Internal-combustion engines – High tension ignition system – Electronic cylinder sequencing
Patent
1989-12-20
1992-05-05
Argenbright, Tony M.
Internal-combustion engines
High tension ignition system
Electronic cylinder sequencing
12314650A, 123613, 307311, F02P 702
Patent
active
051098296
DESCRIPTION:
BRIEF SUMMARY
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The invention is based on a high-voltage switch for use as an ignition voltage distributor for applying the ignition voltage to spark plug of an internal combustion engine. Ignition distributor arrangements are known which are constructed as so-called static high-voltage distributors and have no moving parts. These known arrangements use semiconductor elements for every spark plug to be controlled, an ignition coil being assigned to these semiconductor elements in each instance. These circuits are relatively costly and particularly expensive to produce because of the plurality of necessary ignition coils.
In addition, it is known in a high-voltage switch to control every semiconductor element by means of its own diode. In so doing, a large quantity of components are necessary, making this high-voltage distributor relatively expensive to build.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
An object to the invention is to provide a high-voltage switch of the above described type in which, has the advantage that only one ignition coil and only one ignition output stage is required for all spark plugs. According to the invention, a plurality of optoelectronic semiconductor elements are connected to high voltage; at least one light-emitting element is provided per each spark plug; every light-emitting element is in a working connection with a plurality of the semiconductor elements; and at least one biconvex cylinder lens is arranged between the light-emitting elements and the semiconductor elements. The semiconductor elements, which are in a cascade arrangement and are preferably constructed as high-voltage phototransistors or photothyristors or photo-IC's, are actuated by means of incident light radiation, i.e. the semiconductor elements connect through when illuminated and accordingly apply the ignition pulses supplied by the ignition coil to the subsequently arranged spark plug. Very good results were achieved with cascade circuits of three to fifty phototransistors, photothyristors or photo-IC's connected in series. A cascade circuit in which the optoelectronic semiconductor elements and the assigned light-emitting elements are constructed in each instance as a hybrid circuit is particularly advantageous. A cascade circuit can be controlled with only one or also with two light-emitting elements. Accordingly, a uniform distribution of the light of a light-emitting element to a plurality of semiconductor elements is possible in a simple and inexpensive manner. At the same time, a safety advantage is provided for failure of an individual light-emitting element in that the cascade blocks when the LED's are connected one after the other.
A higher luminosity factor is possible in the particularly advantageous development of the invention with a glass rod. High operational temperatures are possible even with relatively low current of the light-emitting elements. At the same time, the light-emitting elements and the semiconductor elements are well insulated relative to one another.
When the light is distributed by means of individual fibers of a light guide, a virtually optimum galvanic decoupling is possible between the high-voltage potential of the ignition distributor and the driving potential of the semiconductor elements, particularly when the light-emitting elements are spatially separated from the distributor in an ignition switching device. Resistance to interference is accordingly improved. The light distribution in the high-voltage opto-switch is also simplified.
The light-emitting elements are preferably constructed as low-voltage elements and are e.g. actuable as light-emitting diodes with control voltages of less than 5 volts.
A cascade circuit with three to fifty high-voltage transistors, thyristors or IC's can be used for connecting through high voltages, such as those occurring e.g. as ignition voltages in automotive engineering.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING
Embodiment examples of the invention are shown in the drawing and explained in more detail in the following description.
FI
REFERENCES:
patent: 3428033 (1969-02-01), Watts
patent: 3438362 (1969-04-01), Clyborne et al.
patent: 3459943 (1969-08-01), Harnden, Jr.
patent: 3463134 (1969-08-01), Zechnall et al.
patent: 3524986 (1970-08-01), Harnden, Jr.
patent: 4570079 (1986-02-01), Davis
Herden Werner
Konrad Johann
Sautter Helmut
Suchowerskyj Wadym
Argenbright Tony M.
Robert & Bosch GmbH
Striker Michael J.
LandOfFree
High voltage switch does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with High voltage switch, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and High voltage switch will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-1405707