Apparatus for routing electrical signals in an engine

Internal-combustion engines – Igniters

Reexamination Certificate

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Details

C123S184610

Reexamination Certificate

active

06186106

ABSTRACT:

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to engines having air induction systems, such as internal combustion engines. More particularly, the present invention relates to an apparatus for routing electrical signals in an engine having an air intake manifold.
2. Disclosure Information
Most engines, such as internal combustion engines, have an air intake manifold
50
for taking in air from outside the engine
30
and directing it into each engine cylinder, as illustrated in
FIGS. 1-2
. The outside air flows in through an air intake duct
56
into a central air chamber, from which it is then directed into individual runners or channels
54
and into each individual engine cylinder where combustion takes place.
Combustion is typically facilitated by activating a spark from a spark plug within the cylinder of a gasoline engine, or by activation of a glow plug within the cylinder of a diesel engine. Such activation is generally accomplished by supplying either pulsed or continuous electrical signals or power feeds to the spark plug or glow plug. These signals or power feeds in turn typically come from either a central distributor, or from individual ignition coils at each cylinder. In fuel injected engines, it may also be desirable to have an individual electronic fuel injector (EFI) disposed proximate each cylinder; these EFIs also require signals or power feeds, typically from a microprocessor-controlled sub-system.
The electrical distribution system required to facilitate these various signals and/or power feeds conventionally requires a considerable network of wires, cables, harnesses, connectors, fasteners, brackets, standoffs, strain reliefs, and one or more support frames for arranging, routing, and supporting all of these elements, as illustrated in
FIGS. 1-2
. In addition, most engines nowadays also require various other electrical engine sub-systems, such as engine control modules, mass air flow sensor modules, anti-lock brake control modules, and so forth. Each of these sub-systems also requires its associated wires, harnesses, connectors, housings, fasteners, etc., further adding to the electrical distribution and routing system of the engine. Although these various sub-systems are necessary, they may each add to the overall weight, space, complexity, and cost of the engine.
It would be desirable, therefore, to provide some means of accommodating the various signal and power feed needs of an engine system while reducing the overall overall weight, space requirements, cost, and complexity heretofore associated therewith.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention overcomes the disadvantages of the prior art approaches by providing an apparatus for routing electrical signals in an engine having n cylinders and an intake manifold, one embodiment of which comprises: (1) a generally rigid housing generally conforming in shape with and being removably attachable to a top surface of the intake manifold; (2) at least n carrier members attached to the housing and extending outward therefrom, wherein each carrier member is arranged in general proximity with a respective cylinder; (3) a plurality of conductive circuit traces arranged on or beneath a surface of the housing and on or within each carrier member; and (4) at least one input/output connector for connection to at least one of an external signal source, an external power source, an external signal destination, and an external power destination, wherein each input/output connector is attached to the housing and is electrically connected to at least one of the circuit traces. Each circuit trace carried by each carrier member terminates in a termination electrically connectable with an electrical engine element, such as an ignition coil, an EFI, a spark plug, and/or a glow plug.
It is an object and advantage that the present invention may accommodate various signal and power needs of an engine electrical system while reducing the weight, space requirements, cost, and complexity otherwise associated therewith.
Another advantage is that the present invention may incorporate electronic components from one or more electrical sub-systems of an engine so as to provide even further overall reductions in weight, space requirements, cost, and complexity.
These and other advantages, features and objects of the invention will become apparent from the drawings, detailed description and claims which follow.


REFERENCES:
patent: 2234579 (1941-03-01), Robertson
patent: 4050093 (1977-09-01), Crall et al.
patent: 5003933 (1991-04-01), Rush, II et al.
patent: 5086743 (1992-02-01), Hickey
patent: 5178115 (1993-01-01), Daly
patent: 5189782 (1993-03-01), Hickey
patent: 5203292 (1993-04-01), Motose
patent: 5261375 (1993-11-01), Rush, II et al.
patent: 5347969 (1994-09-01), Gmelin et al.
patent: 5353758 (1994-10-01), Masuda et al.
patent: 5357931 (1994-10-01), Semence
patent: 5477819 (1995-12-01), Kopec

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