SPARK PLUG AND METHOD OF MANUFACTURING THE SAME

摘要

A method of manufacturing a spark plug that includes a metallic shell, an insulator, a center electrode, a ground electrode, and a firing pad. The method may include the steps of: applying a first laser beam to attach the firing pad to the ground electrode, and then using a second laser beam from the same laser beam welder to attach the ground electrode to the metallic shell. The laser beam welder may include a high energy density fiber laser for forming key-hole laser welds, as well as a programmable focusing optic (PFO) assembly for redirecting laser beams from one welding site to the other.

主权项

1. A method of manufacturing a spark plug, the method comprising the steps of:
providing a firing pad, a ground electrode, and a metallic shell; directing a first laser beam from a laser beam welder to a first welding site that is at or near an interface between the firing pad and the ground electrode and attaching the firing pad to the ground electrode with a first laser weld; and directing a second beam from the laser beam welder to a second welding site that is at or near an interface between the ground electrode and the metallic shell and attaching the ground electrode to the metallic shell with a second laser weld, wherein the first laser beam and the second laser beam are both emitted using the same laser beam welder.