Interrelated power delivery controls – including engine control – Transmission control – Engine controlled by transmission
Reexamination Certificate
1999-06-04
2001-04-10
Wolfe, Willis R. (Department: 3747)
Interrelated power delivery controls, including engine control
Transmission control
Engine controlled by transmission
C123S406440, C123S406470
Reexamination Certificate
active
06213913
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an ignition timing control apparatus for controlling the ignition timing of a spark plug for an internal combustion engine mounted on a motor vehicle.
2. Description of the Related Art
An ignition timing control apparatus for an internal combustion engine functions to set a proper ignition timing for the internal combustion engine. An electric spark is generated by a spark plug in accordance with the operating condition of the engine. For instance, the ignition timing may be advanced when the engine is accelerating to increase the speed of the engine.
However, even when the engine is accelerating, especially during transient operation, e.g., sudden acceleration, where engine parameters for the speed of the engine vary in a short time, no substantial response to the ignition timing control is obtained. This may result in improper operation of the engine, e.g, knocking of the engine.
In Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. Hei 1-232169, an ignition timing control apparatus retards the ignition timing during sudden acceleration when the amount of variation of the throttle valve opening of the internal combustion engine exceeds a specific value. This mitigates the knocking caused by a change in engine output during sudden acceleration.
In the prior art ignition timing control apparatus; however, the ignition timing, if retarded in accordance with the amount of change in the opening of the throttle valve, will be retarded after the occurrence of knocking resulting from actual throttle valve operation. This also occurs in devices which retards the ignition timing when knocking is detected by a knocking sensor provided in the engine. The related art devices, therefore, cannot prevent the occurrence of the knocking before it happens, but only stops it once it occurs.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is, therefore an object of the present invention to provide an ignition timing control apparatus mounted on an internal combustion engine which is capable of preventing the occurrence of knocking.
The ignition timing control apparatus for an internal combustion engine according to the present invention includes an engine speed detecting means for detecting whether the engine speed of the internal combustion engine mounted on a motor vehicle is within a specific range, a high gear ratio detecting means for detecting whether the gear ratio of a transmission mounted on the motor vehicle is high, and a retard control means for retarding the ignition timing of the internal combustion engine when the engine speed is within the specific range of engine speed and also when the transmission gear ratio is high.
In the ignition timing control apparatus of the present invention, when it has been detected that the engine speed is within the specific range of engine speed and that the transmission gear ratio is high, it is determined that the engine is operating under a condition where knocking is likely to occur. Therefore, the ignition timing of the internal combustion engine can be instantly retarded to ensure generation of a spark from a spark plug at a proper ignition timing.
Further scope of applicability of the present invention will become apparent from the detailed description given hereinafter. However, it should be understood that the detailed description and specific examples, while indicating preferred embodiments of the invention, are given by way of illustration only, since various changes and modifications within the spirit and scope of the invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art from this detailed description.
REFERENCES:
patent: 4376428 (1983-03-01), Hata et al.
patent: 4423714 (1984-01-01), Hayashi
patent: 4745901 (1988-05-01), Reifenberger et al.
patent: 4819599 (1989-04-01), Chemnitzer
patent: 5000148 (1991-03-01), Horibe et al.
patent: 5048372 (1991-09-01), Sodeno et al.
patent: 1-232169 (1989-09-01), None
Abe Masahiko
Hirakata Yoshiaki
Iwata Yasuo
Birch & Stewart Kolasch & Birch, LLP
Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
Wolfe Willis R.
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