammering operation so as to determine said spark gap and/or said eccentricity after said hammering operation, wherein said hammering operation is carried out a plurality of times until said spark gap and/or said eccentricity reaches a predetermined value, and wherein said ground electrode has a bent portion so formed as to extend from one of the ends thereof to the other and said hammering operating imparts an impact pressure to only said bent portion.

An adjustor of a spark plug comprising:

• spark plug holding means for holding a spark plug;
• imaging means for imaging a spark gap between a center electrode and a ground electrode of said spark plug and/or its eccentricity;
• image processing means for inputting an image from said imaging means and determining said spark gap and/or said eccentricity;
• and
• hammering means for conducting a hammering operation for imparting an impact working pressure to said ground electrode on the basis of said spark gap and/or said eccentricity to such an extent that said ground electrode does not come into contact with said center electrode;
• means for repeatedly implementing the image and hammering means so as to regulate said spark gap and/or said eccentricity until said spark gap and/or said eccentricity is below a predetermined value;
• and
• wherein said hammering operation is carried out a plurality of times until said spark gap and/or said eccentricity reaches the predetermined value, and wherein said ground electrode has a bent portion so formed as to extend from one of the ends thereof to the other and said hammering operation imparts an impact working pressure to only said bent portion.